For Time and All Eternity

'Til Death Do You Part - is the famous phrase for many newly weds and families around the world. It holds a certain heart-felt warmth when they think of the lives they'll lead together. They'll come home to each other, 'til death do they part. They'll raise children together, 'til death do they part. They'll enjoy grandchildren together, 'til death do they part. And they'll grow old together, 'til death do they part.

To these families I would like to ask, what if there were something more for you? After this life, I mean. What if there were no "'til death do you part"? What if you could enjoy motherhood forever? What if you could be with your soul mate forever? Think about what it would be like to spend a lifetime making all these wonderful memories with your family and then suddenly the bonds that tie you together are dissolved. Could you stand being just friends with your most loved ones for the rest of eternity? Does it really make sense that you would be just friends after this life with your family?

Heavenly Father is our Father. Jesus Christ is our Brother. We have a mother in Heaven, too! And before we came here to Earth we were all spiritual brothers and sisters, every one of us. How could we even fathom a measly friendship with those we swear to spend sickness and health with in this life?

There IS more. Families can be together forever, through this life and beyond death. We can keep those same ties that bring us so close for eternity.

Could you imagine if everyone had an eternal marriage? The whole world would be family! Doesn't it seem like God intended it to be that way in the first place? It just makes so much more sense than "'til death do you part".

Brett and I had the very special opportunity on Saturday the 20th to make our bonds with Austin eternal. Brett and I were married in the Dallas Texas LDS Temple back in August 2001. There, we pledged our love and devotion for all eternity. Had we been able to conceive Austin on our own, there would be no need to take him to the temple. But, not regrettably at all, such was not the case. Nevertheless, it was a wonderful experience! So peaceful and serene and...heavenly. Perfect. Surrounded by close friends and family, we made Austin ours forever. He will forever be our son, the love of our lives, beyond the grave. How peaceful it is to think that, if anything should ever happen to any of us, we'll be together again as family.

After Austin's sealing on Saturday morning, we all headed to one of the closest church buildings where the Dallas 9th Ward meets. There, one of the Bishopric was nice enough to open the chapel and allow us to have a private name and blessing ceremony for Austin. His blessing was like most. Mission, temple marriage, etc. But two things stood out from the usual. One, Austin was blessed with clarity in recognizing the Holy Spirit. And two, he will be a natural leader. How comforting it is to know such things.

Now that Austin is legally(we finalized on Thursday) and eternally ours, it all feels complete. I feel like he's completely mine now. And I love and adore him more and more each day. :) What a perfect Christmas this has turned out to be!

Here are a few pictures we took after the sealing & blessing...









wanna see more pictures?