Sweet Sunday

Good Morning,

Today is Sunday, the day of the Sabbath. It's 7:30 and my family is asleep. The house is quiet. And I am so sick. We had the opportunity to take part in the wedding celebrations for my family and for the first time I think I can agree and say that I over did it. Bentley and I were gone all day thursday, friday and then Bentley was with Jacob on saturday. It's been non-stop go go go. I got no sleep and ate lots of unhealthy foods and even went a whole 24 hours almost without Bentley. And my body hates me for it.
Yes, it's true I almost went a whole day without Bentley. Jacob is the sweetest man alive and took Bentley home after the dinner on Friday so I could have a girl's night with the women in my family. It was fun. I didn't sleep, that's when I got sick, but it was fun.
Anyway, it was such a beautiful and sacred experience to go inside and hear what the sealer had to say (he is the one who performs marriages for members of our church. We actually call it a "Sealing".) Along with the beautiful ceremony he gave some advice that I think anyone can use.
1. To the husband: Never EVER raise your voice to your wife. With one exception, When the house is on fire. (President David O McKay used to say this as his advice to married couples)

2. To the husband: you must do everything you possibly can think of to make your spouse as happy as you can.

Then he said, "If you will do these things, your wife will do more than reciprocate because you have chosen a beautiful and worthy woman."

It's true, though, this life is all about serving others and learning self-mastery. How many marriages would fail if each husband and wife made an  unfailing effort to do everything they possibly could think of to make their spouse happy? Think of all the selfless service and giving that would go on in a home. What a beautiful ideal. A beautiful practice.

He also said that in your "sweetheart prayers" you should mention specific qualities and attributes about your spouse that you appreciate and thank the Lord for them. Not only to show gratitude to the father but also to show gratitude and praise to the one who is sealed to you for time and all eternity. Your spouse will be listening, especially to that part.

The wedding was beautiful and wonderful. The reception looked fantastic. All the plans went off without a hitch, the slideshow and interview videos made the families ooh and ah. Kind of exciting that I have 6 more weddings to help with in the future--well, not counting friend's weddings or that of my children.

Bentley has been a champion in all of this. He has had less sleep than I think he can ever remember not having and he is teething and he won't eat ANYTHING but he still manages to be happy and playful and curious. Apparently he slept through the night for Jacob. He must have felt the lack of feminine touch in the house because last night he got me up at 4 AM. :D Silly boy.

At the reception my brothers taught Bentley to knock on doors and say, "knock, knock". He knows exactly what to do too. I know I say this all the time but I can't believe how fast he is growing up. People keep asking me if he is two. ha ha. Poor Bentley. He's just getting so tall and he says so much, people are going to start expecting more maturity from him  if he doesn't quit it!

Well, all right, enough for today, I need to go start breakfast and take a shower and prepare for church. I hope you have a good day!


Courtney