ALWAYS TO REMEMBER

We have so many framed pictures that we have accumulated over the years of marriage. And every time we move we try to find new places for the same frames.

Well, to be honest, our new home doesn't support a lot of wall area for some of our most sentimental pieces. But thank goodness for a digital camera and a blog, right. I took pictures of a few of the pictures and though they may not be hung on our walls, they will forever be with us.

The first two pieces were cross-stitched for Brent by a friend from his mission. Brent served in the Olongapo, Philippines mission for two years for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day saints. There he had some of the best, worst, most spiritual, exciting, sad, and happy times of his life. He met many wonderful people and has ever since wanted to make a trip back to the Philippines. I'm game! Whenever we can go for a good three weeks or so we'll do it. It was a significant time in his life that he will never forget and has had fun telling the kids about.

Brent LOOOOOVES rice. STICKY RICE. And he has been on a journey for the last eight years of our marriage to find rice as good as he had in the Philippines. He won't eat BONED chicken since his mission, and his feet are the most delicate part of his body - when I first met him he wouldn't touch his feet on any surface unless he had some kind of shoe, sandal, or flip flop to protect them - something that was VERY important he do while he was on his mission. We "discovered" facebook only a few years ago and it was a BLESSING for Brent. He got back into touch with a couple of his most favorite families from the Philippines; a family that today we still have a picture of them in our home.

So These cross-stitched pieces might seem simple or unimportant to most. But they hold so much sentimental value to Brent. And even as I type I feel the sentiment within myself. It's a part of Brent and therefore, a part of me.

This next framed memory was our signature board at our wedding receptions. As wonderful as it is, we just don't have a place for it on the walls anymore. But what memories it holds. Eight and half years ago Brent and I were sealed in the Logan LDS Temple for time AND eternity. And on this board holds the signatures of all those that came to show support and love to us. This board symbolizes a mother that took the time to make everything perfect for a wedding that her daughter had little time to plan with her. This board symbolizes two lives from not so different pasts coming together by what only we can see as God's Plan. It holds the memory of taking pictures at Thanksgiving point. It's also when my hair had perfect curls :).  One of my best friends sat by this board and greeted everyone as they came to see us. It also reminds us of how sick Brent was at the reception...REALLY SICK!

This beautifully matted framed picture will forever hold warm memories for us. It may not hang on our walls, but it's in our hearts. Everything that we are as a family started with this matte.

And now that I have cried sufficent tears for the morning...