Glimpse Into Motherhood.

Some days this picture is how i feel... Ok most days. I'm sure all you mothers are thinking "Oh Candice, you just wait."  :) And you know what, you are probably right. 

My nanny job last year was wonderful, yes it had it's challenges at times but for the most part i was happy. And it felt good to feel loved from the children and mostly Rebecca, who welcomed me in her home like i was her own child.  I came home last summer feeling more grown up, more experienced and felt that i had found myself. Now... this summer i must say has been a tad bit different from the last. I have been thrown out of my comfort zone, have felt more alone than i ever knew was possible and at times felt lost and confused about things i was once so sure of. Poor Karli had to listen to me break down a few times. Thanks Kar, i don't know what i would have done the first 2 months without you. It has been a very trying and difficult last 4 months for me for many reasons but now that i am down to my last week here in New Canaan, i am beginning to realize all that i have learned. Let me start out by saying this is the BEST birth control out there. No doubt about it. (my husband will either be very thankful or very frustrated when he has to beg for me to have children) Just kidding. But seriously. Now on a more serious note, One of the most important things i am taking home with me is the knowledge of how important the gospel is in a home. It is like night and day of a difference. I have always grown up having the spirit in my home and never knew or realized how it might be to not have it... until i came here that is. I would be lying if i said i did not struggle with that. It has been extremely hard for me. The best i could do was try and make my very own room a place where the spirit could be. I can't even explain how excited i am to walk in my home and feel that peace again. The gospel changes lives, changes attitudes, changes families, changes happiness and changes the mood in the home. That i KNOW. And that i am so thankful to know. I have also learned much about what i want to be like as a wife and mother. I am in no way trying to say that the mother i work for is not a good one or does not love her children, i am just saying what i have learned through some different experiences. Looking back at all of these experiences that may have not been easy or fun in anyway, i can finally see the good coming from them. Another thing that i have come to realize is the gospel is the same wherever you go. It's just as incredible here as it is in my little Utah bubble. :) Wherever you go you always have a family on Sunday. I am so grateful for my wonderful bishop he truly is one inspired man. I'm grateful for all the friendships i have made in my home ward. I have met some amazing people that have helped my testimony grow simply by example and sharing what they know to be true. And last, i have learned aton about myself. Sometimes that can not be a fun thing, but is something we need to find to become better. But all in all as ready as i am to finally come home, i am very grateful for my time here and for this brief little glimpse into what motherhood is like. It only reminds me that I'm so not ready to be a mom yet. But i know that day will come and i am super excited and hopefully will be a little more prepared.

Nantucket, MA

YES i'm alive. Sorry it's been awhile since i last posted. I have been quite busy! Busy with screaming kids but also busy with some fun things too. My vacation to Nantucket was awesome. What a cool place. Those of you that don't have any idea where Nantucket is... It's in Massachusetts just under Cape Cod, and is the island next to Martha's Vineyard, if that helps any?? Anyways, way cool place! Not a cheap vacation spot might i add... I'm not thinking i will be going back anytime soon. It wasn't all vacation for me, still had to work my 8 Hr days but when i did get off i went and explored the area. What a cool place to visit.

So i didn't take near as many pictures as i should have. But here are a few...

 

So i had no idea i would be taking this 8 passenger plane to get to the island. I was a bit nervous at first (alot had to do with my young pilot... i swear he was my age) But hey it all worked out... other than me getting stuck sitting by Brooke who get's car sick almost every time we get in a car, let's just say thank goodness for the barf bags the plane provided. 

Looking out the window towards the city of Boston.

 

Up in the air...

Little Trevor LOVED the plane ride.

Nantucket had some of the best beach's i have ever seen. Crazy fun waves.

Brooke playing at the beach... had to deal with some major temper tantrums but for the most part she enjoyed playing in the sand.

Catching snapping turtles was so much fun... something i had never done before. You tie a raw chicken drum stick onto the end of a string and wait for the turtle to bite, just like fishing but with chicken not a worm :) (these turtles were HUGE by the way and not very nice...)

Trevor waiting to catch one (he thought it was so cool). 

One of the many many boats. I have never seen so many big boats in my life... were talking VERY pricey.

