How We Keep Our Marriage Vibrant (Kinda Long)

Today the Bishop came up to us before Sacrament Meeting and asked if we were ready to present in the combined Relief Society/Priesthood meeting later that day. I thought he was kidding, while David got this "oh no - I forgot to tell Patti" look on his face. I guess the Bishop had talked to David a couple of weeks ago and mentioned - what David thought was in passing - that he would like us to present twenty minutes on "How We Keep Our Marriage Vibrant". Needless to say, we skipped Sunday School and put together a quick presentation.

It turned out pretty good. We got lots of compliments. We presented these things together - back and forth - and I thought I'd post what we came up with. I'm not saying that we are perfect by any means, but it was nice for us to recognize the positive in each other and what we do for each other.

Here's what we came up with:

* We try to go out on a date every other week or so. Sometimes we take Conni sometimes we don't. We are very lucky to have family and friends to help us with babysitting. We try to go to the temple once a month. Sometimes we spend money and sometimes we don't. This is more important now that we are parents so that we can try to keep communicating.


* We always go to bed at the same time. There is no sleeping on the couch. If one of us wants to stay up and watch a movie or play a video game, the other one will stay up too. This frequently leads to "Hunny, wake up so we can go to bed." David always tucks me in. Even if we are upset with each other, we still go to bed together and try to resolve it before we go to sleep.


* We try to help each other with Conni. When I need a break, even if David is tired from working all day, he will take Conni so I can have some "me" time. Then I will do the same for him. This helps us be better parents and feel more like we are raising Conni together.


* David always gets my door. He always saw his dad get his mom's door growing up. To him, it is a sign of respect for me. Even if his hands are full with Conni or groceries or whatever, he will get the door for me. I know that he respects me and it makes me feel like royalty.


* When we were dating, I came across a story on the internet:
There was a man who tells the story of going to his grandparents house and seeing them leave notes of "SHMILY" around the house. It would be found in the sugar bowl, in the steam on the bathroom mirror, on notes in a pocket, etc. The man tells he would see this all over and hear grandma and grandpa say it but he didn't know what it meant. Then his grandma died. At the funeral, his grandpa got the biggest bouquet and on it said "SHMILY - See How Much I Love You".
We liked this story and incorporated it into our relationship. We leave notes for each other in lunches, in pockets, under the wipers on the car windshield, etc. Its our own little "inside secret" that brings a smile to the other's face when we come across the note.


* We let each other have their own interests - I have scrapbooking, David has gadgets. We try to show interest and learn about each others interests. It is important for us to each have a life outside of the marriage to not lose our individuality, but at the same time to share these things so we stay connected.



* We support and deal with each others family. In every family there are times when one member drives all the others crazy. :) At those times, we are able to support each other and let the one who is upset vent about the "crazy" member of the family. If necessary, we are able to try to resolve any conflicts that arrise. Also, we are able to support each others family. When there are events going on, we support each other and do what is necessary to help the event come off successfully.

* We learn together. I am learning how to cook and experiment with it, and David is always supportive and eats what I make and gives feedback on new recipes. When Dave was in school, or now when he learns something new at work, he comes home and shows me how cool this new thing is and how to do it (to some extent - some of it is pretty intense.)

* Whenever we part, we always say goodbye, kiss, and say "I love you". Even if we are upset with each other, we still do this. That way whenever we are apart, we have left with an endearment. In our last ward, I was serving in Young Womens David would walk me to class or drop me off to an activity and always kiss me goodbye. The girls would tease me, but they thought it was cute. One of these girls recently got married and emailed me. She said that she used to just think it was cute, but now that she is married she realizes what that can do for a relationship.

* We are able to be ourselves - whether that's silly, sad, upset, or whatever. We feel safe with each other and we trust each other. We don't have to pretend to be someone else just to please the other.

Like I said earlier, we aren't perfect, but we are working on it. I am so happy to have Dave as my eternal companion and I am grateful for the time we have to improve ourselves together. And I guess I am grateful to the Bishop for giving me the opportunity to recognize all the good things we do together!

Yard Work

On Wednesday Garon came over and brought his Kabota tractor to help Dave with some yard work. They cleaned out all the debris and over growth on the north side of the house. Then they graded the area so we can get it ready to put a shed there. I forgot to take "before" pics but here is an "after" pic and pics of almost everything they pulled out. This took about three hours.

