Goodbye Firt Year, Hello Summer!

We've made it. A whole year. Tyler took about a bajillion credits and did well.
I took 9 and passed. :)
But we both survived and couldn't be happier!!

So enough of this:

And bring on THIS:

[swimming, together]

[sleeping]

[surfing, Tyler only]

[enjoying the ocean (but no, we're not going to Hawaii)]

[eating yummy food!]

[catching some of that yummy food ourselves]

[playing sports (without gloves though)]

[being with family]

[did I mention the ocean?]

[being together, best of all]

A Children's Story

I found this recently and loved it so much I had to share.




I love these video clips the Church has been producing lately. This story is sweet. What a father to tell stories like this!

19 Years

Nineteen years ago today I was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. (I didn't feel old about turning 27 until I realized that it's been nearly 2 decades since that day. Ugh!) If I had a copy of that picture here I would post it. I wore a light blue dress with pink flowers and lace at the hems and sleeves. I also wore my big plastic purple-rimmed glasses. I had bangs and shoulder-length brown hair. A little bit lighter brown than it is now.

I remember a few things about that experience. I remember my interview with Bishop Shaw a few days before when he asked me if I believed in God and Jesus Christ. We talked about the covenant we make at baptism - to follow Jesus Christ, keep His commandments, and to take His name upon us. I assured Bishop Shaw that I wanted to make those promises to God, although I'm sure I did that in very few words, as I was pretty shy back then.

I remember going to the chapel on the 24th. The warm water already filled the font when we got there and some of our friends were setting up cookies for after the ceremony. My dad pulled me aside to practice where my arms would go and how I could plug my nose as he dipped me in the water. We had been practicing for a week or so. I was grateful for the instruction.

I had asked my Primary teacher to give the talk on the Holy Spirit. I adored her. She was newly married and lived near our house. She had perfect teeth and always a big smile for me. (A few weeks after my baptism, while her husband was away on an extended business trip, she had to get her appendix out. So of course my mom insisted that she stay at our house, on the couch, while she recovered. I was thrilled! I would climb onto the couch with her and stay there talking until my mom would say it was time to leave her alone... poor woman! She was so sweet to me.)

A large quilt was the object of her talk. "The Holy Ghost is a Comforter," she told me. "Come up here and feel how it feels to be wrapped up in it." I obeyed and it was warm and comfortable and cozy.

I remember being excited to be washed clean of all my sins and to have the chance at a fresh start. I wanted also to be an official member of Jesus' church.

I remember my dad giving me a big hug after he baptized me and I just loved him and savored how happy he was for me. My mom waited for me as I came out of the font and helped me into dry clothes.

Next my dad used his Priesthood to bless me with the Gift of the Holy Ghost. I don't remember the words he said, but I do remember feeling the companionship of the Spirit afterword.

We sang, and prayed, and ate cookies. People gave me cards and little gifts. I still have a bookmark that says, "Jesus loves me" that Sister Holt gave me that day. :)

As we headed home, and all 7 of us piling into our van (It just occurs to me right now for the first time that my mom was super pregnant with my youngest sister that day! She gave birth 15 days later - what a saint!)

I remember feeling the Spirit so strong and thinking, "I'm going to be good forever. I'm not going to make any more mistakes. Not ever!" I wanted so badly to obey Christ and be good.

Unfortunately my resolve didn't last long as I argued with my older sister on the car ride home. :( I felt pretty bad.

But then the real work began as I learned to ask for forgiveness, to repent, and try again to be good. As I've learned and practiced this process over and over again, I've become incredibly more grateful for my Savior. It's through His power we are made clean.

I'm so grateful for that choice 19 years ago. It's brought me more joy than I could ever hope to measure.

Etsy?

Dear Everyone,

First I would very much like to say that I hope you're having a fabulous day! I personally wish there was a little more sun and heat in Pittsburgh, but the sheer absence of snow ensures at least one corridor of joy in my heart today. What about you?

