mr. mrs. & miss

Victory!

2014-01-12T21:53:00.000-05:00

Photographs have a funny way

of making life seem

perfect.

Flawless really.

As if everything is just peachy.

Everyday.

They never show

the tantrums.

The fits.

The tears.

The frustration.

The discipline.

The teaching.

The learning.

The tired eyes.

The sleepless nights.

The constant worry

and endless prayers.

They never show

the battle.

Only the glory.

The glory of survival,

of accomplishment,

of progression,

and achievement.

The memory of the beautiful day.

The blue skies.

The smiles, rejoicing, and laughter.

And isn't that what we should remember?

Not the struggle

but the victory!

So when you look at a photograph next time

think about what it took to get there.

What it took to be.

Life is perfect for no one.

It's an uphill climb.

An ongoing battle.

"You never see the hard days in a photo album...

"... but that's what gets us from one happy snap shot to the next."

So live life!

Up and down.

Take your camera with you.

And appreciate

your victories!

Birthday Girl Turns #3

2013-11-13T21:54:00.001-05:00

I'm beginning to feel
the fleeting urgency of time.

(her attempted as showing "3")

And understand a parents' remorse:

Time flies.

It's hard to imagine
this little one was born
3 years ago!

She has, and continues to become,
quite the little Miss.

Such character.
Such expression.
Such joy!

And I've found her twin!

June Preisser

Literally twins.

Well... what is Maybeline?

A joy!
She's sweet, kind, and very aware of other's feelings.
Especially mine.

She's happy!
She's lovable!
She's fun!

She's bossy.
She's sneaky.
She's defiant.
But what 3 year old isn't?

She loves all things sweet
And refuses to try anything green.
(meaning vegetables)

We have an argument 3 times a day:
breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Yes, it's about food.

She loves surprises.
She loves to tease.
She loves to make her mom & dad laugh.
Which we do often.

She's decided
everything is better with sprinkles.

But maybe that's her mom's desperate attempt

to get her to eat yogurt.

She has the best smile.
Sweetest laugh.
And chubbiest cheekies !

She loves Buzz Lightyear, Calico Critters,

and ALL things teeny tiny.

Which means...

...I've found my favorite playmate!

Come on!
Does it get cuter than this?

(Thanks Grammie & Grandad!)

She's very patient,
willing to try
and work out the kinks.

(unless it has anything to do with food)

I love her!

And I wish I could keep her little forever!

Always by my side.

But no matter how hard I wish...

...she'll grow up.

So I'll hold onto my little Maybeline as long as I can!

Kiss her as long as I want.

And squeeze her as much I need to.

Happy Birthday

Miss Maybeline!

You're are a special part of our family!

Funny side note:
She has slight fear of candles burning...
so dad and koala bear blew out the candles this time around.
Oh Miss Maybe!

Watch her 3rd year of life

in her 3rd Lifelaps

photos. to video. to love.

www.lifelaps.blogspot.com

I. Love. Summer.

2013-09-11T21:53:00.000-04:00

It may come as a surprise to you...

but
I
love
summer.

It's more than a crush.

It's more than an affection-for

or a simple liking-of.

It's a mad infatuation.

But unfortunately

I feel a breakup coming up.

Again.

So like always
I bid my farewell!

To sand digging.

Whale beaching.

Joy embracing.

Seashell finding.

Carousel riding.

Boat sailing.

Sun bathing.

Seas parading.

Waves crashing.

Hook casting.

Day-dreaming.

Ag Fair going.

Fan waving.

Happy riding.

Fun sliding.

Good food-eating.

Smiles giving.

Lobster devouring.

Tummies loving.

Scallop hogging.

Couples loving.

Toes sanding.

Ice cream licking.

Sweet tooth caving.

Dollhouse playing.

Car racing.

Library sleeping.

Sea glass searching.

Water splashing.

Granddad loving.

Good times relaxing.

Naked running.

Good times teasing.

Nose kissing.

Parents enjoying.

Shark supporting.

Mom loving.

Baseball cheering.

Ballpark snacking.

Cowboy dreaming.

And most importantly

a lot of home running!

Summer.

I love you!

And I await your visit very soon.

Grammie & Granddad came to visit

the month of August.

We had to much fun.

I love them so much!

Let the summer begin!

