A Harmonious Combination Turns 10!

This month marks the 10th anniversary of my little blog. As I have looked back on past blog posts it amazes me how much I put into this blog. The writing, the time, the honesty, the videos I made with our family, and alllllllll the pictures I've edited and posted since my only boy was born. It's crazy to think that it's been 10 years since I started this blog. This blog though has truly brought a way for me to heal from my damaged past and the abuse I endured from my childhood. It has brought me so much solace. It has brought me stress relief, and it has provided such a wonderful outlet for me. A place where I can write my heart out, collect my thoughts and share with the world all about who I am, and why I write. In other words, it helped me grow up. Because not only is this blog written for me, but for you too. It is a journal for me, but also a place where I can go and look back at the archives to read how much the world has changed, to see how much my children have grown (both physically, and mentally) and how simplicity is a possibility in life. And also...how much I have changed. Better yet, it has helped me really focus on how beautiful the world can be...if we let it. I have also learned so much at 39 when I started this blog-and even more so now at the age of 49. The imperfections of the life I've shared on here is a beautiful thing to me and I am extremely grateful for the time that I put into this blog.  Life for us is never perfectly harmonious, but when I look at photos of our family and see the laughing behind the picture, I'll take it.

With two kids left at home and Covid still being a threat with another pandemic year ahead, I will continue to share our adventures when time permits in hopes that my musings will become something that everyone can read in a bookstore someday! For those of you who have continued to follow me, thank you! I hope that y'all will continue to stay on and continue to visit this corner of the net! 

 

ten years of forever.

Golden doors at the Washington D.C. temple

Ten years ago during a dry summer in the year 2003, I was sealed for all time and eternity to an amazing man and two beautiful little girls in the Salt Lake Temple, and each year we celebrate our sealing anniversary by attending the temple to seal other families forever.

Sierra, and Lexie-Circa, Salt Lake City- 2003

We are no longer surrounded by the vast mountain area which houses at least 13 temples, but have always managed to celebrate this special day by attending one...even if it's two and a half hours away.

Ten years have past since entering the temple for the first time, and the memories will always be etched in my heart.

Sweaty hands, feelings of  excitement and a heart palpitating 100 miles an hour was a sure sign that I was at the right place at the right time. I knew that this is where i needed to be. I knew that this was it. This was the cream of the crop, and this is the place where I would be sealed to my family forever. To feel the presence of Heavenly Father, and to know that we can reign with Him and His Son forever.

I sensed silent angels clapping their heavenly hands throughout the temple as I was getting my endowments, and then again when we entered the sealing room. Endless mirrors surround the room as it was forever. And it is forever. 

Not "until death do you part."

Looking at our sealing picture reminds me of simplicity, love, beauty, innocence, and forever. Temples bring knowledge, gifts, answers, peace, tears of happiness, joy, confidence, and the will to do better as a person. 

The feeling that it brings permeates so strongly through the soul that you never want to lose sight, forget, or let go.

It's a feeling of appreciation, and gratitude to know that there is a place...even if it's just for a few hours to escape the "noise" of this world, and it is a beautiful world.

It is a responsibility. My responsibility to help those on the other side.

Sanity, patience, and a stronger faith is returned afterwards. Our bodies feel rejuvenated, put together, and we are a better judge of character for it. 

Ten, twenty, thirty years will fly by in the future, and with fervent prayer, hope, and faith those feelings of the temple will never change.

"The temple is a House of God... a place of love and beauty."

And the work will never grow weary.

How eternally grateful I am for this beautiful building we call the House of The Lord. 

Update: This story was also published on Deseret News, and you can see it here if you'd like.