Tink's Arizona Baby Shower

This weekend my sweet Aunt Vera and a sister in my ward put together a baby shower for me.  The decorations were darling, especially this "diaper tree" my aunt's friend made.  It is now on display in Little Tink's room.  I so appreciated the thoughtful and generous gifts and time of the women who came to celebrate the new life of Little Tink.  She will definitely be dressed in some darling clothes filled with Tinks and butterflies.

30 Weeks

Little Tink continues to grow.  She is still a mover and a shaker!  We love watching her roll around.  Sometimes I think I can feel and see her little feet dance across my tummy.  Some of her most active moments around 8 pm.  This is a great time to see her bounce around with Nelson there to feel and experience the magic.  He often expresses, "That is so crazy!  Tink's a mover!" 

We are getting anxious and excited for her arrival soon.  Tomorrow we begin our hospital classes to see what her delivery day will be like.  We often wonder together what she will look like and how her personality will blossom.  Although we have some name contenders, we are still unsure what it will be exactly.  We are thinking about: Lynsie Louise or Lynsie Rebecca, Aubrey Rebecca, Annalee Lynette, or Emily Rebecca or Emma Rebecca.  Hopefully we will be able to decide soon. . .

Nelson finished his internship on Friday.  He was anxious to begin this opportunity, but now often expresses his saddness to leave.  It has been a great experience for him with many learning adventures.  He is going to miss the people he associated with: clients and coworkers.  I know they will miss his geniune ability to love, compassion, and hard work!

On Friday, we received some exciting news - we are offically Arizona residents according to ASU.  Words cannot express our gratitude for this tremendous miracle and tender mercy of the Lord.  It is definitely a little bit of pixie dust we have prayed for.  We are so blessed and grateful for our abundant blessings. 

 

All-Star Nelson

For the past few months, Nelson has been completing his summer internship with a company called, "Urban Outreach: United Methodist Church."  It has been a great experience for him.  At first, he was not sure if it was a good fit.  However, now as it comes to an end this next Friday, he is sad to leave. 

The internship is part of Nelson's coursework to completing his MSW.  As such, he receives an evaluation grade at the end of the internship from his "boss."  Nelson's boss praised him with the following comments below.  I am so proud of him and his hard work.  Although they reflect of these qualities Nelson has over the past three months, they are things that I have loved and admired in him since we met.  He is amazing!!

Nelson Yates is one of the finest social work students that I have ever had the honor of mentoring.  He is a young man of high integrity and ethical standards and an excellent fit for the social work profession.

During his time with us Nelson learned our homeless program and actually ran the program for a week at the end of his internship.  His excellent customer service skills, winning attitude, and calm demeanor were all assets in his successful operation with our shower and drop in program.  He formed good relationships with staff, clients, and volunteers, and everyone saw that he could be counted on to get the job done.

Nelson also completely redesigned and wrote our website, a mammoth undertaking in which he exhibited strong organization skills, creativity, and collaboration. (http://urbanoutreachaz.org/)

His strength above all is his ability to relate to many different kinds of people and problems, in what I have observed to be the most non-judgmental way of any student I have seen.  Nelson is open to people in a way that is compassionate and honest, as if it is his second nature.  He is a natural helper. 

If I had a job opening, I would hire Nelson Yates.  He needs to grow his clinical skills, an opportunity we were not able to provide in a summer internship.  I believe that once he has that opportunity, in addition to the skill and knowledge he has acquired to date, he will be an asset to any organization he chooses to join.   Thank you for the opportunity to have him be with us for the past three months.

Reminiscing a Year in AZ

The other day Nelson and I were reviewing the events of the past year.  It is hard to believe just a year ago on the 4th of July, we sent Nelson's ASU graduate school application off on "a whim."  When sending the application it took a couple of tries as some of the documents did not make it to ASU the first time.  Yet, as I compiled everything together there was a feeling that change was coming.  The common patterns of the day to day I was familiar with seemed out of place, including starting a new school year.

Just as my first week of school at Butterfield Canyon Elementary finished on August 2nd, we received word from Walla Walla University and ASU that he had been admitted.  Nelson was shocked - and so was I!!  With this surprise, we looked to each other and questioned, "Now what?"  We did only what we knew how to do - took things one step at a time.  

Our big Arizona change occurred bit by bit.  One step led to the next.  I believe if my OCD was in control than everything would have had to be in place before change could have occurred.  However, my OCD was not in control, God's guiding hand was.  Within a week, Nelson was in Arizona with his sweet sister Michelle finalizing school enrollment, apartment hunting, and other things to prepare to come.  Within 2 weeks, we moved him down to begin school August 18th.  While he was beginning life here in Arizona, I was wrapping (literally) up things at home - packing and finalizing work.  By September 2nd, we had completely moved to Arizona.

Now a year later, life continues to bring changes with Little Tink on the way.  We anticipate her coming with joy - and a bit of nervousness.  Over the past few weeks with the great generosity of family and friends, we have begun to prepare for her coming.  Her nursery is just about ready with the essentials, knowing that more will be added when she arrives.  Each day we imagine together how life will continue to change with the arrival of our Little Tink.  We love her so much - our little bundle of pixie dust!

