.

He's Home!

2012-02-01T15:12:00.000-08:00

I am one proud big sister. My little brother Rhett got home from his mission to Anchorage Alaska today. 2 whole years he has been gone! I didn't sleep a wink the night before. I spent the night checking his flight status and tracking his plane as it flew over Calgary and Seattle and other places. He had a two hour layover in Salt Lake before he flew home to Idaho Falls to see the rest of the fam. So, Todd and I got our own little reunion with him here. It was awesome. We had a little breakfast picnic and laughed and laughed just like old times. We were both surprised the other one wasn't chubbier. Rhett and I are super super close so I'm going to love having him home. All I know is bless the girls heart whoever decides to date him, I'm not going to be easy to please when it comes to him. Luckily, he might be a little too missionary weird for girls for a while... we'll see. Only a few more hours until Todd gets home from school and we can go join the party up in Idaho. Woot. Woot.

Nursery Wall

2012-01-31T22:43:00.000-08:00

Mostly, I just feel bad for everyone who isn't married to this boy.

This wall is why. I came home from work on Saturday morning to this beautiful, perfect, chevron wall of nursery happiness.We are slightly obsessed with patterned walls lately... obviously

Just in case any of you are interested how he created this masterpiece... here's how he did it. First, he painted the wall white, then using an old school projector he projected the pattern on the wall. He used a laser leveler thingy to make sure it was all symmetrical and perfect. Next, he sealed the tape with the white paint to prevent bleeding. Then, because he is a perfectionist he used a razor and a straight edge to make the points perfect, and then he painted the grey stripes. It took him my whole night shift! I came home at 7:30 and he was just finishing up. Gosh, I hope this baby gets his drive and determination. I also hope one day she loves staring at this wall as much as I do (okay, okay I know she won't actually care we will move out of here by the time she is three). More nursery pics to come later...after I buy and sew(or my mom sews) a whole bunch of cute baby stuff.

Take me out to the ballgame...

2012-01-27T15:21:00.000-08:00

Todds asleep on my lap. He woke up at 4:00a.m to start studying for his test today. I'm going through our old baseball pictures deciding which ones to print and hang in Todds baseball office. I don't want to move and wake him up, so I thought I'd kill some sitting still time and post some of the pictures. Dodgers, Cardinals, Red Sox, Braves, Rockies, Giants and Yankees. A few baseball facts about us. We actually first met when Todd was on my Dads little league baseball team. I was the bat girl. We buy team outfits every stadium we go too. We both think Fenway is the happiest place on earth. We are way to cheap and have never actually splurged and bought a ballpark hot dog (we totally regret this). We hope to go to many many more games and stadiums!

30 minute fix

2012-01-25T16:04:00.000-08:00

The 30 minutes a day Todd and I get to spend together on test weeks. He comes to the hospital around 10:00 p.m and I take a blissful little thirty minute break where we eat dinner and kick our feet up on the couches in the waiting room. We talk about as much as we can as fast as we can and comment on how cute or how homely the other one looks. It's not much and definitely doesn't fill my Todd canteen, but it has to do for now. Booo to this crazy adult real life, but cheers to Todd rocking dental school and never scoring less than an A on any test. This will all be worth it in the end... right? RIGHT!! ....Right?

Project

2012-01-23T12:10:00.000-08:00

The word PROJECT at our house usually means: A really late night. Multiple "oops I forgot this" trips to South Fork Hardware .Getting paint in our hair and various other places (like the carpet, the computer, my eyeball). Borrowed tools from our neighbor who seems to have everything. Todd telling me at least a hundred times to "slow down, and take your time." Me cussing Todd once or twice for being such a perfectionist. A lot of laughing. Snack breaks. Pandora. Talking about everyone we know. Getting completely over the project and just wanting it to be done, and then sometimes an end product that we love. I'm happy to say we LOVE the stripes in Todds office/guest room, they were worth the work. One project down... only about fifty more to go before our little chica joins us in May. Todds reallllyyy excited about the chevron patterned wall I have been dreaming about for the nursery... come on babe, it's only one wall!

Model Heart

2012-01-17T16:04:00.000-08:00

One perfect little heart, and one happy happy mama

Heres to hoping this is our one and only visit to Primary Childrens

Dear Baby-

The best word in the English language for us right now is the word "normal." That's what we heard at your fetal echo-cardiogram today. NORMAL!!! Actually, things were better than normal. The cardiologist used the words "great" "excellent" and "beautiful" in reference to your little heart. He said that because I was so "teeny tiny" and your heart was so "model perfect" they wondered if they could get some 3D pictures for a study they were doing. They wanted your ultrasound pictures to use as a normal example. This made my whole life complete. 1. The doctor called me teeny tiny, which made me feel like a million bucks, seeing as how lately I feel alot like Kirstie Alley during a fat stage, and 2- Your heart was "model perfect." I couldn't be happier... okay maybe I could be if that cute dad of yours sleeping on my stomach in the ultrasound office was a little less sleep deprived from studying and was home alot more. I can't even imagine how much more tired his eyes are going to look when you get here... it could get interesting. Counting the days! Love, Mom.

Memphis

2012-01-16T16:57:00.000-08:00

Today we are thinking about Memphis. On our USA in 30 days road trip we really thought the best part of Memphis was going to be the BBQ joints that we were going to visit from Diners Drive-In's and Dives, but we were wrong. The best part of Memphis was the Civil Rights Museum.This place was special. We both cried as we walked wide eyed through the museum. The videos, the photos, the newspapers... it was probably the first time in our lives that it hit home that this stuff really happened. It was real. We walked around shaking our heads, asking each other how people could hate so much?
The museum is located in the Lorraine Motel, the assassination site of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. As you walk into the room (room 306) where Martin Luther King spent his last moments before he was shot, there was a reverence that we won't ever forget. We gained an appreciation for this man and for this movement. I am so grateful to live in a time where people are so much better, I'm grateful that my baby will most likely only know hard core racism in movies and books.... barring that Todd decided to be a dentists in Detroit or some other dangerously racist town. I'm grateful that we have come so far as a country. In the words of MLK Jr. "I may not get there with you, but I want you to know that as a people we will get to the promised land." Happy Martin Luther King Jr Day.
A Dream by Common/will.i.am on Grooveshark

Todd + Pregnancy

2012-01-11T12:40:00.000-08:00

These are just a couple of things about experiencing pregnancy with Todd that I have to write down because I don't want to forget... The many cups of ice water he gets me every night between the hours of 11:00 p.m and 1:00 a.m. The half eaten pieces of bread that I eat early in the morning and place next to him in bed that he just laughs at when he wakes up. The nights of him making me eat as many almonds as how old I am to force me to get calories. His secret mixing of miralax in my orange juice. His pep talks to get me to drink my iron supplement. His forgiveness at my many irrational freak outs. His "I'm so sorry this sucks so much" face as he stands outside the bathroom listening to me throw up. I don't want to forget the nights he slept sitting up with me because the nausea was so bad, or how he talks to my belly and falls asleep with his hand waiting for baby girls kicks. I don't want to forget his constant making fun of me for whining and our prayers where he always throws in things like we are grateful Suzy is "carrying", or "with child" or "great with child." Who doesn't just say pregnant? I will never forget the trial we went through together of not knowing if our baby was going to make it. I'll never forget how hard he tried to cheer me up, or how faithful and strong he was even though he was sad too. I love this boy more than there are words and cannot wait to see him as a dad. We are two lucky girls.

2012-01-10T12:34:00.000-08:00

Continuing on with inspiring people. This is my friend Chelsea and her beautiful daughter. We snapped these pictures for her 1st birthday. She is one of those people who you love to death, but totally hate. She has a darling house, cooks amazing dinners, her daughter is the cutest, she attends all church functions, writes thoughtful notes, she throws parties, she's crafty, she is always put together and probably has a plan in place to solve world hunger. I secretly wish Todd didn't know someone like her existed, because I'm sure he totally feels gypped. Oh wait, no he loves that we eat grilled cheese on a regular basis for dinner, he loves that I can't finish a project to save my life and he can't get enough of me in sweats with a pony on top of head(New years resolution #2...work on that).Chels- I'm glad you are my neighbor and I hope to be as cool as you one day. Love ya.

Inspired

2012-01-09T10:43:00.000-08:00

I couldn't not post about this inspiring cousin of ours. This is Jessica. She is a complete rockstar in my book. This girl lost 120 pounds on her own! She went from being 235 pounds to 115. Ya, apparently that does happen in reallife and not just on the Biggest Loser. Ask me if I've ever run more than a mile? Nope. How often do I hit the gym... Ithink I've been there three or four times in 24 years. Yes, I've even faked asthma once ortwice in my day to get out of running in school. I have the workout ethic of amorbidly obese person. I know I'm 100% pathetic and amfully aware that I might die of heart disease by the age of 30.(New Yearsresolution #1... do something work outty so this doesn't happen). I watchthe Biggest Loser ever single week with my jaw on the floor at what thesepeople do. Seeing Jessica work her butt off (literally) on her own to do thisis AMAZING. We took these pictures during the break. I'm thinking about puttingone up as a poster in my house for when I need a little extrainspiration..which is always. You Go Jessica.

Dear Baby

2012-01-07T16:35:00.000-08:00

Dear baby,
Happy 23 weeks to us! Check you out in there, I swear you make my stomach bigger every hour! It took us a while to get it down, but I think we are finally getting a handle on this pregnancy business. We had another ultrasound. You were an old pro and moved your body in the exact right positions to get all the pictures they needed. There is still a little bump where the hygroma used to grow on you, but other than that you were 1lb 2 ounces of perfection. They say you'll probably have a thick neck when you are born. You'll just be unique, like a little bodybuilder baby...no big deal. Last night was so fun, we were tucked into bed watching Prison Break (of course) and I had my shirt up to show your Dad how lopsided my stomach was because you were in a funky position, and then you started kung fu panda kicking like crazy. We could actually see your kicks. We sat and watched you and poked at you in there for thirty minutes cracking up every time you would kick or punch. We loved it. What else we love is the twenty something weeks of pregnancy. I am up to 120 lbs, BP is 120/64, I eat three meals a day, I am back to work full time and have not thrown up in 2 weeks. Shameless brag about myself moment? Heck yes. I deserve it. Keep cookin' little babe,high five on another great ultrasound. Let's keep up the good work. Love, Mom.

Moments to Remember

2012-01-06T14:29:00.000-08:00

These are a few good moments from our Christmas. This year was officially our year with the Holmans, but we were able to spend alot of time with my fam as well. It was my little brother Lincoln's last Christmas before his mission, and lucky for us Todd and I spent alot of time with him. We would usually end every night nestled in my bed Todd, Linc and I and watch a few episodes of Prison Break. I'll sure miss him next year. But, we will get to talk to him on Christmas, just like we talked to Rhett this year. We had all eight of us syblings and my parents on a conference call with Rhett in Alaska. It was my favorite part of Christmas, because for one short hour it felt like we were all together again. It was perfect.

Wouldn't be a complete break without a hysterical night with these two. LOVE them.

A happy Grandma

You better believe that is a shake weight.

A Christmas with lots of casts, braces, oxygen tubing, wheelchairs and alot of pain meds lying around

We watched Zach and Lyndi's kids open up their presents on Christmas morning. Kids definitely put the magic in Christmas.

We woke up TWO hours earlier than the kids and opened presents. A sea of wrapping paper might just be my favorite part of Christmas with my parents.

Christmas eve breakfast in our pajamas at JB's.

Dorks being dorks

Top 11 of 2011

2012-01-05T12:08:00.000-08:00

A great year

11. Todd Graduated with honors from the University of Utah

10. Started Dental School at our first choice school in Utah with these crazy people

9. Went to New York and Boston with my best friends, then later to Vegas with them

8. Went the the Mountain West tournament in Vegas and saw Jimmers best college game.

7. Spent the summer making trips to and from Idaho and living on the lake

6. Spending a week in Sunny California

5. Spent another year fixing up our little love nest.

4. Spent a week in New York and Boston with my sisters and parents.

3. Road trip across the U.S.A sleeping in our element. 30 days, 6,000 + miles, 20 states, 5 major league baseball games.

2. Finding our we were expecting
1. GOD GIVING US A MIRACLE AND HEALING OUR LITTLE BABY GIRL.

Winter Wonderland

2012-01-05T10:25:00.000-08:00

I always really try to look my best when we go to Island Park. This usually means I stay in my pajamas all day, don't do my hair or make-up and wear whatever clothes are hanging in the closet.

