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Congrats to Bron

Congrats to Bron

5.14.2011

Bron got a job! It’s an offer too good to refuse. We are still reeling from the shock of it all.

Bron flew from Burlington to Boise on Tuesday afternoon. I dropped him off at the airport and turned around to make the hour drive home with Jed in the back seat. When it became apparent that Jed wasn’t going to make it home without a snack I pulled off the freeway to feed him. That’s when I checked my cell phone. I had half a dozen missed calls, new voice messages, and a text or two… all from Bron. Bron was still on the ground. He had gotten through security, but he had forgotten his license! Luckily, he was going to make his flight, but the bigger problem was that he needed to rent a car to get to his interview which was a two hours’ drive east of Boise. My job was to find the license and get it shipped there overnight, faxed, just something!

Long story, short, I am an awesome wife. I found his license and faxed a copy to the car rental company. Then I was an awful wife and didn’t bring my phone to bed with me. Bron arrived in Boise around midnight and still couldn’t rent a car because the numbers on the faxed copy of his license were illegible! And I slept through every ring on my phone because it was downstairs where it belongs. Poor Bron was so upset and frustrated! He managed to get to his hotel anyway. I called him early the next morning feeling absolutely horrible.

Well, I’m happy to announce that Bron did make it to his interview! And I know he looked like a stud too in his new shirt and tie. Despite the stress and the hassle, he was able to pull himself together, be confident, and perform well. Really well! So well, in fact, that the boss of Bron’s new company called him with a job offer the very next day.

Like I said, it’s a job offer we’d regret refusing. Bron’s new job description is exactly what he was hoping to find with his master’s degree. He will be working for a livestock feed company as a nutritionist.  He will be computing diet rations and traveling to various farms from northern Utah to Montana to troubleshoot problems with farmers. He is going to be paid better than he dared dream to start, with benefits like health insurance on top of it. He is going to have a company truck, gas, and cell phone paid for by the company. And best of all, we will live in Idaho! It’s a dream come true!

We are ecstatic! There are a lot of things that make me excited to move back to Idaho, like the sunshine, conservative politics, and being a part of an actual ward at church. But mostly, I am excited to live closer to family. We will live about a two hours’ drive from Bron’s parents in Ririe and from my mom in Meridian. It will be easy to see family for birthdays, holidays, and sometimes just because. We will be able to see old friends again. It’s going to be so much fun!

At the same time though, I’m a little anxious about moving back. I’m afraid that moving so close to family will limit our independence. I’ve really come to love being on our own out here.  I feel like we've changed a lot since we moved away.  Can moving back really be just as good as it once was?

Moving is bittersweet. It makes me sad to think about leaving New York. I feel like I just found my groove here. I have good friends I trust and they trust me. The farm is peaceful and beautiful. Miner Institute is its own micro community of friendly faces I’ve come to know. I have a job and enjoy it. I have a fun routine with Jed that includes bike riding and trips to see the animals. Jed was born here. We’ve also had so many adventures exploring new places and have made so many good memories! I finally feel at home.

But we were never meant to stay here.

As soon as Bron defends his thesis, we will be moving on with our lives. We are still pounding out the details about when and how we will be moving and what we will do once we get there. It’s exciting and scary and thrilling. It’s time to start living our dreams!

We feel so incredibly blessed. And I am tremendously proud of my man, Bron.

15

5.13.2011

The trees are budding and the fields are ready for planting. 
All this green and sunshine makes me giddy.

My New Ride

5.10.2011

My New Bike!!!  I am pretty much in love/obsessed.

Two weeks ago Bron took me shopping… for a new bike! It’s my anniversary/mother’s day present. I am thrilled! I’ve ridden it every chance I’ve gotten (read: when it’s not raining). The bike rides like it was made just for me. It’s my aluminum-made baby. We also bought a seat that mounts on and off the back of the bike in seconds so I can take Jed along with me wherever I want to go: to the park, to the barn, or for a long ride along back country roads.  Much to my delight Jed LOVES it too! Jed’s eyes light up when I buckle his “hat” under his chin because he knows he is going on an outdoor adventure. The first time we rode on a bumpy dirt trail Jed laughed his head off! I love hearing him behind me. I hope we can make tons of happy memories biking together as family!

Jed likes to ride fast!
Just look at that funny toothy grin!

