Week Seventeen ~ Merilee

I've Finally Found Him...The Perfect Guy!

That's right, I've finally found the perfect guy. When I say perfect, I mean perfect in every way. He's a sensitive guy, not afraid to cry if the timing and circumstances move him to do so. He stays up and listens to me talk late into the night, without judging me, being annoyed, or interrupting me to give his opinion. He cuddles up to me whenever I feel lonely and never pushes me away. He appreciates the food I make for him and lets me control the remote. He's got perfect, blonde curly hair, smooth skin and a smile that could knock your socks off. I could just kiss those chubby-wubby cheeks forever and ever....Oh, did I mention that he's 6 weeks-old and the sweetest baby you'll ever see?




This is Lucas J Michael, LJ for short. He joined our family in a rather unconventional way, following in the footsteps of his two older sisters. Here is the quick story of our family. Josh and I met 10 years ago. We fell in love quickly. One of the things I loved and still love about him is the quiet way he seems to understand me. Before he proposed, I mentioned that it would be hard, if not impossible for me to have kids. He shrugged his shoulders and said, “We’ll figure it out.”

Four years later, we adopted Mikayla, with those long eyelashes that can manipulate her daddy into almost anything. I remember perfectly the day that Josh and I stood in an empty hospital room, waiting and wondering what she would look like. Would we know her? More importantly, would she know us? Then, for the first time in my life, a young, brave girl and boy placed their precious baby in my arms. With tears and grief on their faces, but love in their hearts, they asked us to raise her as our own. I don't know how to describe the feelings of humility, gratitude and faith I felt at that moment, but I do know that the questions disappeared when I looked into her face. I knew she was mine. I knew I was hers.

Gweny, our little random blonde child...the one I have to remind myself was NOT adopted. The day I found out I was pregnant with her, the tears of joy, relief and worry started and didn’t stop until she finally joined our family. Gweny is a blessing. I am happy to have her. She is the sunshine in our home. She hides nothing in her love and emotions.


Now, this little guy...

For the second time in my life, a courageous young woman placed her baby in my arms. What joy! I think of the special bond I have with her and am so grateful to know her as I do. The world would be a better place if more of us had her selflessness, love, and goodness. He is perfect in every way. I say that now because I know that I won’t always be able to say it, (although, as his mother, I may never change my mind). Years from now, his teenage eyes may look at me with feelings of betrayal or anger, but for now, they gaze up at me with love and trust. His heart, which one day may have feelings of bitterness, jealousy, and sorrow, is now the purest and most innocent that it will ever be. He’s got so much to learn, so many places go, the whole world ahead of him. So, for now, I will enjoy those sweet, innocent gazes and coos and smiles. I will enjoy his perfection.





I love my family. My Josh, my prince, is everything I dreamed of as a little girl. I love him so much. I love my children. Each time I look into their faces, my faith in Heavenly Father's eternal plan for us is renewed. I love my family more than I can express. I am truly, truly blessed.

*****
Is anyone else in tears?  I know I am....  Beautiful family.

Merilee is the best friend I've ever had.  Eleven years ago, we were randomly put together as roommates in the dorms at Ricks College.  It didn't take long for us to realize that we are practically sisters.  We were inseperable for the next year going through college.  As we both graduated and went seperate ways, we stayed in touch, I flew to Colorado to visit her, she flew to Utah for my mission farewell.  I was there when Mikayla was sealed to her and Josh.  She threw my baby shower for Allie.  We've been through a lot together.

We're also the weirdest people ever....we laugh at EVERYTHING.  In college, we started a "Laugh List".  We'd jot down everything that made us laugh, all of our inside jokes.  I think by the time we were done at Ricks (only a short 1.5 years), our List had over 700 things on it.  And it's only grown over the years as we've hung out.  I think we're up to 900 or so??  When we lived in different states, we'd call each other and each pick a random #...we'd find that number on the List and then we'd laugh hysterically over whatever it was.  Most of the things on it, we can't explain to other people.  When Josh first met Nate, me and Merilee were collapsed on the floor laughing about something, and Josh turned to Nate and said, "I've learned to just not ask with those two." 

