Endure less, Enjoy more

This sweet quote is on the wall, where I love getting a massage from my friend Britany. This quote reminds me that I need to learn to enjoy my life, even the burdens. This past week has been an unusual tough one. I couldn't imagine that I would ever have to go through so much. But the result has added up to this, small miracles.

After being so sick, I still have my job.
My nieces have been shining stars to me.
Instead of the rush of Disneyland, we'll go to quiet condo in St. George
The sun is shining today.
The world is warmer and brighter as spring is coming out.
I love seeing all the bright colors that the spring clothes and decorations have to offer.
My apartment is slowly being decorated with Easter decorations.
I have learned that my family will help me through anything.

And so much more! :)

As my mom says, make sure you stop and smell the roses.

So there you have it, "So if you're worried and you can't sleep, just count your blessings instead of sheep. And you'll fall asleep, counting your blessings."

xoxo

Taking time to slow down

An unexpected trip to Utah has caused me to slow down and enjoy the summer.

It has made me rethink everything and where I want to be in life.

I say that I'll slow down eventually but things just keep getting busier.

This time I mean it and it started with the help of my brother and sister-in-law.

We took a drive up to Pineview Reservoir just talking and enjoying each other's company.

Then we enjoyed the beauty of the earth around us.

 Taking time to be calm and still, recharging-is what the soul often needs 

when going through a difficult time.

xoxo

Simple Things-Maddi and Aiden

Love these girls.
They are growing up so fast {I know, I say that about all my nieces and nephews}.
I was walking up the driveway at my parents house the other day.
Aiden saw me and started screaming "La la! La la!" really loud.
I'm Auntie La la to her.

The story is that when I was little I kept saying Wee-saw and not Lisa.
My parents then started calling me la la la- Leee-sa, so I could learn my name.

The same has happened with Aiden.
Forget the Lisa part, it's just la la.
Big smile here.

Madeline is smiling and looking all over the place now.
 I can picture her and Aiden running all over the house next year.

Love, love these girls.

"In the eyes of a child . . . there is joy, there is laughter. . . there is hope, there is trust, a chance to shape the future."
~Air Supply

My sweet sister-in-law Jen has a facebook page where these sweet hair flowers are available.
Go and click "like" to support her here!

xoxo

The Simple Things-Bath Time

We were watching Aiden.

She had finished eating dinner.

Of course, she put food in her hair.

I washed out most of it and she was playing.

Then I remember that it would be Sunday the next day.

I then took her upstairs stripped her and into the tub she went.

It was time to become squeaky clean for church in the morning.

But I still hadn't eaten dinner yet, even though I made it.

Kevin came upstairs to the rescue! 

He said that I needed to go eat and that he would scrub her down.

I did start eating and after a few bites, thought, "I should grab my camera!"

I was glad that I did. 

The results?

Bath Time=Happy Time

Every {wo}man has a right to a

Saturday night bath.

~Lyndon B. Johnson

xoxo

The Simple Things-Baby Madeline

I went over to my parents house on Friday and looked at this baby in the eyes and thought, "it's time that we took some pictures."

From there I just scooped her up and took her upstairs to one of my parents' most prized piece of furniture, Great Grandmother Soules' chair. 

Sometimes we feel that we need to have a fancy space to take a picture. When in reality, sometimes home is the best place. If you came over for a visit, my mom would probably tell you about everything that needs to be remodeled. When in fact, her home is lovely even if nothing ever changed.

It's definitely the simple things that matter and are the best. I honestly believe that Great Grandmother Soules would be proud to have these pictures hanging on her wall of her great-great granddaughter lying in her favorite chair. 

A baby has a special way of adding

JOY in every single day.
~Author Unknown

xoxo

Six Words

The question on everyone's mind recently is how I've been able to handle the birth of two nieces and another sister-in-law has announced that she's pregnant with her third.

I'm actually happy because right now we have 16 nieces and nephews, 17 will be even more fun. It won't end there either because I have one brother who still isn't married and so does Kevin. :)

Kevin and I kept a baby box of treasures and things, we gave Jane several of those gifts.

