Best of Moments 2010

Remember when…

We went to Sun Valley again for Anniversary. I loved roller blading through Sun Valley, and almost skating over a snake. EEEEKKKK. (That got a good jump out of me.) I loved laughing at you for almost falling, and then 5 seconds later--successfully demonstrating how a "fall" should happen. It was so fun to simply get away.

Remember when…

It poured rain as we were walking through the Old Faithful Boardwalk? Remember how we loved visiting Yellowstone, and how we wished we could stay longer? There is just something about being in Nature that brings my spirit close to my Heavenly Father. We all felt it. We wanted to stay so much longer than we had time... As we pulled away from Yellowstone, we made a family promise to return again the following year!

Remember how you are my best friend, and you make my heart skip when you smile at me, or when you graciously open my door, or when you hold my hand, or when you listen to all of my concerns, or... Sweetie, you truly are amazing! I am a lucky girl. Love you always and forever!



...to be continued

BEST OF MEMORIES 2009

...our memories continue

Remember when...

We went to Sun Valley for our Anniversary. It was the first time we had been away from our children, and I loved every minute. I loved ice skating, bowling, and simply spending time by your side.

Remember when...
Hailey was baptized on the fourth of July! We had so much support from our family and friends. It truly was a special day!

Remember when...
I will never forget how you sent me to Europe to visit Jill. I was so surprised when you handed me the itinerary, and told me to call Jill to make arrangements. You then took a week off of work, so that you could stay with the kids while I gallivanted in Europe with Jill. I was able to see places I have only dreamed of going. Ever since I was a little girl I have dreamed of going to the country shaped like a boot. This trip made that possible. I will never forget the sacrifices you made, and the love I felt from you. The only thing that could have made my trip better would have been to have you by my side.

Honey, I love you! I can't wait to share more of our beloved memories with you...

To be continued...

BEST OF MOMENTS

In celebration of our 13th Anniversary, I wanted to reminisce in our glorious moments. After searching through hundreds of pictures, I cannot help but feel grateful for the beautiful life God has given us. I am speechless as I remember each of our children's births, our fun outings, and simply being together. What started as a way of expressing my undying love for you has brought me to tears with gratitude to my Heavenly Father for all my many wonderful blessings.

Remember when…

I remember when you proposed to me in front of the Salt Lake Temple. I had had a suspicion that you were going to propose, but I wasn’t completely sure. I had called a few friends that lived in Provo, and told them of my excitement, and asked them to meet us in Salt Lake. (I’m not sure what I was thinking in inviting friends to what I suspected to be a proposal. I simply felt excited about the possibility of a proposal, and the anticipation of seeing dear friends... whereas, you felt unsure of following through with your plans, because there were so many people.) Somehow, we stole away from the crowd, and you knelt on one knee, and asked me to marry you. You stayed on that one knee, and—feeling somewhat uncertain of what to do—I knelt beside you, and hugged you as I cried “yes”. Bystanders stopped and stared. I didn’t care. I was marrying the man I loved, and I was thrilled.

Remember when…

Our wedding day. It rained all week leading up to our “big day”. The forecast said that there would be rain on our wedding. After talking to the photographer, he said he would meet us at a later day to photograph our wedding if he needed. I was distraught. I have always been about the “day”. There is something about remembering the MOMENT when it is happening, and I didn’t want to look at my wedding pictures, and always remember that it wasn't really the MOMENT. I prayed all week for there to be "no rain" on my wedding day. Our wedding day arrived with no rain. All day we enjoyed clear skies. We were able to photograph our MEMORIES and the MOMENTS. The next day…it rained.
Although I am grateful for my prayers being answered concerning the rain, the actual wedding was the most magical experience of my life. Being married in the temple, to my best friend, was an answer to a prayer from my childhood.  I love you, honey.

Remember when...
We went to stay with friends in McCall. It was an adventure just reaching the cabin. After several hours of searching, we fell asleep in the car. I loved playing with you on the beach, and simply spending time together. After so much time in the sun, I was sunburned from head to toe. It was the most painful sunburn I have ever had, but the hours in pure contentment--made it worth it!

