Brielle

It seems to me like we have been preparing for Brielle's baptism all of her life.  We were talking about it in years not too long ago and suddenly it was here! I wanted to be able to capture this little girl in her baptism dress.  We headed to Temple Square for a quick photo shoot.  

It was a cold afternoon and we quickly ran out of light.  But we were able to get a few good ones. 

This is a beautiful time in Brielle's life and I feel so much joy as I 

watch her grow and experience this wonderful life of opposition.  

She came out of the womb with an innate desire to experience life.  She has been independent and a ready to use her free agency from the beginning. I am grateful for the gospel, which gives our family direction.  Our Church brings so much to my life every day, especially knowing the plan of happiness that our Heavenly Father prepared for us.  I hope that Brielle continues to nurture her faith all of her life and that she sees that good fruits that the gospel brings.  

She is so capable and has been able to differentiate good from bad from an early age. I hope she continues to nurture her understanding of the gospel.  I hope Brielle sees and realizes as she grows and matures that Scott and I tried so hard to teach her the ways of the Lord.   We both felt so strongly about reiterating that baptism is a choice she is making, that we teach her and her siblings what we know is true and that she has the ability to choose.  I hope she continues to make good choices.  I know she feels confirmations of the truthfulness of it often.  As I was taking these pictures of her, she was so joyous and her excitement for her decision to become baptized was almost tangible.  As her eyes became teary, she said to me, "I am so happy, I think I'm going to cry!" I also became teary, deep feelings of gratitude and joy overcame both of us.  For a moment we forgot how cold it was.  I felt proud and happy that I was experiencing this moment with Brielle.  I felt grateful that Heavenly Father gave me this opportunity to teach Brielle how to make good choices.  It is such a great responsibility that weighs on me as I am also still learning to make good choices myself and I'm not perfect. 

Scott and I feel so privileged to call this little Brielle our daughter. 

January in Review

January brought a lot of playing outdoors.  I figured, if we have to go through winters in this life, we better start embracing this season we can't escape unless we move to Hawaii or Miami or California.  I have to say that this winter, it's not quite over yet here in Utah, but it is flying by compared to a lot of other winters.  After almost 10 years of marriage, I MADE (FORCED would be more of an appropriate word), Scott to get snow boots.  I cannot believe it has taken us that long to get him a pair. I also got a pair for the first time in my life.  After experiencing what is like to have good shoes during the winter, it has made a huge difference.  Scott and I have realized that we are as cheap as they come.  We bring the saying, "Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without" to a whole new level.  Winter after winter, we've said, "well, we made it without! what's another winter without it?" Some of you have seen Scott putting plastic bag around his shoes.  It is recorded HERE.  I understand this is a good thing for the most part, we do without and we are okay with that, (it builds character) but THIS particular matter HAD to change! 

I'm so glad it changed because we have been able to enjoy this winter so much more. 

Having said all that, the day we went to see the ice castles, neither of us had snow boots yet.  I got some toe warmers for Scott and I didn't get any for me, I didn't think I was going to need them if I wore my wool socks but my feet were so cold! 

Despite having cold feet, we had so much fun and it is one of the coolest things we have been able to see in a while.     

I love spending my days with these people.  

They make being together as a family fun and I'm grateful for that. 

Scott was taking too long to take the picture, so I just started making faces at him...without realizing that he was actually taking the picture! 

We got there around late afternoon and we really wanted to see it when the lights were turned on.   

We went to grab some dinner and came back.  It was totally worth it.  

It was pretty amazing.  

It was a cold but worth it! 

******

Scott had easier rotations at the beginning of January and that meant we got him on the weekends! 

We went sledding on one of his days off.  

It's so nice having him around when he gets two days off.  

Brooke didn't want to help pull the sled, she wanted to be pulled! 

****** 

We've been trying to figure out for a while now, how to take our kids skiing without breaking the bank.  Scott grew up skiing and this is a skill we want the children to have.  After talking to a few friends and doing a little research, Scott was able to go with the kids for super cheap.  The rope tow is free at Alta and if you go after 3pm the lift is only 5 bucks. 

