Record of Feelings

I don't know what it is about me, but I am not that deep of a person (does this mean I am shallow? Who really knows.) We are going through some major changes right now with our family and the only emotion that I have is calmness and peace. I know this is directly the Holy Ghost witnessing to me that what we are doing is the correct decision. I am so grateful for this gift that my Father in Heaven has bestowed upon us. I just can't believe that I am taking it all so well.

We have decided that it is time to move back to Utah to be closer to our family. There are some things going on and we have prayed and have been lead to this decision and feel really good about it. Because of this decision, Natalie will be spending her senior year attending a new high school, Zack will have to go to his second first year of high school, Kevin will be released as Bishop and transferring with his job to Salt Lake, i will be resigning from my dream position as varsity volleyball coach and walking away from all of our friends of 10 years here in New Hampshire.

This is huge, yet I feel so calm and at peace. Again, so grateful for the gospel in my life and all the blessing that me and my family receive from a loving Father in Heaven.

I really want to express some feelings that I have but really do not know how. During our sacrament meeting today President Holłand expressed some beautiful words. He spoke about how our family has touched lives here in the Peterborough ward and will be greatly missed. He read the lyrics to the song "Each Life That Touches Ours For Good" and expressed how we have done this here. He spoke about how we are needed to serve elsewhere and we will always be remembered as the first bishop and family that the Peterborough ward had. He shared a proverb about iron sharpening iron and friends sharpening friends and making each other stronger. It was beautiful and what I needed to hear. I am grateful to inspired leaders and am so grateful for our time here in Peterborough. The last two years of our time here have been amazing and I could not have ever asked for anything different. Kevin is a changed man. He knows how special he is in the eyes of the Lord, he knows that the priesthood he holds is sacred and he can use it to help strengthen others as well as our family. I love him and support him fully in all that he does. He has felt a strong love for this ward and it has stengthened our family in the process. I will be forever grateful for this time in our lives and as said in a blessing given to me by President Holland I will look back on this time in amy life as a changing time in our family and one that is so beloved and sacred that I will hold it close to my heart forever. This is what the Savior has provided for me and my family. He has helped to strengthen my testimony and repair past chanllenges. I am forever grateful for this knowledge that He Lives. He dies for me, to help me be able to repent of my sins and be able to return and live again in His presence with my Father in Heaven. 

So as we move on to the next part of our lives we have many things to look forward to. We will be able to build close friendships with our family and help them with things they may need. We will be able to be closer to life long friends and make new friends. Our children will have so many opportunities for them and go from being 1 of 5 members of the church in their school to 50% of the school knowing their beliefs. Different kinds of testimony building opportunities will be presented to them. I was thinking about what will happen for our family in just three years when Natalie has gone off to college, served her mission and also returned, Zack heading off to his mission, Brooke probably married and me possibily a ?? Who knows what the future brings, but that means Carley and I will be buddies at home alone and get to figure everything out together. She is already becoming my running partner and now I need to start taking her golfing so I can have a golfing partner. Kevin and I have huge changes in the NEAR future and I am lookigng forward to all of them. WOW how time flies. This is a picture of all of us just 3-4 years ago.

And here we are now (before Brooke left to college)

I absolutely love my family and look forward to many more wonderful moments with them. I love my Heavenly Father and amd so grateful that he loves all of us so much to take care of us on this earth today by providing us a way to be guided as lead, through a living prophet and the gift of the Holy Ghost. I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ provides true happiness for each one of us now and for eternity. All we are asked to do is look to Him and remember Him in all we do. This is how I strive to live my life and know that I will be blessed and protected when I keep all of God's commandments. I love being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It brings me so much joy and peace.

Looking Back 10 years

I just had to post this picture of Carley right before we moved out here to New Hampshire. It is so crazy to look at her now and realize how long we really have been living here.

Here she is today, all grown up. What will it be like in another 10 years.

