Jared

This has been what i have seen since jared has started school this semester..

I am so lucky to have him, he works so hard.. 

i am grateful for my best friend.. 

Life is not always what we think it will be, but jared is everything i could ask for and more..

thank you jared for working so hard in school and taking care of me..

i could not have survived in nursing school without him..

He keeps me sane, full of hope and always laughing..

i never thought marriage would be so much fun!!

Summer is close, i can feel it

nothing says spring like cute babies in swimming diapers threatening to jump into the deep end!!

i have been busy trying to get caught up with the editing i have to do.. Here is a LONG post of pictures. Some are from St George and swimming at my parents and others are from Sunday walks, flowers, and people we love.. Enjoy.. sorry its so long... these two love the water, the sun, and hanging with their grandparents!

these two are excited to share start their lives together.. so till i take engagements and wedding pictures i will snap shots for a wedding video.. these two are excited to share start their lives together.. love is in the air...

blossoms are out!

nothing is better than friends that are like family.. i love these guys like they are my flesh and blood..

Lets have an amazing Spring/Summer!! I am so grateful for sunday walks, family, friends, beautiful weather, babies, and the feeling of a new beginning spring brings.. I hope everyone has an amazing spring/summer!! 

Losing a angel, gaining a testimony...

I was excited to have a weekend with no clinicals, work or other worldly obligations. It was Easter Sunday, conference weekend and my family was celebrating my birthday.. It was a much needed weekend. School is emotionally draining and work is as well.. I finally had time to spend with my husband, mom, dad, and family.. I was more than excited to go to my brothers and spend the day doing nothing but talking, baking and playing with my ADORABLE nieces and nephews. I had an amazing day. I was able to invite my sister and brother in law to come play with my family, and introduce them to the chaos i call HOME..I was fed spiritually on the drive up listening to conference. I listened to the words of the prophet and our wonderful leaders. The talks of Easter touched my heart. I thought of many that had passed before me. I can not wait to be reunited with the loved ones i have lost and i am so grateful for the truths i have. The Lord was close this weekend and i felt His love for us. I left my brothers house feeling a new love for life. I had been fed spiritually that day. I felt a new hope and a new determination to finish out this semester. I have an amazing husband who does EVERYTHING!! Jared is so kind and patient. My emotions were at peace that Saturday night as i went to sleep. 

Sunday morning i was so excited to wake up to Jared, start some church music, clean the house and make breakfast before Conference started. Such beautiful messages were shared. After we watched the first session we went to his sisters and brother in laws house. We there enjoyed the second session of conference and a beautiful Easter meal. While i was watching conference i got a text from my bestest cuz Mindy. She told me her sweet sister sara was not going to make it through her surgery. Sara had a tumor on her brain. She had surgery already but was rushed into emergency surgery due to complications. Tears streamed down my face. Sara is the mother of 5 beautiful kids. She is married to Brad who is one of the most amazing guys i know. Sara passed away Easter Sunday evening. She returned home to our Heavenly Father. My heart ached as i knew my family must be hurting. I called my mom to share the news and cried with her. I am going to st george on thursday after my nursing classes to go to Sara's funeral. She was truely an Angel, and will be missed. you can read her obituary HERE.. Mindy put her obituary on her blog. 

This has been a trying year so far. This is the 4th death of someone close to me this year. I have grown in my testimony that i know Families are FOREVER. I am grateful for the truths i have been taught. I am grateful for the simple things in life right now. I have a little brother who is serving the Lord and is so amazing!! I am grateful for the chance i have to call my mom anytime of the day and to talk as much as we want. I am grateful for an amazing husband who helps me be a better person. I am grateful for the Lord, for sacrificing His life for us. I know that anything i am encountered with can be over come with the Lords help. I am so grateful for my amazing family.. I know i say this a lot, but i have the most amazing parents!! They are truly amazing.. I feel as if i have been given a new out look on life. time to focus on the positive, endure to the end and LOVE it, stay close to family, and NEVER forget the Savior loves us and is willing to help if we just reach towards Him.. I am going to love all the moments i have.. Cherish the moments with my family and remember the simple things in life are truly what make us happy... till we meet again Sara..

Happy Birthday Miriam

I just want to let you know that I love you!  You are by far the best wife I could ever have asked for.  My dreams could not even begin to describe a woman as incredible as you.  It has almost been a year and though we have had our hard times we have been able to get through them and move on to a greater happiness than before.  Thanks for all that you have done for me! You truly do complete me in all ways.  I am so excited for when we are parents and you and I can have little children of our own.  Thanks for keeping the house clean and cleaning the bathroom because I hate cleaning the bathroom.  Thanks for blowing out your brains over school.  Thanks for letting me into your life.  Thanks for helping me with my math even though I am yelling at you.  Thanks for being an amazing cook.  Thanks for helping me to keep the standards of the church in our lives.  Thanks for teaching me the better way to do laundry.  Thanks for being so kind to me and for loving me for all that I am.  I have know idea how it is that I have you as my wife, except by the grace of God but, just know that I love you and am so proud to have you as my wife.  I show your picture to everyone!!
 Love, Your husband

Good bye Elder...

The day is finally here for my little brother.. Jordan has been working on this goal for 4 years and today he is entering the MTC.. I am so excited for him, sad yes, but mostly excited. Jordan is going to serve the Lord in the Montana Billings Mission. I am waiting for my parents to come get me so i can go with them to take him to the MTC.. He is going to do great... I think the hardest will be for my nieces and nephews, as he is their official "Nanny". He is going to be missed but we are so proud of him!!! See you in two years Elder Ika!! I love you!!

Can you tell he is LOVED?

Uncle Jordan with his fan club!! 

These are our nieces and nephews, maybe there will be more when he gets home!!! 

dreaming...

   As i sit here in English, freezing, wearing 3 shirts, shoes and socks ( i never wear shoes, let alone socks), i can not help but think of my favorite place to be.. In the water, swimming my heart out. There is a peace found in the water. The warmth of the sun, feeling of being weightless, and escaping from the world is where i long to be. Will this weather ever come? Will i have time to escape? I wonder..

the littlest Ika

my wonderful sis in law gave me the chance to get out and practice with my camera. I took this adorable lil man with me to salt lake. We were going to go to a play ground but the weather was awful so we improvised. To my delight it was not snowing in salt lake so we got a chance to take some pics outside.. This is our youngest nephew and he is all smiles all the time.. As soon as he noticed the camera was on him an instant smile spread across his face. He was a delight and was so fun to take pics of!! enjoy!!

 As you can tell he is adorable and is the cutest lil man! He is named after his amazing papa's and makes them proud to have their names carried on..