2013-09-11T14:23:00.003-04:00

July started with a visit from the Browns.
Including the Cannons
and the 2 hottest singles around:
Jamie & Laura.

They arrived just in time
for the big 4th of July Extravaganza
in Edgartown!

Unfortunately,

as sometimes the Island goes,

it was foggy and all we really saw,

firework-wise,

was a bright green or red sky.

Which kind of gave it a
mysterious war-like effect-
as if we were on the very battle grounds
of the American Revolutionary war.

Very patriotic.

Due to the sticky heat wave we received that weekend
swimming was a must...
if we were ever to have summer visitors again.
(unfortunately we don't have ac.)

We never experienced such a full bath before!

Some would say
the highlight of the week
was the cookies...

...or making new friends.

But I'd have to say
HANDS DOWN!!!
It was the lobster rolls
at Aquinnah.

Oh man...
just look at these beauties!

BEST lobster rolls I've ever had!

What a stud.

(Yes, he wears those "convenient" glasses straps.)

Maybeline talking to all her fans.

Next on the list
was crabbing.

We didn't catch any
but that didn't put a damper on the fun.

Oh, and I was there too.

And the reunion wouldn't be complete
without some cookie baking
with Grandma.

Thanks Grandma!
You are the best!

And thanks to all the Browns!
We had blast.

Shades

2013-06-22T14:47:00.002-04:00

I have a gift.

And so do you.

Character.

Personality.

Make up.

Identity.

It's what makes me unique.

Original.

Obtuse.

Unpredictable.

Or at times...

predictable.

However.

It's easy in this era of information

to compare.

To try and be someone else.

To blend in.

To have to-be because it-is.

To mollify.

To forget.

Don't.

Be your own beautiful shade

of you!

Or in Maybeline's case,

shades.

Dearest Lisa! Where have you been?

2013-06-19T15:31:00.002-04:00

Who me?

Where have I been?

Curled in a ball.

Wrapped around a toilet.

Stuck in bed.

Smelly without shower.

Removed from all smells.

Absent from the kitchen.

Planning my funeral.

Wishing all would end soon.

On my knees.

Back to the toilet.

Calling Brent (downstairs).

Eating Lucky Charms.

Sleeping.

Napping.

Sitting.

Laying.

Not moving.

Bleaching in the sun.

Driving to get chocolate milk.

On my knees some more.

Pleading with the heavens.

Dreaming of the days of feeling like me again.

Stuck in pajamas.

Oily hair.

Bad breath.

Staying far away from spice cabinet.

And even further away from the fridge.

Dreading life.

Still planning funeral.

Wondering if it's ever going to end.

Feeling crappy.

Feeling frustrated.

Feeling grateful

grumpy

humbled

loved

helpless

determined.

Back to feeling crappy.

Sick.

or in other less dramatic words...

I've been in the first trimester of pregnancy.

Oh the joys I have been blessed with.

Now 14 weeks.

Testing the fates

by saying I'm starting to feel better.

Due December 17th.

We cannot wait!

When the cats away

2013-04-23T21:00:00.003-04:00

I was at a Primary Activity.

Brent was on Maybeline duty.

So naturally he'd do

what any dad would do...

bust out the water colors

and set up the studio

for a photo session.

The photos he took tickled me so

I decided to make a mini Lifelaps.

The photos are repeated 3 times for our enjoyment.

He's a good dad.

Maybeline & I are very lucky!

song: Everyday by Buddy Holly

Perspective

2013-04-16T21:51:00.000-04:00

You know.

It's very easy to want.

Everything.

And it's very easy

to think you don't have enough.

Of anything.

And some how

the grass is always greener.

On the other side.

And you think

you'd be a whole lot happier

if...

But when you get to the other side.

Your perspective changes.

And what once was.

Isn't.

So it's not that anything has actually changed.

Except.

Your perspective.

After watching the horrific events that took place in Boston yesterday

That's exactly how I feel.

My perspective has changed.

I have everything I need.

Everything I've ever wanted.

I am greatly blessed.

My heartfelt prayers go out

to all those involved with this tragedy,

those injured and their families,

those seeking evidence for conclusions.

And our country.

Good Advice

2013-04-12T20:39:00.003-04:00

I've learned a valuable lesson.