It's still pretty cool outside, so we put Jed in his rhino suit when we go out.
Our little rhino stalking prey in the grass.

When I said that it has rained a lot here, I don’t think I was descriptive enough. We have had more rain this spring than at any time in recorded history. It’s been miserably ridiculous. Unfortunately, the rain has caused some serious effects: Lake Champlain is at its highest level; it’s flooding. Many homes and roads along the lake are under water.

Well, it rained all last week but the weekend turned out to be beautiful! So last Saturday we got together with a few friends for an afternoon ride along the lake shore to enjoy the weather and to check out the flooding. We rode all the way down to the beach at Point au Roche! The round trip took us about four hours—we stopped a lot. It’s a good thing Anna brought a big bag of goldfish to help sustain us!  (Anna was also smart enough to bring her camera.)

Way cool, right?

A really big "puddle"

Just one of many homes we saw overtaken by water

A family snapshot!

Stopping to check on my co-pilot.  Look at the road!

The beach at Point au Roche.  Wait... what beach?  Crazy! 

Our bike riding "gang" on Lake Champlain (minus Anna)

I arrived home sore and exhausted. However, the ride was sooo much fun! Thanks for inviting us along, Jordi. We had a fabulous afternoon!

A Mother's Day Tribute

5.08.2011

My mom with me
Easter Sunday 1985

I have been a mother for 378 days. I am just beginning this journey into motherhood, a role that will someday define me. I have so much to learn! I admire many other mothers; I watch them and talk to them and want to emulate them. But sitting at the top of my list of women I admire is my very own mother. Whenever I think of the name “mom” her face comes to mind with her short brown hair and her sweet disposition. The longer I am a mother, the more I appreciate her for all she has done and continues to do for me. Children are lifetime ventures which require more time, energy, and physical and emotional investment than I ever imagined. I stand in awe of my mother who persevered through it all. Her love for me is so evident in every thoughtful action and every kind word. I am grateful to be loved by an amazing mother and to become a mother myself, because alongside the personal sacrifice and occasional frustrations, I have experienced more moments of joy in one year than ever before in my life. I can’t wait to discover what I will feel like on day 1,000 or—or even better, day 6570! (That’s roughly the day Jed turns eighteen.)

Thank you, Mom, for helping me become the person I am today. I had a wonderful childhood and I carry many precious memories. I never doubted I was loved. I only hope to be the mom you were to me!  Whatever you did, it was more than enough and I am happy our relationship is still growing.  I love you, Mom!!!

P.S.  Looking at this, I just realized how much I am my mother!

Happy 4th Anniversary

5.05.2011


I found a little red leather bound journal. Written inside was the story of how Bron and I met and married. I had so much fun reading and remembering! I’m such a sap. Our story isn’t all that unique or even romantic, but it’s special to me. We sometimes reminisce about those days, the events that brought us together, and the characteristics that we still love about one another. So, I am writing it here for all to see on this, our 4th anniversary, because I think it’s worth hanging on to.

P.S.  This is MY version of our story.  Bron's version is a bit different; he remembers every excruciating detail.  But since he is unwilling to write his version of "our story", this is the version that is going down in history.

Our Story: How Bron and I Met and Fell in Love

Our story began in the winter of 2005. I initially met Bron just after he returned home from his mission in Russia in March. He and his little brother, Talon, visited my apartment to flirt with us girls in Birch #103 at BYU-Idaho a few times. Strangely, neither Bron nor I thought anything of it.

But we soon met again. In September the following Fall Semester, Bron and I recognized each other crossing campus between classes. We chatted for a brief minute and I invited him to stop by my new apartment. And he did—several times. Sometimes he came by with friends and other times he came alone. We really hit it off! He was easy to talk to and I enjoyed his company.  It helped that there was absolutely no romantic pressure.  I had kind-of sort-of dated his little brother months back.  (Nothing serious.  In fact, I recall him dating three girls at once!  And I recall going on two dates with two different guys in one Saturday, so really.)  Ironically, these circumstances left Bron and I to become friends without all the awkwardness of early dating.

Enjoying the fall foliage in Provo Canyon (September 2006)

One day, between classes, Bron asked me if I’d like to see the Bar Jay Wranglers perform at Rigby High School. I was delighted! I knew I liked Bron, but was too stubborn to admit it for weeks.  I could tell he wanted to hold my hand, but I held it back... for a while at least.  I guess that was our first official date. 

