And so this chapter closes.

A picture on my graduation day
BEFORE the lovely cap ruined my hair :0)

Beautiful gerber daisies and hot breakfast...
courtesy of my sweet Bry.

8:00AM was way too early for a convocation, but I was so grateful for Bry, Brie, mom, Rach, Tim and Julie who came to support me. Thank you guys!! (Rach was great to be my "personal photographer"...she did a great job getting fun and artistic shots. Thanks Pook!)

Sleeping Brie Beauty after a quick power nap. She did a great job for such a LONG morning! (Thanks to Rach and Bry who took such great care of her.)

Me and Brie...buried under my leis :0)

The Sunday before graduation I mentioned in Relief Society that after starting college in 2001 I was FINALLY graduating. A sweet sister, Sister Soakai, leaned over and asked when and where it would be. Needless to say that she was there that morning with this BEAUTIFUL handmade lei. I was so touched by her

thoughtfulness
kindness
and support.

It's odd to think that my time in college has finished.

There were definitely rough times (procrastinating, long nights, early mornings, frustrations, morning sickness, grading, lack of motivation...)

intermingled with

wonderful times (moments of inspiration, teaching French 101, study abroad in Paris, making great friends, becoming more proficient with French, making progress with teaching, being tutored by my awesome mentor teacher...)

BUT I made it through with the help of my dear husband, family, friends and the Lord. I couldn't have done it without His strength...it kept me going when I thought I had no more to give. (Especially 8 months pregnant and student teaching! :0))

Success.

E A S T E R = New life = New beginnings

Brie, adorning her new bow and
hanging on to her new little Easter duck.

Easter gifts from my VERY generous and thoughtful Aunt Elaine and Uncle Bob. (Elaine is SO creative and could easily have her own little boutique.)


Our little family after Stake Conference.


"Bompa" taking Brie on a little walk to show her a new bird's nest in the yard, look at the peas coming up in the garden and to swing. He sure loves his little Brie.




Rain drops during the rainstorm on Saturday.

Spring flowers making their grand entrance. Can I just say that I LOVE Spring flowers...daffodils, crocus, and hyacinth...the ones that you can always count on coming up no matter what! Once they're here, I know spring is near.

It was SO wonderful spending time with friends and family this Easter weekend, eating good food, and taking part in fun "Easter Bunny" traditions.

Aside from all the fun festivities, I was so grateful to be reminded that Easter is about new life. It was timely to remember that even though I so often fall short and make mistakes that because of my Savior I can repent and change and start over. How grateful I am for that knowledge. How grateful I am for Springtime when new life surrounds us and reminds us of the
hope we can have in new beginnings.

Has it really...

Has it really already been 4 months since our sweet Brie came into our life? WOW! Time is so funny... in some ways it feels like yesterday that she was born and in other ways, it's as if I don't remember life before Brie! In any case, I am so grateful for that sweet little girl...fussy moments, cooing, blowouts, spitting up, more fussy moments, teething, giggling, slobbering, smiling...I'll count all of it as a blessing if it means having my little squiggle bug in my life!

Journeys.

Wow, the weather has been beautiful lately! Monday I decided it was time for Brie to have her first experience with Spring by way of a little "nature walk" around the yard. And thanks to Tyler and Tiffany we had the perfect outfit for the occasion :0)

The summer before Bryan and I got married, my dad put a great little bench swing in the backyard. Brie and I of course had to take a little break before wandering on around the yard. She looked so cute just hanging out. (I wonder what she thinks of all these new experiences!)

Speaking of journeys, I wanted to mention how grateful I was for General Conference. I had been thinking about several of my needs and concerns beforehand and felt that the Lord addressed them all. My "theme" (the area in my life that I want to focus on) as of late is self-mastery. Now, when I say self-mastery I don't mean perfection. Oh no :0) I just mean that I really have the desire to take charge of my life, and to do way with those things that are holding me back. How grateful I am for this Easter week...that I am more fully reminded of my Savior as I set out on this new journey.

One last thought. Bryan and I decided that, in addition to writing out our gratitude lists (and one reason why we love our spouse) at the end of each day, we'd like to add one reason why we love our Savior. It's a new addition of two days, but I have appreciated the way it has helped me think more deeply about the Lord's influence in my life on a daily basis. How blessed we are to be alive at this time! And what a BEAUTIFUL world that we live in! :0)

Have you ever heard...

Brie roar? Ok, so she doesn't actually roar per se, but at times she does sound like she's growling and make noises like a baby mountain lion would make. So at such moments we affectionately call her our little mountain lion cub :0)

Well anyway...for the last two months she's been teething. I know, so early. We're not positive but she sure is extra slobbery, fussy at the most random times and "gums" everything!

My mom, always so thoughtful...went out and bought the cutest little lion chew toy for Brie. At first she had no idea what to do with it. But, since last week--when she started grabbing for things and sticking them in her mouth--she has loved her little lion and carries it around with her. What a cute pair :0)

As I have loved you.

Brie was having a hard time the other day. She was really fussy and I just couldn't seem to help her out. I finally decided it was time for a chage of scenery and a "field trip" up to visit grandpa and grandma. As I walked into my parents' room the song, "Love One Another" started playing.

As I have loved you, love one another.
This new commandment: love one another.
By this shall men know ye are my disciples,
if ye have love one for another.

As I listened to the words and held Brie I started to tear up, thinking of the love that the Savior has shown me, and the fact that His love is endless, even on my "fussy" days. I was grateful for the gentle reminder to continue loving my little daughter, especially in that moment when I felt frazzled and ineffective as a mother. How grateful I am for inspiring music and for the example of One who has paved the way.

Belle Petite Photographie.

Ok, ok...so I might have gone a little overboard with this whole blog thing! :0) But for those of you who are interested, I finally set up a blog where I can post some of my photography.

www.bellepetitephoto.blogspot.com

Maybe someday I'll take pictures on the side, but for now I'm just building up my portfolio. Thank you to my friends and family who have allowed me to take your pictures. And if anyone is interested, just let me know.