Surround

yourself

with things

you love

Good advice...

Miss Maybeline.

captured a dress up moment.
she collectively put on all the things she loved.
and road on her "roody"
with the carless wind in her face.

Endurance Month

2013-04-08T16:11:00.001-04:00

April.

Spring for most.
A slowly fading winter for everyone else.

That's why I'm calling it...

Endurance Month.

Endurance is needed when your patience, hope, and strength
have been completely sucked from your bones.

That's what winter does to me.

Endurance is needed when you've given it all you've got
and yet you feel like you've gone nowhere.

That's what winter does to me.

Endurance is needed when you've tried your best to stay optimistic,
looking for rainbows, dancing in the rain, and all that jazz...

but no matter how hard you try
the cup is starting to look half empty.

That's what winter does to me.

So I'll keep proceeding!
Keep trudging on through Endurance Month.
Giving it all I've got.
By simply enduring.

I'll wear my snow coat.
Bury my feet in the cold sand.
Sip hot chocolate.

And shop online for a new summer swimsuit.

I'll go for cold walks.
Scavenge the bleak landscape.
Seek warmth in my furry blanket.

And display tulips in my kitchen window.

I'll keep the heater on.
Proudly wear my fading fleece sweater.
Face the reality of my pasty white skin.

And put a spring wreath on the door.

And...
I'll keep the snow clothes on the rack.
My slippers near my bed.
The tea kettle on the stove.

And dream of the hot summer sun.

You will not avenge me
Endurance Month!

I've endured you once before.

I'm almost certain
I can endure you again.

But if not
you know where to find me...

No! Not dead in a bush

letting nature get the best of me!

But in California.

Where Endurance Month does not exist.

Little Persons

2013-04-04T22:07:00.001-04:00

This is my favorite little person.

Did you know...

life is more fun
with a little person to share it with?

They see the world as they want it to be

The world as it should be.

They find unspeakable joy
in simple pleasures.

For them,
life is a game
with no rules or boundaries.

So they play freely in it.

Dramatic expressions are a must to highlight the mood for little persons.
This includes gasps for surprises,
screams for excitement,
and laughter for everything else.

They believe if you're not soaring the skies, saving the world,
or just plain running around rampant...

you're not living.

Rather than waiting for something big to happen
little persons recognize the small.

A special quality they embrace.

Who needs a million dollars...

when you can have a box of fruit snacks for five?

But most of all a little person,

especially my little person,

knows how to love...

without even trying.

I love my little person.

Easter Egg Hunt & Easter Eve Morning 2013

A Welcomed Goodbye

2013-04-01T14:00:00.003-04:00

On the second day of Spring,
like most of the forsaken north eastern,
we got yet another snow storm.

We were yet again enamored of its beauty
We yet again waited patiently to pounce in it.
And we yet again layered (and layered) on the snow clothes.

But we did it all
for just one... last... time.

So to make it official
and absolutely certain...
I am saying goodbye.

Dear Winter,

Thank you for cooling the air
and warming our homes.

Thank you for giving us snow men
and snow vadors.
(thank you Mr. Potato Head)

Thank you for inspiring warm soup dinners
and hot fattening desserts.

Thank you for making the trees sparkle
and grasses gleam.

Thank you for making big puddles
and slick hills.

Thank you for feelings of coziness
and seclusion.

And thank you for bringing change.

But, dear Winter, it's time for you to go.
You've had your fun.
You've made your appearance.
And we're desperately ready for you to leave.

So without further delay...

Goodbye Winter.

And remember to take time to rest a season...

or 3.

Reality

2013-03-28T21:06:00.002-04:00

"I'm not strange, weird, off, nor crazy...

...my reality is just different from yours."

-Lewis Carrolll, Alice's Adventure in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass

Binoculars.
Or rather "Noculators."
She rarely leaves home without them.
She loves them.
And for that
I love them.
Best $5 white elephant gift I've received.

Necessity

2013-03-27T13:50:00.003-04:00

How can a child who is only 2 1/2

have visited the happiest place on earth

12 times?

Seems a little much doesn't it?

Let's just say

for us it's a necessity-
a genuine family tradition.

And when we're not there we pretend we're there.

With a little theme park music

(thank you Kristine)

mickey ears,

a stroller packed with goodies and baby dolls,

and a little imagination

Voila!