Bron also went country dancing on campus every Wednesday night. I conveniently showed up every week at about 9:00PM hoping for some attention from him. And I got it! We usually danced several times—even learning the cha-cha together—and if I got lucky, he’d take me out for ice cream afterwards.

And thus began our courtship.

The Elk Refuge in Jackson, WY (February 2006)

We dated for a year and a half. Bron was super busy. He went to school full time, worked on the family dairy farm, and dated me. We did a ton of fun things together!  Bron knew how to "wine and dine" a girl.  I think he lived on five or six hours of sleep.

I ended up on the farm out in Ririe, ID at least once a week to “help” milk those bovine beauties. I often spent Saturday nights out there too, Bron graciously taking up residence on the couch or in his little brother’s bedroom. The Nelson home was warm, fun, and delicious. Plus, I fell in love with the Ririe Singles Branch. I went to church there many more times than at my assigned ward at school. Everybody in Ririe was real: what you saw was what you got, and that’s what I loved about it. Plus, I loved to see my handsome man all dressed up in his Sunday best teaching the Sunday School lesson. There’s a lot you can learn about a man just by observing him in his “natural habitat” (for lack of a better word) at work, at home, and at church.

An evening milking the cows! (Fall 2006)

The Mushy Stuff...

Bron is sweet, thoughtful, and selfless. He has many talents. He is smart, hard-working, and motivated. But best of all, he’s an honest, loyal, and dedicated friend. There were many things that impressed me about Bron when we were dating. He has a testimony of Jesus Christ and wants to choose the right in all he does. I am grateful to have a man like him!

He treats me so well. He knows exactly what to do for me when I am sad, frustrated, or upset.  It's amazing how well he can handle me because not many people can.  I’m also not expected to keep up with the guys. He wants me to just be me and appreciates the talents and the qualities that are uniquely mine. With Bron, I have always felt free to accomplish any goal or start any new interest.

He baby’s me too. I love to be held and he holds me. He’s also a tease and a goof sometimes. He makes me smile. He takes care of me and understands me like nobody else can. He is my best friend.  And even though our marriage isn't perfect, it's full of affection and "I love you"s.  I know he loves me no matter what.  And I love him!

Hiking Upper Palisades together (June 2006)

The Drama...

I knew back in September 2006 that Bron was my “Mr. Right”. We talked about our potential future together often.  My heart told me he was the right choice for me, but I just couldn’t commit. You see, my best friend from high school was getting home from his mission in November that same year. I just had to know—in my head and in my heart—who was right for me! I knew I could not live with any “what ifs” or questions or regrets. I had to know!  And I was being extremely stubborn about it.

The anxiety of those few months trying to decide whom I really wanted to marry nearly killed me. Worse, it stressed Bron so much it nearly tore him two. But he hung in there, telling me I was worth it. I prayed and prayed and prayed to know what to do. Then one day, out of the blue, it was crystal clear; I was at peace.  All of my worries and apprehensions about marriage were gone. I was finally able to analyze—in my head—what made Bron and my relationship so much better and why I was so frustrated with my missionary. The feeling didn't go away for days.  I felt giddy and light as air.  I think it was an answer to my prayers.

I told Bron I was ready to marry him over dinner at a local restaurant on a Wednesday night in January.  (He'd already asked me unofficially something like twice.  It was my turn.)

The next thing I knew Bron was sliding a shiny engagement ring onto my finger on my 22nd birthday. It was the most exciting birthday ever!  (Poor guy, he will never be able to beat that gift again.)

The picture on our wedding announcements.  Yes, please shake your head and laugh.

We were married on May 5, 2007 in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. It was, honestly, the happiest day of my life. The feeling was one of pure joy. Words really aren’t adequate. There is simply nothing better than knowing that the man I love belongs to me forever!


And so began our happily ever after... We had our reception in a big red barn. We went on a five day cruise to Mexico and Belize for our honeymoon. And we've been living in newly wedded bliss ever since!  (Okay, that's an exaggeration.)  But we are most definitely happily married.  That's our story!

Bron is totally the best decision I’ve ever made.

14

5.01.2011

Spring, is it true?  Are you finally here?
Because I just bought a NICE bike and I'm super excited to ride it!

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