tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14530275489264469812024-03-12T21:42:03.857-07:00The Eddy FamilyBrytanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04944956119570701410noreply@blogger.comBlogger139125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453027548926446981.post-38507531672407667872014-06-14T21:09:00.000-07:002014-06-14T21:37:37.135-07:00Bomb Diggity DadI am a little emotional at the moment, so please excuse me if this post is overly sappy. But, you see, the topic is very near and dear to my heart, which makes it harder not to be...well...enamored.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: x-large;"> This guy:</span></span><br />
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Oh, I just<span style="font-size: large;"> love</span> him. The more time I spend with him, the more I realize I love him completely- every last little bit of him. <br />
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And so, I have to write a post to <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">toot</span> his Father's Day <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">horn</span>. He is the <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">bomb-diggity</span> of <span style="font-size: x-large;">fathers</span>. This guy has, for the last 4 years, spent <em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">every waking moment</span></em> of his life not only providing (as in work) and presiding (as in still taking on the majority of the familial stress and decision making) but also teaching his children to be the <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>best</strong></span> person they can be. Every minute was spent doing what he needed to do to be the best he could be in his <span style="font-size: large;">3</span> lives:<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Work, School, Family.</span> </div>
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When he was at work, he gave it <span style="font-size: large;">100%</span>. He took extra shifts. He took extra responsibilities. And he took an awful lot of crap with very little appreciation.<br />
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At school, he managed to impress his professors so much that <span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">next year</span> he'll be<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> teaching</span> for TWO of them. Not to mention that the numbers speak for themselves- the man graduated <span style="font-size: large;"><em><span style="font-size: x-large;">cum laude</span> </em></span><strong>(yeah buddy!)</strong> with a 3.67 general gpa and over a 3.85 in his chosen major. <br />
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BUT, while those lives are <span style="font-size: large;">impressive indeed</span>, it is the man he is after he fulfills those responsibilities that I love. It is the <span style="font-size: x-large;">husband</span>, it is the <span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">father</span>. He comes home, and he manages to take our children out for Daddy-kid dates regularly. He never faltered on date nights twice a month with me. We went to bed together to spend time with each other every single night (minus about 5 when I fell asleep on the couch while he worked feverishly on papers).<br />
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Our kids know he<strong><span style="font-size: large;"> loves</span></strong> them, they know he will <span style="font-size: large;">ALWAYS</span> take care of them, and they know they <span style="font-size: large;">want to be like him</span>.<br />
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Why? Because, like I said, he is the <span style="font-size: x-large;">Bomb Diggity</span>.Brytanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04944956119570701410noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453027548926446981.post-25601980560078550632014-04-30T08:26:00.000-07:002014-05-05T18:46:43.525-07:00Talking TannerIt seems like Tanner is picking up a few words a day lately, so I thought it might be fun to write them down and see how fast he really is learning! So, here are the words of Tanner:<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Honk</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ball</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Balloon</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Me</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mom</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dad</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ian</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Howie</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Morgan</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">More<br />Uh-oh</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Shoe</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fish</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Woof Woof</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Neigh</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Night Night</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Door</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Light</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Poo :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ow</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Apple</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yucky</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hat</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bubble</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Meow</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nan Nan (nanny)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Darci</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mac</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Eggs<br />Book</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hi<br />Bye Bye</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Whoa</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yay</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I think he may have a few more, but that is all I can think of at the moment. It just seems like he is doubling his word count every couple of days! I love this stage of babyhood!</span></div>
Brytanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04944956119570701410noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453027548926446981.post-31639350925335240202014-04-18T14:54:00.000-07:002014-04-18T15:52:47.369-07:00Fun at the Beach<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We did a lot of fun things while we were in California, but I think our day on the beach was my favorite. There is just something so nice and relaxing about the sun and the sand- it's good for the soul :)</div>
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We made a few discoveries on the beach, Morgan discovered that she is quite magical. Who knew you could throw sand at the waves and make them roll back toward the ocean?<br />
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Ian discovered the water is really, REALLY cold, and that he does not like to tempt it into touching him.<br /><br />
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And, we discovered that while it may be good for the soul, the sun is not as good for the skin :( Morgan definitely got the worst of it, but as long as we kept applying "aloe-raw-ma" every couple of hours she was alright. </div>
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More to come on California later!</div>
Brytanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04944956119570701410noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453027548926446981.post-32119730653478157172014-04-18T14:18:00.005-07:002014-04-18T15:37:05.059-07:00Forest Park<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
About 5 blocks from our house is the sneakiest, coolest little park. Not very many people know about it, but we love to go down to Forest Park. Every time we go I catch myself walking around thinking how cool it is to have a place like this right in the middle of town.</div>
