I can hear the illiNOISE

It's Decided.

In June 2011 Dave and I will be moving to Illinois to attend University of Illinois.

We will live in St.Louis for June and July with Dave's parents while we find a place to live, sleep in, act like bums, work on making babies very discretely, read all of the books we have on our list of "books we want to read" and anything we can think of that we can do together or with family as much as possible before Dave devotes his life to becoming a doctor again.

School starts on August 16th....our 3 year anniversary.

We will attend our first year at UOI's campus in Champagne IL and our last three in Peoria IL.

Then we will make the other big decision of where to do his residency

We're thinking St.Luois, but who knows.

We are getting really "trunkee", Dave has a huge case of senioritis, he day dreams in class all day and forgets to do homework all the time.....and will still get all A's like always, and I have a huge case of the "IloveschoolbutIhopeitgoesquickthissemestercauseIcan'twaitforanewadventureITIS."

BYU has been good to us and will be missed....but it will be great one day to bring our kids back and check them into the dorms, show them where dad and I met, where we lived, where we would go to feed the duckies almost every sunday afternoon, where our favorite hole in the wall burger joint was, where we had our first kiss, where we used to sit and talk for hours, where we went to church, where we studied together in the library and then deck ourselves out for a BYU football game together.

I'm so proud of my husband and all of his hard work...he makes all our dreams come true.

I love you Dr.Dave

I am amazed at the amount of JOY we have in our lives after this experience and am thankful for all of your prayers and hugs and smiles. It's only been 4 moths now.

9:34pm

It's 9:34p.m. on Sunday January 9, 2011...and I am exhausted! I just finished my first week of being back in school. I'm taking 17 credits in hopes to finish up my schooling before Dave and I are headed out. I have English, Philosophy, Health, Geology, and Student Success. I love school so much. I love that I am constantly being forced to challenge myself on a daily basis. I am definitely out of my comfort zone, but I am loving every minute of it. As a reward to myself I made sure to sign up for an advanced volleyball class, where I basically get to just have open gym 3 days a week. I am enjoying getting to know my professors and the people in my classes. I didn't know how I would be with my time management when it came to 17 credits and working still and then being in charge of preparing the R.S. lesson today. I don't have much free time anymore but interestingly enough I had just enough energy to finish all of the tasks required of me this week and as soon as I finished my very last task of making Dave his batch of Sunday cookies....every ounce of energy left my body....I know that Heavenly Father is watching over me and routing me on. I could not be more grateful for Him, along with a husband who does the dishes and lets me go to sleep at 9pm on school nights (yes I should be in bed now, I have class at 7am) even though he wants to stay up and play and makes me cups of hot coa coa while I'm typing away at my first research paper because he knew it would make me remember to smile and stop worrying that I am not a genius!

It's 9:44pm Sunday January 9, 2011 and I am exhausted, but I wouldn't want it any other way!

Chicago

We found out end of December that Dave also got accepted to University of Illinois, Chicago. HOORAH! However this only makes choosing a place to go even harder. We we set on Kansas City but are now seriously considering UIC. The great thing about Illinois is that it is cheaper because Dave is a resident and he can also apply for multiple scholarships there. So as of today it seems as though we are going to be in Illinois for med school at 1 of their 4 campuses.

To say the least, there is lots of praying going on at the Holt House these days.

sew happy

I am SEW HAPPY!

My sister and I got matching sewing machines and are having SEW much fun. We spent all day Wednesday learning how to sew a straight line, make a bobbin, thread the machine and then I taylored one of Dave's old collared shirts to fit me. I'm in love with my new sewing machine and think we have a long amazing future together!

If anyone has any awsome websites with sewing ideas send em on over!

what's next

Dave got accepted to all of four the medical schools he interviewed at and we will hear back from the fifth at the end of this month. We couldn't be more excited that we have options on where to live for the next few years of our life. We love De Moines, Iowa and we LOVE Kansas City, MO....so as of right now we are deciding between those two. And then if we get into UIC in Chicago we will definately be considering that school too. So what I'm really wondering.....is where would you all come to visit us??? Chicago, De Moines or Kansas City?

Dave finished classes for the semester officially and is just relaxing and studying for his exams.

CAN YOU BELIEVE HE ONLY HAS UNTIL APRIL. Then we move.

I secretly wish we had longer....We just love BYU so much!!!!

I am doing better these days...I have enrolled in my last semester at UVU, training for my half marathon again, having the time of my life being Santa for my husband this year, Learning how to sew with my sister.....I still feel like I'm climbing back up to where I need to be emotionally, mentally and physically but one step at a time....I'm getting closer. Luckily I have Dave's big shoulder to lean on when I fall back a few steps.

THIA Yumm!

Dave and I have decided this is our favorite home made meal......

Thai Curry

My AMAZING mother in law taught me to make this last Christmas. We have been making it at least every month and make enough of it for quite a few left over meals.

When I was cooking this on Sunday Dave kept calling me a 4 burner wife

like johnny lingo's "8 cow wife"hehe

Yuuuummmmmmmmmm!!!

facing my emotions

I'm making this post today for those of you who have gone through a loss like this.

