Emily's First Video

Emily was born June 22nd at 12:08 a.m. At birth she was 8 lbs. and 21 1/2 inches.

Brook and the New Arrival

Brook didn't take long to warm up to the newest member of the family.

What does a pregnant graduate do?

Since graduating and having more time on my hands lately I have found that I need to more than just play with Brook, clean the house and find a job.  I have decided to act on all creative thoughts that I have and start, well, creating!  I am working on painting a dresser for baby girl #2 (pictures to follow when done); I have started to make cards for people in the ward that help us out (the first bunch was for the nursery ladies because they make it possible for Josh and I to actually sit through RS, EQ and SS); and the one I am sharing now is my sketchbook.

"Inspiration"shares the same root word as the Spanish word "inspirar".  Inspiration means "a divine influence directly and immediately exerted upon the mind or soul".  Inspirar means "to inspire" or, my personal favorite, "to breathe in or inhale".  Combine the two: "a divine influence directly and immediately breathed in and exerted upon the mind or soul."  How often to we let ideas in just as we let breath in?  How often to we let those ideas express themselves through the inspiration we've been given?  In other words, how often to we ACT on our inspiration?  This is me acting on mine.  Louise Hay said that creativity, inspiration, "if you will allow it, you are divinely guided by spirit at all times.  Know that Spirit makes no mistakes.  When there is a strong desire within you to express or create something, know that feeling is divine discontent.  Our longing is our calling."  I have felt great satisfaction in allowing my "inspiration" to guide me, acting on my impulses and expressing what comes to mind.  I am not looking for perfection, but rather I allow what ever I draw to be and it is beautiful.

I have always loved to draw and paint.  Drawing in graphite and charcoal has been my favorite.  I love how I can blend and create texture in various shades of the same color.  I have named the sketchbook "Beauty in the World Around Me."  As a sign says that my sister has in her home "Life if Beauty Full." Each image is something that surrounds me that brings me joy because of its beauty.  Here are the first four drawings with brief explanations.

"View From Balcony" I know a rundown old blue van usually is not
a cause for a reflection on beauty but I love this van.  It is retro, blue
and cool.  It inspired me.

"Lily Asiatic Lily" Yes this is an image of a dead
flower.  Truthfully, I did not water it or put it in
the sun so in essence I was the cause of its fallen
state.  However, it continued to be beautiful.  Its
colors of hues of orange remained vibrant, it
created amazing shapes with its dried petals and
leaves and it showed me that beauty can be
found anywhere.

"Brooklyn Sleeps" Of course this is the first of probably many
images of Brooklyn.  She.  Is.  So.  Beautiful.

"Patos" While in my last area on my mission I lived
with an awesome family (Robles Mattus).  Mother's
Day had recently happened and the papito (father)
bought the mamita (mother) a family of ducks
representing their family, 5 ducks total.  They
eventually bought ducks that represented the
missionaries that lived with them and gave them
their duck when they left.  The original duck family
have their heads down.  But, when they bought my
duck, in the middle, they said I was too unique and
quirky, so mine has its head up.  When I went back
to visit the Christmas after I returned home from
my mission, they gave me a papito and a mamita
duck for me to have.  They are such special people
to me.  I had to represent them in my images.

Graduated and Hanging Out

I am now officially graduated from BYU (well as of April 20 almost 3 weeks ago): B.A. in Theatre Arts Education with a minor in Spanish Teaching.  Feels good.  I am currently looking for work in the secondary education realm, hopefully somewhere in the Salt Lake Valley.


I have been so excited and blessed to be able to spend so much time with my amazing offspring, Brooklyn.  She is such a joy in my life and she teaches me much every day.  Below are some images and videos from the past while.  Josh is included in it (though I'm sure he would not be too happy with the pics, but what is a loving wife for but to help you all experience the joys I experience with him).  The "caption" or explanation of the picture is underneath it.  Enjoy!

Josh grew out a full beard for over one month only to shave it to a mustache on friday May 4 for "Mustache May".  This is when he shaved off the mustache the next day and momentarily he had a "Hitler Stache".  My favorite part of the pic is Brook standing behind him looking rather confused and worried at the same time. 

I got the okay from my doc to golf so last Saturday we went to the driving range with my parents.  My mom, always prepared, had these pinwheels and here is grandpa and Brook taking a break. 

Brook is now trying to learn how to put on her own clothes, thus the shirt partway on her head.  Silly girl.

