7 Years Old.

I needed baby finger nail clippers.  It was a cold, snowy wintery night in February 2006, as I drove to Walmart on that pothole infested Rexburg road.  I knew the moment was getting close when I would hold my own baby in my arms.  I wasn't ready. 

On my way back home, our lemon car began to shake.  I felt confused.  As I pulled off the road, snow hitting my face, I found that I had a flat tire.  My emotional pregnant body didn't need this.  Scott and his friend Justin came to my rescue.  I lost all inhibition and sobbed.  

Scott and Justin laughed when I complained in between sobs, that on top of having a flat tire, I couldn't even zip up my coat. My round belly was too big with that little life inside of me waiting to be born, any minute now...

Little did I know that a flat tire and an unfitting coat would seem like nothing the next day...

How could I have known what child bearing entailed? 

No one can prepare you. 

I was going to become a mother, whether I was ready or not, 

whether I had baby finger nail clippers or not.

  

After a whole lot of work, and by work I mean 3 hours of pushing, I held a baby girl in my arms.  I was her mother and she was my daughter.  She came perfect, with a head full of black hair and with those big brown eyes that were ready to see the world.  She blinked those big eyes, as if she were thinking, "Finally! I'm out here!" I could tell she wanted to be here.  

She was ours.  Scott and I were young and dumb, we made mistakes from the beginning, but we loved our baby.  We love our Brielle.  Her simple existence and everything that she has brought into our lives cannot quite be described in a few written lines.  She has refined me in a million ways and has brought intense joy into my life.  

Brielle is turning into an amazing girl.  

Can hardly believe is has been 7 years since she joined our family! 

As promised, we headed to Idaho to celebrate her birthday.  

Lanie had a whole bunch of activities planned out for us.  

She went above and beyond to make Brielle and Braden feel special. 

It was a memorable birthday.  

I think they both knew that Lanie would make it special. 

We went to Blast off and had a blast!;)

Brooke loved the slides, the ball pit, she was in heaven. 

Our birthday girl. 

Dressing up never gets old. 

The rock climbing wall was a hit. 

Braden had no problem getting up there. 

Brielle tried, but got a little scared. 

I think those rain boots weren't quite appropriate for rock climbing.  

Poor girl! 

...at least she tried. 

Lanie planned out a treasure hunt.  The kids went all around the house looking for clues.  

They LOVED it! 

Lanie did such a good job! 

She got the cutest little treasures for the kiddos. 

Then came time for presents. 

We were so thankful for the wonderful presents they got! 

Lanie took the kids to get their cake.  

They made their own cake, frosted it and decorated it. 

We got quite the results!:) 

Brielle is seven!!!! 

Happy Birthday sweet girl! 

Since we were in Idaho, we got to see a few of our good friends we hadn't seen in a while.  We had a game night with the Shurtliffs and had a blast! Right before heading back home, we stopped by to see my dear friend Rebecca and her new beautiful baby girl! 

We loved seeing this wonderful family! 

We also got to spend a couple of hours with my dear cousin Bonnie and her clan.  I hadn't seen her since we started med school.  It was definitely long over due...I can't believe how much we have multiplied!!!!