I hope it can help in some way.

Yesterday I had a doctors appointment to get my hormone levels checked and set up another ultrasound to make sure that nothing is still in there that shouldn't be. Before I was about to get up and leave my doctor asked me how I was doing emotionally and I suprised myself and began balling before I could even answer him....

and after a long talk we agreed I should see a pshycologist.

I think I am a happy person and have so much to be happy for and want to be happy all of the time and because of that

I don't think I have let myself go through the grieving process fully of having a miscarriage in my second trimester. I have only let out my emotions a little bit at a time then put them away and put on a happy face for the rest of my days.

Its been a month now, which seems like forever but then somedays like no time at all.

So today I faced my emotions head on.

I had my meeting with the phsycologist and I'm glad to say it helped so much.

It was relieving to have someone to lay it all out on the table with and help me sort through what I'm feeling.

someone who had a fresh look at the situation and wasn't wrapped up emotionally like family and friends are.

and yes I went through a whole box of kleenex in 1 hour.

I learned that I hate to "rain on peoples parades", and because there are so many wonderful things going on in my life to people whom I love so much I have pushed my feelings aside so that I could enjoy those happy moments with them.

....I can be happy and excited for others but still need to deal with what I'm going through.

We talked a lot about....

you can be sad and greatful at the same time

it's okay to be sad

It's healthy to grieve

what to do when I feel sad

***give it time***

and numerous other things that are personal to what I went through.

So yes I am heartbroken still and am learning how to deal with it still....but I am greatful for my testimony always and today for this.....

Yesterday DAVE opened his second med school acceptance letter to Kanas City.

That makes 2 schools now we can go to and there are even more interviews and acceptances to come I'm sure.

My husband makes me happy/proud always....no matter the circumstances.

And one day he will be the bestest dad ever!

Mindy Gledhill, I feel like I'm in a happy dream when I listen to her music

SUPER SEASON

byu vs. unlv

Dear Megan,

Welcome to a little thing we like to call SUPER SEASON....When Football season and Basketball season at BYU overlap and your adorable husband asks you to go to all of the home games with him, and you can't say no. Yes, it just so happens that this week that means...BYU Basketball game friday night, a ward football scrimmage in the morning and a BYU football game saturday afternoon. It's a good thing your husband is such a stud and you have so much fun cheering at the top of your lungs with him and dancing to the blaring music. SUPER SEASON....we love you, but don't make me loose my voice please.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!GO COUGARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

sincerely,

the wife of a very happy sports fan named Dave

we are cherishing our last season with our all sports passes before we leave to med school...

to say the least!

not a bitter betty

I threw a joint baby shower for my two wonderfully prego girlfriends this saturday! I am so excited for them to be mothers and raise little BYU football players. During Sunday's church meeting Dave and I played with with our little friend abby....she's the one in the black jump suite in the front row. And as she slept in Dave's arms the second half (after her parents helped her fall asleep)I thought to myself....I'm so greatful I am not bitter towards those who get to be mothers sooner than me. ( I see that happen too often ) If anything this expirience has made me more happy for those who have success with their pregnancies and get to bring cute little chubby playmates for Dave and I.

Patience

Last night as Dave and I were praying before bed I started to cry!

I just miss being pregnant. I miss holding my little belly. I miss daydreaming about what it was going to be, boy or girl. I miss talking with Dave about all of the silly fun things we were going to do with our little one and all of the silly things babies do that we would just sit and giggle at. I miss the little kids I nanny asking me questions non stop about what the baby was growing that day. I miss knowing that I was going to have a baby in March in Utah with all of my family and friends close by. I miss reading all of my books on the babies developement and how to be a good mom. I miss wearing elastic pants. I miss thinking of baby names. I miss the excitment the filled me every time I saw mother and her little one in church. It's only been 23 days today since we lost our little one. 23 days of coping. 23 days less I have to wait to start trying again. My life seems to have the theme of patience these days, and some days I am better than others.

But each day I count my blessings because I know Dave and I have been blessed in so many ways!

Halloween Time

Our little apartment is starting to look a little like Halloween.

Stay tuned for our awsome Halloween costumes this year!

Dave Leaves tomorrow for his third med school interview and comes back Saturday! He will be in Chicago this time around and will stay with his brother Danny and family....Chicago=cold! But hey if the school fits...I am willing to stick it out for a few years. Dave got accepted by one school all ready but wants to check out all of his options first. I will be keeping myself busy while he is gone organizing the apartment, taking the kids I nanny to their dad's sweet company Halloween party on Friday (Omniture flies in mijits from vegas to dress up every year and decorates every wing in the building for kids and grown ups to trick or treat through...it's huge) and throwing a joint baby shower for two wonderful friends saturday.

sweet somethings

Here is the first thing that little Mary (age 6) said to me when I picked her up from school Monday....

"Megan, I'm sorry about your baby. but I'm happy you get to be my nanny longer."

Followed by a big hug from that little sweetheart!

I love her!!!

