Salt Lake City Cemetery

I have wanted to go up to the Salt Lake City Cemetery for a couple of months now.  Now that Mark was home we thought it was the perfect time to go.  The main reason I wanted to go was because I recently learned that my Grandpa Moldenhauer had a brother I never knew of.  He was born two years before my Grandpa and was born stillborn.  This especially tore at my heart to learn this since this last year I had a friend who delivered her little girl stillborn.  I know how important it is for her to never have her little girl be forgotten and so when I learned this I really wanted to go seek out where he was buried.  

I have been to the Salt Lake City Cemetery once before but it was a long time ago.  It is huge.  The amount of history that is there is incredible.  I really could have spent all day there.  My purpose was definitely to find my Great-Uncle and I had the information where he was buried.  I pulled up the map online the night before and they had a map of all of the prophets located in the cemetery and other influential people.  Mark and I decided that it would be great to do that too.  

It was yet another cold and wet day.  Jacob, so cutely, picked out some pine cones from our backyard to put on the graves.  It was really neat to walk around and hardly anyone was there since it was the day after Memorial Day - but everything looked beautiful with all the flowers!  

One exciting thing was one of our very own ancestors is listed on the influential people map.  We actually found his Dad when we were in Kirtland so it was exciting to then find him here in Utah.  Family history is amazing.  I love it.

  

Can you believe these were taken almost exactly two years apart?!  Time flies!

 I was really disappointed though because I was unable to find any marker for my great-uncle.  I don't even know if there is or ever was one.  We walked back and forth through the section many times and were unable to find one.  We decided that we'd come up again and maybe ask the office if they could help us or give us any more information.  

It was wonderful though to walk around and see so many of the prophets and their families.  It is a great memorial to them and all the service they did.  

Memorial Day

A couple months ago I thought it would be neat to spotlight and do a "ancestor dinner" sometime during the year.  I played around with different ideas like doing it on their birthday, anniversary, etc. but then thought it would be a great idea to do it every Memorial Day.  I realize that the purpose of Memorial Day is to remember those that have given their lives to serve and protect our country and I am so grateful for them and their families.  But I also thought that this was a fitting and a little more personal way of making the day special for us - by remembering all that those in our family have done to pave the way for us and help mold us to who we are now.  I really like the idea and am so excited to continue to do it in the future.  

So this year we decided to start with Mark's Grandpa and Grandma Berning.  I never got to know Grandpa and Grandma Esther passed away just a month after Mark and I got married so I didn't get a chance to have a lot of time with her.  So it was great to have a night to remember them.  

One of the things I wanted to include in this tradition is to make a meal that reminds us of them or is where they are from.  Mark's grandparents lived in Mexico and loved that culture and so he suggested to do a Mexican theme.  And one of the things he remembered most was going down and getting carnitas with them in town.  I have never even had carnitas before but I found a recipe and centered everything else around that.  I had a blast planning out the menu!

I don't really consider myself a "foodie" person - I am not one to take pictures when a meal turns out great!  But we figured this was part of the tradition so here was our spread to remember Grandpa Berning and Grandma Esther.  

We had carnitas with mango pico de gallo and guacamole, lime-cilantro rice with black beans, queso verde with tortilla chips and mint limeade to drink.  And to top it all off we had baked cinnamon chips for a topper!  

It was oh so good. 

While we ate Mark told us some stories about Grandpa Berning and Grandma Esther.  He remembers how they would come up to Idaho and visit once a year and would bring Mexican cookies.  Grandpa liked to play cards and taught the older boys how to play cribbage.  And they would go and visit them down in Mexico and Grandpa would be sitting in his chair and he always had someone sitting there talking next to him.  Mark was able to help take care of Grandma Esther for awhile when she got older and described her as very optimistic and willing to take whatever life gave her.  

One story that Mark remembers about his Grandpa Berning was one time when they were going down to their house in Mexico from California.  It just happened to be while they were filming Titanic in Tijuana and some limos flew passed them on the highway and when they got off their exit the same limos were blocking the way.  Grandpa Berning started yelling at them to let them pass and Leonardo DiCaprio got out and then they waved them by. 

