Stand Tall and Look Up

From the time they were little, Mike taught the children to have dreams and set goals.  He took the time to listen to their dreams and created special moments with each child. Mike sometimes even offered "reward" money when a child would accomplish or make significant  progress toward a goal Mike would praise his children to anyone who would listen. He loved to see them succeed.  He fostered a love of music and encouraged our children to share their talents.  He was always the loudest one in the stands cheering our children on.  We laughed together - A LOT!  Zip lines, roller coasters, adventures. Mike always jumped right in with the kids.

          Mike always lived in a vibrant way. He loved life and created dreams. He worked hard, very hard. He also played just as hard. Mike had always been an entrepreneur. He went to law school and passed the Utah Bar but opted to start his own business instead of practicing law. He found passion in helping others through the industry of network marketing. People said that this industry couldn't be built not he internet. Mike didn't worry too much about what they said. He just did it and coined the phrase "Putting the Net in Network Marketing." Now people can hardly imagine building a professional network without using the internet. Mike's business dealings took him all over the United States and all over the world. He traveled to Canada, South America, Southeast Asia, China, and Europe. His vision had no limit. Wherever he went, the people loved him because he first loved them. He learned about and respected their cultures.   

 Each of our children is unique. They came to our home in a variety of ways and each has brought us great joy. We laugh and cry together. We believe in each other and make room for mistakes. We help each other when we stumble. The family is ordained of God and he blesses our efforts to create faith centered homes.

     We were different in so many ways. I loved salads and low fat foods. Mike loved Southern cooking, fried foods and  barbecue.  I liked things to have order - files and bins. Mike was happy with things in piles. Mike LOVED football and I had little interest in the game. Mike was outgoing and the life of the party. He was happiest in the middle of everything. I was quieter and much more inclined to hang back and watch the party happen. Mike would lead the crowd and I would be the one who saw the people on the outskirts.      We were the same in a few things. We both believed in the inherent goodness of people and be both believed and trusted in God. We wanted to build a family based on these truths and we determined we would do it together.

The story begins here, at the Provo Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It was August 10, 2013.  Mike and I made promises that day, covenants with each other and with God. I knew I loved Mike but I had no idea how much love my heart could really hold. The union of marriage somehow takes two people and makes them "one" while allowing each to continue growing individually.