Kim and I have been married 30 years (2-15-79)The commercial say’s a lot can happen in 5 years, well even more can happen in 30.

Here is some of what happened.

30 anniversaries, none were forgotten
30 birthdays, 1 was forgotten
4 children (and all that goes with that, blessings, baptisms, sports, plays, musical recitals, surgeries, illness, school activities, happiness and heart aches)
1 grandchild
7 jobs, counting college years
2 weddings
2 in-law children
6 addresses
2 homes, 4 apartments
2 major remodels
100’s of small ones
9 cars
4 dogs , 2 birds, 1 cat (for a very short time), the rest are too many to count, bunnies, fish, garbles, lizards, frogs & turtles.
1 missionary
7 college graduations (counting in-laws)
1 over seas trip
2 beds
6 family funerals
4 surgeries, 1 ablation, 1 major illness
Countless diets, vacations, church callings, paint colors, DVD players, computers, bills, TV’s, concerts, visits to the temple, relatives weddings, fights and make up’s, the list could go on and on.

But no matter all the stuff that has happened and the things that have come our way I am most grateful for ONE husband and ONE true love that has changed over the years to get stronger and more meaningful. We may have not know each other long before we got married, but what I know about Kim now could have never been foreseen, so I am grateful we took the chance and started our lives together. Thanks for 30 years with more on the way.

Old Fashioned and not PC

I was told my thinking was Old Fashioned today, see if you agree.

Me, My Friend (MF) and young divorced girl living with another young man (YG).

Me and MF saying how great grandkids are and just little babies in general,
YG I don’t ever want to have kids, I have never really thought I would and can’t see me ever with any.
Me, did you feel like that when you were married?
YG Yes.
Me, Does the boy you are living with feel the same way about kids?
YG I don’t know we’ve never talked about kids before.
Me Don’t you think that is a conversation you should have just in case you were to get pregnant?
YG I dont' know, I’m sure we won’t have any.
MF LeeAnn I think you’re thinking too old fashioned . The End

Next conversation, new people. I can’t even remember what was being discussed, but my comment was “Well that’s not a very moral thing to do” the next comment made was “wow you never hear that word any more” meaning moral, me,” well that explains a lot of our society’s problems then doesn’t it”.

Years and years ago I was talking to a young gal who’s husband had gotten in trouble for looking at Porn at work and she didn’t see the big deal, her comment was “as long as he’s coming home for the real thing what difference does it make”? I don’t remember the whole conversation, but she basically told me she wasn’t a Mormon so morals and right and wrong weren’t the same for her, I remember telling her that the Mormons didn’t have the corner on values and morals. Right and wrong were taught and expected by any and everyone no matter the religion. Not just the Mormons believe in a pure heart and mind and right and wrong and having proper morals. She truly believed that had nothing to do with what her husband was doing.

I may be just rambling, but I get really bothered by tip-pie toeing around people who, in my mind are living in-moral lives. I know that everyone is entitled to live as they want with whom they want, but I guess I in turn can say what I want in conversation.

One more story. A 19 yr, old gal living with a 28 yr. old man with 3 children & 2 x wives.
She is unofficially engaged.
Me when are you getting married
YG We don’t know yet, we are trying to buy a house first and pay off some debt
Me I bet your mom is having a fit over this
YG no why
Me. His age, his kids, his x wives
YG no she is really excited for me, it’s just all you other women who give me a hard time
Me and my thoughts…. You can only imagine, and I am sure they are the same as most of yours. No wonder so many kids are messed up, we don’t have any family fiber holding us together anymore. Too many adults are only thinking of themselves and what they want and their happiness.

When I look at our new families and the young married kids in our ward who are doing it right and have the Lord as their center and have strong moral values and teach it to their children I am so grateful we have some who are trying and trying very hard to keep the family fibers tight and centered on the Lord I am so very blessed to have good examples all around me to counter the ones who are confused in how to live their lives.

Blessing day

Sunday was so much fun and I have to admit, it was much funner as the grandma and not the mom. I don't remember a lot of specifics of the day that our children were blessed, but as a women who worries way too much I am sure I was more focused on the clean house and having enough food. But as the grandma I got to just help with the house cleaning, food preparation and really enjoy the baby and the event. Justin gave him a very special blessing that came from the spirit. Baby H is smiling now and seems to enjoy being played with and having silly noises made at him, something Jodi and Grandpa do very well. I think they missed their calling and should have been baby photographers. Melanie and Justin did a very nice job at all the preparations and are also doing a great job as the parents, we are very proud of them both.

The cameras were going most of the day, the pround mom and very proud real grandpa (the one the bibs about)

The food was great and plenty for everyone
Great aunts and uncles and Matt & Jenny along with some second counsins came to celebrateGrandpa Scott Lafeen

I got a little emotional a few times really missing my mom, one of baby H's great grandma's who I know got to meet him and was there in spirit. It was just one of those events I couldn't share with her and make her a part of. The term "Life Goes On" keeps being said in my head and I hate it and will never say it to anyone out loud, because it doesn't make it any easier.

I love being a grandma and am so thankful for the many opportunities that await me.