Friends

Most people think they have good friends but I just had to take a moment to brag about some of ours... Not only are they fun, hilarious, we could talk forever with them, we never get sick of them, can't get enough of them....but they are soooo thoughtful and caring too.

Dave and I have been pretty recluse since we moved into our new apartment....be it school, loosing our little one and work...it seems like every free moment we have had, we have kept to ourselves!

So this weekend we decided we were going to hang out with some of our favorite friends.

aka...the besties lol

Out of the 8 of these friends 5 of them have October birthdays so we went to Tucanos SLC for their free birthday lunches.

We laughed a lot and ate enough food to feed a small country.

Then we watched the BYU football game. (horrible)

Then we went to Sammy's....our favorite, hole in the wall, burger joint, and got pie shakes.

Then had a great game night.

At the end of the night they suprised Dave and I with a gift.

It was a WAY too expensive gift card to only be used for a weekend getaway for 2, with an explanation saying they loved us and knew we needed it after what we just went through and Dave leaving so much for med school interviews soon. and that we had to take photos, when appropriate, to prove we used it for a getaway.

I couldn't help but cry. Spending the day out with them was enough for me, but how amazingly thoughtful!

Especially because we are all poor college students and they are all about to have babies!!

If they are half as good at being parents as they are at being good friends to Dave and I....they will still be amazing parents!!!! I mean it!

So......yes....our friends are awsome in every way!

Dave and I plan to use our gift when we are ready to try for little one #2. hehe

we feel so blessed because we know these aren't our only awsome friends!

Thank You

Thank you everyone for your comments and prayers. We are keeping strong and carrying on and smiling while we count our blessings.

I had no idea so many people read my blog. I have had so many calls, messages and emails in response to posting. I was really hesitant to post about this expirience but I know it is much easier to have someone know than to come up to me and ask me how our baby is and what not.

We feel so blessed to have such comforting friends and family and a firm knowledge of the Gospel Thank you again!

Hugs, The Holts

Mom got Hitched

Meet the new Mr & Mrs Nelson.

(aka my adorable mother and sweet new step father dancing down the isle)

Yep! They are pretty much made for eachother!

Lately I have been counting my blessings and here is one that is pretty recent.

I haven't seen or heard my mother be so happy in 13 years!

She is radiating Joy and Happiness.

I feel lucky to have been married to Dave for almost 2.5 years and still feel the same way.

But there is no woman more deserving of such a great guy, than my mom!

We are so happy for you little Mrs.

Gaurdian Angels

Well here it goes.....recently Dave and I have gone through something pretty heartbreaking and I have had a few days now to try and learn how to cope with it and I think it helps to just talk about it....rather than ignore the world and pretend like nothing happened.

Dave and I got back from Paris on cloud nine and I thought life couldn't get any better. We had just had the time of our lives, our little one was growing, Dave had received interview offers from 7 med schools and we were head over heals in love with each other. A few days later we went in for my 18 week checkup at the clinic. Our Dr. took my vitals and samples and said everything looked great and that we should schedule an ultrasound to see what our little one was...a boy or a girl. Then it was time to use the doppler and hear that precious little heartbeat we had hear just a few weeks previous. She kept moving the doppler around on my stomach and telling me to relax so it would work...1 minute turned into two....two minutes turned into four and still we couldn't find a heart beat. I was scared but kept telling myself the doppler is just stupid machine. So my Dr. went right over to her computer and asked if I would have time today to go straight to the hospital to get an ultrasound....I said yes and started to ball but was still hoping for the best. As we got to the hospital I was trying really hard not to cry....I was so worried. We went into the first room which had multiple beds and machines seperated by curtains....I kept looking at the T.V. at our little baby while the first nurse took an ultrasound and felt so much love for it. I was amazed at how big it was all ready and relieved to just be able to see our little one finally, even if there was no heartbeat. I wasn't oblivious that our nurse was silent until she asked us to move into a seperate room......it was just us sitting there in a dark room now in solitude. Another nurse came in and took a look at the baby again. She measured it and explained to us that the baby had swelling around it's head and had passed away a few weeks earlier (shortly after our last appointment where we heard the heart beat). I couldn't hold back my tears anymore. Sweet dave held me as I tearfully asked the nurse for a picture to keep. Then the Doctor came in to confirm that our little one had gone to heaven sooner than we had hoped and what would happen next. We have never been so heartbroken in our life. I know miscarriages are common....but I thought being 18 weeks along I was in the clear and was oh so excited to be a mother and for Dave to be a Father. There was nothing left to do after the doctors but to cry. Dave and I held each other and we cried for the next 24 hours. Then came the hardest part....That next afternoon Dave had to catch a flight out to St. Louis for his first med school interview....I was so excited for him and greatful that we had something to look forward to and talk about after such bad news...but now I was left alone to deal with this for the next 4 days.