It's so funny the things we remember and we are excited to be able to reflect back and share stories with our kiddos throughout the upcoming years.  

We love you Grandpa and Grandma Berning!

 

Graduation

Graduation Day.  

I still can't believe we made it to this day!

There was a lot of talk about what was going to happen graduation day with regards to the weather.  Everything was planned to be outside.  And early Friday morning Mark checked his email to find that they were indeed moving forward with all of the graduation activities outdoors.  It was cold (40s) and rainy.  Bless my mother for thinking ahead (because I sure didn't!) and brought towels to wipe down the chairs, blankets, and tons of umbrellas.  

We got all ready and trekked down to campus.  I was so lucky to have both Gus and Darlene and my parents there to help with the kids so that I could focus on what was happening with graduation.  The first ceremony started at 8:30 on campus and it was for all of the schools at the medical campus.  We were told not to use our umbrellas so that everyone could see and so became wet very quickly.  My Mom took Sarah inside one of the buildings next to us to keep her warm while I snuggled with Jacob on the chairs.  It was neat to see all of the different programs that are available and to meet as one big group to start things off.  The ONE positive thing about the rain - shortened program!  That was nice.  The ceremony only lasted about 40 minutes - WOOT WOOT!

We were so happy though because right after it was over we found the Zurchers!  We were really hoping to see them!  They were the first people we met (as they approached us while we were unloading out truck when we moved to Denver!) and have been such great friends.  It has been so nice to have gone through the last four years together.  So much has changed for us.  Neither one of us had any kids and now we have two and they have one little girl and are expecting their second!  We are so happy for them and excited for them as they move to Reno!

We tried to get warm a little bit inbetween ceremonies.  The next one was just for the School of Pharmacy and so was definitely the BIG ONE for us!  We headed over there and right before it started the rain finally let up!  Although the damage had kind of been done - really people, I should have gotten some extra sleep and not worried about my hair or my outfit (it was SO much cuter without the sweater!).  Perspective, I know...perspective. 

Anyway, the program was really nice.  The whole day was strange in a way though.  I kept reminding myself to try and "be in the moment" and really feel all that Mark and our family had accomplished.  It just wasn't sinking in yet though.  That is, until they started the hooding part of the ceremony.  Mark was one of the firsts (one of the perks of having a "B" name!), and when they said his name and he walked across the stage I truly don't think I have ever been more proud in my entire life.  And, of course, I started crying. 

Mark truly amazes me.  He has done this program flawlessly as far as I am concerned - as a student, but also as a husband and father.  Mark and I decided early on that we would sacrifice what we needed to so that he didn't have to work and could just focus on his academics.  He wanted to do well in school, not just the minimum to scrape by.  And he did!  He was admitted into the Rho Chi Society (which you have to be invited to) for how well he did academically.  He knows and cares about what he has learned and wants to do his best.  He is completely self-motivated to do all that he can to excel.  And I know that what he did made a difference because of the many people that approached him at the banquet complimenting him and telling him what an impact he made in several programs.  For all of that, Mark should be so proud - because I sure am.  

But what I am even more grateful for is how unbelievably attentive Mark has been as both a husband and father.  Before Mark started school I had been warned by many, and I know that some of it made it's way to Mark, about the loneliness I would feel having a husband in a demanding program.  I can honestly say that Mark did absolutely everything he could have done to make me feel appreciated and loved the last four years.  I always knew that we came first.  Mark always came home from school after his classes and studied at home.  I knew that was not convenient for him and usually meant that he had to stay up later to get everything done that he needed to - but that's what he did.  He always made time for me and the kids.  He never brought his school anxieties home with him.  I could not have asked (or dreamed) of a better man than he was and is to us. 

Mark, I am so proud of you.  You are such an incredible example to me and our children.  I love you.  Plus, it's kind of fun calling you "doctor."  

