Greatest Joys

I came to the realization today that I often post my complaints on my blog, and seldom post my joys. I am a pessimistic person. This is something I am working on. I married a man who is the complete opposite of me, and that helps me to see the brighter side. But despite my pessimistic outlook on life I know that I live a blessed and wonderful life. I am thankful for that life.

This morning Ammon and I were driving home from Pocatello (we had tried to make it home from Nevada on Sunday, but had to stop in Pocatello for the night, we were too tired to go on). Before we left our hotel room I had the strongest impression that we needed to have a family prayer to ask for safety on our trip. How thankful I am for prayer and that prayers are answered. We very narrowly escaped a horrible accident that would have landed us both in the hospital or worse. As I reflect upon this experience I realize that I am watched over and not alone. There are so many examples I could give when I know that a greater power has watched over me.

This greater power has also blessed my life for no apparent reason. I have been blessed to have family who care for me. My family puts up with all of my nagging, drama, and first-born-bossiness with grace. I know that I can be annoying. But they love me despite that. My family has let me grow and develop. They have been there through the awkward stages ready to support me. They have been there as I struggled with health issues. They have been there as I have struggled with emotional issues. They love me, which is a great blessing. And I would go to any lengths or do anything for them.

Ammon's family has been one of the biggest blessings in my life. Nowhere else have I ever been so accepted by a group of people. Marianne (Ammon's oldest sister) told me a few months ago how mad she had been at me when I was in high school. She was so angry for the way I treated her brother. And I did treat him bad. I dumped him, ignored him, and generally broke his heart. It is still something I regret deeply. I put myself in her shoes and am pretty convinced that I never would have forgiven the girl that had done that to my brother. Yet I seem to be forgiven by all of Ammon's family. They make me feel so welcome that if I'm not forgiven, then they are really good at putting on a show. I trust these people and love them dearly. I feel love from them. I know that they are excited to welcome our baby, and know that he will be loved, just because he is himself. 

Even Sandy and Charlie still love us after a few months of being apart. Sandy wouldn't leave me alone she was so excited to see me. She just kept running back and forth between my legs. I cried as we left them behind again for a few more months. But soon we will have them back with us. They are a source of joy in my life. I don't know how they did it, but those two have found a very soft spot in my heart.

I am blessed to see my husband every day. Most men in his occupation get sent on out of state jobs and leave without their family. They only get to go home every other weekend. I see my husband every night. I need Ammon in my life. He is my greatest blessing.

We have a roof over our heads. We have food on our table. We have a little one on the way against the odds. We have a steady paycheck right now. We were able to sell our home. We have reliable transportation. We have educations. We have the most comfortable bed ever created. We have fun together. We laugh together. We laugh with others. So while I may vent my pessimistic side more often than I should, I do know that life is good. I know that I have more joy and happiness in my life than many people more deserving than myself. I am blessed.

Life is good. And the baby started kicking as I wrote that. He must agree.

Biggest Complaints

Look at them! I miss them, but we will finally see them this weekend!

I have two complaints about Montana:

1. The mail takes FOREVER! I have several items that I ordered and have been shipped over a week ago and they still aren't here. I miss the fast mail service in Provo. The mail lady in Provo absolutely hated our dogs and would come up with every excuse she could not to deliver our mail. But it was still faster than this. I miss that.

2. The only places to eat out are fast food or super expensive places. In some ways this has been a good thing for us. But some days you just want to eat at Zupas or Noodles and Company and that simply isn't an option here. Unless you want pizza or steak I'm afraid there aren't many other options. 

I never thought I'd miss Utah, but I really do. I'm looking forward to getting back there. In the meantime, at least we will be able to enjoy some time there this Friday. And I'll finally get to see my puppies again this weekend. Don't worry Sandy and Charlie, you are not forgotten!

