Graduation Day!

Today Troy graduated from Westminster College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science. The ceremony was wonderful. Gov. John Huntsman spoke, and there were bagpipes galore. Sophy didn't mind the first half of the ceremony, but screamed louder than most of the proud parents during the second half. Her reason: they were interrupting her nap. Mom and baby were in the hall watching Troy on a TV as he walked across the stage. Grandma and Grandpa Gerber came to watch Troy and hold Sophy. We had fun! Troy has worked for the college full time while going to school full time and this semester started a new job, trained people in a few of his old duties, had a baby (with some help of course), finished his classes as well as a senior project. The greatest part is that he was able to receive the award of Magna Cum Laude at graduation, meaning that he maintained an average GPA of 3.75 all 4.5 years!! We are so proud of Troy and excited to have him home with us more often. Way to go Troy!

Troy's Graduation Present

This was a fun project. For Troy's graduation, I put together a book of photos from our wedding, 2+ years of marriage, and Sophy using http://www.mypublisher.com/ . I just downloaded the pictures and put them in the order and place I wanted along with arrangement of the different pages and how many pictures, then clicked "publish" and they printed the book out and sent it to me. You can even view it online! Click on this link to view it.

What is it with me??

What's with this day?? This morning I almost hit 2 baby chicks that were walking across the street. Then I went to the Gateway center with Sophy and a friend and it took 1 hr 15 mins to get there because the President's Motor Brigade was clogging up downtown for a while. (Apparently he was also visiting the First Presidency of the LDS Church. For more on that story click here. ) While we were driving to an alternate shop in another area of town, my friend said "Watch out for the dog." I was confused because all I saw was a bird that I tried to avoid. Once I looked where she was pointing I saw a dog darting out after the bird that I tried to avoid...which I also was in danger of hitting. Then we finally got to the Gateway center, made our purchase (sport apparel) and were driving home. We were almost to our development when a black cat moesied across the road infront of us. All in all it was a fun day--fyi: no animal or otherwise deaths were caused from my driving an arguably grandparent-style vehicle at a normaler than average speed. I can't believe that all happened before 6pm! Guess I shouldn't try to leave the house afterall!

Manacotti Formaggio

I've been trying to cook more lately, and it's been going pretty well, I think. Troy is still healthy, and I haven't endangered Sophy by eating anything I've made that was poisionous--so far. I've found much joy in baking bread and we are trying to use the homemade bread instead of having to buy the storebought stuff. The first two batches weren't perfect, but the third should have no reason not to be. My favorite part is pounding the dough! I can't wait till Sophy can do this with me so that I can have a reason for acting childish (I've never needed one before, but it's nice to know there is one, nonetheless.). As for dinner, one of my favorite first tries that turned out much easier than it should have been was this lovely Manacotti (seen below).

I found it interesting that 2-3 recipes I found for Manacotti included broccoli. I don't think I've ever had broccoli in my manacotti before, aber es ist sehr gut! (I'm trying to keep it up Eva. I'm thinking about including "secret" German sentances on the blog meant only for those who know German. We'll see how brave I get.)

Here is the recipe--compliments Jenn Woodruff

1 box Manacotti shells

1 box chopped broccoli (cooked slightly)-small box

1 can Cream of Chicken

3 eggs

1 (12 oz) Cottage Cheese

1 jar Spaghetti Sauce

Grated Cheese

Mix ingredients in a bowl. Fill manicotti shells and place in bottom of 9x13 baking dish. Pour jar of spaghetti sauce on top. Cover with foil. Bake at 375 for 45-60 minutes. Enjoy!

Mother's Day 2008

Mother's Day is always an extremely happy day for some, and an extremely sad day for others. Why are women always hard on themselves? I think it's because of the innate desire within us to become mothers. Mother's Day was very hard for me last year. It seemed like the day to have children in our home would never come, then when Heavenly Father said we should start trying, it seemed like it was taking forever to get pregnant. Last year, during Mother's Day, I cried, not knowing (why are women like this sometimes) if I could have the kind of patience He was requiring of me. Little did I know, very soon after Mother's Day we would find out that we were having a baby! It seems like such a silly thing to worry about now, though I know it is hard for many women. This year is such a different year, and we are so grateful for the trials we've been blessed with that have helped us realize the gifts and goals Heavenly Father has in store for us. His plan is so much better than our own!





