Monday, March 31, 2008

Sunee


This is our toilet, or water closet in Paris. Notice the handle on the top right. Sunee is in front, right, with my face directly behind her. We were seeing how many people we could fit in the closet.

Sunee and me outside of our room in Paris, just arriving home from a Halloween party.

Sunee is in the middle


My cousin Sunee just left. We had a visit full of talk about our bodies, our spirits and how that all comes together to make us who we are. We went to France, actually Paris to be exact, for six months together. I learned better how to be kind and thoughtful. I was a pretty self centered 20 year old at the time. She, on the other hand, had learned a few more lessons than I, which I was grateful she shared through example.
This morning we ate eggs together because we both have sugar problems and need protein in the morning. Then we sat on Ben's favorite couch in the corner and laughed and cried about getting more balance. For example, she does yoga and even showed me a wonderful move, encouraging me to get upside down more often. "Can you still do a handstand?" "Sunee," I said, "I could never do a handstand." "Well, how about cartwheels?" She, the ever graceful ballerina, and me, well I was the tomboy who preferred playing basketball or softball. She would do amazing ballerina moves in our tiny room on Rue Layfayette while I struggled to stand on one foot.
Do you know people that you haven't seen for awhile but then you get together and it was like you had never been apart? Sunee does that for me. Elle est tres bonne!

Saturday, March 29, 2008

Eli Again





I am working on the focus thing but I know you are all pretty much wanting to see more pictures of Eli. As soon as Ashley gets a wee bit more sleep I am sure tons more will come. But until then.....

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Eli's Visit to Grandma and Grandpa's House!




Lucky me! Eli visited all day today and was in a very jolly mood. What a treat! Yes, that is Ashley's scowl.

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Happy Birthday Olivia!


We are so excited to have you a part of us. Much love on your birthday!

Saturday, March 22, 2008

Hooray! Eli has arrived with a bang!







I let Ashley keep my camera for bath time so sorry photos are late in coming. I know Ashley and Brian will have many more but until they have time to show you their amazing son here are a few photos. He is a beauty with terrific lungs!

Friday, March 21, 2008

She is Still Smiling


Eli wants a little more ripening! Maybe this weekend--Easter is the perfect time for a new birth.

Thursday, March 20, 2008

The First Day of Spring


So, one day in church I was reverently taking the sacrament when I was distracted by one of the priest administering. Our eyes met and my heart leaped. Yes, this is all true. I knew then there was something more than friendship although that didn't happen for another seven years. So from the beginning God was there in our relationship. That is the best thing about Kurt is that God is there with him. And I am so blessed he invited me to join him. It has been a great threesome. Happy Birthday to my best friend!

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

A Day At The Dills




As you can see Ryan was always cooking something for us, as well as Katy.


Adorable Azure

Outlandish Olive!

Delicious Divine!

Pondering Pearl

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Monday, March 17, 2008

Olive



Such an angel face

Yes,Olive, we're still here.

I feel deeply in love with Olive on this last trip. What's not to love, right?

Sunday, March 16, 2008

How Does a Baby Know When to Come?


Yes, I was shocked too that Ryan couldn't tell the difference between Ashley and me.

Ashley and Brian on the beach in Jacksonville


Can you imagine receiving your body for the first time? What must it be like? Here we are waiting for another member of the family. We don't know what he will look like or act like but we do know he will love us, especially his parents. And for the parents (as well as the grandparents, I might add) it is instant love for them also. Ashley has the added blessing of having a relationship all ready--for she is at one with Eli--bone of her bone, flesh of her flesh. Brian, I know you too have been talking with Eli and feeling the kicks and creating a relationship too and without you we know this wasn't possible. But I can't explain this physicalness of pregnancy and birth. It goes back to the holy and messy theme again, a constant reminder of spiritual and physical. You sacrifice your body, yes. More than that you sacrifice all that you are for a time to nurture this new little body. How does he know when to come? Science hasn't figured that one out yet. Maybe God will keep it a secret. But we are ready!

Saturday, March 15, 2008

Doing What Comes Naturally


In our camera I found this photo that Katy took on the beach in Jacksonville. It is a visual reminder that with dear Olivia home and the talk of marriage with Ben, we are going back to it just being the two of us. I am overwhelmed at the blessings that have come our way the past 32 years and wonder where the time went. Four daughters bringing children to this world with changes and moves for so many of you I realize life is never static. When you were all young and it was wild and crazy at home I would dream of life slowing down. And it slows down in all right areas and speeds up in other parts of my life. I like those changes and change is good. I want to thank for you coming on this ride of life with us and bringing along such great spouses and grandchildren. As obsessed as we are about the visual, I want you to know I am more obsessed about the spiritual. When I was deciding to marry Kurt my only plea to Heavenly Father was that Kurt put Him first and remain true to the covenants we were about to make. Of course, it has been a fun ride but God and Kurt have remained true to that plea. And the reason that was so important to me then as it is now is because that promise kept makes a difference in your life as well. Thank you all for continuing to keep that promise in the lives you are leading now and for helping keep a very young woman's plea for God to always be apart of her life. I love you all.

Saturday, March 8, 2008

Does New York Seem Like a Blur?


Today we got the New York Magazine in mail with this title: The Best Of New York. That is the great thing about New York--it is never static, there is always something new to see and experience. We should do it again.
PS Happy birthday Brian, you did a swell job of eating fast in NYC!