I am so greatful for Dave because I know I could not have made it through those 4 days if he hadn't made me the strong woman I am today. I turned to the Lord and counted my blessings. My family were angels and brought me food and hugs. My ward was great and brought me food and hugs. I was at the point where I knew I was going to be ok and felt ready to talk about it...and then Friday came. Still no word from the Dr. as to when I could go in and get a DNC...my house was spotless, and I didn't know what to do with myself....so I went to the gym. after being on the eliptical for about 2 minutes....my water broke. I ran to the bathroom and called my sister and asked her to bring me some clothes. I talked with the Dr. and then went home. I ended up passing the fetus in my own apartment, by myself, with Dave on the phone. I was in shock and shaking and greatful Dave had some Lortab to help with the contractions in the pantry. When I saw the fetus I couldn't hold back the tears. It was so developed....little fingures, a little nose.

I just want to bare my testimony that I know Heavenly Father knows each and everyone of us individually and loves us. Maybe our little one was just a faithful spirit that just needed a little body...but now they are in a happier and holy place and that brings me happiness. I cry not because I am bitter but because I was just so excited to be a mother and a family with my wonderful husband. But I know that Heavenly Father has a plan for us. That we will have children here on earth one day and that now we have a little gaurdian angel to look over us now.

Thank you to a friend who left this on my doorstep!

It's just what I needed to hear.

"The Lord compensates the faithful for every loss. That which is taken away from those who love the Lord will be added unto them in His own way. While it may not come at the time we desire, the faithful will know that every tear today will eventually be returned a hundredfold with tears of rejoicing and gratitude."

-Joseph B. Wirthlin.

Happy Birthday

My Birthday Boy!

Today my wonderful husband turns 25.

Happy Birthday Mr. Holt.

Your birth is definitely something to celebrate and it is amazing

all of the things you have accomplished this year!

XoXoXo

it's like Christmas!!!!!!

The odds that we are going to make it to med school are good these days.

Dave has interviews at the following places in the next 3 months.

Lake Erie Penn

Kansas City Missouri

Chicago, Illinois

University of Southern Illinois, also near Chicago

Kirksville, Missouri

Finding out Dave has an interview is like Christmas everytime. It never gets old. And we are having so much fun celebrating each time.

I am so excited because 4 of these schools are near family.....and that's all I really care about.

It is a little scary to think that We will be leaving Utah, with all of our family and friends here with a 3 month old baby and will have to make it work wherever we are, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Dave is AWSOME and it is so nice to be over the stressful hump of applying for med schools.....just one last step of interviewing and summer dave will be back in business!!! (yes he sometimes continues into fall.....mainly because of football season)

As if this news isn't enough to keep a smile on my face.....We leave for Europe in less than 2 days. We found out our hotel reservation didn't go through which was kind of scary, but the people in Paris were wonderful and helped us fix that quickly. So now everything is set.

Yes I am so scared of flying but it will be worth it....and I have Unisom to help me sleep. I took half a pill last night and literally did not move for 12 hours. It was glorious!!!! The baby and I are finally sleeping well.

I'm happy to report that our little one is the size of a softball now....I have gained a pound (it's harder work than I thought) and I am predicting it is a girl because the heart rate was 160 beats/minute.......but I could be wrong....but I would be so excited if I wasn't!!!!

It's the little things in life....

This morning I woke up smiling and can't stop.

Maybe this is why......

1. Having Dave come home from the gym this morning and flexing for me and making me giggle while I wake up. He is such a stud.

2. Watching the Price is Right while eating a bowl of delicious Cheerios with strawberries. I love that show!!!!

3. Knowing I have to go to work at 2:30 and that it will consist of taking the girls to gymnastics in their adorable leotards and then taking all three kids to their annual school carnival....which they are so excited for!!!!! ( I can't believe this will be my third carnival with them) I love my job.

4. Remembering the fact that in 9 days I will be in EUROPE and am going to eat pastries and waffles for every meal....well for the baby's sake I will throw a few fruits and veggies in there too ;)

5. Feeling like the luckiest woman alive each and every day because I have a husband who works so hard for us and the future of our family....and counting down the days til he has his med school interviews.

6. PLanning to have a fun Family Home Evening of cutting my husbands hair and making Strawberry/Rasberry freezer Jam together for the first time.

7. Planning 2 baby showers for my 2 prego girlfriends in the same weekend....and loving every minute of it.

8. Having awsome regional stake confrences with apostle that make me giggle because of their cuteness.....and hearing EXACTLY what I need to hear from them to help me be inspired to grow a little more and become a better person. wife and mother.

Yep!!!! Life is good. and I am loving the fact that my tear filled 1st trimester is over and that I can smile away now!!!!

thump thump

Today really is an amazing day!!! Yes, it's true I'm home sick in bed. Sneezing and coughing and sleep deprived, but I feel like I'm on cloud nine. You see....this morning Dave and I went to the doctor's office for attempt #2 to hear the baby's heartbeat and to make sure I wasn't dying. ( I'm not FYI ) Attempt #1 we heard nothing and I left bawling because I was fearing the worst. (which isn't saying much because I pretty much bawled through the whole first trimester) But today we heard it loud and clear. Like a little drummer. The little one is apparently growing away in my baby cooker....and even though we haven't seen it yet, hearing it made it so much more real. The shocking news....I have lost weight in my first trimester, even though I feel large and in charge and my doctor says I need to fatten up more now. So if anyone has any tips or any good recipes....let me know. I did get some unisom, which will hopefully help me eat and sleep better. Being pregnant is the BEST though! We will get back from Europe just in time to make it to our first ultrasound appointment on October 5th. So we'll be seeing you then little one! Can't wait!

