Weekend.

Wedding reception tonight.

Cabela's.

Hanging with my hubs and Sarah.

Pictures to come. Happy Friday.

9/11.

I still remember September 11, 2001 so clearly. Though I was only in second grade, I did live on a Marine Corps Base, and I saw the changes that happened from that day.

I remember leaving school early, and lots of traffic on the way home. I remember my mom sitting by the TV and looking really sad. I remember getting in a big circle with all of our neighbors and saying prayers together while holding hands. 

I remember my dad leaving for Iraq a few years later, and I remember when he got home too.

Today is a day that I'll never forget. 

Thank you to all of the heroes who have served our country so faithfully. We are so appreciative of the things that you do for us.

Dad, thank you for your service. You are my hero.

Do What You Love.

How many times have I said it?

Do what you love to do.

It really is that simple. I love what I do. I love this blog. I love my major. I love my life. And it's all because I just do what I love.

Be passionate. Be happy.

Birthdays.

Considering that it's "birthday season" (September) in my family, I figured I'd take a minute to publicly appreciate my family.

We will start with my favorite furry friends, Buttercup and Zoe. I love these little girls so much. They have brought so much joy into my life over the past few years, and I love their sweet little spirits.

Next, we'll just go down the line of birthdays (plus a couple of other people that I love so much)!

Momma: You are amazing. You have taught me everything about how to be a strong, fiercely loyal woman, and I am so grateful for your example. You truly love those around you and strive to be the best you every day. You have been there for me every step of my journey so far, and I can't tell you how much that means to me.

Grandma: You showed me everything about how to be cool. When I could go to school and tell my friends that my grandma rides motorcycles, they were all jealous. ;) I am so grateful for your love over the years.

Pops: You are the hardest working man I know. I am so grateful that you showed me how to just enjoy life. You have given me the greatest example of a father who never gives up on his children. You loved us, even in some of our roughest moments. Thank you for always accepting me and loving me regardless of my flaws.

Bubba: You're not so much my "little" brother anymore, since you have long outgrown me. But I love you more than words can say. Watching you grow up has been the biggest privilege in my life, and I am so glad I could be there for most of the years. Thanks for always wrestling me, but never actually hurting me even though you could've. Thank you for understanding me always.

Sammi: Oh man, I am so glad you're my sister. You always make me laugh and help me to never take life too seriously. Thanks for always bringing a smile to my face and helping me to learn to laugh at myself. You da best. Ew.

Aunt Kim: You are the funniest person I know. Thanks for always being the one to make us laugh. And thank you for understanding my middle child syndrome. ;)

Elise: You're just a little one, but you sure are special. Thank you for being the beginning of the next generation of our family. You've already brought lots of joy to us, and I'm sure there's plenty more to come.

Jeani: Thank you for being my mother-in-law and taking me in as your daughter. You truly have changed my life and I am so grateful for your example and love. You are such a strong woman, and I am so grateful for you in my life.

Happy birthday to all of my family! I love you all.

And now, for the others who don't have birthdays, but I just have to share my love anyway.

Bena (Bri): I love you so much. Thank you for being the one I could always talk to. Thank you for loving me (and occasionally "hating" me, but eventually getting over it). You always make me laugh and I am so glad someone else understands my weirdness. (Insert our rendition of Lion King)

Gpa: You are my hero. Thank you for always, always, always supporting me and loving me unconditionally. You are the kindest, most generous person. Thank you for all the memories of going to movies, looking at Christmas lights, spending time at the park, getting ice cream, etc. You never fail to make me happy.

Johnny boy: You're (one of) my favorite brothers-in-law. You and Sam never fail to make me laugh, and I am so glad you guys are close enough to spend a lot of time together. Thanks for being the other in-law who always understands.

Joey: You're (one of) my favorite brothers-in-law. You are so fun to be around, and I am so grateful to have had the last 5 years to get to know you. Thanks for always smiling, and all those rides to high school back when I was too young to drive. ;)

Mat: You're (one of) my favorite brothers-in-law. Thanks for connecting the family even when we are all so far apart. It really is so great to feel so close to everyone.

Sarah: You're so sweet! Thanks for spending so much time with us and always making us laugh. Thanks for making us eat healthier (at least on Sundays) when we have to eat gluten-free. Thanks for getting all of my jokes, and for being the newest member of the Marsee family so I don't have to be anymore. ;) ew.

Jess: Thanks for always checking up on me periodically and making sure I'm doing great. Thanks for all your love and all the laughs we had over the past 2 years. You are one in a million, and we will always be friends even if we are thousands of miles apart.

And finally, my hubby Ian: I love you more than words can express. Thank you for being you. Everything about you just makes me happy. Thanks for those times that you held my hair while I puked, thanks for all the back and foot rubs, thanks for the hilarious jokes, and thank you for teaching me how to be humble and truly love others. You never take life too seriously, and I am so grateful for that because I always take it a little too seriously. You are my best friend in the whole world, and I don't know where I'd be without you.

There are so many others I wish I could write about all day long. My family and friends mean the world to me. Thank you all for being supportive and loving me through the years. I truly am so blessed.

As for "birthday season," I am so grateful for this time of year when we can celebrate the lives of so many who are dear to me. I wish I could fully express my feelings for each of you, but here's just a small bit of how I feel.

Happy Tuesday, friends!

Faith As A Little Child.

Having faith "as a little child" is hard. What does that even really mean?

Well, honestly, I can't give you a clear-cut answer. But I know what I truly believe it is. Child-like faith is not simply blind obedience. We can ask questions, we can seek to know the truth individually. But child-like faith is much more than that. 

Think of what children (in the purest sense) are like.

Children ask questions sincerely; they do not try to confuse or "trap" others.

Children are honest (with themselves and others). 

Children are teachable.

Children are always seeking new knowledge.

Children are not prideful, and do not try to seem better than others.

Children admire those that are wiser.

Children take new information from trusted sources as truth.

All of these qualities should be what we seek for. Today, though, I'd like to focus on the last one. 

If your child asked you how the lights work, you might answer, "When you flick the switch upward, the lights come on, and downward turns them off." Many children would be quite pleased with this answer. Some might probe a little further and ask, "How does the light get there?" To which you might respond, "Well, we pay the electric company and we have wires in our house that make the lights go on and off." At this point, most children would be impressed and move on.

As children grow older, however, they start to ask more and more questions. They have to know exactly how it all works.

But we don't always need to know exactly how everything works. Our Heavenly Father loves us and blesses us with knowledge, but it is unnecessary to venture beyond what He offers to us, just as it is unnecessary (and often un-thought of) for children to know beyond what parents have to offer.

This is not to say that Heavenly Father has a limited knowledge-base as parents often do, because we know that He knows everything. But, in knowing everything, He also knows what we don't need to know. He knows what we need to just take on faith.

Asking questions is a good thing, and can bring about wonderful things (*cough* Joseph Smith). But there is a point where we need to just have faith that things will work out and that He will live up to His promises.

If you find yourself constantly asking questions and feeling like the answers are limited, or even non-existent, maybe consider the idea that you don't need to know the answer now. 

I know it sounds harsh and even a little weird to consider that there is knowledge out there that the world doesn't possess, but I know that Heavenly Father is full of infinite wisdom and understanding, and sometimes we just need to take information on faith, as a little child would.

He loves us. He knows us. He even knows the answers to our questions. Trust Him and know that He has your best interest in mind and that He will give you answers as you need them.

Partially related to this post is this great video. The song has a great message, and the missionaries lip-syncing it makes it that much better to watch. Enjoy!

Happy Monday.