We gave Madeline the crib that our baby would have slept in.

How did I feel about that you might ask?

It felt like these six words in the story below by Ernest Hemingway.

It may be a legend but it goes somewhat like this. Ernest Hemingway was in a pub with some friends one night. Hemingway bragged that he could write a captivating story-- with a beginning, middle, and end--in only six words. 

Many doubted that he could do it and they each bet $10 against Hemingway.

He quickly scribbled six words on a napkin and passed it around. Everyone who read the napkin knew  he had won the bet.

The six words:

For sale.

Baby shoes.

Never worn.

That's how I feel. I decided to give my favorite baby things up because it was too painful to look at. Now I look at them with JOY because a living baby gets to use them. My nieces and nephews are very special to Kevin and I, we can't help but spoil them.

It really puts my heart at ease to see cute baby sheets on the crib.

It'll do me even more good in a few months when Madeline starts sleeping in it.
I'm so happy that I don't have to look at an empty crib.

The harsh memory is erased and replaced by a beautiful one.

I'll have to get a picture of it soon.

We love these baby girls.
They bring me JOY!

Little girls are made of sugar and spice, and everything nice.

xoxo

The Simple Things-Welcome Madeline!

Madeline Erin Soules 6 lbs. 3 oz. 19 inches long born on January 15, 2010 at  8:06 P.M.
Congrats Nate and Jen!!!
Kevin and I are so proud to be her Aunt and Uncle.

We're happy that you finally came to join our family. 

A baby is sunshine and moonbeams and more brightening your world as never before. ~Author Unknown xoxo

Saying bye to my Buddy

I decided to post one of Mark's favorite songs, just for old time sakes. If you haven't heard it, it's awesome! Everything is about Mario Kart, the only Nintendo game I could ever beat my brothers at. So enjoy and here's to Jonny Mark! :)


xoxo

#13 A Family Dinner

 

So my wish in having a family dinner and helping to plan one was not far off in the distance. Kevin's family had a huge dinner that included almost everyone! It was so sweet because my mother-in-law Sue was sealed to her parents! Also several ancestors were finally sealed to each other as well. The spirit was very special in the sealing room.

The best part of this was that the kids met us after the session. We took a picture with everyone! Brian and Steph flew in from North Carolina, Nate and Rachel flew in from Philadelphia. It was so great to see everyone! I must say that it was quite the party! :)

xoxo

A New Year, A New Beginning

While our year has not been as challenging as some, we are definitely looking forward to a more exciting year. As anyone reading this blog already knows, we are expecting a new addition to our family in September. While preparing for a new baby will definitely be a challenge, it will also be the most exciting and happiest time of the year for us. I guess that's how life goes most of the time. I am currently reading The Other Side of Heaven, which is a good reminder about the important things in life. Sometimes I am envious of those living a simpler lifestyle, free of the pressures of the society in which we live. I will definitely work this year on focusing on those simpler, more important elements of life. Welcoming the newest member of our family should help us recognize what is important and keep a larger perspective of life. We'll see if this resolution lasts past February, but keeping a focus on the basics of life would definitely help to keep from getting caught up in the challenges of modern life.

--Kevin

We're expecting!

The word is out! We're expecting our first baby! Not too much of a surprise since this baby was planned, but really exciting! The baby is due in September! I'm so thrilled to become a new mom.

It's really interesting how things have worked out. I started working full time at Lexington Law Firmbecause my pell grant wasn't able to go through for tuition. Realizing that student loan interest rates are at so high right, it just wasn't the way to go. Little did I know that what may have been a long time to get pregnant only was a few months, so YAY! Good timing.

We're very happy and as you can tell, my list of JOY includes much of the little baby that is growing inside of me. :)

xoxo

JOY!

Finally, as promised the new and improved blog! I have decided to name my blog joy after all the sad things that have happened in 2009. I received WAY too many Christmas cards that said something like this. "2009 was the worst year, we lost our house." "My husband is unemployed right now, but we're making the best of things." This is just all TOO sad for me!