My first French phrase I learned "Ju seis enciente" which means "I'm pregnant" ;)

I'm a proud momma today and I all ready love my little one soooooooooooooo much!

Oh no....here come the tears again!!!! Bring 'em on.

Moving on up

This month is going to be so exciting and so scary at the same time.

Dave and I have decided to finally move to a larger place that is cheaper and has brand new carpet and brand new paint. I'm convinced it is going to feel like a little peice of Heaven after where we have lived the past 2 years. Not only will we be saving a few pennies but we have been having mold and mngmt problems where we are at now are are excited to be free of that. Dave says the mold is making us stupid....lol

The kids I nanny are off to Arizona with their mom for ten days so it's up to me to pack up our things while Dave studies for his MCAT some more. We then leave for Spokane on July 14th, for Dave to take his MCAT again and for our family reunion. We come back the 25th. We move out the 26th.....Like I said, I'm excited and scared. I'm sad to be away from all of my friends, it's been so nice to walk out your door and see everyone else coming and going and saying hello and goodbye. I am confident we will all still be just as great of friends. We have loved our ward, our apartment (for the most part), our friends, our location, and the growth and love we have felt here.

So here is to moving forward and becoming a stronger and happier Mr. And Mrs. Holt.

Summer Dave

Dear Summer Dave,

I love you and your cute bummy wummy!

XoxO

your loving, adoring and lucky to have you wife

Good things are worth waiting for.

Recently I have come to realize just how important patience is. I'm realizing how good things are worth waiting for. Dave and I waited 4 years before getting married. now we are waiting to start a family and to see what med school we get into. We wait for these grand things but we don't let a moment pass without realizing how lucky we are. We have had so much fun together and are so lucky to be so blessed.

The sweetheart Dance 2004, our first kiss.....3 month after hanging out every day. Don't know how we made it that long.

Driving Dave to the airport 2004

I have been feeling really nostalgic lately... being at BYU in the summer, I can't help but remember the first summer Dave and I met. It was June 2004. We met at the freshman orientation dance. Yes we used to dance. From that night on we spent EVERY day together and almost every hour we could spare... until Dave's mission. I have so many fond memories of laying under the stars just talking for hours on campus, or going on adventurous dates. Six years have past and a lot has changed, But I can honestly say I have loved him since that June night in 2004. Dave never gave up on my fickleness, but I couldn't have been more stupid to not act a few years earlier to snatch up good things like Dave and never let them go. I feel so grateful to have such a wonderful man by my side through thick and thin. My love for him is stronger than it has ever been. I feel blessed to be able to share his struggles and honored to help lift him when he's down. He has helped me become who I am today and has helped me have so much joy that I never even imagined having in life.

They never said life would be easy but man is it worth it when you have such a wonderful man.

Park City

Our friends the Mathews recently graduated and moved away for further schooling so we planned a a reunion to get together and have some fun.

We lucked out to be able to stay in a cabin in Park City Utah for FREE. It was the perfect kick off to summer. We enjoyed staying up until 3am giggling and watching movies...

Having Campfires and looking at this awsome few from the deck...Dave and I woke up every morning and sat on the porch and read side by side, while we listened to the birds.

Hanging out with these lovely ladies...

Yelling "SUMMEr DAVE" and cheering as a group whenever Dave stayed up passed midnight or did something fun hehe

Shopping on Main Street and finding these free hats to keep our hair dry in the pooring rain.

Finding cute $3.00 shirts that we loaded up on.

Riding the trolly.

Driving around the mountains and looking at some of the amazing houses up there.

Eating out at the best burger joint in Summit County.

Seeing Robin Hood opening night.

Watching Dave act in Gestures and trying not to pee my pants.

Getting heated in a game of memory....yes memory.

Watching the deer run around our cabin windows.

Cooking meals for eachother.

We had such a great time and are thankful for such wonderful friends to spend our time their with. Great friends can be rare and we hope to be life long friends with these 4. Can't wait for our next adventure.

Belgium Waffles

So yesterday at work I recieved a rather intriguing text from my husband.

Dave: "Would you like to go to Belgium in September"

Me: "Yes, Please"

At first I thought this was a joke, but I soon realized that Dave isn't a joker, so I called him as soon as I got off.

For the past couple of years Dave has ben able to go to these international research confrences with all expenses paid by BYU with his professor at the BYU research lab. He's gone to California and Montreal while I have stayed at home and scrapbooked or knitted :)....well this September it's in Belgium and Dave wants me to come too. Dave will have his flight, food and hotel all ready paid by BYU so we just need to pinch our pennies so I can come tag along. When else would we get to travel there for just half the price. I'm trying to not get my hopes up too much, but Dave kind of blew it the moment he told me this posibility. LETS MAKE IT HAPPEN!