We both live in Utah now and get to hang out once in awhile.  LJ is the most adorable baby you'll ever see, I love him so much.  Gweny never stops making us laugh.  And Mikayla and Cameron are great friends.  She used to call him "Crammon"....and it's a nickname that we still call him.  Speaking of nicknames, Merilee & I also have them for each other (I'm actually having a hard time referring to her as Merilee).  We haven't called each other by our real names in over 10 years.  But they are SO retarded and definitely impossible to explain to anyone else.  But I'll just say that Josh and Mikayla both do NOT call me Becca.....and Cameron & Nate both do NOT call her Merilee.  In fact, I don't think Cameron knows her real name, and I know Mikayla doesn't know mine.  Even my own mother doesn't call her Merilee.  Too funny.

Erm....thanks for sharing this with us.  I love you and your adorable family like my own.  Thank you for your example to me.  I have learned so much from you over the years.  BFF.

Wow, that was long....almost longer than the Love story itself!  Sorry! 

Week Sixteen ~ Heidi

HIM: CHRIS

HER: HEIDI

MARRIED AUG 19,05 IN BOUNTIFUL,UT LDS TEMPLE

CURRENTLY RESIDE IN SARATOGA SPRINGS,UT

CHILDREN/PETS:

HYRUM (3)

6 FISH AND A TURTLE

WHAT WAS THE FIRST THING THAT ATTRACTED YOU TO HIM

"I love a guy in glasses"..lol it was love at first sight!

HOW DO U SPEND YOUR FREE TIME

Heidi: WHAT FREE TIME...I LOVE TO BAKE W/MY LITTLE GUY, DOING ANYTHING OUT AND ABOUT W/MY LITTLE FAMILY, love crafts, sewing, scrapbooking, photography

Chris :Putting together models, Fishing,Golfing, Waterfowl Hunting, playing w/Hyrum

WHAT IS SOME MARRIAGE ADVICE:

COMMUNICATION IS KEY, HAVE PATIENCE, EVEN WHEN YOU THINK YOU'VE HAD ENOUGH.

LOVE STORY: Her Version
WE LIVED IN THE SAME APARTMENT COMPLEX MY FRESHMAN YEAR OF COLLEGE, WE WERE IN THE SAME SINGLES WARD, BUT WE NEVER REALLY MET UNTIL MY ROOMMATES SET US UP ON A "BLIND-DATE" AT LEAST IT WAS FOR ME. WHEN MY ROOMMATES CALLED ME (OVER CHRISTMAS BREAK) TELLING ME ALL ABOUT THIS RETURN MISSIONARY (FOR 6 MONTHS PLUS) I WAS TOTALLY THINKING HE WAS SOMEONE ELSE. THEY TOLD ME I WAS TO WATCH THE GRUDGE, WHICH I HATE, HATE, HATE SCARY/HORROR MOVIES. BUT WITH A CUTE GUY WHY NOT RIGHT? SO ON THE DAY I DROVE BACK DOWN TO SUU, JAN 9TH,TO BE EXACT, I MADE SURE I WORE MY FAVORITE OUTFIT, STOPPED BY MY BOYFRIENDS HOUSE TO SAY GOODBYE, AND PICK UP SOME HOMEMADE JERKY (I KNOW IT'S MEAN, BUT IT'S TRUE I DID) I was so excited to get back my apartments and meet this "amazing guy, who I thought it was..) So we went down to his apartment to watch the pirated version of "the Grudge" and I purposely,w/roomates persuasion, sit on the love seat (where only two can sit...lol) and watched the Grudge, which i really don't remember any of it, except someone stood up in the middle of it and walked out(because it was Pirated). We ended up holding hands....oh cute I know..lol ONCE THE MOVIE WAS OVER WE WENT UP TO MY APARTMENT AND FINISHED WATCHING "A CINDERELLA STORY" WITH OTHER ROOMMATES. ONCE THAT WAS OVER EVERYONE SEEMED TO DISAPPEAR... I AM SURE ON PURPOSE... AND WE JUST STOOD THERE... AND ENDED UP KISSING. My roomates kept saying, "What if you were the only person he's kissed and he would only kiss the girl he was going to marry..." I'd have to say I was a little nervous about that at first, but that didn't last long.
OUR OFFICIAL FIRST DATE WAS THE NEXT NIGHT DANCING UNDER THE STARS/STREET LAMP WHERE CHRIS WORKED.
BY THEN I KNEW WE WERE GOING TO GET MARRIED. ALL MINE & HIS ROOMMATES WOULD KEEP MAKING BETS ON WHEN WOULD BE ENGAGED, AND ONE MONTH AND 10 DAYS LATER (FEBRUARY 19TH) WE WERE UP VISITING MY FAMILY, AND CHRIS SNUCK INTO MY ROOM (AT LIKE MIDNIGHT) AND ASKED ME TO MARRY HIM! I STILL DON'T KNOW IF THAT WAS on purpose so i would say yes.. but it worked! BECAUSE IT'S KIND OF HAPPENED A LITTLE QUICKLY HE WAS NOT ABLE TO GET THE DIAMOND IN TIME, SO 2 MONTHS LATER (APRIL 23) WE WERE W/MY FAMILY AND WERE IN ST. GEORGE AND STOPPED AT THE TEMPLE, WHICH IT HAD BEEN RAINING ALL DAY, BUT STOPPED FOR THE SHORT TIME WE WERE ON THE GROUNDS, WHICH HE ASKED ME AGAIN,I SAID YES AND HE REPLACED MY OTHER RING, W/MY DIAMOND! WHAT A GREAT BIRTHDAY PRESENT TO MY MOM! (SHE WAS SURE EXCITED)
FOUR MONTHS LATER, AUG 19TH,05 WE WERE MARRIED FOR TIME AND ALL ETERNITY IN THE BOUNTIFUL UTAH TEMPLE! WHAT A PERFECT DAY IT WAS, weather was great, Sun was shining, made it sooo perfect!
A YEAR AND 1/2 LATER, (Jan,4th) WE WERE BLESSED W/OUR LITTLE GUY HYRUM! HE IS SUCH A JOY AND BLESSING! HE KEEPS US ON OUR TOES!
FUN FACT: We like to get temple kissing silhouettes we currently have ones from: Provo, Mt Timp, Hawaii, St.George, Bountiful & N.Carolina!
*****
(Sorry about the caps/lowercase....I'm working on getting that re-typed...)