The first time they didn't go on the lift but now that 

they are getting the hang of it they have gone again and went on it.  

The first time they went, Brookie and I went for the sole purpose of recording it.  

I know I can be ridiculous sometimes, Brooke and I hung out in the lodge pretty much the whole time.  But I am glad I went and got to watch Brielle and Braden try something new.  

There was a lot of falling and Scott said his arms were so sore from picking up kids for hours.  

But things started to look up after lunch.  They were totally getting the hang of it.  

Utah is honestly one of the most beautiful places I've lived in.  

The mountains make up for anything that I might think is wrong with it.  

They were exhausted at the end of the day. 

Scott is a good dad to our kids.  

He often says, "I had a good dad and I want the same for our kids".  

I feel so much gratitude when he expresses that desire and it's not only an expression in words but he really gives them quality time and does things with them and makes it a point to show his love that way.  

Brielle, Braden and Brooke are blessed to have him. 

At the end of the day, as we were loading everything in the car, we saw a porcupine just wondering around the parking lot. 

******

One of my goals this year is to say "yes" more often and be available to do things with my children on their timetable not mine.  I often get caught up in the mundane things of life, I'm doing laundry, washing dishes, vacuuming, making dinner...I always say, "after I'm done we can go or do whatever you want" and it never happens.  This time, it was a Saturday and they wanted to build a snowman.  I said, yes.  Half way, they we were done, but at least I got to be out there doing something they wanted to do with me.  I was glad and as I was thinking about the last time I had made a snowman, I realized that I had never built one before.  I didn't grow up around snow.  Lima winters are cold and humid but it never snows and Miami well, winter doesn't exist there.  The first time I ever saw snow I was 19. It was the winter of 1999 in Rexburg, Idaho.  I was telling my old roommate Ashley that I think we were just too busy thinking about boys and doing homework because I don't ever remember going outside and playing with the snow and there was plenty of it every year I lived there.

I guess, now I can say I made a snowman!  

******

Aside from all the many times we played in the snow... 

We also headed to the bowling alley one weekend.  

We are the worst at the bowling.  

Scott and I decided that we need to take bowling lessons.  

But aside from our incompetence we enjoy our time together.  

Especially Brielle and Braden.  They LOVED helping their little sister. 

******

There was also some digging done.  This little boy's persistence to one task has to be recorded.

Braden got a 'digging up dinosaur' kit from grandma and grandpa.  It was the perfect Saturday afternoon activity for him.  He basically was digging for almost 2 hours without stopping, with a little bit of help from Scott.  He never got bored of digging.  When it comes to doing something he loves, this little boy is very involved and persistent until it is done! 

******    

One night, the kids asked for a fort.  I was a bit hesitant because it was a school night, but as part of me saying yes more, I gave in and it I had 3 happy kiddos! 

January also brought lots of homework and school projects and me volunteering at the school.  

One day, as I was checking Braden's homework I couldn't stop laughing at his interpretation of the word "mercy".  That boy is a little character!

January also brought a lot of cuddling.  

That Brookie loves to hog her daddy when is around. 

One Sunday after Church she was so exhausted after we dinner, she feel asleep in Scott's arms.  

We also celebrated my good friend Heidi's birthday.  

We have great neighbor friends and it's always so great to get together with these ladies.

Lastly, the last Sunday in January I tried the yummiest recipe for pulled pork.  It turned out so good and I felt so sad that it was Sunday and Scott couldn't partake of our yummy dinner with us because he was at work.  He was doing a rotation at the ICU and those shifts are brutal.  I mean like working 36 hours straight kind of brutal.  So I decided that instead of feeling sorry for our family we would bring him dinner.  We spent the best 30 minutes together.  It was quick but it was just what I needed.  Thank goodness he was able to get away for half an hour to eat.