2 months, and counting....

So... I know that my husband probably won't appreciate some of this post, but I just have to brag about him for a minute :)  The other day, we were talking about our lives as single adults - long before either of us knew the other existed.  While Geoff doesn't usually like to share stories from his "glory" days, we got to talking about his time at BYU-Idaho...  I learned that while he was there, he was such the "ladies-man" that he had girls cooking dinner for him almost every night, and he was BOOKED for 2-3 weeks out!  I was curious to find out who/what exactly had convinced all these girls to cook dinner for him, so I pushed him for more information.  He then told me that all those dinners came to an abrupt halt when one of the Apostles spoke to the Young Adults in a General Conference talk and instructed the women not to enable the "free loaders" -- aka, no more free dinners for Mr. Phatty :)  I, of course, teased him about this... but he went on to explain that all those dinners were not "free" -- he had offered service to all these girls, and that was their way of thanking him.  What "services," you ask?  That was my next question.  Then he ran upstairs and rummaged around in an old box stored away in his "Man Cave" (aka office) and this is what he brought back:

 

 

 As he handed this little book to me, he explained that it is one of his most "prized possessions."  I flipped through the pages, and each one had a different "Thank You" written on it for various acts of service/kindness that Geoff had offered to these girls.  Knowing how girls are (because I am one, haha) I realized that my husband is truly the sincere, humble, charitable gentleman I know and love... Girls would not go out of their way to do something like this for just ANY guy -- Geoff had made quite the impression on those he knew then, which continues to this day :)  Amidst the 50+ thank you notes, I have selected a few favorites to share:

I'd say I'm pretty lucky to have found this guy :)  2 months in, and we are absolutely LOVING being married!  In all honesty, it just feels right... so completely natural, like this is how it was supposed to be all along.  It really does feel like we've known each other for years... when it's only been months.  Sorry to be cheesy, but I do feel like I fall more in love with him each day :) 

As for other news/updates:  I'm still on the job hunt.  I interviewed at an amazing fertility clinic last week, and would absolutely LOVE to work there, but I'm waiting to hear back... in the meantime, I've applied to a few other positions -- including the Labor & Delivery unit at the University of Utah!  While I know I'm a long-shot for the position (new grads are rarely hired on L&D floors) I still have to have faith...  Faith that the Lord will open a door for me to work as a nurse in the environment best suited for me and for Him.  He does know me better than I know myself, after all... He hasn't led me in the wrong direction yet, so why doubt Him now?  One thing I will say -- since the wedding craziness ended, my unemployment has forced me to appreciate the "job" of being a housewife.  I have always spoken out about wanting to be a working mom, frankly because I did not want to be told to sit at home while someone did all the work to pay for my life!  I didn't find it fair to just expect that someone would "take care of me" -- so I pushed myself in school to gain an education, so that I knew I would be contributing to support my future family.  While I am incredibly grateful for the many experiences I have had as a student, and the many opportunities I will have to work and serve as a nurse, sitting at home with endless chores and responsibilities around the house has finally turned on the lightbulb in my head:  being a housewife is HARD WORK!  Safe to say there are many wives out there that take advantage of their husbands and don't hold up their end of the bargain... but I really feel like I need to take back previous comments I have made during my naieve younger years.  I never listened to those who tried to share with me why they chose motherhood and staying at home to care for their children -- I was convinced that it was all an excuse, that they were complacent with their position and being "barefoot and pregnant" at home.  And that added fuel to my motivation to achieve more for myself... to show women that you don't have to accept the "easy way out" and actually make a difference in the world!  But now... I have definitely re-thought my position.  While I know that I have been blessed with certain talents and skills to use in the service of those I encounter as a nurse, being a mother is quite possibly the most intimidating -- yet most important -- job I will ever have.  And it will NOT be easy.  Geoff and I are definitely going to wait a while before we plan to have any kids, but this topic has frequented our conversations lately... and therefore it has been on my mind.  I know that I will not waste the many talents that the Lord has blessed me with, but I have finally come to acknowledge the single greatest service I alone can offer: the selfless work of motherhood.  Pretty powerful stuff, huh?  No kidding.  But I know Geoff and I have things to take care of before we start down that path... so for now, I'll just be mentally preparing myself for that epic lifetime commitment we both will make at some point in our marriage :) 

And with that, I'll leave you with a photo of a cute magnet I saw while visiting the Meek family home in Edmonton: