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July was a crazy month I haven't decided where it went. We enjoyed the many patrotic celebrations as a family the fourth and the twenty-fourth. They were filled with family, food, fireworks, games, and races. Porter even one first place in the fourth of july races in his age group, it was fun to see him be so excitied. We went camping up Ephraim Canyon for a total of about a week in a half. We spent a lot of time up in Layton as Kev took his bar exam and another test. I am glad the bar is over for now and he can relax and spend more time with us. But, now it is time to get back in the daily swing of life and get back to my scripture study and spirtual growth. Today I read a conference talk given in 2006 entitled Nuturing Your Marriage. I want to share what he called the three keys to having a strong, spirtual marriage.
1. Appreciate:
" To appreciate to say I love you and thank you is not difficult. But these expressions of love and appreciation do more than acknowledge a kind thought or deed. They are signs of sweed civility. As grateful partners look for the good in each other and sincerely pay compliments to one another, wives and husbands will strive to become the person described in those compliments." So key and made me think how often to I do this? Not that much is the answer I nag far more then I give compliment. I love the last part where it says that your wive or husband will in return strive to become the person describled in those compliments. Boost that person up instead of making them aim for the person you describled while your nagging.
2. Communicate:

" Good communication means taking time to plan together. couples need private time to observe, to talk, and really listen to each other. They need to cooperate, helping each other as equal partners. "
3. Contemplate:
" If couples contemplate often, with each other in the temple, sacred coventatns will be betteer remembered and kept. Frequent participation iin temple service and regular family scripture study nourish a marriage and strenghten faith within a family. Contemplation will nurture a marriage and God's kingdom. "

We have not had a temple recommend for going on a year now, we have not particapated in a temple session for going on two. That is not something I am very proud of infact it scares me seeing it in writing. I as the wife need to make this a bigger family goal, getting back to the temple, paying our tithing so we can. I know that going to the temple with your spouse strengths your marriage and in return strenghts your family and testimony. I have seen it in action to many times to deny it. We need this I will make it my goal to get us back there quickly. There is one part in this talk where it says doing these things " strengthens the family within the family." Strengthing and nuturing our marriage will make our family stronger. Our relationship sets the tone for family life.
I am Grateful For:

I am grateful that I got up this morning and got going early it always makes me day more productive and better. I am grateful for this conference talk and the much need push it gave me. I am thankful for a Savior that gives me chance after chance and never gives up on me. I am thankful for temples and eternal families. I am thankful for a funny little three year old and a cute little diva, they make my life so full. And I am thankful for my spouse for his patients and love. I will try harder!