Fitt Family Reunion 2018

Every three years, Jon's grandpa's siblings on down get together in Utah for a family reunion, and 2018 was one of those time. Jon took off work and we made the trek down to Utah to join on in the fun.

The first day we drove straight to a mini reunion on Grandma Fitt's side of the family. They had food and a huge blow-up water jump house which Phoebe thought was the coolest, especially because it was so hot!

For the main Fitt reunion we spent time in Heber Valley at a chalet. Phoebe ate her first oreo, got aquainted with Grandma and Grandpa Fitt, and hung out with the cousins. Jon spent some time hitting around a baseball with his sibling and Uncle David (who was sure to show off his baseball moves).

Not all our time was spent at the Fitt reunion, though. Jon's immediate family decided to rent a house to stay at while there so that we could spend more time together. We played games, ate junk food, and slept at night and then ran off and adventured during the day when it wasn't Fitt reunion time. We walked to church just around the corner on Sunday and on Tuesday enjoyed lunch at Tucanos (Jon was in heaven), looking at animals at the Bean Museum at BYU, and got ice cream at the BYU creamery.

The reunion happened to fall on Phoebe's birthday, so we got to celebrate it with them! On her actual birthday she was so worn out from traveling that she fell asleep in her high chair in a room full of noisy people. So we waited until the next day when things calmed down to do the celebration. She had lots of cousins to excitedly watch her open presents and when it came time to eat cake, she wasn't quite sure what to do--"It's so big!" she seemed to say--and so she just flopped her face right down into it.

On our last day we said goodbye to Jon's family and spent the day adventuring around. We met with my old boss, Fred, from my days doing early morning custodial at the Tanner Building during college. Then, we dropped by and walked around the grounds at the Provo City Center temple, which was completed right after we left Utah. After a visit with my Uncle Steven, we were able to say hi to one of Jon's old roommates, Jacob. That night we slept at my Uncle David's place and while I visited with my cousin Stephanie and her new baby there, Jon ran off to say hi to another old roommate, Eric.

On our drive home, we stopped for lunch to say hi to my Grandma and Grandpa Sorensen and Aunt Janet. How grateful I am that we did, for my Grandpa passed away just a week after that.

And that was it! Like I said, the Lord has blessed us with more amazing people in our lives than I can count, and it was a blessing to spend time with them.

4th of July and Birthday Celebrations

For the Fourth of July my family drove up to spend the day with us and to celebrate Emily and Phoebe's birthdays. Having all my sisters home for the summer has been a tremendous blessing. I'm trying to soak in get togethers like this as much as I can because I realize that as my sisters go off to school, get jobs, and start families of their own, it's going to be a lot harder to get everyone together.

Phoebe didn't really get what all the hoopla was about, but we enjoyed celebrating her. I had cute decorations my good friend, Lui, gave us to use, which made for some fun. Phoebe thought it was weird we buried toys in bags and paper, but boy--tissue paper is cool! And Abby brought her a cupcake which she enjoyed munching down. Overall, a success!

Before we sent my family on their way, we set off a few fireworks. We thought they would scare Phoebe, but they didn't--she even helped Grandma Rogers set off one! After the family left Jon and I waited for a little more dark before lighting the rest of the fireworks, some of which were generously gifted to us by a good friend. It was the perfect way to end the day.

June 2018

First Row:

• We had s'mores at our place and Phoebe LOVED the attention!
• We said goodbye to some of our favorite missionaries--Sis. Lee, Sis. Olmstead, and Elder Brown!

Second Row:

• Phoebe and I went to my sister-in-law's place to spend the night.
• Phoebe started walking and loves the independence! 
• We went to the zoo for the first time. Phoebe didn't quite get it and found it more entaining to watch the zookeepers talking about the animals than the animals themselves, but it was still nice to be outside with family and friends.

Third Row:

• We started cutting out some grass in the front of our yard to put in this flower patch. 
• Kate graduated! What?!!!
• To celebrate Kate's graduation, the sisters went and goofed off at Walmart. It's surprising how fun that store can be after 9pm.

