A note about my birth and blessing from mom

My mom and I about 4 years ago at Alki Beach in West Seattle

A word about me from Mom…

Our precious Emily- We knew of her coming or I should say I did long before her arrival. I had been concerned whether we would have another child. I had been praying fervently for her or another child. One night Jeff and I went to the temple. I was sitting in the temple when the spirit whispered to me that a daughter would soon bless our home. It wasn’t too many months later I found out I was carrying you. You were born on January 19, 1989. You just missed arriving on January 18^th. They had it all set up to have you induced on the 18^th and Grandma and Grandpa had come to get Ryan the night before as we were to leave for the hospital at 6:00 AM. When we got there they were just about to break my water and a few other women had come in having hard labor pains and they no longer had room for me. They told me to go home and wait until they had a room. We drove over to Grandma and Grand’s house and stayed there all day. We were getting very frustrated because we wanted this new baby to come. Finally we came home and went to bed. We had not been asleep very long when the phone rang and we were to be down to Swedish Hospital as soon as possible. We hurried down there. Dr Brooks started the labor at 10:00 and Emily was born at 2:00 AM It was important she arrive then as Jeff had a business and had to leave on the 20^th for Arizona. We were so excited to have a little girl. It took us a few days to decide on a name for you. We decided to name you Emily….you just looked like an Emily to me.

Grandma and Grandpa came to get us at the hospital and take us home and we stayed there for a few days until Jeff came home from Arizona. Grandma came every day after we got home for a good week to help with Ryan and you.

When you were blessed we got out the same dress that Carol Ann had worn. You looked beautiful that day. Dad gave you a beautiful blessing that day. We are so grateful for you. You were such a happy baby you began smiling within the first few weeks and laughing at 3 months. When you were a baby you loved your crib. You would hold on to the sheet and suck your tongue. You did that for a very long time. You were always able to comfort yourself.

I just remember being so thrilled to have such a pretty little girl. I loved dressing you in pink and you always had a bow in your hair. I was so grateful for the spirit that you brought into the home.

Letter from My Grandma Duffy about when I was born and the early years...

Ryan, Grandma, and I right after I was born. (Ryab us carrying what he called his "buster"

Dear Emily,

I have had a great time recalling the events of your birth etc. I remember so well the night you were born. There wasn’t any more room in the maternity section of the hospital that night so your Mom had planned to go to the hospital the next morning. But Dr. Brooks called I think about 9:30 PM to say there was room. So off your Dad and Mom went to Swedish Hospital. Ryan stayed with me. Sometimes in the middle of the night your Mom called to say she had had a baby girl. We were all very excited—especially that you were healthy and that you were a girl. Your name was either going to be Rebecca or Emily. I like Rebecca but I have always been glad that your name turned out to be Emily Marie. The next morning I got Ryan all ready and off Grandpa, Ryan and I went to Swedish Hospital. You were really such a cute baby. You got to the point that you’re Mom and I was the only ones that you would let hold you. I loved it!

I remember you got to the point that you would be restless being held and being fussy when we would put you on the floor. But once you began crawling you were as content as could be. One time when you were three or four you wanted Grandpa to draw your picture. So there you sat in a chair in our family room all posed for Grandpa to begin drawing. When he was finished you looked at the finished picture and said “I hate it.” You always loved to sit on Grandpa’s lap when he was sitting at the table eating. He would give you little bites of whatever he was eating at the time. You always and still do loved flowers. You would go out in the backyard of our old house and pick flowers. You loved the roses and would take a few home. You also loved theses berries that we had growing. You loved to ride on the swing we had. You had this darling long blond hair that was quite curly. It would blow in the breeze while we were pushing you on the swing. I remember your “brown blankie” I think you mentioned that you still have it. You never liked being referred to as a big girl. You always wanted to remain a baby. I loved you so much and I still do. I treasure our shopping together. You have such a kind heart. Stay close to the gospel and you will have great happiness. I love you em!

Grandma

Poem I wrote about myself in 6th Grade!

Emily

Responsible, respectful, loving, helpful.

Daughter of Jeff and Susan Guptill.

Lover of kitties, swimming and flowers.

Who feels happy, excited, and sometimes sad.

Who finds happiness in friends, her cats and flowers.

Who loves her parents very much.

Who gives comfort and smiles.

Who fears the dark and bugs.

Who would like to see her cousin Lauren walk and talk.

Who enjoys playing with her friends.

Who likes to wear the colors pink and blue.

Resident of Bothell, Washington.

