Italian Sodas & Twinkle Lights

David and I live what I would call a simple life.  We go to bed early most of the time.  I pretend I get up early most of the time.  We live off of a budget.  I save yogurt cups for art projects and sour cream containers to use as Tupperware.  Sometimes, especially after spending a moment or two on Pinterest thinking about my {in my} dream{s} home, I feel like we are such lowly people who will never be able to make it in this world.  It seems like we will never have enough money to do anything.  I fear that I will become a mother who survives off of WIC and has to take her kids on nature walks every day because we can't do anything else.   But then...I think of this:

Now, I have no idea where these statistics came from.  It is possible that some crazy liberal made them up to make people feel bad although I doubt that.  Regardless, I forget how fortunate I am.  I was able to find a job within one month of graduating in the field I chose.  {It's not anyone else's fault that I chose the lowest paying four-year degree requiring occupation.}  We are far richer than the majority of students in our same situation.  We have a roof over our heads, plenty of food, a savings account with money in it, a car that works all the time, clothes to wear, a piano that provides us a source of additional income, good friends, supportive family, and each other.  Okay, so maybe I don't have this:

or this: 

or this:

 or this:

 or this:

 or this:

BUT...I do have David.  I have a husband who is kind.  He leads our family with authority and gentleness.  He constantly tells me how great I am and how beautiful I make the world.  We have no less than six sets of scriptures to read in two languages to search the word of God.  We have a kitchen with matching red appliances.  We have bikes to explore the world on.  I have the confidence of knowing that I can trust the man I spend my days with, never doubting anything.  I have emotional security.  I have the financial peace of knowing that my husband tracks every single dollar we earn and never lets anything go to waste.  I have students that spend money on Scholastic book orders and earn me free books.  I have cool weather that I can stay dry in after I have showered.  I have a home with carpet on the floor and milk in the fridge and no need for cockroach bombs.  I have ice cream in my freezer.  I have a degree from one of the best universities in the world.  I have knees that can kneel in prayer.  I have a voice to speak my mind.  I have love.

Yesterday as I was thinking about how hard life will be in the future and all of the financial burdens that might be placed upon us, I became overwhelmed to think about how we will ever attain anything.  But then I realized...I already have everything.  David and I spent the evening last night out on the town.  We met at the Friday Night Farmers Market. We walked hand in hand talking about our days' activities, actually interested in what the other had experienced.  We stopped to talk to friends and neighbors.  As it got dark, each tent sparkled with twinkle lights casting a lovely glow on the tabernacle behind us.  We bought Italian sodas and enjoyed one of the last beautiful evenings Rexburg will be willing to produce for awhile.  It was picture perfect.  As we walked around together, I realized that I am the luckiest girl in the world.  I may not have everything the world tells me I should want, I may not even have all of the things that I want.  But I have everything that matters.  I am happy.

In the end, we have been promised that we will never want for anything if we strive to keep the commandments:  "Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or Wherewithal shall we be clothed? ...for your heavenly Father knoweth that yea have need of all these things.  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

David's 24th

Last Friday, David and I drove down to Utah to celebrate his 24th birthday with his family.  We got up Saturday morning and opened presents over delicious bagel sandwiches, and then headed off to Lagoon, David's favorite birthday bash location.  

David's favorite present was his new basketball.

This is our second year with the September celebration.  It is a fun weekend because Sydney, David, Chris, and Sarah all have birthdays the same week. 

Sydney brought her friend, Allison to celebrate her sweet 16.

The other little birthday girl.

Bombora, the new surfing themed roller coaster.

The ladybug ride

Caroline rides the Rocket for the first time

Last year, David told Caroline that he would buy her a snow cone if she went on the Rocket with us, but she was still too scared.  This year, she finally went and about an hour after we got off of it, she said, "Hey David!  Now you owe me a snow cone!"  The things kids remember!  The perfect uncle that he is, one tiger's blood snow cone magically appeared.

The boys 

The girls 

Someone thought it would be hilarious to put all the little kids in one log, and put Rob and David in the front of another with Spencer and me behind... 

I ended up wet. David thought this was hilarious.

We ended the festivities with a splash on Rattlesnake Rapids...

very wet. 

We had a fabulous day.  David and I drove home that night, which was nearly impossible.  I was so tired, I couldn't function at all and David was so tired that we had to pull over twice to take a little nap.  We made it home alive by 1:00 AM!  David made it to his stake priesthood meeting the next morning at 7:00.  EEEK!  After church, Garet brought over a cake sponsored by Mom and Jim which was delicious!

I particularly enjoyed Garet's Mr. Rogers sweater. 

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood... 

Happy Birthday, David!