May 2018

First Row:

• We went to the Northwest Wildlife Park. Phoebe liked to see the animals, but by the end it was nap time.
• We met with Phoebe's doctor at Seattle Children's and he says her lip is doing great. Whoo-hoo!Jessica came and spent a weekend with us. We watched a movie and had treats and went to the park and went shopping and were sad when she had to go.

Second Row:

• Phoebe and I traveled down to Vancouver with our friend, Carlene, to do some hiking down in Southern Washington. We hiked to Falls Creek Falls, stopped to look at Panther Creek Falls, and hiked through Forest Park in Portland.
• Phoebe is leaning to get into things she shouldn't....
• We met up with Mom in Chehalis and went for a bike ride

Third Row:

• My cousin, Alex, and her daughter Hazel were in town. It was great catching up!
• Aunt Emily came for a weekend of fun! She was a good sport hanging out with us at a family BBQ, going on a walk, and helping us with some yard work.
• We got a grill! I set it on fire and almost burned our house down about a week into having it, but besides that, it's been fantastic to have around!

March 2018

Our biggest adventure was obviously Phoebe's surgery, but we had fun doing many other things too!

First Row

• We hiked Pinnacle Peak in Enunclaw as a family.
• Phoebe and I snuk along with Jon to an Elder's Quorum activity and Phoebe went bowling for the first time (she has room for improvement).
• We met up with some friends and Phoebe "played" at the park for the first time.
• Jon had a birthday, which we got to celebrate the following week with Laura and Austin's family, along with Chase, who happened to be in town.

Second Row

• We went out lots of times with the sister missionaries serving in our ward, Sis. Lee and Sis. Darling. They are awesome!
• We went to the temple and walked around as a family the day before Phoebe's surgery.
• Phoebe started riding in the shopping cart and loves it.
• We had green cinnamon rolls for St. Patrick's Day.

Third Row

• My family came into town St. Patrick's Day weekend to have fun and help around the house. Kate grew Easter bunny ears while we were at Target.
• Phoebe has decided that she's too cool for the changing table. In fact, she's too cool for changing in general and often tries to run away mid-change.
• We started painting the inside of our house. It took me seven samples of paint (only one of which we ended up using) and a lot of prayers to pick the colors, but I'm really happy with what we've done so far! We've only done the bedroom, so there's more fun to come...
• Jon's family sent an Easter package to us, full of yummy treats and this cute duck for Phoebe!

Fourth Row

• Phoebe and I went to watch our friend, Raquel, coach a lacrosse game. Our friends, Cassy, McKenley, Lindsi, and Lukas came along!
• We went with our friend, Loree, and got burgers and fries at Pick Quick. Phoebe liked the french fries.
• Phoebe practiced wearing headbands. If it stays on her head, this photo is usually as good as it gets.
• Phoebe took her first ride in the bike trailer I got from my mom for my birthday. It was fun!

Family Photos

A friend of ours took some family photos for us before Phoebe had her surgery and we're so happy with how they turned out! Now I just have to take the initiative to make sure they end up on our walls...

February 2018

Here's a bit of what we were up to in February...

First Row:

• We got together twice with our friend, Cassy, for lunch.
• We hiked Tiger Mountain with my friend, Erika. Phoebe did great the first 5 miles, but protested the last two...
• Jon and I went mountain biking at Swan Creek. It was the first time I've gone in a year and a half and I LOVED it! Plus, the bike Jon got me for my birthday is awesome!

