Last Weekend of Summer Break in Southern CA

Monday evening, we got home from our 'final summer hurrah'. . . we went down to Thousand Oaks for my grandparents' 60th wedding anniversary celebration.  It seems like just a short 10 years ago, I was an unmarried almost-20-year-old, celebrating their 50th in Lake Tahoe with the whole family!  I can't believe how quickly times flies post high school.  I can only imagine that it'll keep going by faster. 

As always, we enjoyed ourselves!  We love southern California (I happen to love northern too!) and the fact that we can get a nice break from the heat - in just a short car ride away . . . We made it in 4 hours!

My Dad and Steven played grill masters most of our nights there.  I love that my grandparents put an outdoor kitchen in down by their pool.  It makes for great ambiance! 

Steven was able to golf . . . always his idea of a good vacation.

I took a 9 week baby bump photo in my grandparents' mauve bathroom.  Don't lie to me . . . with two babes in the oven, it's there!

Steven and I drove up the Pacific Coast Highway from Newport to Malibu Canyon after his sister's soccer tournament in Irvine.  We stopped for a quick bite to eat right outside of Huntington  Beach.  

**Note to the World - Not all of the PCH is created equal! **

Best part of the PCH in Southern California, is Malibu . . . It doesn't get much better than this!

We are grateful for a relaxing time spent with my family, in one of the coolest places possible - even if traffic sucks.  Steven is back to school today and I go back tomorrow.  We are most gracious for a very full and productive summer!

On Doing This Thing

I should probably give an update on what my adventures in Illinois have been like, thus far.  My activities here haven't been all that eventful, but will hopefully show for something big in the long run.  All in all it has been great just to be home with my family, visiting, cooking, and sharing Pinterest ideas with my mom (I think she may have had an epiphany of the greatness that Pinterest holds!)

My trip started with Southwest's loss of one of my suitcases, thus no styling tools or makeup for three days.  Fortunately, it was returned and we were rewarded flight credits most graciously.  I still wonder where and how far my little suitcase traveled. . . .

Our IVF process started almost as soon as I stepped off the plane.  Okay, maybe I'm being a little dramatic but it all began so quickly!  Blood was drawn, meds ordered, meds received, daily shots initiated. You get the idea.  I realized that the box of medication ordered was the cost of a nice trip somewhere exotic.  Honestly, though, I wouldn't trade it for the world.  I cried when I opened that bundle.  The possibilities! Oh, and I have to quit drinking diet pop (yes pop - not soda, especially in these parts), I'm dehydrated, and let's be honest; I don't really want a Diet Coke crack baby :).

I did try my hand at golf the other day with the huz and dad.  To be honest, I wasn't that bad! Who knew?  While it's not my sport of choice,  I do love being out in the green green Midwest with some of my most favorite guys!

I'd like to thank those who have sent words of well-wishes, prayers, 'thinking-of-you' phone calls, those who are keeping things alive on the home front (our plants and precious furry baby), etc.  It is all so very much appreciated. While I am optimistic, I still have some fears and so your willingness to be so uplifting has meant the world to me.

Much Love from this Hopeful-Mama-to-Be.  xo.

Wanted: Cousins!

Elise and London are making special requests . . . cousins!!!  Boy! Do they drive a hard bargain!

Elise at 12 months - April 2013

London at 7 months - June 2013

Because Uncle Steven and Aunt Stephanie - toys can only keep us entertained for so long!

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So far, we are 2 for 2 with blonde hair and blue eyes, with my brother's babe and Steven's brother's babe.  Our two nieces are about 6 months apart almost to the date!  I wonder what we'll get!  hmmmm . . . 

I'm about to depart for this crazy adventure.  Pretty exciting stuff!  Steven will join me next week after I get started on this whole process.   I've had a lot of questions on how an IVF cycle works.  It's explained here by the clinic that we'll be attending for harvesting and so forth.  I'll admit, I didn't really know the step-by-step process until we found ourselves in this same boat.  Pretty interesting stuff!