So cross your fingers for me.

NEW TOYS

Goodbye Maxima....we'll miss you, but we hope someone buys you soon.

Well it's been almost 2 years of me driving a stick and apparently I'm still horrible at it because Dave felt like I was killing our Maxima, so.....We bought a new car. A 2004 Honda Accord. We weren't really planning on doing this so soon, but the right car came along for a steal of a price (>auction price)....so YAY!!! It's Cougar blue and an automatic which is my favorite part and has all the bells and whistles our Maxima had. So SHOCKED we got such a nice car, I was expecting a hoopty. I'm glad I love it because we're stuck with it until it dies....which is hopefully a

very VERY VERY long time from now.

Not the best picture but isn't it perdy!

We allready decked it out with a BYU sticker.

Nanny Diaries

Scera Pool

These little boogers get out of school next week and we are planning the BEST SUMMER EVER. I am putting together a water party in their backyard for them and their friends to kickoff the first day of summer next Friday...Last year it consisted of all of Sam and his friends chasing me around with water baloons. I can't believe that I will have been their nanny for 2 WHOLE YEARS as of this August. I feel so lucky. They are so Fun and Nice and just dang LOvable.

I feel like a proud momma, they have all done so dang well in school this year and next year even little Mary will be in school all day long instead of half days.

I just don't know If I can handle not having our own little play time together every afternoon filled with picnics and trampolines and tea parties and parks.

I will just have to make do I guess.

Here were some of our adventures from last summer...because they are older and stronger this year we are going to try and do bigger adventures!!!

I have too much fun with my job!

Hogle Zoo

Bridal Veil Falls

Back Yard shinanigans

in a nut shell

Hello Again-

I know I'm lame....California was AMAZING my sister was a beautiful bride and I loved spending so much time with her as well as the rest of my family. Now the newlyweds have officially moved in next door and yesterday she came over to barrow a cup of milk...it made my day! We were lucky enough to have my mother over for dinner on Mother's day. We made her thai food and played games until late at night. This week I have been working like crazy before my boss leaves for London next week and his house undergoes renovations (which I will have to clean up :( ) Last night was our second intramural kickball game, we won...I LOVE KICKBALL. but Tonight I'm off to Park City for a weekend getaway with some of the funnest people in the world that I have missed dearly. We'll be back Sunday and then....then I promise to post details and pictures.

-I am loving post MCAT life with Dave! He is amazing and We have too much fun! lol

Tootaloo!!!

Running Home

My half marathon training is going a lot better than I expected. I've been able to run atleast up to 2 miles a day and sometimes up to six miles. That is my hump....I just mentally poop out after 6, even though my body feels like it can keep going.Even if I don't make it the whole 13.5 miles for the race, I have all ready made it farther than I ever could have imagined. I used to get tired after running for like 5 minutes....and now I can run 5 miles and it's no big deal. And I am actually enjoying my runs. I guess this means I'M A RUNNER, just like my momma : ).

Who'd a thunk it.

My sister Ashley and I went running a few times while we were in California. We got stranded in the rain miles from home, however, it was while we were at the Beautiful Marina....so I didn't really mind. We hid out in the local bait shop there until it stopped...then ran to the train station where we had to take shelter again because it started storming again. It was a fun adventure. I forgot just how beautiful it is there...but they say home is where the heart is and I left my heart in Provo with Dave!

I'm off to California tomorrow for 5 whole days!!! I can't wait. Here is what I will be up to.

0. Helping the family prepare for Ashley's outdoor wedding reception.

1.My older sister Ashley's wedding....woohoo

2. Lunch with my bestie. Jamiee.

3. Laying poolside in the afternoons

4. Riding my bike through SF....one of my favorite things to do.

5. Playing cards with Gma and Gpa.

6. Laughing histarically with my siblings.

7. Making Thia food for my mom.

8. Running every morning down to the marina.

9. Getting manis and pedis with my sisters and madre.

9.5. Biting all of my cute nails off while I wonder what score Dave will get on his MCAT and where we will end up for med school.

10.visiting with old friends.

11. Going through my old closet and bring back all of my clothes I left there....I'm excited to find some good stuff.

11.5. Taking MILLIONS of pictures of all the things I miss.

12. Calling Dave nightly do whisper sweet nothings and tell him I miss him horribly and love him dearly.

BE BACK SUNDAY!!!! And get ready for oodles of photos from Cali.

Pappa Holt

I just think it is so cute that Dave is so over-protective of me and our future kids....and I'm not even a preggy meggy yet. He has me taking multiple suppliments daily to help our kids be smart and healthy. He threw out some water bottle this morning because it had some substance in it that "could" possibly be harmful I guess...lol... I have no idea what he was talking about ...He has me eating healthy and baught me a nice comfy new matress so when I do get pregnant I sleep well. We have been daydreaming a lot lately about what it will all be like once I do get prego.

He's going to be such a cute dad.

I'm trying to be patient...but I'm so ready to be a mom one day soon!