The Business of Life

Life gets so busy and can easily just pass each of us by if we do not embrace each day and show our gratitude for life and our loved ones. I feel like we are constantly running...which I love and would never trade for anything.  Right now my kids need us to be their biggest support and fans. Grandma Olsen came to visit for Brooke's farewell. We all met Carley at her school to eat lunch with her. She was so excited.

Carley is playing softball and loving it. She will be playing an outdoor basketball league this summer as well as swimming every morning for the town swim team.  She got to pitch for the very first time in her last game and she was thrilled. She will come to my VB open gyms and work really hard. I am so grateful I can spend so much time with her. When I sub at her school I get to eat lunch with her and see her throughout the day. Also she gets to ride home with me.  We went on a mommy/daughter bike ride Saturday and plan to do more of those together through the summer.  I love my little carleyQ. She is always such a joy to be around.

Zack is playing on a U14 travel soccer team for Amherst and just won the tournament last weekend. His coach also coaches the U15 team and has called him up to play on 2 recent games. He scored a goal in each of them. He has a streak going.  In every game he has played in and the team has scored goals in he has had at least one goal scored as well as many assists. They only got shut out once. He loves to play the striker position and it is fun to watch a team that can support him so well in that position by getting him the ball.  He is a finisher and does a great job.  He will be playing in the outdoor basketball league as well as swimming every morning for the town team. We will have another busy summer but we love it.

Natalie ran her first half marathon with Kevin and I on May 10. She ran strong through the whole race and ended up finishing 1:58. She only have a rough time between miles 10-12. She dug deep and just got it done. I could barely keep up with her at the end. She is planning to graduate early in a year and a half and wants to go to BYU in the spring and summer before she goes on her mission. Brooke will be home and probably going with her as well. She is working at Hayward's Ice cram and already saving for her mission and college. She is playing volleyball throughout the summer to get her ready for the fall season and will be attending youh conference (with Zack) and girls camp when she can. She will also be swimming for the town team. I am excited for another great summer.

I am making signs and doing vinyl here and there and subbing a lot. I have started up volleyball open gyms and will be having a camp at the end of this month. We will hopefully have a solid team this year. I will be helping Kevin and my friend Jayne train for st. George marathon but do not have time to run it myself. I teach aqua aerobics at Hampshire Hills and am having fun figuring out new moves to help the ladies and even a few men get strong.

Kevin is keeping busy as bishop and training for a marathon. We are always running somewhere...dividing and conquering.

Brooke is half way through her MTC time and really picking up on the language quickly. She said things are coming back to her great.  She is really enjoying her time there in Mexico.

We are going on a family vacation to the Outer Banks, NC in less than 2 weeks. I cannot wait to get away with the olsen's and argyle's. Great friends!  Life is busy but we love it.  

Brooke's Mission Blog...Special Fast

Hermanabrookeolsen.blogspot.com

Brooke is now at the Mexico City Training Center and loving it.  2 weeks in with only 4 weeks left before she heads out to Nicaragua.  I have felt such a calm peace that she is in the Lord's hands and being protected and watched over.  She has been having some health problems so we are going to have a special fast for her.  This Fast Sunday we will be dedicating our fast to Brooke and hoping that she can rid herself of all illness before she heads out of Mexico.  You are all welcome to join us.  I really will be fasting for her to be able to concentrate full force on her mission and not have to worry about anything else.  Onward...forward with the Lord's work.  We love you Brooke.

I saw my rainbow this year after the storms of last...

What a beautiful day I experienced on Patriot's day. I was able to return to Boston again and feel the beautiful spirit of the marathon through supporting my friend Andrea who flew out from Utah to run in the race.  I knew I needed to be reminded of how special that race was again and I totally was.