As we have reminisced about life's changes, I can't help but think of one my favorite talks that has been a life theme by President Utchdorf, "Your Happily Ever After."  I have quoted this talk often in my blog, but the words never seem to get old to me.  Like all of God's children, my life is a fairy tale with a beginning of "Once upon a time."  As President Utchdorf expressed, the story "promises something: a story of adventure and romance, a story of princesses and princes. It may include tales of courage, hope, and everlasting love. In many of these stories, nice overcomes mean and good overcomes evil."  With my prince at my side, Nelson, we have battled demons, minons, and dragons of the adversary.  Each obstacle seemed too much to overcome alone.  Yet, as we have continued to build faith and learn to rely on God, He has lifted us to safety.  Together with my best friend, my fairy tale has and continues to unfold.  I have come to see and find gratitude in the beauty that arises from combating the adversary. 

In the changes of moving to Arizona, God's blessings have been abundant filling my soul with an overwhelming sense of gratitude.  I am so grateful for the miracles we have experienced: seeing Nelson find his life's professional passion; finding employment opportunities for me; health care resources; insurance opportunities; family support; new relationships discovered; strengthening of our marriage; and so much more.  Even in the midst of the challenges of change, God's hand is ever present, strengthening and supporting us as we continue to find our, "Happily Ever After."  


President Utchdorf explains of God's blessing, "And, most glorious of all, He offers you a gift beyond price and comprehension. Heavenly Father offers to you the greatest gift of all—eternal life—and the opportunity and infinite blessing of your own “happily ever after.”  With the arrival of Tink, I feel we are catching a glimpse of "Happily Ever After" by adding to our family chain.  I anticipate what Little Tink's fairy tale will behold and my part in it.  I hope to protect her from dangerous demons, but understand the necessary process they are in the pattern of change.  As her mom, I hope to help her see she is a beautiful princess creating her fairy tale that leads to her own "Happily Ever After."  Throughout her life, I hope to she will know how much I love her and the way she has added to my fairy tale.  I am so grateful that we will be together in our "Happliy Ever After."  

Tink's Nursery

Upon Nelson's arrival home last week our apartment office notified him of two big packages in the office.  The first was a travel system (car seat and stroller) from Nelson's family.  I haven't yet put the stroller together, but will soon.  It will be neat to see it pieced together.

My mom and sisters sent a bed set.  It is perfect fit to her nickname with pink and purple flowers and butterflies. It was fun to assemble it together in the nursery.  I put it all together when I got home. It was fun to see it all together.  As I stood back to look at it when I was done, my eyes teared up a little thinking of the reality of Little Tink joining us soon.  I set the mobile music and invited Nelson in.  His eyes went really big and then exclaimed, "Wow!  This makes it seem more real."  It is exciting to think of Little Tink sleeping in that little crib soon. We are anticipating her arrival for sure.  We are so grateful for our family's generous gifts to welcome Little Tink home.

Pixie Hollow Shower

For the past two weeks, Nelson and I have enjoyed some time at home in Salt Lake.  We thoroughly enjoyed time with family, striving to make every moment count.  While at home, my mom, sisters, and nieces threw a sweet baby shower for Little Tink.  The theme was a perfect fit - Pixie Hollow.  My sister's planned and created a wonderful get together.  I loved the decorations, sweet miniature treats, and most of all the company.  It was great fun to visit with so many loved ones that I miss so much - aunts, cousins, sisters, nieces, grandmothers, coworker friends, and ward sisters.  The short time I had to share with so many women I love and admire was priceless.  Nelson and I were overwhelmed with gratitude for the abundant gifts of love.  We are truly blessed!

BLUE or RED

Traditional baby colors are either baby blue or pastel pink.  Little Tink will be challenged with a battle between BLUE or RED: BYU or UTAH.  For Father's Day, I gave Nelson some BYU onesies for Little Tink.  He was totally surprised.  To join in the fun of competition, JoLynn (Nelson's mom) sent a little sweater to represent Utah.  Little Tink will have a rivalary to decide between.  I, however, think my sweet Grandpa White has already trained her to be a true BLUE Cougar.

Yesterday we set up Little Tink's nursery.  My sweet Aunt Vera loaned us her crib.  We had fun putting it together without an instruction's guide.  We are excited to have Little Tink join our home.  She has already added so much joy and love. 

If you notice in the crib there are two stuffed monkeys.  As a little girl I found my stuffed animal monkeys to be my "security blankets."  The collection all started with my Grandpa White's special Charlie, Sr.  I loved to play with his special gift at his house.  However, I really wanted one of my own.  I thought having a puppet monkey that "squeaked" was so neat.  For a few birthdays and Christmases I asked Santa for one.  He was a hard find!!  Santa found him after a loving search for the "perfect gift."  I can remember how excited I was for a matchiing monkey like my dear Grandpa.  Charlie, Jr. was well-loved, marked in his appearance now.  When I went to the Center for Change, my Grandma White gave me Charlie, Sr. to remind me that my Grandpa was there with me.  Like always, Grandpa was there often to watch over me. 

As I was setting up the nursery, I came across my box of monkeys.  I am excited to share Charlie, Sr. with Little Tink.  I know Grandpa will be there to watch over her.  I can't wait to share fond memories with her of him.  Although I am sure she already knows him well.  She too is probably a "Grandpa's Girl."