Today

SO sorry I am neglecting my blog these days. I have been working as many hours as possible and cleaning as much as possible so when Dave gets home I'm all his. Only 2.5 weeks left until he takes the MCAT, but don't remind him because he'll get nervous. We are loving life though and loving eachother more than EVER. Dave and I have had so much joy lately with such a wonderful general conference that lit a fire in both of us to be better in so many ways....and by making some changes we have felt miraculously happier and closer to our Heavenly Father.

I know it's hard to make changes sometimes but I know because of these small itty-bitty changes Heavenly Father blessed me with some amazing expiriences this last week...too special to share.

Let's just say I know my Heavely Father lives and loves each and everyone of us!!!

I am so greatful for the knowledge that I have that I am a daughter of God.

For temples.

For a living Prophet to guide me, along with his apostles.

For oppertunities to serve in capacities that are challenging but necesary to help ourselves and others reach their potentional and be comforted.

For eternal families.

For personal revelation.

For the Atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ.

For the Priesthood.

For all of this and so many more reason that I am pondering about today....TODAY will be the best day ever!

Blooming

I decided to put one of Dave's old torn shirts to good use. I used a cookie cutter and traced flowers on it then after cutting them out used a lighter to burn the edges then...folded them and used my handy dandy needle and thread to sew them together...I think I will make a few more and use them for a cute headband....or maybe spice up the collar of one of my shirts....Fun eh!

Geek Chic Homemaker

I have been trying to spend more time with Dave in his research lab. Lately he has been craming for the MCAT and has been so busy working on getting some research published along with his regular school projects and work. This man is Superman I swear. We've been having lots of meals in his lab and listening to pandora while he works and I read. I have really been enjoying our time together there. Here are some fun things I have found this week that I am excited to try.

First.... some Gel Electrophoresis cookies...they look just like what Dave does in the lab.

So cute huh? Her baking ideas are GENIUS!!!

Second...my boss recently had me take DNA swabs of the kids last night so that he can get THIS....

Your probably wondering what This is...Well my boss is having canvas art made of his and his children's decoded DNA. We had a FHE lesson on how unique they are and that no one has the same DNA they do. Everyone has a unique "You" code. I asked them what makes something expensive/valueble...they answered how rare it is. Then I told them there is only one of YOU so that makes you priceless. Then we took their DNA swabs to mail in. It was such a fun lesson and I am so excited to get the canvases back to hang up for them. One day I would like to do this for Dave and I and kids too. Check it out....www.dna11.com. (little pricey but only because not very many people make DNA art yet. I asked Dave to see if maybe he could figure out a way to decode our DNA in his lab for me to make a print to frame. we shall see.)

So Geek Chic!

Get a Grip

"I used to have a handle on life....but the handle broke off a few days ago"

hehe...Just a little quote that I saw while I was out and about yesterday that basically describes how Dave and I have been feeling these days along with why I haven't been blogging!

TWIHARD 2

Dave and I watched this last night....I'm so excited and can't wait for June 30th to be here allready. Dave, although in denial, is duely just as excited to see Jacob's shirt off again. He is definately team jacob!!! lol

The newest addition

Here is our newest neice. Claire! Isn't she a doll. I can't wait to hold her.

She will be closest in age to our children, since she is the last to be born on Dave's side. I am determined to have a girl first so that they can be best of friends.

Sending you hugs and kisses.

Love, Uncle Dave and Aunt Megan

Ciao Bella Photography

I'm feeling inspired today by a friends photo blog.

Check it out...here.

I love her ability to make simple things so visually intriguing.

You can even buy her prints...here...

She also takes portraits, I have been begging Dave to get pictures takin' of us, but we just have no time until after the Mcat.

check her portaits out here

I think I want to buy a print for my birthday gift to myself...but I'm having a hard time deciding.

I just love her pictures! Makes me way too anxious for us to buy a sweet camera... but I need to do some research first.

Any advice on what kind of camera and lens to get???

FREEDOM!!!!!!!!!!

OKay..I woke up this morning and all I could think about is that Dave takes his MCAT in only a month and a half!!!!!! I am so nervous for him, but so excited for the studying madness to be over. We have so many plans for this summer, I am convinced it is going to be EPIC!

Here is our "Dave is free let's party and do everything" list for the summer.

0. Apply To Medschool....WOO HOO it's finally here.!!

1. Hit all of the sweet UTah Camping spots.

1.5. Find all of the great hikes we keep hearing about in UTah...and hike them ;)

2. Read all of the books we have listed, but have no time to read.

3. Tour de Utah Temples.

4. Refinish furniture to sell...or keep for our next place.

5. GET PREGNANT ;) I'm looking forward to this one the most.

6. Road trip to Cor De Lane with friends. This is where we took our honeymoon and love going back.

7. Dave wants to get his research papers published/ I want to finish the few children's books I have been working on and check out getting them published.

8. Go back to Holt Farm and play in the fields...ride some tractors...not get tetnus!! lol

9. Go to Lagoon...neither of us have been.

10. Do a sprint Triathalon together in St. George.

11. I'm running the Utah Valley Half Marathon....my goal is to complete it lol

12. Go shooting at least two dozen times

12.5. Festival of Colors

13. Go to California....my home sweet home!!! ride bikes to and around SF. Take Dave to all of the amazing resturaunts that I miss. Visit with family and friends.