Secondly, I'd really like to know your opinions about Etsy. What kind of opinion, you ask? All kinds, I say. I want to know everything. When you buy things do they arrive in a timely manner? Are they as good/nice as the picture suggested? Do these things depend on the maker? Do you buy from Etsy regularly?


What about the selling side of Etsy? Have you ever sold things there? Do any strangers ever find your stuff? It seems like there are always 6,000+ entries for every category I search. So to sell on Etsy do you have to advertise your Etsy site to everyone you know because they are your only real potential customers?

And lastly, if I made some abstract art like this,


would each of you view its shopping cart a bunch of times so it looks really popular and some random person would buy it for lots and lots of money??

Just kidding about that last question. :)

But serious about the others. What do you think about Etsy?

Love you all,

Nicole

My Birthday

Well, Tyler is the best ever. He really is. So great, in fact, that this birthday tops all the rest and that I couldn't think of anything better to wish for when I blew out my candles than for each birthday to be as happy as this one. (Shhh! Don't tell! I want it to come true!)

The festivities started with a weekend trip to Palmyra to see the Hill Cumorah pageant and the historical sites there. It was fantastic! Tyler bought me some art there. More on this later...

The actual day celebration started an hour early. Around 11pm the night before when (while crawling into bed) Tyler walked into our room with my cake a-lit with candles and singing that well-known favorite. It was so precious, I can't even tell you.

The next morning was work as usual and my co-workers tried really hard to ruin the day for me, but Tyler and all of you kept saving it will emails, texts, phone calls, and facebook greetings. Thank you. I feel VERY loved.

About 3:00 he called me at work and said I should pack up and come out because he would be at my door to pick me up in a few minutes!! And what did I find when I climbed in the car??? Flowers, an incredibly sweet card, and my present! A new sleeping bag!!!!!!! LOVE IT.

While opening my presents he whisked us off to the movie theaters so I could see my dear friend Harry. After the show, we went shopping and he bought me a new pair of shoes. YES! Been needing brown heels for a long time now!

Then off to Cheesecake Factory for dinner. It was our second time there and wow - it really is delicious!! We got to watch the rainfall from our table, which I just loved.

After all that adventuring, we headed home so I could warm up in my new personal-heater-heaven bag and play games. He didn't study one ounce. He didn't read sports news. He didn't do anything but spend time with me and it was divine.

He opened the door for me all day and ran to the car in the rain while I waited inside. He was patient when people called and told me I looked beautiful. He was just 100% perfectly, wonderfully, amazingly my husband and it was the best birthday ever!

Need a Laugh?

Monday Tyler and I treated ourselves to the best Mom&Pop Italian restaurant in town - Mateo's. Got the Manicotti. DELIC. Leftovers the next day were even better, if that's possible. (The mom asked about Tyler's mother, whom she has never met. She must have thought he was Brett or Jeff or Lance [wearing scrubs] ... who took their mother there?)

While waiting for our food we picked up the local Neighborhood Gazette and found the funniest list provided by Magisterial District Judge Jack Bova and had a good laugh!

The following are statements made to insurance companies about the reasons for car accidents. And don't forget that real local people actually claimed these things really happened! Haha!

• Coming home I drove into the wrong house and collided with a tree I don't have.
• The other car collided with mine without giving warning of its intentions.
• I thought my window was down, but I found out it was up when I put my hand through it.
• I collided with a stationary truck coming the other way.
• A truck backed through my windshield into my wife's face.
• A pedestrian hit me and went under my car.
• I pulled away from the side of the road, glanced at my mother-in-law, and headed over the embankment.
  
• In my attempt to kill a fly, I drove into a telephone pole.
• I was on my way to the doctor's with rear end trouble when my unusual joint gave way, causing me to have an accident.
• To avoid hitting the bumper of the car in front, I struck the pedestrian.
• My car was legally parked as it backed into the other vehicle.
• An invisible car came out of nowhere, struck my vehicle and vanished.
• I was sure the old fellow would never make it to the other side of the street when I struck him.
• The pedestrian had no idea which direction to go so I ran over him.
• I was thrown from my car as it left the road. I was later found in a ditch by some stray cows.
• The indirect cause of this accident was a little guy in a small car with a big mouth.

