Squaw Peak

Tradition in Provo, Utah is to take your 'lover' to the top of Squaw Peak and do a little smooching.

Well, we changed that tradition a bit, and took Owen up to smooch those little cheeks as much as possible. 

I love seeing how much Owen and his daddy love each other. Owen giggles and giggles as Daddy throws him in the air and laughs and smiles back at him. 

The Ending of a Chapter

This is me before my last shift as an ER nurse at Timpanogos Regional Hospital. It was a bittersweet decision, but ultimately I felt strongly about being home more with Owen than I was. Luckily, we were in a position that allowed me to do that. I will definitely miss being in the hospital and using my skills, but I am so at peace knowing that I am the one primarily caring for Owen. 

I love how prayer works. I have been praying for a while to know if I should be done at the hospital. I felt the decision was to quit, but at that point I still enjoyed every shift and couldn't see what it would look like if I wasn't working. I've found that with prayers and answers to prayers, there is usually a leap of faith to take before the confirmation of that prayer comes. I took a leap of faith to be done working, and almost immediately felt the confirming peace and assurance that I had made the right choice. 

I'm keeping my nursing license current working still at BYU, teaching a simulation nursing class. I love love love teaching and being a part of the students' learning process. I learn from them every time I teach, and it is highly rewarding. 

This is the letter I wrote to the ED after I quit

To my Timpanogos ED friends:

I wanted to thank you all for the time we’ve spent together and the experiences shared. I’ve learned so much and grown from knowing all of you and watching your examples. The finest in the business work at Timpanogos ED! I regard you and highly respect you as hard working professionals as well as my dear friends. And I’m sad to not be working with you anymore.

In a job that can be physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausting, I continually stand amazed at the great level of care you give to others. I’ve loved watching the unique ways you give of your heart.  And it’s inspired me to keep trying my best to be a good caregiver as well.

Thanks for all the great conversations and debates. Thanks for all the sharing of knowledge. Thanks for lending a hand and being team players. Thanks for the good laughs and jokes. Thanks for the kindness and friendship. Thanks for standing for what is moral and ethical, and for upholding values in a working environment. Thanks for being reliable and trustworthy.  And thanks for all the junk foodJ.

I’ve loved the ED, it’s been such a great place to work. I love the adrenaline, the unpredictability, and the learning environment. It’s a neat opportunity to help a person in a time of great need and vulnerability. It’s very fulfilling and purposeful. And again most of all, it’s the camaraderie that has especially kept me coming back.  I’m sure you share some of my sentiment.

I hope the best for all of you in your lives! I’ll miss you!! I’ve enjoyed so much getting to know you. May God be with you.

Love, Whitney Ostebo

7 months old

Our little man is on the move! My vision was to have a picture of Owen in the white chair every month.  Owen's vision proved otherwise. He has become all about standing, scooting, crawling. 

Snapshots of the Summer

These are a few of my favorite pictures from the summer....starring none other than our favorite Owen. 

Where's Owen?? This sight of mountains of laundry happens weekly

Our lunch buddies....Riley Mckinnon (Lindsay McKinnon) and Ethan Hales (Christina Hales)

At Madison Eror's wedding this summer with Tyra Scoville and sweet Jonah....or should I say hook-em-right-Jonah

Beautiful Rachel Johnson and Owen

Eating out at Cheesecake Factory with the JJET ladies after Madison Eror's sealing.

I love these gals!! Tyra Scoville, Adrienne Eror, and Megan Taylor

Owen and Jonah made up:). 

Trying rice cereal for the first time at four months

We met up for a fun afternoon with Dave and Mary Fox's family and the Bridegans!

Group photo at the temple

Owen and Cooper getting acquainted. 

My old roommate Ashley Tucker and her family were moving to Seattle this summer. They came through Provo and stopped to see us before continuing on to Albuquerque. 

Owen is learning from the best. 

My two favorite dish men. 

Visiting Dad at work

He's ready to try it out for himself

Thursday night softball in Provo

Gearing up to go shopping. Soaking in the loves.

What we enjoy most....soaking in even more loves

And more. Owen came with me to BYU campus for orientation day at my teaching job. All the nursing students ate him up. Between classes, we played in the grass on the grounds. 

I love this picture. We were both thinking...this is actually happening....old enough to be in a high chair?? Where is the time going?

Mark has been using FrontRunner more to travel to and from the airport for work

Owen is enjoying playing with his toys more. This picture cracks me up. He is eating a stuffed chicken....get that chicken Owen!

The time he allows me to cuddle him are getting less and less frequent so I take what I can get. 

Cousin Time! Playing with Easton and Trent

Lunch with the Bridegans!

Showing the Bridegans around Provo. 

My mom watched all the kids while we all went out. Apparently, they all wanted to ride the stroller. Cooper isn't so sure about sharing. Leave it to Ava to ride in style. 

Hiking Donut Falls....Owen's first hike!

No matter where we go, if we are holding Owen he has his arm wide open. 

We spent a weekend in Salt Lake at the Little American thanks to my parents!! We went to a Bees game, Owen's first baseball game.

We also went on a hike to Ensign Peak that weekend. 

Enjoying a Sunday summer night. 

Summer drive ins in Mt. Pleasant

Our smiley little bug 

And Owen will not leave this keyboard alone while I'm typing....so he would like to say something. 

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