Summer 2014

Welcome To WASHINGTON!

 Catching crabs at Puget Sound...

 ...Boom City Fireworks...Alyse was in LOVE

 Ellis Cove Hike...

Swimming with Ms. Evey

Alyse the Party Planner

Sunday Nail Painting with Dad

The Renaissance Fair

Blackberry Hunting :)

 Amazon Party at Centurylink Field and Airbrush face paint

 Hello Washington Coast! Visiting Grandpa Holm's old stomping grounds

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Kite Flying: Honeymoon Reminiscing at the Overleaf Lodge 

Maui-WOW-WEE!! The most spontaneous Labor Day weekend EVER!  Bought tickets 2 days before arriving in HI.

Total Beach bums most of the time...

 ...Got my yoga on!

...paridise

My life is a gift; my life has a plan. My life has a purpose; in heav’n it began. My choice was to come to this lovely home on earth And seek for God’s light to direct me from birth. I will follow God's plan for me, Holding fast to His word and His love. I will work, and I will pray. I will always walk in His way. I will be happy on Earth and in my home above.


Today was Alyse’s Primary Program. This was my favorite song we sang. It has been such a powerful testimony of our great purpose in life. Whenever I am in doubt I can think on these words.

Family Reunion

For Christmas this year, my sweet Mom got tickets for my family to fly out to see us this Summer. This was a BIG deal for everyone--and especially my dad, as he is not too fond of airplanes! They all arrived in one piece and hopefully made it back not too discombobulated after all of our crazy adventures! I have so many memories I will cherish forever...from swimming at the hotel with Alyse for the first time, running around the lake with Sar, Peter, and Alyse, Preston carrying Alyse piggy-back, tandem biking as a long family chain to all three lakes: Lake of the Isles, Calhoun, and Harriet, playing outdoor games,talking, and enjoying the chaos as it came. It was definitely a trip I will long remember.

Uncle P carrying me around Millennial Gardens just before a GIANT rainstorm hit us! At least we had a chocolate croissant from our favorite French Bakery, Chez Arnaud to enjoy in the hotel and a looooong game of Dominion awaiting us! Forced Family Fun= 8 hour round-trip car ride to Duluth in what felt like the chill at Christmas (which of coarse my family just happened to be wearing shorts that day), just to stretch our legs and attempt to make it to this lighthouse--if we didn't get blown away first! :) Ma said she was running--but she said she wasn't getting anywhere for minutes! :)

I love my sister!

Aunt Sara taking Alyse on the carossal. She could've gone for hours...too bad it was nap time when we got there! :)

Relaxing Pedi's...Pres even joined us! He said his toes NEVER looked so shiny. He could see his reflection! :)

Gorgeous day at Stillwater! We walked around all of the shops until Uncle P was ready to drop. Our last stop was Stillwater Olive Oil where we tried the new favorite raspberry balsamic vinegar. YUM! Good thing we stopped at Lola's for brick oven pizza to rivive Pres! I love you all FOREVER! Thank you for spending part of your summer with us!!!

The Miracle of Sight

I just received laser eye surgery last Friday and I can report I have almost perfect vision already!!!! :) The procedure I got is called PRK which typically takes 1-3 months to see well. I was beside myself the weeks leading up to my procedure and in particular the day before. Peter gave me a Priesthood blessing and in it it spoke of how quickly I would heal and that I will have perfect vision. These blessings were discovered the very next day at my follow-up as I was seeing 25/20 and even some letters on the 20/20 line! Dr. Halstrom was SO impressed with my fast recovery...and surprisingly it was accompanied with little to no pain! I just have to get over the habit of trying to take out my contacts before bed now! :)

Heavenly Gifts

Alyse is excited about everything--eating the air as we drive and feeling the breeze brush her little hair, excited not to wear diapers anymore, excited about eating the frosting off of all the cupcakes, excited to pick ALL the dandelions in Minnesota, to RUN, to talk, and to be her own little lady! She loves waving and blowing kisses at all the airplanes and cars that drive by on our walks. She is very observant and will clean up all of her messes after saying, "OH NO!" grabbing the hand towel and tries to wipe it up (even if it's her cheese crackers or raisins). And even throws away her own diapers and shuts the door!



She is super good in Nursery and loves playing with all of the kids. There is a song the kids sing that says, "I'm all made of hinges" and everyone does these funny robotic actions. Alyse wasn't sure about that one, she thought everyone looked really strange! :)

She helps mom with the windexing and I even gave her a rag to wipe the floors. She knew the rag needs to be wet before cleaning though...so she ran over to the toilet and got it good an wet and started scrubbing. When I came over to check on her, I could only smile and give her tons of kisses! She is so smart!



She found 3 Easter eggs at our friend Amber's house, but she was more curious about all of the little kids that the silly eggs...maybe next year! :)



She now can say:
"Good Girl!"
"Dirty"
"Wa-Wa"
"Door"


Last night Peter posed the question: How many people give you at least one kiss a day??? I quietly responded with two a bit ungratefully...then Peter responded, "LUCKY!"

I am very lucky! I have two of my best friends to spend all of my days. I get at least 2 kisses a day, have warm shelter over my head, food in the fridge, clothes to wear, and I live in a time where the sky is the limit!

There is great peace that comes from living and enjoying the present...something I am trying to slow down enough to see.

Trust in the Lord with ALL thine heart

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths."

I am so very blessed to have a priesthood holder to watch over and bless our home. Peter is such a beacon of light, hope, and extreme faith. Faith and optimism have always been Peter's greatest strenghths, which has been such a blessing on my hard days.

It never ceases to amaze me what a powerful impact (both spiritually and physically) such a small act such as giving a blessing/prayer can have--when we trust in the Lord, rather than ourselves as we replace our fears with faith.

I was feeling extreme anxiety and panic and could not decipher my thoughts or feelings. My heart felt like a lead weight and my mind was utter chaos as I tried to explain the heartache and pain felt in my soul for the welfare of dear friends I care about, for a sure knowledge of my divine role and purpose in life, and to feel secure and comforted with the answers I received.

After having Peter's strong and loving hands placed upon my head to give me a blessing (or prayer) of comfort it was as though light was penetrating my heart and soul leaving room for truth to enter there.

As I strived to live by the Spirit today, I was able to feel this lightness and wisdom was received. It is in the small, simple, every day moments we see where we are to go. However, our minds must be quiet and humble enough to hear the whisperings of our life's calling.

My Paradise

I was driving home while looking through the rear-view mirror at Alyse going to town on our just purchased, extra crispy, purple grapes. I pulled her out of her car seat--purple skins and all as she delicately fed me one tiny grape at a time from her precious little hand. With groceries in one hand, Alyse, the diaper bag, and the last remaining grapes in the other, I couldn't help but think that this little life of mine is paradise.

I feel so very blessed.