Some Late Thoughts on Easter

Posted by Tracy

I wish I would have posted this earlier, but I really wanted to share a couple thoughts on this wonderful, Holy day that we have all just experienced.

Easter is much more than the Easter Bunny and egg hunts. It is more than the greetings of Spring or the rebirth of the world from the grips of Winter. Easter is a symbol of the Rebirth we all may experience through one who is greater than us all. Our Lord, Jesus Christ, suffered and died that we might all live on through Him. Easter is about remembering that selfless sacrifice and finding renewed life in the Son of God. For we were all lost and could not be saved less an ultimate sacrifice was made.

"And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him..." [Heb. 5:9]

I recently saw this video on the web, and really enjoyed it's message. I hope you enjoy it and enjoy this Spring season!



Truly He is the resurrection, and the life; and whosoever believeth in Him, though he were dead, yet shall he live. May we live on then in the remembrance of Him.

Update on Sophie's Sleeping

Posted by Tracy

I forgot to update everyone about how Sophie was doing going to sleep by herself. Thanks for your comments reminding me. I'll make this a short one, but at least update you on the good news.

About 4-5 days ago, things really started to get better with putting Sophie down to bed. If you do the math, that means it probably took us a little over a week to get Sophie used to falling asleep by herself. While that week was hardly "fun", it was worth it. Sophie began to be able to fall asleep after about 10 minutes of crying with one or two visits by Hanna or I to calm her down. We wouldn't take her out of her crib, but simply reassure her that we were there and that she should go to sleep.

The good news? The past three days, Sophie has been able to fall asleep within 5 minutes of being put into her crib! This is also without any visits from Mom or Dad. In fact, the past two nights, she's fallen asleep in about 2-3 minutes. Sometimes she turns on her Winnie-the-Pooh toy (which is in her crib) so she can fall asleep to the music, but she seems to be doing that even less lately.

So, to all the parents dreading the experience: It was aweful, but worth it. Sophie is happier. We are happier. Our neighbors are certainly happier.

Hope everyone is doing well!

Letter to Myself

Posted by Hanna

A Note from Hanna as of March 25, 2009:

I am sitting here writing this after listening to my 12 month old daughter cry herself to sleep. Well, actually, that never happened…she never did “cry herself to sleep”…more like she cried herself awake! I probably should have tried this tactic a few months ago when she was less aware of what was going on (at least I think she was). But, I didn’t and so now I am trying this because the past couple of months Tracy and I have been switching back and forth walking—not “rocking”—her to sleep. So basically we will hold her in our arms and walk around her room while playing some sort of relaxing music (usually Josh Groban). For a while this was working wonders to get her to sleep. Eventually though, it was taking longer and longer to get her to sleep..and you couldn’t just lay her in bed drowsy but awake, because she would immediately wake completely up and then all of that walking would have been for nothing. I forgot to mention that our backs have been killing us so we definitely need to change our way of doing things.

I guess Sophie needs to figure out how to put herself to sleep. Note that I used the word “guess” because at this point I am really not sure what to think. I mean sure, EVENTUALLY she needs to do this….but can you really expect all babies to be able to do this at this age? Don’t answer. I guess that is what the “experts” say…but who are the “experts” anyhow?

This is the 4th night we have tried to let her cry. I didn’t want to go “cold turkey” on her so I would go in after five minutes the first night and every night after wait a little longer. Well, tonight I listened to her cry for 35 minutes…no scream for 35 minutes. It really was unbearable (that is not even close to describing how I felt….and I am not sure I know how to describe it). Tonight she just would not go to sleep. She was so tired but just wouldn’t let herself go….I finally caved and got her out and held her until she fell asleep. She looked so peaceful after being hysterical and completely drenched with sweat from crying so much. I love her so much...and I am such a sensitive person that I feel like I am her when she is crying like that. I would actually talk to Tracy as if I was her. Example: “Why the HECK aren’t my parents coming to get me! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE cant you hear me!!! My throat hurts…I NEED some water. I don’t want to be in this dark room by myself. I don’t know if I am tired. PLEASE COME!!! Don’t you love me?” OK….so thinking that way doesn’t help the situation. Especially that last part. I just never want her to feel abandoned or not loved.

So the real reason for writing this besides getting some of this off my chest was …to actually write myself a letter of thoughts and encouragement. I can tend to get really down on myself and slide into a rippling effect of bad thoughts. I was feeling very depressed tonight after this episode.

I hope this helps.

Letter to Myself:

Go with your instincts and the promptings of the Spirit to guide you in caring, nurturing, loving, and everything else that comes with raising a child. Kids don’t come with manuals (though there are many books with differing opinions). Don’t listen to every opinion. Well, listen…but that doesn’t mean they are “right” and you are “wrong.” Some advice really is “good” advice. Don’t take any advice personally…even if it was meant that way. Don’t let the adversary (Satan) convince you that you are a bad mother. You are doing the best you can with the knowledge, strength, patience, and love that is in you. Rely on the Lord to make you a better mother…HE will give you the strength you need to endure all things. And He will give you light to direct your path. Always go to the Lord first before beating yourself up…HE will give you the Spirit to lift YOUR Spirit. Tomorrow is a new day. Look ahead with hope. Don’t get discouraged.


To anyone that might read this. Remember those are my opinions to myself. If they are helpful for you great…if not…that is ok too.