The joy of winter play...

also a necessity.

A Balance

2013-03-25T15:20:00.003-04:00

I never imagined...

my daughter would be

such a Buzz Lightyear fanatic.

She also loves dolls, dress up, and playing makeup...

but nothing can beat Mr. Lightyear.

And I'm okay with it.

After all,

life is a balance
isnt' it?

What's love got to do with it?

2013-03-12T21:56:00.003-04:00

Life with a Toddler.

Busy.

Exhausting.

At times a battle.

And very entertaining.

We've established

everything is hers

and she doesn't agree

with the simple principal of "sharing."

She has declared to the world

(aka: her mom & dad)

that she is a "big girl"

preferring to do everything on her own

in her own time

and in her own way.

Meal time?

It's more like all day appetizers.

A smorgasbord of entertaining snacks

hoping that something healthy will aid her growing little self.

Oh...

and fruit snacks are a fruit,

and pretzels dipped in peanut butter

with chocolate milk on the side...

is a meal.

I've been

yelled at

smacked

bitten

sassed

tickled

hugged

and kissed.

But mostly kissed.

I now get the super fun task of

potty training

and some how figuring out a way to get rid of that

once helpful tool

(that's now a complete nuisance)

...the pacifier.

So...

what's love got to do with it?

everything.

Valentine's Day Photo Shoot

2013

A budding love

2013-03-06T21:21:00.000-05:00

I have a new love.
We met 10 years ago.

We got off to a great start.

It was all fun and games in the beginning.

Then I got to know it a little better.

Then it over stayed its visit.

Then it got old.

Then I was over it.

However it kept creeping into my life.
I dealt with it.
I tried playing with it.
I put up with it.
I hated it.
I dreaded it.
I absolutely despised it.
But I had no control over it.

It was like the class final you had to put up with every semester.
Or the bad cold you got every winter.
Or the relative you didn't get along with
but made sure to send a Christmas card to.

I knew it was always going to be there...

so I put up with it.

This year is different.

This year I fell in love.

Maybe it's because we didn't get to see each other much last year.

Or maybe it's because I realize without it

my life is bleak, dismal, and absently... brown.

For whatever reason,

I'm in love.

And I'm happy it's here.

Snow...

this one's for you.

A Louis Reunion

2013-03-03T21:59:00.001-05:00

As posted previously...

24 gathered this Christmas in California.

Something we haven't done in a long time.

A much needed event for all of us.

So what did we do exactly?

Well...

We choired
(Mom's choir performance Sky Country Elementary)

We candied

We read (and Hobbit-ed)

We jammied, legoed, and buzz lightyered

We slid

We dressed up and Nutcrackered

We marveled and applauded
(Malia's amazing performance of the Nutcracker ballet )

We Christmas caroled

We mani and pedied

We acted and nativitied
(One of the sweetest and most amazing reenactments I've seen live!)

We gifted
(Maybeline gave a gift to baby Jesus... her "fy" aka: pacifier)

We fine dined... with a movie star!

(Scott Wilson... just one of my Dad's movie star friends... amazing!
Bragging? Wouldn't you?
oh... and yes his hand is on my shoulder)

We danced.
(Maybeline and Phoebe went to Trisha's dance class)

And danced.

And danced some more.

We soared

(Knotts Berry Farm New Years Eve for Shailey's Birthday)

We scrambled

We familied

We thrilled? Or frightened?

We partied!

(Happy 16th to Shailey!)

We Happy New Yeared

We partied

We celebrated

And... partied some more.

Basically it was a never ending event
filled with activities and adventures.

A party.

That's how we do it in the Louis family.

And a BIG thank you
to my sister Tracey for taking most of these photos!
She captured some priceless memories.

I love my family!

New Lifelaps!

2013-02-26T15:00:00.000-05:00

I love my Lifelaps!

People ask,

"Does it take a lot of time?"

Answer,

"Um...Yes!"

But when you're doing something you love

time is never an issue.

Plus, Maybeline takes 2 hour naps!

It's the perfect filler.

This Lifelaps is of my best friend's 2 children.

They are absolutely adorable!

Watch Me Here!

& Enjoy the show!

