the start of here...

So this whole blog thing is a hard one to figure out. Honestly.

I love reading blogs. All different kinds. I love reading the brand new bride's updates about her newly budding family.  I love reading about someone's poetic take on the little moments in their day, where their words literally transport you to this magical view of the sparkles their child's laugh sends into a room. I love reading about the recipes and cuisine experiences that elate someone into their own little heaven. I love staring at the photographers pictures that literally do say a thousand words. I feel at home when I read about the believer's testimony of their God.

All of these beautiful blogs that I follow seem to have their own identity. They have a theme, a purpose, their own little wave of feeling that their readers come to love and expect, like the mother wants to give updates on her families life. The photographer wants an audience for their extraordinary talents. The cook or baker loves to share their newest creation. The poet can't help but send their words out into the universe, touching hearts on their way. The crafty women needs to give every other crafty women another great project. The comic makes everyday life feel lighthearted and easy.

But what about me? I know I want to share. Everyone's life is too beautiful and too unique not to share it with everyone. But who am I? Am I the poet, the photographer, the chef, the wife, the crafter, the believer? Which side of me do I want to portray to the world? After much thought, this is my answer to my own question.

I am Laurie Noelle. 

Noelle because I was born near Christmas.

The holiday that never fails to transport me to my own personal nirvana.

I am the wife of the most remarkable country man Idaho ever sent out into the world.

I am a women of faith, a daughter of God. 

I can't help but give gratitude to my Father in Heaven who blessed me with this opportunity called life.

I am the granddaughter of Al, Muriel, Dolores, and Glannin, who's blood runs through my veins. 

I have their strength, their laugh, their dreams, even their "elegant neck" as grandma always says.

I am a student at the most incredible university on the earth: the Lord's university, BYU.

I am the daughter of two amazing people who have ingrained memories in my mind so deep and pure
that it causes me to hold back tears of gratitude and pure joy whenever I earnestly think about them.

I am the cellist, if I ever get the courage to pick it back up again after 5 years.

I am Charlotte's sister, whose face literally emits peace and love. 

All you have to do is look at her to feel accepted.

I grew up with that blessing.

I am the gardener who grows flowers in pots because I don't have a yard....at all....

I am Deborah's best friend, who has seen me through the highest and lowest points of my life.

I am the girl who lets different kinds of music give her the courage to express different parts of herself. 

I am the mentor and advisor to choice daughters of God when they come to spend their first year at BYU.

I am the girl who get's to watch the remarkable story of her Michael and Stephen Suhaka's

lives unfold, marveling at who they have become and what they accomplishing with their 

growing families, and learning more from their experience then I think is fair. 

Being the youngest has that advantage.

I am the women who at age 23, still can't spell or type accurately.
Infact, there are probably a few mistakes in here.
Learn to love it.

I am the girl who learned to love musical theater at the age of 5,
glued to a PBS screening of Porgie and Bess.
Seeing Les Miserable on Broadway when I was 7. 

I didn't recover from the overwhelming experience for two incredible weeks.

I am the girl who's role in the family was both Sunday dinner biscuit maker, and peacemaker.

I am the singer who is to scared to sing, and the actress who is scared to act.

I am the lover of anything gourmet, both the making of it and the eating of it.

I am the girl who could spend 30 minutes looking at one photograph, 

trying to figure out what it is about capturing an experience in a single image makes that it look so special.

I am all these things and more. 

That is my identity. 

This is Laurie.

This is me.

And I can't wait to share who I am.