The Best Two Years

Then

Now

It's hard to believe that it's already been two whole years of marriage.  The past two years have flown by for me.  The old saying, "Time flies when you're having fun" has definitely rung true in my life.

Laurie is the best wife a man can ask for.  I am incredibly spoiled, lucky, blessed, etc.  My goal was to always "marry up" and I am understanding more and more that I have succeeded with that goal. Laurie is beautiful, thoughtful, caring, inspired, spiritual, and talented.  She does more for me than I could ever ask for.  She is a great example of Christ-like love to others, but especially to me and I am eternally grateful to have the chance to be best friends with someone who is so willing to serve me and others.

A few weeks ago my employer, EY, had a family activity at Lagoon. My favorite rides at Lagoon are the roller coasters.  I love the thrill and adrenaline rush that comes with roller coasters and other theme park rides.  Laurie on the other hand is terrified of roller coasters and it was very difficult to get her to ride two of the most mild coasters at Lagoon on this trip.  Laurie did seem to enjoy these rides once they were done, and I felt lucky that I was able to talk her into trying them, because having her by my side made those rides much more enjoyable for me.  Even though she had white knuckles and was screaming off and on I loved having her right there next to me.  It was 100 times better than it would have been sitting alone or next to a stranger on these rides.

As lucky as I felt to have Laurie sit next to me on those roller coasters, I feel so much luckier that I have her next to my side in the roller coaster of my life.  The last year has definitely been a roller coaster of events and emotions, and Laurie has been there to support me through the highs and the lows.  There are certain things in my life that I was too afraid to go through alone, and Laurie has provided me with that strength and courage I needed to struggle through some tough issues.  She is a great match for me. We are different in many ways, but I feel like our strengths and weaknesses complement each other.  I know for a certainty that she helps me be a better man.

Whether it's putting up with me having to work long hours (and this past year there were many as busy season was extended by a PCAOB inspection), traveling for work, wanting to watch sports, and running, all of which I know are not Laurie's favorite things, she has been an amazingly supportive spouse through it all. Especially, when it comes to dealing with infertility this past year, Laurie has been a God-send. If I were going through it alone, I may have given up when the first few doctors said that there was no way we'd be able to have our own children.  In fact I was too afraid to have fertility tests performed in the first place until I had Laurie's loving, caring, motivating hand to hold.  

But, Laurie felt inspired and motivated to not give up and to keep fighting for our future children.  She spent hours and hours praying and seeking inspiration as to how best we should proceed, because she had the faith and knew that we would have children.  She spent hours and hours researching possibilities and found amazing specialists that she had faith would help us. She was more than happy to sacrifice her body and comfort through the nasty in vitro process. I've heard many horror stories about women suffering through in vitro.  Most of them go through it because of their own infertility.  However, Laurie has no fertility issues, so when it came time for her to choose in vitro it was entirely because of (and for) me and my problems.

Laurie hates needles and birth control.  Whenever she goes to the doctor just to get her blood drawn or has to get an IV, the nurses helping us are typically worried that they are going to have to cart her off to the ER for shock treatment.  However, she had a great attitude when it came to taking the birth control and numberless needles required in getting blood drawn and hormone shots as part of the in vitro process. I know she was terribly uncomfortable and miserable throughout the process, but she kept her head and up and had faith that things would work out for the best.

Despite some of these hard times, we have had countless good times and memories over the past year and two years of marriage.  Just this past summer, we were able to enjoy trips to San Francisco, go on an Alaskan cruise, hike in some of the most beautiful areas of the world, and make several temple trips throughout Utah and surrounding states.  Living with Laurie truly does bring me so much joy.  I am happy as ever when we are both able to relax and enjoy time together in peace within our own home. 

We were also able to go on a Pioneer Trek with youth in our stake, which was a life-changing event and one that I absolutely loved despite suffering through some horrible Wyoming wind and hail storms. Before, during, and after that experience I have enjoyed reading and learning about those early hand cart companies and the trials they overcame. I have a testimony that we have trials for a reason, and that it is only through trials and tribulation that we can come to know and become more like our Heavenly Father.  Having the darkness of trials in my life has helped me to see more clearly the light and joy of the gospel and the many beauties and good things in life.  I am grateful for the hard times I have experienced, because they help me recognize and appreciate the amazing blessings I have.  At the top of that list of blessings is my marriage with Laurie.  I am thankful for the hard times we have experienced together, because they have brought us closer together and closer to God.

We have not yet been able to get pregnant, but I'm hoping our third year of marriage will be the year that we will miraculously are able to start growing our family from two to three.  We both have great faith in God and know that our lives and the lives of our future children are in His hands.  I know that Laurie will be an amazing mother just as she is an amazing wife. I love her now more than ever and am eternally grateful for the joy and happiness she has brought into my life so far. I look forward to many amazing years of marriage to come.

VEGAS BABY!!!

Jake and I spent a fantastic weekend in Vegas this Labor day weekend. It was partially to celebrate our anniversary next week and partially to think, pray and fast about some decisions for the future.

Our journey began at the temple. It was a beautiful day to do a session. 
We loved every minute of it.

 Next, we checked into our hotel and Jake worked his magic to get us this luxurious suite. It had more bathrooms than we have in our house. We felt like we were on top of the world while we stayed there. 

Hello there!

The picture of this man holding a drink is actually part of the head board. We had several good laughs about it.

The bathroom was my favorite part.  Jake said we could build a bathroom like this in our home one day. I'm excited for when that happens.

After our quick hotel stop, we were off to dinner. Jake took me to Maggiano's, it's one of his favorite place to go when he is in Vegas for work. We both got pasta and it was the best pasta I have ever had. I want to try and replicate the recipe, it was that good. 

We had debated which show to go see while on the strip and finally settled on La Reve. It was truly AMAZING!!! Some say that it's the best show in Vegas right now. The dancers and performers were unlike anything I had ever seen before and that's saying a lot coming from a dance major.

 If you go to Vegas, this show is a MUST!

We were on the very front row. Literally that best seats in the house. This man spoils me!

The show was in the Wynn hotel which had some really incredible sights in and of itself.

This was taken after the show with the theater behind us. We were in the "splash zone" and got a little bit wet. 

Jake's favorite part of the Wynn though was this room as he is a lover of anything and everything sports!

Sports games were going on EVERYWHERE. 

We stayed in St. George on our way back from Vegas and spent some time with Jake's family. All of his brothers were in town so a real highlight for them was being able to do their fantasy football draft at the same and in the same room as one another.

Jake even got the double screen going on.
 He had worked intensively on a spread sheet to help him better know who to draft. 

Driving home to SLC was bitter sweet. We love spending time with family but we love our home and our world up in Salt Lake too. On the way back we stopped off to find the grave of one of Jake's hero's. His name is Levi Savage and he helped to bring the Martin and Willie Handcart Companies to the Salt Lake Valley. After trek his story became even more personal for both of us. 

We are so thankful for all the pioneers who sacrificed so much for us.
"Brethren and sisters, what I have said I know to be true, but seeing you are to go forward, I will go with you, will help you all I can, will work with you, will rest with you, will suffer with you, and if necessary I will die with you. May God have mercy bless and preserve us."
 - One of Jake's favorite quotes by Levi Savage.

We hope everyone has a wonderful, and marvelous week ahead!Love, J & L