39 Years Ago

39 years ago today Craig:

• Sent a dozen roses

• Told me he loved me

• Asked me to marry him

January 24th is a favorite day to remember.

• We still are married.

• We love each other more than we could have imagined 39 years ago.

• The roses?  They are in our front entry.

MY MAN

What did my darling man want to do for his Father's Day Event?
We went to visit a beloved elderly lady whom we have known for nearly 30 years, Ruth Bird. Unfortunately, we haven't visited her for a long time (which she mentioned during our visit) yet she only lives a few miles away. She was delighted to see us-especially Craig. She has a particular fondness for him. It put a smile in our hearts to put one on her face.

Have I described just how wonderful Craig is? Truthfully, it isn't possible to create an accurate portrait of my love in mere words. But, I will unfold a few less known things about this great man.

• He loves music. Our home is often filled with beautiful sounds. He helped me choose the music for my blog.

( just a few of our CD's)

• He has an unquenchable desire to learn. The rooms of our house and our garage are filled with books. This is a stack by his bed.

• Another element of the desire to learn is his appreciation of the radio talk show host Dennis Prager. Dennis Prager has become Craig's best friend (second only to me). "Listening to him is more valuable than a college degree" says Craig who has a Ph.D. himself.

• Craig loves color. This the pen collection he keeps by the bed. They are used to mark the books he reads.

• Craig always (almost always) dresses exquisitely. I call him the "Gentleman Farmer." He often is out watering or weeding in slacks, a long sleeve dress shirt, and freshly polished dress shoes. Even though this is ridiculous, I do really like it that he loves to wear nice clothes. If it were up to me he'd wear his tuxedo at home now and then!

• Craig is a thinker and a discusser. He always has deep ruminations flowing. So many times just after our evening prayer when I collapse to sleep I will hear him asking me a question such as, "when you think about the Atonement and the effect it has on repentant soul and contrast that with the......"...snore..... Poor Craig he needs to be married to a nightowl.

• I had a craving (NO, Lauren, I am not pregnant!) for a Miquel's bean burrito yesterday so Craig jumped in the car to get me one.

• Today when I came home from serving in the temple Craig had mopped and vacuumed.
  

I could go on and on but I don't want to make anyone SICK!

How do you thank a guy like that? Make him Peach French Toast for Father's Day!

Fathers

Today is the First Day of the Father's Day Celebration.
I am taking Craig out for the day. We are going to make an "experience."
Saturday we are going to my parent's house for a Celebration with all my siblings and their spouses.
Then, Sunday it is Father's Day!
In celebration of Fatherhood I share this wonderful video with you.
Father Indeed

PS visit my friend, Jan's blog and enter her giveaway!

P.S.

How could I forget to mention

the most important thing about Saturday?

It was the
37th anniversary
of our engagement!

I remember that day Oh So well.

Do you know that I still have the
12 red roses he sent me that day?

Prince Charles celebrated his 60th birthday this week.

As little girls we dreamed of being a princess and marrying a prince.
So, ladies, what do you think? What would be the benefits of being married to a prince?

Let's number them:
1. A princess has lot's of beautiful outfits (including shoes and jewels) to wear
2. She doesn't have to do housework
3 The handsome prince is strong and rescues her from all harm
4. She gets to go to balls
5. They live in a beautiful castle
6. They live happily ever after
This was my dream. Was it yours?

When I saw the photo of Prince Charles in the newspaper this week lots of thoughts and feelings swarmed my head and heart.
He is a real live prince. Would I want to be married to him? He is rich, powerful, lives in CastleS, you name it, he has it all.

Right? Whoops he didn't live happily ever after with his princess. He didn't protect her.

There are many things he doesn't have. And they are the most important things of all. Let's just compare the dreams to my reality.

Dedication of the Sunday Six to my Prince.

Craig

1. I have so many clothes and shoes that they have to be stored according to seasons in other closets around the house. Yes, there have been gifts of jewels. Some were purchased at fine department stores but the BEST ones came home with me from the hospital after they were born.

2. Oops.. I do have to do housework. But, I get help
Now and then. Since Craig has partially
retired he has assumed the role of vacuumer. He makes the bed often which includes adding decorative pillows.


3. Craig has big strong muscles. He can pick me up and if he needed to could whack a dragon with a sword...if he had a sword...if there were a dragon. He does protect me in so many other ways. He makes sure we are financially sound, that the doors have good locks on them, he drives safely, and he prays multiple times a day that we will be watched over and safe. I would rather have Heavenly Father watching over us than guards in uniform.

4. This is important...he does like to dance. I lucked out on this one. We have a large dressing room. 12 years ago when we first saw this floor plan to the house we live in and the dressing room's size we knew we would dance there. Often there is music playing and we are dancing there. Baby grandchildren have all waltzed with Grandpa many times there.

5. We have a beautiful home. More importantly my prince is endeavoring for us to be worthy to live in a heaven someday in one of those mansions that Jesus said He is preparing.

6. It's been 36 years of love for us. Eight years ago when we gave my parents a celebration for their 50th anniversary Craig said that he hoped we would live long enough to celebrate our 50th someday. I said something true and wise in response. I quote myself, "I do too. But, even more I want our marriage to last for eternity."

I married my prince. He is wonderful here and now but I believe that there are greater things in store for us as we live the gospel together. I look forward to them as I enjoy the journey.