Let them eat Pie

It's National Strawberry Day.

So naturally I made an apple pie.

Recipe courtesy of: Salted Caramel Apple Pie  

I used two different kinds of apples: honey crisp and granny smith 

 And let's not forget a hint of lemon zest and juice!

Cinnamon, ground cloves and some suga...

Papa Jeffery ranked this pie a 9 out of 10.

And Mother Teresa said she would pay for a piece of pie.

Of course I shared with grandma. She saw me dish up my moms plate and quietly whispered in my ear, "I want a bigger piece than that."

"When someone asks if you'd like cake or pie, why not say you want cake and pie?"

-Lisa Loeb-

Waving Goodbye

This morning started out exceptionally well... I'm not usually one to post things like this however, the story I listened to today, I felt needed to be shared. It was incredible. 

It was our Stake Relief Society Women's Conference with the theme 

"Develop His Power Within You."

Three mini classes were given on certain topics in which you would pick two to go to. One of the two I chose was taught by Jennifer Jergensen. Her story she shared:

Her twin boys at a young age sat her down and told her this Kindergarten thing wasn't working out. They were done. Jennifer was slightly nervous and wanted to figure out the best way help her kids understand why school was important and a good thing without forcing them to go and hate it. 

They continued to go to school and it continued to be a struggle for them. Jennifer soon found out from her twin boys school was hard because:

1.) Sometimes kids were mean

2.) The classes were hard to find in a big school where you could get lost

3.) Sometimes they didn't understand the material taught in class and felt behind

Jennifer gathered her small boys and took their hands. On their palms she wrote her cellphone number. She told them whenever they felt scared or alone they could call, knowing that she was there and thinking of them.

 As the boys were scooted out the door to board the bus, Jennifer would wait at the door with a glass window and wave goodbye. The boys would walk a short amount, stop, turn around and wave back two to three times before they would board the bus. The boys knew Jennifer would be waiting for them when the bus would drop them off after school was over. 

Jennifer said the thought occurred to her, I bet our Heavenly Father felt the same way with us before we left the pre-mortal existence to come to earth. 

We too were scared and nervous because sometimes, kids would be mean, we could get lost in a place that big, and perhaps at times we wouldn't understand and feel behind.

Our Heavenly Father would watch and wave from the window as we turned around and waved back, knowing that He would be there when we were finished and on our way home. 

His number in our palms, was there so we could call at anytime and know we were in His thoughts. 

We could call at anytime we were scared, hurt, lost, or confused.

                                                                                                          

"The future is as bright as your faith."

-Thomas S. Monson-

The quote from Monson was taught and spoken of all day. How true it is that your attitude and faith shape the happiness in your life. If there has been one thing I have learned more than anything between now, last year and today, it's that we can choose to have a good day or a bad day. 

When you wake up in the morning choose good. 

When you choose to have a good day, you choose to be happy in life.

Learn from your past, prepare for your future, and live in the present. 

Catch and Release

The weather was warm and it was the perfect day to go fishing with dad.

A good time to soak up the outdoors and make some memories. We decided to venture to Oneida Narrows in Idaho. 

First, let's get one thing straight. I haven't ever been fishing in waders. The shore line in my rain boots or barefeet, yes. Not waders. So I borrowed my brother's. Ian if you're reading this...sorry not sorry! 

They were slightly big for me but I managed...until I had to wade into the deeper part of the river. Then I had to take hold to Jeff's sleeve and waddle over like an old lady. Noob status. I eventually got the hang of it.

So stylish. 

The weather really was perfect. A slight breeze with a hint of spring on the way. Clouds occasionally strolling in to cover the sun for a brief moment. 

My dad in his waders and jean jacket, classic. 

Today was nothing short of boring!

Even though it was a nasty sucker, I still caught the biggest fish of the day! As you can see by my face, I was so excited. When the fish bite within 20 minutes of the day you get pretty pumped.

We did catch some cute little Rainbow Trout though!

It was such a beautiful day and I took a selfie because that's just what our generation does.

Catch and release, nah, hook 'em and cook 'em!

Today will be one of those days that I lock away in my heart. Enjoying the simplicities of life and reminding myself to slow down and take a breath was the perfect way to start my weekend. 

