The Oakey Family

Friday, September 2, 2011

Disclaimer: These were all taken on my phone. Hence, our beauty.

Well, I'm a horrible blogger, but this can't go un-blogged. [Did I just make up a new word??]

August 24th marked our fifth year of marriage. Five whole years. We celebrated early by going to a Michael Buble concert [which was a.w.e.s.o.m.e.]. We also went out to eat a few days after and had great conversation. I emphasize this because I had an epiphany while eating. When Makay and I were first married eating out was completely different than it is now. In my family, eating out is an occasion, an experience. A time to connect, bond, create memories. Ya know, the right way to do it. [sly smile happening over here] The first time we went out to eat as a married couple we were in and out of the restaurant in 30 minutes. For r.e.a.l. This includes the time to be seated, order, eat, and figure the tip. I was heart-broken.

Didn't he want to talk to me [thought in a petty, 16 year-old voice]? Sniff. Bond? Have a conversation? Didn't he love me?? Okay, so I over-exaggerated, over-thought, and over-analyzed. I'm a woman, okay!

Now, compare to the latest experience. Ahem. I dress up, feeling quite lovely. We walk out the door. "Oh, shoot, should I have dressed up?" says an alarmed husband as he looks upon his smokin' wife. If you don't like it, get your own commentary. It's my memory! "Oh, this old thing? I just threw it on, no worries, Love." It's a lie and he knows it. I bought the outfit like three days before and bragged about the great deals. He smiles and walks me out the door.

We say goodbye to the kid [okay, my sweet little munchkin who I love and adore] and head out. We go to a nice little Italian restaurant, Asiagos, in down-town Boise. We were the only ones sitting outside. How romantico. I order my usual Diet Coke with lemon. He does the same. I was shocked, he usually goes for the lemonade. Then we ate and talked....

ate and talked..

ate, talked, ate talked, ate... talked ....

for two entire hours. That's right ladies and gents. My love and I had a conversation for two hours. A real, deep, meaningful conversation. That's when it hit me. My husband is awesome. For r.e.a.l.

Then we walked around down-town and had great time. Despite the three Diet Cokes which were starting to catch up with me.

----------------------------

Let's get real now. That story ended up being longer than expected. For posterity sake... as well as for my own [especially durning those moments when we're both saying, "I have to be married to you for eternity?!"] I'm going to recount a few of the things I've learned these past years...

[1] Marriage is a more joyful experience when the Lord is involved. As I find myself praying for Makay [especially during the difficult times of marriage] the Lord blesses me with a heightened level of love for him. I can't even explain it.

[2] Serve. Truly serve. It's not a game. It's just pure service. Charity, rather. Serve without expecting anything in return -- or keeping score.

[3] Communicate. Always communicate your needs; be respectful of your spouses needs -- even if you don't understand them. Understanding comes in time. Until then, just do because you love.

Cheesy line coming up I'm so blessed to have Makay in my life. He is more than I deserve. He is a spectacular dad, a strong leader, a faithful priesthood holder, an honorable man, and an loving husband.

Here's to five more

oh, times infinity

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

birthday | two

Well, my munchkin is two. Time has passed quickly--too quickly.

Maddux had a combined birthday party with his friend, Jacob. They are only a day apart. Maddux is so lucky to have such a good, little friend and to be loved by his family. We ate some barbeque, opened presents, played in bubbles and finished with cupcakes and ice cream.

Maddux took most of his cues from Jacob until we brought out the cupcakes; he knew exactly what he wanted and dove right in. He's definitely his mama's baby.

I never knew happiness had a never-ending potential. I find myself feeling like he could never make me happier -- and then he does. He fills me like nothing else can. I still find myself watching him sleep during the night. Sometimes I pick up and rock him. His legs and feet dangle off the chair while his cheeks are smashed between my arm and chest. His little mouth hangs wide open. He's safe, and I want to keep him that way forever--right there in my arms where he can't be hurt. Of course, I know that can't be the case. Eventually he'll know what it feels like to be left out, have a broken heart, or even be disliked [though I can't imagine why anyone would dislike my little one]. My heart wrenches when I think about him experiencing these painful feelings. But, with these experiences comes growth, and in the end, that's truly what I want. I want him to grow into a strong, honorable, and dedicated man [who still loves and admires his mother, of course].

apologies if this ends up side-ways...

Saturday, May 14, 2011

t.w.o.

I'm sitting here in bed. It's late, but I can't stop thinking about my little Maddux. He will be two on Monday. Two. I know "I just can't believe it" is cliche, but it's true. My mind just can't comprehend that two entire years have passed. I gave birth, nursed in the wee hours, and was overly extatic when he could sit up all by himself... now he's jumping off couches, scraping up his knees, and, to my great amusement, he gallops and jumps in order to get from A to B. The world is his trampoline.

