Expressions of Love

I came across this on a blog I follow and thought I should share it with you.

Whenever I read that talk or hear Elder Scott talk about his wife it gets me excited for my future with Tyler. I already cannot imagine life without him by my side and we have only been married for a few years. I am excited to see how much our love will grow as time goes on.

Hopefully we can all show our spouses a little bit more love today and everyday.

our weekend with amanda

We had a visitor last weekend. Here's what we did.

Thursday night I picked up my dear friend Amanda Carter from the airport for her weekend visit. We headed straight for In-n-Out per her request. Then we went to visit Kimmy and Brylee. Amanda gave her some super cute outfits... she's gonna have to grow into the hat.

Friday Tyler had to work, but for Amanda and I it was off to the magic kingdom. Then it was off to bj's for dinner with the Pitts family.

Saturday was an amazing day. One of the best days in a long time. I woke up, then tyler and I went back to bed for an hour and snuggled, I went on a 6 mile jog, made a killer smoothie for breakfast, we all ate together at in-n-out for lunch and then Amanda and I hit the mall. We had plenty of time to browse (no boys hurrying us along), we got a bunch of cute stuff without breaking the bank and Amanda even got a haircut. We came back to get ready for our dinner reservations at houston's. It was fantastic as expected. It was SUCH a wonderful day, one of those that isn't really planned at all yet somehow it all ends up working out perfectly... I love it when that happens.

Sunday we went to church, had cinnamon rolls with our primary kids and had a nice crock pot dinner before playing games with the Pitts family.

Amanda and I have been friends for over 20 years now. Her family lived across the street from me until they moved to Kansas after we graduated 8th grade. Most people would have lost contact with so much distance between them and time passing, but not us. We have one of those special bonds where no matter how much time has passed in between phone conversations or visits it's just like we never left each other. She came to our wedding. She graduated college and got a big job in Chicago and lives on her own in the city. A lot of things have changed. It seems like just yesterday we were playing barbies & dancing to Thriller in her living room. I cannot really express how happy it makes me that she and I are still friends. I cannot imagine life without Amanda and her family. She has taught me so much over the years and I am so grateful for our friendship. I can't wait to see what the next 20 years will bring for the two of us.

We love you Amanda. We owe you a visit and we can't wait to come to the windy city sometime soon!

the last first

Guess who?



Ya, that's my husband. He is the most adorable kid I have ever seen. And today is a very momentous day in his life.



Today, Tyler is all grown up. He is starting his last first day of his bachelor's degree. I am SO proud of him. It has been a long, difficult, frustrating, crazy road, but he has stuck with it and I couldn't be happier for him.

Tyler,

I love you more than you will ever know. You are such an amazing person and I am lucky to have you in my life. I am so proud of you for finishing your degree even when it would have been much easier to give up. You have heart. You are a strong man and I am so blessed to be with you everyday. I am so excited for our future together. I know you will continue to be a great provider for our future family. And I can't wait to see what the future will bring for our little twosome.

Love,
Your Wifey

they tri

This year Tyler and Devin decided to compete in the Camp Pendleton Triathlon once again. The weather was great. Baby Brekyn behaved. We got to see a lot of friends who competed also. And we got to hang out with the Dicksons which is always a blast.





















Good job boys! I think I speak for Shira as well when I say we are two lucky ladies! We're so proud of you two for all your manly ventures.

surge

You know that feeling you get every once in a while? That surge of gratitude for something or someone in your life. Maybe it's when you're driving around on a lunch break with your hubbie drinking an ice cold beverage. Maybe it's when you're sitting at the dinner table with your family. Maybe it's when you're singing Christmas carols. Maybe it's when you're laughing so hard your stomach hurts.
No matter when or how it happens to you, I think you know what I mean.

That feeling of overwhelming happiness for life in it's current state.

