Seems a little bit early for a "gratitude entry" I guess--but I feel too grateful to not say anything! You know those moments when you look at someone and can't adequately express your gratitude for them in your lives? I feel that all the time with Jordan, and for that alone, I am blessed.
I was reading in D&C (Doctrine and Covenants) this week and was struck by a verse that said, "In all things, give thanks." And I felt that I want and need to be more grateful. It's really paying attention to the little details, or tender mercies, in life that make me the happiest.
Here is a condensed list of random reasons why I am grateful for my hubby--just because! I have a lot more than 10, but, I have to make a cut off somewhere. I'm sure he'll be embarrassed that I'm doing this! He's the most humble person I know.
Also, I know that neither Jordan nor I are perfect. I'm not writing 10 things to point out why my husband is better than everyone else's, I'm pointing out why he is perfect for me. I believe there is good in everyone..some people we may just have to look a bit longer :)! But because he is such a blessing to me, I want to share his example with others.
So here are my 10 Reasons, which still fails woefully short of all he is and does...
1) Before we go to bed, and usually while we brush our teeth, Jordan wanders around between our bathroom and bedroom (so he can brush for what seems like 10 minutes). As he does this, he'll sometimes sing me "songs", consisting of short one-liners expressing his love for me at the top of his lungs. I giggle every time because toothpaste is usually coming out of his mouth as he grins from ear to ear while singing his homemade melody. I love how he makes me laugh.
2) When I am having a melt down, Jordan will immediately hug me. There is no awkward pause, he instinctively hugs me, strokes my hair and asks what he can do to help--or tells me how he is going to help.
3) As I mentioned, Jordan is the most humble yet confident person I know. In high school, I shamefully admit that I almost wanted him to be more cocky--and act like the jock he was supposed to be. He didn't care if he was driving a van, being completely goofy or looking like a dork. He cared more about making others feel comfortable and loved. I realized I was the one who needed to change. That quote about "water rolling off a duck's back" describes him perfectly--others opinions don't get to him. He is never held hostage to what other people think, like I often am. He never does anything with the wrong intentions. He is so pure and so good. I want to be just like him when I grow up.
4) He is an amazing cook and always offers to help in the kitchen. He never acts like cooking is a woman's job. He recognizes a need and immediately steps in. Plus, he cooks better than me so it works out better for both of us :). He loves to cook his Brazilian food and can be caught rocking out to Brazilian music in the shower. Sometimes I'll stand outside the door and just smile while I hear him sing along. He'll speak to me in Portuguese and smiles as I try to respond with the (maybe) five words I know. He'll sing Brazilian love songs to me, and I end up busting out laughing while he tries to keep a straight face.
5) Jordan puts up with a lot of my Pinterest creations that don't always work out, which every female knows if they've actually made one of their pins from Pinterest--he always tells me "wow, that tastes great!" and I'll smile and go dump it in the trash when he leaves the room because it didn't turn out perfectly. If I get a "craft bug" he goes to the store with me, carefully helps me pick out supplies, measures and perfectly hangs shelves, cuts out designs and does anything I obviously need help with. Then once I finish a project, he always tells me that I should, "Instagram it Ash!" He acts so proud of me, it's pretty cute. I'm like a little kid when it comes to my projects with the recognition I require and he never falls short in providing it.
6) Jordan is the most meticulous person I know. When we need new car tires, he researches them for days. When we are going to watch a DVD, he scopes them out for nearly 45 minutes until he finds the perfect one for me. When we were applying to med school he poured over the options for months. When I need something cut or hung, he will make sure it is absolutely perfect. He measures ten times and cuts once (as opposed to me who measures never and cuts a bajillion times). When I tell him I like something, he will research it to death, figure out how we can do it, and it will end up as a surprise for me a few months later. When a button falls off of my jacket he is the one to sew it back on (I sew like a spaz). When we are picking out a restaurant, he will think carefully and give me a few perfect options that he feels I would like the best that evening-even if it's not what he would like. (He goes to Kneaders way more than he probably would ever care too).
7) Jordan insists on doing all the heavy duty cleaning while I'm pregnant (anything that requires cleaner and makes me feel high, haha). He will then scrub the bathroom with the utmost detail, leaving it better than the day it was installed. He is a perfectionist in the most balanced way possible. He puts up with me being high maintenance (i.e., me wanting our sheets washed at a cabin before I'll sleep in them even if it's midnight and he'll offer to do all the laundry and he'll scrub the bathroom because I saw a spider in order to help me calm down), or being late to church because my hair took too long to dry. He never says a word about me taking too long or being late. He quietly waits and holds my hand whenever I'm ready to go. He comes to every baby appointment and often has to remind me that we have one scheduled. He misses class, rearranges his day and always makes me (and now baby) his priority. I never doubt where I stand with him.
8) Jordan is the most balanced human being I know. He has an inner peace that recharges me instantly. I tend to fly by the seat of my pants and even surprise myself sometimes with what I am going to choose, and he acts completely content to go along for the ride. He seems to be slightly amused by my idiosyncrasies. He always makes me feel special no matter how quirky I really am. He sincerely desires to take care of me, and tells me that regularly. He is vocal about how he feels about me and isn't afraid to show it. I love that about him.
9) Jordan is a real example of what a priesthood holder should be. Day or night, even the dead of night, if I need anything at all, he will instantly stop to give me a blessing. He never hesitates to put on his suit and tie, no matter the circumstances. He always tells me it is a blessing and an honor to serve me. He does this for everyone around him. It always brings tears to my eyes. If I need medicine in the night, or he's in Provo and I'm in Bountiful, he will rush to my side if I think I need him in any way. I've never felt so supported and loved by another human being. I love coming into our room early in the morning and seeing him pray. I love hearing his insights about what he's reading in the scriptures. He is never showy about his religious habits, but is quietly obedient. He is the most kind and gentle reminder to me of how to have the Spirit in our home. Since I'm seriously blind once I take out my contacts at night, he will hold the Ipad what seems like just 2 inches from my face so that we can read scriptures together (because I'll be too cold to take my arms out of the covers). He'll read to me a lot of nights because I'll be "too tired to talk". He never complains. Sometimes if I am not paying attention, when I ask whose turn it is for prayers that evening, he'll say it's mine, when in reality I've prayed three nights in a row. As soon as I realize what he's done, he just laughs and tells me, "I love to hear you pray."
10) Jordan is my best friend. Something I have always loved about him is how easy he is to talk to and that he actually enjoys talking to me. He makes me feel like a queen. At dinner on Friday, I opted to order something "cheaper" because I'll think about medical school and sometimes have a panic attack. But, Jordan called our waiter back and ordered me what he knew I actually wanted, telling me, "I like to spoil my wife." My heart was overwhelmed with gratitude all over again.
Love you to the moon and back Jordan! And so does our little girl :).
