HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. May the new year bring lots of

Fun, Laughter, and Love!!

What an experience!

This past Wednesday was such a spiritual experience for me. Douglas' cousin Noah and his wife Monica, along with their daughter Presley, got sealed for Time and All Eternity in the Logan temple. What was cool was that Monica's parents got sealed as well. Monica's parents got sealed first, then Monica knelt with them and they got sealed as a family. After that sealing, Noah and Monica knelt together and got sealed as husband and wife. Lastly, they brought in their daughter and she was sealed to them. Being there to witness it was Amazing! I have never felt the spirit so strong!! It was such an eye opener on just how important Family is and why we need to visit the temple regularly. We often get so busy with life and the things in it, that we don't set aside the time, to go where we can be closest to our Father in Heaven. With the New Year around the corner, I am setting my goal of attending the temple more regularly. I know that by going, it will help me be a more happy, driven, and strong person to make it through every day life!!

Congrats to Noah and Monica in working so hard to get where they are today!!

We love you!!

SO LUCKY

I just have to say how lucky I am to have made it home from New York last night!! Today, the east coast got swarmed with a horrible snow storm that has caused over 100 cancelled flights! Working today was insane!! We can see how many people are in queue waiting to speak with someone, and the whole 8 hours I worked, It was in the 500s!! Tomorrow is going to be the same!! If we wouldn't have made the flight yesterday, we would have been stuck there for a VERY long time!!! Someone was definitely watching over me for that one!!!!

18 Hour Fun

As most of you know, I work for jetBlue. Every year I get a certain amount of Buddy Passes that I let people use to travel standby. For Christmas, my sister Amie and her family are using them to come to Utah from Florida. With the Holidays making the flights a little hard to get on, me being the Wonderful Sister I am, hopped on the Red Eye flight last night, Salt Lake to JFK, and am now waiting in the airport for Amie to arrive to New York and then all of us will be heading back home to Salt Lake. Me flying with them, puts them on a higher listing for standby. People think I'm crazy for doing it, but really, I don't mind one bit! I love flying! Waiting in an airport, not so much, but JFK is really nice and I've made sure to keep myself busy, as what I am doing now!! Plus, it's nice having a break from the kids for a day. I'm just glad I can help Amie out. They haven't been home in a while, so it'll be nice to have the whole family here for the Holidays! So for now, I just have to wait another 2 hours for Amie's flight to get in, and then another 3 1/2 hours before we head back. Oh, the things we do for family!!!! So worth it though!!

Thankful

With Thanksgiving coming up, I just wanted to express some of things that I am most grateful for.

First off, I am so blessed to have my family. My Husband and kids are my everything! Douglas is such a wonderful person. He is such a hard worker and is always striving to be better in the things he does. He has helped me so much in overcoming challenges in my life and I am so grateful to him in not giving up on me!! He is my best friend! I am truly blessed of having him by my side for eternity! Then there's Haiden and Mekenzie. Words cannot express how amazing they are!!! They are such sweet, happy, balls of energy that keep me going each day!! I love them so much and am honored to be their Mother!!

Second, I am very grateful for my parents. They have been great examples to me and have done so much for me. Growing up, I was always able to do things I love like swimming, sports, singing, and dancing. Now looking back, they had to work so hard to provide for the things we wanted to do and I appreciate them so much for doing so!! My Dad is a huge example of hard work and dedication. He is also such a great example of fulfilling church callings and Home Teaching. There is no other Man I know that makes sure to get Home teaching done each month. It might not be much, but that dedication, is amazing to me. My Mom is such a sweet person. She has done so much in helping others. There have been times that I know it's been hard for her, but she is still pushing through and I appreciate that strength in her!

Third, I am so grateful for my siblings. I could go more into detail with each of them, but I know that would take all day!! They all have been great examples to me and it's been a joy to have the wonderful memories with them. Thank You all for your love and support!!

Fourth, I am so grateful for Douglas' Family. They have all been wonderful to me and I truly appreciate the love they've given me from day one!! I have learned a lot from them and hope to strengthen my relationships with them!

Fifth, I am grateful for my friends. Whether they were apart of my childhood, High School, or now, my friends have been a huge part of who I am! I am so blessed to have been with a wonderful group in High School. Those memories will ALWAYS be cherished!!! It is so awesome that we still try and keep in touch!! Thank You those who were there for me when I was going through the hardest time in my life! You know who you are!! I appreciate having you there in my life when I needed you most!!! Thank You again!!