14. Go to all the weddings....my sister's and 2 cousins....I'm sure there will be more to come...

15. Go to see the new Twilight at midnight.....yes I plan on bringing Dave...and although he would never admit it...he loves Jacob and his hot bod. lol jk.

16. Go tandum bike riding up Bridal Veil Falls....we are really curious how far up the path goes...and picnic at the end.

17. Invest

18. Did I mention GET PREGNANT!!

So keep Dave in your Prayers...May 1st will be here before we know it and he will be taking his test. And then it's party time!!!! So if anyone has fun ideas and wants to join in on enjoying "Summer Dave" with me just let us know....although I am tempted to keep him all to myself. And thank you everyone for helping me stay so positive and giving me oppertunities to serve and reminding me that there is light at the end of the tunnel. We are so very blessed and I'll never forget it!!!

WOO HOO. I'm so excited.

Holt Farm

Dave and I took a trip down to Southern Utah last weekend to stay with his Grandma Stratton in Cedar City while Dave presented some research st SUU at the annual Undergraduate Research convention for Utah. Because Dave is so busy with school, work and studying for the MCAT non-stop, it was so great to just pack up and head out with no worries for a few days. We daydreamed the whole drive down about our future family, future house, future dream cars....it was really fun. Saturday we dorve to Pearl Junction where his family owns an alfalfa farm. It's about 300 acres of alfalfa and a few thousand for the cattle. Daves family would drive there every summer and stay for a week or two so Dave has a lot of fond memories there. Grandpa Holt gave a 49 dodge truck to Dave which we hope to restore one day! One day....

Dave took lots of pictures of his truck so that he can start getting appraisels or parts that he might need one day. While he was poking around he got a teenie tiny cut on his finger. On our way back to Provo he kept commenting on how his finger really itched....then it began to swell. We made it home safe and went to bed....the next morning Dave had swollen up at all of his joints (elbows, wrists, ankles, knees, fingers etc.) and was itchy and red. It was hard for him to walk and not be in pain. We googled what it could be and figured he must have an allergic reaction or a bacterial infection from the cut so we picked up the benedryl and hydrocordizone cream....but nothing worked. We decided it would be best if we went to Urgent care...They took a few tests but couldn't conclude what it was so gave him medicine for both Tetnus and an allergic reaction. He's back to normal now, took him a few days. Thank goodness, Dave was so calm but I definately was not so well at hiding my worries for him. I new Dave was accident prone when I met him and now that we're married I'm glad I get to take care of him, sometimes I want to wrap him in bubble wrap and give him a helmet to wear at all times though.

This one is a doozy!

(finishing my first 5k in Martinez with my mom)

So as of now I am officially feeling like the laziest girl in my entire family. My mother is constantly running races and riding her bike or hiking. My sister Janae just finished a half marathon and Ashley has ran in numerous races as well. Myself.....I've done two 5ks. Both which I didn't really train for but did for fun. My mom and I were talking on the phone the other day and I was telling her how I feel like I need to train and run for something so I can stop feeling like the fat lazy girl in the bunch. And so.....we came to the conclusion to run the Provo Caynon half marathon. THAT'S 13.1 MILES! holy moly. I don't know if I am physically capable of this but I sure am going to try.

How am I going to make it.....baby steps. I woke up today and ran 2 miles. That is 2 miles more than I have ran all month. Tomorrow I plan to run three.

I'm making this post so you can all hold me accountable. Don't let me quite on my goal.

Also if you have any training tips or good songs for my ipod please comment them.

.BABY STEPS.

making it work

With the MCAT just around the corner Dave's free time seems to be all consumed with studying and projects. I just keep needing to remind myself that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. MAY 1st, then we will be free to spend time together, free to talk to eachother freely without interuppting studying, free to do fun things on the weekend, instead of studying. Last night Dave seemed pretty worn out from his repeating daily schedule of just constantly studying so I woke up and pressed snooze for him, gave him a 5 minute back scratch and then made bacon and eggs for breakfast. I know there isn't much I can do to lighten his load but I am trying to give him a daily doze of joy to help lift his spirits. Any ideas of sweet somethings are welcome.

Girls Just want to Have Fun

My wonderful cousin Heather (on the right) arranged for all of the girls in the area in our family to get together for lunch at Zupas the other day to celebrate and catch up. It was so fun just so sit down, us girls, and have Ashley and Caitlyn show off their new engagement rings and share their stories. Then Aunt Jeralee, being the thoughtful and creative girl that she is suprised us with Valentine Cookies from Dear Lizzie's, which is a cute boutique I have yet to step into in Alpine. Then 15 minutes later Heather, being the thoughtful, creative/homemaker that she is whipped out homemade sugar cookies for each of us. Can't wait to do it again next month.....I feel the need to bring something delicious to whip out then...so I will be plotting.

I'm greatful to have such awsome ladies to call family!