Dear,

2013-02-24T21:33:00.003-05:00

Dear Unreachable Joy,

and Indescribable Excitement,

Dear Happy Hearts,

and Happy Dads,

Dear Memories Remembered,

and Memories Made,

Dear Rides to smile,

And Rides to scare,

Dear Entertained,

and Entertainers,

Dear Day Conquered,

Dear Day Achieved,

We love you.

It Never Rains

2013-02-18T22:36:00.001-05:00

Next stop,
Christmas in
"sunny"...

Unfortunately this trip
California was not so sunny...

or warm...

or or any of those great winter
southern California-ish qualities.

But that didn't stop us.
Everyone... I mean EVERYONE
made it to California for Christmas.
That total would be 24.

And for the most part
we were all under one roof.

Which means
we had a lot of "outside" time.
Including but not excluding
exercising/getting the wiggles out.

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas?
No thanks.
A little rain
and a "touch" of wind will suffice.

Math + Time = Love

2013-02-14T15:33:00.001-05:00

How appropriate to talk about
the day I met my love
on the day of love.

But don't be fooled.
This isn't a "love at first sight" kind of story.
But still,
it's a story with a very happy ending.

The slection

It all started with Lisa being short sided on the "math" section of brain.
Let's just say math is not her forte
and she finds the joke
"4 out of 3 people struggle with math"
to be very funny.
(even though it took her a second read through to get it)

Therefore, when she had to take math110,
or basic algebra,
for the third time in her life
(middle school, high school and now college)
She was certain of 2 truths:
1. She wanted an A
2. She needed help to achieve it

So after the first day of class
she marched to the math lab to sign up with a tutor.

With fate on her fingertips, the kind women behind the desk
thumbed through dozens of names
and selected at random
Brent Brown
"Your tutor will be Brent Brown. You'll like him, he's very nice."

And that was the beginning.
A simple random selection.
Amazing isn't it?

Lucky for Lisa the math lab posted on a huge board
with photos of all the tutors.
Being a single lady looking for love,
or at least a summer fling,
she immediately searched for Brent's photo.

"Lame. he looks married," Lisa said with a sigh after finding it.

One is unsure as to what married men, as a whole, look like
but what is certain is this chubby-faced man with little black framed glasses stuffed in a sweatshirt
was not what Lisa had in mind for her gallant and brave
math tutor.
"No, this would not be a summer lead by love,"
Lisa pondered, but she was satisfied with getting an "A" in Math 110 instead.

On to victory.

With determination in one hand and humility in the other
she emailed her new math tutor
describing her mental condition
and her being robbed of mathnetics
(math brain).
She also explained her deep desire for perfection
in mastering the dreaded class
Math 110.
In conclusion, she explained the only way to get what she wanted
was to meet with him... daily.

Her supposed married math tutor then responded
with kindness and understanding
stating that he was much too busy to meet daily
but that three times a week would be sufficient
and he would do his best.

Understanding that he probably had to deal with a wife and family
she agreed and they decided on the day to meet.

Algebra or Chemistry?

Lisa waited patiently in the math lab,
looking for the chubby married man to walk in the door.

To her surprise
a cute, not so chubby man walked in
and with the brightest smile and out-reached hand said,
"You must be Lisa."

Although this was not love at first sight.
There was clearly an attraction between Brent and Lisa
as at the end of this first tutor session
Brent (who was not married) and Lisa
changed their schedule
and decided they needed to meet everyday.

Extra Credit

The semester progressed.
And so did their relationship.
Lisa loved his humor, brain power, and the way he looked in his jeans
(especially while writing on the white board).
Brent loved her sass, laughter, and the way she smelled of flirtatious seduction.
(which was strategically planned by the first party).

Yet will all the obvious flirting between the two,
including babysitting her fish,
not driving to class hoping for a ride home,
and constant discussions on what weekend plans included...
going on a date was never brought up.

Lisa... was curious
(and a bit annoyed).

Truth Revealed

The semester was coming to an end
and so was their budding relationship.
But still no date.
Lisa decided to pow wow with the roommates
to figure out the problem.
After a deep investigation it was determined that their must be a form of red tape
as far as being a tutor and dating is concerned.
Indeed there was.
Lisa found the contract signed on the day of reckoning.
"Aside from academic studies,
there is to be no relationship between the tutor or the tutored
for the duration of the time being tutored."