One-Way Ticket to Parenthood.

My ticket to Illinois is officially booked.  Tuesday night, we finalized our plans, mostly due to the fact that my mom was having her hip-replacement surgery the following day.  I was getting anxious to make some plans that would get me out there and helping her get back on her feet, so to speak.  My poor mama . . . that woman has had her fair share of physical ailments.  However, her surgeon is optimistic that she'll make a full recovery in 6-8 weeks.  Here's to a summer of me getting to take care of my mom, something I've always wanted to be able to do for her.

June 8, 2013 is when I'll make my departure.  I am so very excited!  I spend a lot of time driving to work and back and I can't help but ponder what it will be like for parenthood to become a reality.  I have gotten choked up and weepy (I can be a mess of feelings sometimes) at the thought of having my very own baby smells, smiles, and skin to nibble on.  Oh it's an exciting thought! Isn't it?! 

I know it's not 100% but I am feeling good and happy and at peace.  I am living by the mantra of, "Come What May", truly!  I have had a good long year to sort this all in my mind and I've come out stronger, smarter, wiser, and with a whole lot more empathy for those in the same boat.  I have learned that this little trial called "Infertility" can do one of two things  1. Throw you into self-pity, deny yourself of progress and personal growth, and put a strain-like wedge in your marriage - all of which I was very close to coming to or 2.  Acknowledge the issue, gain wisdom and strength, learn that you are very much, in fact, resilient; and become happier and more open to communication and love in your marriage.  I'd like to think that after a year, I've chosen the second option.  I am a strong believer that through trials and life lessons, a part of our brain - perhaps a thought process evolves and a new way of our perception on life is gained.  Life's lessons - good or bad - really can be a beautiful thing if we let them.

Thank you Dani-girl for my "Illinois or Bust" care package!  I'm so very lucky to have sweet friends like you.  You better believe none of it will be used until I'm on my way to the great "Land of Lincoln"!

June 8th - I look forward to seeing you.  Let's do this. 

#Holdenfam Spring Break: Part Deux

If I had to name one place that has remained constant in my life, it would have to be my grandparents' home in Thousand Oaks.  That place goes as far back in my memory bank as I can go.  Cousin-time, swimming, trips to the park, walks to Thrifty for ice cream, crazy outdoor dogs ( it is my personal opinion that dogs should not be left alone outside . . . it will cause mania in canines), holiday dinners . . . you name it.  While I accepted it as the Holdens' main hub/my birthplace, I also took it for granted.  Regretfully so, because let's be honest . . . it's freaking California!  The weather is perfect, it's green(er), the ocean is near, and the recreational possibilities are endless.

Wednesday afternoon, we made the 5-hour drive down . .  sans Steven - due to his grandmother's health.  In some ways, it felt like my childhood again . . . family road trips were a regular occurrence and so it felt familiar to be taking one again.

Highlights:

-Staying up late and chatting the night away with my aunt, Vicky.

-Thousand Oaks Farmer's Market - holy citrus extravaganza!

-The Oaks Mall (Paper Source . . .yes please!)

-Papa's honey-baked ham . . . so good!

-Walking, yes walking! . . . to Trader Joe's

We made it back to Vegas in time for some dinner at Sushi Fever, where we were ever so honored to be in the presence of Carrot Top (yes, super strange), prepare/enjoy Easter lunch the following day, and allow my family plenty of time to make their flight back to Illinois.  

Spring Break 2013, you were really good to us!

Lapse in Time

This evening's text from 'L'Autre Steph' (French for "the other Stephanie - my mom's nickname for my best friend): 

"Why aren't you blogging anymore?"

Ugh, Yes. True. Sorry.

Which excuse did you want?  1. I've been busy with Relief Society activities.  2. My family came into town for Spring Break 2013 . . . holla! or  3. I have been blogging, just not on this blog per se - ElderHoldenNorway.blogspot.com is as up-to-date as possible . . . give me at least some credit there, puh-lease!  Speaking of, I freaking miss that kid . . . like a lot, but being his 'Blog Administrator', I kinda feel like he is not so far away.