In this particular look I am sporting a pajama dress with Eskimo Joes sweats, one glove (couldn't find the other one), a coat that barely zips over my prego belly and my moms boots that don't fit. So fashion forward.

We love eating at the charming little diners IP has to offer. We haven't been disappointed by a single meal yet.

This was the only real taste of winter we got this year, it hardly snowed in Salt Lake or Rexburg. We spent a few blissful days just Todd and I at my parents cabin. This trip we watched a lot of Prion Break underneath a heated blanket, went on freezing walks, sat on the floor by the heater in the kitchen talking about our little babe and our future while eating chips and salsa. They were my favorite days of December, have I mentioned this is quite possibly my favorite place on earth? Oh ya, just every single post about the place.

Christmas Catch Up

2012-01-04T20:46:00.000-08:00

Oh how much I LOVE living five minutes from this place

On a very cold Sunday in December we ventured down and saw the lights. I wore three layers of pants to be warm and by the end of the adventure my top pair was sagging clear off my little bummy and I had no idea. Who knows how long I was walking around like that... awesome. We sang Christmas songs on the way there and came home, drank hot chocolate and made Todds fabulous homemade salsa for our neighbors. It would have been a near perfect Sunday, except our 15 primary kids were totally NUTSO and we kind of spent the whole class making fun of them and imitating how annoying they were being. We still feel a little guilty about it.

New Years Eve

2012-01-01T20:40:00.001-08:00

This was our last new years eve ever not being parents. We decided to live it up and party soooo hard. I’m talking a Prison Break marathon in bed and sparkling cider on capital steps hard. It was CRAZY! It was a super perfect Suzy and Todd night filled with lots of “lets not tell anyone this is what we did for new years eve”s and snack break in the kitchen laughing about how lame we are. On more than one occasion during the night Todd would bust out his awesome dance moves and we would silently dance for a minute or so until we would burst into fits of laughter because we are seriously so embarrassing. It was a perfect night of ditching new years parties and long restaurant lines and just being us. They say how you spend your new years eve is how you will spend the rest of your year. I sure hope thats true.

Dear Healthy Perfect Miracle Girl,

2011-12-10T18:29:00.001-08:00

Thats right! Your last ultrasound showed that everything they could see was PERFECT. The hygroma has completely gone and has only left a tiny little bump where it once was. The doctor said she wouldn’t even have noticed the bump if she wasn’t looking for something and said that you looked just like a normal 18 week baby. We are elated. I was a nervous wreck for a few days before your ultrasound. I was so terrified that the hygroma was still going to be there, and be bigger. I was shaking as they turned on the ultrasound machine. You popped up just as cute as always, but this time you were huge, 9 ounces huge to be exact. I can’t believe how much you have grown in just four weeks. We asked the ultrasound technician a hundred questions and with everything we asked she would say, “yes that looks normal”, “yes that looks great”, “yes that looks fine”. As the ultrasound went on we became more and more hopeful that we might just be looking at a healthy miracle child. We met with your neonatologist and she said that is exactly what we were looking at- a perfectly healthy miracle baby. There is still a chance that the underlying cause of the hygroma was a heart issue, so we will still meet with the fetal cardiologists at Primary’s, but they were able to rule out alot of the most major heart issues. We cried and high fived and stared for hours at all your ultrasound photos from the beginning of your journey until now. You are a miracle. You are our miracle. We are going to get to meet you and raise you and try not to ruin you. I feel like a boulder has been lifted off my chest. I don’t have to sit and wonder if every kick is going to be your last, if you are ever going to wear those clothes in your closet, if your dad is ever going to get a chance to spoil you rotten and call us “his girls.” I am so grateful that we experienced this trial. We have learned from it and grown in ways that we never could have any other way. We have been touched by the love of people around us, and have felt the undeniable love that Heavenly Father has for us. We have also grown crazy attached to you little girl. Thanks for being our miracle. Love, mom.

Dear Baby

2011-12-05T10:49:00.001-08:00

Saturday started out to be the worst of days. Your dad had to study all day, and I couldn’t keep anything down to save my life. At 1:00 I finally decided to take a Phenergen. This is a nasty little drug that is supposed to take away nausea, but all it really does is knock me out cold for a couple hours. But, for those blissful couple of hours I am nausea free. Then, I have to wake up… I always feel stoned and awful when I wake up, and basically sit there like a zombie until its time to go to bed again. I woke up at 10:00 p.m. and decided to waste my stoned hours watching Cast Away. Your dad took a break from studying to come watch the end where Tom Hanks gets saved. We were just laying there cuddling on the couch, then all the sudden… Boom. You kicked. It was your first undeniable baby kick. I sat straight up and told your dad and we both started freaking out with excitement. It was seriously the greatest.. stoned and all it was awesome. Even though I told your dad he probably couldn’t feel it yet he finished the movie out with his hand on our stomach waiting for a cute little kick. You didn’t kick again until the next morning. Thank you so much little girl for turning our super lame Saturday into a good one, and thanks for waiting to give your first good kickaroo until I was cuddled up with your dad. It couldn’t have been cooler. You rock. Love, mom.

O Christmas Tree

2011-12-02T18:58:00.001-08:00

The second best day in December (Christmas eve being the best day) is the day we decorate the tree. We turn the lights down low and put the tree up while slow dancing around to our Christmas mix on itunes. It’s the most perfect night. I have loved it ever since I was little when we would decorate at home with the Forgotten Carols playing in the background.

We started collecting Christmas ornaments from places we’d been together when we first got married. I love hanging them up and remembering each trip and the circumstance that we bought the ornament under. Our road trip this summer added a handful of ornaments from our favorite places we stopped. We could have filled the tree just with that trip, but just stuck to our favorite places. I love the first one we got on our cruise in 2007 the most, and Todd loves the Boston one. However, I made a tree skirt this year, and now that might just almost be my favorite part of the tree. It’s strange and kind of sad knowing that it’s Todd and I’s last Christmas just the two of us. But, we are looking forward to having little babe joining in the festivities with us next year (fingers crossed).

The girls

2011-12-01T12:13:00.001-08:00

Dear baby,

I hope one day you get to act 10 years old with your best friends during a holiday break. I hope you laugh until you cry and talk about nothing and everything. Love, mom.

Dear love child

2011-11-30T19:50:00.001-08:00

We feel terrible that you don’t already have a name. We are dangerously close to agreeing on your name however. For now we call you chica, baby, or love child. We had a great day yesterday. Your heart beat was 155 just as strong and regular as it could be, and your AFP was normal. I thought for sure I had given you a neural tube defect on top of your other little issue due to my lackage of prenatal vitamins, but nope. We are 17.5 weeks along and I am still losing weight, I am super bummed and starting to get a little nervous. I thought for sure with Thanksgiving I would have gained something, but no dice. This is the week though, with a fridge full of ensures, ice cream and a force feed myself hourly plan I have to gain weight. I definitely have a little baby bump going on though, so I know you are at least growing in there. What else is growing is your wardrobe! Thanks to your friends and family. I love how positive everyone is being in their hope that you are making it here. You have to make it! You have a closet filling up with tutu’s and leg warmers and sparkly sweat suits! You’ll make it, I really truly believe you will. Love, mom.

Not all bad…

2011-11-30T12:51:00.001-08:00

Thanksgiving at the cabin this year meant… getting my family addicted to Swamp People -we even got a measuring tape out at one point so we could know how long Troys 13 footer really was (slightly embarrassing). Football (obviously). Shooting skeet (as you can tell by my face and Todd holding up the gun for me, I’m not a huge fan.. I’m totally loving our matching ensembles in those picture though). Little people almost outnumbering the big ones, screaming girls, pinterest crafts,the lovely smell of snow machine exhaust on everything, rummy, fudge, amazing food, snowmen, lots of plastic cups with names on them, skyping my sister, Just Dance on the Wii, ping-pong, a polar bear run to the hot tub, and a lot of exhausted kids and a lot of laughs. Amidst the craziness and sadness it still managed to be a very fun Thanksgiving. Thank you Sutton family.

A lot to be thankful for…

2011-11-26T15:49:00.001-08:00

This Thanksgiving is one I will never forget. I have been more grateful this year than ever before. This year I am overwhelmed with gratitude because God gave our family a miracle. This week we’ve been hit hard learning about how fragile life is. Wednesday morning at 6:15 a.m Todds brother Barry and his wife Karin and a friends child were driving home from the airport. There was a crazy woman driving down the freeway without her lights on. It was pitch black outside. At 65 miles an hour, the two cars collided. Barry was able to swerve a little bit avoiding a complete head on collision, but the two cars hit. The cars were flung to separate sides of the freeway, just seconds before a semi passed through the small space in the middle of them. Only the little girl was wearing her seat belt. Barry and Karin are both in the ICU in pretty rough shape. They have each been to surgery twice, with more to come. Luckily, both of them are expected to make a full recovery, but the road will be long. My heart feels like 1,000 pounds. Karin is my closest friend in the Holman family. She is always the person I want there because I feel like she knows me the best. 2 years of nursing school, and being in the family the exact same amount of time did that for us. To think of her in so much pain hurts my heart. The EMT on the scene said he has never seen anyone so courageous. With a broken arm, severely fractured legs and hip he said she was so brave and strong as they pulled her from the car that she was smashed in. I love Karin with all my heart and hate so much that she is going through this. Barry is as tough as an ox, so I have a little easier time with him being so hurt. But, it is just all so hard. They have 9 children together. I hate it, some moments I can’t even deal with it. I hate watching people we love so much suffer so much. I do know that there will be much good to come from it, and believe that it happened for a reason. It is going to be a learning experience for all of us. Thanksgiving day my mom told us that my beloved Aunt Nadine is passing away after a hard fight with cancer. The day after Todds really close family friend Jim Westwood passed away in a car accident. This Thanksgiving I am grateful for life, for miracles, for the angels that obviously have watchful care over us. I am grateful for time, grateful for the little moments. I am grateful for my eternal family, health, the comforter, grateful for lessons learned and very grateful that all wounds can heal.

Dear Todd

2011-11-17T21:50:00.001-08:00

Dear Todd,

It’s your turn to be pregnant. I’m over it.

Where have these people been all our lives?

2011-11-16T12:05:00.001-08:00

We were all meant to be together. I just know it. Thanks Jordan for the pictures and Aimee and Hannah for the fabulous parties. Turkey Bowl game to come this Saturday. We are stoked.

Our Love Nest

2011-11-14T10:15:00.001-08:00

There was a patient I was really close to, his name was Clyde. He was very sick and so I got to spend alot of time in his room. He was always offering up little pearls of advice and wisdom. One of the things he told me was that my husband and I needed to buy a house. He said there is nothing better for a young couple than to own a little house and make it their own together. A few months later we bought our cute little townhome on old station way. It didn’t make much sense at the time, because we thought we would be moving in a few years to dental school, but really felt strongly that we should buy this place. So we did, and lo and behold everything has worked out perfectly. We are constantly doing projects and changing things up. When we got it, it was really dated and only had white walls. We overhauled the kitchen and living room and have painted basically everything. Todds obsessed with can lights and tries to put them every square foot. Currently we are having so much fun making todds office an office/guest room and transforming the t.v room into a cute girly nursery.

This is our friend Randy at South Fork Hardware. We call him “Dad” because he is always walking us through our projects. This is him actually putting together our plumbing fixture for us. We love South Fork Hardware.

A little building for Todd, a new garbage disposal and some paint swatches for me.

A desk we made from a kitchen butchers block, and a mantle we found at a local antique shop that we love. I love when we get on our project kicks, and love that I have a rugged husband who knows how to do all this stuff. Mostly, I just love this place. It is home, and it is happiness. Thanks Clyde you were right.