Here are some pictures from the Thanksgiving Point Mother's Day luncheon that Troy's mother took me to this year. The speaker, Anita Stansfield, was amazingly realistic about the way we should see our lives. My favorite thing she said is: "Don't let the gifts you've been given get lost in the chaos we live in." Afterwards, we walked through the beautiful gardens and spent time with the women in our family. Mother's Day isn't just about being a mother of your own children. I think it has more to do with appreciating the special gifts that all women have while honoring and respecting women for all that they go through to make this world a better place. I am so grateful to all of the women (and especially my mother) who have taught me how to make it through hard times with a smile on my face and a song in my heart.

Sophy's 3rd Month

Alot has happened in one month for Sophy: (read below if you want to, or if you are a visual learner, we've put together a slideshow with pictures and music!)

Below you'll find a slide show of our endeavors this month. Enjoy!

• We took her to WA for Emily's brother Jake's wedding. We were nervous about the plane ride as she was barely 2 months old. We were greatly blessed when she slept the whole way the way there, and on the way back she seemed to enjoy the sudden "rush" of take off then slept the rest of the time. The wedding was beautiful and it was very special to see her brother married for time and all eternity to an amazing girl. We are lucky to have Liz in our family now. Emily even saw a favorite senior missionary, Elder McCammon, from her mission in the temple that day!
• While there, we visited Emily's high school friend, Donna and her beautiful baby Chloe who was born shortly after Sophy. It was amazing to see the resemblence between them! When we went to get some food, the cashier asked Donna and Emily if we were sisters also! Kindred spirits, and best friends for years. It was great to visit Emily's hometown of Tacoma again. It's been almost 2 years since we've been there for a trip longer than 3 days. This trip was not long enough either. Why does life have to be so busy sometimes?
• Sophy's exercise regime is getting more intense lately. She is loving to sit upright like Mommy and Daddy. She likes sitting in the "Bumbo" chair while Mommy cooks, and especially on laps while we are eating with other people. She seems to be talking much more and it is normal now to hear her "singing" off and on for 20 mins at a time to make sure we are listening to her. Sounds are a little like Tarzan and a little like the princess on Enchanted.
• Besides those excercises, we are most excited about her new love to roll over and "scoot." When we push her leg to the side so that she can get her momentum right, she can roll over the rest of the way onto her tummy, get her arms out from under her, and then immediately put her head up and move her arms and legs as fast as she can while making "work out" noises or grunts (which for her are actually squeals--very cute). The first time she did this move, she became so excited and was sure that meant she could crawl. After 3 mins of only slight forward movement, she's decided to take BabySteps(TM) again.
• She is completely out of her newborn clothes now, but still much smaller than other babies her age. She's little like us so far. We tried some 3 month clothes on her for fun and they are huge! She loves to take a bunny attached to a small blanket with her everywhere we go and whenever she gets nervous about bumps in the road or such, she holds on tight with a big smile. She seems to like speed and going fast...interesting ;)
• Emily's Grandpa and Grandma Sperber came to visit for just under a week. We had so much fun playing with Sophy, visiting Oak City relatives, going to the Mayan, and just playing around the house. It was great to spend time with them, and Sophy loved looking at their faces and smiling and laughing.
• We went to the park with our good friends and cousins, Jon, Marie (she is Troy's cousin), MacKenna, and Autumn. They just now moved to New York so Jon could sell APEX alarms for the summer. We are going to miss them very much. MacKenna is so cute and always petting Sophy softly and saying "I love Sophia. I just love her so much."
• We also said goodbye to our friends Miriam and David recently. David just got a wonderful job working for the government in Virginia. We will miss them too. It was nice to get together with friends we hadn't seen in a while before they left.
• We tried out the new "FrontRunner" commuter train that goes from Ogden to Salt Lake City (and will eventually go to Provo) with Sophy. She was tired, but all in all we had fun!

We are so proud of our sweet Sophronia. Her nap and sleep schedules are getting easier for her (teaching herself to fall asleep a bit too!). She loves going for walks and runs (Emily is getting back into shape finally!). She loves smiling and boy does she seem to be a fast learner! She is very determined and seems to love most everyone she meets. She loves to smile the most at her dad. We know she'll get away with much. :)