Wow, I love the temple kissing picture idea!  Very cool!  Thanks for sharing your story!!  Dancing under the stars....SO adorable! 

We met Heidi and Chris a few years ago when we both lived here at the U.  They moved away awhile back, and we really miss them!  Cam and Hyrum were cutie little friends.  You guys need to come visit!! 

Stay tuned for next week's Adoption Love Story!  And PLEASE sign up!  I don't have enough of my own Love Stories to fill up the year, haha!!

Week Fifteen ~ Jenny

Him: Jeff
Her: Jenny

Where do you currently live?

Cinder block palace in the U of U student housing

Children:

Not yet.

When/where married:

December 20, 2008; Salt Lake Temple

What is your best marriage advice?

Show appreciation for each other. Pray together. Go to the temple. Laugh with each other. Talk to each other. Make sure your spouse is your priority. Spontaneously do little things to show your spouse how much you love him/her.

What first attracted you to him?

We were hanging out with a bunch of people one night and we all ended up talking about marriage and stuff and how people say it’s so hard. (Marriage is such a constant thing that is just hanging over your head when you are older than 21 and single and living in Utah…) Jeff said something to the effect of, “When I get married, I don’t think it will be hard because I’ll be married to my best friend.” It wasn’t an instant “I’m madly in love with this guy and want to spend the rest of my life with him” thing, but more just a “that’s cute. I bet he’ll make a girl very happy one day.”

How do you like to spend your free time together?

We like to just veg. We’re both gone a lot during the week and so when we get to be together, we just want to be with each other. We’ll play games or watch movies. We don’t go out as much as we used to because it’s nice to just spend quality time at home together. And we’re poor.

How did you meet?

We were both attending a singles branch (yes...branch. Right in the middle of SLC). One Sunday night in April of 2008, we each decided to go to branch prayer. I went because the guy who was hosting it is a little (ok, a lot) crazy so I couldn't wait to see his house. Jeff went because he was being supportive of activities or something.