~Courtesy of June/July 2009 Neighborhood Gazette

Do You Hear the People Sing?

Tyler and I went to see Les Mis this weekend. Tyler's heard the music, but this was his first time seeing it. We loved it of course! Kimi & Jeff were there too, which was very fun.

This morning while returning to the grind, I couldn't help but see the similarities between Tyler and his classmates and the men of the baricade. They have 24 credits this summer with tests and quizzes every week. They've all pretty much agreed that this is the worst summer of their lives! After taking a 3-hour accounting exam last Friday, my respect and pity and empathy for Tyler has definitely increased!

A few days ago Tyler said to me, "I just want to go on vacation SOOOO bad!!"
I replied, "No, you just want to get out of school."
He admitted, "Okay, you're right."

After a few more days of testing torture, I think this is how he feels. He's ready to rally the troops:

Do you hear the students sing?

Singing a song of angry men?
It is the music of a people who will not be students again!
When the beating of you heart
Echoes the beating of the drums
There is a life about to start
When tomorrow comes!

Will you join in our crusade?
Who will be strong and stand with me?
Beyond the load of tests
Is there a world you long to see?

Then join in the fight
That will give you the right to be free!!

Do you hear the students sing?
Singing a song of angry men?
It is the music of a people
Who will not be students again!
When the beating of you heart
Echoes the beating of the drums
There is a life about to start
When tomorrow comes!

Will you give all you can give
So that next year you can advance?
Some will fall and some will live
Will you stand up and take your chance?
The sweat of the students
Will water the hallways of Trees!

Do you hear the students sing?
Singing a song of angry men?
It is the music of a people
Who will not be students again!
When the beating of you heart
Echoes the beating of the drums
There is a life about to start
When tomorrow comes!

Unfortunately, I think if his class were to revolt, their fate would be just as sad and fruitless as the people. :( So 3 more weeks of surviving and the worst will be over. (Except for boards...)

The rest of the weekend was filled with yard work, tennis, some yummy food, church, a movie on the couch, some sewing, and of course, studying. It was fabulous just to be together. I love the weekends!!!



The rest are some deep thoughts about Les Mis... read on if you're interested.

It's funny to me how different characters or parts of the story that really touch me have changed through the years.

At 13, when my dad took us all to see it for the first time, Eponine of course was my heroin. Somehow the story of unrequited love really pulled at my heart strings then.

Next up was Fantine. She seemed to symbolize how life can really throw some people around and why we just need to love others instead of judge them.

Later I remember watching The Scarlet Pimpernel, and I thinking it strange how the aristocracy was the enemy in one, and the martyrs in the other. Likewise with The Citizens. In reality there were probably martyrs and killers on both sides... The French Revolution seems like it was terrible all around.

The Bishop with his wise mercy and then Marius with his love songs each had their turns.

Jean Valjean came next with his humble prayer, "Bring Him Home." Then his noble battle between damnation and condemnation: "If I speak, I am condemed. If I stay silent, I am damned." Questions as good as Alma 5, "How can I ever face my fellowmen? How can I ever face myself again?" Then the rousing conclusion, "My soul belongs to God, I know. I made that bargain long ago. He gave hope when hope was gone. He gave me strength to journey on! Who am I? 2, 4, 6, 0, 1!" Love Jean Valjean.

This time as I watched it, I thought about the push and pull of justice (Javert) and mercy (Jean Valjean) and what it shows and teaches. Mercy's archetype is obviously our hero and the one who leaves this world in peace with those he loves around him. Thought provoking.

Ahh, can you tell that I LOVE Les Mis???

Houston, TX

Houston. Land of big blue skies and sweat. Our very first trip to Texas was a great one, and truly, despite the heat, I really really like it there! We went for Tyler's cousin's wedding and got to see most of his family as well. It was fabulous really.

Day 1: Houston's Museums

Ty & Sam Houston


We got to pet a real live iguana!
It felt like one of Kim's purses.

Just hanging out.