Happy Bird-day

Today was my favorite sister's birthday. It is nice only having one sister, because then I don't get in trouble for picking a favorite. I think that even if I had another sister Birdy would still be my favorite one. When we were growing up we got in trouble far more often for laughing too loud and being annoying than we ever did for fighting. We used to sit up all night and talk when we shared a room. When Sera was really young she would never let my parents get her a candy at the store unless I got one too, even if I wasn't there. She was the kind of sister that cried when you were hurt, just because she didn't like that you were hurting.

Birdy and I had many adventures together. She was a total tomboy and I was totally not. But she would let me suck her into my games anyway. There was one time when we found that out back there was a patch of "flowers" growing. I was always the dramatic romantic type. This little patch became our meadow, and we would run out into it bare foot and sit among the flowers. We ran out one day, to be out in nature (my idea), with our shoes off. Our little meadow had turned from small yellow flowers into stickers. Dad spent a lot of time picking slivers out of our feet that night. But Bird never complained. She still let me drag her into my stupid dream world. She was great.

When I came home from my first time away from college, I learned that my sister was easily my best friend. We had to be home by midnight. On the night before fast Sunday we would usually get in at about 11:30 or 11:45. We would knock on my parents door to let them know we had made it home safely, and then we would dart to the kitchen. Only 15 minutes to eat everything we could find before eating was off limits. We knew that this really probably didn't help our appetites the next day, but it was a favorite tradition, so we kept it up.

Now we are both married and we don't really live anywhere near each other. We don't get to see each other as much as I would like, but we still keep in touch. To this day no one can make me laugh like my sister. For whatever reason she has a skill that can make a normal conversation into something hysterical where we are both rolling on the ground saying, "ouch, stop, it hurts" as we laugh ourselves silly. We are totally nothing a like, and yet we are completely a like all at the same time. I miss my Bird and hope that she is having a wonderful day, and is being properly celebrated. 

Happy Bird-day, Birdy!

Done Deal

I've been meaning to write this post for a while, but I just now got up my courage. Last week we sealed the deal on our house. It is no longer in our possession. This leaves us feeling a little homeless and out of place. We are hoping to use this to our advantage as we seek out a new home. I mean, come on...we are pregnant AND homeless. 

But we could never have finished everything in time without some very key players. Ammon and I have been fortunate in our lives to have wonderful families who are willing to go the extra mile for those in need. The person who did more for us and got the least reward (where rewawrd should have been) was Ammon's brother Enoch. Not only did he list and sell our home for us, but he was there to help with all the paperwork and all the heavy lifting of moving out. He sacrificed so much of his time to ensure that we got the help we needed. Enoch had his own move to consider and plenty of things going on in his own life. Yet, he was willing to take time out for us. We really appreciate him. We really appreciate his wife, Jennifer, for being willing to sacrifice her husband for so many hours. We are truly in your family's debt. It is so wonderful to be surrounded by such good people who would do anything for you. Enoch and Jennifer are wonderful that way.

Tabor and Enoch

No moving party in the Dahl family is complete without all the brothers there (although Ammon seems to be getting out of a lot of them these days). Tabor was a hero. He came over and spent the entire afternoon moving things and making everyone laugh (so I've been told). He has a very precious little girl at home who loves to spend time with him. He also has a wonderful wife who happens to be expecting their next child. I'm sure he would have loved to spend his day with them rather than lifting boxes for us. But lift boxes he did. The generosity in the Dahl family never ceases to amaze me. They do favors for each other all the time. They go out of their way to make sure that everyone in the family (and beyond) gets the help they need. For the Dahl family sacrifice is just a way of life. Ammon's brothers have put our needs in front of their own many times. I just hope we can somehow repay the kindness. We didn't end up getting any other help with the move. If Tabor and Enoch hadn't come to our aid, poor Ammon would have had a tough day of it.