Remember when…

Hailey was a miracle. We didn’t know just how much of a miracle until years later when we tried to get pregnant again, and the doctors told us that our first child was a miracle, and that we needed help in order to get pregnant again; however, that wasn’t the only reason she was a miracle. Just prior to Hailey’s conception Grandma Cora got sick. The doctors said she was going to be just fine, but I felt that we still needed to visit her. She was my shining star. I loved her with all of my heart. I looked to her for so many things—Grandma Cora had to also approve of you for us to get married (I am so grateful she did)! When we drove to Idaho Falls everything seemed fine. Grandma was lively, and definitely on the mend. My heart felt at peace, and I was able to leave knowing Grandma was in good hands. The following week Grandma died. I was devastated. The only light I found at the end of a dark tunnel was the fact that I had just found out that I was pregnant with our first child. I felt that it was God’s gift to me to see me through my heartache. I vowed right then and there that our child would be named after Grandma. I had no doubt that it would be a girl, and I knew she would share my middle name, and Grandma’s first name “Dorothy”. What a miracle, and a blessing in our lives!

In 2001, We moved from Logan, Utah to Austin, Texas...

TEXAS FOOTBALL--Your obsession then, and now...

Remember when...

I was making lasagna and I spilled the container of sugar… I was in such a hurry that I didn’t take the time to clean up my mess. I became even more distracted when in the midst of my cooking, I received a phone call. When I finally got off the phone, I found Hailey sitting in the sugar shoveling handfuls of it into her mouth.

Remember when…

We lived in Texas, and going to the temple took a lot of foresight and planning. The temple was two hours away. In addition, we had a daughter who needed our constant care. Yet, despite being extremely poor—somehow we managed to go the temple every month. We started going with the Howell’s, and we switched. The Howell’s would attend one session, and we would watch Lydia; we would then attend the following session, and they would watch Hailey. In order to be sure that we attended the temple each month, we would plan our trip weeks in advance. I’m not sure how we afforded the drive; however, the Lord provided a way. This simple act created within my heart an undying testimony of the importance of attending the temple—even when it seems impossible. And like all blessing from the Lord—I was blessed more by attending the temple, then I felt I put into it.

Remember when…

We went to the Gulf of Mexico with Rachel and Derek Howell, and Annette and Roy Fuller. The wind blew like crazy. At times I thought our tent would tip over from the sheer force of wind. The next day we spent hours playing on the beach…even through the wind. I loved going someplace new. I loved being there with you, and experiencing God’s handiwork—even if it meant suffering through the “wind”.

In 2002, we moved from Texas to Seattle...

Remember when…

We loved the beach on the Puget Sound. We would hike to this spot quite frequently. We loved the beautiful hike in reaching this spot of beach! I remember feeling like this was one place I would truly miss when we left Seattle.

Remember when…

I walked up a huge hill, several miles from our home, all the while praying to deliver Amber, and succeeded in starting my labor? Remember how my body went into shock from the epidural, and how my blood pressure plummeted? Remember how the doctor yelled at you to keep me awake, and how I simply couldn’t keep my eyes open? And then, remember our relief when the counter medicine kicked in, and I was in the clear? I was so grateful for the priesthood and the power of priesthood blessings. I was grateful that our doctor was a member, and that he could assist you in offering me a blessing. This picture was taken just a few days before she was blessed. Do you remember how we went to the tulip festival? I loved the flowers. There were miles and miles of tulips. I have never seen such a sight—then or now.

In 2004, we moved from Seattle to Boise, Idaho...

Remember when…

I absolutely loved our time in Hawaii. I loved the turtles. I loved swimming. I loved snorkeling and playing on the beach. I loved eating strawberries, watching luaus, and flying over the volcanoes. I loved walking along the beach holding your hand. I loved watching our girls experience the beauty of God’s creations. I loved exploring the Polynesian Cultural Center, the LDS Temple, and Pearl Harbor. I loved scuba diving with you (although you made me so scared when you would choose to “push” your limits just a bit). WE had so many experiences in Hawaii that simply leave me wanting to return.

 Remember when...

We would spend all of our free time with the Carroll family. Remember when we went to Lake Owyhee. I could barely get up on the board, and I found that I was completely exhausted at every attempt (do you remember how I was pregnant…I just didn’t know). We have made amazing friends in Boise. I am so grateful for the gift of friendship.

Remember when…

Granma Schuldt was a regular at family conference. How she would dote over our children, and sew rags for each of the moms. Remember how she would offer her opinion on everything and anything, and how we now miss hearing it?

Remember when...

Jake was due to arrive on the 25^th of February, but when February 25 had come and gone—I was beside myself with expectations shattered. On the 28^th we were induced, and Jake was born just 4 ½ hours after we began—our easiest labor ever! We thought that, even with induction, our labor would be somewhere in the double digits. We were so sure that it would take us “forever” to deliver Jake that we made a bet with our doctor that it would take longer than 4 hours (she thought we would deliver in less than 4 hours). She bought us a sprite after we delivered—we only won by a mere 30 minutes. IT was AWESOME! Remember how Jake slept through the night at 3 days old!