However, I do, solemnly swear, that I will update you all on what we've been up to in these parts.  You can look forward to:

-The Relief Society Activity that I planned and executed successfully, with the help of some super ladies!

-Spring Break 2013 with the fam dam (uh, literally!)

-Home Improvements

-My somewhat green thumb - exciting stuff, I tell you!

-Our 'Baby Making' Plans - get your minds outta the gutter . . . it's strictly lab work.  Ha!

In the meantime, here are a couple pictures for you all to enjoy, because that's what blogs are really all about.  Am I right, or am I right?!

Spring Break 2012 - Me, Christopher, and Shane at Spring Mountain Ranch up Red Rock Canyon.  Geez, I miss that Pooker!

Spring Break 2013 - (L-R) Shane, my mom, Me, Steven, my dad at The Hoover Dam

Saying Our Goodbyes

This weekend was a whirlwind.  Saturday morning, I made the drive up to Utah (solo) to say my final "goodbyes" to my youngest brother, Christopher.  Kinda boring driving by yourself . . . but thanks to The Killers and Imagine Dragons on replay, my drive was rather pleasant.  

My weekend was full of friend visits (many of which I did not get to see but look forward to seeing again, soon!) and quality family time with my parents, brother, and family friends; the Ellsworths (basically family and always a good time).  We left behind some really really great people in Utah, so it's always a treat to go back and visit.

Christopher is my first brother to go on a mission, and so it was such a cool feeling being able to experience this weekend's festivities.  It's pretty surreal!  I love him and I know that he will do great things for the people of Norway.

  

Of course we had to take our token MTC farewell photos.  It's kind of a right of passage . . . wouldn't you say?

It's times like these, where I think about where I fit in my family and the role that I get to play.  I am so grateful to be the oldest and the only sister among three brothers.  I feel very protective of each of them and am grateful that I get to be there to support them in all that they do.  I am blessed and grateful for the relationships that I have with them. 

I love you, Christopher James!

Farewell Elder CJ Holden!

 Last fall, I had mentioned that my immediate Holden family had some very BIG news!  Most of you know via Facebook and Instagram that my youngest brother, Christopher, will be serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  He will be serving in the Oslo, Norway mission where he will be speaking Norwegian! So cool!

Back in October, when my parents were here for my Mom's birthday weekend, we were able to Skype with my brother as he opened his call.  Lots of tears of joy were shed because we have a long line of Norwegian ancestry.  As my dad put it, "You get to go back home!"

Now, I realize that I probably should have formally announced this awhile ago because it has been an exciting process the whole way through, but I wanted to post about it when the time was right.  Since I am about to embark on my journey (solo - wish me luck!), up to Utah for my final farewells before he enters the Provo MTC; I have so many mixed emotions - many of which are pure peace and joy.  I know he will do great things!

Christopher is the type of guy who - when he sets goals for himself, he achieves them . . . almost effortlessly.  He is kind, supportive, easy to be around.  He is one of the good ones.

At 22 years old (older than most departing missionaries), I am confident that he will be great!  He achieved his college degree and knows that this is the next step that he needs to take in order to become the kind of person that he wants to be.  As the oldest and his only sister, I am beyond proud.

Last night (back in Rockford), after my brother was set-apart as a missionary (he's official!), my family and some friends got together for a final send-off.  Christopher won't get to see our sweet little niece for two years. She will be so big by the time he gets back! And maybe, just maybe . . . . he will have a new niece or nephew to add to the clan!

I want him to have a keepsake of the photos, letters, and memories that he collects over the next two years . . . so I started a Smash Book for him!  I tried to go with the most masculine one there was to be found.  I love the idea of being able to collect all of your little treasures along the way, and figured that this was the best way to go about it.