Granted there have been WONDERFUL things that happened in 2009 and I am thinking that in 2010, let's focus on what's bringing in the JOY!

For example, I can name a few right off:
-Kevin and I getting married
-Aiden being born
-our trip to Oregon
-Mark getting his mission call to the Philippines
-my parents on the choir tour
-surprise date to the King Singers

and the list goes on . . . .

So let's not have life be depressing, make it JOYFUL!!! Time to focus on JOY!

Here's the challenge:

I am making a list of a hundred joyful things to do in 2010. I've almost finished my list which will soon be on the sidebar and every time one joyful item is checked, I'll write to everyone about it!

Here's to JOY! :)

xoxo

Time for a makeover

I'm sad to say that I haven't been able to keep up with our blog like I wanted to. Good news is that it's still here even though I've been way to busy with finals, work and Christmas! Crazy, how time escapes! I think it's time for a makeover. I'm not sure if I'm going to keep my blog here on google or not but as always, I'll keep everyone posted. You're in for a surprise as I've been taking some fun pictures with my Nikon D60 (my baby) with my portfolio finally growing. I'm starting this weekend with some baby pictures. Let's hope one week year old Carson is up for the task at being the first! Then, I'll try to get in the rest of the nieces and nephews. We now have 14 total. It'll be great! If you need anyone who wants some pictures (it's always fun to get extra ones around Christmas) let me know, and I'll be happy to take them for free while I have a break from school! :)

xoxo

Strangers in the Night

It's been so much fun being married! So it is no surprise that when Kevin turned 22, I planned a special night. It wasn't much since we both had school that day but dinner at the Roof and cake afterwords, sounds pretty good to me. Now the question that is in everyone's mind might be, "How could they afford it?" Yes, our rent may be only $450 a month, but with the prices rising of everything everywhere it may seem a little extravagant.

With my luck, a few weeks before that my friend Ashley called from Handi Quilter saying that there was a lady who was having problems with her machine and could only speak Portuguese. I told her no problem and began looking up a few quilting words in my beloved yellow dictionary. After a few hours later, problem solved with broken small spring, everyone was relieved. It was fun to speak to someone from Brazil but as to why she moved to Canada I will never know. A few days later a gift certificate came in the mail to the Roof. How thoughtful!

It came in perfect timing. As we were in the car to the restaurant, Kevin announced he had found our song. I laughed and said that our wedding is over, but wanted to hear what he had thought of anyway. He started singing Frank Sinatra's "Stranger's in the Night." I smiled and thought of our first date. It was perfect! We fell in love before the night was through!

I love you more Kevin! Thanks for such a wonderful evening!

xoxo

First Day of Fall

I have been ignoring the signs of fall because who wants summer to end? Definitely, not me. But I couldn't help thinking while doing some compositional pieces for my photography class, that fall is really here.

It's peaking in the leaves and the stores are decorating with dark colors. There's also extra candy piling up for Halloween. How time has creeped up on me. I even wore a sweater for the first time yesterday. I am not ready for it to snow and am still against wearing a coat for sure. But there is something magical about this time of year when the leaves change and colors come out in my world.

xoxo

Word Photos

This semester I started trying to take more of a serious approach to college. I've never taken anything really seriously in college but watching Nathan graduate did something. I never thought I would graduate college and for the most part, didn't even plan on it. This is even after my persistent parents, extended family (especially my grandmother), and even my husband. I felt no passion and drifted through my classes. But this year something is different.

The familiarness of campus and smells of fall, it has all changed. I was so inspired by my teacher last semester while taking the Editing Process. We were on our last project of the end of the semester. Being the amazing teacher that Gus is, he let us make a cookbook! It was so fun! I was actually really sick during this project so I did not hear what was going on in class, but I had fun doing my part of the book in my pajamas. My recipe was one from Brazil (not surprising) and I was flipping through my pictures from my mission to use for our book. I found a ton! What was even better was that these pictures were publishable. Gus loved it!