No pictures of it, but there was a ton of stuff about oil since Texas is heavily involved. Ty found it really interesting.

The largest shell of its kind.
(Which kind? Um, I don't remember.)

Staring fear in the eye.

The gemstone exhibit was my favorite. This picture doesn't do this stone justice at all. It was so beautiful.

Tyler tried calling this squirrel in the Japenese Gardens and it worked! And then followed him for quite a while. It actually got a little scary!

Day 2: The Wedding

Ty and his favorite couz on his big day.

The men: Ty's cousins, one uncle and a friend.

The happy couple. We love our new cousin already and we're so grateful for temples and the sealing power. The words and spirit were so amazing. I LOVE the temple!

Most of Tyler's beautiful family (Mom's side). It was so great being with them. I really love them.

Ty and his cute mom.

GQing

The Houston Temple is unique and very beautiful. I loved being there with my sweet husband.

The reception was SOOO Texas. I can't even tell you how well it all held up to my idea of Texas. It was held here at George Ranch. (Most things in Houston seemed to be named either George or Bush.) The walls were decorated with three signs that read:

Independence

Liberty or Death

Texas

Seriously. SO Texas. Then for dinner we had: coleslaw with sausage and beef brisket. That's right. Two meats with a little coleslaw. It was funny. BUT it was delicious!

Next up? Dancing. All the bridesmaids and bride's family, for that matter, were wearing cowboy boots and hats. The bride and groom started off the dancing with the Texas Waltz (it's really a song). And the next 3 songs had Texas in the lyrics. Really. I swear.

Finally I got Ty to dance with me and we had a GREAT time. The cobbler dessert was to die for and the couple ran off through bubbles like a dream. It was beautiful. Love weddings.

Tyler's family outside avoiding the dancing.

Day 3: NASA

Happy Independence Day! Yup, they were open and we got to tour everything. Tyler's parents took us and we had a good time. This is one of the working buildings for astronauts and other NASA employees. Their goal is to make it Mars in 2030.

"Houston, we have a problem."
That really took place right here in this control room, along with the controlling of all the other Apollo missions and others. An astronaut came and told us about this room and it was really neat hearing how passionate about space travel he is.

Days 1-3, all the moments in between: Pool

This was, of course, probably the most fun of all.

Girls Camp 2009

What an adventure! Classic Girls Camp - it was a roller coaster. Lots of good times, lots of ... yea. But overall a great experience, one that, yes, I would do again.

And just might, now that I'm in YW long-term.

Here are some pics to help remind you what Girls Camp is all about!

Our Theme

Certification: Fire Building

13th Birthday
(Her dad came up for the day and thought I was one of the girls...)

Kayaking on the Lake

Certification: Knife Sharpening
(Even though we never use the knives...)

Tipping Canoes

Hiking

Pranks

New Friends & No Make-up

Catching Frogs

Camp Songs!

(And if you don't feel the spirit of Girls Camp yet, this video is a sure bet.)

Cleveland, OH

Ty and I took a day trip to Cleveland the Saturday before Girls Camp to attend the wedding reception of our friends Brittney and Ryan. It was so fun to get to see them and wish they would move out here soon! :)

Brittney moved into our ward the same semester we started the MPA program together. By some amazing providential wonder, Britt and I were put in the same group (with two married men with children - we were single at the time (but dating our would-be husbands) and it was weird!). But in the end we really appreciated and enjoyed our group - they are great guys. Plus we got to spend many ridiculous hours trudging through economics and statistics homework together... oh the days. I only wish she were here now to help get me through accounting!!

Congrats Britt on choosing an awesome man! We are so happy for you both!


We also stopped by to see Lake Erie. I've never seen one of the Great Lakes before. It really does look like an ocean! (PS Isn't Tyler SO handsome? I love his hair with curls!)


It was extremely windy, but the fishermen on the dock said that isn't actually normal.


It was really so beautiful there. All this traveling makes me realize how pretty THIS WHOLE COUNTRY is. And world really. We are so blessed to have such a beautiful world. Heavenly Father has really spoiled us! ;)