As the summer begins my gratitude is over flowing. I love being your mom. I love having my children home with me all day long. I love waking up in the morning and cuddling with you while watching cartoons. I love going swimming and hearing you giggle with every touch of that ice cold water. I love having unplanned days and doing our summer time "homework" each morning and reading time before we start out for the day. I love packing lunches with no idea when we might be home from our days event and trying to plan well enough so you don't go hungry. I love going to the park and running around the playground with you and pretending to be pirates on our own ships taking over the ocean blue. I love going to Daddy's work to surprise him with lunch and a trip up to Sugar House Park to play on the playground. I love that we eat outside in our backyard at our picnic table nearly every night for dinner. I love that I get to play dolls with my sweet Sarah and superheros with my kind Ethan. I love being your mom. You are my greatest gifts in life. I don't know why we aren't blessed with more children, but the two of you make everything wonderful and complete. I love you so dearly. I wish I could stop time and we could play like this forever.
I promise you as you get older I will try my hardest to always stay connected with you. I will love you unconditionally and support you in your life decisions. I will continue to play with you and find joy in your interests. We will hike together, swim together, boat together, play games, laugh, discover, and grow together. I was born to be a mother. Some woman have aspirations of being great women in the real world. I have always wanted to be a great mother. I would give everything up to be with you each day and never miss one sacred moment with you. I vow to be here for you everyday of your life. I will sacrifice anything and everything so that you will always know how important you are and how much I value my job as mother. I know that I can never turn back time, so I will live in the moment and try to live without regrets. I love that I am blessed to stay home with you each day and I can be involved in your life at school and home.
I love being a wife. I am blessed with the greatest husband in the world. Your father is everything I hoped for and so much more. Our marriage is healthy and pure. He has always put me first and I have never doubted his love or commitment to me. He sacrificed so many hours of sleep to go to school and work so that I could be a stay at home mom. He never complained about that, ever. I know that he values my job as much as I do and that is priceless. When Dad and I bought our little home, we bought it with the idea that we could always make this house payment and I would always be blessed to stay home with you, so far that was one of the best decisions of our lives together. When you get married think ahead to the future. Plan for these important decisions and be firm. It's hard not to want bigger and better all the time, but know when you can truly afford things (and by that I mean pay cash for everything if possible) if you abide by that principle and marry someone who feels the same your life will be far less complicated and a million times more happy. Your Dad helps me with everything. He cooks along side me, cleans, he reads with you, baths you, cuddles you, disciplines you, loves you to death, and is our spiritual leader. He works hard and never complains. We will work all day in the yard together and he will never quiet until he knows that I am satisfied with a job well done. He treats me like a Queen. He makes me feel beautiful even when I am big and pregnant, or sick in bed, or all dolled up for a big date. He still dates me. He plans great dates. He still gets my door for me and winks at me across a crowded room. He holds my hand and makes me feel needed and wanted. We cuddle every night before bedtime and we still giggle while talking about the day before we drift off to sleep. He is the only one in this world who truly knows me and loves me unconditionally regardless of my many imperfections. He is my best friend in every way and he has helped me to know the Lord better and to draw closer to him through prayer. He has taught me so much and I love him with all my heart.
Lastly I am so grateful for my testimony of Jesus Christ as my Savior and for His atoning sacrifice for me personally. He lived for me, He suffered for me, He loves me, and He died for me. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is true. It takes sacrifice and work and it is all worth it. The Book of Mormon is the word of God and was translated by a Prophet of God, Joseph Smith. Thomas S. Monson is a Prophet of God today and leads and directs His church in righteousness and love. It's true. Never doubt, never give up! Always put the Lord first and you will always be happy, that is a promise that I can make to you and I know that I can keep. I love you Ethan and Sarah. Someday if we are blessed with more children this is written to you as well. I love you all. I love Daddy and I love my Savior and Heavenly Father with all my heart. It's all true and it's all worth it!
