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!

#Holdenfam Spring Break: Part 1

I do realize that this is a month overdue . . . but this little break with the Holden fam is worth noting.   Spring Break 2013 --yes when you are in education, you get to have these fun breaks all over again-- was celebrated here in Las Vegas with my mom, dad, and brother, Shane; with a much needed de-thawing of their Midwestern bones.

Part 1 of their stay includes, but is not limited to . . .

-Celebrating my Dad's 55th Birthday - - yay Dad!

-A couple hikes up Lone Mountain (my first time!)

-1 batch of Strawberry Freezer Jam with my Mama

-Golf for the guys

-The movie: OZ . . . loved it!

-1 glorious afternoon touring the Hoover Dam (Our first time . . the Holdens that is . . . Steven's a native so he doesn't count!) 

-Our second attempt at visiting Pawn Stars . . . the line is simply too long.  They actually have a food stand out in the parking lot.  Can you believe that?!

Part 2 pertains to a trip down to southern California, which deserves a post of its own. . .

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

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. . .

Memories from France - France Day 5: April 20th 2011

Wednesday morning, my uncle took us to the Alsace region of France to see the Haut Koenigsbourg Castle, some of the small fortified Alsatian towns, and wine country. The drive was beautiful! Seriously, the pictures don't do it justice. When we were in Riquewihr, Steven kept saying "Wow, I can't believe that towns like this exist. I thought that you only found places like this in Disneyland!" Sorry Steven, but I'm thinking that Disneyland came after these 400+ year old towns! The boy is slowly being cultured. . .

A special thanks to my uncle Michel, for being the most knowledgeable and exciting tour guide! I'm pretty sure that he is one of Steven's favorite people!

Haut Koenigsbourg Castle

Riquewihr

Kaysersberg

Wednesday night, we all got together to say our goodbyes and to snap a few family photos. The next morning we were headed for our two days in Paris! I loved seeing my family in France and introducing them to Steven! After five years of marriage, it was about time!

Memories from France - France Day 4: April 19th 2011

On Monday night, Steven encouraged me to spend the following day with my grandparents. It would give him the opportunity to get some studying done for his Biology Praxis, and would give me the opportunity to spend some quality time with my grandparents. It was very much a "win-win" situation. I started the day by going into town with Mami to the "marche aux legumes" (vegetable market), where we shopped around and stopped into some of the surrounding stores. I found some darling things! When Mami ran into someone she knew, she proudly introduced me as "my granddaughter who lives in the United States" - she seemed pretty pleased to have us there visiting! After our small shopping trip, we (Mami, Papi, and I) headed over to Cora to get some grocery shopping done and to stock up on some goodies for when we got back to the States. Something about running errands around town with my Mami, brought me back to my childhood! After our errands, we had our dejeuner over at Veronique and Michel's (my aunt and uncle) house, rested a bit, and then we (Steven and I) headed over to Mami and Papi's house for the late afternoon and evening. We spent the evening chatting with my grandparents, eating delicious food. . .including my grandma's Tarte au Citron (Lemon meringue pie - my favorite!), and doing a little more exploring around my grandparents' property. I loved every moment of that day!

My favorite part of my grandparents' yard! These woods are so magical!

German dagger from WWII that my grandpa found in the woods a few years back