HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHANDLER!

April 30, 1999.

my life changed forever.

I was so young at the time that I could not even comprehend the event that had occured.

this life. this little life. this addition to our family.

chandler lorin poulsen.

my FIRST nephew. 

I was 8 years old at the time. 

I still remember the way he would cuddle.. right on top of your face.

his little hands would hold on to the back of your hair as he would fall asleep.

he would hold his little index finger up by his face and say, "do you nemember dat?"

now. he plays hockey. he goes to butler middle. he is an older brother. one of the men of the house. he hangs out with us at family parties. he says grown up things.(maybe because he is grown up).

he turns 13 tomorrow. 13. 

He has made my life better every single day.

he will never know how he has changed my life. 

He gave me the title of Aunt that I am so honored to have. 

Chandler I love you and I am so proud of you. 

I know that you take on a lot and with everything going on in your life.. you still have a smile.that same smile.

that smile that you had that special day when I learned I could love something more than anything else.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHANDLER BING!!!!!!

3 months.

so July 12th is RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER. 
3 months away.
His flight comes in at 8pm! 
ya he has his travel information.
it is getting real.
and exciting.
and nerve racking.
and.. ahh.. ahh...
I'm excited.
so 3 months :) :) :)
love you bryce.. I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!

182nd Annual General Conference

I know I am a little late on this but here it goes.. 
my FAVORITE moments from conference!


Boyd K. Packer
Repentance and the lasting hope that the atonement brings will always be worth it. 
Cheryl A. Esplin
Teach children to understand the gospel and get it into their hearts. 
Donald L. Hallstrom
There lies a danger in thinking activity in the church is the ultimate goal. Things of the GOSPEL are less noticeable, but more important. If you go to church to be entertained you will likely be disappointed.
Be fully converted to the Gospel.  
Paul E. Koelliker
Awaken desire to know and nourish that desire. Pray with real intent. Live the gospel following the pattern of Christ.  As we live his patterns we will be drawn towards him. 
Yield to his will and his spirit will be felt. 
Dallin H. Oaks
Jesus Christ suffered more than we can imagine. There is no mortal sacrifice too great.  
"Whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it"  A religion that doesn't require sacrifice of all things isn't enough.
Henry B. Eyring
Foundation of faith takes time. The ground must be carefully prepared to withstand the storms. It is never too late to strengthen faith.
Audit Report
2,946 stakes.340 missions.608 districts.14,441,436 members.55,410 missionaries.136 operating temples.
Jeffery R. Holland
We're not in a race against each other, we are in a race against sin.  Formula of faith is to hold on, work on and let old issues go away in the greatness of the final reward. You haven't traveled beyond divine love.  He doesn't care what hour of the day you get there, just get there. 
Robert D. Hales
Let that desire work in you.
David S. Baxter
As you do your best, heaven will smile on you.
Ulisses Soares
To enhance our spirit we need to let out our wrath/anger from our souls. Stay on Lord's side of the line and you will stay in his power.
Quintin L. Cook
Am I in tune to him?
Richard G. Scott
Relationships beyond the veil are strong if we remember the plan.  If we never got answers to prayers we wouldn't be where we are.
Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Blessed are the merciful. None is without sin. "But of you is required to forgive all men."
STOP IT replace judging with love. "Don't judge me because I sin differently than you." We ALL depend on the mercy of God.
Russel M. Nelson
Be thankful and recognize our creator.
Could an explosion at a printing shop produce a dictionary?
Ronald A. Rashband
Some of the sweetest spirits reside in frail bodies
Julie B. Beck
Relief society is divinely made and has the power and authority to do many things. "Relieve the poor and save souls."
D. Todd Christofferson
The gospel is simple. The truths and docterines will continue to come by divine revelation.
Thomas S. Monson
Trivial things become insignificant when trials arise. We enter mortality with power. He didn't launch us with nothing to get us back. 
L. Tom Perry
What a blessing it is to have a 2nd witness in the Book of Mormon.  Bible and BOM-when used together they confound false docterine.
M. Russel Ballard
There can be no genuine happiness without the home. Strong family and values lead to spiritual and temporal success. Most important work you ever do will be within the home.
O. Vincent Haleok
Catch the vision of the gospel and act on it. Gain a vision of ourselves as the Lord sees us.
David F. Evans
Naturally and normally share the gospel. Never delay a prompting.
Paul B. Bieper
Our strength to endure depends on what we do with what we receive
Neil L. Anderson
What thinks Christ of me? Trust and follow and you will feel his love and approval.
Thomas S. Monson
Heavenly Father is mindful of us. Ponder the truths you've heard. 


conference was so great this April.  It truly guided me and my family in so many right directions.  This year I went in with questions that I had pondered prayerfully that week and I came out with my questions completely answered.  I am so grateful for the chance that we have to hear from the authorities twice a year.  

OTH for life.

there are those things we grow up with. cars, toys, games, music, clothing, movies, tv.
they were with you in all the firsts. heartbreak. happiness. everything. 
then there are those things that take you back there. that scent, that sound, that emotion.
those things that bring up in you things you didn't know still resided in your soul as if it was yesterday. 
One Tree Hill did this to me.  It showed passion, love, heartbreak. 
It portrayed real friendships and family relationships. 
after 9 seasons, one tree hill says goodbye. 
they did so with grace.  
the last episode showed everything the past 9 seasons has been about.
music, love, friendships, integrity, timeless writing, and dreams. 
It was a tearful goodbye. This show will stay with me forever. 

It's the oldest story in the world one day you're 17 and planning for someday and then quietly and without you ever really noticing someday is today.  
and then someday is yesterday. 
and this is your life. 
We spend so much time wanting, pursuing, wishing.  
But ambition is good. Chasing things with integrity is good. 
Dreaming. 
If you had a friend you knew you'd never see again, what would you say? 
If you could do one last thing for someone you love what would it be? 
Say it. Do it. Don't wait. 
Nothing lasts forever.
Make a wish and place it in your heart.  Anything you want.  Everything you want. 
Do you have it? Good. 
Now believe it can come true. 
You never know where the next miracle is going to come from, the next memory, the next smile, the next wish come true. 
But, if you believe that it's right around the corner, you open your heart and mind to the possibility of it, to the certainty of it.
You just might get the thing you're wishing for. 
The world is full of magic you just have to believe in it.