One Missionary off...Two to go (I hope my heart can take this!)

Well, yesterday at the crack of dawn, we got my baby sister Kristin aka Sister Carter off to the MTC. She got set apart as a full time missionary Tuesday night. It was a really beautiful blessing, and one that I know will get her through the hard times she will have as a missionary.

I did really really well sending her off. My mom cried a little, and my poor dad was so strong until she turned the corner in the security line at the airport and we could no longer see her. He just sobbed. His baby, his youngest child, is off on a new adventure. He can't call her or text her anytime anymore to see how she is doing. It was a rough day. My mom went to work, but my dad had the day off. Every once in a while, he broke down. I know he will miss her...I know we will all miss her. My parents won't see her until a few months after she gets home since they will still be on their mission in Mongolia.

I have really never had to send a missionary off. My brother Troy left on his mission just shortly before I left on mine, so it was a little different. Last night, we were sitting on the couch and all the sudden it hit me. I was sad. I was really missing my Kristin. I couldn't help but cry just a little--but I quickly gained control. I know what a wonderful opportunity this is for her. I know she will grow and have life changing experiences as a missionary. I know because I experienced it myself. There is no doubt this is what she is supposed to be doing and her life will be blessed forever for her service and sacrifice right now.

I couldn't help but look at the clock every once in a while today and think of what Kristin was doing at that time. Had she eaten lunch already? Did she like the food? Was she in her district having class? Was she at a fireside or devotional maybe? I hope she has a good companion. I hope she has a good district. I hope she is having a good experience. My mom and I did get a little goodie box together for her today though. She had been asking for no-bake cookies that never got made--so we made them this morning and have them all ready to go (along with some other things of course!)

I will keep everyone posted on how Kris is doing, where she is at, and any fun missionary news she sends from Virginia! And if anyone wants her address, let me know and I will get it for you!

We love you Kristin!

Witnessing A Lifelong Dream Come True

My parents are two of the greatest people I know. I know I may be a bit biased, but I think there are many many others who would agree with me. Not only do they excel at what they do career wise (my mom is an elementary school teacher....which in and of itself is a labor of love, and my dad does Human Resources and has helped hundreds of people get good stable jobs), but they love people. I think mostly, they love our Heavenly Father, so for them doing things for people just comes naturally. I know there are several people whom they have helped, and those people don't even know it. Truly, my mom and dad are wonderful, good hearted people inside and out.

Ever since I was a little girl, and I mean I was little--maybe 4 or 5 years old, I have heard my mom and dad talk about how one day they were going to serve a mission together. It has always been a dream of theirs. My mom served a mission to British Columbia Canada when she was younger, but my dad is a convert to the church and never had the opportunity. He has been looking forward to serving a mission for the church since the day he was baptized I think!

I remember when I left on my mission. Parents were still allowed at the MTC then, and I remember after watching the video they show my dad looking over at me a little teary (which doesn't happen often!) and he said "April, you are so lucky. You get to serve the Lord as a missionary." I knew then that going on a mission was truly one of the greatest desires of their hearts.

Well, yesterday, this much anticipated event became a reality. My mom and dad got their mission call! I have to admit, ever since their papers went in, I have been hoping and praying that they wouldn't leave until November so they could be here when our baby is born. I know that is SO SO selfish of me because they have put this mission off several years already. My grandmother had to go and live with my parents a few years ago, which made it impossible for them to go on a mission. She passed away last July.

Now, my parents are very smart people, with a lot to offer. I would have guessed they would be sent maybe to work with the Native Americans or something. My dad could offer job skills, etc and my mom could help teach the children. Something like that, I totally could see. I NEVER NEVER in a million years would have guess that they would be sent to......

The Mongolia Ulaanbaatar Mission

Mongolia! Seriously?! That's like the place you joke your are going to send your wayward teenager to!




They have been called to be CES missionaries working specifically in Darhan Mongolia (which is quite literally "Outer Mongolia") right next to the Russian boarder.


