Love Letters

Happy Belated Sibling Day!

I guess National Sibling Day was yesterday - so I just wanted to wish you all a happy sibling day and thanks for being there for me!  I couldn't ask for better older siblings!  I am so lucky to have the amazing examples of all of you.  Love you all!

Bronze Medal

Over the past couple of years I've been taking the exams for the Certified Insolvency and Restructuring Advisor (CIRA) certification for my job.  There are 3 sections, one exam per section.  I took my last one in June 2012 and found out a month or two after that I had passed it and received my CIRA. At the time I was thrilled.

Recently, however, I found out even better news.  Every year, they review the scores of everyone that passes their final section that year and the total them up.  They also review the exams to make sure the scores are accurate.  They then award what's called the Zolfo Cooper/Randy Waits medals, with the Gold medal being for the top scorer in the nation when all exam sections are combined, the Silver for 2nd and the Bronze for 3rd.  They also award certificates of distinguished performance for those whose combined scores just missed receiving one of the medals.

I found out that I am the Bronze medal winner for 2012.  Obviously I'm extremely thrilled about it; I didn't know I was even in the running for this award.  I'm supposed to receive the award at the annual conference in Chicago but since the date of the award banquet is just a week before Lindsay is due, I will be unable to attend that.  Still, it's a nice award to receive and will definitely help me going forward.

They also asked for a headshot for the newsletter and for the yearbook listing the prior award winners.  Since I didn't have one, Melissa agreed to take one for me:

She made me look pretty good and professional, don't you think?

Baby Bump

It's pretty fun growing a baby!  We took some pics to make a sort of flip book at the end. It's interesting to think there is a little person inside me.  We like to feel him move and think about what he will be like.  Here are a few pics depicting my progression through the weeks.  I'm at 30 weeks now!  Look at him grow!

Bubba's Hover

I had to share this one for OJ.  Despite my horrendous game, I'd be happy to caddy with one of these!

Happy Easter

        

Here's part of an Easter message from President Monson. I hope we can all remember our Savior at this joyous springtime of the year, and consider one or two ways we can bring the power of the Atonement into our lives:

"We laugh, we cry, we work, we play, we love, we live.  And then we die...

And dead we would remain but for one Man and His mission, even Jesus of Nazareth...

With all my heart and the fervency of my soul, I lift up my voice in testimony as a special witness and declare that God does live.  Jesus is His Son, the Only Begotten of the Father in the flesh.  He is our Redeemer; He is our Mediator with the Father.  He it was who died on the cross to atone for our sins.  He became the firstfruits of the Resurrection.  

Because He died, all shall live again.

I declare my personal witness that death has been conquered, victory over the tomb has been won.  May the words made sacred by Him who fulfilled them become actual knowledge to all.  Remember them.  Cherish them.  Honor them.  He is risen."

Love to all, 

Gramps

P.S.  Thanks to Linds for the email about the Atonement she sent to us all.

Victoria with G and G

Grandpa and I had a wonderful time in Victoria a week ago with G&G.
Flowers and sunshine everywhere - a bit hard to take :)  But other than that it was fabulous...

The world famous Butchart Gardens - a woman with a vision who transformed a limestone quarry....And its Victoria, so of course they serve tea!

 

                                               

Chemainus - known for its fabulous theatre and amazing murals...

It was a lovely break from the two feet of snow in Edmonton.

And G and G are great travel buddies...