Emily Marie Guptill

Basic Time line of Emily Marie

Emily’s Timeline:

January 19, 1989- I was born in Seattle, Washington

Febuary 5^th, 1989- Blessing

May 28, 1989- Cousin Matthew Duffy was born

May, 1989- Cousin Brad Duffy was born

September 1992- Began Preschool

Febuary 29, 1992- Cousin Daniel Duffy was born

September 1994- First Day of Kindergarten- Teacher Shirley

September 1995- First Day of First Grade- Teacher Leslie

September 1995- Got my kitten Meeko

December 8, 1995- Cousin Kaitlin Duffy is born

September 1996- First Day of Second Grade- Teachers Molly and Paulette

September 1997- First Day of Third Grade- Teacher Laurel

September 4, 1997- cousin Lauren Jenkins born

1998- Great Grandpa Simmons passed away

September 1998- First Day of Fourth Grade- Teacher Marty

November 1998- Overnight trip to Pioneer Farms for 4^th grade

Summer of 1999- Trip to Iona, Idaho with Rod, Carol Ann, and Lauren

September 1999- First Day of Fifth Grade- Teacher Marty

March 1999- 5^th grade overnight trip to the aquarium

September 2000- First Day of Sixth Grade- Teacher Justine

June 2000- 6^th grade graduation trip to San Juans with class

November 21, 2000- cousin Daniel Jenkins was born

September 2001- First Day of Jr. High

September 11, 2001- Worlds Trades Towers collapse kill tons.

August, 2003- Started swimming Varsity for swimming at Inglemoor High School

November 2003- High School Swim Team took first in State and Districts

March 31, 2004- Cousin Amy Jenkins was born.

June 2004- 9^th grade party on Yacht in Puget Sound

September 2004- First Day at Inglemoor High School

November 2004- High School Swim Team took first in State and Districts

November 2004- Went to State in DECA

June 2005- Brother Ryan graduated from High School.

November 2005- Went to state in DECA

November 2005- High School Swim Team took first in State and Districts

January 17, 2005- Brother Ryan left on his mission to Toronto.

July 23, 2005- Grandma and Grandpa’s 50^th wedding anniversary

March- April 2006- Dated Cameron Gleed

July 28, 2006- Bartly and Megan De La Houssaye are married in the Logan Temple

November 2006- High School Swim Team took first in State and Districts

January, 2007- Great Grandma Simmons passes away

January 19, 2007- First Kiss

January 19, 2007- I turned 18, Legal Adult!

Febuary 2007- Performed in the musical “Smile”

March 2007- Got my first official job at Gold’s Gym in Woodinville as a Lifeguard

June 6, 2007- Graduated from Inglemoor High School

July 8, 2007- First Day As a college student at BYU- IDAHO

August 17,2007- Cousin Lauren Jenkins dies of complications

September 21, 2007- Cousin Emily Jenkins was born

December 29, 2007- Nathan and Nicole Cope are married in the Spokane Temple

January 1, 2008- Started working at Northshore Montessori and Child Care in Bothell, WA

January 21, 2008- Ryan returns home from his mission in Toronto

May 9, 2008- First Date with Jake Barnes

January 2009- Started working with Anna as a caregiver for her needs

January 7, 2009- Jake Barnes left for his mission

April 17^th 2009- Annie Nicole Cope is born.

May 2^nd, 2009- Nathan and Lindsay Duffy are married in the Seattle Temple

May 9^th, 2009- Best friend Brynn Fullmer got married to Clifford Eiffler

May 13, 2009- Brexton De La Houssaye is born.

June 9, 2009- President Eyring spoke at Devotional at BYU- Idaho

July 15, 2009- Accepted to serve in Cuenca, Ecuador in two different Orphanages there.

My Testimony

My testimony:

I know that this gospel is true. As I have learned about it through the different experiences in my life it has strengthened me so much. I know that if it wasn’t in my life I would have made some poor choices and would not be as happy. If it wasn’t for the gospel in my life I would not have the relationship with Christ that I have today. I suppose I should start off of thinking where it started. I was born into the church but I would hardly say my relationship with Christ was in full throttle than, more it began. Through the love of my parents I began to understand an even greater love for me. The ultimate test of this love came my senior year. Where I had to completely rely on the saviors love to get through the next awful year as a freshman at college. When I say awful I do not refer to the university but because of the choices I had made and the unexpected trials that decided to come that year. My relationship with Christ is more vivid now and I love him very much. It hurts me to know that he has felt all of my pain because I know how it felt. I would have to say one of the key things in the relationship with my savior is gratitude towards him. Another thing is because I have decided to cleave unto him I have found myself happy, and introduced to things that make me even happier. He is amazing to me he has given me so much and yet I give back so little. I am looking forward to the day when I can be reunited with my dear friend that has helped me through more than any other friend has. I know he loves me. I have felt his love on numerous accounts, I know he is there. Because of my love for the savior and his love for me I know I can get through anything. I am so grateful for the wonderful I have had and the great examples they have been to me. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen

George Lyman Guptill

George Guptill was my great great Grandfather... come to find out he served in what looks to be the Civil War... Here is a copy of a pension that his widow Emma Guptill took out... after he passed away in 1914!

Personal History- Elementary Years- Pre School

Halloween Preschool Age. Girl on Right is my neighbor Ellen from across the street. Boy on right: Brother Ryan. Middle: Me.