“Cautiously Optimistic”

2011-11-10T10:56:00.001-08:00

Dear baby,

Yesterday we got to see you again. You look SO adorable. You had a teency bladder, and cute little fingers and toes. Your bones and your spine lit up all white and were just the cutest things we’ve ever seen. In one of the pictures you stretched out your legs as long as they could go and pointed your toes. Are you going to be a dancer little one? We’ll see. The rest of your genetic tests came back normal. All 46 chromosomes for you. The down side of the day, was your cystic hygroma was bigger than last time. Not as big as it was when it was huge, but bigger than last time. Your neonatologist said that it was not alarming, and told us to keep our fingers crossed it will be gone by your next ultrasound in a few weeks. She said that if it was gone by then we have cause to be “cautiously optimistic.” So, that is what we are being. In 10 weeks we go to Primary Childrens and their fetal cardiologists will look really closely at your heart. The hygroma tells us that it is likely that there is something wrong and hopefully they will be able to tell us what it is. How lucky are we that there is a top children's hospital right by us, so that if your little heart needs some help, the best of the best will be able to do it. Maybe there won’t be anything wrong and you are fixing it yourself. You must be working hard in there or something, because you are still making me sicker than a dog. I lost another pound, and am struggling to make it back up to my pre-pregnancy weight, but am determined to gain some weight this week. I’m debating eating a container of sour cream, then washing it down with a carton heavy whipping cream for lunch. Nothing sounds good/tastes good or stays in my stomach anyways, so I might as well put something high calorie in there for a minute or two right? Sounds delicious. Wish me luck. Love,mom.

Where’s Todd

2011-11-08T10:25:00.001-08:00

Todds classroom and his own little office space. Cute little dentist he will be (in 3 years and 6 months, but whose counting)?

Worry

2011-11-01T17:34:00.001-07:00

Dear baby,

Happy 13 weeks. I wish you were already here. Your dad is basically M.I.A all week due to school, and I wish you were here to distract me. Instead, thoughts of you are here to worry me. Someone told me to prepare for a life of worry, because that what you do when you have kids. I’m not a big worrier typically and the fact that the worry factor doesn’t go away when you are born sort of alarms me. I guess I’ll be worrying for different reasons then though, and maybe it will be a little easier. Worry will hopefully be reduced more when we meet with your neonatologist doctor and my high risk OB doctor next Wednesday. We will do another ultrasound and see how your cute little body is developing and develop a whole plan of care for us. I’m not a worrier, but am a big planner, so a plan sounds divine. The plan for this week is for us both to survive. Me, survive a long week basically without your dad and you, just survive. Survive. Love, mom.

Girls, Girls, Girls

2011-10-31T11:00:00.001-07:00

Remember that one time I went on the worlds coolest trip with my sisters and dad? And I barely gave it a nod because of all the baby craziness. Well, now that Todd and I are breathing a little easier…a little (we are getting the full genetic results tomorrow and are hoping there are no surprises) It’s time I posted a few fun pictures.

We heart Chinatown with all its cheap perfumes and sketchy dealers that we follow upstairs into a little room full of knock off goods. We heart watches, jewelry, hats, t-shirts, scarves, sweaters, and all of the other random stuff we got.

We heart the cape We heart the subway. We mostly heart that my dad still has all of his limbs. There were multiple times the doors were closing and not all 8 of us were on board. My dad would lodge his hand or his body in between the doors so they wouldn’t close until we all got on

We heart time square… sorry this collage is likely to induce a seizure.

We heart NYC, and Boston… I had to miss some of the Boston part because I came home to get tests. But, it was so great to just be with my sisters and my parents. In case you thought it was all glamorous and New Yorky, this is me throwing up out the window at a toll booth, and what was even better was that I wasn’t the only nauseous pregnant lady in the crew… good times.

Our Miracle Girl

2011-10-29T14:56:00.001-07:00

Oh my goodness there are literally no words to express how I’m feeling. We are having a little baby girl. A little genetically perfect little girl. No down syndrome, no noonans, nothing crazy. Todd was so excited that she didn’t have turners that he posted this on his face book “great news!!!! Dos equis!!! (two x's)” I was so mad; first, that he announced her by making a beer reference and second, that he TOTALLY stole my thunder in announcing her. Oh well, I’m over it. After 3 excruciatingly long days of zero sleep, anxiety, worry, tears, and minor freak outs they finally called me with the results. I was at home alone and asked if I should wait for the results until I was with Todd. She said she didn’t think so because the preliminary results were NORMAL. Then she told me we were having a little baby girl. Tears streamed down my face as I tried to write notes about what she was saying. I couldn’t believe it. How did she beat the odds…again? I drove like crazy to Todds school where he met me outside. I sprinted up to him and wrapped my arms and legs around him. He just started laughing. It was so fun to tell him we were having a little girl. He has told me since we were dating he wanted a girl first. I brought this cute little angel Halloween costume with me. He stood out by the dental school and as all of his friends came out for lunch he held the little outfit above his head like a trophy. There were lots of hugs and high fives, it was a great moment. It was a great day.

As for you baby girl, they are still only giving you about a 30% chance of you making it to us. Because your genetics are all normal it must be some structural defect causing the problem. They told us it is most likely your heart. Your dad and I are rolling our eyes at the 30%. We think you have better odds than that. You are stronger than that, we just know it. Plus, did you know you have hundreds of people praying for you? How could it not be okay with all of those prayers. None the less, we will continue to treasure every second with you. You have brought such a special spirit and peace to our home that we hope never leaves. I have seen a more subdued version of your dad for the past few weeks, but today he is back to his old antics of teasing me ruthlessly and dancing around. He tells me that you are a strong willed baby, and that you and I will probably butt heads a lot in the future. I sure hope so little girl, I sure hope so. Love, mom.

10.27.11

2011-10-29T14:53:00.001-07:00

Dear baby,

I feel like I’ve handled everything alright until tonight. We were supposed to hear the results from your test today but didn’t. I sat by the phone sick to my stomach all day. I can’t wait another minute to know if you are most likely going to make it to me or not. If you are going to have severe challenges, or maybe just moderate ones. Tonight I’m having a hard time being calm and brave and okay. I know that Heavenly Father will not give me more than I can handle. But, the part that scares me is how much does he think I can handle? The odds are all stacked against us baby. Stacked high against us…The worrisome part is, I know your dad can handle pretty much anything. I blame him for our current predicament, if I married some lame duck I’m sure I wouldn’t be in this place. Just kidding. That non lame duck is whats getting us through tonight. Tonight, just like other hard nights I’m hoping that he can say a prayer for us, can wipe my tears and sing us primary songs in his sweet off key voice until we fall asleep. These things I know: Us three are in the Lords hands. His will will be done, and it will be what is best for all of us. The comforter will come to us. There is a plan for us, and because of Jesus Christ we will be a family forever. Forever baby no matter what they say tomorrow, love mom.

The wait

2011-10-26T19:53:00.000-07:00

Dear baby,
What a sweet, but long day we had today. There were dozens of people call,text and email us just to tell us they were thinking about us. I cried when I saw their names on my phone, but knew if I spoke to them I would just lose it. I need to keep it together for now. Just another 24 or 48 hours, I just need to make it 24 more hours until I know your results. Hopefully then I will gain a little more composure, and also hopefully I will stop throwing up every 20 minutes, I think you and I must be a little nervous. Your dad is nervous too, but his friends at school have been especially kind to him. I am so grateful every day that he has gained this new group of brothers. To sum up my day, I am just overwhelmed with the love and kindness of people.I can feel their thoughts and prayers. It all overwhelms me and makes me cry. I have cried way more today from peoples sweet words and calls than I have about your little issue. Thank you all so much,words can't express my gratitude. If any of you 755 sweet readers from today feel like getting crazy and specific with your prayers go right ahead and pray that the next 24 to 48 hours fly by for us. I'm dying to know whats going on with my baby and patience is just NOT my strong suit. And as for you baby, lets you and I slip into a semi comatose state and wake up to a phone call that hopefully has good news, deal? Deal! Love, mom.

Test Day

2011-10-25T22:08:00.001-07:00

Dear baby,

Today was such an exciting/scary day. 1st, welcome to the 12th week of pregnancy little babe. We made it! 2nd, we got a CVS (chorionic villus sample) test today. They stuck a huge needle in my belly and took out a little bit of your placenta. It was a little painful, but everything went great and they only had to poke us once. The results of the test will tell us if you have down syndrome, turners syndrome, trisomy 18, or maybe a heart defect or something else. We’re keeping our fingers crossed that it’s trisomy 21,or maybe just something strange, but fixable with your heart. Turners and trisomy 18 don’t give us very good chances of meeting you, so we are hoping it’s not those. However, never the less not our will be done. The best part of the day was your cystic hygroma had shrunk! Almost half the size from 6 days ago! The doctors told us that it didn’t change our chances, but we were just happy to see that awful thing smaller on your back, and were stoked to see your little heart still beating strong. We came out of the test feeling so great. We are ready to accept whatever comes our way and feel honored and humbled that Heavenly Father would send us such a special little person, even if we only get to keep you for a few more weeks. Your dad and I were talking about our first proud parent moment. We were just so proud that you didn’t let that hygroma take you over. You fought, just like we begged you to. You fought, thank you. Love, mom.

Dear Sisters

2011-10-25T22:05:00.001-07:00

Dear Mom,Dad,Hilary,Rissa,Lyndi,Lisa and Ashlie

Thank you for carrying me for the last five days. I feel like you each literally lifted me to my feet and made the hardest days of my life actually happy days. You shared my sadness and my worry, you kept my thoughts positive, you were there when I just wanted to put my head down and cry (which miraculously wasn’t that often), and were there when I wanted to laugh. You all froze to death in the back of the van because I needed air, rolled down the window so I could puke at the toll booth, took a scenic route to a Mcdonalds in the Bronx for food, took me to Grimaldi’s, Rissa saved me during the bathroom incident, and you all put up with my whining. I loved mostly every minute…I think this trip was a huge tender mercy in this experience. I love you all more than I can ever say. Thank you Dad for giving this to us, and for turning my dark days light. I love you.

Cape Cod

2011-10-25T16:55:00.001-07:00

Dear baby,

Today we had a great day. How perfect that while I am going through the hardest time of my life that I get to visit one of my most favorite places on earth, Cape Cod. We listened to the waves and picked up white rocks off the sore. Your cousins walked around barefoot in the sand and I hoped that someday you might be able to do the same thing. For some reason I feel like you might get that chance. I’m praying its not an empty hunch. Love, mom.

10.21.11

2011-10-25T16:54:00.001-07:00

Dear baby,

Today was the scariest day of my life. Today while walking around New York I started having stomach cramps. I thought I was losing you. I wasn’t ready to let you go, and knew I couldn’t do this without your dad. I cried, your aunts cried. And then, miraculously the cramping stopped. I know that we have a 90 something percent chance of losing you, but right now am not ready for that. I have 100% faith that whatever happens will be what is best for you, and what is best for your dad and I and I also know that we will be okay. But, I am not ready for you to not be with me anymore. I am grateful for every hour with you, and for every day with you. I love the nausea now, because it means I still have you. I couldn’t be more happy to still have you. Love, mom.

NYC

2011-10-25T16:52:00.001-07:00

Dear baby,

Today we explored New York. This was my fourth time going there, but it was a whole new experience having you with me. I kept hoping that you could feel the rumble of the subway, and feel the peace of central park. There were two musicians playing Pachalebel’s Canon in D in a tunnel in the park. It was the most beautiful sound I’d ever heard.I cried and prayed that one day you would experience something so beautiful. Grandma Jill held me and we cried listening to the music. I want you to hear Canon in D baby, I want you to see central park, go to a broadway and have sore feet from walking so much. I want a full life for you. I want the whole world for you, I mostly just want to keep you. Please let me keep you. I love you. Love, mom.

10.19.11

2011-10-25T16:46:00.001-07:00

Dear baby,

Later that night after finding out about your little issue Grandma and Grandpa Sutton and a few of your Aunts came to our house because we were supposed to go on a girls trip to NYC and Boston that Grandpa Sutton had given us. I didn’t know if I should go or not. Your dad gave me a sweet blessing that blessed me with peace and comfort. He blessed me that my body would be a safe place for you. Grandpa Randall gave your dad a blessing that promised peace and understanding. I decided to go on the trip. I wanted to experience as much of the world with you as I could. Lets see the world baby. Love, mom.