Remember when...

We went to Disneyland with the girlies, and how we spent every day playing from sun up to sun down? Remember how there was no whining or complaining? Remember how our trip was simply blissful, and we wish we could go back? My favorite memory from Disneyland was when the girls were picked to be Jedi pad wans, or maybe it was when we went on the Tower of Terror, or maybe California Screamin’, or maybe when Chip picked up Amber and wiped her tears away after she took a spill… No, no…I think my favorite part was Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, or Space Mountain, or Princess Fantasy Land… NO…my favorite memory was my obsession over MR. POTATOE HEAD! 

I also loved going to Sea World, and watching you and Amber in the Dolphin Show. I loved how Amber wiped her hands on her dress after the trainer told her to do just that. I loved that I was sad that you were “presented” by the people who ran the show as a husband of another woman… That was a good jealousy.

I also loved the beach, and our final stay at Pacific Terrace. Good Memories. Good Memories.

I am so grateful for my memories. I am so blessed to be married to you, and to have created so many wonderful memories. I must've done something pretty amazing in the pre-existence to deserve a man like you! I love you, Honey! Happy 13th Anniversary!

To Be Continued...

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY CONTINUED...
The evening of our anniversary was celebrated by having a "birthday" party. In honor of the "birth" of our family. We ate a candlelight dinner, and then celebrated by having a family home evening lesson on Eternal Families, and the importance of being married in the temple.

I loved hearing Bryan's feelings as he expressed to our children the importance of family and being married in the temple.

To finish our celebration, we went to U-Swirl for ICE CREAM! What a fun night!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY 

My wedding day was the best day of my life. It was the day that I was sealed to my best friend for Time and for Eternity. It was the beginning of forever with my perfect match, and the beginning of our family we would share. Since our wedding day, we have been blessed with three beautiful children, experiences have filled our hearts, and love abounds in our home. Our story continues, and because it is so very sweet, I wanted to celebrate in a BIG way. I wanted my children to understand that the reason my wedding day was the best day of my life was not only because I was marrying the man of my dreams, but also because I chose to be married in the temple. I also wanted my sweet husband to know just how much means is to me, and that he is the reason it was the best day of my life! 

13 Gifts for Our 13th Anniversary:
These events have already occurred; however, I want to remember them always, so here is a re-enactment of our ANNIVERSARY!!
The first three gifts represents us tying the knot.
We "tied" the "knot" 13 years ago. I am so blessed to have you as my husband! To celebrate our 13 years, I wanted to relate our marriage to KNOTS, and our love being bound together and secure--just like the knots in the following descriptions. Each definition not only describes the knot itself, but our marriage, and a portion of our marriage that makes us who we are!

Gift #1: A square knot. This knot is made from TWO half hitch knots.

The TWO of us make our marriage secure. One of my favorite things about our marriage is that the TWO of us work hard at our spirituality. The TWO of us chose to be married in the temple, which has created an eternal family. That has remained a priority, which blesses our home and our marriage.

For this portion of our date, we will be "driving" to the one place that is as close to Heaven as we can get...the temple--where we were sealed for TIME and for ALL ETERNITY.

SQUARE KNOT on the CARD

Twin Falls Temple
...not the temple we were married in, but a close alternative. I felt the spirit so strong as we performed sealings. Tears were my constant companion as I reflected on the work we were doing, and on our own marriage. I felt so blessed!

After the temple, we took our kids and their cousins to Shoshone Falls. I loved having our children with us just after spending time at the temple--it completed my feelings.

Gift #2: A Bowline Knot. A knot used to form a loop that neither slips not jams.

Neither one of us SLIP in our marriage. We are a team. I absolutely adore you. One of my favorite things about our relationship is the fun times we can share. For this portion of our date, we will simply enjoy each other's company.

I had so much fun running through the park shooting Nerf guns. My stomach hurt because I laughed so much...or maybe because I had to run so much to get away from you, ...no--it was because I had to chase you, because you were running from me :)!

BOWLINE KNOT ON TAG

Gift #3: Half Hitch Knot. Specifically a binding knot or hitch knot; although the half hitch is a knot in its own right, it is rarely used alone.

We are never alone. We are two. We always have been, and we always will be. For this portion of our date, we will be reminded of the love we share as we share a romantic evening drinking Sparkling Cider.

