Father's Day 2012

This post is a little late in coming, but I couldn't miss the opportunity to write about how grateful I am for the fathers in my life. I am blessed to have some amazing men in my life, and I want them to know how much they mean to me. 

Mike, my husband, father of my child, best friend, and love of my life . . . 

Family Photos 2011

I have been blessed with such an amazing husband. I have known Mike for nearly 10 years, and I have always been impressed with his passion for life. He lives life with energy, enthusiasm, and a desire to always learn and improve. He is patient, gentle, and sensitive of others' needs. He is a very dedicated worker, and excels in the workplace. Whatever Mike puts his mind to, he achieves. He helps me to be a better person. He is optimistic and helps me to see the blessings in my life. He is my best friend and confidant; I know I can always count on him to listen to me, and I can tell him anything. He is a wonderful father to Curtis, and I can't wait to see their relationship grow as Curtis gets older. Pretty much I am the luckiest woman alive to have such an incredible husband! I love you, Mike! 

Kitto Updates

We have some exciting things happening in our family!

Mike has been hired at Fidelity

 and we are thrilled, for several reasons! 

       

1) This is the field of work upon which he will build his career. This job has great potential for growth, learning, and earning. It is possible that he will stay with this company throughout his working years. 

2) This job is going to allow me to be a full-time, stay-at-home mom! I honestly can't express how happy that makes me. As I continue to teach it will be at a bare minimum and because of my desire for a "creative outlet" and not out of financial obligation. No more six-hour days away from my baby. Joy!

3) Fidelity trains and pays for Mike to become licensed. He will study ALL summer before taking the Series 7 exam. This is not an easy test, and it will require some intense time and study. 

4) Fidelity has great benefits. Mike's current job has excellent benefits, and we were worried about him making a job change and having to sacrifice his current benefits (insurance, 401k, bonuses, time-off, etc). 

I want to get Mike's first-hand account about the process from hearing about the job to being hired because he truly was guided and inspired during the process. I am so grateful for a hard-working, persevering husband who accomplishes everything he puts his mind to. I love you Mike! 

Blessed

Ah, General Conference. I SO needed you this weekend. 

I needed time with my little family.
I needed to listen to prophetic counsel.
I needed to be chastised.
I needed to be comforted.
I needed to be inspired.
I needed to have a wake-up call.
I needed to set goals.
I needed to receive answers to my prayers.
I needed to feel gratitude.
I needed to feel compassion.
I needed to work on my patience.

This conference was wonderful. I am excited to be able to re-read and study all of the talks again. Last conference I was still learning to be a mother, and I was exhausted. This time I felt like I could actually listen, focus, and think. It was wonderful. I want to make it a goal to re-read all of the talks before next conference, as well as to write a few thoughts about each one.

I feel so blessed!   

I should be...

I should be planning my lesson for tomorrow...

Instead, I'm thinking about my sweet little boy and how incredible it is to be his mother. I really don't have the words to describe the joy I feel inside when I see him, hold him, kiss his squishy cheeks, grab his little hand, tickle his tummy, snuggle him while he sleeps, and see him grow and learn each day. There is absolutely nothing in this world I would rather do that hold my darling boy and see him look up into my eyes as he smiles. Parents always told me that you never really understand how much your own parents love you until you become a parent. I believe it. It's impossible to describe the deep love I have for Curtis. Even more incredible is that it keeps growing stronger every day.

Mike and I went to a movie with my family tonight. We left Curtis with Mike's parents. It's always hard for me to leave him for something other than work. We picked him up after the movie (I'm always so anxious and excited to see him after we've been apart). On the way home I reached back and he wrapped his tiny fingers around mine; the whole way home. Oh I love that boy, and I will always cherish those precious moments.