(if you click on the picture, you can see where Darhan is)

They report to the MTC August 9---just 2 months before our baby is due. I was so so sad about that, but then I realized, this is truly my parents Lifelong Dream. It's finally coming true for them. They get to do what they love the most....serve the Lord!

I am so happy for them. I still can't quite wrap my mind around the fact that they are going to Mongolia. To be honest, no matter where they would have been sent, I am going to miss them. And, my little Gracie is going to miss them! She LOVES LOVES LOVES her Bubby and Grandpa. But, despite our little bit of sadness right now, we are so Proud of them. They will be wonderful missionaries, and I know they will have great influence on the people they work with!

LOOK OUT MONGOLIA--YOU ARE ABOUT THE LUCKIEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD--GETTING THE TWO GREATEST PEOPLE FOR 18 WHOLE MONTHS!

Book Review

Okay, so I have to admit, I haven't read a book "for fun" for a long time. I'm not sure why, because there is nothing I love more than a good book! However, the past few weeks I have read TWO books which I absolutely loved. So in case any of you out there are wanting a good book to read, here are my recommendations!



The first book I read was a birthday gift I received from my mother in law, Ruth. It's called "I am a Mother" by Jane Clayson Johnson. I LOVED LOVED LOVED this book. Jane Clayson Johnson was a big time anchor women for Good Morning America and some other shows. She gave up her promising and successful career to be a Mother. She talks about everything you can imagine about being a mother, from what a privilege it is to be a mom, to the influence her own mother and grandmothers have had on her, to the difficult adjustment it was to go from successful career women to stay at him wife and mother. Something that really stuck out to me was how hard it was for her to hear other moms say "I'm just a stay at home mom" almost like they were embarrassed that they didn't work outside the home. She really explained what an important job being a mother is. It may sound silly, but after reading this book, I felt a sense of importance and dignity for choosing to stay home and be a mother.
If any of you are looking for a Mother's Day gift, this is perfect! This is a great book not only for young mothers, but for grandmothers, aunts, any important women in your life!

The second book I read is "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society." I think I'm the last one to read or write a review on this book, but I really enjoyed it.



The entire book is a compilation of letters written back and forth between Juliet, a young vivacious author, her editor, her best friend and a bunch of "strangers" from Guernsey Island. It takes place right after WWII ends. One of Juliet's books ends up in Guernsey and the correspondence begins. It is a charming book, that once I got into I had a hard time putting down. I was a bit sad when it ended. I almost felt like I was saying goodbye to a bunch of my own friends! I especially love that it takes place between England and Guernsey, and they mention Bury St. Edmonds a few times in the book. When my family lived in England we were in the Bury St. Edmonds branch, so I felt a special connection to the book after that!

So, those are my two recommendations. I think anyone who reads either of these books will be very pleased! And if any of you have a new book for me, please let me know. I am in the reading mood these days!

And the verdict is....BOISE!

The past few months, we have been hoping and praying that Bryant's last two internships would be back to back...meaning we just wanted to stay in the same area. Going 10 weeks somewhere and then having to pack up and go somewhere else for the next 10 weeks was not our idea of "fun" especially with two kids!
So, after looking at our options and talking to the lady in charge of setting up the internships, we finally heard that we officially got the last two internships back to back......in BOISE!
We would have loved to come back to Spokane, but they just didn't have the internships Bry needed here. So, our next choice was Boise. It's only for 6 months, and we have family and friends there so we won't be all alone. That was my main concern. With a brand new baby and a toddler, I really wanted to be somewhere that I would have some help if I needed it, or at least where I won't be lonely! Having a new baby makes it hard to get out, or have any adult interaction sometimes! Everyone seems to be really excited that we are coming! So, in Bryant's words"Hello Treasure Valley, the Howard's are coming home!" And who knows, maybe Bryant will love one of his internships and get offered a job....anything is possible right?!