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We always find lots of creatures and today was no different. This guy was a highlight- he was one HUGE beetle! The kids thought he was so super cool- that is until he flew and once they saw that guy could move with any sort of speed they were outta there :)<br />
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We found a GIGANTIC turtle too. (He might not look so big but he was at least the size of a pizza box) Apparently its giant critter day at good ol' Forest Park.</div>
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But the kids' favorite was not the big things, but the small. Morgan and Ian spent a decent amount of time trying to catch some teensy fish. And, all those fish have them 3/4 of the way convinced that we should let our turtle, Bernardo Antonio, come live in the pond and feast his face off on those fish. That is a huge success in my book! </div>
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Brytanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04944956119570701410noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453027548926446981.post-85613965318057431682014-03-29T21:28:00.001-07:002014-04-03T19:11:51.083-07:00ReflectingI have been spending a lot of time lately thinking...thinking about this, that, and the other. But mostly, thinking about me. And not in a selfish, all about me, sort of way- but really in a "I can be better" type of way.<br />
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Now, before you start thinking that I am walking around my house moping about what a failure I am, I want to assure you, that I am, in fact, not moping. Not anymore. I have done that for a LONG time. I have stood in front of the VERY stinking sink full of dishes, thinking that if I could <i>just be better </i>at keeping a clean house, then I could <i>just be better</i> at being a mom. I have cried over my insurmountable pile of laundry because my son is in the other room watching LOTS of tv so I can conquer it, because if I could <i>just be better </i>at staying on top of this every day, it wouldn't take an entire guilt ridden Curious George marathon to just get things to the point where I can look at them without getting a case of tacchycardia.<br />
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So there I was again, standing in front of a stinky sink. The feelings of failure started to creep into my mind, but then there was this voice in there, one that I haven't heard for a while that said to me, "You are not a dish washer. You are not good at keeping a clean home. That is not your talent. But you are NOT a failure, because you can be an amazing mom. You can be an amazing wife. It is possible to be those things while not being an amazing housekeeper."<br />
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I put down the sponge and we went to the park. I left my guilt at the door and my phone in the car. We crossed long monkey bars and conquered slides, Ian learned how to pump on the swing. I was a good mom for a couple of hours and I <i>allowed</i> myself to feel good.<br />
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That night I had a Relief Society activity, the speaker was very involved with those in attendance, and at one point she started asking people (and not rhetorically, she demanded a real answer), "What do you love to do?" I sat there, terrified that she would point to me next. I don't know what I love to do. I know what I love- my kids, my husband....but what do I love TO DO? I have no idea....I spend my time cleaning and cooking and wiping faces. But then, again, this voice in my head said, "Laugh. You love to laugh." And I felt this warmness overcome me, a testament to the truth behind the words. The speaker went on, saying that we love the things that we do, so that we can share them with others, so we can bless others. It started to click, and then, like it was being spoken to me right inside my head, "You love to laugh. Share that. Bless others with your ability to laugh. Make them laugh when they feel like they can't. This is what I have given you, this is what you are here for."<br />
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I am so overwhelmed and grateful that I get to have such an amazing calling. I get to apply the medicine of laughter to my children's wounds. I get to lift their fallen chin, and wipe their tears, and smile at them so they know things aren't so bad. I get to have joy, I get to give joy. I get to feel at peace with my grimy floor for now, because I wasn't sent here to make my floor shine, I was sent here to make every day shine. That is an amazing thing to me.<br />
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And so, what am I supposed to be better at? Better at being me! Better at laughing- better at bringing joy to faces and places filled with sadness. I have spent so much time wondering what I will be, wondering who I really am underneath the Mommy- it has been such a relief to know that who I am, what I am, is happy.<br />
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I can easily say that I am happy about that.<br />
<br />Brytanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04944956119570701410noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453027548926446981.post-36187020794309336672014-02-10T21:41:00.000-08:002014-02-10T21:42:31.878-08:00Growing up, I went through several phases of things that I absolutely loved. I tend to either be obsessed with something, or not really care so much. These phases would come and go, and there really aren't very many things that I LOVED during my childhood that I continue to LOVE today. However, I did bring one great love with me into adulthood: Harry Potter.<br />
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I know what you're thinking, "Sheesh what a nerd." Yes, it's true. I am a Harry Potter nerd through and through. (and apparently a poet) And because of this, I could not have been more excited than I was a few weeks ago, as I cracked the very first Harry Potter book open to read it to the kids. Ahhhhhh....it was a delectable moment. Okay, actually, no it wasn't. Morgan kept asking what book it was, and I kept not telling her, dancing around the question, because I knew if she knew what it was before she was hooked, she wouldn't want me to read it anymore. And, true to form, as soon as I caved and told her it was Harry Potter she insisted I stop reading. But oh no, I wasn't gonna give up on my love that easily, nope, nope, nope. So I told her we would read it for 3 nights and if she still didn't want me to read it, we could stop. It didn't even take 3 pages :)</div>
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Since then, we blew through the first book in less than 10 days and are now about half way through the second book. Morgan and Ian pretty much always play Harry Potter together. Ian always has something sticking out of his pocket that is serving as his wand.</div>
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A couple of highlights from the minds of my babes:<br />
Ian: "Mom, I think the slytherins are slytherins because they slither. Like so they are slitherers. But really actually slytherins."</div>
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Morgan (while pretending to be a professor at Hogwarts) : "Gryffindor, that will be 10 points awarded to you for fine work. Slytherin, you may go now, you are never good."<br />
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Morgan spends a good amount of the time upset about the injustice in the Hogwarts teaching system. "The teachers NEVER listen to Harry! They always just make him be quiet so they can take points away when REALLY he wasn't even doing anything wrong!" She is currently holding a grudge against Dumbledore for leaving Harry with the Dursleys and she is holding out hope that he will be able to live with the Weasley's from now on :)</div>