If you'd like to read weekly updates from Elder Holden's mission, he and I have started a blog about his experiences:

ElderHoldenNorway.blogspot.com

Christmas Break 2012

Our 'Winter Break' has come to an end . . . back to work/school tomorrow.  I could really use another week, which is probably due to the fact I've been moving at a snail's pace over these last two weeks.  I would feel guilty, but I think it was well deserved!

Holden Family Holiday Adventures:

-1 Buche de Noel - marzipan details included - courtesy of myself, my mom, and brother
-1 completed puzzle of scenic Norway
-Numerous nights spent by a roaring fire
-A couple trips to Stockholm Inn for Swedish pancakes and the like . . .
-A much needed visit with one of my best friends and her cute family!
-2 movies that were both fantastic but very different from one another - Les Miserables & This is 40
-French nursery rhymes on repeat with Baby Elise - ahh les crocrocro! might just be stuck in my head until next year. . .
-Hours and hours of frustration over Ticket to Ride  wink, wink!

-Lots of quality family time - doesn't get any better than that!

Memories from France - France Day 7: April 22nd 2011

Paris Day 2: Last Day in France. . .

-Woke up early and grabbed some breakfast. . .Fresh fruit and chocolate croissants!

-Cruised down the Seine River by boat (highly recommend this!) and then walked along the river again to see all of the sights up close. . .

-Paid our respects at Princess Diana's Tunnel

-Toured the Jardin des Tuileries and the Louvre grounds

- Swung by the Place de la Concorde

-Gazed at the amazing details of Notre Dame (gargoyles and all!)

-Lounged in the courtyard (oldest one in Paris) of the Place des Vosges

-Grabbed the Metro (finally!) to the Statue of Liberty (yes, Paris has one too. . . it's the model that the French presented to the U.S. - you can thank them for our copy on Liberty Island!)

-Freshened up and enjoyed the most AMAZING pizza that we've ever tasted in our lives

-Attempted (3rd time) at going up the Eiffel Tower. . .WAY too many people. . .instead we strolled the grounds surrounding the Eiffel Tower at night . . .BEAUTIFUL!

-Meandered back to our hotel, grabbed a Crepe at a small street stand (can't leave Paris without devouring one), called it a night and the perfect ending to our vacation!

Voila!!! That was our trip to France! It was everything we had hoped it would be a much more! I would say that one of the best parts is how much Steven fell in love with France and European culture. Since we've been back, Steven likes to have baguettes with dinner, uses the term "Voila" when appropriate, gets disgusted at how spoiled and ungrateful we Americans can be (it's true, we really are. . .we have to have the biggest and the best, right?!) and loves watching House Hunters International (especially when it's in Europe - but he would kill me if he knew that I told you this). We are hoping to go back next summer, if everything goes as planned!

Memories from France - France Day 6: April 21st 2011

Thursday morning we left the train station from St. Die for our two days in Paris! It was hard leaving though. . . I won't lie, I cried, on the train. I had to put my sunglasses on. I love my family so much and I worry about how many more times I will be able to see my grandparents in this lifetime. As we were sitting on the train waiting to leave, I also started thinking about how many good memories I have from spending my summers in France as a child and as a teen. Steven made the comment, "I can see why you love it here so much." Those words meant so much to me! It's like he finally got it! **Side note - Steven was skeptical about a vacation in Europe, but was pleasantly surprised!** As hard as it was leaving St. Die, our time in Paris was wonderful! Our hotel room was nice, nothing extravagant, but simple! All I wanted was to be able to see the Eiffel Tower from my window and that's exactly what we got! We spent the day walking past the Eiffel Tower, to the Hotel des Invalides (which holds Napoleon's tomb), back to the Eiffel Tower's grounds, all the way up to the Arc de Triomphe, and back to our hotel for dinner at a small cafe. We came to the conclusion, that we walked about 9 miles that day. . . so much for using the Metro! Our feet were killing us by the end of the day, but we were so happy to take in the sights as much as we could!

Paris, Je t'aime. . .