a shock!

One Thursday morning at the end of June, Nate called me about thirty minutes after he had left to go to work, to tell me that he had some good news and some bad news. Anticipation and a bit of fear caught my throat. "What"? I said. "I was laid off of my work this morning" he said. My heart sank. "But" he said, "I have three months severance pay". Even though the shock of hearing this news was hard for me, I was lifted by hearing the tepid optimism and hope in his voice. Even though I knew he wasn't excited to hear that he had lost his job, I knew he was relieved and grateful that he had given it his all while he was there. Later we found out that Goldman's stocks had halved in its second quarter, leaving them the option of having to lay off some of their newer workers to cut costs. I'm grateful though that we are not stressed about money since we are out of debt, have a little money saved up, food storage :), and have been paying our tithing. In times of crisis, it is so good to feel that things will be okay, that we have been prepared for this time, that we have incredibly supportive family and friends, and that this gives us a chance to reflect on all of our blessings. Nate is looking for a new job and taking another look at the future. Does this justify my hopes for a new President in November? Yes it does :). Nate says that he's doing his part to help the Romney campaign right now, by being unemployed.

Although leaving our lovely apartment and wonderful ward and frends in Salt Lake was difficult for both of us, we are grateful forever, for that wonderful chapter of our lives that we had together. That is where we began our lives. Now we have a chance to build on that. We are grateful to be living now in my parent's 'big' apartment. Mason is grateful that he gets his own room, and doesn't have to sleep in the dining room anymore :). I hope we can stay in touch with some of our dear friends there. We will always cherish those memories that we had in the Avenues.

one of my sweet memories there

My wonderful parents and brother came with their truck and van to help us move

Mason had to say goodbye to his cute friend Kensington

exhausted after moving our stuff all day :)

1st Father's Day!

When I married Nate, I was in love with him. Watching him be a Daddy, however, has taken that love to a whole new level. Being a Dad I'm sure isn't always a piece of cake. He has had to be patient in sharing some of my attention, being patient through Mason's crying at times, and feel an extra burden of providing and caring for his family. He does it though, because he has a big heart...and that's a big reason why I married him.
I love it when Nate gives Mason a kiss good bye in the morning when he goes to work. I love it when Nate gives him a bath, or changes his diaper, or takes him on a walk. I love it when he holds him and smiles. I love it how Nate is able to make him laugh by being silly. I love the songs he comes up with..like "bum, bum, stinky stinky bum, stinky bum". I love it when he wrestles with him. I love it when Nate talks to him like a grown up...and has Daddy/son talks....and excuses me until they are done....because what they are talking about (like girls Mason has a crush on) is personal. I love it when Mason lights up when he sees his Daddy walk through the door after a long day at work. I love it when Nate talks about how cute his little boy is. I love it when Nate reads to him or prays with him. Nate is a sweet Daddy. It is in his nature. However I also owe a lot to his sweet Daddy, for being in ideal Daddy to Nate.
I also can't help but love my own Dad more and more every day and feel so grateful for his unique gifts and talents. I loved going with my Dad wherever he went and asking him any question in the world. I loved feeling so special when I was around him. I am my daddy's girl, no doubt about it. So to Nate, his Daddy, my Daddy, and all the daddys around the world...Happy Father's Day!

end of spring 2012

Jen took this pic which I love...cherry picking days at the farm

Nate wins again :) (Thanks Michelle!)

Mason's first bath sitting up. Epic!

Happy Birthday Liz and Hannah!

Liz, my sister, and Hannah my niece

Liz's big 40

a few of the nieces and Josh

'Springville Days' with Bob and Jacobie

Last Saturday inbetween my violin teaching, and Katie's harp recital and Liz and Hannah's birthday party, Nate and I got to spend some time with 'angel Bob' and 'angel Jacobie'. We've made a rule to always put "angel" in front of their name...because to us, they are. They are the ones who got us together. Nate says that if our kids ever talk about them, they have to put the word "angel" in front of their names :). Jacobie is a cellist with me in the Orchestra at Temple Square, and her husband Robbie (or Bob) was one of Nate's best friends in highschool.

As part of 'Springville Days', we went through a little of the Springville Art Museum, and then drove to Springville highschool's nearby park where they had a Carnival. This place is significant for me and Nate because this is where we say we sort of "fell in love". It was our 3rd date, we were at 'Folk Fest' with music groups from all over the world performing their folk music. It was SUCH a great date, we were with our friends Bob and Jacobie on that date as well. Two years later, and we were back at the spot with Mason and Revinia who apparently are becoming good friends as well.

a visit from Jen

Mason and I loved getting a visit here at our apartment from Jen (my brother Rich's wife). It was so fun just to go on a walk with her, talk...and catch up on life. I just love her, and Mason does as well...as you see.

A weekend with the Krzymowski Family

Sunday through Tuesday we got to spend with my sister Amy and her family. She is my oldest sister and I am the youngest (sixteen years apart), yet somehow I have always felt a strong connection with her. Maybe it's because she took me on some of her dates growing up, or because she sent me a gift for my 5th birthday while she was on her mission, or maybe it's because she was my first violin teacher and would practice every morning with me. She has always had confidence in me and in my talents (even more than I had in myself), and would always encourage me to audition for things like the Nauvoo performing mission, and the BYU violin performance program. I have always been grateful to Amy for setting the standard of excellence for us as siblings and for always encouraging, supporting, and loving us. Nate had never been to her home in Roosevelt, so he had also been wanting to go for a while. We were hoping to see my other sister Emily who lives there also, but they were in Colorado Springs attending the baptism of my sister Ramona's daughter, and meeting her new baby boy Adam. Both of their husbands are Doctors in the hospital there. There isn't a lot in Roosevelt, but I found that there are a lot of great people. My favorite part was just spending time with my sister and getting to know their kids better. It was such a fun yet relaxing vacation.

Abbey (her oldest daughter) made the most delicious dinner for us on Sunday night

Athena (the goddess of wisdom) - whom Amy says reminds her the most of me when I was a little girl

Anna (the second daughter) with Mason

Anna with Mason, and Abbey with Stephen (their youngest)

Stephen and Mason - one man who we saw on the street thought they were twins :)

at one of their favorite picnic spots

Athena, Eva, and Henry taking a bath

Mason and Daddy "wrestling" :). Mason loves it!!!