Today, May 9 we went to the Temple Quarry trail in Big Cottonwood canyon.  The river Brook is pointing at is snow runoff from the higher elevations.  It was gorgeous! 

I was cleaning in our bathroom and I came out to find Brooklyn with a bandana around her head and flipping through my mission letters binder.

Can you guess what we were having for lunch?  She was just so excited to eat that pizza.

"Our Little Golfer".  Brook was throwing the golf balls around until I gave her the putter.  So proud.

Today Brook decided to dance around with a unicorn I got for a white elephant over Christmas.  

Dance, Dance, Yea!

Here's Brook rockin' to the Dixie Chicks as I cleaned and watched "Runaway Bride". The girl dances to anything with a beat. She head bangs to Mo Tab on Sundays, she groves to the washing machine, and has recently begun singing with commercials. Sigh...I wonder where she gets it from?

Agradecida

It has been quite some time since I have written here, so let me catch up.

For me, school is going really well. I only have 3 weeks left of actually in class classes before I get a respite in preparation for my student teaching coming up in January. I am so grateful for this semester. It has brought me many new friends, new experiences to learn from and more opportunities to rely on the Lord. I directed my first play (cutting of a play) and it was beautiful. I know that it was by grace (strength and ability beyond my own) that I was able to do so. I am so grateful for my professors and for all they have taught me. I have strengthened so many friendships; I know that my life, my choices and the Spirit as led me to this moment, right now. The wonderful people I have been blessed to work with now would not have been a part of my life had we not decided to have Brook when we did. I know that. They will forever be a part of my life and I am so humbled that they are now and always be a part of my life and my professional network. Furthermore, I completed a goal I set one year ago: run in a Half Marathon. I ran the Provo Halloween Half--it was beautiful and fun. My sister Kellie, kindred spirit, was my angel; she ran with me, step by step, kept me hydrated and moving. It was my first, her third in 1 1/2 months, and I am grateful for her willingness to support me on the trail.

Josh is also doing well. These past two weeks marked the start of the busiest time of the school year for him. He started basketball tryouts and practices the same week he started Mock Trial. Thankfully we have the new habit of going to bed at 9 o'clock every night so that we are both getting the rest we need to do so much. He is such an amazing man; he does so much for me and for our little family. Let's face it, anyone who can put up with me and my amazingness must be a saint already, already canonized.

Brook is growing so much! She brings such joy into my life. She starts every day with smiles and giggles, talking from the moment she get

s up. So much of life to enjoy. She is very in tune as well to my feelings and what I am going through, even at her young 14 1/2 month age. She knows when I need a hug around my leg, a pat on the arm, or just a jabber that means so much to her that I wish I could speak her language.

Brook has three teeth coming in on top to accompany her two bottom teeth; this apple is proof of her gnawing desire to eat adult food.

Chatting with Grandma and Grandpa Wallace. She had to lie on the floor right in front of the screen. Her narcissism showed as she talked more to the image of herself in the bottom righthand corner than to Grandma (she does say Grandma--"maama"--and Grandpa--"grapa").

She played in this box for over 30 minutes. Like on my favorite show, Modern Family, "give a kid a toy and they'll play with the box. So the next year we gave Luke a box...and he played with the bag we wrapped it in."

Here's Brook helping Josh empty the dishwasher. It has become one of her favorite things to do. So domestic:)

God is good; He is love, peace, joy, strength and ever aware of me.

Strength Beyond My Own

These few weeks have been full of change, peace and balancing. At the beginning of this semester I set the goal to read from my scriptures daily and to find the beauty in every moment. Can the Lord make me an instrument in His hands? Yes, when I am willing and seek his guidance. Can he give me strength beyond my own? Yes, every day and in an abundant ways. I know He has always been there, guiding me and making me stronger; I am more aware of it now and I am so grateful.

I see the beauty all around me. The beauty in the mountains, in the leaves, in my daughter, in art, in acting, in my life and in so many people that surround me. As Pres. Uchtdorf recently said I am finding "...wonder and delight in even the tiniest steps in [my] journey." I love life! I love and appreciate everyone around me. He knows what speaks to my soul and guides me to it. I love the Lord for opening my eyes, my heart, my mind and my spirit to His love and the "...beauty of the glorious earthly and spiritual landscapes that surround [me] " (Pres. Uchtdorf again). I share it with you, whoever will read this or cross my path. God knows and loves you.

Peace