Half Hitch Knot

The second portion to our anniversary actually occurred on our anniversary. (The date portion of our anniversary was on the Saturday prior to our anniversary.) Bryan went to work with 8 gifts, which he opened every other hour on the 13th of the hour (representing our 13th anniversary and bringing the gift total up to 11).

When Bryan arrived home, there were 13 balloons, and hanging from the balloons were memories symbolizing the best of moments we have shared. (Bringing the gift total to 12).

For the final gift, I made a collage of all of our memories. When I brought home the pictures and the collage--I cried. I felt so grateful for the blessings of my life. I felt so at peace with my family, and my love for my husband. Through the years, there have been tears, but there have also been great joy. I know my joy is because of our faith in Jesus Christ, and our continual striving to follow Him, and to do His will. I am so grateful.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!

I am loving the moments I am spending with my little guy. I can't believe that he will be "all grown up" and entering Kindergarten this coming Fall. Whenever I think of this reality, I find myself longing for more time--more moments.  And then I remind myself that I still have time, and just because he is entering Kindergarten doesn't mean it is good-bye. Still... I am going to miss the one-on-one time shared--the tickle sessions, the laughter, the cuddles, the grocery shopping, and just simply having the day to ourselves. There is just something about cherished one-on-one time, and although we will still make it happen, it definitely will not come as easily as it does now. Thus, I find myself treasuring the day in and day out comings and goings, and relishing in the fact that I still have him here with me, and I am so very blessed.

Today while I was preparing lunch I found myself laughing at his questions and his innocent understanding of things. While we were sitting down to eat, I watched him as he stared at the laptop computer screen. A picture of the ocean came into view, and with absolute certainty he said, "there are whales, and sharks, and sea monsters in there". I chuckled. Why wouldn't he think there were sea monster's in there? After all, his favorite movie (DUCK TALES) has a whole episode surrounding the great SEA MONSTER... Of course it must be true! And now...after my moment of laughter I have found myself reflecting on the sweet innocence of children. They believe with all of their hearts. Their faith is solid. There is nothing wavering about the way that they think. I want to be more like that! ...just not necessarily about sea monster's.

Today as Jake said his prayer (the prayer he say's everyday) I found myself grateful for his memorized prayer. As his mother, I have tried to teach him to actually talk with his Heavenly Father. I have tried to explain that prayers are not something that we memorize, but an actual conversation with Heavenly Father. With that being said, I never want to forget how he utters the same phrase over and over--several times a day. I want to remember that although it is memorized--it is still his, and in its simplicity--it is beautiful. I know that someday--this will change too.

Jake's prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you to my sisters. Thank you to mom and dad. Thank you to Jacob. Thank you we can be together forever. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

I think my prayers need to be more like his...with more gratitude.

EASTER SUNDAY AFTERNOON

I absolutely love spending time with my family. My three little monkey's are my comrades, my best friends, my inspiration, and my husband is all of that and more. He is my eternal companion, my rock, my constant in any storm. When my day is shared with my children and my husband, I absolutely love it! Sometimes I find myself holding my breath wondering if life is too good to be true. Sure--we have "moments", we have trials, we have ups and downs--just like any other family--however, I feel so blessed and I am grateful. Sunday afternoon was another day of bliss, and another reason for my gratitude. We laughed and joked. We had so much fun simply being together.

Hailey feeling a bit discouraged

Amber having her moment of discouragement. (Actually, both Hailey and Amber loved posing for my camera, so they gave me shots like this one, and I absolutely loved it!)

First Place Winner
I was in the lead the entire game...by a long ways; however, somehow Bryan pulled ahead in the end. He wins at everything!

Second Place

It was a perfect end to a beautiful day.

A WALK WITH THE SAVIOR CONTINUED...

Last night we talked about the Crucifixion of Christ, and how He was placed in a tomb. We made Easter Cookies (when they are done they are empty inside), and we sealed our oven symbolizing the "sealing of the tomb". This morning as we awoke for our Easter morning, we opened the "sealed tomb", and enjoyed our Easter Cookies. Today we also enjoyed and Easter Egg Devotional, a movie depicting the Savior's life, and finally we focused on the LIVING Christ document. Our day was a perfect ending to our "WALK WITH THE SAVIOR".

I am grateful for my testimony of my Savior. I am grateful to know that He died for me. That He made it possible for me to repent, and for me to live again with Him and with my family. My mind doesn't comprehend the atonement to the degree I know it exists. Each day as I repent and start again, my understanding increases. What I know now, is that I am grateful...oh, so very grateful. My heart is full. I love my Savior!

Opening the Empty Tomb

OUR EASTER CLOTHING: