“BEFORE AND AFTER”

Just looking at the pictures of “baby lei “ made Scott and Jasmine wonder how fast their baby is growing. It felt like it was yesterday when Jasmine gave birth and now, their baby is almost 9 months.

It has been a year and a half since they have been here in Utah. It was springtime when they came here, and now it is going to be winter season again.

Although they miss the “Hawaiian Sun” , they strive to make Utah, the “new paradise” for their family to raise with love, joy, and laughter.

Just like what Jasmine's mom always says...

“bloom where you are planted”.

Jasmine and the Baby

“JASMINE AND THE BABY”

Jasmine's big day of giving birth has finally came. It was on the 23^rd of February, 2010 when “baby lei” showed signs that she was ready for her to come out and experience life here on earth. Jasmine lost 2 pennies from Scott because of the wrong guess of baby lei's big day, but, she won a baby anyways, so it is still a win-win situation.

What's funny about Jasmine that Scott would never forget was that even though her contractions are every 3-5 minutes - around 4:00p.m, they still stopped by at Walmart, Riverton to buy some SD card and batteries for their camera before heading to the hospital. Every bump on the road made Jasmine cried because of the pain she felt from the contractions.

As they were admitted at the Inter-mountain Healthcare, Riverton, Jasmine was being checked by the nurse on call. She was 5 cm. already and they decided to let her stay at the hospital. Jasmine was given epidural which was a relief to her because she can't feel too much pain from the contractions.

All Jasmine could eat was frozen flavored ice and that's it. It was around 9:00pm, when the nurse said that Jasmine does not need to practice breathing because baby lei is crowning already. So they called Dr. Edwin England and at 9:40pm, they started the labor and delivery. Jasmine still felt the baby coming out but not with so much pain. Around 9:51pm, a beautiful sound of cry was heard in the walls of the room confirming the success of the delivery of “baby lei”. It was a joyful night for Jasmine and Scott as they embrace their growing family with love, excitement, and new beginnings.

BLOOMING WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED

It was July 24, 1847 when "Mormon pioneers" first came to the Salt Lake Valley. Upon their arriving, they literally had to make a place to live. Water was crucial and the land was barren. However, with great faith and works of the saints, Utah became distinct on the world map.

It was .... June 20,2009 when Scott and Jasmine finally reached their destination -- Utah... At first, Jasmine could not believe of what Utah looked like... desert with lots of sage bushes all over and mountains everywhere. It was as if in Hawaii, Jasmine was surrounded with oceans, and now with mountains. However, upon realizing, Jasmine gratefully accepted her fate on being in Utah. It was her dream to see the Salt Lake Temple, "Christus", and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. It was beyond her expectation of living in the place where she dreamt to be someday.

Living a married life was and is very interesting for the newlyweds, Scott and Jasmine. They, each day, learn new things about each other. Trying to think what's best and doing it with love, not wanting for something in return. Days passed by when things go wrong, however, as a couple, they strive to face the issue and not against each other..... In the end, they always hug and kiss with a message of peace and comfort, knowing that things will work out someday.

Both of them strive and are striving to bloom where they are planted... like the Mormon pioneers, they are pioneers themselves... pioneers in building a "heaven on earth " in their humble home.

A KISS OF FOREVER...

On a clear blue sky of June 9,2009.... Scott and Jasmine "are no more twain but one flesh", as they enter in the bonds of holy matrimony in Kona Hawaii temple.

After saying yes, a kiss of forever symbolizes Scott and Jasmine's love for each other. That kiss was no ordinary. It was a kiss that bound them and binds them as a couple....

After getting married, a nice sweet getaway to Florida is Scott's honeymoon surprise package for Jasmine. It was at Disney world, where dreams come true....and Jasmine's dream.... came true as well. Scott and Jasmine were lucky because they have a GPS that saved them from toll roads...however, they thought they were on the road to nowhere because it was so dark, creepy, and foreign. Finally, as they saw lights coming from the main road that leads to their hotel, the mood was changed back to the "aroma "of love.....

As they enter Lake Buena Vista hotel, they got a romantic package from the staff congratulating the newlyweds. Scott and Jasmine enjoyed that special week of their "oneness". After a week of sweet escape... Scott and Jasmine are about to face a new life, shared with love, faith, happiness, gratitude and eternity in the beautiful islands of Utah......

What could be in store for them in Utah? They don't know yet.... but what they know is that .... they vowed to walk the path of eternities

.....TOGETHER-FOREVER!