How I told Bryant....

that we are having another Baby! Yep, that's right, baby Howard #2 is on it's way, and currently my main excuse for neglecting to blog for the last two months. This pregnancy so far has been difficult for me. I have been extremely tired and sick. I thought the sickness would let up by now like it did with Gracie, but the nausea and vomiting are still present. I just hope sooner than later it does get better:)

So, how did I tell Bryant? Well, I actually found out while he was in San Diego back in February. Those were the most grueling 3 1/2 days ever because I didn't want to tell him over the phone so I had to keep the news all to myself until he came home. I'm not sure why I took the test (well actually 5 tests) while he was gone, but honestly I didn't really believe I could be pregnant. I didn't have to go on Clomid or anything this time!
So, he got home a bit late on a Saturday night. It was actually our anniversary (well the day after, but he was gone for our actually anniversary day) so I decided to make this a 5 year anniversary surprise! I went and bought a digital pregnancy test, which I had never taken before....and it's a bit different. Anyway, I then got a shoe box and wrapped it all pretty and then wrapped the test in tissue paper with a card.
When we finally got home and he FINALLY got Gracie to let him open the gift, he just starred at the test for what seemed like an hour, though it was probably more like 20 or 30 seconds! He was surprised alright, but very excited. I got a big hug out of it!

The baby is due sometime between October 10 and October 24. My original due date was 10-10-10 but at the ultrasound the baby was a bit smaller (could have been because I've been so sick though), so we will see when this little one decides to come I guess. We are a little nervous as Bryant's first internship in Eugene, OR is scheduled to start around September 20th which is too close to my due date to move. Plus I don't think our insurance works out of Washington. Plus, my entire family is leaving! Kristin (my sister) is leaving on a mission May 26 and my mom and dad are currently awaiting their mission call. They will most likely leave before October. So, we have some major hurdles to jump though in figuring this out. But, I know it will work out, and I am very excited to meet this new member of our family!

I Love Primary

My mom has always inspired me. Her love of the gospel has influenced me throughout my life. Not only her love of the gospel, but her constant willingness to accept whatever calling she is given as well as support my dad in all the callings he has been given. And always, without complaint (though nobody would have blamed her if she had!)

However, there is one calling my mom just LOVES...and that is being the Primary Music Leader. In her words "it's the best calling in the entire church." Now, my mom is very musical, but even if she wasn't, her love of the children and her ability to teach them the gospel through these beautiful songs is truly a gift. About a year and a half or so ago, she was the Primary Music Leader again and just loving every minute of it, when the stake called her into the Stake Relief Society Presidency. Like I said, she is always willing to accept and serve in whatever capacity she is asked, but I will say, she was heartbroken (I think she even cried). She asked if she could at least keep her primary calling until the end of the year and she would just balance both callings until then. Of course they were fine with that, but it was hard for her to leave her favorite calling!

My mom is right. The simple, basic principles of the gospel can all be found in these inspired primary songs.

I have also learned the past few months to love my primary calling. I'm just the Sunbeam teacher, but I love being able to participate in sharing time and singing the songs with my sweet little 3 and 4 year olds. There is a a new primary song that was written just for this year's primary program. It's called "I Know that My Savior Loves Me" and it is just beautiful. We have only sung it twice now, but I am amazed at how well the primary children are remembering it. I have a hard time listening to it without getting a little emotional. I thought I would share it with everyone...especially those of you who aren't in primary so you can hear what a beautiful message this new inspired primary song has for all of us! Enjoy!

5 YEARS!!

Can you believe Bryant and I have been married for Five Years?? It's gone so quickly.

I think back on the February 19, 2005, and how much I loved Bryant then,

and realize how much more I love him now.

We've gone through many months of infertility, 9 months of pregnancy, (just 4 short hours of labor), have one very sweet little girl,

lived in 2 states,

visited 7 new baseball fields,

gone through 2 graduations,

(This is Bryant's best friend Ryan...it's the only graduation picture I have on the computer. I don't have one easily accessible of my graduation, so this post have will go without!)

had 3 job changes, started graduated school,

Doctorate of Physical Therapy

we've known comfortable times, and more frugal times,

we've laughed and cried together, we've definitely grown together. It has been a wonderful journey! Thank you Bryant for choosing me!!