Cystic Hygroma

2011-10-25T16:43:00.001-07:00

Cystic hygromas are fluid-filled sacs that result from a blockage in the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is a network of vessels that maintains fluids in the blood, as well as transports fats and immune system cells. Cystic hygromas are single or multiple cysts found mostly in the neck region. A cystic hygroma can be present as a birth defect (congenital) or develop at any time during a person’s life. A cystic hygroma in a developing baby can progress to hydrops (an excess amount of fluid in the body) and eventually fetal death. Some cases of congenital cystic hygromas resolve leading to webbed neck, edema (swelling), and a lymphangioma (a benign yellowish-tan tumor on the skin composed of swollen lymph vessels). In other instances the hygroma can progress in size
to become larger than the fetus.

Cystic hygromas occur in approximately 1% of fetuses between weeks 9 and 16 of pregnancy.
Genetic syndromes with cystic hygroma as a clinical feature:
• The majority of prenatally diagnosed cystic hygromas are associated with Turner syndrome, a chromosome abnormality in which a female has only one X chromosome instead of two.
• Chromosome abnormalities such as trisomies 13, 18, and 21
• Noonan syndrome
Because the risk for a chromosome abnormality approaches 50% when a cystic hygroma is found prenatally, amniocentesis or CVS (chorionic villus sampling) can be performed to diagnose these conditions. :

Prognosis:
In some situations, a cystic hygroma can be present in a healthy baby. If a chromosome abnormality is not found in the fetus, the outcome is generally better than for those who do have a chromosome abnormality. If a cystic hygroma is an isolated finding that resolves around 18-20 weeks gestation and the fetus has normal chromosomes, the outcome is good for 54-80% of these cases. In cases in which an isolated cystic hygroma does not resolve by 20 weeks gestation, 2-9% have a good outcome. Overall, there is generally a poor prognosis associated with the prenatal finding of cystic hygroma. Studies have indicated that smaller cystic hygromas are more likely to resolve. Oligohydramnios (not enough amniotic fluid) or polyhydramnios (too much amniotic fluid) predicts a poor outcome. Hydrops occurs 22-76% of the time with a cystic hygroma and is almost always
associated with miscarriage or fetal death.

10.19.11

2011-10-25T15:53:00.001-07:00

Dear baby,

Today we found out that we might not get to keep you very long. Today your dad and I’s lives changed forever. You have changed something in us, you have let us feel a deeper love than we ever knew existed. You have let us experience the love of a parent. The kind of love that makes us wish we could move mountains, the kind of love that would make us do anything to protect you. An indescribable, deep, profound love.

The first ultrasound you had you were 10 weeks along. Your dad and I laughed and waved at you, you were so cute and real. Your tiny arms and legs were just flippin in the wind and your little heart was flickering like crazy. I cried when I heard the woosh of your heart beat and your dad kissed me on the forehead. It was such a perfect moment. After the ultrasound a doctor came in and explained that there was something concerning going on. She said that the measurement on your nuchal line was looking big. She explained that this was concerning for down syndrome or something else. They wanted to see us all back in 9 days to retest. We cried with worry. Your dad was so strong for us. He held us, and loved us and knew just what to say. It didn’t take us long to accept the fact that you might be different. We could feel it in our hearts that something was wrong. We told grandma Jill and she told your Sutton Aunts and Uncles. I thought it was very sweet that your tough uncles cried and cried for you. We then had an outpouring of texts and calls expressing their love for us and for you. Their messages said things like “You two are perfect for this, we can’t think of anyone better to send this baby to.” Even your little cousins were praying for you. Their messages and their prayers got us through the next nine days, when we would get more tests. The family all fasted for us. To have my family fast for us was such a humbling and sweet experience that gave me so much peace. I have never felt so loved and cared about. I hope that you are feeling that love too, you are the most loved 11 weeks year old baby there ever was. I pray you can meet all of these amazing people.

The next 9 days past slowly. I was of course really sick and getting IV fluids 3 times a week and your dad was busy trying to focus on school. Your sweet dad spent hours researching babies like you. I mostly just prayed and cried alot. People called everyday, word had spread fast in Rexburg, with many sweet words from people we knew very little. The power of everyone's prayers was almost tangible in our home.

Wednesday finally came. I was so nervous I must have thrown up a dozen times before your ultrasound. The machine came on and there you were. Our sweet, perfect baby still kicking, still with a strong heart beat. We were so relieved, but knew that something was wrong. We just felt it. That bubble on the back of your neck was much bigger, probably 6 times bigger than last time and it went all the way to your cute little bum. It was about a quarter of the size that you were. The doctors read the results and we were led to a genetic counselor. They told us what you had was called a Cystic Hygroma. We had researched that and knew that it was bad. Only 1% of all babies get it. They explained that yours was pretty severe. They gave us about a 6-10% chance that you would make it to birth, and if you did you would most likely have some serious issues. Your dad wrote down almost every word the counselor said while I just cried on his shoulder. They gave us some time alone, and once again your Dad was our rock. He cried to as he held me, he kissed my forehead and stroked my hair and promised we would make it through this.

We came home and prayed to Heavenly Father, then laid in our bed and talked to you. We told you that we wanted to meet you. We asked you to fight. We asked you to fight that thing on your back because we need you. You are our family now, and you have already become our whole world. Please fight baby. Love, mom.

9.28.11

2011-10-25T15:51:00.001-07:00

Dear baby,

I had my favorite moment of pregnancy today. As you will learn when you get here, your dad does not do really great with gagging noises. I started throwing up in the bathroom (usually he just leaves the room), but I needed a hair thing so he had to come into the bathroom and give it to me. I was throwing up, and then all the sudden I look over and he was throwing up!!! He was trying to catch it in his hands while running to our other bathroom, but didn’t quite make it. I laughed until I was sick… literally, I laughed until it made me throw up again. Silly daddy. Love you! Love, mom.

9.20.11

2011-10-25T15:50:00.001-07:00

Dear baby,

You LOVE to remind me you are there. You are always making me nauseous and make me throw up. I’m not real good at eating at this point so I’m just crossing my fingers I don’t give you spina bifida, sorry if I do. Love, mom.

9.9.2011

2011-10-25T15:49:00.001-07:00

Dear baby,

Today we told the fam that you were coming to us. Everyone was stoked. We met your Grandma Jill and Grandpa Randall at the blackfoot fair. We had debated how to tell them because we wanted it to be EPIC because you are our first. We decided that we would get one to those cartoon people drawn of us and they would draw me pregnant. Grandma and Grandpa came over and watched the lady drawing it. They were very very confused until the lady wrote the date May 7, 2012 on the top of the drawing. Then Grandma Jillian said “Does this mean I’m going to have a grandbaby May 7,2012?” We started laughing and said yes and hugged them both. Grandpa Randall just laughed and laughed. Apparently they just thought the lady was drawing me really fat… so not quite as epic as we wanted the reveal to be, but still fun. You will be their grandbaby #16. Feel free to stop making me nauseated anytime soon. Love mom.

9.8.2011

2011-10-25T15:48:00.001-07:00

Dear baby,

Today we found out you were coming to us. I went to bed nauseated and woke up feeling a little sick. I didn’t really think I could be pregnant, but decided to take a test I had laying around anyways. I was shocked when 2 little lines showed up! I ran around the house hyperventilating and laughing like a crazy person! Your dad was at school, so I jumped in my car, pajamas and all and headed to his school. I was so full of adrenaline and shock and excitement that on the way out of the house I ran over the neighbors flowers with the car… whoops. I’m sure I made it to dads school in 10 minutes just laughing and crying with happiness the whole way. It was right in time for his lunch. He came out and I handed him his lunch, which was really a Tupperware container with the test in it. He looked at it and got this huge smile and said, “Are you serious?” Then he jumped out of the car and ran to my side and pulled me out of the car to give me a huge hug and a kiss. It was one of the funnest days of our life. We feel sooo lucky and blessed and excited and scared and happy to be your parents. Your dad kept saying “What the freak, we are going to parents!” And I kept responding “bless this poor little things heart… we are going to be parents.” haha, we hope and pray we don’t screw you up to bad. We can’t wait to be your parents. Love mom.

Good Times

2011-09-22T05:00:00.000-07:00

INSANE GLASSY water. A few stellar wipe outs. A little fire dancing. Some creepy experimental photos taken at night by the lake( look close you can see a shadow of Todd) Sunday dinner with fresh garden food at the Holman’s. A little Todd/Suzy time. A little Todd/Suzy/Linc/Wy/Ash/Mom time and a little bit of a PERFECT 4 day weekend in Idaho.

Blackfoot Fair

2011-09-20T02:11:00.001-07:00

Poor deprived Todd had never been to the Blackfoot fair in his whole life! I usually frequented the fair at least twice when it came to town. Once with the fam, and usually once with the flavor of the month. I love everything about it, the smells, the trashy people, the animals, the food, the rides and even the 4H building that houses thousands of Idaho History projects, homemade clothes and recipes from small 4H clubs in the area. (I was a proud 4Her for many years thanks to my rockstar mom who was always the leader.)

We met my parents there on our way home to Idaho and had a great time. Shockingly, Todd was nowhere near as stoked about the fair as I was, but enjoyed himself and was a good sport about letting me take 1000 pictures of the Ferris wheel and even let me get a caricature drawn of us. It was a great start to another fun trip to Idaho.

J.F

2011-09-15T04:51:00.000-07:00

Each life that touches ours for good
Reflects thine own great mercy, Lord;
Thou sendest blessings from above
Thru words and deeds of those who love.

J.F was an amazing woman. She lived her life by the motto that you should give everything you are doing 100%, if you aren't going to do that, don't do it at all. Thats why she has had 5 bone marrow transplants (a record for this hospital) and has spent the last 5 years giving her 100% to fighting cancer. She told her kids that she wanted to die in the hosptial, because she would fight till her very last breath. And she did... until her very last breath. I loved this little lady, even though she was constantly confused and couldn't recognize me from Adam I loved her.I had the honor of taking care of her alot over the past month and also on her last night on earth. Caring for someone who is passing is always a very tender time, especially when you have come to know and love the patient and their family soo much. You can kiss your patient on the forehead and hold their hands for an hour and it's perfectly okay. I had such a special night, but the part I loved most was that J waited to go until her family was in a great mood. There was music playing in the room, everyone was laughing and thats when she decided to make her quiet exit. It was beautiful and perfect. Thank you J for all you taught me. You have touched my life for good.

Every other Friday

2011-09-09T07:31:00.001-07:00

Todd reenacting “don’t shoot until you see the whites of their eyes” for me at Bunker Hill in Boston.

View Full Album

Every other Friday I sit at home and bite my nails for six hours, waiting for this cooky mccookerson to tell me he passed his test with 90% or above. If he passes with 90 or above, we get to play ALL WEEKEND! If he doesn’t… it means a whole weekend of studying :( This boy studies all week for hours and hours and hours. Today he was up at 4:00 am to hit the books! I’m positive that at 12:30 I’ll get a text telling me to pack my bags for Idaho, but I still just get nervous because that is just what I do. Go.Fight.Win Todd four more hours.

Palmyra NY

2011-09-07T21:20:00.001-07:00

I am sitting here in Todds office with trying to come up with things to do, so I can at least be in the same room with him. I remembered that I never posted anything about our Palmyra stop on our road trip. This left us on such a spiritual high for weeks. Being in this place and in the sacred grove really changed us forever. The Palmyra Temple

In the grove

The old Smith home (same view he would have seen growing up)

We will definitely be visiting here many more times in our lifetime.

The Roseman Rowdies

2011-09-05T00:36:00.001-07:00

A BIG plus side of Dental School.

