Even in a Kiss

"He is in everything. Even in a kiss." - The Count of Monte Cristo

The past couple of months have been really difficult for Nick and I as we have been transitioning to different work places and schools,  and dealing with apartment issues, sickness and family emergencies. But they have been filled with equal amounts of joy and love. Readers expect me to be a more dedicated blogger, for I have learned so much and have so much to share with you about life and love.

With these months being so difficult Nick and I have really been depending on our faith in our Savior to get us through every single moment. It has not been easy to pray and trust that things will turn out ok, but our relationship as a couple has been strengthened so much because of it and I will tell you why, it's because of a simple choice.  That choice is Choosing God every day. Every morning especially on the difficult days I have woken up and decided that I am going to choose to follow and love God today, that I am going to turn the other cheek to those that have hurt me, to look for ways to serve others, to study the scriptures instead of reading/watching other media or social networks, and to being open to the Lords will for me every day.

 Through that simple choice I have noticed little things change, like being more patient with situations, accepting that there is only so much I can do sometimes and being ok with that, being more cheerful while waiting for things to be ok, looking for little ways to serve and love others around me, and praying so much more every day to our Father in Heaven for help and direction,  and seeing  his love and guidance every day as I look for it.

I noticed another things was changing too...... my marriage.  I realized the same principle applied with loving my spouse as it did my Father in Heaven. I decide to choose Nick every day because I love him and I want to love him even more every day. So I wake up every morning and I choose to love him, I choose to better show him that love every day and to look for ways to encourage him, to spend more quality time with him instead of my computer screen,  I choose to serve him and work things through with him, to be patient and to never give up on him, to make him the priority of my life. Choosing him allows my love for him to grow even more every single day as I learn more about him and strive to serve and help him.  It all starts with a Good Morning Kiss. It's so simple and yet it is the best marriage/ life advice I can give.

 Wake up every Morning and choose God and your Spouse. Through those active choices you will notice your marriage strengthening as well as your faith. For they compete each other.  Marriage is a three way street between you, your spouse and God.  I know that when I married Nick in the Beautiful Bountiful Temple we covenanted to make God an equal part of our marriage.  And by doing so I know he more than equally blesses our lives. I am so grateful for that especially on the days I don't want to get out of bed because of depression, or sickness, or stress. Those days I am so grateful for my Spouse choosing me too, through a beautiful Good Morning Love Kiss.

I know God is everywhere blessing us, especially in kisses, and I know that when we make him a part of our kisses, marriages and lives. The simple things will become so much greater than we could ever dream of and we will be so blessed and so unbelievably happy.

With Love REB&NICK

PS: Here is Sara Bareilles music video for "I Choose You" I feel her and I are on the same page with this topic of choosing to love your love every day :)

To learn about our wonderful church go here http://www.mormon.org/
Photos from the lovely Tori Cloward. To view more of her beautiful work go here Tori Cloward Photography

The Five Most Important Traits to Look for In a Spouse

About a month after I had met Nick I was on the train heading back to Ogden from Salt Lake City when I had a conversation that changed how I viewed dating and marriage.  The conversation was with a lady named Elissa from Logan who has ten kids and has been married for 32 years.  When I asked her what her secret to be married for so long she said it was choosing the right spouse.  I  asked her what made him the right choice. She replied with giving me the Five Most Important Traits To Look For In a Spouse. These traits helped me to know Nick was the right choice for me and our future family. I am so excited to share them with you today.

THE FIVE MOST IMPORTANT TRAITS TO LOOK FOR IN A SPOUSE

1. They love God with all their heart. You will know this because they love and talk about the gospel and they really listen and follow the promptings from the spirit, as well as obey God's commandments.

2. They Like Old People.  You and your parents will grow old one day. You need to know your spouse will love and care for the elderly. Watch how they treat their parents, that is how they will treat yours.

3. They Like Little People. If you want children it's important to know your spouse loves children, and enjoys them and will love to help you take care of your own. When you get married you will not only be choosing a spouse but also choosing a future mother/father.

4. They Like to Work. They don't think work is a dirty word. If you and your spouse like to work you will have a much happier and secure life. There are always opportunities for people who work hard. Their work ethic is your job security no matter what their skills are.

5. They know how to be happy and positive. When they are depressed they know how to get out of it.  They know how to choose happiness for themselves.  They are comfortable and know themselves well enough to be able to be happy.  This is the most important trait of all and the most difficult to achieve.  Mara Kofoed addresses this topic so much in her "A BLOG ABOUT LOVE" if you would like to start learning about how you can make yourself happy.
 http://www.ablogaboutlove.com/2012/08/depression-choosing-happiness.html

The most important principle with these traits is to develop them in yourself while looking for them in a spouse.  By developing them in yourself people with those characteristics will be more attracted to you and you will be able to have a deeper connection. Be the type of person you wish to marry.


Working on yourself is the most important thing you can do for yourself while dating. It will help you learn so much about the person you are and the person you want to become, and the type of person you want to marry.  You will find out what really means the most to you and you will have so much fun in the process. I married a man with those five characteristics and we are both still developing them more fully every day.  It has been the best part of my life to enjoy that journey. So work on these traits whether you are married or single and  have so much fun, that's what life is all about.

With Love  REB&NICK