Anyway, I got stuck talking to this girl who doesn't stop talking. Ever. So as soon as I could get a word in, I kindly encouraged her to share her life story with the person sitting next to me. Jeff was talking to my friend Emily and I rudely interrupted with an inappropriate comment. Realizing that I'd never actually talked to Jeff, I said,

"Sorry. I have no censor."

Jeff: "Me either."

Me: "Great. Wanna be friends?"

Jeff: "Sure."

Love Story:


Let me just give you a little background on the things I swore I would NEVER do because I mocked people that did these things.
1. I would never marry someone if we hadn’t known each other/dated for at least a year.
2. I would never get married in the winter. Way too cold. I would definitely never get married over Christmas break. Seriously. Who does that? Just wait until the end of the school year. It’s not that hard.
3. I would never meet someone in a singles ward (even though that’s kind of the point) because it’s too cliché.
4. I would never have a reception in a church cultural hall. Too cliché once again.


Now that we’ve been married for just over a year, I laugh at myself and have accepted the fact that everything I say I’ll never do, I end up doing.


After our initial meeting, we exchanged phone numbers so we could be friends. We ended up hanging out 2 or 3 times that first week (always with my group of friends). We hung out at church and then our hanging out gradually grew to almost every day of the week.


When we first started dating, I was pretty dumb about the whole thing. Jeff would want to be with just me for a date, but I didn’t know so I would invite other people. Later in May he called me one night and asked if I had plans the next evening. I said no. He asked if I wanted to go to dinner. I said, “Like a date?” He said, “Yes, Jenny. I want to take you on a date.” He was nervous. It was cute.


So, we went on a date. Had a delicious dinner. Went back to my place to watch a movie. Didn’t get very far in the movie before we were distracted with other, um, activities. Following these other “activities,” I said something stupid like, “So, does this mean you’re my boyfriend now?” He said, “Uh, if you want me to be.” A few days later I went on a trip for nearly 2 weeks. We talked several times while I was gone and I started missing him because we’d been spending pretty much every day of our lives together for the last month.


I came home from my amazing trip and he had gotten a spare key from my roommate so he could leave flowers on the table for me. Gerbera daisies. My favorite.


He came over. We went to lunch. It was kind of a nervous “what do I do” moment because I didn’t know how he actually felt and if he was just being nice or what. We continued dating and had a good time. Fast forward to late summer.


August 16, 2008. We go to a sealing at the Bountiful Temple for some people in our branch. One of the workers asked if we were married. Nope. Then he asked if we wanted to be. Jeff nodded his head. Later, I brought that up because I wanted to see what Jeff would say. He said, “Yeah. I want to be married.” In my not so cool way I say, “To me?!” Duh, Jenny. He said, “Yes, to you. I’m in love with you and I’m assuming you feel the same way.”


We talked about when we would get married. I was starting my first semester of the MSW program at the U and said that would kind of interfere. He said it would have to be December or May. I said May because of all my issues surrounding December that I mentioned above. December was too soon. I mean, we’d only known each other for 4 months. We can’t get married yet! Jeff was very patient and told me that he would wait as long as needed for me to decide and we would get married whenever I was ready. I thought about things and realized that we shouldn’t put it off any longer. I mean, once you decide to get married, why prolong it? Right?


September 23, 2008. We got officially engaged. Jeff was super cute and creative with the proposal.


He left me cute and cheesy notes in my car, on my bed, around the house, etc. for a few days. We went to the temple on Tuesday September 23rd. It was great, but I was also a little anxious and preoccupied because I knew the proposal was coming soon, but I just didn't know when. After the temple, we drove up behind the capital where it looked out over the city. Jeff gave me some more cards then said he had something for me, but I had to get out of the car.


Finally! The anticipation was killing me. He took out a very nicely wrapped box (with wrapping paper that matched some of the cards) and handed it to me. Inside was the 100th card that said, "Jenny, I love everything about you. I want to spend the rest of my life and all of eternity with you. I love you. Will you marry me?" Underneath the card was the ring. He got down on one knee and popped the question. My response? "ABSOLUTELY!"


Then I put the ring on myself because I was so excited. He said, “Um, can I put the ring on you?” Yes. Yes you can. So we did that part over again.


We hated being engaged, but everything worked out so easily and fell into place that it made me realize just how right this whole thing was. Our wedding day was freezing cold, but beautiful. We absolutely love being married and wouldn’t change anything!