A-hah!
Mystery solved.

Well, being a straight forward little lady,
Lisa explained the situation to Brent.
To which Brent explained that was what pressed his perusing.

But with just one week left,
they planned
their first date.

And that my friends was the beginning.

4 years later,
a lot of ups and downs,
make outs and break ups,
her mission and his job,
declaring solitude and declaring love...

they finally married.
And lived happily ever after.

The wondrous math lab was another must stop during our Rexburg tour.
It was surreal to go back there with our daughter!

(the very desk we sat at during our first tutor session)

Even more crazy,
the same woman who randomly selected Brent as my tutor
was at the same desk doing the same job.
We told her our little story.
She said she is commonly known as a matchmaker on campus.
I would imagine!

KBYI FM 100

2013-02-08T15:39:00.000-05:00

Fate paved the way
for my stellar and long-lasting career
as a broadcaster.

I was first introduced
by way of doing the morning announcements
daily at my high school.

(see me?)

I loved it!

I loved having a captive audience.

I loved bringing life to the blain and basically dead announcements.

And I especially loved the microphone.

(A family trait.)

From that point college would include
a degree in broadcast journalism
giving me a one way ticket to stardom!

As a blazing new star
I started my path with "Voice Production 101"
one of my favorite classes!

This was when I met Mark Bailey.
The talented voice behind KBYI FM 100

After acing the class
he asked me to work for KBYI
doing news reporting,weather,
and public service announcements...

on the radio!
Finally!
I was a star!
(for eastern Idaho anyway)

I worked there until I graduated

and loved every minute of it!

Unfortunately KBYI was the end

of my brilliant career in broadcasting.

But a blast while it lasted.

The radio station was a must stop
during our rexburg trip.
It felt good to be back
and even better to see my photos still up!
See!
I was a star! (:

"For KBYI... I'm Lisa Louis.

Rediscover... Radio."

Has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?
Fate... are you hearing this?

Rexburg Is

2013-02-07T13:28:00.001-05:00

I remember sadly leaving
little Rexburg behind 5 years ago.
I remember thinking, "When will we ever come back?"
Rexburg isn't on the top 10
(or even 100... 1000...1000000000?)
places to vacation.
Especially when you live across country.

But alas!

My sister-in-law

Ms. Laura Brown

made the way for all of us

to bask in its beauty, kindness, and genuine love once again.

Go Laura!!!

It was amazing to be back there again.
Even in December.

The campus and small town underwent a major facelift
since last we were there.

New buildings.

Renovated old ones.

Huge apartment complexes.

I almost didn't recognize it.

But there was something very familiar.

It felt like curling up next to a warm fire.
It felt like embracing an old friend.
It felt like savoring a spoonful of your best homemade soup.

It felt like home.

And I really missed it.

I love Rexburg.

I love it for all it taught me.

I love it for who it helped me become.

I love it for all it stands for.

I love it for what it continues to be.

I love it.

Funny to think I cursed the day I got accepted.
Rexburg?
Podunk potato land?

'

Little did I know
what was in store for me.

So much more
than I had planned for.

Go Laura!

My fellow BYU-Idaho alumni.

Meeting Norman

2013-02-05T12:48:00.000-05:00

Once upon a time
we met a man.
But not just any man.

Norman Bridwell.

Most of you know and love him
because of this:

But I know and love him
because of this:

"The Witch" series.
Not well known.
But holds a special place in my childhood memories.

Well he lives here!
Lucky us.
Ever since I found that out I was star struck
anxious for the day I could meet him.
I don't get star struck very often.
But Mr. Bridwell?
Yes.

During "Christmas in Edgartown"
I heard he was doing a book signing.
Score!
I made sure we were going to be there
with my copy of
"The Witch Grows Up"
in hand for him to sign.
That was my favorite of the series.
I remember copying his illustrations of the little witches:
black spot eyes, bouncy blonde curls, striped socks
the little details are irresistible.

It was such an exciting moment!
I got to meet one my childhood heros
and tell him how much his books meant to me.
How often does that happen?

He was a very sweet man!
Exceeded my expectations.
And after telling him about my love for his witch books,
he said those were his favorite too.
(over Clifford!)

Pure bliss.

ps... I need to add a small shout out
to the man in front of us who took our photo. (: