Oreo of "Us Time" with Family Fun Filling

J + D

Date #25

Like an Oreo, this week started with a sweet cookie of alone time, then filled with a whole bunch of fun family events, followed with another sweet cookie of alone time.

(black & white picture=like an oreo--get it?!)

Let me explain:

First Cookie of alone time:

Last weekend we were blessed to head down south to attend an ordinance the Manti LDS Temple. D's little brother graciously watched our kiddos for 2 1/2 hours while we were inside such a magnificent building as the Manti Temple.

Filling: Since it was Strawberry Days in our town, we took the kids to the Parade of Homes one night, The Rodeo the next, to D&T's house to watch our favorite show the next, and to the Carnvial the next. All fabulously fun family activities.

Other Cookie:

Yesterday we then attended the Wedding of D's sister in the Mt. Timpanogas temple. His Aunts watched our boys and for an hour we sat hand in hand (I cried a bunch) and listened to the sweetest man give the sweetest couple the sweetest and most thoughtful advice for married couples. It was incredible.

Here are a few of the points he touched on:

Marriage should be focused on:

SACRIFICE--we need to make sure we are ALWAYS sacrificing for our spouses. ALWAYS.

OBEDIENCE--healthy & successful couples don't try to mimic the families they came from, but decide together how they are going to run their home. Then, by obedience to the principles of the gospel and to the rules of the house you both agree on, the household is a peaceful, productive place.

THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST--as long as we pray & play together, keep quiet & controlled voices in our conversations and home, and maintain the standards of the gospel in our home, we'll have successful marriages

CHASTITY--we can love, respect, and feel close to our friends but we need to keep the love we have with our spouses sacred and special and eternally focused.

GENEROSITY--be generous in all you do as often as you can be...with your time, your efforts, your love, your patience, your talents, your possessions, etc. because we can never outgive God and we all should do our best to be like Him. And when we give of ourselves, we are blessed beyond measure.

Though we had a really busy week of loud, crazy fun events to go to as a family, I'm so grateful I got to have TWO temple dates with my hubb in one week to be alone in such quiet, peaceful settings. Being in the temple with my hubby is such an honor and a privilege.