nature

One of the things I appreciate about Jake is his love for nature. He helps me to "stop and smell the roses," if you will. 

Last week, thanks to Jake, we made a quick trip up to the Uintas. The weather was PERFECT! We hiked up to Wall Lake, which was only about a mile each way--which was just right with little kids. It was so beautiful. It is amazing what being out in nature can do for one's mind.

 Little J fed and ready to start the hike!

Walking stick #1

Walking stick #2

 

Jake taking in some sun while M played. 

 

M couldn't wait (fell in the water) to put on his swim suit! 

M yelling, "CHEESE!" 

Walking stick #4 or so... 

Jake and the kids. Baby J did so well! She slept most of the time cuddled up to Jake.

We made it back!!! 

It was so nice to be in the great outdoors together. We live in a beautiful world. 

And, of course, we had to stop at Dairy Keen on the way home. It was a great way to end the day!

pulling out the big guns

So, as I've mentioned before, the husband is pretty into farming and tractors. He has been for most of his life. As a kid, he would subscribe to any kind of farm/tractor magazine that was free. He got quite the collection until the companies realized that he was just a kid--after which they stopped sending them.

In high school he started collecting toy tractors. They were not to be played with, but rather, used for display. When I married him, I suppose I kind of became part owner of the collection. Ha, not what Jake thinks. I kind of turned him down when he wanted to display them in the living room of our first apartment. Instead I told him someday he could have his own office where he could display all of them in the open. (Don't judge me.) Anyways, they have been in a box ever since labeled, 'Fragile: Jake's tractors.'

When we found out we were having a boy (M), I jokingly asked Jake if he would let our child play with them as a kid. He half-joking, half-serious said, "No way! Maybe when he is 16 I will pull them out and give him the talk about how special the tractors are. No chance of having a toddler or small kid play with them."

Well, alrighty then...

Skip ahead to last month. Our Christmas tree was up, but we hadn't decorated it yet. I was waiting for a day when we could do it as a family. After a few days of a bare tree, Jake decided he would start decorating it. He surprised me when he pulled out the box labeled, 'Fragile: Jake's tractors.' You should have seen the look on M's face when Jake opened the box--it seemed to be saying, "JACKPOT!!!"

Within a few minutes, Jake had put together some tractor ornaments with some of his collectibles and the ornament hangers. M was thoroughly intrigued by the collection while Jake made the ornaments.

After a few of the ornaments were hung, Jake gave M a short lesson on what some of the proper names of the tractors and equipment were. Hopefully someday they can work together on real tractors!

birthday boy!

So I realize these aren't the best pictures. We were too busy having a good time to take good pictures, but I thought we better get a few. Anyhow, we had a wonderful time with family and friends celebrating Jake's birthday. It was a fun evening! 

Happy birthday to the best and most handsome husband in the world!!!

four (wonderful) years

This month, Jake and I had our fourth wedding anniversary. We were able to celebrate by going to the Temple and eating at the Cheesecake Factory.

As I look at this picture, I chuckle at how much we thought we knew each other on that day. And at how in shape we were... Okay, but really, we were just newbies. And truthfully, we still are newbies when it comes to marriage--especially in the eternal perspective. 

The last four years, with all the stresses and struggles of life, have been wonderful with Jake.

He is giving. He is patient. He is exceptionally hard-working. He is a wonderful father. He is fun.

And lest you think he is perfect--he isn't. (Although he is currently reading Pride and Prejudice with me, so he is pretty darn close...) But, to your surprise, neither am I! So it works out okay. I will say, though, I know he is a perfect match for me.

Richard G. Scott once said, "Marriage provides an ideal setting for overcoming any tendency to be selfish or self-centered." I agree with that wholeheartedly. It takes continual effort to not be selfish in a marriage. With that said, I also know it is worth the effort to overcome tendencies or habits that can be hurtful to a marriage relationship.

I am thankful every day to be married for time and all eternity to my Jake. I'm so lucky he would choose me!

And now that I'm an expert and all (ha ha, I wish), here is my marriage advice for the day: 

Expressions of Love

Graduation-- He did it!

Jake is officially an ALUMNUS of USU!

Jake and his best friend, Craig. These guys have done everything in life together, so it seemed fitting they were able to graduate together!

A few weeks ago Jake was able to walk in his graduation ceremony. He technically graduated in December, but the school only has a commencement ceremony in the Spring. Words can't describe the joy I felt to see him walk that day. This has been such a long and hard road for both of us. I am so proud of all that he has accomplished and learned while earning his degree.

It's been a joy to see the progress Jake has made as a student from when we first met to where he is today. He has taught me wonderful lessons about hard work, perseverance, and dedication. He has definitely paid the price to get to where he is today.

When we first got married, we had a "plan" for how the first few years of our marriage would be. Like it often does, our "plan" did not go the way we had in mind, but that is okay. I'm not sure we would have M with us, had it gone as planned! God always has a better way-- usually not easier, but better. I am thankful we decided to push through all of the hard times and sacrifices in order to make both of our schooling a reality. These experiences have stretched us and have caused us to grow in ways that we couldn't have anticipated.

USU Alumni :) 

We are thankful for ALL of the help we have received from up above. There were endless prayers offered for HELP and guidance as we completed our schooling. God answers prayers; miracles do happen! A special thanks to all of our family for your support and prayers as well. We have the best cheerleaders in the world. We love you!

Congrats, Hon! You are quite the academic. I am so proud of you!

Now for graduate school...

Tractor Man

I love my husband. He is a finance guy. He wears suit pants and a tie to work, everyday. He deals with numbers and money, all day. But one of my favorite things about him is that beneath the business man, there is a farm boy underneath. A real small-town, homegrown tractor man. 

Jake had the blessing of working on a farm with an incredible man, Scott, all through high school. 
It is supposed to rain pretty hard this weekend, and Scott had to leave for a trip early this morning. Scott knew he wasn't going to be able to get one of his fields ready for the rain before he had to leave, so he called Jake to see if there was any way Jake could work on the field while he was gone.

Um, no need to ask Scott. That boy will do anything to help you farm!

Long story short, Jake didn't end up having to help too much because the people who were going to put manure on the field never put it on. So there was nothing for Jake to "disc," or mix in, with the soil. Jake was a little bummed, but he was able to take M and I for a little ride before he was done. My oh my, M was speechless! He didn't say a single word the entire time! I could see his brain working through his eyes; he was so focused trying so soak everything in and see how it all worked.

This is a blurry picture, but it captures how happy Jake was to be giving M his first real tractor ride. It also captures how intrigued the little guy was. He was staring back at the discs that were turning the dirt over.

Here is M shortly after we got home from the tractor ride. He decided to rest on the fireplace.

I love my tractor man and tractor boy.