So, sometimes it's ok to be totally inappropriate and let those comments fly. They might get you a spouse.

*****
If you were to ask Cameron who his favorite people are, besides his Aunt Megan and Sharpay from HSM, he'd probably say "Jenny & Jeff!!"  All four of us absolutely adore these two.  Allison loves to play with them...and she usually doesn't like to go to other people.  Cameron brings them both up in casual conversations all the time..."Mom, I love Jenny."   We just really feel so so lucky to have them as our neighbors and friends.  They're the kind of people who I secretly wish we hung out with more, because they are seriously just that cool.  That said, hey guys, our place, brownies again, Sunday evening??

Not to mention....notice the Oregon State sweatshirts they are wearing??  Scores them a gazillion points in my book any day!!

Okay Jenny, so your list at the beginning....the things you swore you'd never do....SAME LIST here!  I was the exact same way!  And I did all of them, except #3 (well, kind of #2, but not really).  And looking back, I could care less!!  At the time, having my reception at a cultural hall was really annoying to me, but my mother was planning two weddings within 5 days of each other, and the last thing I wanted to do was stress her out more than she was!  But now I don't think anyone even remembers our reception, and those details just don't matter anymore!

You guys are hilarious....I loved your little conversations "Does this mean you're my boyfriend now?"  So funny.  I can just picture it.  I love that you were able to attend the temple together while you were dating.  Not a lot of couples get to do that, and I think it adds a whole other dimension to the relationship.  A very vital dimension that brings a lot of spiritual maturity. 

Thanks for sharing your story! 

*****
Okay, we need more people to sign up!!  Here are some creative LSS ideas you could share:
~How did your parents or grandparents or great-grandparents meet? (I'd LOVE to hear some awesome stories from those sweet couples who still hold hands in their 80's....)
~How has having children strenghened your marriage?
~Best vacation you two have ever taken?
~Funny/Romantic First Kiss stories? (mine and Nate's is hilarious...to us...it wouldn't be funny if I tried to type it up though...you had to be there!)
~Best gift he/she has ever gotten you?
~How has your relationship grown since you've been married?

Also, feel free to invite your friends/family.  Email me at woodfamily23@yahoo.com if interested.

Week Fourteen ~ Sarah

Him: Mike

Her: Sarah

Married: April 28, 2007 Las Vegas, Nevada LDS Temple

Where do you currently live?

We live in Salt Lake City, UT. However, we will be moving this summer...not sure where yet.

Children: Camille (almost 21 months)

What was the first thing that attracted you to him?

His face. I love Mike's blue eyes and the way he smiles at me. He also just seemed like a really nice guy. (That assumption was correct, by the way.)

How do you like to spend your free time together?

We like to talk, laugh, cuddle, watch movies, go golfing, go on walks, and read together.

What is your best marriage advice?

Be selfless and forgiving. Always make time for each other.

 

Our Love Story:

One night I was hanging out with my friend Charity. We were freshmen at BYU, and she lived down the hall from me in Deseret Towers. Charity got a call from her older brother Zach inviting her to come over and watch a movie at his apartment that night with a bunch of other people. Since I was with Charity, she asked Zach if I could come to, and he said yes. Honestly, I don't even know exactly even when this happened, all I know is that it was either the end of January or beginning of February 2006. I guess this night didn't seem that important at the time.

Anyway, Zach and his girlfriend came and picked us up. Charity and I were pretty excited to go hang out with older guys who lived off-campus. We were more than half done with our first year in college, so we were tired of going on dates with boys who were really immature and going to leave on missions soon anyway. Plus, Charity had told me before that her brother had some cute roommates.


Well, we got to Zach's apartment, and I was a little disappointed. He only had one cute roommate, and he dressed weird. (This was Mike.) We still had fun watching the movie and hanging out though. Afterward, everyone played Mario Kart, and I basically just sat there. I was shy, and I hated playing video games. Also, the couch smelled gross, and my clothes smelled like it. I definitely had mixed feelings about the night (cute boy who dressed weird but seemed nice...) but I didn't think anything about it for a while.


Fast forward a few months...


At the beginning of May, I moved into Campus Plaza. Yes, this is the apartment complex where Mike lived. I had decided not to go home for the summer even though I wasn't going to take any classes. I decided to just stay in Provo and work. I had no idea that Mike was staying for the summer too.