As I was standing at mile 6 in the race and watching the Boston runners coming through I just continually felt grateful for my health, my family, my happiness, my life.  So many people running with so many different reasons and stories.  I teared up over and over again as I watched them pass and we cheered them on.  What a great thing to witness.  No one can stop this race, no one can defeat us...we are all united in heart and spirit.  I felt completely a part of the race that day even though I was not running.  I needed to see the joy after the tragic events of last year.  My race ended for me on such a sad note.  I was not really able to celebrate, and on Monday I did.  I celebrated life after death, celebrated the fact that I know those who lost their lives are with God and the ones that were left behind will see them again one day and be able to embrace them again.  I celebrated the runners from last year i saw running with their 2013 shirts on, running for a second time to complete their Boston.  I celebrated with Andrea's family and cheered her on.  She tore her ACL last winter in a skiing accident and still was able to heal and retrain starting from scratch to run in the marathon.  My heart goes out to her and all the hurt and hard recovery she had to go through to complete her goal.  I celebrated with my kids to let them know that we can have joy and cheer for others.  I celebrated life.  I saw the sun beating down...God smiling down on everyone and spreading His complete love to all.  I finally experienced the rainbow after the storm.  It felt amazing.

 Andrea did incredible.  She kept pushing through to the end.  What a great example she set for her girls that day.  She let them know that when you have a dream you can set goals and achieve it...even if it is hard...even when obstacles come along.  It was so hard for her, but she did it and I am so proud of her.

Thank you Andrea for letting us share this special, sacred moment with you.  You are such a dear friend and I love you.  I already love your girls...and can see how wonderful they are because of how they are being raised. Thank you to Joe and Dan and Julie.  We had a fabulous day and didn't ever want it to end.  Boston we love you.  We will always be forever BOSTON STRONG.

40 and loving it

I don't know where to start. I have to be the luckiest person on the planet. I feel so loved and so lucky to know who I know and to be treated the way I have been treated the last week.

1 week ago i received a package from my mom and dad with 40 little presents in it to unwrap. Some of my favorite things...Lindt chocolate, PB, all sorts of fun things I was able to share with Kevin and the kids, I love my parents (and crystal too for helping put it all together).  I then announced to Kevin that this is my birthday week and I am just going to really enjoy it. I talked Kevin and Carley into going with me to Hayward's ice cream and get my favorite ice cream and visit Natalie at her new job...coconut almond Friday night. We then took the missionaries out to breakfast at my favorite breakfast place...Parker's Maple Barn on Saturday morning...I had their maple donuts.  YUM! It was general conference weekend so I got to hear from my most favorite people in the world and to be reminded to carry the right load to help me return to God and to be grateful for things in all circumstances. It was a great day. Then Kevin surprised me with a hot tub and a trip to Boston to see Irish dancing and eat at PF Chang's...another favorite of mine.  I love to see performances. It was at the Wang theater and so great.

The Heartbeat of Home-similar to Riverdance

On my actual birthday I got to Sub for Jenn Horne at the High School and be with sweet Brooke O'Brien, BahBah, RJay, and Bryce.  I then ran with the middle school kids and WE ordered Buffalo Chicken Calzones from the Pasta Loft and Natalie made me my favorite Oatmeal Cake (nothing nutritious about it, but it sounds healthy).  It is DELICIOUS!  Zack walked around singing and playing happy birthday songs to me.  SOOO Cute.  Carley made me some pencil and pen holders all by herself.  She painted some blocks and added the words...Best Mom Ever to them.  She even decorated the house! 40 is pretty great!

On facebook...Brooke's amazing post.

Today marks the anniversary of the day my beautiful mother was born. I can't believe she has been with me for over 19 years now. I could have never asked for a better woman to raise me and be my best friend. Even now that we are apart, I feel so close to her. I am so grateful for how much she loves and cares about me, and for how she is always there for me no matter what I am going through. She truly is my best friend, she knows everything about me, and I don't know what I'm going to do without her daily phone calls for 18 months but I am just so happy to have had someone in my life all this time making me feel special and loved. I hope you have a fantastic birthday mommy, and I can't wait to see you in two weeks! I love you!

 — with Kelly Stokes Olsen.