Boys Trip

2011-09-05T00:20:00.001-07:00

Last weekend was the annual Sutton “Boys Trip.” Todd told me he looks forward to this trip more than Christmas. My mom went along with them this year, so she is the photographer of these great pictures. The boys golf 18 holes a day and watch the first BYU game of the year. Basically they all come down here to golf, eat at fabulous places, watch football and laugh until their stomachs hurt. My favorite story was ordaining Lincoln an Elder. They did it at midnight on Friday. All of their shirts were wrinkled, they were barefoot, and Todd stuffed a red wash cloth down his shirt to look like a tie--- not your typical ordination. So funny. I also liked the grocery store story and the teeny bed they made for Todd. I would loved to have been a fly on the wall for this whole trip, these boys together are Comedy Central times 10. I am so grateful that my brothers are all so tight with Todd. He is just one of the gang and loves every second spent with my fam. I’d say a very successful Boys trip 2011.

Can we go back?

2011-09-01T15:48:00.001-07:00

Dear life-

Can we please go back to summer2011? Back to trips with friends,motorcycle rides, days on the lake, weeks without work? Back to dates on the roof, Sunday walks with the family, and Idaho sunsets. Back to a time when I had Todd all I wanted and didn’t have to share him with school and homework (I’m having a real rough adjustment). Back to a time we could sleep in till noon and live in the car. Back to a time when my biggest problem was the mosquito bites on my legs and being too worn out from playing so much. Can we please go back? I’m struggling with the new status quo and would like to rewind. So, if we could go back that would be great, thanks!

Love- a lonesome recently widowed wife of a dental student

Be Fri

2011-08-30T13:00:00.001-07:00

Kim- you are the st end on my best friend necklace. Thanks for coming down this weekend and making me laugh till my sides hurt. I heart you.

Kimberlee Joy

2011-08-29T22:51:00.001-07:00

Kimberlee Joy Hammond folks. More of this mythically beautiful girl to come.

Maiden Voyage

2011-08-28T01:33:00.001-07:00

We took the camera (we haven’t found the perfect name for her yet) out for her first trip today. We had so much fun driving around SLC looking for cool places to strike a pose. The day mostly consisted of me taking hundreds of pictures of Todd and making high pitched happy squealing noises when the picture was perfect, or the camera did something extra stellar. This day had so many other fun things that I want to post about. So, more to come.

I've never been so happy

2011-08-27T10:02:00.000-07:00

hahaha I realize this is NOT funny to anyone but us, but rarely does our awesomeness get caught on film. And it did here. Say it... Say you're so happy.

Dr.Todd Holman

2011-08-22T00:20:00.001-07:00

Todds white coat ceremony was seriously one of the proudest days of my whole life.The Ceremony is just a cool way to mark the day that he “embarks on a lifetime of being a Doctor” or something like that. They chant an oath, make a pledge and get welcomed to the career and all that jazz. It’s stupendously ceremonious and over the top. I loved it.

In the morning before the ceremony I carefully ironed his white coat with this huge proud smile on my face. I had glimpses of me ironing his cute little button up shirts in the mornings for years to come. Later that afternoon Todd took his parents and I on a tour of his amazing school and then we went to the ceremony. It was held at a beautiful country club at the base of the mountains. It was a pretty intimate ceremony because each student could only have three guests.There was such a crazy,charged, almost spiritual feeling in the place. On more than one occasion there were tears in my eyes of gratitude and pride that Todd is on his way to accomplishing our dreams and that Heavenly Father has made our lives work out more perfectly than we could have ever dreamed. He sent us to the perfect school for Todd. It really hit me for the first time that; Wow, this is a huge deal, this was all meant to be for us to be here, there are specific reasons we are here…Crazy feeling.

The highlight of the whole day, perhaps my whole month was when Todd introduced me to Dr.Sanduvall. This was the guy that interviewed him. I shook his hands and said thanks for letting Todd into school. He said “ Oh no, Todd let himself him, he was very impressive.Todd came that day and lit us on fire, really he lit everyone on fire.” He went on to tell me how everyone on the committee was impressed by Todd. He called Todd personally to accept him into school. I came to find out that the secretary and the Dean called everyone else, but Dr Sanduvall made a special call to accept Todd. The cool part is his mission president has said these exact words about Todd to me “He lit the mission on fire. He gave missionaries fire in their bones.” Pretty amazing. Feel free to gag now about my incessant bragging about this boy. I can’t help myself.

He awes me.

Sac - town

2011-08-19T08:05:00.001-07:00

I’m attempting to catch up on my summers excitement/craziness. Todd and I went to Sacramento for a week for his job back in June. We were put up in this super ghetto extended stay, and we spent the mornings sleeping in and the nights eating out with new and old friends. Todd worked all day, and I mostly explored and read my nook while smelling the weed filtering in from the neighbors hotel room. It was AWESOME.We lived in the San Francisco Bay area all summer last year. Being back near there brought back so many good times. I will never forget our summer in Cali. Having a little taste of it again was great. These pics are from the the Capitol building and Old-Town Sacramento.

Robison Reunion 2011

2011-08-17T15:41:00.001-07:00

We only got to be at the Robison Reunion for one and half days, but they were good good days. We slept in the motor home with my parents and Lincoln the first night. We slept there on our week long trip to Nauvoo two years ago. I have NO idea how we did that for a week. It was SOO uncomfortable, we were awake basically the whole night laughing because every time anyone would move the motor home would shake like crazy. One of those times you are so tired that everything is hysterical, and to make it more funny you can’t laugh loud. So fun. Those of you who know Todd know that Todd LOVES fires. So when Todd saw the homemade fire ring my dad had made out of old farm equipment he was in heaven. What Dad is cool enough to think of a discer and an old tractor rim to make a sweet fire pit. That’s mine. Just our fam sat around for a while, then my cousins came to join in. Dallas played guitar and we all sang songs with him. It was perfect. It’s special to be back with the people that I have such a bond with. Todd and I stayed at the fire until it fizzled out. We laughed and cried as I told him stories about my Aunt Pat and sang the song I wrote her a few years ago. Being around my cousins and Aunts always is great, but that emptiness of AP not being around just plain sucks. I think she was probably there though.

There is so much I want to remember about the reunion. Hailey and Sammy and I jumping around in the bathroom, watching everyone play volleyball, watching a hilarious doubles tennis match between Todd,Dan,Zach and Lyndi, the sunset on the lake, seeing everyone be so sore from wakeboarding,dressing up in whatever we could find to go to church in Island Park, having sacrament on the lawn with 100 other people,riding Dads Harley through the trees, sun-burnt and mosquito bitten little kids, listening to my cousins get ready to go to Yellowstone, seeing my Mom so happy to have her family in a place she loves so much. It was a great weekend and a good reminder of how much I love my family.

Thumbs Up for Rock and Roll!

2011-08-16T17:19:00.000-07:00

Oh my gosh, there are no words for how much I love this. Todd and I have watched it 100 times. Please bless that we have kids this cool.

.24.

2011-08-16T06:30:00.001-07:00

This handsome chico spoiled me rotten for my birthday this year. We had a little sleepover at the Little America Hotel in Salt Lake. We hung out down town and walked so much I got blisters, so I just took off my shoes and bare-footed it. Not the first time I’ve walked for hours shoeless in a dirty city..

Down town we encountered 2000 of these weirdo's (literally 2,000)… Zombie Apocalypse. it was very very strange.

We woke up the next morning and he took me to the Blue Plate Diner. A Salt Lake MUST

Then he whisked me away to a little bit of heaven on earth… the Fashion Place Mall.

Then we finished the night off by fulfilling one of my dreams to eat at the “Roof”- the top of the Joseph Smith Building. I had 2 plates of food, 3 bowls of soup and 4 plates of desserts. Happy Birthday to me.

Two days of birthday bliss. Sorry for all the solo pics, Todd controlled the camera. I saved the best piece from his birthday portfolio for last.That guitar I am holding is my new baby Todd got me. We call her “June.” Ahhh…happiness.Thanks Todd and Capitol One rewards for making my birthday PERFECT. Birthays rock.

New Beginnings

2011-08-15T03:58:00.001-07:00

This was such a fun and exciting week. I can’t even explain how awesome it felt for Todd to start Dental School. It is crazy when everything you hope and pray for so long comes true. A HUGE milestone in our lives. We are stoked for the adventures school is going to bring. Kind of like this one in the pictures…Todd came home the first day from school and I quizzed him about every single thing that happened and everyone he met. One of the first people he told me about was Keith. The school had a little barbeque for the students and their plus ones and one of the first couples we met was Keith and his wife Holly. I fell in LOVE with them from the first 10 seconds of our conversation. Holly has this infectious laugh and Keith seems just like an Idaho boy from home. They were for sure among my faves. There were tons of cool couples at the BBQ. We just couldn’t believe how alike we all were. Todd spent most of the time throwing the football around with his new buddies while I went from wife to wife chatting it up. It was such a fun night! I loved every single person I met. We can’t wait to hang out with everyone again. Later in the week Keith and Holly invited us to go out on their boat with them on Saturday. I don’t know if it’s the fact that Keith does back flips and all sorts of other crazy tricks on the wakeboard or that they have the cutest kids ever, or that they are magazine worthy beautiful people, but we idolize them now. What a fun start to all this. I can not wait to see what friendships and memories the next four years will bring, hopefully many more barbeques and boat trips :)!

1st day.

2011-08-08T21:35:00.000-07:00

Picking out Todds outfit for the first day of Dental School tomorrow...whoah. Is this really happening? I think I feel something like moms do when they send their kids to kindergarten for the first time. Tearful/happy/sad/excited. I wish I could follow him around the whole day and take pictures.

Made in America

2011-08-04T04:10:00.000-07:00

Happy FOURTH… of August. Shoot I’m a month late. These are pictures of my favorite things this year. My sisters made my nieces these cute little matching dresses…possibly the most adorable things I’ve ever seen. We went to the Driggs fireworks/ Glenn Beck Spectacular for the first time and are already so pumped to go again next year. There we hung out with three of our favorite people Kim,Peyton and Jenna. We rode my dads Harley for a solid four hours and then had a perfect nap under the Elm tree at Todds parents. Then the fourth ended with a little illegal firework action at my brother Zachs. I.loVe. the. FouRTh. of. JuLY.

And we camp…

2011-08-02T04:54:00.001-07:00

Every year the Holmans have a big camp out where we go up in the mountains and cut Bryce and Sherrys wood supply for the year. I seriously look forward to it every summer. I went camping ONCE as a child. My dad drove our motor home (affectionately named Bessie) up into the woods and we parked it and spent the night “camping.” It rocked. This Holman extravaganza is nothing like that. It is legit camping and I LOVE it (my love for camping has an expiration of about 48 hours, and luckily this trip doesn’t typically exceed that). My favorite part was just chillin’ around the campfire talking and eating amazing dutch oven food. Close second was the few hours we spent at the worlds most infectious but coolest swimming joint Green Canyon, and my third favorite part was probably laying in the element looking out the moon roof and seeing the stars. However, I have to briefly mention other awesome parts, like the nocturnal beating incident. It’s okay only a slight bruise on the right arm this time…no blood (todd doesn’t sleep well in new places). Also, the part where I tried to hold my bladder all day and night so I wouldn’t have to brave it in the woods. And also noteworthy are the 38 mosquito bites on my right leg. It’s fine I’ve almost scratched to the bone, but no big deal. Can’t wait for next year clan! Maybe by then I’ll be able to get this dirt out from under my fingernails.

Birthday Babe

2011-07-13T02:50:00.001-07:00

Todd woke up this morning to me calling him on the phone asking him if he would pretty please come downstairs. I had hung this banner the girls and I made at work last night, and was standing in the living room strapped in to the new wakeboard I got him. He looked so cute in his jammies, half awake half asleep. He was like a kid coming down the stairs on Christmas. He had NO idea I what I was getting him. Which was SUHWEET cause every year he always seems to know what I am getting him—pesky little bugger checks the stupid online bank statement everyday. The bamboozlement of surprise was even more of a reaction than I had hoped. We had big plans to eat at VI for breakfast, but he was the cutest and told me that he would rather fall asleep beside me instead of going to breakfast (I had just got done working all night). After 4 short hours we stopped napping and went and had a Birthday lunch. Of all the fabulous places in Salt Lake, he wanted In-N-Out. He said since it was his birthday he was going to splurge and get the double-double. Big Spender… I know. Unfortunately we both had to be grown ups and go to work after that-frowny face. But he came and spent an hour with me at work tonight, we walked to the Primary Children’s cafeteria and got a slice of cheesecake and pretended I made it for his birthday. Wow, we are so awesome it blows my mind.