My Dad with my brothers new truck

Another key player to our success was my dad. He came all the way down to help us out with some repairs we needed help with. He was already on his way to Pocatello, but took the 3 hour detour so that he could help us out. Most of the repairs didn't take a lot of effort, just a little time. Between Ammon and my dad we were able to get those all done in a fraction of the time that it would have taken. My dad is great. Ammon gave him a list of things that needed to get done. While Ammon was signing papers or doing a million other things, my dad just quietly worked away in his corner getting all the things on his list done. It was such a help. We truly appreciate him. Moving is something that my family does a lot. So coming to help us move on one of my dad's very few weekends off was a pretty big deal, and greatly appreciated. He made the day so much easier.

And now all I have are pictures of my first little home. It was a wonderful little place. We adored our house, especially the finished product that we only enjoyed for a few weeks. It was a good place and a good learning experience. Now we are ready for the next adventure. But we know that when the next adventure comes and we are in need of help, help can always be found on either side of our family. We love our families so much and are thankful for them and all they do.

Enoch, Tabor, and Dad, we appreciate your help getting us moved out. We couldn't have done it with out your help.

And Enoch, we especially appreciate you and all that you did to help us get to this point in the first place. You are a good man and we are in your debt.

Now on to the next adventure! Hooray.

Comments

Do you ever want to write a blog just so that you'll get comments? And lots of them? I feel like I thrive off of the comments made. For example, after professing myself a wimp, I was quickly reassured by so many women that I am not a wimp, I'm just pregnant. It made me feel so much better to know that I'm not alone. Yeah, I think I'll start writing my blog for comments. I'd much rather read what you have to say than what I do...

To Three Great Men

I know I'm a little late, but I wanted to wish the men in my life a Happy Father's day. I have been blessed to be around men that love their families and are excellent fathers.

First, my own dad. What a great man he is. My dad inspires me every day. He has given up everything and worked himself into the ground every day so that his family can have what they stand in need of. My dad is a dreamer and I think I get that from him. He is always thinking up ways to improve life. I had a chance to spend a lot of time with my dad this last weekend. I'm thankful for that time. He is a wonderful man, a great father, and will be an excellent grandfather soon. I love you, papa.

My own dear husband is going to be an incredible father. I kept telling him "happy half father's day" on Sunday, but the truth is, there will be nothing half about the way that Ammon is a father. I have seen how wonderful he is with his nieces and nephews. I have seen how attentive he is to me. I have seen the way that he smiles when we talk about our future son. He is an amazing person and I'm excited that I'll get to be close when he becomes a father in a few months. I adore you, Ammon.

I doubt that Ammon would have any clue how to begin being a father if it weren't for his own father. Mark is an incredible man. He loves his children dearly; it is evident in everything he does. I know that Mark is on our side. He is rooting for us to succeed, and he is always there with great advice when we are in need. Mark is an inspiring man. He is a wonderful grandfather. We love and appreciate you, Mark.

Happy Father's day to all you father's out there and especially to these special men in my life.

Fairy Hill

Outside our rather large front window we have the view that you can see above. For whatever reason this hill makes me think of Fairy Tales and other mystical things. In the fore-ground there is a community garden. It has been fun to watch as all kinds of different people from all over come and cultivate different parts of this spot of land. In the back is the mystical mountain. I always imagine that on top of that mountain there is a castle looking down on the valley. Like something you would find in Goose Girl or Princess Academy. Below the castle is a village full of people working together to create a wonderful kingdom.

Or perhaps there is a dragon living in the side of the mountain. This dragon is a good dragon and takes care of the valley. But the villagers are afraid of her and have plots to smoke her out and rid their village of her. Yet in the end she will willing sacrifice herself for the ones she loves. 

Maybe there is something hidden deep within the mountain that only the dwarves know about. The villagers all fear going inside the mountain. Deep under the mountain there is a princess waiting to be saved and take up her rightful place as queen of this valley. But so far no one heroic enough has ventured forth.

Ah, or maybe...