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Morgan is also phenomenal at guessing the plot line and twists in the story before they show up. I don't know how she does it, but so far, she has guessed about 90% of the things before they happen. I'd say that's a pretty good success rate for a 6 year old!</div>
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Ian pretty much perks up when there is talk about boogers, quidditch, or the word "muggle". Anytime I read that word, he screams at me to not call him a muggle. Apparently it's pretty bad :)</div>
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It has been so fun sharing something with them that I love so much. And, as you can see, I think they love it too :)</div>
Brytanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04944956119570701410noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453027548926446981.post-90420671454230654892014-02-10T21:07:00.001-08:002014-02-10T21:07:55.544-08:00Tomorrow, Tomorrow, I love ya, Tomorrow, You're Only a DAY AWAY!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Betcha didn't see that one coming when you saw the title of this post. Booyah.Brytanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04944956119570701410noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453027548926446981.post-84536667968284769232013-12-02T19:58:00.001-08:002013-12-02T21:02:00.361-08:00Eddy Family Hopelist<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;">A while back, my closest friend here in St George received some devastating news. She learned that her 6 month old baby boy, Mathis, had a genetic disease that would inevitably take his life by the time he was 2 years old. I will always remember my visit over to Jackie's house on that day- she sat and she cried and she mourned over the life she would not get to have with her boy. I had no idea how to comfort her, but our Father in Heaven did. He sent her a strong prompting to create a "Hope List". A list of all the things that a person should experience in their life- a list for Mathis. In what would turn out to be the final 3 months of his life, they created beautiful memories together because Jackie and Dujuan gave him the best life he could have ever wished to experience. They encouraged others to make a hopelist and to learn from Mathis, to have a plan for our hopes and our dreams, to write them down, to accomplish them. After some time and thought, this is our family's hopelist that was inspired by Mathis- our dreams in print.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tYfcdoFr4Ts/Up1TBhpj04I/AAAAAAAAD6g/8n9-fSxsLz0/s1600/hopelist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tYfcdoFr4Ts/Up1TBhpj04I/AAAAAAAAD6g/8n9-fSxsLz0/s640/hopelist.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
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<br />Brytanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04944956119570701410noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453027548926446981.post-41991156725732479412013-11-20T19:42:00.004-08:002013-12-02T21:14:34.357-08:00Happy Birthday Tanner!<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Happy Birthday to my little boy! Tanner, you came around and my whole world lit up. From the first moment that you were born, you have been nothing but a smile on our faces. I didn't realize how much I needed you until you were here, and I am so thankful that Heavenly Father sent you to us a year ago!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">You are so funny. Right now you get so excited about things- you purse your lips into a giant "o" shape and you just oooooooooo your little heart out. Sometimes, if something is exceptionally exciting, you throw your arms out to the side and shake your hands back and forth. That's what you do when Mom or Dad come home. We love it :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">You've just recently started laughing when other people laugh, because you understand that when other people laugh, that means something is funny so you should laugh too. You throw your head back and just giggle your face off. It makes everyone else laugh even harder.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It has been about a month since you started walking, but a couple of days ago you jumped. Just jumped in the kitchen. Like a crazy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">You are more independent than either of your siblings. You're happy to just sit and play by yourself sometimes, especially if you are trying to figure something out!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I remember sitting there, the day you were born, wondering what your personality would be like. I had never met a baby in my life that was as content and happy to just "be" like you were. I wondered how that would change as you got older. So far, you are still that boy. You still love every single aspect of life and you make everyone around you enjoy it more because you are there. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I love you so much, Tanner! Happy Birthday!</span></div>
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<br />Brytanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04944956119570701410noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453027548926446981.post-16085406985219348332013-03-25T20:24:00.000-07:002013-03-25T20:29:39.301-07:00Real LifeThis is going to be one of those posts where I talk an awful lot, but I wanted it to be out there because in reality, this is the closest thing to a journal that I keep.<br />
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I've been a little sad lately. Sad, because I venture outside of my little bubble and find so many things in the world that cannot be classified as anything but that- sad. And I am not even talking about the horrific things you hear in the news, I'm just talking about things like today when the 12 year old neighbor girl came knocking at my door in a panic because she can't find her 6 year old sister. And she hadn't seen her for hours. The whole thing made me sick to my stomach, the little girl came home at dark so it ended alright, except when you consider that the mother hadn't been home at all since before her kids got off the bus and it gets dark here around 8....Or when you think that poor 12 year old is responsible for taking care of her younger brother and sister and that she has to carry that burden when she herself is just a child. It wasn't long after this incident that I found out that one of the kids that I see in and out of my house all week long, her mother was arrested last month because she was cooking meth in a shed out back. How do people do this? How do people's lives fall apart to the point where even the love for your child isn't enough to keep you around? I don't understand....it makes me sad. Really, genuinely, deep down inside of me sad.<br />
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I just want to scoop up this little girl the next time she comes over- I want her to know that parents love their children- I want her to know that home can be a happy place and I want her to know that if her house is a place that her poor 8 year old heart isn't happy in, she can find it here. It was in the midst of this deep sadness that I have for the things going on so close to home that I felt a bit of peace because I am able to say that while they are <i>close</i> to home, they are not <i>at</i> home.<br />
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I am so thankful to my husband, who works so much and is gone at school and work so often, so that I can stay at home with my babies. So that I am not in the position of ever leaving them at home, or even in the hands of someone else- because they need to feel that I love them. I am thankful for being raised in a family that taught me how important that is. I am thankful for being loved, so that I am able to know how to love.<br />
