Father Son

Daddy and Me went on a Date

We snuck out and Daddy took me to get my very favorite ...

Dad says it will be my very last one in Idaho.

I don't really know what that means.

But it was delicious.

Down On His Knee

It wasn't too long ago that my life changed forever when this boy got down on one knee and asked me to join him forever.

7/5/08

Knowing I am his and he is mine forever is the most amazing comfort there is.

To celebrate I suggested we go out this month to our Honeymoon Hotel, Destinations Inn for a night out. We decided to wait until Shea's last final was through so we could celebrate his graduation as well.

We stopped by Shea's old life of waiting tables, and enjoyed being served. Loved our food and especially our desert!

Then we were off to Destinations Inn! Cheesecake and Sparkling Cider greeted us which are two of my favorite things so I was extra happy.

It was wonderful to be away from the kids and be just us for the night, well mostly. Sydney was along too. But she was a sweet little sleeper.

After our delicious breakfast basket we were off to do some errands and catch some lunch at Red Robin!

We definitely need to catch up on our dating. With life so crazy dating your spouse gets thrown to the side, but it is too fun not to be at the top of our list.

GRADUATED!

Shea has officially GRADUATED BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY-IDAHO, 

with a BACHELOR IN SCIENCE IN COMPUTER ENGINEERING!

I am so immensely proud of him. 

It has been far from easy.

I don't think Shea really knew what he was getting himself into 

when he switched from Construction Management to Computer Engineering. 

I don't think he knew what getting married 

before you really began was going to mean.

I don't think he knew what starting a family 

your Sophomore year really involved.

I don't think he knew how much work 

being the sole provider and being a full-time student would be.

I don't think he knew how hard it would be to fight the temptation to give up.

It meant stop and go. 

It meant retaking classes.

It meant 10 hr to 25 hr days. 

It meant rough points and points where it was outright excruciating. 

But HE IS DONE!

He worked harder in his classes then he has ever worked on something his entire life. 

And near the end having a wife came in pretty handy ;)

Not to pat myself on the back but I really don't think he could have done it without me (pat,pat).

I think this picture epitomizes Shea's journey through BYUI;
a little rough and disheveled but downright perfect.
Okay Shea might not say perfect, but I am!

To say that I love Shea and all the work he has done and continues to do for our family will never touch the gratitude and pure love I have for him and his continued strength.

GREAT WORK BABE!

Out to the Movies

During finals week Shea escaped for a drive-in movie.

With food and our picnic blanket in tow we had a late dinner in the empty lot.

We got there early and with time to spare.
So the kids enjoyed bubble blowing, racing, rock hopping and playing some ball with Daddy while we waited.

My sister and brother, Amberlee and Ryan, got to join us for our night out.

It was a fun night and such a nice break between Shea's hours of studying and working hard on projects.

And if you can't tell someone was all smiles for Daddy.

Flood of 2014

Daddy and Bella went out on a pizza run. It started to rain a little before they left, they had no idea what they had gotten themselves into. Mommy was worried by how long it was taking them but never guessed what was hiding behind the blinds.

Bella and Daddy kind of loved it.

KSL News Report:

Parts of BYU-Idaho, Rexburg flooded after heavy storm

Rexburg

I graduated 4 1/2 years ago. But it feels like not long ago that I rushed through those halls from one class to another. In my last year of school it was hand in hand with Shea. It was special and perfect, well looking back it was. Even if then I was stressed and frazzled and exhausted 90% of the time.

I thought things were going to work out just as we planned. But we didn't anticipate life's interruptions and beautiful surprises.

I went to BYU-I in 2006 anticipating leaving Rexburg 4 years later.

I never imagined everything that would take place in Rexburg. And I never imagined how attached I would become and the large place in my heart that would always belong to Rexburg.

Rexburg was...
where my first home away from home was.
where I made friends for life.
where I took the coldest breaths I will ever take on the coldest days I hope to ever have.
where I got my first paid job, at Jolynn's (Bagel and Smoothie Shoppe).
where Shea and I met and fell in love.

where Shea and I were married.
where I graduated college at BYU-I.
where Shea and I brought all three of our newborns home to.
where I helped two brothers get started at BYU-I
where we enjoyed countless drive-in movies and cheap greasy but delicious Teton Drive food.

where I got addicted to Jamba Juice smoothies, and Thai food.

where we played at Porter Park splash park too many times to count.
where Shea and I took walks to the temple.
where Connor and Bella went to their first "school", pre-pre-k.
where we shared numerous cups of Hot Cocoa and cupcakes at Cocoa Bean.
where we called home. (College Ave, The Village, Raspberry Gardens, and Hyde Park)

As we begin this big new adventure ahead of us I can't help but think of the times I had, and the ones that are so vibrant and strong I will carry them with me forever; in a way Rexburg has defined me. I suppose every place you live does.

I have awaited this time for so long. The time to leave. And now that it is here ... I realize I'll miss it more than I ever thought possible.

Blessed

I love watching our SYDNEY MAE grow. 

On Sunday, July 6th Sydney received her baby blessing

 in our home surrounded by loved ones.

Daddy gave her a beautiful heartfelt blessing.

He promised her that in this life she would be blessed with joy and love, a healthy body and mind, to fall in love with a worthy priesthood holder who could take her to marry in the temple, and he spoke much of her growth as a mother and how her example would be a blessing upon her children. I am so grateful for the truth of the gospel and hearing Shea bless her with a strong and very personal testimony hit me so hard.

I love having the priesthood in our home.

Whether it be to bless or protect the power of the priesthood is strong and impacts our family and home constantly. I am so grateful for the impact the priesthood has on my life and the lives of my family. Sydney was quiet during the whole blessing even though she had been fussy that day. She was awake and staring at those around her the entire time, taking it all in. Sydney's blessing day was such a special time to celebrate and show her how much she is loved.

Amberlee and Sydney 

Sydney's blessing dress was worn by her sister Bella and years ago by myself and by my sister.

 It is a special little dress that strings together the memories from all our 

blessings and makes the blessing itself all the sweeter. 

Famous tongue is out pose.

We are so blessed to have sweet Sydney, whether she is smiling or screaming we love hearing her voice in our home.

July Fourth

"And I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free.

And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.

And I'd gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.

‘Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land God bless the U.S.A."

-Proud to Be an American, Lee Greenwood-

July 4th began with the Rexburg Parade

And after naps we had an early dinner of homemade Bleu Cheese Burgers (kudos to me!) and watched Independence Day

And with snacks in tow we drove over to Idaho Falls for the Melaleuca Freedom Celebration's Firework display

(fireworksdisplay.org)