"Breathe, my friend. You are not old, you are young. You are not a mess, you are normal. Extraordinary, perhaps. In the blink of an eye your life will change. And it will continue to change for decades to come. Enjoy it, embrace it... be grateful for the ride. You are not old, you are young. And faith will get you everywhere. Just you wait."

-Abby Larson_

Backseat Babysitter

So, uhhh what do you do when school is almost killing you and you need a break?

You go to Salt Lake with your cousins and their baby.

You know, to do cool stuff. 

Like visit IKEA for the first time in your life.

Or visit Hogel Zoo for the first time in your life. I know. First time. Gasp! I saw a tiger.

I was the backseat babysitter and Breck loved it. So did his parents. I'll be for hire soon everybody.

(not a lot of pics from the zoo...good thing my cousin on the left and I look like were dating.)

And since there are going to be days when I will feel overwhelmed and ready to give in...I will grab a Diet Coke and remember that I can be this happy too, if I put a cool hat on.

Summer Breeze & the 'Bee's Knees'

The perfect summer night...

And me climbing in/out of bushes, balancing on the back of benches, pushing branches out of my face to avoid loosing an eye, and laying in a bed of deer turds, all for the sake of making a moment the perfect moment.

Que: Bryan and Erika

Both in Argentina at the time serving an LDS mission, they became aquainted with one another. The first time Erika layed eyes on Bryan she whispered to her companion that he "looked like Buzz Lightyear". 

Nothing of "love" interest was in the air for the two missionairies. After all... they had other work to focus on.

Time went by and both came home from their missions.

The real deal started when Bryan invited Erika to drive an hour to Logan and have "an adventure". Erika drove that hour to Logan without really knowing what she was getting herself into. Bryan is my cousin and I've known him since birth, so I know how much of a risk Erika was taking.

 He's crazy....crazy awesome. A crazy good risk that led up to a year of dating...

In that year of dating, I met Erika for the first time at our family cabin in Bear Lake. I knew I liked the idea of her to be with the family the moment we laughed our heads off till the wee hours of the morning over making Rice Krispies and talking about boys who can in fact, "handle it".

Handle what? Anything and everything that us girls are made of.

In this year of dating there was a break between the two...Bryan was on the verge of moving to Salt Lake City to attend the University of Utah and in the meantime have a life changing jaw surgery. They decided that a break may be good thing for awhile.

And dear sweet Erika, honey, it was a good thing you didn't have to see poor Bryan after surgery. He looked like a sluffy lump or in Grandma Elaine's words a "slobber dick".

However... Love prevailed!

Bryan kept having the feeling to keep in contact with Erika. They kept contacting each other and talking of anything and everything ultimately leading to Erika moving down to Salt Lake and them dating full time all the time.

Bryan told me one weekend at the cabin that they were planning on getting married. It was just a matter of time to find the ring and set it up as a surprise. He asked me to be the surprise photo taker, I gladly accepted the new challenge for me.

We arrived early to set up the moment.

The chandelier was hidden by the darkness of night in the tree tops, you'd never know it was there unless you set it up with us.

Waiting to assume position...the not so subtle hint the knee was going to hit the ground was Bryan letting out a loud cough to signal the light be turned on.

On their way...!!

I sat crouching for what seemed an eternity getting ready to jump up and start snapping left and right. It's always the moment you find the perfect hiding place and have to be quiet when the "pee spell" hits your bladder. 

 (pitch dark, she has no idea I am 8 ft away from her)

Erika: "It's crazy how a one hour drive got us all the way to here."

Bryan: "Yep, and now were here." (He said that like 4 times, think he was nervous?)

...lets out a big cough...

...chandelier turns on....

"Erika Ann Richman, will you marry me and start a life long adventure with me?"

Shock...and a "Oh my gosh! I really didn't think it would be tonight!"

Would ya look at that sparkler? Courtesy of S.E. Needham Jewelers

Ahhh! Can't wait to do third wheeling dates...only slightly joking friends. These two are a good time whether I'm third wheel or not.

Yes indeed look how far you guys have come after one year. Look at all the things you have done and grown together in so many ways. That one hour drive is turning into one whole eternity together. One little risk...

"It is a risk to love. What if it doesn't work out? Ah, but what if it does."

-Peter McWilliams-