Reflections from the 6 years

Today is Nathan and my 6th anniversary and I am delighted to say that he is home and we were able to attend church together. He even had yesterday off and we were able to go on a date, thanks to 2 sweet sisters in our ward. We went out to eat at Olive Garden and then walked around a few stores for Christmas ideas for ourselves and the kids. I'm pretty excited about getting a wheat grinder, wheat, and/or new pots and pans for the kitchen. Nathan has been eyeing some leg machine for his work out collection in the garage but he's been quiet as to any other desires. We are trying to go simple with what we buy for the kids this year, but would like it to be special as well. They won't have an overload of gifts as they have in the past since we won't be at the Layton Clarks for the festivities this year. It will be different but hopefully we can make our own traditions and fun for the kids. Christmas is always a great time for creating memories and family traditions.
The past 6 years have gone by rather quickly and I vaguely recall being single. I enjoyed my youth and single life, but having a wonderful husband and children to boot is definitely much better. I could not ask for a more loving and understanding husband. He really is good to me and inspires me to be better. We had a good time (over dinner) reviewing some fun memories that we've made over the years. Most of them consisted of holiday memories of dropping things off at random peoples' doors or having people come to our home. Nathan can be really quirky around the holidays, especially around his family. It will be interesting to see what he does this year, without his siblingsaround. We will do our best to make the most of it and do the things that we have done in the past, just by ourselves. We are a very happy couple and have survived and thrived in spite of the hard schedules of medical school and now residency. I am so grateful for the temple covenants that we have made and look forward to spending all eternity with this wonderful priesthood holder and father of my children.
We certainly haven't wasted any time in our marriage! In six years we have: both graduated from undergrad school, had 4 kids, finished 4 years of medical school and started residency. We've lived in 5 different housing arrangements (not including our 2 temporary apartments this summer), seen 3 and almost 4 of our siblings marry, and grown in many other ways. Marriage is terrific and it is nice to be with someone that makes me so happy and complete. I can't imagine life any other way. As my dad would always say: "What a lovely lot we got!"