Second Row:

• The family went to Buffalo Wild Wings to watch the BYU v. Gonzaga basketball game. BYU lost unfortunately, but the food was good and Phoebe loved it (all those TVs and noise, you know?)
• Jon took a day off work and my family came to watch Phoebe so that he and I could go skiing. I learned that I appreciate skiing more than snowboarding, though I still pretty much fell down the mountain the whole way.
• While my parents and Kate were in town to watch Phoebe, Kate got creative and invented the "Swami." #mysisteriscoolerthanyours

Third Row:

• While in town, my dad helped us do a lot around the house. For example, he hung this beautiful shelf he made me for Christmas. He also helped us fix our kitchen light (it needed more than a new light bulb), hang a shelf in Phoebe's room, and hang a plate in our kitchen. Yay for handy/awesome dads!
• Phoebe and I met up our friends--Lui and her daughter, Suri--at a yummy Asian bakery. I love Lui and Suri...we happened to meet each other at a library baby storytime, and since then have become really good friends. Yay for yummy treats and awesome friends!
• It snowed in Tacoma! For a whole week! We almost didn't know what to do with ourselves.

And then because I can't help but make a collage of Phoebe pictures...

January 2018

Here's our January in pictures...

First Row:
1. Phoebe getting all warm for a run.
2. We went out to Red Robin for my birthday.
3. Phoebe is adorable...
4. ...And spits out her food when she decides she doesn't like how it tastes (cleft lips are very handy for this!)

Second Row:
1. Once again, Phoebe is adorable
2. Phoebe loves to play with toys (as long as you are there with her!)
3. She continues to chew on just about everything you hand her
4. She loves to bounce around in the jumperoo that my sister-in-law, Laura, is letting us borrow.

Third Row:
1. Phoebe makes a MESS when eating. Especially if she's tired and she rubs her food-covered hand all over her face.
2. Yup--still adorable!
3. Phoebe and I went down to Vancouver to see my sister, Kate, in a short skit she helped put on
4. Phoebe is officially sitting in the stroller forward facing (instead of sitting in the car seat with the stroller adapter)

Fourth Row:
1. We start off most morning by doing a bit of reading, including reading Winnie the Pooh!
2. Phoebe all ready for church
3. My birthday present from Jon...a new mountain bike!
4. And of course, still adorable.

Thanksgiving 2017

This year for Thanksgiving Phoebe and I hit the road and traveled to Idaho with my family. Sadly, Jon could not take time off of work to join us. Luckily, he had good friends and his sister nearby to keep him company.

Phoebe and I did the travel with my parents and Kate which was FANTASTIC because they helped me take care of Phoebe for a whole week! Of course, everyone we visited got to meet and hold and help with Phoebe too!

My mom was kind enough to come get Phoebe and I the day before leaving state so we could spend the night there and Jon could keep the car. We got to visit with Abby that night, who unfortunately also couldn't get off work and, therefore, couldn't join us. I'm glad she got to see and hang out with the Phoebester a bit that night at least!

That night was also fun because Holly, Jules, and Alix came over to say hi and hang out for a bit. You know you have good friends when you can go months without saying a word and then when you get back together, you pick up like not a day has passed. That's how I felt that night. PLUS, Holly asked me to be her bridesmaid when she gets married next September, which I am SUPER excited for!

The next day Kate, Phoebe, and I squeezed into the middle seat of my parents' snazy new car and we went to Boise to stay the night at my Grandma and Grandpa Sorenesen's place. I loved getting to introduce Phoebe to my grandparents and Aunt Janet.

The next day we traveled to Pocetello, Idaho to spend some time with my dad's sister, Christy, and her family. We had such an awesome time hanging out, doing crafts, and going on walks.

A few days later we headed back to Grandma and Grandpa Sorensen's place to get ready for and spend Thanksgiving Day with my mom's family. Here Emily joined us and we had three of the five sisters together!

Thanksgiving ended, we headed back home, and then Saturday Jon drove down to spend the day with us and to hear Abby announce her exciting news to everyone...she got her mission call and is going the the Alberquerie, New Mexico mission! She leaves on January 3rd. We are so excited for her!

Overall, the week was a blissful break from the responsibilities of "real" life in exchange for some wonderful family time. I am glad to be back at home with Jon, though, and look forward to spending Phoebe's first Christmas together with everyone!