So there you have it! My focus has been to do something I love. Photography! While I'm not a professional, we all start somewhere. I'm taking the steps to also keep up in all areas of communications, but this has caught my eye. Also, much thanks to my supporting husband to not freak out when I told him how much my camera cost.

These pictures are just a start. Enjoy!

xoxo

Daddy's Birthday

I'm really grateful for my dad. He's the one who's been standing up for me lately and life would be such a headache at times, if he weren't there to be the hero. There are so many things that I wish I could repay him for, but I know that I will never catch up.

He was the one when Kevin wanted to use the art museum for our reception, convinced my mom that it would be okay. He reaffirmed me that it would all work out. He was the one who laughed with me when we realized we forgot the cake topper and also the one to pay for almost everything.

Daddy was the first one to visit the run-down apartment in Salt Lake and to then come back and say let's redo the whole thing. It was going to be another project for us, just like we do every year and that it was no big deal.

He was first one to say it's okay to move out and stay with them when Kevin found the mold in the walls. He also didn't want me being sick all the time.

He was then the first one to get really excited when Kevin and I found our new apartment and gave his approval. He was the first to offer moving stuff and also to give up his own stuff so I could be comfortable as possible.

Daddy was the one to be willing to wait for me to get off of work and then drive 3 hours up to Bear Lake and still stop for ice cream in the middle of the drive, just because I wanted some (We didn't get there until after midnight). He was the one to pay to rent an expensive boat because I thought it would be fun (It was a blast!!!).

And the list continues. . .

I only hope that I will be like him! Giving up his own dreams so others can have theirs and being there for his family.

I love my Daddy!!!!!

So when it came to his birthday, Kevin and I couldn't resist buying an oreo ice cream cake! :)



xoxo

Together :)

I stole this from Jen and thought why not?
♥What are your middle names? Dawn and Robert
♥How long have you been together? If you count the mission in between 3 years and 5 months
♥How long did you know each other before you started dating? We didn’t know each other. Blind date!
♥Who asked who out? Kevin. He was desperate.
♥How old were each of you when you started dating? I was 20 and Kevin was 18.
♥Whose siblings do/did you see the most? Mine by far.
♥Do you have any children together? Not yet.
♥What about pets? Someday.
♥Which situation is the hardest on you as a couple? Having to find mold growing in our apartment and then having to move into my parents’ house. Finding a new apartment has also been difficult.
♥Did you go to the same school? Just college.
♥Are you from the same home town? Nope, I’m from Dallas, TX and Kevin’s from Bountiful.
♥Who is the smartest? Kevin. He’s the one applying for MIT.
♥Who is the most sensitive? Me for sure.
♥Where do you eat out most as a couple? I’d say Noodles and Company. Hooray for great pasta!
♥Who has the worst temper? We both are pretty calm.
♥Who does the cooking? We take turns! It makes it fun and surprises the other!
♥Who is more social? Me, I’ve definitely dragged Kevin to many of my friends parties.
♥Who is the neat-freak? Me, I get it from my dad, at times because my room is still not clean.
♥Who is the more stubborn? Kevin, he plays it tough.
♥Who hogs the bed? Kevin, he likes his space and most of the blanket. It’s funny!
♥Who wakes up earlier? Kevin. I hate early. Kill early.
♥Where was your first date? Sigma Gamma Chi winter formal at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts
♥Who has the bigger family? Kevin. Youngest of nine.
♥ Do you get flowers often? Sometimes.
♥How do you spend Christmas? We’ve never spent Christmas together as a married couple but last year it was Christmas Eve with my family and Christmas Day with Kevin’s.
♥Who is more jealous? No one, happy to not have that issue!
♥How long did it take to get serious? Second Date
♥Who eats more? Kevin by far. The key to men is their stomach.
♥Who does/did the laundry? Kevin started out doing the laundry because I refused to go down to the basement in the house in Salt Lake. Now that we’re at my parents, I do the laundry.
♥Who’s better with the computer? We both are really good. Probably Kevin though because he could tell you all sorts of engineering things that I can’t.
♥Who drives when you are together? We both drive. It just depends because sometimes I am too lazy to want to move the mirrors and seat after Kevin has driven.