I never knew being a mother would be so rewarding (pass me the butter because I am on a roll with these cliches). I truly am the happiest I've over been.

Happy birthday to my munchkin on Monday. He can lift me to a level of joy I didn't know was possible.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Miracles

When I was reading my scriptures yesterday, I came across a scripture that made me sit back and ponder.

"And as sure as the Lord liveth, so sure as many as believed, or as many as were brought to the knowledge of the truth... according to the spirit of revelation and of prophecy, and the power of God working miracles in them—yea, I say unto you, as the Lord liveth, as many... believed in their preaching, and were converted unto the Lord, never did fall away."

I've known all of my life that miracles don't convert. We are constantly reading about people in the scriptures who experience grandiose miracles, and yet, when the hard times come, they fall away from truth. It's not the outward miracles that convert; it's the miracle that takes place within our hearts that brings conversion. As the previous scripture states, when "the power of God work[ed] miracles in them ... [they] never did fall away."

I have experienced two miracles in the past week I feel strongly I need to record and pass down to my babies. Though the miracles were 'outward,' I strive everyday to be sure miracles take place within. These experiences testified to me the great love my Father in Heaven has for me.

[ MIRACLE ONE ] One of my previous posts was about my sudden rush to the ER due to chest pain. A CT scan and many tears later we found out I had a condition called Costochondritis -- not that serious. Our non-serious visit ended with a $2200.00 bill that needed to be paid in full [no making payments] ... after insurance paid up. Honestly, our money is budgeted down to the coin until May ... when we won't have anything. $2200.00 wasn't money we had to spare. Past experience has taught us not to worry about money. As long as we are striving to be wise and paying our tithing, the Lord will intervene. We were anxious to see how He would do this.

After our Christmas/New Year's travels, we came home to find a letter from St. Lukes Hospital. We had been qualified for full financial assistance from the hospital. No reducations, no making payments, they paid the bill in full.

[ MIRACLE TWO ] After being diagnosed with stage 4 Colon Cancer, my dad's latest PET scan was clean! Tumor markers were 1.5. He will have two months of 'clean up' chemotherapy along with a reversal of the colostomy and then we're done. This is a miracle. Truly. His tumors still have an 80% - 90% chance of returning, but as of now, we are extremely optomistic.

It became very evident to me while attending the temple that his recovery is truly a miracle. I was overcome with gratitude and couldn't stop the tears from coming.

I'm so thankful for a Heavenly Father who is mindful of me. I pray I will always strive to live my life in a way that shows Him how grateful I truly am. I know the best way to show my gratitude is by opening my heart and allowing the Lord to work miracles within me.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Tender Mercies

There are such good people in the world.

This time of my life and marriage has been so good. As Thanksgiving came and went I pondered on what I am truly thankful for. One of the items that came in at the top of my list was this: I am grateful to be young, married, poor college students with a little two foot shadow.

When Makay and I attended BYU-Idaho things were good. We were living in Makay's parent's Rexburg home, we had full ride scholarships, no children, and we were working hard in the summer. We had saved enough money to make it through our schooling as well as 'Limbo' year after graduation while awaiting to hear from dental schools. We never heard from any dental schools and plan B was being implemented ... with a new munchkin to accompany us. We moved forward with faith.

Fast forward to a few weeks ago. Savings and student loans were dwindling, but we had enough to make it Makay's next graduation. Things were looking good. An ER visit with accompanying bill later ... things weren't as smooth.

I've done everything I can to bring in money. I've opened two business that are moving along. With our savings and student loans we're able to pay the bills. I work work work all night... and I'm tired.

Fear has never really been apart of the mix. More of a curiosity. How is Heavenly Father going to get us through this? I know He can, but, how?

Time is passing and my eyes have been opened to the blessings from my Heavenly Father. It seems at every turn a new opportunity arises.

Tonight I got a call from a neighbor. "Someone just told me to tell you to look on your porch," she said. Huh. I open the door and there sat

2 bottles of peaches

2 bottles of pears

2 bottles of applesauce

2 bottles of beans

4 cans of soup

2 bottoles of barbeque sauce

laundry detergent 

dish soap

fabric softener 

and... $250.00 

I don't know who did it, but my heart is full. Full of thanks to my Father in Heaven for showing me His blessings. Full of thanks for those sweet people who followed promptings from the spirit. Full of thanks for the blessings that come from paying tithing.

"...prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."

So yes, I am grateful to be a poor college student's wife. A poor young couple with child by our side. I have truly seen the hand of the Lord in my life, again and again and again. He has never ceased to amaze me ... and I know the blessings will only continue. Thank you, thank you, thank you.