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My life is full and my children are safe, and clean, and fed, and loved. I don't know that they will understand how blessed they are because of those simple things for a very long time- and I hope it stays that way. I hope to be able to shield them from the pain that is out there for as long as I can, and I hope that when they do have to come into contact with it, they will always know they can come home and I will shield them from the cares of the world again and again.<br />
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Most of all, I am thankful that I myself know what a beautiful life I have been given. There is joy in every corner of it. My house may be messy, and my kids' faces very well might still have lunch on them at 3 in the afternoon, but we have the love that shields us from the pain around us- and that will always be my biggest blessing.Brytanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04944956119570701410noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453027548926446981.post-41020763434314695552013-02-01T18:42:00.001-08:002013-02-01T18:43:48.708-08:00The Chronicles of the Neighbor WeirdnessWe have new neighbors. They are snowbirds, meaning they only live down south here in St George for about 4 months of the year. And, let me tell ya, that is a GOOD thing, because THEY, my friends, are WEIRDOS.<br />
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I think they have lived here for maybe 2 weeks, and here are a couple of nosy neighbor pictures I have taken through the window on our front door that faces their house. Please, observe the oddity that lives next door:<br />
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Now, you may be saying, "Hey, give the old man a chance." Well friends, that is a chainsaw he is holding and we have landscapers. So, what do you think his plans are with that chainsaw? By all means, tell me your ideas, because I got nothin.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CHgopi4nwvo/UQx8kwSNCCI/AAAAAAAAD4M/eSMFZnJZZVU/s1600/0201131426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CHgopi4nwvo/UQx8kwSNCCI/AAAAAAAAD4M/eSMFZnJZZVU/s320/0201131426.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And then today Howie starts barking like he is going crazy, and I look outside and lo and behold, there is a cowboy just laying in the driveway. Just a random cowboy LAYING in the driveway.</div>
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I feel like now is the perfect time to say, "Curiouser, and curiouser"<br />
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But don't you worry your little hearts, I'll keep you updated on The Chronicles of the Neighbor Weirdness. This, at least, if nothing else would do the trick, will surely keep me blogging.<br />
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Brytanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04944956119570701410noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453027548926446981.post-18783728546893986032013-01-31T18:03:00.000-08:002013-01-31T18:03:56.306-08:00Bummer!In our house, if somebody yells "Bummer!" it's not what you'd usually think. Nobody is upset and something didn't usually just go wrong. It's actually more of a war cry...it's what we yell when we are gonna rub our bums on somebody. It's hilarious and I love it. And if you hear it, you better get running, or else you gonna get bummered. Boo-ya.<br />
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<br />Brytanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04944956119570701410noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453027548926446981.post-87252720466782691912013-01-22T08:49:00.001-08:002013-01-22T08:50:27.608-08:00One Lucky GirlIt feels like forever since I have written anything, but I just needed to take a quick minute to say how incredibly blessed I am. I have a 5 year old and a 2 year old who play nicely every single morning so that Mommy can sleep a little longer. And then I am able to wake up to the soft sounds of my brand new baby, and they are happy sounds, because he is just content to wake up on his own and kick his feet and just be happy. I get to spend time with him, talking to him and loving on him before I get up and spend the day with the 4 people who make me more happy than anything else in the world.<br />
It has just been one of those weeks where every time I turn around I am reminded of how happy I am. What can I say, I'm one lucky girl.<br />
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<br />Brytanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04944956119570701410noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453027548926446981.post-25066925865651833052012-09-01T14:38:00.001-07:002012-09-01T14:38:43.682-07:00Hoffman Family Reunion 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This year for the Hoffmann family reunion we went up to Eden, Utah. We had such a good time seeing the family and getting away. On the way up there we needed to stop for some food (preggo here was staaaarving) so we pulled off at a truck stop in the middle of nowhere. The truck stop also happened to have a petting zoo! It was random, but so cool!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U8QMOzbsAqw/UEJ6GithSqI/AAAAAAAAD04/x1TQB5tQK7Y/s1600/IMG_0163+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U8QMOzbsAqw/UEJ6GithSqI/AAAAAAAAD04/x1TQB5tQK7Y/s320/IMG_0163+-+Copy.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The poor zebra looked like he could use a good brushing, but the kids didn't seem to care one bit. They just thought it was the tops to be so close to a zebra.</div>
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All of the animals would come up and sniff your hand to see if you had any food. We never did, but that didn't stop them from coming up to the kids to see if they did!</div>
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These next two pictures crack me up because my kids are just not so sure about giant birds. They were alright with the ostrich that was on the other side of the fence, but that emu that was just chillin' in the common zone was NOT something they had any desire to go by.</div>
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We have been lucky to have the chance to go out with all the grown up kids in JD's family one night (minus Lynn and Alicia because she was about to pop out a bebe) of the reunions and it is always so fun to get out. It's great to have family who is willing to take all of our crazy kiddos for an evening so we can jump ship for a bit :)</div>
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One of the days I went upstairs to check on JD and Ian when JD was putting Ian down for a nap and had been up there a while. This is what I found. Asleep holding hands. Melts my little heart :)</div>
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These next pictures are from an evening that we spent down at Grandpa Don and Grandma Judie's house. They had these blow up things that are for adults to put on and be like sumo wrestlers. The kiddies thought they were great.<br />
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I was so excited to be able to take Ian to the treehouse museum in Ogden. We had taken Morgan there a few years ago and I was excited to go back and give him the chance to see it. Morgan didn't remember much of it, so it was great fun for her too!</div>
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"Mr. President, there's been an emergency. T-rex on the loose. Please come take care of this."</div>
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When Ian found the dr/medical part of the museum he was all business! He started listening to the baby in mom's belly and personally, I think he is just about the most adorable little doctor I have ever seen. </div>
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We have some more pictures from the Treehouse trip and a trip to another petting zoo but they are on the tablet and I have yet to figure out how to get them off of it :) I will post them soon though because there are some great videos of the kids on there! </div>
