two in one

not only is it international women's day, but it is also my 8th monthiversary with my beautiful, amazing, incredible husband.

so first i'd like to share one of my favorite quotes on womanhood by elder russell m. nelson, it holds a special place in my heart and in all the private and sacred parts of my life. as a wife, as a soon to be mother, as a daughter, and as a friend. not only that, but the images of so many close to me come into my mind.  read it. slowly. and take in its meaning.

"To help another human being reach one’s celestial potential is part of the divine mission of woman. As mother, teacher, or nurturing saint, she molds living clay to the shape of her hopes. In partnership with God, her divine mission is to help spirits live and souls be lifted. This is the measure of her creation. It is ennobling, edifying, and exalting. Her saintly calling is opposed by Satan. He would shatter the family unit and demean the worth of woman. He would triumph if one man would offend or fail to honor her, or if one woman would deny her infinite worth and behave beneath her dignity. The vulgar portrayal of her beauty as an object of lust, the vile invasion of her private purity, should provoke righteous indignation from all caring people."

-i love this piece by klimt, his artwork covers my home. he had a gift in the art of a woman-

now for the cheesy love posting of my wonderful husband who i love more every single day of my life. i can't number the ways you have changed me for the better, but i am going to give you just a few. we have become one in so many ways, struggling through life's trials together, learning and growing and becoming something extraordinary. let's see if my pregnant hormones can get me through this list in one piece.

*i love the comfort i feel with you. i always feel safe, wanted, and needed. you make me feel beautiful even at my worst and i don't have to worry about the worldly things that aren't important, because you know what matters most. and i love that this feeling makes me want to be my best for you.

*i love your thank you's and gratitude as you sit right on the floor and eat nearly the same thing every single day. i call you weird because i couldn't live without that quality and need for a constant in your life. weird is why i love you.

*i love this baby boy we have created together, i can feel his strength everyday. i cannot wait to see your qualities in him, little pieces of you while i watch you hold him, love him, and raise him to be the kind of man you have become.

*i love running in to cuddle with you for the 3 minutes you lay there after your alarm has gone off in the mornings. i love watching you get out of bed, completely tired, easily convincing anyone that you are not a morning person. but as soon as you hit the shower, you turn that water on and just start singing, rapping, and stomp/clap dancing in there like there is nobody else in the world. you start every morning off with laughter even if you didn't know it.

*i love your unconditional testimony of our Savior, the atonement, and our eternal family. i love your priesthood in our home and the strength i gain from every blessing you give me and tender moment we have. i love your willingness and need to cut things out of our lives that hold no place for us and only takes away the spirit. you want our home to be a fortress and we are building that together. 

*i love your potential, for what i can see in you now and the incredible journey we have ahead. i know you already have and will influence so many people for good. you have such incredible talents and such a loving personality.

*i love that even on the coldest days, taking our one grocery cart to it's place in the parking lot means i will need to drive over to you while you take the time to help arrange them all for the easiest access to the workers. and i love having to stop and wait as you pick up the hangers that have fallen down in the church hallway, along with any trash we may pass along the way. your caring personality makes everyone around you so grateful.

*i love the respect you have for me, as your wife, as the mother of your child, as a daughter of God. i love the way you honor me and do all you can to make me happy. i love the home we have created together and your support as i nest like a mad woman.

*i love your gentleman qualities, always opening up my door, asking me to let you know when i get somewhere safely, helping me with cleaning or cooking, insisting on carrying all the groceries, always scraping the car windows even if you are staying home sick.

*i love the person you make me want to be. i love this desire you instill in me to constantly want to be better and always do what is right. i love the patience you have in my weaknesses and the love you show me by growing and changing with me.

8 months might not be very long looking into eternity together, but we've come so far already and i can't wait for forever.