P.S I have moved 27 days of Todd to the bathroom mirror, a much more appropriate place for some of the things I have to write.

2011-07-11T22:36:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Babe!

Boy are you in for a treat today!!! Multiple treats actually...can't wait to get this blasted night shift over and open your presents. Get stoked, very stoked.

Todd the Mayor

2011-07-11T00:18:00.000-07:00

Something I admire about Todd is he makes friends so easily and keeps friends forever. I thought I would never meet anyone that knew as many people as my Dad. It used to bug me like crazy that wherever we would go it would take us hours to leave because my Dad was always talking to someone. Welp, I think Todd might almost have my Dad beat. Last week at the 4th of July parade in Rexburg people that I grew up with would come talk to Todd, not to me-- to Todd. I kept saying, how do you even know these people? They are MY people. Everyone Todd meets becomes his person. We always joke that Todd is running for town mayor, if he see's someone he knows he will always go shake their hands, or give them a hug and ask about their kids, or their parents. I am more the type to pretend like I didn't see the person and keep walking. Todd told me the other day that he could tell me the names of all 132 people in his graduating class. Wow. I love that people are drawn to him and I love that he makes everyone feel like they are old friends. I have ALOT to learn from that.

Apologies to those who don't want to hear about Todd for the next 26 days. Tough luck. This is one of his birthday presents.

27 Days of Todd

2011-07-09T15:34:00.001-07:00

I love this picture because you can tell we are both smiling. Todds 27th birthday is right around the corner. I wanted to write down something I love about Todd, or Todd and I every day. Today I was remembering when my obsession with Todd Holman began. It actually started before our first kiss, but our little kiss in the rain sealed the deal. We had been hanging out NON STOP for 2 weeks before Todd kissed me, or I kissed him... we are not exactly positive which was which. It was 11:30 p.m on a weekday and it was time for me to go home from Bryces house (I was only 17 and had a curfew--lame). I HATED that nights ever had to end. So in attempt to stretch our hang out a little longer I called him after I got in my car and asked him if he knew where any good puddles were because it was raining like crazy. He said "ya follow me." So I drove in my car and followed him to a little intersection right behind the Sugar Salem High School. Todd stopped in the middle of the road and got out of his car and came back to my window. He said something to the effect of "well, we are here,something something something" that I don't remember then mid sentence he kissed me... or I kissed him. One of us went 90 and the other went 10, we can't agree on who actually pulled the trigger. Then he pulled me out of the car to jump in the puddles. So with our headlights beaming on us and the rain pourin down we jumped around in puddles, we kissed, we danced, we laughed until Todd reminded me that I probably should go home. I hurriedly jumped in my car and pushed the "2" on my speed dial to tell Kim that he had finally kissed me. Todd just told me a few weeks ago that he called his best friend right up to tell him too. Apparently, Bryce wasn't near as excited as Kim. I think I knew that night that I was going to marry Todd Holman. While he was on his mission I got confused for a minute, but really I always knew. Babe, here's to an eternity of kissing in the rain.

Sunday Walks

2011-07-09T02:08:00.001-07:00

I am convinced that I grew up in the most beautiful place on earth. Most Sundays in the summer and fall around sunset you will find my family walking around what we call “the circle'.” This is a little road that winds through trees and fields and around the river where we live. The boys are always throwing a football back and forth and my parents are always holding hands. I have so many great memories of skipping rocks, racing my brothers or riding on their backs. On one of the trails Hilary and Dan have their initials carved into a tree and on another trail there is a spot where Todd and I spent an hour or two kissing in the woods while we were dating. I LoVe and miss everything about our Sunday walks. Last week was especially awesome because lots of my brothers and sisters were there so we had quite the crew. The weather was perfect and the sunset was beautiful. I hope so much that wherever Todd and I settle down there is a place like this to go with our little family.

Sweet Serenity

2011-07-03T11:49:00.001-07:00

One of those beautiful moments when life is perfect.

Vegas- Girls Style

2011-06-29T14:44:00.001-07:00

Last week we took a little girls trip to Vegas to celebrate one of my BF Jenna's 25th birthday. The lineup included Me, Kim, Jenna, Mallory, Haily and Heather. I had worked 60 hours the week before the trip and I was SOO tired, ya know the tired where you can't stop laughing and everything is the funniest thing you've ever heard--tired. I was this tired the whole weekend, which just made everything that much more fun. I haven't laughed till I cried so much in such a short period of time I don't think ever. The trip started out awesome with us girls packed into the most uncomfortable two door car ever made, jammin to the Spice Girls. Topics included...well never mind probably shouldn't blog those topics. Then we arrived and immediately unpacked and headed for the pool where a man acted like he was reading, but was really listening to our conversations for an hour, he didn't change the page on his kindle one time! We all got ready in one hotel room(think Madison State Basketball minus the red and white paraphernalia)and then went to Recycled Percussion show . We had VIP tickets which included all the free drinks we wanted, so we loaded up on Shirley Temples and watched the show. Jenna got called up on stage and had to wear a cow mask and do tricks with drum sticks. After, we met the band- where the band obviously fell madly in love with all of my friends. Numbers were exchanged and that landed a few of my friends hanging out with them in the Tropicana at 2:00 a.m and that landed me and another friend at the penny slots pretending my name was Star waiting for their pointless conversations about eyeliner and tattoos to end. Their conversations gave us very funny material to laugh about... not a totally wasted hour. After a few blisters in our high-heeled feet and alot of people watching on the strip we called it quits and went to bed around 4:00.

The next days itinerary included alot of pool time! Thanks to a friend we got VIP passes to the Trump pool, we got those cool round sun beds and everything. Once again my friends were flocked with cute boys offering to buy drinks. What a life right? It was times like this where I was INSANELY happy that I was married and I didn't have to bear the awkward flirting. Thank you Todd. Then, after a few hours agonizing over outfits and hair we were ready to hit the strip. We hit up Serendipity, the Sugar Factory and the Miracle Mile Mall. We meandered into the Belagio where once again we were bombarded with groups of boys. This was where the night got FUN! Heather, Mallory and I made it a mission to scare off all the boys by our dance moves, or by our sheer craziness. It was a HOOT! We got back to the hotel and slept for and hour and a half then I had to catch a flight back to SLC so I could work the night shift that night. I literally slept from take off to landing. Mouth wide open and all... can you say exhaustion? I'm fairly certain that I'm coming down with something from lack of sleep, and I'm not sure my feet will ever recover from wearing heels, but it was SO worth it.

I would like to thank the Spice Girls, obese woman at pool #1,CPK, Mayton,our spirit animals, Buzz (our morning waitress), Justin from Recycled Percussion, the Brazilian man at the Belagio (actually he should thank me... thanks to me blowing on his dice a few times I won him 1,000 dollars--exactly like the movies!) the Hard Rock Cafe girls, the Chinese kids car and the midget naughty girl card lady for making our Vegas trip one for the record books!!!

My Dad

2011-06-20T00:05:00.000-07:00

My Dad is my hero. He and I have a very special relationship. I know it's a parents job to make every child feel like they are the favorite, but my Dad does an excellent job of making me feel like his favorite. As long as I could remember I have always wanted to make my Dad proud. The worst memories of my life, are those times when I have let him down. One of the high lites of my wedding day was dancing with my Dad. It brings tears to my eyes every time I think of it, and every time I hear the song "I loved her first." One of the first things I think of when thinking about my Dad is sacrifice. He gives everything to us kids, he worked so hard so that we could have every opportunity we wanted. He doesn't just sacrifice for us, but for others as well. Sometimes my mom will tell us the random things my Dad does for other people. It blows me away how much he gives to others. What energy he doesn't give to his kids, he gives to my mom, then the church and leaves little for himself.He doesn' t have a selfish bone in his body... don't ask where I came from.

I love that my Dad wears cowboy boots,but is a very sophisticated person. I love that on Saturdays we can always count on him to be outside making up some project to do. I love that he always seemed to have an endless supply of 20's in his wallet. I love when he laughs really hard and his shoulders shrug up and down. I love that he is literally a genius-photographic memory and all. I love that he calls me Suzer or Suz. I love that he eats Maverik hot dogs for lunch. I love that he has enough confidence to drive an old green motor home, or the worlds oldest tractor down the highway,especially when he can afford something alot nicer. I love that he treats Todd like one of his sons. I love that he kisses my mom at the top of the stairs every morning and every night. I miss listening to fast strikes on the ten key in his office, (he always worked with the door open even though it was always SO loud around him). I love that I can tell you that at around 7:20 in the morning he is putting his socks on the bottom steps at our house, that 7:30 he's eating bread and jam. Then at around 10:00-11:00 at night he will read the newspaper while we all talk around him, and he usually won't go to bed until the conversation dies down. I miss the routine and the security of living under my Dads roof. I miss his voice, his terrible jokes,his prayers, and miss being happy when he finally got done with church stuff at the end of the day, not necessarily to hang out with him, but just to have him at home. I feel like I was blessed to have the perfect childhood thanks in large part to my Dad. I know no better man on the earth. I love you Dad, more than there are words. You are not just my Dad, you are my friend and my hero. Happy Fathers Day.

Cape Cod

2011-06-17T16:50:00.001-07:00

Ahhh Cape Cod… besides the food, the Cape was,my favorite part of the trip. The beach, the lighthouses, the people. It was perfection. We rode bikes around Provincetown,ate, and saw all the fisherman. It was such a perfect time to go because it wasn’t tourist season, so we had a beautiful beach with a sand dune to climb, all to our self. We also tried to save this creepy unicorn horned crab like creature, but we were unsuccessful because a seagull had eaten off a few of his legs :( I never want to forget how serene it was just sitting on the beach listening to the waves and just being together.

Our Bubble

2011-06-13T00:46:00.000-07:00

There was a guy on the bachelorette that said something that I think perfectly fits Todd and I. It is what I think of Todd and I, but never could come up with the right words. He said something like "I want to live in this un-realistic bubble where we think that we are more in love than anyone has ever been, in the whole world." The minute he said it, I was like that is EXACTLY how I feel. Today that feeling was magnified even more. Todd had to give a talk in church, and I worked the night before and just woke up to go to his talk. The guy before him ended 7 minutes before he was supposed to, so Todd went to bat early and I missed the whole first of his talk. Apparently he had explained this or something to the congregation. When I walked in and sat down he was in the middle of quote and he looked up and saw me and got this huge grin on his face and so "oh hey, there she is...hi and then waved at me." I waved back, and he went right back to his talk. He was giving examples of choices that we had made together, and big dillemas we had gone through and how many nights we would pray together to make the right decisions. At the end he started his last story by chuckling and saying "this story reminds me so much of Suz," the story was about a little girl who bought these darling shoes, but there were a size too small. She bought them anyway because they were so cute (I have been guilty of this on one or more occasion.) I just started up at him with this stupid little smile and SOOO much pride and happiness, thinking he is talking about me! About our life, about choices we have made together. I had no idea what he was going to say in his talk, and felt so flattered that most of his examples included both of us together. It reminded me of his mission homecoming talk when he started his talk off by saying "it's been a great day, I woke up to a beautiful sight, have my family here and..." Me and my family snickered because we knew he was talking about me, we may or may not have fallen asleep together the night before. I knew that day, that I wanted to marry that boy....

Anyways, Todd finished two minutes early and then the bishop asked me to come bear my testimony, which is basically one of my nightmares come true because I looked so homely. The whole walk to the podium all I could think was, I look so gross, oh my gosh I didn't even get ready, I was mortified... Trauma-rauma for sure. But, I pulled it out and was happy there were only two minutes to fill. Todd laughed his head off when I sat down, he knew that it was killing me that I didn't get ready. Afterward a lady came up to us with tears in her eyes and "You two just tear me up, I couldn't stop crying through your whole talk, you two for some reason, just tear me up. I just love you (pointing to Todd) so much, and I don't know you Suzy, but I just am overwhelmed with how much I love both of you." She made my WHOLE day, and made me forget that I stood in front of the whole congregation with little makeup on and my hair in a slick back ponytail.