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Brytanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04944956119570701410noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453027548926446981.post-25133371520039677892012-07-14T13:13:00.003-07:002012-07-14T18:21:36.864-07:0085* in July? No stinkin' way!<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Yesterday it was overcast and I couldn't believe it but the high until about noon was only 85! We have been living in 110 to 115 degree hotness for the last 2 months so when I saw it was only going to be about 85 we loaded up and went out on a nature scavenger hunt.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">JD had already been out hiking since 7 that morning for an independent research credit class he is doing this summer (researching lichens....ooooooooh and aaaaaaaaah :) but when I was buckling up the kids he called and said he was headed home so he met us for another 2 hours of hiking. Sometimes, I just really love that man :)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">The scavenger hunt consisted of:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"> Something fuzzy</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"> Something smooth</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"> Something straight</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"> 2 kinds of seeds</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"> Something rough</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"> 2 kinds of leaves</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"> Something green</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"> A chewed on leaf</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"> A stick</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"> Something you think is beautiful</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"> A beautiful rock</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"> Something you think is a treasure</span></div>
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The kids were pulling some seeds off this bush. It's a good thing that JD is smart about plants because I would have never guessed those things were seeds!</div>
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The kids (okay and the grownups too) were so excited to see this guy! There are people who have lived in St George their whole lives and still never seen one of the local desert tortoises. We felt special to be able to see it.</div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"> And this guy reminded me SO much of my childhood!</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">The kids had a blast. Ian was cracking me up carrying around his "purse" but the best part was JD's response every time Ian would say purse. "Son, it's a bag. You're a boy. It's a bag." hahaha!</span>
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I didn't find anything fuzzy or smooth- I wasn't really looking. But one thing I did find, was something that I think is a treasure. </div>
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They were kind of hard to miss :)</div>
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<br /></div>Brytanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04944956119570701410noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453027548926446981.post-11347713223434026412012-04-04T19:20:00.000-07:002012-04-04T19:20:38.858-07:00Spring Break Staycation!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My husband is...pretty much amazing. I was begging for a vacation for spring break. I begged and pleaded. I NEED camping. I NEED Vegas. I NEED, I NEED, I NEED...blah blah blah. Turns out what I needed, was my husband :) JD decided that since our lives were boring, consisting of school and work and kids, kids, kids...he would jazz up our week. A declaration was made: It will be a week filled of fun in St George!<br />
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Sunday after church we went for a family walk up to a pond and fed the ducks and fish. Those fish are GI-gan-tic. We are talking 2 foot long gold fish. CRAZY.<br />
When we got home, we played ourselves a rousing game of Build It Sorry. And, may I say, Morgan didn't seem too sorry to keep kicking my sorry butt back to home.<br />
Monday, after working on the Motorcycle, we went to the Wildlife Animal Museum. We had so much fun, and my kids have seriously asked to go back 3 times a week since then.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TWpql64Oj-w/T3z6FSc0e3I/AAAAAAAADxw/TVJGMjGXxHg/s1600/IMG_0043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TWpql64Oj-w/T3z6FSc0e3I/AAAAAAAADxw/TVJGMjGXxHg/s320/IMG_0043.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Gotta love my boys :)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZvMxFWWT_Go/T3z6PzlgwkI/AAAAAAAADx4/DUP0zXxEK5M/s1600/IMG_0053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZvMxFWWT_Go/T3z6PzlgwkI/AAAAAAAADx4/DUP0zXxEK5M/s320/IMG_0053.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mom, do you SEE these animal tracks?</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c8p9vnpJFOo/T3z6di6JHtI/AAAAAAAADyA/a_7vDsQVP4k/s1600/IMG_0055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c8p9vnpJFOo/T3z6di6JHtI/AAAAAAAADyA/a_7vDsQVP4k/s320/IMG_0055.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ian never learned how to turn the binoculars the right way :)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2ybAsLGl1_Q/T3z6pzmHMNI/AAAAAAAADyI/A_4U_4Dc5dU/s1600/IMG_0056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2ybAsLGl1_Q/T3z6pzmHMNI/AAAAAAAADyI/A_4U_4Dc5dU/s320/IMG_0056.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So many scary bears. Everywhere. We should scream. Okay! (we didn't actually scream, as that would disrupt the museumish atmosphere)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yyJRqpThjaI/T3z63VbYKQI/AAAAAAAADyQ/QWVAoNxzutU/s1600/IMG_0071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yyJRqpThjaI/T3z63VbYKQI/AAAAAAAADyQ/QWVAoNxzutU/s320/IMG_0071.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ian was obsessed with this fox. He just kept screaming, "Eat! Eat 'im! Eat him! He...EAT... TWEET TWEET!!!!"</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qt7pAYjGLhw/T3z7BY9ATZI/AAAAAAAADyY/YW6Kg9ki9KA/s1600/IMG_0075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qt7pAYjGLhw/T3z7BY9ATZI/AAAAAAAADyY/YW6Kg9ki9KA/s320/IMG_0075.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I still am not sure if I believe this thing exists. It looks like a fraggle.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1-MrXpFASH0/T3z7PliEozI/AAAAAAAADyg/WRpaySg_G5M/s1600/IMG_0092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1-MrXpFASH0/T3z7PliEozI/AAAAAAAADyg/WRpaySg_G5M/s320/IMG_0092.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oh my family is perfect...wouldn't you say?<br />
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Alright, so then, we came home and spent some time with Morgan on her bike. I am going to put up a post on that all for itself, because, hello, huge accomplishment.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tuesday, JD had to actually be responsible- poo- and go to work. But before he did, we managed a picnic at the park for lunch.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We had a few other fun little outings throughout the week, and just a lot of family time, which is what I was really wanting anyway.<br />
