Monday, December 7, 2009

Happy Family Anniversary!


What's a family anniversary you ask?
Let me explain:

Splenda Daddy and I were married in his parents backyard August 16, 1984 by my Bishop. At the time, neither of us were active in our church. We were both raised in the same religion, but choosing not to live it at the time.

As our lives moved on, our boys were born, we matured. We grew up. We both felt the pull back to our religious roots. Our ward family was fantastic. They loved us right back into activity in our church.

After some time and making committments to continue living our lives in a manner that constituted the privilege of temple blessings, we finally pulled the trigger.

On December 5, 1996 - Splenda and I went to the Jordan River Temple and received our own endowments. It was an amazing day. One I will NEVER forget.

The next day, December 6, 1996 - we went back to the temple, but this time with our three young sons. After Splenda and I being sealed together as a husband and wife for time and ALL eternity, our little ones were brought to us, and around a sacred alter, we were sealed as a family. Sealed with an ordinance that is binding throughout all eternity. That means forever, and ever and ever. No ending to our family unit. We are a family that will continue even after death. My husband, each one of my sons......together. Forever.

It is one of the most beautiful and reassuring principles of the gospel. Every year, this is the day that kind of sets the rest of the season off for me. So while Splenda and I have our wedding anniversary that we celebrate in August for just the two of us. Our family then celebrates our Family Anniversary in December. We try to make it a special day each year to remind ourselves of that wonderful event, the promises we made and the blessings that come from remaining true to those promises and covenants. The boys were old enough to remember that day. I am grateful for that. It means something to them.

Our picture is just missing our Elder, but in less than 4 weeks he will be home and we'll have so much more to celebrate!


**if you are interested in learning more about my religion - click here and here or click here to watch some videos or even some web sites ...........

http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/mormon/weddings/

http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/mormon/marriage/

13 comments:

Pedaling said...

such an important thing to celebrate!
and way to go on the links
sister m-cat!

Pedaling said...

oh, and one more thing.
i like that picture.

Kristina P. said...

Happy Family Anniversary! What a great thing to celebrate.

Unknown said...

You're a hero. Forever.

Wonder Woman said...

I love that you celebrate the day your family was made a forever one. I'm so excited for you to have your missionary back!

tammy said...

NGL - I get a little bit teary-eyed everytime I hear your story.

Erin said...

Yay, happy family anniversary! That is so exciting.

AS Amber said...

That's awesome, girlie. I have to wait til July and then I can go back to the temple. This time I'm taking my little Harley with me :)

Love you! Even though you don't even know who I am. Seriously, what the F was that about???

H&H

Scrappy Girl said...

Happy Family Anniversary!

tiburon said...

Best day ever. Love that family :)

Sher said...

What a beautiful story. Family sealings are my favorite! Thank you so much for sharing! Congratulations!

Omgirl said...

That's a great idea! We were sealed when Daphne was 5 weeks old, and I can't even say I know the exact date. Maybe we should start celebrating a Family Anniversary too!

mintifresh said...

Happy Family Anniversary!! That's awesome!!