Last, I am so grateful for the gospel. It has been a huge rock in my life and I know I would not be here today if I did not have it. I am grateful for the leaders I had that influenced me to be a better person and to help me feel the wonderful spirit each week, whether it being at church, activities, or seminary.

I love my Heavenly Father so much. He has helped me understand the struggles in my life and why I need them to make me stronger. I strive each day to be closer to him. I am very grateful for our Savior. He went through so much heartache and pain for each one of us!! That is a huge sacrifice that I know would be hard to bear. He is what makes my burdens lighter, my testimony stronger!!

Of course there are MANY more that I could go on about. These six that I've listed are my core in life. Without these, life would not be worth living. Thanks for taking a moment and reading my thoughts and feelings. I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving this year. It's a day where we can lay aside our problems in life and focus on the things that really matter to us!!

Our Prayers Answered

I am so happy to say that my Dad is going to be alright!!! Him and my Mom went in today for the results of his tests, and they said that there is no sign of cancer!! The mole like thing on his eye just needs to be removed which he'll get surgery on December 22nd.

Words cannot express how relieved I am for my Dad! All of my family have been so worried for him. We are so blessed for him being in good health. It just testifies that prayers are truly answered!

Hoping and Praying

About a week ago, my Dad went in to the eye doctor for an annual eye checkup. The doctor had noticed a little growth on his eye, which he has had for quite sometime, but this visit had worried the doctor. They did some tests just to make sure it wasn't anything serious. Then a few days later, they called my parents to have them come in and talk. The doctor thinks he has Melanoma which is the worse type of skin cancer. They don't know the severity of it, but they sent the tests to a cancer center In Boston. We are just waiting now to get the final results.

I just feel horrible that my Dad, out of all people, will have to go through this!! He is an AMAZING person who works so hard for the family. I love him dearly and am just hoping and praying he'll be alright.

We're Home

Yesterday Douglas and I moved into our house!!!
It was quite the long day waking up at 6 in the morning and not going to bed till about midnight, but we got everything moved!! Now, we just have to get everything organized and settled!!

It was a little weird though, but definitely nice sleeping here last night!! It doesn't quite feel real that we are Homeowners yet! Maybe when we get our first mortgage payment, it'll really hit us :)

Once we are set, I'll post pictures of our After Move In!!!

HALLOWEEN!!!

This year for Halloween, we took the kids to a few places and went Trick Or Treatin' and then to the Nielsen Halloween party. Here are pictures of our fun night!!!

Our Home (Before Move In Pics!!)

Our Lovely Abode!!

1 Car Garage

Our Backyard

We have an apple tree (which Haiden loves)

Family Room/Theatre Room

Guest Bedroom/ Office

2nd Bathroom/Laundry Room

Haiden's Room

Mekenzie's Room

Master

Bathroom

Kitchen (view one)

Kitchen (view two)

Living Room

When You walk in

Our Home!!!!

The pictures don't quite justify how cute it is!!

You'll just have to come and see it!!

3 More Nights...

This past week and a half has been busy and tiring for me. Jetblue is changing their whole system on booking flights, so that means everyone in the company has to do a 2 week training course in order to be ready by February next year! It hasn't been too hard learning the new program, but I go in from 830pm - 230am, which sucks because I am so not a night person like I used to be!! It's has totally thrown my schedule off!!

I am excited for the transition though! I think it will be more beneficial for the company to expand and make things easier for all of the employees as well as the customers!!

I just need to survive 3 more nights, and then I can get back to my normal routine!!

Quick Update

This past month has been busy, but very exciting for Douglas and I. With much patience and hardwork, we can now officially say that we are going to be HOMEOWNERS!!! That's right, with Aunt Josie's great help, we have found the perfect home for us!! It's an older home, but brand new inside. We had looked at a lot of homes prior to this one, which nothing really stood out for either one of us, or the ones that we liked were either too much or in a bad neighborhood. Then Douglas had come across our house the day it went on market with a great price and nice pictures, so we called up Josie to go look and get a better feel for it. When we got there, I wasn't expecting much, since we hadn't found anything yet, but when I walked in, I instantly fell in love with it!! It's exactly what we wanted. Of course there are a few things that need to get worked on (mainly the outside) but that is what Douglas and I wanted. A home to put our own work into! With how much we adored it, we immediately jumped on making an offer, which of course they accepted! And to make things even better, we put the dining room table, chairs, and the bedroom set in the offer (staged furniture) and they kindly accepted that as well!!