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We finished up the week with the airshow, which the kiddies thought was awesome. Ian still loves, "Jettttt planes" </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ID_5GLkF3iA/T3z_VookvuI/AAAAAAAADyw/AbFqwJnDViM/s1600/IMG_0116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ID_5GLkF3iA/T3z_VookvuI/AAAAAAAADyw/AbFqwJnDViM/s320/IMG_0116.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"He's upside down, Mom! He IS UP-SIDE-DOWN!"</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tLVfU1ST6zk/T3z_gnk1bXI/AAAAAAAADy4/rZhOyDN3Qno/s1600/IMG_0122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tLVfU1ST6zk/T3z_gnk1bXI/AAAAAAAADy4/rZhOyDN3Qno/s320/IMG_0122.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The "copter-plane"</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SNBgkrmzpOM/T3z_sHdfHjI/AAAAAAAADzA/AfF7YVmLVj0/s1600/IMG_0132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SNBgkrmzpOM/T3z_sHdfHjI/AAAAAAAADzA/AfF7YVmLVj0/s320/IMG_0132.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Okay, so maybe we didn't actually go to the airshow. Maybe we went to a church that was like a half mile away and free. But hey, my kids got to ride their bikes when it got boring :) And this is Morgan talking herself through a risky maneuver :)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fd7hJrRAeho/T3z_1kUENhI/AAAAAAAADzI/nUOP2S9UyEU/s1600/IMG_0135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fd7hJrRAeho/T3z_1kUENhI/AAAAAAAADzI/nUOP2S9UyEU/s320/IMG_0135.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">She was so proud of herself :) And, as you can see, we are not the only church-user air show stalkers.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KNh-LmHCTlQ/T30ADvYvVwI/AAAAAAAADzQ/qMZHuqVpKbE/s1600/IMG_0148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KNh-LmHCTlQ/T30ADvYvVwI/AAAAAAAADzQ/qMZHuqVpKbE/s320/IMG_0148.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ian kept laying his trike down on it's side (which took a lot of effort) so it could be on it's side like Morgan's.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nBiwhUYesCY/T30AGU-5AzI/AAAAAAAADzY/hiA3eICT2QE/s1600/IMG_0154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nBiwhUYesCY/T30AGU-5AzI/AAAAAAAADzY/hiA3eICT2QE/s320/IMG_0154.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The kiddos watching the planes</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xTKhLRbR0Z0/T30AUiaL77I/AAAAAAAADzg/TkqJ1PfMuzs/s1600/IMG_0159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xTKhLRbR0Z0/T30AUiaL77I/AAAAAAAADzg/TkqJ1PfMuzs/s320/IMG_0159.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I just love him.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cRrA59nVNkQ/T30AfTDeO-I/AAAAAAAADzo/32bRxi52JYs/s1600/IMG_0166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cRrA59nVNkQ/T30AfTDeO-I/AAAAAAAADzo/32bRxi52JYs/s320/IMG_0166.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My favorite plane of the day :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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All in all, it was a great week. My family is all I really need.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Brytanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04944956119570701410noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453027548926446981.post-77265010373234232742012-02-27T18:21:00.002-08:002012-02-27T18:23:07.774-08:00Right now JD is playing his new Zelda video game he got for his birthday and the kids are sitting with him. Ian keeps randomly tackling him, and JD "sits" on him while Ian laughs like a maniac. Morgan is loving the chance she has to sit right by her Daddy and talk about the pointless silly game. They are having fun together and I just get to watch. It's a perfect moment :)Brytanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04944956119570701410noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453027548926446981.post-5321737289891369732012-02-09T18:56:00.001-08:002012-02-09T19:29:07.875-08:00An Epiphany en route to Fast FoodWe had a rough day today. One of those really, really, outrageously draining, incredibly and ridiculously rough days.<div><br />It didn't have anything to do with the kids- at first. But of course, as my day got worse, and my attitude changed, theirs did too.</div><div><br /><div>I basically ended up ignoring them for most of the day while I sat around thinking about what in the world we are going to do. We took our truck into the mechanic because it was blowing white smoke- and several quotes later- we are looking at a $4500 repair. 4,500 Dollars. Like I said, I spent most of my day just caught in this in between place- the place that I go when I try to not think about something and then I just end up thinking about it entirely in a trance where everything else only half way gets done. Let's be honest, if 50% of the stuff around here that needed done today actually got done, then it's a miracle.</div><div><br />I turned into the mom who pushes her kids away from her legs with a "not now" while they are just begging for a little attention. And then there's the amazing little wonders that children turn into when they go past the begging and turn into terrors who will, under any circumstances, get your attention.</div><div><br /></div><div>All day long I felt completely out of control and really quite angry. We did the right thing with our truck- we tried to sell it. When it didn't sell, we paid it off 2 years before the loan was up. We did the right thing- and now the truck we paid a ridiculous amount of money for in the first place, the vehicle that is supposed to be reliable- is costing us more than the neon did 5 years ago. We did everything right- this shouldn't happen. When we lost our house and were drowning in credit card debt, we paid them off and we clawed our way out of the gigantic hole of debt to keep that truck. And now it wants another $4500 dollars. I think angry might be a bit of an understatement when I say that's how I have felt all day.</div><div><br /></div><div>About 20 minutes before Morgan's bedtime I decided to throw reason and responsibility out the window and go get some french fries because I thought (and apparently I have some sort of psychological need for food to make everything better) that I needed them. I loaded the kids up and as I was putting Morgan in the truck she started whining. Why? Because she likes to sit on the side of the car with the gas cap and she was sitting on that side, but she didn't sit on that side LAST TIME and now was a good time to have the breakdown about the injustice in the world since she didn't get to sit on that side before. I just couldn't handle it anymore. I have real problems here and she is crying about THAT? I slammed the door and almost went back into my house to just leave her out there because I couldn't handle any of it anymore.</div><div><br /></div><div>I didn't do that though, I climbed into the car and apologized. I held her hand to help her stop crying because she was so afraid of me and my anger that she was literally sobbing. I felt horrible, much worse than before I slammed the door, and I just got so much more angry at our truck. At paying it off and then having this huge smothering bill put before us not even 2 weeks later. It isn't right. It isn't controllable. And it isn't fair.</div><div><br /></div><div>And then I realized, that I was right. The truck isn't controllable. And no, I still don't think it's either right or fair. But I do know something that I have heard a million times and never really applied to my own life- my circumstances do not determine who I am. </div><div><br /></div><div>I am a good mom. I am a good wife. I try my hardest to make the right decisions and when something like this comes up, I can control myself. I can't control the truck, and I can't control the cost of the stupid injectors or the fact that our truck lost it's value to consumers when everything in the economy went to crap. But that's the economy, and that's the truck....and this is me.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have 2 beautiful children who deserve my time and affection. I have an amazing husband who works hard to keep me happy, and our children clothed and fed. He deserves to come home to a wife who acknowledges that and supports him as best as she can through times like these. I have the family I was born into, and the one I married into who care about me and who are generous and loving. I love to see my kids laugh. I love to read. I love to go on bike rides with my family. Just because this thing with the truck is happening to me, it doesn't make any of those things any less true. </div><div><br /></div><div>I really hope this isn't a 4,500 dollar lesson that I had to learn. Hopefully we can figure out some way to make this easier to handle. But I am thankful for that moment of clarity that reminded me of who I really am.</div><div><br /></div><div>And this girl, she doesn't let stuff like this get her down. :)</div><div><br /></div></div>Brytanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04944956119570701410noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453027548926446981.post-4185293654474668182012-01-13T18:06:00.000-08:002012-01-13T18:06:39.043-08:00Well, thank you for that.I was just sitting here and Morgan walked over to the piano and started plunking around on it. She noticed that one of the keys is a little scratched up (honestly they are all in pretty bad shape :) And she said, "Hey Mom, how did this happen to this key?"<br />