I tag...

whoever is bored like I am! ;)

xoxo

Time flies!!! And finally an update.

There has been so much going on that it is really hard to believe, that it's July! Right now, I believe has been the busiest ever!

So here's a short recap:

Nathan graduated from the University of Utah in Public Relations. David McColough was the speaker. It was really neat! Congrats Natey!!!

Christina (Kevin's sister) threw a fun Jones Family bridal shower.

My Aunt Rebecca threw a wonderful Filipino family dinner! It was AMAZING!!!



Kevin and I were married on May 22 in the Bountiful Temple.



We spent a week on our honeymoon starting out at Castle Creek Inn (highly recommended), went to a quick Jones Family swim party and drove to Nauvoo. We also went to Adam-Ondi-Ohman, Independence, Liberty, Far West, Carthage and Winter Quarters. We spent most of our time in Nauvoo with the "Trail of Hope" ending at the Mississippi river being our favorite part. There is a special spirit in that beautiful city.

We also loved the temple and were able to do a session. It is really pretty inside and decorated to what it originally was. I thought it was neat how the bride's room really looked like a pioneer dressing room.

After we came home, it was time to get back to work and move. But with Brian and Steph needing more time, we stayed with Kevin's parents. It got exciting and (still is) as we only had the bed set up.

Later that week it was my mom's birthday!!!




Then we threw a baby shower for Jen. We were especially happy that Memere was still there to join in the fun! She helped me decorate and shop for everything. We then had some quiet time to catch up and she told some great stories about my dad.


Next up Mark's graduation! Congrats Buddy!!! I wasn't able to go because I was at work but it looks like fun! Next up for Mark is the mission. :)



After all of this, Kevin and I had our first date as a married couple. We went to California Pizza Kitchen (thanks Rob!) and headed for a late showing of Up. What a cute and perfect movie to see on our date. We're finding out that it's really hard to go out as a married couple so the late night dates seem to work best.

Finally but definitely not the end. Aiden came!!!

Introducing

Aiden Nicole Soules 7lbs. 8oz. June 17, 2009 8:50pm

I'm so happy to be an aunt! It's great to finally have Aiden here. It was so funny right before she was born, Kevin and I went over to Nate and Jen's to watch a movie. We put Katelyn to bed and they asked if we could go for a walk (just around the apartment). We said yes, with the plan that we would end up at 7 Eleven for hot chocolate or slurpees. When Jen said, "walk" we were thinking that this was going to be a nice stroll. No way! She was ready for that baby to come out! Man, we were walking so fast, I was tired and I was not the pregnant one. Thank goodness, that hot chocolate stop came quickly as Jen needed to stop.

Luckily, Aiden was born at the right time! She came after I was already after work and before we made dinner. After a quick stop at Wendy's to bring food to Jen and Smith's for balloons, we saw the latest Soules Family member! We are officially 9! :)

We stayed with Nate and Jen until about 11 at the hospital and were exahusted. To then wake up about 3:30am to take my parents to the airport. They are on the choir tour seeing MidWest. After we crashed, once we headed over to their house.

We've now been staying at my parents house for almost 2 weeks. Father's Day was a little different having my dad gone. Kevin made a fun Mexican dinner using receipes from his mission. It was really great!

After, we went to go see Kevin's dad who had barely come back visiting family in Indiana. Then, we went to go congratulate the newest daddy! It was fun going to see Nate! Some of Jen's family was there too helping with the new baby. Can't wait for my dad to come home! We'll have to celebrate with him the next Sunday after he comes home.

For now, that pretty much covers it. Things are still going on and at a very fast pace. Somewhere between all of that there was still more. My mission friend Mike and Blakelee were married. Vannessa Burnett had a baby shower, she's also having a girl. We went to a Bennett family party up in Morgan. We went with Mark and his friend Jen to the U2 laser light show at the Clark Planetarium. I think I am a little worn out. There's always something going on! :)

xoxo