And just for kicks and giggles - at his white coat ceremony the week before school started to graduation!

Graduation Banquet

We pulled into Denver Wednesday evening and completely crashed!  Sarah was definitely done being in the car - therefore, we all were!  We kept things really low-key and got the kids in bed ON TIME for the first time in days and they both slept okay.  

Thursday morning it was cold and overcast.  Normally, I love this kind of weather.  But it is kind of a downer when you aren't home and can't just snuggle inside all day.  We wanted to keep the day simple since we knew Friday was going to be busy and long.  After breakfast we went on a walk around the lake of the apartments we used to live in because we were staying directly across the street!  Mark and I both commented on how normal it felt pulling into that area - it really felt like we had not left which was not what I was expecting.  It was nice to walk around that path that we were so familiar with for the last time.  It felt a lot more final being back in Denver for this trip.  

We spent the rest of the day just taking is easy and mostly snuggling in our hotel and trying to get Sarah a little bit more on her schedule.  Then Mark and I got ready for Mark's graduation banquet.  It was nice to get dressed up and go out for a night just the two of us.  It definitely is still rare when that happens and it was really great.  AND it was even nicer because we were going out to celebrate Mark and all that he has accomplished the last four years.  

The banquet was at a hotel and it was nice to go and meet some of Mark's professors and other people that have really influenced him at school.  It was also great to catch up with many of Mark's friends from school.  School has been such a big part of our life that it is hard to imagine life without it - in fact, I still think we can't imagine it!

The dinner was nice and they had a good program that went with it and we were able to hear from some of the faculty that were being awarded.  It was a great evening and the perfect introduction to all of our graduation activities.  

Trust me, much much more gushing about Mark to come. 

Rock Springs

We have wanted to stop in Rock Springs for SO long and visit with Brandon and Jessi!  We knew this would be the last time to do it - especially since they just decided that they are moving back to Garden City!

We love this family so much.  Really.  Brandon has become like a big brother to me and I count Jessi as a great friend.  We have definitely missed them the last couple of years.  We felt a little bad dropping in on them while they were trying to pack up their home - but we had such a great time!  We just hung out exactly like old times (except for the fact that we now have two kiddos of our own - but that only makes it more fun!) and had a blast!  We mostly just plotted about how we can make our way back to Garden City with them and how fun it would be to live close to each other again!  We can dream, right?!

It was such a fun time!  My cheeks were hurting so bad by the end of the night because I think I had a permanent smile on my face the whole time.  We love you Brandon and Jessi and your beautiful family!  Here's hoping we can see you soon!!!

(Also, no pictures AGAIN!  No excuse this time - I was just a total slacker!)

Uncle Brian's Birthday

This last week has been so crazy, fulfilling, stressful, exciting, tearful (happy and sad!), fun and rewarding.

All of our adventures started last Monday when we headed up to North Ogden for Brian's birthday.  Darlene wanted to throw a surprise party for him and it was fun to come up again so soon and spend some time with Brian, Grant and Kristen and their family, and Gus and Darlene.  

Darlene prepared a yummy dinner and we got to enjoy yet another scrumptious cupcake cake and ice cream!  Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures.  One of the birthday boy's requests was no pictures - so we let him off the hook!  But we love you so much Brian and were glad that we could spend your special day with you!

We love being close to family and being apart of these more regular family gatherings!

We stayed the night and then left after lunch for our next adventure...to Rock Springs!

Payson Temple

Today has been such a wonderful day!  We went to the Payson Temple Open House.  Ever since they announced a temple in Payson I have been really excited.  I have a lot of family history in Payson and many of my ancestors were among the first residents and so it was really exciting to think about how wonderful it must be for them looking down on what is happening.  

The temple is absolutely beautiful.  Really, one of my favorites.  Temples are such a sacred place and I find it so wonderful that even small children seem to sense the sacredness of temples.  Jacob was so reverent and just held my hand the entire time as we walked through.  When we walked into the baptismal font and I pointed out the oxen he started smiling and whispered, "dinosaurs."  And right before we walked out of the temple I pulled him off to the side and we were talking about the different things we saw and as we walked out he said, "bye temple."  I love him.