"What do you mean?"<br />
"How did it get these little scratches?" she asked.<br />
So I said, "I don't really know"<br />
<br />
"Oh. I bet I know, Mom. I bet you scratched it with those pokeys you have. Those pokeys in your underarms."<br />
<br />
"Uhhhhh, that's one idea, but I'm pretty sure my arm pit hair couldn't scratch the keys on a piano."<br />
<br />
"Huh. I bet they could." And away she went, onto her next task to decide what my arm pit hairs may have destroyed.Brytanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04944956119570701410noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453027548926446981.post-21997901106120711892012-01-11T21:25:00.000-08:002012-01-11T21:25:41.268-08:00Just a little thing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7GS-OTZSv_I/Tw5uG4W-eNI/AAAAAAAADvM/EcxuboErDRA/s1600/1114111600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7GS-OTZSv_I/Tw5uG4W-eNI/AAAAAAAADvM/EcxuboErDRA/s320/1114111600.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>A while ago we were just out running errands and we spotted a hot air balloon. We didn't really have anything else to be doing so we pulled over into a parking lot and spent a little bit of time watching it. It was so fun and the kids were enthralled. Morgan was so curious about how it works and what the fire does and Ian would get a little distracted and start trying to climb up the back windshield (since we all just sat on the trunk of the neon) but all you had to say was "Where's the balloon" and he would immediately whip around saying "Boon! Boon!" and find that puppy floating in the sky. Eventually Ian got tired of it and wouldn't quit climbing the car so we gave up on it, but it sure was fun while it lasted :)Brytanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04944956119570701410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453027548926446981.post-1638552121183546842012-01-11T21:13:00.000-08:002012-01-11T21:13:09.163-08:00Rain is Falling All Around<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Since we don't have a tree skirt, I always put some of the fluffy batting under our tree. I kind of like it in my own ghetto way, because it's the only snow we see around here. Anyhow, I will NOT be using it next year because this year it ended up ALL over my house. But this particular use of it made me laugh. Morgan rounded up some pencils and stuck them in the bottom of some poofs of the stuff and her and Ian spent a good hour gallivanting around the house singing about rain clouds and making it rain on me :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CQPZcGlfdhI/Tw5qxM0ugLI/AAAAAAAADu8/Mx0ULg5k5kY/s1600/142_1570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CQPZcGlfdhI/Tw5qxM0ugLI/AAAAAAAADu8/Mx0ULg5k5kY/s320/142_1570.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div>Brytanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04944956119570701410noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453027548926446981.post-56227222269278153912012-01-11T21:04:00.000-08:002012-01-11T21:04:58.557-08:00Neeeeeeiiigggh!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Ian loves anything and everything to do with horses. He is such a crack up. He likes to grab the bottom hem of his shirt, or the top of his pants and gallop around the house saying, "Gidup! Neeeeiggggh!" like he is holding onto the reigns of the craziest horse this side of the Mississippi :)</span><br style="text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><br style="text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">About a month ago I made some brownies and I gave him the spoon and this is what followed. I was laughing so hard, his personality is just so funny and quirky. He makes me laugh with all the silly little things his growing boy mind comes up with!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-plfCtbLj-G8/Tw5o382CYkI/AAAAAAAADuU/ejOTbfPwLUE/s1600/138_1470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-plfCtbLj-G8/Tw5o382CYkI/AAAAAAAADuU/ejOTbfPwLUE/s320/138_1470.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bZTmr08b75Q/Tw5pB-aKDXI/AAAAAAAADuc/0WkQa78uDrg/s1600/138_1471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bZTmr08b75Q/Tw5pB-aKDXI/AAAAAAAADuc/0WkQa78uDrg/s320/138_1471.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kfWZXNoNcM4/Tw5ouThTglI/AAAAAAAADuM/syIP3k11aMc/s1600/138_1467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kfWZXNoNcM4/Tw5ouThTglI/AAAAAAAADuM/syIP3k11aMc/s320/138_1467.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uZVZ_J1G1rk/Tw5pK1qBTGI/AAAAAAAADuk/4Y4ITW8kIIU/s1600/138_1473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uZVZ_J1G1rk/Tw5pK1qBTGI/AAAAAAAADuk/4Y4ITW8kIIU/s320/138_1473.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RJVEFwSUypA/Tw5pVJ8VRQI/AAAAAAAADus/XBGMWrZpLDQ/s1600/138_1476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RJVEFwSUypA/Tw5pVJ8VRQI/AAAAAAAADus/XBGMWrZpLDQ/s320/138_1476.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--B0il2ne-FM/Tw5pfXTSOoI/AAAAAAAADu0/o8xScokgG-s/s1600/138_1479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--B0il2ne-FM/Tw5pfXTSOoI/AAAAAAAADu0/o8xScokgG-s/s320/138_1479.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Brytanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04944956119570701410noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453027548926446981.post-5620154427717625902012-01-11T20:48:00.000-08:002012-01-11T20:49:18.708-08:00It's the most wonderful day of the year!We went down to Prescott Valley to visit with my family this year for Christmas. It was such a great trip, but it was especially good because JD had arranged to have the 25th, 26th, and 27th off this year so we could go down, but one of his coworker friends agreed to take JD's Christmas Eve shift and JD already had the 23rd scheduled off so we got to work in 2 extra days! The trip ended up being the perfect amount of time and we had a really good visit while we were there.<br />
<br />
On the night before Christmas Eve, JD and I surprised Morgan and Ian by hiding a golden ticket to take a ride on the Christmas Express under Morgan's pillow. Basically, she got all ready for bed and thought she was getting tucked in for the night, but then she saw 2 tickets in her bed and we all loaded up to go see the Valley of Lights. We had fun pretending like our truck was a train and Morgan thought it was just about the silliest thing ever to have her Dad as a conductor and her Mom saying things like, "All aboard!" while loading them up. Ian kept randomly saying, "Toot! Toot!" and it is so fun to see how aware he is and how much he is starting to understand pretend play :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--5kluXsgrvw/Tw5jUgf-vlI/AAAAAAAADtc/pJenBqXpom4/s1600/142_1580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--5kluXsgrvw/Tw5jUgf-vlI/AAAAAAAADtc/pJenBqXpom4/s320/142_1580.JPG" width="210" /></a></div>Afterwards, we got to go see some of my friends at Rochelle's house. It was so fun and I had such a good time just chatting and goofing off with Rochelle and Ilene (I guess the husbands were fun too but that is unimportant :)<br />
<br />
