Katie's Graduation

 I did it.

It's over.

Miracles still happen. 

I say that with no joking. It is just as miraculous to me that I was able to finish my Masters as it was that the Red Sea was parted. 

Here are some things I learned while in grad school:

1. When the Lord prompts you to do something, he will prepare the way, no matter how hard it is.

2. A's aren't worth it, a B is just as good, and takes half the work!

3. There are so many wonderful people who have helped me...Clark...both our parents...neighbors and other family...and friends who've given encouragement. I've taken in my share of service these last three years, and now I'd like to be on the giving side of service. I'm ready to pay it forward!

4. If you pick the most important things and put them first...the gospel, family, and then school, everything seems to work out just fine. Sometimes the house doesn't get dusted, but you survive.

5. "Character is the ability to follow through with a worthy decision after the emotion of that decision has past." -Hyrum Smith

....this program took a lot of character because there were hundreds of times that I was way over the excitement of my goal!

6. If you cook a really big dinner, sometimes you can make it last the whole week!

7. Doing laundry at 0100 am doesn't make a happy husband.

8. With the Lord, our efforts are magnified. Case in point, I still get the same amount of house work done now as I did while I was studying three hours a day. It's somewhat frustrating now because I feel like I should be getting so much more done, but I know that while I was in school I was blessed to accomplish much more than I ever could have on my own.

And here are some things I'd like to do now that I'm out of school:

1. Serve

2. Read the Ensign each month

3. Exercise 5 days a week

4. Learn to cook with whole wheat and read a book on healthy eating and apply principles

5. Get organized, files, budget, closets, etc.

6. Practice the piano

Half of my graduating class, the other half are in Boise.

Clark's parents were so great about letting Clark and Kyson come and hang out, sleep and eat at their house while I had my long eleven hour clinical days!

Grandpa and Grandma Williams and Grandpa Peterson. My Grandma Peterson was sick and unable to come.

My sweet parents, who were my biggest supporters next to Clark. They have always encouraged me to get all the education I can. Many times I was discouraged, and they gave me the support to keep going.

17 weeks pregnant.

My siblings Tyler, Lauren and Aubrey who came to the commencement ceremony.

Clark and his mom.

Grandma and Grandpa's Farewell

The whole Wyatt crew...for now...there are two more on the way...

Oops...three more on the way, in between these two pictures Matt yelled out that Paige is also expecting, and you can see Brenda's reaction to the news!

A couple things I want to remember about their farewell...Brenda talked about simplifying our lives and putting the most important things first. She spoke of her experience with seminary students and how much of a difference it makes when children have examples at home of proper priorities. The thing the stuck out to me about Roy's talk was his love of his own father, and his love of his own sons. He spoke of their missions and how it makes him excited to serve.

We will miss you, but are so grateful for your example, and can't wait to hear all the good stories you have about your adventures in Africa!!!

Kyson's Two Year Old Birthday

 Kyson turned two on May 3. The day before I made this cake during nap time. When Kyson woke up I took him out to show it to him...and that was a mistake. He couldn't contain himself and started picking candy from off the train cars. Luckily I had some spare to refill the holes!

 Blowing out candles was a hard concept for him to get. We practiced at breakfast, lunch and dinner. I think he only succeeded once. He kept puckering his lips so the air would blow up instead of out to the candles. We got laughing so hard. Oh well, he had fun trying!

 That night we went to Grandma and Grandpa Wyatt's to have a little birthday party. Don/Angie family and Roger/Alicia family were there to party with us.

 Kyson got this cute hat from Angie that has a tractor on it, and he hasn't wanted to take it off since. He wants to sleep in it every nap time.

Things I want to remember about Kyson at this age:

1. He loves me and Clark and gives kisses, hugs and it's so fun being his best friend. I'm already sad for the day that I'm not his first choice in play mate.

2. He LOVES the farm and everything that has to do with farms, engines, or farm animals. 

3. He loves his grandparents and frequent talks about both sets of them and wants to call them or go see them.

4. He sleeps 11-12 hours a night and takes a 2-3 hour nap each day.

5. He loves dip-dip. (which is anything that you dip in anything such as ketcup, his personal favorite, ranch, honey mustard, etc.

6. He loves running "fass" and loves to have races with us.

7. He knows that I have a baby in my stomach, I don't think he gets it, but he loves babies and always wants to hold them...at least for a couple seconds!

8. When he gets an ouchie he wants a kiss better. This however was getting a little extreme and we were afraid we were raising a wimp, so we now tell him to be tough and grunt when he gets hurt. 

9. He is very much into personalizing everything, such as "Kyson's cup" "Mommies shirt" "Daddy's slide" "Grandpa's 4-wheeler," He wants to know what belongs to everyone, and has started saying "mine" a lot more than I would prefer. So we are working on sharing!

10. I could go on and on, but he is the joy of our lives and we are so glad that we have him!!!