It was such a sweet experience being inside the temple with our little family.  Afterwards Mark and I were talking about how it made us both so excited to think of the future for our children and our family and other sacred experiences we can have together in the temple.  

  

I love the temple.  I am grateful for the opportunity we had to experience this beautiful house of the Lord.

Last night I decided that I wanted us to stop by the Payson City Cemetery because I wanted to look for some of our ancestor's that were buried there.  I went through my files and discovered that I have 237 members of our family buried there.  What?!  I quickly discovered that I could spend an entire day (if not more than that!) taking pictures and documenting our family there.  But we did look around and I found many of my pioneer ancestors that are laid to rest there.  I love cemeteries and think there is such a sweet spirit there as well.  It was actually pretty adorable as Mark laid on a blanket on the grass next to the car with Sarah and Jacob just held my hand walking around putting pine cones or leaves on the headstones of our family.  

A pretty perfect day - and a great family day.  Did I mention that Mark came home on Tuesday - FOR GOOD?!!!  We are loving every moment of our family together again.

8 Months

This little sweetie is eight months old.  And I love her to the moon and back. 

Sarah is kind of leveling off in the growth department (for the moment anyway!).  She actually dipped down a little in weight this month and is 20 pounds 4 ounces (88%).  She is 27.2 inches in length (60%).  And has maintained the same head circumference of 43.7 cm (57%). 

This little girl has a gift.  She has the gift to make people happy.  She has this little face that when she looks at you with those big blue eyes and smiles with her adorable little dimple that makes you feel pretty wonderful.  She makes you feel like the most important person in the world and just lifts everyone.  I can't tell you how many times we get stopped and people not only want to just look and smile at her but hold her too.  I am always getting asked if they can hold her, at the store, at restaurants, church, you name it.  Everyone loves this little girl.  

Sarah is sitting up like a champ now and is enjoying playing with her toys more and more.  She likes playing with cars (the perks of having a big brother), sucking on spoons, and playing with anything that Jacob has.  Sharing has become a hot topic around here!

Sarah loves rolling around and is getting in the "crawl position" but mostly just goes backwards or to the side - no forward movement yet.  But by rolling and pivoting she can get wherever she wants to go.  

She is also getting more and more vocal every day.  She has lots of things to say!  She is observant and is starting to mimic what I do with my mouth which is fun and exciting!

We love this little munchkin.  She is such a blessing to our family.  

We love you sweet girl. 

Mother's Day

A couple months ago I was reading in the New Testament and read this scripture, which I have always found kind of interesting.  I don't know why, it just seemed kind of out-of-place.  It is at the end of the "Christmas story" in Luke 2.  After describing what has happened with the birth of Jesus Christ a verse states:

"But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart."  

(Luke 2:19)

Again, I don't know why I have always found it odd.  But for some reason it has come to my mind several times over the last couple of months and I have always kind of dismissed it.  But this last week I was doing my scripture study one night after having a very discouraging mom day.  I felt very defeated and this scripture came to my mind again.  

Now what I am about to say is completely the gospel according to Elise.  But these were the thoughts that came to my mind as I thought about that scripture.  

Being a mom is hard.  We hear that often and I knew that it would be "hard."  You hear that so much you know it has to be true going into motherhood.  But even though every day I thank my Father in Heaven for trusting me enough to be a mother - the job I have always wanted more than anything my entire life.  And there are moments when things are so sweet and wonderful that it brings happy tears to my eyes.  But there are also times that bring tears of inadequacy and discouragement.  

Because this is a calling that I wanted so much my entire life I so badly want to be good at it.  I want to be the best mother for my children - the kind of mother they need and deserve.  And sometimes I find myself so sad with myself because I feel like I am not measuring up.  And I really don't feel any competition with other Mom that you hear so much of these days, but I feel so much pressure to be the best for my children.  It's hard and there are so many moments of self-doubt.  You find yourself start to thinking, "where have I gone wrong?" (which I never thought I would be thinking when my oldest is only two-years-old), and if only I was a better Mom than tantrums wouldn't happen, and maybe (and this is the hardest one), I don't deserve to be a mom.  