Above Picture: Pre School Class

I attended Kathy Egan’s Pre- School for two years. I remember there being a big box that was filled with rice and toys to play with. I remember graduating from pre- school. Originally I was sitting next to my friend and next door neighbor Ryan Blegen. But by the end of the ceremony we had been separated from disrupting by talking.In elementary school I attended Lockwood Elementary. I was in a program called PACE at Lockwood which basically meant there was more parent involvement and more field trips. I also called all my teachers by their first name.

I don’t remember much about kindergarten but I do remember that we took turns during reading time sitting in the big blue rocking chair. I remember when it was my turn to sit in the chair and I was allowed to pick one person to sit with me and I picked Erin Ermantrout. I also remember throwing up Mac and Cheese on the floor one day in kindergarten. I visited my kindergarten classroom later on to find out the carpet was still stained from where I had thrown up the Mac and cheese. I went to PM kindergarten so I spent have the day (the morning) at home. My teacher was Shirley.

As a first grader my teacher was Leslie. I remember studying Penguins in her class. And for our Christmas present our teacher gave each of us a penguin pin. I also remember getting in trouble as a first grader. One day I had gone out to recess and had left an open can of Koala Pop. I had completely forgotten about it. My teacher comes out to me on the swings and told me I needed to come in and clean my mess, I had no idea what she was talking about so I replied “I don’t have a mess I threw everything away”. She told me I was lying and needed to come in right then and clean up or else I was going to get in major trouble. So naturally I took my time when I got into the class room I saw that can on my desk I told her I really had not remembered the can of pop. She became angry and slammed a ruler down on my desk and told me to sit down and I would be reading the rest of recess by myself. At this point I was scared sat down after I threw away my pop, and read. I remember going to the bathroom to let a few tears run down my cheek, but I didn’t want Leslie to get any madder at me so I didn’t let her see. After that day I didn’t like Leslie. A few other things I remember about first grade was that I made a new girlfriend named Natalie and I had a crush on a boy named Wyatt and also on a boy named Jason the whole year. We also had stick bugs for pets in the classroom.

I loved 2^nd Grade. I had two teachers; Molly and Paulette. This is the classroom where I really gained my love for reading. I remember getting so excited for reading time. In this classroom we also would write short stories and that was so much fun for me. I remember Halloween I dressed as a person going to the Masquerade Ball in a bright purple 80s dress that my mom had gotten for me at D.I. I remember thinking I was the cat’s Meow in all my mom’s makeup and hair curled.

3^rd grade was with Laurel one of my favorite teachers in elementary school. She was so excited to teach every subject. I remember gaining a love for poetry in this class. We were taught how to write Haiku in this class. At one point our teacher took us out to the garden’s of Lockwood and had us write poems out there it was so much fun. We also learned all about Japan. I also remember during lunch time we were allowed to bring movies to class, and I brought the movie “Seven Brides For Seven Brothers”. I loved musicals at this time. Unfortunately all the boys wanted to watch Ninja Turtles. But my teacher knew it was my turn to pick she put my movie in, but minutes in she had to switch to Ninja Turtle because the boys were being restless. I remember the boys were all teasing me I was so embarrassed.

Next was 4th grade with Marty Peet. In this classroom I had my introduction to Harry Potter. I remember Marty would read the books out loud to us and make all the voices every one of us students were mesmerized. Here is also a sample of some poetry I wrote in Marty’s class:

When Family Comes

Silent things are

When my cousins Megan and Nicole put their hands through my hair,

It sounds like a small breeze passing slowly through my hair.

Or when I hear the birds outside my house,

I hear my cousin Carmen whisper "birds, birds"

Loud things are

When my Grandpa laughs like a giant.

Or when I go to my Uncle Tim's house

It is as loud as popcorn popping.

Eternal things are when my cousin Carmen kisses me on the cheek

It is so brief.

When my Grandma hugs me,

I want it to last forever.

In fouth grade we also went and stayed the night at “Pioneer FARMS” where you are able to experience different things that the pioneers went through.

5^th grade I was in a split class and there was only 6 of us 5^th grades in the classroom the rest were 4^th. I remember there being lots of one on one time for math, and spending lots of time with my two fellow girlfriends in the class that were my age; Natalie and Laura. In 5th grade we got to go spend the night at the Seattle Aquarium, my dad came with me. We also went to Camp Casey where you get together will all the 5^th grade classrooms in the school. I don’t really remember much about this place, but I do remember the bunkers which are really dark, and almost everyone went into but me and maybe 5 other people because we were too scared.

6^th grade was probably the one I remember the most. We spent half the year under refrigerator boxes that were decorated. I remember while the teacher was teaching and couldn’t see us we would run back and forth between our boxes. Needless to say the boxes were not a good idea. We also did a lot of art projects in the classroom. Our teacher’s husband was an artist so he would come in and teach us. There was also a end of the year trip to San Juan’s where we went whale watching. My mom came along as one of the supervisors. I had so much fun with her there.