Halloween 2017

We had a busy and fun Halloween! Jon was a nerd, I was a court jester, and Phoebe was a butterfly. We went to our church's trunk or treat for the evening an passed out candy there. Phoebe was obviously everyone's favorite.

Mom and Kate Helping Phoebe's First Week

I was both too tired and overwhelmed when Phoebe was first born to write much about her first week home. There's a lot to remember from that first week, and something I want to make sure I don't forget is that my mom and my sister, Kate, came into town to help. It was fantastic to have them here--both so willing to hold Phoebe--so that I could have a chance to breathe between feedings and take everything in. Here are some of my favorite pictures of them while they were here!

Phoebe's Baby Blessing

The past few days we've enjoyed spending time with family for Phoebe's baby blessing. Jon's family flew into town for the weekend and were able to meet baby Phoebe for the first time! We spent Saturday evening with them at my sister-in-law--Laura's--home. 

Sunday my family drove up from Washington to join the crew for the actual blessing. When Phoebe was blessed we had Grandpa Self, Grandpa Rogers, Uncles Perry and Austin, along with our friends Pierre and Joe in the circle. It was wonderful to have so many people whom we love to participate. Jon gave the blessing, of course, and did a wonderful job at listening to the Spirit to know what to say.

After church the Gray's were kind enough to let our families come over to their place for lunch (our place is a little too small for 15+ people). The food was great, but just having the time to sit and talk with loved ones was even better.

My family and Laura's family drove home Sunday night, but Jon's family got to spend the night with us. We enjoyed watching the solar eclipse on Monday morning before they had to leave to catch the bus and hop on the plane home. 

We already miss everyone so much!

Here's something to remember how cute she is:

...And here's something to keep reality in check:

Welcome, Phoebe Esther Self!

As ya'll have probably already heard...Jon and I had our baby!

Phoebe Esther Self was born on July 8th at 10:39 pm. She weighed 6 lbs, 7 oz and measured 20 inches long.

The past few weeks of mommyhood have been crazy! Crazy overwhelming, crazy happy, crazy exhausting, crazy cute, crazy stressful, and crazy special. Jon and I love Phoebe to death and even when she keeps us up all night, we still want to keep her!

Here's to the next 18 years of stressing, laughing, teaching, not sleeping, and loving!

My Mom

If I grow up to be anything like my mom, I will have lived a good life. My mom is full of life. She is happy, laughs easily, reaches out to people, and gets things done. Above all, she loves her family and the gospel. These are just a few of the many reasons why she is one of the most influential and important people in my life.

My mom grew up on a farm in Jerome, Idaho with cows and gardens and muck and fun. She says that her favorite smell in the world is that of cow manure because it reminds her of home. Today she hates fish and milk and beef because they ate tons of it in her house growing up--nice pieces of cow hair with the milk included. But whenever she talks about her life growing up it sounds like so much fun. Lots of hard work--yes! But a slower, simpler time of life.

When she left home she went to school at BYU and got a degree in public health. After she graduated she worked doing wilderness survival trips with troubled teens. On these trips, she and the kids had to make their own shelters, find their own water, and kill and cook their own food—all out in the desert! And despite the fact that my mom hates snakes, she even killed and ate rattlesnake on some of these adventures!

Between trips, she met my dad and got married at the age of 26. She worked several different jobs their first years of marriage, including helping older mentally handicapped people learn how to live on their own. When my dad graduated and got a job she was finally able to just stay at home with me and my sister Emily, and she has been a stay at home mom ever since.

People love my mom because she doesn't take herself too seriously and focuses on what matters most rather than getting caught up in the unimportant details. Once my mom was talking about how, as a seminary teacher, her students were often late to class. Her philosophy on the matter? "Even if you make it to the Celestial Kingdom late, at least you made it!" On days when I feel overwhelmed and stressed, I'll often call my mom and she'll put things into perspective, making me feel like I can conquer whatever "mess" I'm in at the moment.