Nantucket was beautiful. The weather was perfect all week. In fact the day we left was the day of the hurricane warning. The airport was crazy packed, everyone trying to leave the island before the hurricane hit. I was so glad we decided to stay the one week and not two... they closed down all the beach's... i guess the waves were suppose to get super high... in a way i think it would have been cool to see but i would have been very nervous knowing a hurricane was on it's way. Overall it was a great vacation and i feel very lucky i was invited to tag along... even if it was work. :) 

Family Vacation To NYC!

What a busy but GREAT last two weeks it has been. My family came for a visit to celebrate my birthday with me. Joey wasn't able to make it because of school and boy did we all miss him. It has been forever since we have taken a family vacation. Karli and i had so much fun showing everyone NYC! (Time Square, Central Park, Ground Zero, Grand Central Station, Statue Of Liberty, Wicked, Serendipity, Canal Street, Good Morning America W/American Idols & much much more) but i still think the best part was just being together. I can't begin to explain how much i have missed my family while being here. Thanks dad for making it all possible!! And thanks family for making my birthday special! :) Karli's friends also came to visit, they came the week before my family (very cute and fun girls). And we also met up with our sweet cousin Erin and her adorable little boy Ben that have been living in Boston for the summer. Nothing could have turned out better! It was perfect! Karli is now gone and wow the homesickness has really hit hard. I'm not so sure i have ever felt this way... It's tough knowing that she's not just down the street anymore. I'm going to really miss having her around. On Saturday i'm headed on a week long vacation with the family i work for. Anyone heard of Nantucket?! I don't know it should be fun... I'll update when i get back. Anyways enjoy the many pictures of the fam in NYC!! :) 

PS. Yes Kris is just as beautiful in real life, & Yes Adam Is just as Crazy! :)

Palmyra, New York

The Sacred Grove.

On Top Of Hill Camorah.

In The Sacred Grove Sunday Morning Before Testimony Meeting. 

The Smith Home.

Karli & I On The Smith Farm.

Palmyra, New York Temple.

In The Grove.

Walking On Sacred Ground.

The church is defiantly true, I'm not sure what else i can say. I had another incredible experience in Palmyra this summer. Some things are just to perfect to try and describe. Glad Karli could experience it with me. 

Red, White and Blue Fun!!

Happy 4Th Of July!!

Brooke & Trevor.

Yummy.

I had a great fourth this year. Although tradition is great, it's always good to mix things up. I have missed my usual fourth in good ole' Plain City the last 2 years but at the same time i have been so lucky to spend them on the east coast. I actually had to work a few hours on Saturday morning so i wanted to do something fun with the kids. After getting them dressed in Red, White and Blue (and Brooke in her cute hair bow) we decided to make some cupcakes. The kids had fun helping with them. Afterwords Karli and i packed a lunch and headed to the beach where we spent the rest of the day. No better feeling than baking in the sun. :)

Cute Hair Bows!

The other night at the Youngs we decided to craft and make some cute hair bows for Libby. The first couple i attempted to make were a bit rough. By the end of the night i actually started to get the hang of it. We had no idea what we were doing, it was pretty funny. We had the entire family helping (yes even the little boys). :) I'll post more pictures later... these are just a few i made for Brooke and Libby to wear for the fourth. 

Ps. If anyone has any tips that would be great! 

Birthday & City Fun!!

HaPpY BiRtHdAy!!

Luke had a birthday and turned 5!! I can't believe he is 5!! Karli and i wanted to make him a special birthday treat...

Golf Cupcakes... They didn't turn out so bad :) The boys loved them. (Emily i know you could have done better but we tried).

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NYC!!

Karli and i went into the city this weekend... what an unforgettable experience we had :)

When It Rains... It Pours!!

Don't we look beautiful??

I wish i could explain how much fun it was to play in the rain in the streets of NYC! It was 90 degrees, not a cloud in the sky then all of the sudden... downpour!! (lasted about 10 minutes at the most) It ended up being alot of fun other than sitting at dinner soaking wet afterwards :)

Yesterday our focus was on ground zero and the statue of liberty.

karli "holding the statue in her hand."

Karli & I.

Me in front of ground zero.

Karli trying to be cool. :)

Some random dancers doing some cool tricks.

Were having so much fun!! I'm so glad karli is here with me!

Have You Seen It??

SO Funny.

SO Cute.

Best Movie I Have Seen In Awhile.