Ode to my wife

Jumping with the kids on the trampoline last week.

Wearing her Pendleton wool suit to church for Valentines day a tradition since her dad bought the suit for her in highschool over 15 years ago.

My wife is opposed to me doing this but today I pay tribute to her and express my thanks for one of the most remarkable women I have ever met. When I was young and single, I used to read accounts of women of yester-year and what amazing people they were. They could do it all and they did it all. Well maybe not "all" but they did the essential and difficult things well and with tremendous conviction. I used to think that those kind of women don't exist any more and then I met my wife. When asked about her by my grandfather, I said, "she is like those women who crossed the plains with the first saints....". He then said, "say no more and marry her because she'll get away and you won't find another like her...."

She was made the Relief Society President today in our ward. I knew the moment I knew I wanted to marry her that she would be the greatest role model for women, for my future daughters, for my sisters and family..... I somehow knew that she would end up a Relief Society President. Really, I think she is the living cure and answer to so many of the challenges, opposition, and traps that frankly beset modern women. She is the living "anti-modern attack on women". Where ever we've lived, I've had women and young women come up to me and say that they sense a deep spiritual surety in womanhood when they are around her. They feel that being a richeous woman in todays world is more clear since they've known her. She would never say this but being her husband, I get to see her greatness and clarity often.

I am excited and she is very overwhelmed and humbled that in her "youth" and with her already busy life, that the Lord would ask her to serve in this capacity. I am dang excited. I feel grateful that the Lord would have confidence in me as a dad to take on these 6 little darlings more often so that she can have some more time to dedicate to the women of our ward. So far I've had some stretching opportunities to tend them single handedly during sacrament meeting as she has led the music. I think I've done an okay job (a few headlocks).... I think (some Spock death grips).... I don't know if my kids are as excited as I am knowing that I am a little stiffer and more demanding (arm bar-tap out) way than my wife..... maybe the kids aren't that excited.

Besides, I've always wanted to make out with the Relief Society President! Now its legal!