On facebook...Natalie's amazing post.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE GREATEST MOM IN THE WHOLE ENTIRE WORLD!! Mom, I honestly love you so much I cannot even express my love for you. I can honestly tell you anything! And literally...I tell you everything! I'm thankful to have a mom that at least listens to all of my stories even if she's not responsive  thanks for always being there for me and teaching me everything I know! I love you, you're wonderful, you don't look nearly as old as you think you do, and I swear the older you are, the younger you look.  i know i can always call you when i need help. love ya and happy birthday!

All my family sent their love and well wishes to me on this day.  So much fun!  Thank you to all of you!

The Elders brought me over a cake they made and I could not even eat it.  I had already started my elimination diet to try to figure out what foods are messing around with my body.  I have cut out dairy, all grains, beans, and sugar for 30 days.  After you slowly add back each food and see which ones make you bloated, fatigued, sick and then avoid those foods the rest of my life...(or minimize the eating of them).     

My friend Christine called me up on Wednesday (after my birthday) and asked if I wanted to celebrate our birthdays together like we did a couple of years ago and go out to dinner that Friday.  I let her know I would ask Kevin and get back to her.  I had no idea the set up that was taking place.  When we walked into the restaurant on Friday night, all of my favorite people in NH were there (minus a couple who could not make it).  Kevin really surprised me good.  Almost a week later than my birthday and I was not expecting it at all because of the Boston night the weekend before.  I ordered a steak tip salad with no blue cheese :( and even brought my own paleo bread that I made from home to dip in the garlic oil...YUM!  Then at 10:00 my good friend Kathleen Barlow walked in with her famous cakes...  it looked amazing.  I was not even tempted to eat a piece (but I do have a piece saved in the freezer for me to eat on May 20th.  Heehee...hopefully the kids do not find it.  The waiter even threw rose pedals at me.  :)

WHAT A FABULOUS BIRTHDAY WEEK CELEBRATION!  I have always teased Kevin about celebrating my birthday for a whole week and this time it really happened.  I cannot believe my 40s are finally here, but I am going to enjoy every moment with the people that I love.  Thank you all!  I love you all!

Martha's...Austin...UT

I was very slacking on training for this 20 mile relay that my husband and I ran the day after Valentines day.  It all started in 2008 I believe when I needed to find something that would make me keep in shape and run through the winter months.  In Martha's Vineyard they have a 20 miler that is a Boston prep run.  In checking it out and it just so happened to fall on Valentine's day.  So for our anniversary that year I gave Kevin the wonderful gift of a Valentine's day get away, with a 20 mile run included.  He was thrilled.  ;)

So the first time we ran Martha's it was together on Valentine's Day. You have to take a ferry over to the island and then walk to your hotel.  We went on Friday night and stayed at the Mansion House in Vineyard Haven (just 2 min. From the start of the race).  During the tourist season (june-sept.) the hotels are really pricy, but during February the rooms are priced quite nicely.  We went to the Black Dog for dinner and had a lovely time.  The weather was a little icy, windy, super cold.  I believe around 15-20 degrees.  We just bundled up and endured.  It turned out to be an amazing race and one that I was so glad to share with him.  We ran the first 10 miles together.  We saw people running together while holding hands and that was just not for us.  At mile 10 we got our picture taken running together (it was nice and sunny...we both had sunglasses on) and then he gave me the go ahead to "go on ahead". I then picked up the pace and finished strong.  It was a great race. And we then were able to return to our hotel, shower, walk the shops, eat dinner and spend the second night.  It is a romantic get away (if you don't mind running 20 miles in the middle of it).

The next couple of years we were quick to invite all of our running friends and their spouses.  It became a fun get away for all of us.

Well this year I have been having problems with my foot and have not been able to train like I normally would.  So...Martha's decided to add a relay.  I jumped right on it knowing I could pound out 10 miles with a hurt foot or not.  I also had to sign up my wonderful husband that has not really been running a lot as my partner.  Can I tell you again how thrilled he was?  ;)

We ended going with my good running friends Yuki and Sue and their husbands along with Jayne and her husband.  Here we are bundled and ready to run in the 20 degree weather.