Today I got one of those, but it was for the future. For the future of being a mom. Of being able to hold my baby in my arms and that baby being a product of the overwhelming love and happiness that Tyler and I share together. Maybe it isn't going to happen tomorrow or next month or next year. But it will happen.

she's a daughter

Yesterday my sister Kimberly and her husband Morgan became parents. I was able to sit in the room, camera in hand, as the miracle of life occurred right before my eyes. It was the most indescribable experience of my life and I will do my best to never forget the joy that was felt in that room as that sweet baby girl entered the world. As soon as she was in the doctor's hands we were all struck with instant happiness. It was seriously one of the best days ever. Kimberly handled labor amazingly. I am SO proud of her. She got induced around 8 am, progressed throughout the day, got an epidural in the late afternoon, by 8:40 pm she was pushing and by 9:21 pm she was born.

My niece is seriously the prettiest baby I have ever seen. I cannot get over how amazing she is and she looks just like her mom. It's hard to put into words the feelings that were felt yesterday. As I was editing the photos this morning I got choked up all over again. I am so grateful that Kimberly and Morgan wanted me to take photos of their special day and I'm so grateful for their love and kindness. To be an eternal family is truly a blessing. I think it's moments like these that put so many things into perspective and it gets me really excited for my turn to become a mommy. Morgan was an amazing coach for Kimberly and seeing them get through this experience made me realize just how much Tyler means to me.

Brylee, we have been waiting for you for a long time and we are so excited to watch you live your life. Thank you for coming to earth and for teaching our family a little more about life and what it's all about.

Brylee Sue Clausen.
Born 8.8.11.
7 pounds 3 ounces.
21 inches long.

More photos to come...

crazy

Sometimes you have to get a little crazy or you'll just go crazy. I thought I might be a little nervous when I made a certain choice today, but I wasn't. I'm so excited to tell you all about it.

No, it's not acting crazy with my lady friends in Apple Country.

It's not acting crazy and eating all that cotton candy then dancing like a fool at my friend's wedding reception.

It's not crazy like doing the ragnar relay (can't wait for next year by the way).

Nor is it crazy like riding your bike to 711 at midnight and purchasing a double gulp and oreos.

And I don't want to spoil the surprise so for now I'll just anxiously await the arrival of something pretty darn special to me. Things are looking up my friends. So stay tuned.

ouch

Today after work I headed to Kimmy's to keep her company while she waits for baby Brylee to make her appearance. She's on bed rest so there isn't much she can do other than lay on her side all day long. We played scrabble, I let her cheat, I won, we ate pizza, watched Father of the Bride Part II and we all (including Morgan) got teary eyed and then we watched the Switch.

Brylee... when are you coming to meet us? Your mother is getting a little sick of this whole couch potato thing and I think we will all sleep better when we're not wondering when you will decide to come out and greet us. P.S. We love you!

guess what?

Tyler's sister Jessica and her Husband Mike became foster parents again today. Earlier today they picked up a 3 week old baby girl. It isn't for sure that they will keep her permanently (the social workers are still checking out family members), but things look promising. Her given name is Summer, if they keep her they will probably give her a name that they have chosen. I sure hope she can stay. She is a real cutie and seeing her older brothers with her is really special.

Did I mention that today is Aaron's 5th birthday? What a wonderful gift.

We couldn't be happier to have all these new little ones added to our family. We got Emerson Stone Smith a couple weeks ago, Summer today and Kimberly is due to have her baby this Saturday. 3 babies in 3 weeks!

the double t's

Tanne & Trevor are getting married. Lisa Dalton threw her a beautiful shower and Tanne asked me to take some photos for her. I was happy to.

Lisa did an amazing job... it was the prettiest shower I have ever been to! She even did all those floral arrangements herself.

Thanks for letting me be a special part of your day Tanne. So glad we're cousins now! I pretty much hit the jackpot when I married Tyler... I got tons more awesome cousins, aunts and uncles. Can't wait for August 13th T & T! We are SO happy for you!