We spent a perfect few hours together after church before I had to go to work, doing all of our favorite Sunday things. The sun was shining, our sunday dinner was amazing, and I could not have asked for a better day in our Todd and Suzy bubble.

Boston Red Sox

2011-06-10T17:30:00.001-07:00

The Boston Red Sox game was definitely a high light of the trip. Just watching Todd at the game made every singe mile worth it.The stadium was even more amazing than we thought. Every seat was taken, everyone sporting red, blue, and white. Todd said that he was living his dream. When the closer came in the whole crowd went NUTS and starting dancing to some irish song. During the seventh inning stretch the crowd sang “Sweet Caroline” with their own little Boston Red Sox twist. Despite having to watch the game wrapped up in a blanket, and the minor incident that landed us in a police car identifying a dangerous criminal, the night was PERFECT.

Todd and Suzy Road Trip Song

2011-06-05T21:14:00.000-07:00

A few months ago we had this crazy idea,To take a road trip for 8 percent of the year,We packed up our car and slept at truck stops
That freaked us out, so then we moved to hotel parking lots (we even slept at a hospital)Are you technically homeless if you are living in your SUV Don't mock the silk curtains ya we know we look creepy

6200 miles to go, 28 more days on the road.
Oh how I wish this would never end, paid vacation you are my best friend. (thank you BMT)

If the GPS says six plan for an hour after, if your husband has a mouse size bladder, jk babe I would never insult your bladder like that. Specially when this trip has made me so fat. I've gained so much weight that it isn't even funny, when I get home I'm going on that wierd diet with cayenne pepper, lemon juice and honey. ya

3200 miles to go, 16 more days on the road. oh I wish this would never end. Does this really have to end?

We'd like to give a shout out to stuff that was really cool, like parking and tolls and that cop in D.C what a tool, and while we're giving props we've got to thank mother nature, for making it rain everyday on our adventure, But its okay I'm not bitter oh no, it's just lucky I look so cute in a poncho.

1400 miles to go, 6 more days on the road. Oh I wish this would never end, but we're runnin out of money so I guess it has to end. Bummer

Drivin in the rain and feeling so free, just me and him not a single worry. Ball parks and diners, and my feet up on the dash, blink 182 crackers and layin on his lap, ya, waffle house breaking camp and even lame kansas, these are a few things that we are going to miss.

325 miles to go, 1 more day on the road, oh how I wish this would never end, this sure feels alot like Heaven.
Public restrooms
Creepy homeless dudes
Obese Americans, lots of African Americans,
Now our road trip has to end.

Day 6

2011-05-15T21:19:00.000-07:00

Today was a pretty low key day, because it was Sunday. We fulfilled one of Todds dreams of going to a Braves game at Turner Field. The game was won by a homer in the eighth inning. So sweet. We logged five hours of drive time today. I felt so content and happy just laying on Todds lap watching the trees of Carolina pass out the windows. It was a peaceful perfect day. Kind of lame paying four dollars a gallon for gas, but what do ya do. We cracked up at some of the people of Atlanta... some were soo ghetto. We've never seen more gold teeth, or dreads with bandannas in our lives, alot different than the street of Salt Lake. We are getting quick at packing and unpacking our little toaster R.V. I'm sure by day 28 we'll have it down to no time flat. Now it's time to watch a little modern family and settle in. Goodnight from North Carolina. Tomorrow we hit D.C!

Great American Roadtrip

2011-05-14T22:59:00.000-07:00

Greetings from Atlanta Georgia! We are having the time of our lives. In five days we have covered a good part of the country and crossed alot of things off our bucket lists. This country is beautiful, and the people are amazing. We have had fun just hanging out in the car talking, playing the guitar and just being together. These pictures are a few highlights. Unfortunately blogger takes forever to upload, but facebook doesn't. So if you want to follow us, check out our facebooks. Today we changed our plans a little bit and decided to throw over visiting the smoky mountains for an Atlanta Braves baseball game, just a little three hour detour, but so worth it. Atlanta is Todds favorite team. T minus 12 hours till game time. Go Braves. (oh and we are only on day five of our trip, I accidentally put day 8 in Nashville)

Road Trip Day 1

2011-05-11T19:14:00.000-07:00

Day one: 13 hours drive time, 832 miles covered, 4 states, 5 innings of baseball, 4 tanks of gas, 2 minor quarrels about organization (don’t judge us-- I worked all night, and Todd stayed up late preparing) and one AMAZING dinner at Stuebens restaurant later, we successfully made it through our first day. We were tickled to death when everything actually fit in the car. (I have a different outfit for all 28 days) Todd made me a little bed and I slept the whole way to Denver. We fell in LOVE with Denver the second we drove into the city. It looks like you are going to drive straight into the pitchers mound on Coors field. We saw the lights and the people and realized there was a Rockies game going on. We were BEYOND stoked because two home town boys Clayton Mortensen and Matt Lindstrom were in the bull pen. Matt actually pitched an inning and went three up, three down. We went and yelled at Clayton in the bull pen and he waved. I told EVERYONE around me that I grew up with Clayton and that we were really good family friends. It was weird to see him in a Colorado Rockies uniform, instead of the Madison Cats one I grew up watching him in. Freaking CRAZY that he is in the big leagues. Go Morty. After the game we drove three or four more hours until we finally settled down for the night. You could say night one didn’t go completely as expected. We had a harder time fitting everything in the front two seats than we originally anticipated. It was really fun though, plus or minus the part that we were dead tired and I had a minor panic attack because I thought we were trapped in the car, and having to brush my teeth with contact solution. Overall though, day one was awesome. I thought it would be hard to drive that long, but we breezed right through it just chatting and singing the whole way. I can’t wait to see what day 2 holds!Picture to come tomorrow hopefully, 3G can only do so much...

Half way there ...

2011-05-08T05:38:00.000-07:00

The Place

The Graduate (with honors might I add)

The Motivation

The Brother

The Support

5 days to go!

2011-05-04T20:17:00.000-07:00

We have been playing upholsterists for the last few days. Todd had this genius idea to get pads from an upholstery shop cut them to fit the element, and then cover them ourselves. We spent a couple hours figuring out dimensions, a couple hours trying to find the perfect material to cover them with, and a couple hours sewing these little buggers. It was so cute/annoying watching Todd sew the ends together with a needle and thread.. he's such a perfectionist! We are pretty freakin' pleased with ourselves. We even had a mini sleepover in the car when they were finally finished. Seven inch custom mattress with a memory foam topper. You can feel free to stop feeling bad for us sleeping in our car. I'd take this baby over a Marriot bed any day.

Roadtrip Countdown

2011-05-02T00:29:00.001-07:00

We cannot wait to leave on our MONTH long road trip across the country! Every second that Todd isn't studying for finals and I am not working we are busily preparing for our big adventure. We are going to live out of our car for a month like hippies. Showering at truck stops, eating at amazing places, and just exploring the US of A. Rad, right? We have made a custom matress, a custom curtain system, and a sweet clothes hanging device for the big trip. I have spent hundreds of hours planning outfits for everyday, writing out itineraries and mapping out cool places to see. It is very likely that we end up going crazy from driving too long, get blood clots in our legs and can't stand eachother after a month of driving, but I CAN'T WAIT!

Grown Up Stuff

2011-04-28T10:34:00.001-07:00

Being an adult is sometimes awesome. You get to buy whatever treats you want at the grocery store. My treat selection is no longer limited to a goo goo cluster or a can of bubblegum pop at Food Center. Ever since I posted that I spent 46 dollars in groceries one month people have been fascinated with what we buy. I took a picture of our last grocery trip. Swingin' Sour Big League Chew... you betcha. Todd was never allowed to have it as a child because it symbolized chewing tobacco and I only got raspberry sticks when my dad would give them to my mom for her birthday and we would steal them out of her stash. Now that we are all grown up we buy whatever we want! Another successful grocery trip. This food should last at least a week.

Easter Sunday

2011-04-24T22:28:00.000-07:00

"Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!   Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!" Christ the Lord was risen today. Death doesn't win. Hope wins. Christ wins. I am infinitely grateful that Christ lived, died and was risen for us. That he gave Todd and I the ability to be together for all eternity. That we see our grandparents and loved ones again. That we will live again. Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!

Sherrys Marathon

2011-04-21T14:24:00.000-07:00

Sherry finished her first marathon last week. She did the Salt Lake marathon which was awesome because they stayed with us the night before the big race, and Todd got to be there as she crossed the finish line. Todd got choked up watching her cross the line. He was telling everyone that his mom was running it and even drove her to the race at five a.m. I get choked up thinking about him choking up while watching his mom cross the finish line hunched over with blisters on her feet. So so sweet...

I also get a little choked up knowing that my mother-in-law was able to finish a marathon and I literally can't even run a mile. Seriously, I faked a stomach illness when we were supposed to run the mile in Mrs. Steiners 9th grade P.E class. At one point Todd and I decided to be ambitious and went with my brother and his wife to run around the green belt in Idaho Falls, Todd ended up carrying me on his shoulders for half of the run... not even joking I was on his shoulders. I often tell people I have asthma that severely limits my ability to run, or rotate between the "I ruined my knees doing gymnastics" excuse or the "I pulled a hamstring" excuse. None of these are entirely true, or even partly true. for Truth is I'm a morbidly obese girl trapped inside my body and I have a large fear that one day that girl is going to come screaming through and I'll end up being the next contestant on tbe biggest loser (which I watch faithfully every week, Go Hannah!). Maybe someday I'll be able to fullfil a dream and strap one of those cute bold numbers on my stomach and run some race, but until then I'll be so proud and impressed with everyone who runs a race, or runs period. You inspire me.

Waiting for Summer

2011-04-11T16:02:00.000-07:00

Or also, a shameless way to show off the cute shoes and shorts Todd got me :). Its love.

Recycle for Jesus

2011-04-10T16:25:00.000-07:00

Sunday is our favorite day of the week, probably not totally for the right reasons. Sunday always proves to be filled with comedy that keeps us going for the rest of the week. Today there were some real gems in testimony meeting. Our favorite was a woman who talked about how her whole family came down with the flu, and she couldn't help but think today that the gospel was just like that diarrhea that her whole family caught, that it just spreads and people can catch it. I wish I could have captured Todds face.... we were so immature and couldn't stop laughing for 10 minutes! Then in primary we talked about service and what we could do for others, because as we all know "When you are in the service of your fellow beings, you are only in the service of your God." We asked them to write down how they were going to serve Jesus this week. And one little boy raised his hand and said "I'm going to recycle for Jesus" another boy said "I'm going to watch a movie with my mom for Jesus this week." So cute.

We gave our kids packets to fill out during general conference and one boy brought his back with notes he had taken from EVERY SINGLE talk. He wrote down what songs we sang, and had the whole church statistical audit report written down. He took notes on EVERY talk. It just melted Todd and I's hearts looking at that packet in the cutest little kids handwriting. After church we took him a cupcake and told him how much he inspired us. It was so fun to see his little eyes light up when he came to the door.

Now, we get to eat our homemade cafe rio pork, nap, and go for a walk around the park. I love that Sundays are different than any other day. We HearT SunDAys.

Ecuador

2011-04-07T10:29:00.000-07:00

Missing this overcast country today.

Let Me Be Your Missionary...

2011-04-06T12:08:00.000-07:00

SOOOOOOOOO funny.

My Mother-in-law: the rockstar

2011-04-04T01:57:00.000-07:00

This weekend Sherry came to my house after a P.E Teachers conference in San Diego. She was telling us stories of her trip. She told us how she went to a class to learn how to "krump."She explained that she "battled" with other teams while she was krumping. If you don't know what that is, google it. I just couldn't help thinking, I have the coolest mother-in-law in the world. I know that she was probably front and center rockin it out during the Zumba classes she took, and I'm sure all the young girls around her were jealous. She is training for a marathon right now for petes sake! This woman is one of those people you look at and think, man I want to be like her. She is crazy! At the conference she went to she just covered her P.E teachers badge and walked herself right back stage to meet all the important people and celebrities. I'm telling you she is HANDS DOWN the most confident woman I know. So when Todd tells me I remind him of his mom, it is the biggest compliment he can pay me. But, also living up to the high high standard his mom set for me is a daunting task.