And so, on Christmas Eve, the kids got to open their Christmas Eve present and they were both thrilled to get the pajamas that they did. Morgan loves just about anything Hello Kitty, and Ian started yelling "Toot Toot!!" before he even got the paper all the way off of his Thomas the Train jammies.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kY6B34oTbFQ/Tw5gqk9O3mI/AAAAAAAADtU/nc-y0eD4uok/s1600/142_1590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kY6B34oTbFQ/Tw5gqk9O3mI/AAAAAAAADtU/nc-y0eD4uok/s320/142_1590.JPG" width="227" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Well, here are the pictures of the kids discovering their loot. Morgan wanted nothing more from Santa then a rainbow bear, and so she got one. She thinks it is pretty cool because "Santa even knowed me good enough to know I love rainbows AND ballerinas because my bear has a rainbow tutu!" Oh, and she got to see the spots where the "elves" stitched on all that rainbow fleece. I would be willing to bet those elves even got a gnarly blister from all that sewing *wink wink*</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DP4WCGOzjWQ/Tw5jfvSIzXI/AAAAAAAADtk/gQV7Ge8pW30/s1600/142_1591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DP4WCGOzjWQ/Tw5jfvSIzXI/AAAAAAAADtk/gQV7Ge8pW30/s320/142_1591.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">And Ian loved his train table. He plays with it all the time and it has been so fun to have with him. The kids finally have a reason to play in Ian's room too :) </span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4M-LY1h5R4g/Tw5jznN8vRI/AAAAAAAADt0/uqAJqVA9x_w/s1600/142_1598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4M-LY1h5R4g/Tw5jznN8vRI/AAAAAAAADt0/uqAJqVA9x_w/s320/142_1598.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Santa brought me and JD a cage for our little monsters:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0aegLPzTxHg/Tw5kPQOTSMI/AAAAAAAADuE/uuuySQ52CPM/s1600/142_1605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0aegLPzTxHg/Tw5kPQOTSMI/AAAAAAAADuE/uuuySQ52CPM/s320/142_1605.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Hehehe just kidding of course :)</div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> But I think, that even with all the excitement of Christmas and Santa, the biggest hit of the Christmas presents was definitely this little guy that my Dad got for my Mom:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And, isn't Ian just the cutest ever?</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bjn1iai9fQ0/Tw5kC16YG8I/AAAAAAAADt8/4IsJDWv51q4/s1600/142_1603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bjn1iai9fQ0/Tw5kC16YG8I/AAAAAAAADt8/4IsJDWv51q4/s320/142_1603.JPG" width="234" /></a></div>Brytanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04944956119570701410noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453027548926446981.post-62500023323744114642011-12-19T09:39:00.000-08:002011-12-19T09:39:19.563-08:00Tiiiiiiii-ddddddddddduuuuuunnnnnnnlllllllll!We went over and opened presents with Dave and Annette last night since we will be spending Christmas in AZ with my family. Ian got this car track and it has been a hit for sure! (except Howie isn't sure what he thinks of it)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwqJHmlkUvIJ-o9AU_349Wn6PjPl0TGFfKMW-WxrJT2NJOHERMZkoxg-XSBldRE3VkthTafHbG3FBWokAWbZw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
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Every time the cars get close to the tunnel Ian yells, "Tiiiiiiiiiiiii-dddduuuuuuuuuuuuunnnnnellll!" ("TIME TUNNEL!" from dinosaur train)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GMJnQf5ldIw/Tu9t-K81ABI/AAAAAAAADs8/OdQGim_Nq_I/s1600/100_1544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GMJnQf5ldIw/Tu9t-K81ABI/AAAAAAAADs8/OdQGim_Nq_I/s320/100_1544.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div>Brytanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04944956119570701410noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453027548926446981.post-20583442456248083852011-12-16T20:11:00.000-08:002012-01-07T18:54:24.727-08:00It's Been a LONG Time... Okay. It's been a LONG time since I last blogged. So long, in fact, that I imagine I could probably write all my little secrets on this here blog and no one would even ever know them. Lessee.....a secret to tell......Well, the other day I was standing in my living room when, all the sudden...okay, that one is too juicy to tell just in the off chance that someone actually is checking up on me :)<br />
Here's the question on everybody's mind at this moment: What could have happened to wake Brytani from her blogging slumber? And I am going to answer that one, real soon, but first I have to say what put me into the coma. I got a little behind, and then I got a lot behind, and I got all anxious about how much I had to post, and then I got all sweaty in my palms and clammy and it was just easier to not think about the blog. BUT, every now and then, the little stinker of a blog would pop into my head and nag me about not keeping a good record of my children. Every so often a moment so beautiful that I would never want to forget it would come around, and I would think, "I need to blog this!" and then I would get all guilty, clammy, sweaty, yada yada yada, and file it away to be done when "I catch up". I may still catch up, and randomly post things from the last year that have happened while I have been sitting out of blogland, but for now, to rid myself of the anxiety, I am starting fresh.<br />
So fresh and so clean, clean.<br />
I couldn't resist.<br />
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We had a pretty good day today. The kids did several things that made me laugh {a lot}. We finally had one of the days I have been wishing we could have again. The kind where I am not crazy all day and they actually think their Mommy is a cool one :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p8in0mzn_aI/TuwedlpS9CI/AAAAAAAADs0/w6KTLofPoTw/s1600/1216111018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p8in0mzn_aI/TuwedlpS9CI/AAAAAAAADs0/w6KTLofPoTw/s320/1216111018.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(This is Ian today after he found a hidden present in my room and brought it out to me saying "Ah-ha!")</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div> While our day went well, and we had fun, the real reason I wanted to blog was because tonight I had one of those moments I was talking about a minute ago, one of those ones that is so precious I don't want to forget it.<br />
I had just put Morgan to bed, and we had successfully gotten through her entire bedtime routine without me feeling like I was losing my mind (thanks to Morgan's suggestion that we ride the Dinosaur Train- we all climbed aboard the train to get us from the bathroom for brushing teeth to the bookshelf and finally all passengers had to exit the locomotive at bedtime station, Toot Toot!) and I was feeling pretty good about FINALLY having a "good mom day" again and enjoying my kids and making memories when I was sitting at the table, looking at some of the ads with Ian. He kept pointing to juice and getting excited, and he was really excited about the ice cream on sale at Smiths, and then he just laid his little head against my neck and whispered, "Love ya" Actually, he said, "Yuv ya" :)<br />
It was the first time he's ever said it and I don't want to ever forget that tender moment when I was doing something so tedious with my little bug and he felt like it was a good moment to speak up and say he loved me. We sat there for several minutes, me whispering to him that I loved him, and him whispering it back,"Yuv ya" <br />
You would think I would be used to my heart swelling up like the Grinch's does by now, but it still surprises me when my throat tightens up and I feel like my heart is going to burst from my chest with all the love it has for these two little angels. I love them so much and complicating it with more words sometimes seems like it loses its simple message that Ian expressed in just a soft whisper. Sometimes you don't need a lot of words. Sometimes, you just need, "Love ya."Brytanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04944956119570701410noreply@blogger.com4