On that note, another thing I love about my mom is that she listens. Every single day for the first three years I lived away from home, I called her. Literally: Every. Single. Day. Why? Just to talk. Just to tell. Just because I needed to know that someone loved me enough to listen, which she did. As I've gotten older, I realize that my mom does this for everyone in my family. My dad calls her on his drive home from work and talks about computer parts and other work related things that she can't understand. But even though she doesn't understand, she listens. All my other sisters that are away from home also call her now that they are at college and also just need someone to listen. My mom's example in this case has taught me that one of the best ways to say: "I love you" is to not say anything at all, but to just listen.

My mom loves the outdoors. Hiking, camping, biking…she does it all, and has taught us to love doing it too! I think it’s safe to say that most of my sisters’ and my favorite memories of growing up take place out in the woods. I love that my mom isn’t afraid of getting dirty and that she taught her five daughters to be the same.

Above all, what drives and guides my mom is her steadfast conviction to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. One of the defining memories I have of my mom happened when I was a Laurel, about 17 years old, and the laurel class joined the older women in Relief Society for the third hour of church. I sat next to my mom and as the lesson was going on the volunteer sign up binder came to us. I knew my mom was already very busy--between teaching seminary and taking care of five girls, she didn't have any free time. Yet as this binder came to her, she opened it up and began signing herself up to help with different things.

"Mom," I said, "Why are you signing up? You're already so busy."

She looked at me and said something I will never forget: "If I don't sign up, who will?"

In that moment, I realized that it wasn't a matter of available time that motivated my mom to sign up for things. It wasn’t that she had time, it was that she would make time because she was dedicated to the Lord and put His work before her own. In that room, I knew there were many people less busy than my mom who weren't signing up to volunteer for things because they lacked the dedication that my mother possesses. She has always been this way. In many other instances, I have witnessed my mom sacrifice to put the Lord first and it has blessed my life immensely. My testimony is largely a result of watching my mother live hers.

More than perhaps any other individual on this earth, my mother has shaped me into the person that I am today. Her confidence in and love for me gave me the wings I needed to go forth in life unafraid and full of determination to live life well. I know it took immense sacrifice and hard work on her part, for which I will be forever grateful. Today, her love and example continue to bless my life, especially now as I’m expecting a daughter of my own. I hope I can be every bit as wonderful of a mother to her as my mother was, and continues to be, to me. 

Of This I Am Certain: God Places Us In Families

One of the ways I know that Heavenly Father loves me is that He sent me to earth to a family. I believe that the family isn't a man made social unit, created only to provide order and stability to society. No, I believe that the family is created by God, and it is the way He intends for us to live on this earth.

It is so wonderful to me that we are not sent to this earth to figure out things on our own. God places us in families so that His children--you and I--have a safe and loving environment to grow-up in and to learn right from wrong. He also wants us to have families so that we can get a sense of what our relationship with Him is like--that just as our earthly parents love us dearly, He loves us dearly too.

Though the family I grew-up in is far from perfect, my parents did a fantastic job at creating the type of home I have just described. Their and my sisters' unfailing love for me has taught me so much about the love God has for me. Like my Heavenly Father, my family takes me for who I am, they want me to be happy, they sacrifice for me, they cheer me on, and they help me become a better person. My life is richer and more meaningful because I have all six of them in it. I can stem every one of my life's successes and triumphs back to them, and I know I am who I am today because of their loving influence. Truly, having them in my life is one of the biggest ways that I know my Father in Heaven loves me.

One of the best parts of this all is that it doesn't stop here. Rather, God has continued to bless me by giving Jon and myself the opportunity to create a family of our own. One of my life's greatest desires is that I may create a home like the one I grew up in for my own children so that they too may feel God's love. In just a few months I get to start on that journey, something which I am nervous and excited and grateful for.

I testify that the family is ordained by God. He is the creator of it. He is invested in it. He cares about it. Regardless of each of our own individual family circumstances, I know that if we approach God and strive to pattern our family relationships after the manner in which He has laid forth, that we can feel an increase of His love for us. It is His intention for us to feel His love, we merely have to reach out and find it where it exists, like in our families.