...Broken up into chapters based upon the times in our married life when we felt the guiding hand of our Heavenly Father, the Index might look a little like this:
Chapter 1...............Marriage
"I Lift Thee, and Thee Lift Me, and Together We Will Ascend to Eternity"
Sealed for Eternity in the Salt Lake Temple on May 30, 1998
Chapter 2...............Mortgage I
"Our House, is a Very Very Very Fine House"
Purchase of first little home in Taylorsville in 1999.
Our Mortgage was only $98,000.
Our Mortgage was only $98,000.
We were content to remain there for a very long time.
Chapter 3...............Sacrifice
"In this world it is not what we take up,
but what we give up, that makes us rich."
but what we give up, that makes us rich."
Sold everything we owned (home, cars, stuff) and moved to
Hawaii for Todd to work on his Doctorate of Architecture in August of 2002.
Hawaii for Todd to work on his Doctorate of Architecture in August of 2002.
Chapter 4...............Blessings
"The Lord's love is often delivered through others as they respond to promptings of the Spirit."
Arrived in Honolulu and within 2 weeks were welcomed into an amazing ward family, found a good place to live and a great job,
all because of the members of our church.
all because of the members of our church.
Black Sand beach on Kauai
Chapter 5...............Baby #1
"When in doubt, choose the kids,
there will be plenty of time later to choose work."
there will be plenty of time later to choose work."
January of 2005 we welcomed our first Son into the world, oh how life changed.
Mommy and Connor meet for the first time in the NICU
Chapter 6...............Dallas & Boston
"Experience: that most brutal of teachers.
But you learn, my God do you learn."
But you learn, my God do you learn."
Spent 6 months in Dallas TX then moved to Boston, MA
to complete Todd's practicums.
to complete Todd's practicums.
Playing in a Fountain at the Dallas Arboretum
Chapter 7...............Baby #2
"A daughter is one of the most beautiful gifts this world has to give."
Shortly after moving to Boston, our beautiful
Abi Girl joined us September of 2006.
Abi Girl joined us September of 2006.
Our little Boston Bean
Chapter 8...............Unrest
"If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's,
we'd grab ours back."
we'd grab ours back."
We returned to Hawaii in January 2007 only to unexpectedly abandon our plan and move in with Todd's parents in Utah August.
Connor waves "Aloha" our first morning back in Honolulu
Chapter 9...............Baby #3
"I never wanted my mom more than the day I, myself, became a mother."
Thirteen months after the birth of Abigail, we had another little girl. If you are going to have 3 kids under the age of 4, living with family is the way to go.
Grammy having a tender moment with Carly
Chapter 10...............Degree
"Learning is not attained by chance,
it must be sought for with ardor and diligence."
it must be sought for with ardor and diligence."
May of 2008, family members and ohana met at the University of Hawaii to witness the close of a 10 year scholarly journey as Todd received his
Doctor of Architecture Degree.
Doctor of Architecture Degree.
A very few members of our Ohana at Todd's Graduation
Chapter 11...............Mortgage
"It takes a heap o' livin' in a house t' make a home."
By no small miracle Todd got a job, we got a home and were ready to settle somewhere for longer than 9 months in July of 2008.
Chapter 12............Baby #4
"Sometimes being a brother is better than being a super hero."
April 2010 Baby Boone was eagerly welcomed into our family.
Chapter 13...............Stagnate
"Happiness consists in activity. It is a running steam, not a stagnant pool."
A gray time where Todd was unhappy with his work and knowing that something needed to change, but when and how to do it?
Chapter 14..............Tender Mercies
"Just because God doesn't answer your prayers doesn't mean He's not listening, He's just got something better in store for you."
One Friday afternoon after much fasting and prayers, we finally received a sense of direction and can move forward to something better!
Todd was "let go" from his job on good terms and is now in the process of starting and running his own architectural firm. His dissertation for school was titled, "Starting an Architecture Firm: From Academia to Profession." So this is his chance to put it to work! I have faith that this is what will make him the happiest and also provide for our family. But your prayers (and referrals) would help too!
I am grateful for the knowledge that I can communicate with our Heavenly Father through personal prayer. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't ask for or thank him for the many simple things that are always taking place in our life.
7 comments:
That was fun to read. Good luck to Todd !!
I really enjoyed reading that. Your book as a lot more exciting chapters then mine does if that makes you feel any better:) I love you and you guys are going to be fine!
I know it's hard to let go of the "sure" thing, but Todd's business is going to be so amazing. I'm so excited for you guys!!!
Loved that post! Congrats to you guys and best of luck! ps- now that we are on the "mainland" Mike and I will have to take a trip to Utah, it would be great to see you guys again!
What a journey. Good luck with your new adventure. If anyone is capable of succeeding with this endeavor it is you and Todd. I totally cried through this post. Not sure if that was your intention but I think it was just so relate-able to me on so many levels. Well that and the fact that I'm a pregnant mess. :) I'll be praying for sure.
What a cool post. It's crazy to look back on that many years and see all of the things you have experienced and accomplished.
And how in the world did you manage to look so gorgeous in the hospital after giving birth to your children? I looked like death!
It's fun to see how much your children looked like themselves as babies. You can totally recognize each one of them. You have a very sweet family and you are very blessed.
And where can I find a $98,000 mortgage...for a nice house these days? :)
Wow what an interesting life you've lived :) You have lots of faith, good luck on your next leap of faith. By the way, your kids are BEAUTIFUL!
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