We're Still Here

Posted by Tracy

Hello everyone! Believe it or not, Hanna and I are still around. We've finally allowed our conscience to get the best of us and are planning on getting back to updating our blog. In all honesty, I just didn't have the time to deal with the blog. However, Hanna has finally caved and agreed to begin updating the blog on the condition that I update some of the look of the blog and maintain the features of it. So check back in and don't be surprised if the blog gets a makeover and even starts getting some updates and activity.

Sorry it took so long! We'll try to post more often than once a year going forward. :)

Indiana Jones: Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

Posted by Tracy

So God gave me a concrete sign the other day; a sign confirming that Novell was the right place for me to be working. Apparently, Novell purchased quite a few Indiana Jones tickets and it ended up that my boss took our little department out to see the movie the first day it came out. How much more of a sign do you need!?! If an employer supports the adventures of Indiana Jones, then they've already done enough to earn my earnest devotion.

**Movie Spoilers Below**

So, I thought the movie was a real hit. Harrison Ford did a spectacular job, of course. And bring Marion back into the picture was very clever and provided some closure. Shia did well too, but I held my breath at the end when he almost put on Indy's hat... phew! That was a close one.

I felt that the movie was spectacular in all areas but two:

1. Villain: Indiana Jones is Indiana Jones because he fights the forces of evil single handed. Due to this expectation, it is important to correctly establish the villain as a part of something much bigger than themselves. Nazi's were the perfect example. When you saw Indy fighting a Nazi, he wasn't just fighting the soldier, but the entire force of injustice and evil. However, in this film, the small group of renegade Soviets did not live up to the expectation. You didn't connect them to anything bigger, and even when considered individually, they just didn't cut it.

2. Quest / Subject: UFO's and Aliens? Uhhh.... Indiana Jones looking over the UFO was just a little too much for me, and the ending closed too quickly. For whatever reason (even though I actually enjoy the legends of the Crystal Skulls), the subject felt a little too sci-fi for me.

All in all, I thought it was a great movie and deserving of my anticipation these many years. Who knows? Maybe we'll see Indiana again...

Sophie Update: Pictures and Videos

Posted by Tracy and Hanna

Well guys, I’ve been saying I would post some videos of Sophie for a while now. Sorry about the delay. I was trying to figure out a way to split some of the videos so that you could just watch the fun parts, but then again, she’s always fun. So here are some videos of Sophie trying to smile and talk to us.

** Please ignore the baby-talking, obsessive parents in the background (us).

Here is Sophie trying to Smile. The video is long and the best parts are early on.

Here is Sophie trying to Talk.

Here is Sophie trying to Talk; Part II

Hanna has also taken some pretty amazing pictures of Sophie lately, so I wanted to show you a couple of those as well. Sophie never stops surprising us with all hr new faces and sounds. She really is the most wonderful little angel, and we couldn't be prouder of how good a baby she is.

She's recently taken quite a liking to the miniature teddy bears hanging from her mobile on her Pack 'n Play. It's probably one of her favorite things to do: just lay down and watch the Teddy Bears go round and round.

Sophie is sleeping quite well and is growing so much each day! She misses you all and can't wait to meet everyone!

Goodbye Junior Core, Hello MAcc

Posted by Tracy

Well, for those of you who haven't heard, I finished the BYU Accounting Junior Core on April, 23 when I took my last final. Words cannot express my relief that on that Wednesday afternoon. Unfortunately, I couldn't completely relax because I was enrolled for the Spring term (which started up shortly after that) and I was still nervous about my application to the MAcc.

The MAcc is the Masters of Accounting Program which has two different stems: Tax and Professional (audit). I applied at the end of March for the program and haven't slept well since. It is a great opportunity to continue my education, especially considering BYU's high ranking reputation in the accounting field. Well finally, on Thursday, I heard back from the School of Accountancy with good news: I will be starting the Master's Program in Fall, 2008. Things are going pretty fantastic in my little world.

So right now this is the plan: I'm going to finish my Bachelors in Mandarin Chinese, and I'll of course finish my Bachelors and Masters in Accountancy. I'm also planning on getting a Minor in Information Systems, which is a definite along with the others already mentioned. The big variable is the Middle Eastern Studies (Arabic) Minor I was hoping to get. Any extra time that I have beyond my very full plate will be spent shooting for that, but given the current tasks at hand, it is going to be a miracle if I can finish it. Graduation is still set for Summer 2010, with us heading back East at the end of Summer that year. I should be able to finish (or at least mostly finish) my CPA certification by our move back home as well.

As for the short term, things at Novell have been going great! I am learning so much and I am beginning to see how wonderful of an opportunity this job will be for me. It'll definitely jump-start my career in public accounting, which I am excited about. This Summer will be busy as well, packed with work, Spring classes, and Big Four recruiting events. Spring classes end in about a month though, so things should cool down after that.

I have some fun recruiting events coming up as well. In the beginning of June, I am heading back to Pittsburgh for a couple of days for a Leadership event with KPMG. Later that month, I am visiting Pittsburgh again for a different Leadership program with Ernst & Young. Then in late July, I will be heading to Hollywood, CA for a few days to attend KPMG's National Fast Forward Leadership Program. I have been extremely lucky to have so many opportunities with these firms, and I am very excited for this packed Summer.

So things are still busy, but I'm getting plenty of experience and having a blast! Hope everyone is enjoying the Summer and having fun.