 Kevin, Kelly, York, Jayne, Sue, Yuki, Eric 

I do have to say that we had a great time.  Kevin started the relay and ran 10 miles along th coast in pretty decent weather.  By the time he passed off the baton to me it began to blizzard.  It was quite the experience.  Jayne and I had a plan, because she was running the full 20 miles she would stick by kevin the first half and then I would be able to finish the second half with her. It worked out perfectly, kevin passed the baton to me just as Jayne passed so I was able to finish with her.  This to me was not a race...Kevin and I were not in the greatest shape for it, so it worked out great to just finish with a friend and get her through her 20 miles.  It was so enjoyable, even though the snow began at mile 2 for me (12 for Jayne) and really pounded us the last 5 miles.  What a great time I had with a great friend.  Afterward we all went to Sharky's for dinner (minus Jayne and York.  They were the only ones that ran the full 20 and were kind of tired).

Zach is Sue's husband and drives the vehicle for us every year.  He is an amazing support crew.

We were trying to head out of the Cape that night and get home so we could attend church in the morning, but ended up getting the last ferry off of the vineyard and then got stuck staying at a cute little inn on the Cape. The bridges were closed down because of the 50 mile gust of winds.  Who knew that bad of a storm was going to happen? We made it back the next day to church a little late, but in plenty of time for the baptism.  It turned out to be a very memorable weekend.

The next weekend I traveled to Austin, TX to see my little nephew and sister and family.  They bought a home there that I was able to see and also my parents were down there renting a house for the month so I was able to see them as well and stay with them.  It was so much fun to see their home, hang out with them, have dance parties and go to the park with the girls, Zumba with Cami...trying all the yummy Austin food.  My favorites were the baja shrimp tacos at Torchy's and the Gordough coconut and chocolate donut I shared with my mom. It was also fun to finally run in the sun while I was there.  The weather was amazing.

Me (holding Oscar...we have matching outfits on, Maya and Amelia)

Me and Cami. She is an amazing mom.

Mom and I standing on a hill overlooking Austin (I am wearing flip flops...yay!)...holding my buddy Maya's hand.

Amelia and her amazing smile...

I then headed to Utah to visit my sister, Ginger and her new baby.  They traveled there from South Dakota so I could meet her. It was fun to hang out with the rest of the gang and do some pre-mission prep with Brooke.

An usy (like selfy) with my crazy Brooke and new niece Lottie (named after my grandmother)

Brooke just got her mission call the Nicaragua, Managua North, Spanish speaking and will be reporting to the Mexico City MTC on May 14. She finishes up her finals at BYU on April 22. She does not have a lot of time to get prepared for her mission.  She will fly home on April 23 and then turn around and leave us for 18 months just 3 weeks later. We had such a fun time together shopping for outfits that would work in weather just 90 miles from the equator.  She is very excited and I am excited to be included in her adventures. The exciting thing is that she will be able to be in Mexico with Sadie her favorite cousin for 5 weeks.  Sadie is going to San Fransisco/Oakland, CA Spanish speaking.  It was fun to shop and hang with Sadie and Rachelle before I had to leave.

Rachelle (Paul's wife), Kelly, Paul, Kent, Heather, Crystal, Darren (Crystal's husband)

Ginger, Bennett and her husband, Sam

The great thing about this trip was I was able to see all seven of my siblings and all of my nieces and nephews.  I miss them so much. It was a great trip and very hard for me to leave them all and return back home to NH and to our stormy, frigid weather.

It was fun to see and meet Brooke's roommates and friends at BYU. I also got to go to her ward with her and meet her bishop.  She is so ready to go on her mission. I just hope she can concentrate enough to finish out her freshmen studies before she leaves.  

I love this girl...my Brookie.