When I moved in, the only person I really knew was my roommate Emily. But we also had met Zach's roommates. (I keep saying Zach's roommates because by this point he was engaged, so Zach wasn't really in the picture.) Anyway, Zach's roommates (Mike, Sam, and Javier) started inviting Emily and I to hang out. As time went on, I realized I caught Mike at a bad time back in February. He wasn't a crazy dresser after all. He was really nice, and I always found myself laughing every time we hung out.


Pretty soon I had a big crush on Mike. But don't forget that I was pretty shy. Anyway, my roommate Emily is the farthest thing from shy. She wanted to help move things along, but I didn't always want her to. Emily would always find reasons to go down to Mike's apartment. I always ended up going too so that I could make sure Emily wouldn't say anything too crazy. I was just so shy, and I always felt so awkward showing up at their door for no reason.


Anyway, one night in June Mike came by my apartment to return a bowl or something. Emily and I were sitting with some other girls at our kitchen table talking. For some reason J-Dawgs came up. If you didn't go to BYU, J-Dawgs is a popular little hot dog stand just south of campus. It was right across the street from our apartment complex. I said that I had never been there, and Mike said that he hadn't either. Then Emily (remember, she isn't shy at all) says to Mike (in front of everyone), "You should take her sometime." I was instantly embarrassed, but luckily Mike didn't miss a beat. "What are you doing for lunch tomorrow?" he asked me.


Well, needless to say, Mike and I went on our first date to J-Dawgs on June 16, 2006. Our date only lasted thirty-five minutes! I didn't know what to think! When Emily came home that day, she immediately asked me how my date with Mike went. I told her that I didn't even know since it was so short. I couldn't tell anything from a half-hour date, so I was just worried and nervous about that night. (I forgot to mention, when Mike had come by my apartment the night before he had invited me and Emily to go with his ward to the Manti Pageant the next night.) We were going on a two hour drive each way with Mike that night, and I was so scared.


Anyway, I took it as a good sign from everyone else that night when they had me sit in the front seat. Poor Emily was in the back seat with Charity and Javier. (Javier was one of Zach's roommates, and yes they ended up getting married too.) Mike and I talked the whole drive down to Manti, the almost two hours that we saved seats for friends before the show, and the whole drive back. By the end, I was feeling more confident about this whole thing.


To make a long story slightly shorter (sorry this is really long), Mike held my hand for the first time on July 6, 2006, kissed me for the first time August 4, 2006, and got engaged February 3, 2007...a year after we first met at the movie night. We were married 12 weeks later. Luckily Mike was a slow mover. (There was no way I was ready for things to move fast. I was only 19.) Oh, and we live happily ever after!

*****

Ooh, that Camille...I LOVE HER!  She is my FAVORITE!!!  I don't know why.  She just melts my heart, and I want to just eat her up.  I practically beg Sarah to let me babysit her just so I can read her books and give her gummy bears and snuggle her to pieces.  'Camille' is actually one of my favorite names....so elegant and adorable at the same time.  But I don't think I can use it...Cameron & Camille...Cam & Cam!  Maybe we'll just have to set them up one day...plus, the two of them share a birthday (July 9...but 2 years apart), so it's already in the stars...right?

Okay, enough of my giddiness...Sarah & Mike are awesome, and I'm SO sad they are moving this summer!  Sarah & I run together in the mornings (unless one of us cancels, which happens too often, mostly thanks to sick kids and SNOW IN APRIL!!)  She is so fun to talk to, we share a lot of the same opinions and ideas about life and family.  I really hope we stay in touch.

Thanks for sharing your story!  HAHA...I loved how you were tired of dating immature guys who were leaving on their missions soon...hilarious.  I remember that feeling!!!  I'm shy and hate video games too....this is why I love you, Sarah!  Maybe we were supposed to be sisters?  Does Mike want to come play Friday night video games with Nate?  Anyway, thanks again for sharing your Love Story!!

Happy Easter Everyone!

***And please let me know if you'd like to share your Love Story with us!  Anyone is welcome, even if you don't know me.  Stay tuned...coming up on April 25 is a wonderful Love Story about adoption....I can't wait!!!