Joyful Moments-Wedding Memories

When we came outside from our Temple Ceremony,

Katelyn came running up to us and said, 

"I have balloons for your wedding!"

We smiled and laughed, she was thrilled.

Definitely a joyful moment.

Last week I loved these pictures by Becky from Rub Some Dirt On It

 These beautiful butterflies are in  Baby Em's room.

How fun! Finger-painting!

What's your joyful moment from this week?

I will blog about my Joyful Moment every Friday,where you'll be able to link up your blog as well,until the following Monday.
Here's the little details:1. take a picture that brings you JOY2. blog about that Joyful Moments, include our button (on the right) or simply link back to this blog3. link up your post below4. visit other Joyful Bloggers and leave JOYful comments!
Happy Weekend!!! 

Embrace the Camera Day-Wedding Memories

Today I some have magic up my sleeve.We're going to be celebrating as if it were our anniversary{it's really not for another month}.
I just realized the actual day of our two year anniversary,I'll be in California and Kevin will be busy working in Arizona.
Why not celebrate, when you have the time?My point exactly.

And they still LOVE each other.
By the way, the cake was delicious and the best I've ever had.
Love is everything it's cracked up to be. That's why people are so cynical about it. It really is worth FIGHTING for, being BRAVE for, RISKING everything for.-Erica Jong

Just thinkin' away

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The big day for when we move to Arizona is coming close.

I can't believe that we're almost there, we've talked about it so much

over the past few months.

With things ending in Utah for us, I've been asked the question by others,

"Now what?"

I never thought much about it myself.

Yes, Kevin will have a great job and I'm very proud of him.

But lately I can't get it out of my head, "Now what?"

"What was Lisa born to do?"

I read about how C. Jane was born to write,

that NieNie was born to be a mom,

how Lyndsay was born to design,

how April was born to create,

but Lisa? 

Who knows. 

Although, those fabulous women have paved the way and are great examples!

However last night,

I was given a great reminder how far I've come.

A chapter finished, a new chapter is soon to begin.

Kevin was sweet enough to pick these up last night from Danyelle in the rain,

giving me extra time to study.

I just love them.

He's an engineer.

She's a writer and photographer,

He loves radios,

She loves cameras,

They're graduating together.

They love being together.

It's always better together.

If anything, I have an amazing husband by my side.

I'll figure out what I'm going to do when I grow-up someday.

Kevin always brings me JOY!


just a few more days until our little giveaway ends here

Kevin's World - A Successful Marriage

In case any of you haven't noticed, I'm a big fan of the New York Times.  This week, they published an article on what comprises a successful marriage, titled "The Happy Marriage is the 'Me' Marriage."  I'm sure that many of you, like me, have gone through life being taught that the key to a successful marriage is selflessness and a willingness to sacrifice for your spouse.  It therefore seems counter-intuitive to think that the successful marriage might be the "me" marriage, as the article claims.  By viewing marriage from an individual perspective, though, perhaps we can discover ways to foster more fulfilling and deeper relationships.

photo courtesy of: purple-wedding-flowers.com

In the article, Tara Parker-Pope claims that marriage has changed from being a social institution to a partnership of individuals.  Many, based on the view of marriage as a social institution, have argued that a successful marriage is one that survives and produces children.  Ms. Parker-Pope challenges that conclusion, arguing that a successful marriage is one in which individuals achieve self-fulfillment and help each other to grow and expand, a concept known as "self-expansion".  While I disagree that the nature of marriage has changed, I do believe that putting an effort into self-expansion can lead to more meaningful and fulfilling marriages.

If marriage is not an institution for individual benefit, as Ms. Parker-Pope claims, then one may question why self-expansion is important to achieving a successful marriage.  One study cited in the article determined that couples that experienced a high degree of self-expansion also felt a greater unity with their spouse.  In today's society, with divorce rates skyrocketing, unity and satisfaction in a marriage has far-reaching effects for married couples and their children.  By putting some effort into expanding our horizons and growing together, we can strengthen our marriages and satisfy our own emotional needs.