So bringing this all back, although we all know that our Savior, Jesus Christ was perfect and therefore quite literally, "the perfect child", Mary was still a mother.  And like anyone does that has held a brand-new baby in their arms you hold them with so much hope for the future and so many dreams of who they are and the good that they can do in the world.  I like to think that those were some of the things that Mary thought as she "pondered...in her heart."  

But Mary was still a mother.  And although to be called to be the mother of the Savior she was obviously an elect lady in every way I am sure she still had moments of self-doubt.  Moments when she wondered if she was doing all that she should.  

So this Mother's Day I am learning that motherhood is complex.  It truly is the most rewarding calling and the work that God wants me to do right now.  And I have an ever-growing respect for every woman throughout time, that has given of themselves in a role that is so complex and selfless.  I feel like it is through this role as "mom" that my Heavenly Father is molding me to be the person He wants me to be.  It is humbling.  But also sweet.  There are moments when I can quite literally feel the Spirit working inside me guiding and molding me.  

I know that I have a lifetime (and probably than some) to continue to learn how to be an "angel Mother."  And I will continue to thank my Heavenly Father and my children for giving me the opportunity to try and be better every day.  

The Homestead Crater

For Christmas I got Melina and Megan a "sister date" to the Homestead Crater in Midway.  I had been there before but had never swam in it and Melina and Megan had both never even heard of it so it was exciting to do something new for all of us - together!  

Just some background on the crater - because I think that it is really interesting.  The Crater is a geothermal spring, inside of a 55-foot dome.  It took over 10,000 years to make and formed when melting snow from the mountains seeped two miles below the surface and the Earth's interior heated the water.  As it percolated upward, it picked up minerals which were then deposited on the surface, eventually forming the dome on the surface.  The base of the dome is 400 feet and the crater goes 65 feet below the surface.  Amazing!

My Mom came over and watched the little kidlets for me and we headed over to Midway.  Megan was a little nervous about entering the "crater" but it was really fascinating to me.  They have dug out a tunnel that goes straight to the water.  And bonus, our swim even included snorkel gear.  

I had never been snorkeling before so that was exciting for me.  When we got in the water it was so relaxing.  The water felt unbelievably good.  It was so warm and on the surface it was 95 degrees that day.  Yep, perfect.  

Megan and Melina showed me the ropes with the snorkel gear and it was so interesting to just swim and float and look under the water at the divers (when we could occasionally see them).  The crater itself is so interesting to look at and it was such a relaxing experience.

There's a hole at the top of the crater to let in light and air.  I think it would be amazing to come in the winter when it's snowing!

The walls of the crater.

I had a great time and I hope the girls did too!  It was definitely fun to just have some "sister time"!  And I hope I can go back to the crater again someday - definitely a unique experience!

Grandpa Berning's 74th Birthday

This last weekend we went up and spent some time in North Ogden.  It was Gus' 74th birthday and it was so fun to go up for a visit!

It was just a quickie but we came up Saturday morning and talked, went on a walk, played at the park and then played in the yard .  It was such a perfect day.  We loved spending time with Gus, Darlene and Uncle Brian.  And then Uncle Grant and Aunt Kristen came with their family and we had a yummy dinner with Darlene's signature cupcake cake.  Jacob was on cloud nine playing with his cousins who are so good with him.  And Sarah enjoyed all of the attention and snuggles that she was getting. 

And we had to do a little side-by-side comparing of her and Daddy

We ended the night playing Luck O' the Dice and enjoying our time together!  It was perfect and so much fun.  We left Sunday morning so Mark could get back to Grand Junction.  And FYI, we only have one week left.  Excited, doesn't even begin to describe what we are feeling around here.  

Happy Birthday, Grandpa!