Lots of thanks to Garon for all his help (and tractor!)

The finished project

Stuff they took out One of two piles of dirt cleaned out
More stuff they took out

Conni's First Recital

The Alaskan Inn

As I mentioned earlier, last week for our anniversary we spent the night in a cabin at the Alaskan Inn at the mouth of Ogden Canyon. We loved it! Its our new favorite B&B.

We stayed in the Glacier Cabin. Here's a couple of pics of the decor:

As you know, I LOVE bears, and polar bears, and winter so this was the perfect cabin for us. It had a jetted tub - one that was actually long enough for David! Then there was a separate bath and shower too.

The service was amazing. The breakfast was even more amazing! Nummy French Toast and bacon and hash browns. Dave got the Belgian Waffle with strawberries and cream and could barely finish everything.

I should have gotten pics of the outside but forgot to. If you are ever up Ogden Canyon, a little over 3 miles or so from the foot of the canyon, you should stop by and check it out. They give tours from 12:00 to 2:00. It is so quaint and cute and nestled away. We can't wait to go back!

People I think of on Memorial Day

Aidan, Braxton, and Caleb
Grandma Connie
Grandpa Blaine
Uncle Craig
Uncle Rusty
Grandma Zelda
Aunt Re
Grandpa Bud

Conni and Aunt Michelle

Conni loves her Aunt Michelle. (This picture is the two of them at Stephanie's wedding a few weeks ago.)

Ever since Conni was about a month old, Michelle's been asking when Conni gets to spend the night. Well, for our anniversary this last Friday (happy 7 years!) Michelle kept Conni so we could go to the Alaskan Inn in Ogden.


Conni had so much fun! She went to Applebee's with Michelle and tried macaroni and cheese for the first time. Being my daughter, no surprise that she loved it! They also went with Michelle's family to the dinosaur park. Michelle said Conni talked and laughed and sang and blew raspberrys thru the whole place! Michelle has a nephew that is only a couple of months younger than Conni and it sounds like they had a bunch of fun together too.


It was hard to be away from Conni for a whole 24 hours. (David laughed - but yes, I did cry a little!) However, it was VERY nice to have some one on one time and not have to worry about getting home in time for the babysitter.


The Alaskan Inn is beautiful - I took a couple of pics I'll post later and talk about that too...


Most importantly, thanks to Michelle for watching Conni. I am greatful that we have such support from our extended families and that they love my little girl almost as much as I do!

Walking

Me, not Conni. :) So I have done very poorly exercising since I got pregnant with Conni. Before I got pregnant I was walking about two miles a time or two a week. (I know, not much, but better than nothing.)

Well, today was one of those "blah" days where I wasn't getting anything done and kept napping when Conni did. So when she woke up around 3 we went for a walk around the neighborhood. We covered 1.5 miles in a little over 30 minutes. I know, its not record breaking, but for me pushing the stroller I thought I made good time!

Now the trick is to just keep doing it. :)

I am very blessed that my mellow daughter loves to be in the stroller. Conni especially loves the ocassional breeze that was blowing today. She sang and talked and spent time taking in the neighborhood. Then when we got home she wanted her turn to exercise so she is jumping away!

Conni's 9 Month Pics in her Easter Dress..

Broccoli and Pasta Bianco

From Campbell's:

Broccoli and Pasta Bianco

1 package (16 ounces) medium tube-shaped pasta (penne)
4 cups fresh or frozen broccoli flowerets
1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Cream of Mushroom Soup (I used Cream of Chicken)
1 1/2 cups milk
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (6 ounces)
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

1. Prepare the pasta according to the package directions. Add the broccoli during the last 4 minutes of the cooking time. Drain the pasta and broccoli well in a colander.
2. Stir the soup, milk and black pepper in a 12 x 8 x 2-inch shallow baking dish. Stir in the pasta mixture, 3/4 cup of the mozzarella cheese and 2 tablespoons of the Parmesan cheese. Top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
3. Back at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until hot and the cheese melts.

Note - I didn't have the penne pasta so I used the random pasta I did have and it still tasted good.

Note 2 - We added some garlic to the leftovers to give it some pizazz and that made it even better!

Alexander (Xander) Robert

Congrats to Sara and Jess on the birth of their little boy Xander this morning!
7 lbs 13 oz 21.5 inches. Welcome little guy!

(Sorry the picture is a little grainy - its from a text from the proud papa!)