Winter Really Does Turn Into Spring, Eventually.

Undoubtedly, my engagement to Danny on March 18th was the biggest, most note-worthy event of the year thus far. But here are a few highlights as winter turned to spring:

First hockey game!  It was momentous, and I got a free T-shirt.  Winning. 

Ugh.  Done with this business of winter.  But I always love a good girls night in with the roommates!

 Finally!!!!!!!

 This is why I am marrying Danny.  Truth.  And also his thoughtfulness, as evidenced below.  :-)

I'm always a sucker for a good sunset.  And the cherry blossoms at sunset?  Definitely worth seeing. 

 When Spring finally comes, I just can't get enough of it.

Nor can I get enough of General Conference weekend, with my niece, good treats, and my fiance.  Oh man, is he the cutest, or what??

Temple day for the soon-to-be Stokers.

My college friend Aaron came to town with the musical Jersey Boys, and Danny was a gem and got some tickets for us to see the show.  He's wonderful,  and it was so fun to see Aaron. 

Becca and Sarah headed up organizing matching outfits for the nieces and nephews for the wedding, and...introducing my new niece Kate!  In her adorable dress!  

 At the end of April I went home to find a wedding dress and do some planning.  And to see my mom, who's health had been on the fritz.  Getting old is the worst.  But this view from my parents' back porch?  Kind of the best.

  

 Found this picture in a frame at home.  Couldn't resist throwing it up on social media for National Siblings Day.  Oh man, it's good, in all our 90's family reunion finery.

 Anyway, back to the present and wedding dress shopping with some of my favorite women!  I found an amazing dress that I loved, and got so much done in two days I couldn't believe it.  Major thanks to these ladies for the major support, even though that particular day was a really hard one for Teresa.  7 months since Layne passed.

 And seeing these girls in their wedding finery!  Oh, my heart.

 

Again, why Danny and I are getting married.  Just a little sneak peak at our engagement photos. 

I really do like my neighborhood.  Especially when it's not snowing....

Danny and I met up with a friend from NYC, Kristin Robinson, and visited the Renwick Gallery.  It was awesome. 

And another NYC friend, Sara Moncivais, made us a paper chain for a countdown.  She wrote quotes about love and marriage in each one.  A more thoughtful gift I really can't imagine!

I still never tire of finding a beautiful path to run on.  And it was a beautiful day.  And in the meantime, we were planning, planning, planning.....

Shameless Sharing- After All, This is My Blog.

This is a letter I got for my birthday from Carolynn.  My sister is one of the most thoughtful people I know.  She always remembers a birthday, anniversary or other major events and will always reach out.  She is the one to all and get "the scoop," because she cares so much.  Anyway, this meant a lot to me, so I wanted to save and share it.  

Dear Nicole,

I wanted to put all of these on Instagram, but thought that would drive the rest of  my followers just a tiny bit crazy (you know, all 18 of them). Plus, I wanted you to be able to see the pics a little bigger. 

Here are some pics illustrating qualities in you that I just love!

I love that you are such a great aunt…and sister, and daughter! You take all your roles in our family very seriously. You make each person feel loved, and even though our family is huge, we each really do feel that love from you. You make each one feel noticed and important. I know my kids absolutely ADORE you!

It’s easy to see why you are such an adored aunt! You get in there and play with the kiddos, no matter what they are doing. I am confident you’ll keep that playfulness when you become a mom and your kids will know they’ve got the most fun mom around—and their friends will have to agree!

I love that we are such good friends, even though we are 13 years apart! And I love that even though you are a performer, actor, singer, entertainer…ETC! (and I am SO NOT!), it still feels like we have so much in common…hiking, yoga, loving on our families, chatting, laughing, having fun; the list goes on and on! I love all our shared memories!

Wait, didn’t I just send this in movie form? No, I did not! It’s another Nicole/Sarah crazy dance. Did I mention you are FUN?!?!!?

I love this one because it represents not only that you are a GREAT AUNT, as mentioned, and that you make each one of us feel important, but you are a good listener. I have no doubt this this pic represents a really great chat you had with Amy! Part of why you are a good listener is because you just listen. You don’t interrupt. You don’t judge. You don’t try to fix things. You just listen compassionately and lovingly. This is an awesome quality and you excel at it.

I love that you are not too much of a girlie-girl (which I confess I am!). You don’t worry about openly and authentically enjoying your food! You don’t worry about having to look perfect at all times, with every hair in place and make-up on. Your more relaxed approach to these superficial parts of life let you have more fun yourself and makes you more fun to be around. Maybe I can be more like you in this way, someday! 

I love that you love all of your sistas!!!!! We have so much fun together and we love you too!

Wait. Did I already mention you’re a great aunt!!?!?!?!

Pretty sure that whatever we were laughing at and all the dancing in this picture was instigated by you!!!

I love seeing you with all your nieces and nephews of every age. This one with Stella makes me so excited for you to be a mama! You are going to be a GREAT one!

I love that your extremely fun side doesn’t in any way diminish your spiritual side! This pic of us at the temple reminds me of the spiritual journey you’ve been on your whole life, which has intensified in the last 10 years. I can clearly see that you have a very personal relationship with God and with Jesus Christ, because you have done the work to get to know them and to honor and obey them. 

How is it that I can hang out with you endlessly and never get tired of it? Not only are you so fun to be with, but you’re an easy houseguest—helpful, grateful, and a genuine joy to have around.

Another trait I SO admire in you, but don’t have myself, is your sense of adventure. I love it! 

Love this. Even when everyone else is falling over from exhaustion, you somehow manage to keep the party going!

More sista-love!

Two things: 1. Did I mention you’re a great aunt?????? 2. No female can rock a baseball hat like you! Which is pretty important, because Danny does a great job of that too!

Caden said, “Spot the Nicole!” You can make the most random moments into an event, by the sheer joy of your personality. Such a great trait!

Had to get all your sistas in here for more sista love!

And one final dancing shot. This I love. Because anyone who knows you knows you have not had an easy road. You have had to dig really deep and do lots of work to get to where you are now. You have had to pass through a lot of pain, adversity, and gut-wrenching, heartbreaking sorrow. Yet, you deliberately and proactively pulled yourself up by the bootstraps and took on that work. You also never lost your sense of joy, playfulness, humor, compassion, and kindness. You have triumphed over your adversities in a monumental way, while being true to the absolutely beautiful (in all ways) Nicole that we each love and adore. 

How GRATEFUL we are to be in the same family!!!!!!! I love you, my boys all love you, my hubby loves you. You are awesome and we couldn’t be happier that Danny’s got that figured out too.

Happy Birthday!

Love, Carolynn and the Spencer crew

March, 2016.