I could not have hand picked a better mother-in-law for me. God knew what he was doing when he paired us two up. She is exactly what I need. She doesn't make me feel stupid for not knowing how to make gravy, or set up a tent and never tries to meddle in Todd and I's life. She always tells me I look cute, and is constantly teaching me something new. We get no judging comments from her, just love. From what I hear that is rare in a mother-in-law. I am glad that she taught Todd that it is okay for women to have opinions. Because, our strong opinions are something Sherry and I have in common. I'm glad she taught him to be proud of who he was, I'm glad she taught him to respect and be tender with women, and I'm glad she raised the best man I know. Todd always tells me the stories of just him and his mom hanging out at home, or running errands together. He says that everyone would be sitting around watching T.V and she would always yell for Todd to come help her. He always asked "why do I always have to be the one to help you?" She said, because I know you will always do it. I'm glad she raised such a dependable boy for the both of us. Sherry, I love and appreciate you more I could ever say. You will always be a rockstar in my eyes.

46 dollars

2011-03-31T03:51:00.000-07:00

46 Dollars spent on groceries in March. No, not because I'm amazing at couponing or have a stellar food storage. Just simply because we don't eat, we always forget to eat. Today at 6:00 I asked Todd "What have you eaten today?" He said, "um a couple hand fulls of Swedish Fish." He said "You?" I replied "a couple hand fulls of Marsh mellow Mateys." I thought the days of living off Simply Orange orange juice and toaster strudels ended when I got married... nope.

I feel like now would be a good time to apologize to my future children. I'm sorry that you will always be the kids that have to buy hot lunch. I'm sorry that 80% of our foods may be something pre packaged from Costco, I apologize that you will genetically inherit the need to end every meal with chocolate chips, I'm sorry that I would rather not eat than have left overs and because of that you may go unfed frequently. However I am not sorry that you will not be victims of childhood obesity.

Primary

2011-03-28T10:51:00.000-07:00

Our 9 year old primary kids are the funniest. We LOVE teaching primary. I think I might refuse to ever be released. Yesterday we taught about building our lives on the Rock of the gospel. When we talked about what temptations that they are faced with here were some of the comments "Murder","kidnapping", "killing turtles" and "reading when you aren't supposed to in class"... WoW these kids have some tough challenges to deal with. We told them if they all brought their scriptures three weeks in a row we would have a cake with whatever they wanted on it. So in the closing prayer a little girl named Mckenzie said "bless that we can all bring our scriptures so that we can get a cake and ice cream with something on it." I literally had to bite my thumb as hard as I could not to laugh, and at one point in the prayer I still snickered a little bit. This is the second time this week I have left a church event with bleeding thumbs from biting so hard. I may or may not have had a little laughing incident at the temple the other day.

This picture is of my darling little niece Halle.

Todd Time

2011-03-20T01:41:00.000-07:00

St Patricks day party with our friends,a fabulous shopping spree at gateway, a redbox, banana pancakes,an afternoon nap,nerd ropes and orange juice,an awesome Jimmer game = a great great weekend. The last few weekends we've been all over... actually four states in two weeks to be exact. We've had so much fun, but didn't get much Todd & Suzy time because we were always hangin out with the fam, or we were busy working and going to school. I am SUPER selfish when it comes to time with Todd. I love to have his undivded attention,actually don't function well when I don't get enough of it...think a four year old throwing a fit for attention type of deal. This weekend I got plenty of attention and love, my tank is now refilled and I am a happy happy girl.

I heart rectal tubes.

2011-03-18T05:07:00.000-07:00

Rectal tube = maybe the best invention of the century. Just inserted my 7th rectal tube of my career... I'm thinking about writing a song about them entitled I heart rectal tubes. Awesome. Awesome job. Awesome Life.

My excited boy

2011-03-17T05:03:00.000-07:00

I want to always remember how super stoked Todd was to get his new phone. We have been waiting for a year for our renewal to come up to get a cheaper phone. And today was the day, Todd and I were just chatting away and mid sentence Todd pulls out his new phone with this huge mischevious grin on his face. I apparently didn't remember today was the big renewal day. You would think it was his child he was so proud. He spent 30 minutes briefing me on all of the cool thing it could do. Growing up with a slightly stoic Dad, I really appreciate how Todd wears his emotions on his sleeve. Not in a girly dramatic way, but a always fun and keeps things exciting way.

Vegas, Jimmer and the Knights Inn

2011-03-15T01:38:00.000-07:00

I am very proud to say that we only came out -15 dollars from our Vegas trip. Much better than we have done in the past. This is mostly thanks to Sahara's 1 dollar blackjack tables always being packed and never having enough seats for Todd and I. I'm still super bitter and am thinking about writing a letter. The high lite of the vegas trip was definitely the New Mexico vs BYU, or should I say vs Jimmer game. Jimmer had his career high of 52 points that game. The crowd was crazy, and everywhere you looked there was a number 32 jersey. Todd wore his with pride. All six of us were decked out in BYU gear.I thought of Aunt Pat often, especially when signing the BYU song, thinking of watching her do the raw raw raw part even when she was so sick on the couch. Made me miss her alot.

I thought state basketball last weekend was intense. NO COMPARISON to this game. We were all screaming and jumping and high fiving, and at one point I believe Todd was massaging the shoulders of the construction working UNLV fan in front of us??? At another point Zach was jumping up and down with more enthusiasm then a junior high cheerleader. I have serious concerns that Kellen may have shaken baby syndrome after having been jostled so much during the game. We pulled out a win. We all felt so stoked that we were at that historic game. Todd hasn't stopped talking about it since and finds a way to casually slip it into his conversation with every person he talks to... yes that includes the student loan office from the U.

That night was full of side splitting laughter. Everything was so random, we loved walking around and having strangers yell "Jimmer" and "Go Cougs", we loved being stalked by someone who thought he was Wyatts BF for life, we loved our Cheesecake factory food and the freaky talking gargoyle, we loved the view from the Stratosphere, we loved the BYU Bomber shirts people were wearing, we loved losing 15 bucks in two minutes...okay didn't so much love that part. Then that night, we loved our nice hotel beds. (Except for Dan who had to sleep on the floor)

Vegas day two was full of shopping, and laughing and depression as BYU got worked by San Diego. We ate at the Rio buffet and cracked crab legs and ate gelato till our hearts were content. The casinos were all packed so someone came up with the genius idea to go gamble in Mesquite instead...

Mesquite= more packed than Vegas, and we were all pretty tired since we arrived there at 2:00 a.m. We decided we could drive all the way home that night. After twenty minutes past Mesquite we decided that we couldn't. We spent forty five minutes trying to find the cheapest motel in St George. We did it... we found the cheapest. The Knights Inn baby. It was one of those creepers that you drive up to and that boasts having "weekly rates"--- I'm sure hourly rates too. Not the worst Todd and I have stayed at, but pretty bad. We got to our room to find a suspicious crusted substance on the blankets....so freaking disgusting. So we high tailed it out of there after laughing our heads off and made it to the next town. When the night finally ended at 4:17 a.m. I found myself in a King size bed with Me, Todd, Wyatt and Ashley. I ended up with my hands on Ashleys chest all night, and Todd had two night terrors where I had to prevent him from hitting the others in the bed. Zach, Lyndi and Kellen were only inches away from us on their little cot. We slept for six hours and headed back to real life. That was Todd and I's fifth trip to Vegas and probably the most fun one yet. Gotta Love the Vegas.

State

2011-03-08T03:23:00.000-08:00

State basketball is my favorite holiday besides Christmas. This year we decided not to go because we didn't think anyone in my family was going. Then Todd woke me up on friday more exicited than a kid at Christmas and said "hey get up we are going to state in two hours." Apparently Zach and Wyatt decided to go and there was no way Todd was getting left behind. So we played hookie and off to Boise we went rehashing state memories and writing Todds school papers the whole way. State was actually the first time I met Todd as an adult. He and his friends came with Bryce to our hotel room. Apparently I was wearing a sweater over my swimsuit and gave Todd a very enthusiastic hand shake when I first met him. Yep a handshake.

Anyways state this year was a blast as usual. We surprised my parents and it was fun to see the look on their faces when they saw us. My dad started laughing and said "I thought we might see you here." It's a good thing their hotel had a pull out bed because we crashed with them. The first game was a nail biter and we were all packed into a little gym making it seem super intense. Trademark Dad screaming "WALK" at the refs. Trademark Todd copying Billy Hawkins "YOU BET". Trademark me having an anxiety attack because the game got too close. Trademark Mom jumping up at every three pointer and every good steal or score. I've watched hundreds of Madison basketball games with these people and it really one of my favorite things to do. We shopped, ate really good food and laughed till our sides hurt. Favorite stories were: Wyatt hitting a newborn baby in the head with a basketball, my Dad showing so much drama about a heart pizza, and just remebering past state experiences.

The championship game was so fun. We had to stand in line forever to even get into the Idaho center, it was jam packed. The biggest lead Madison ever had was by 2 points. It was back and forth the whole time. At one point Wyatt screamed "Are You FREAKING KIDDING ME" insanely loud at the ref, at another point Todd picked me up from where I was standing on the row below him and pulled me clear over the chair to the seat by him he was so excited. Little Riley was yelling "Guard number three." My mom was near tears because she was so happy Lincolns friend was out of his shooting rut. When something exciting happened we all high fived eachother. Overtime was pretty intense and then we pulled out the WIN! Zach quoted Billy Hawkins winning speech almost word for word before he said it. Very Funny. This year I would like to thank DENNYS,ZACH AND WYATT, TGI FRIDAYS, COMFORT INN'S ONE PERSON PULL OUT BED, IDAHO CENTER, BORAH FREAKIN HIGH SCHOOL AND THE FIRE MARSHALL OF BOISE COUNTY,BILLY HAWKINS, PEGGY HAWKINS, KYLE BLANCHARD, SCHWABBY, AND THE MAKERS OF TYLENOL EXTRA STRENGTH for making our state experience another one to remember. Winning two out of the four times Todd and I have watched the championships together aint half bad. GO CATS!

Kimberlee Joy

2011-03-02T01:04:00.000-08:00

Kim, Kimberlee, Kimberlee Joy, Kimberlee Dawn, Kizerz, Kimmy, Kimmy Gibbler, KF,Kim Bop,... All names for my best friend who turns 24 today. Kim and I have been best friends plus or minus a few months here and there for thirteen crazy years of our lives. We know each other like the backs of our hands. I talk to her mostly every day. We've spent thousands of hours driving or sleeping in cars, having deep talks, laughing till we cried, actually crying,figuring out our lives our hopes,fears and our dreams. She is one of the first people I call when something really bad or really good happens. She can turn my mood from bad to good in an instant. She knows exactly what will make me laugh. She never takes herself or basically anything seriously, she is always positive and happy, she makes everyone feel comfortable, she makes me feel like I'm a comedian because she laughs at everything I say, next to Todd she is the most humble person I know, she is so forgiving and so unconditionally loving. She is one of those people that would do anything for anyone, and she puts everyone else first. She is my favorite person to be around (minus todd obviously). I love that she has no idea that she is any of these things. I know this sounds like a love letter, but I do love her with all of my heart. Through my whole life I've felt so proud to be her best friend. All through school I loved being the best friend of the most popular most pretty girl in the school. Right now she is reading this and laughing out loud, but it is totally true she was. I wanted to be exactly like her. I wanted her hair cut, her silver jacket that she wore like everyday in middle school, I wanted her handwriting, I wanted her make-up. I idolized her and still do to this day. Our friendship started making spice girl music video's in my parents gym in middle school. We were SuzyKim in high school..One word. We were inseperable, where one went the other followed. We lived together in college and found out who we were. And now here we are thirteen years later. Her trials are my trials, her triumphs are my triumphs, we lean on eachother so much. I love her more than there are even words to say. Kim, I am who I am because of you. You bring so much into my life, and I am unbelieveably grateful that you are my best friend. I know that a friendship like ours is very rare. Happy 24th birthday chica. I wonder what is in store for us this year...?