We are so excited to finally be in a place to call our own!! It's going to be so nice to not have to be in a basement or to be quiet due to others around us and to have our own yard where the kids can play in! I am so blessed for everything falling into place with this home. It's just meant to be ours! We couldn't be more happy!!

So for now, we are getting everything packed and ready to move the beginning of November!! Perfect before the Holidays!!!

What Heaven Sees In You

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMfr9Ewp8o4

I came across this video of one of my favorite LDS songs. I cry every time I listen to it. It is such a spiritual song of just how special us Women are. Enjoy!!

The Refiner's Fire

My sister Trisha and I had an awesome experience recording 2 songs for Dan Bryant on his new cd "The Refiner's Fire." Our friend Cassie is his Sister In Law and had recommended us to him. He is such a talented person, writing his own music on the piano, drums, and guitar. This cd consists of LDS hymns that he wrote in his own style as well as some of his own work. Trisha and I did a duet of "Lord I would Follow Thee" and quartet of "Amazing Grace." The cd will be completed in the Fall, but you can pre order it on his website www.danbryantmusic.com

Trisha and I are so excited to finally have a start of putting ourselves out there with our talent of singing! Hopefully we will have much more to share in the future!!

Grandparent's 60th Anniversary

My Grandpa and Grandma Holt celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on August 19th. We had a huge celebration for them in honor of their marriage and also the wonderful  examples they have been throughout these years. We went to the Sleepy Ridge Golf Course which by the way is AMAZING!! My Uncle Golden has been a huge part in building it and the clubhouse there looks like a huge mansion! So cool!! We had a nice time- touring the golf course, taking pictures, eating yummy food, and spending time with family. We also had a program of those who reminisced about my Grandparent's childhoods and their relationship with each other. It was fun hearing all the stories about them! 

I love my Grandparents so much. They are the most giving people I know and will do anything for anyone. Anyone who comes around my Grandpa will always leave with a smile. He is such a kind man who makes you feel so special! He's the most Christlike person I know. 

I wish Congrats to the both of them of setting such a great example of love and devotion in a marriage as well as in a family!! Happy 60th!!!

Baby Ryan and Ava

Here are pictures of baby Ava and Ryan!!

Ryan was born on August 13th at 10:45 pm weighing at 6 pounds 10 ounces and 20 inches long!

Ava is here!!!

My sister Amie had her litlle girl today, Ava Louise Peabody!! She was born at 12:30 pm (Florida time) weighing at 6 pds 12 ounces and 18 inches long! Amie has had to do csections with all of her kids and is doing well! Ava had some fluid in her lungs when she first came out, but the doctors have been monitoring her and she is doing good! I am so excited for them to finally have a girl! It'll be so fun for all of them. I'm waiting to get pictures from Damon, so once I get them, they'll be getting posted!! Congratulations to the Peabodys!!!

My crazy 2 year old!!

Mr. Haiden Belshe has been such a terror lately!! His terrible two's are at the highest they could possibly go!! He is constantly doing things that he knows he's not supposed to like writing on the wall, bullying his sister, having temper tantrums when he doesn't get what he wants, and the list goes on and on!!! I am about to go crazy!!! Is this ever going to end?? Dont' get me wrong, he can be the sweetest little boy, and so cute, but lately, he's eveolved into this little monster!! All we can do I guess is just be patient as possible! Hopefully he'll grow out of it sooner than later!

Can't Sleep!!

These past few weeks, I have had the hardest time falling asleep!! My mind goes into this whole thinking mode where I have constant thoughts running through my head. I think about the past, what's going on now like work, the kids, ect, things that I want for the future, and so on. It's been driving me crazy!!! I try to just block it out, but then something else comes into mind and it consumes my head. I usually end up getting out of bed and to the computer, like I am now and stay up until I am completely exhausted. I don't know what to do! My family would say, just take an ambien or something, but I would really prefer staying away from medicine. I know it helps, but I don't want to have to rely on something to make me sleep! Any suggestions?? I am getting so frustrated! 

AMANDA

Mekenzie's 1st Birthday July 25th

Giving kisses to the Birthday Girl!

Sweet Little Angel

Her Birthday Cake

(didn't turn out too well!)

Getting ready to sing...

Singing Happy Birthday and as happy as can be...

Haiden helping blow out the candle...

Mekenzie confused with the smoke...

Got scared by it!!!

Distract her with the cake...

LOVED it!!!

Haiden willingly helping out

All Done!

The Aftermath