Brielle│My Right Arm

All throughout my childhood and teenage years, my mom would often tell me that I was 'her right arm'.  Such a simple expression of appreciation and love meant so much to me.  It made me feel like I was a valuable member of our family.  I'm grateful for my mother's sincere words and for the confidence it gave me.  

Brielle is becoming such a beautiful, competent little girl and as she gets older, she has become quite my little helper.  I sincerely appreciate her help and she eases my load.  Not long ago I thanked her for being willing to help me and told her, she was my 'right arm'.  She laughed and asked what that meant, I explained.  

A few weeks later, after she had helped me with something, she said, "mom, remember when you told me I was your right arm?"  I could tell it meant as much as what it meant to me when my mom said it to me.  She felt special and a valued member of our family.  I'm so proud of that little girl.  She is so talented, smart and kind.  I'm grateful she is part of our family.  I look at her and I can't believe that she is the same little baby that would kick my ribs when she was in me.  What a blessed woman I am, to be her mother. 

Mother's Day 2013

Mother's Day this year was so nice.  Scott and the children made sure to give me the day off, which was so thoughtful.  I was especially, happy that Scott had the day off.  I'm grateful for my family and the privilege I have to be a mother to Brielle, Braden and Brooke. 

I often say this, but motherhood is the most refining experience, I have gone through in my life.  Every stage is different and each one brings an array of challenges and joys.  I live and I learn.  I often use prayer and my gut feeling as my guide, but my communication skills are never good enough.  The only constant I have is my desire to love these three children.  Communicating that love is often a challenge.  How do you communicate to a child that the reason for so many things that they "have to do", but don't want to do is because you love them and want them to create good habits in their lives and learn good from wrong and grow to live to be productive human beings? Sometimes, I get so caught up in the menial way of life, that I neglect to communicate the deep love I have for them.  I have been reflecting on the effect that giving and showing love has on human beings...love is the greatest thing we can give one to another.  

I am grateful for motherhood, because it teaches me everyday how much I can love.  Before becoming a mother, I never realized that I had this much love to give, I need to communicate the love I feel for my children better.  I know I can improve.  

I am grateful every day of this life for Brielle, Braden and Brooke.  I have never in my life, experienced this much joy, the kind of joy that makes my heart swell and produces tears to roll down my cheeks.  

These three children bring the most intense joy into my life, they give my life meaning and they teach me so many things everyday.  I am grateful I have Brielle and her spunky, joyous personality, Braden with his wit and creative ways and Brooke with her curiosity.  

Each of them is unique and wonderful and they are my children forever!   

I feel deeply grateful.  

My life would feel incomplete without them! 

Spring Time.

I LOVE this time of year! It's so beautiful and it's so nice to come out of our cave! 

Winters are just not fun! We have been enjoying the nice weather to its fullest.  

The Lego exhibit at the Hogle Zoo was so fun.  I'm so glad we got a zoo pass, we have taken full advantage of it and the zoo is always the perfect outing for the kids.

It was so fun to go with my mom...the kids were being a bit rambunctious and it's always nice to have her calming influence around us. 

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The kids' school has an Art night where they raise funds for the school's art program.  It was so well put together and we got to buy our kids' art, which was fun and it made the kids feel special.  They not only had painted art but they also each had little sculptures.  I've been very impressed with the kids' school.  I'm so glad we lucked out with such a good one, with great programs and teachers.  Sadly this is the only picture I got of the event! 

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This one is just a random picture because I LOVE that little face! 

We took out the kite because it was a little windy and Brooke was attempting to fly it! 

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My sweet mom had a birthday on the 8th and we went to Provo to celebrate with her.  

We wanted to her out somewhere nice, but she was under the weather, so we ended up at Smash Burger, the kids and I ate and Scott and my mom had drinks.  

She started feeling a little better when we got home and we had a party! 

She turned 61 but she has the energy of a 30 year old! She seriously has more energy than I do! 

She is out of this world! At 61, she is going to school to get her degree in Early Childhood Education, she gets A's in all of her classes.  She loves to learn and study.  I love that about her.  She is always looking for ways to better herself.  She has always been an example of so many things.  It doesn't matter to her that English is her second language and that she learned it when she was in her 40's.  She grabs her dictionary, she goes to her tutor and the writing lab to check her papers before she turns them in.  She works hard at her job with Head Start and advocate for those kids, she puts 110% into her job and is not satisfied with mediocre work.  

She is an example of faith and enduring life among trials.  She loves God and always puts her trust in Him.  She is a woman of prayer and pure integrity.  I feel so lucky to be her daughter.  She has taught me so much about life and continues to teach me and push me to be better.  She tells me to do yoga so I can relax and drink green smoothies! She listens to me and my frustrations with motherhood and encourages me and tells me that I'm doing a good job and gives me suggestions when I'm looking for answers.  She is my absolute best friend, who is always there to listen and give me an encouraging word. 

So glad we could celebrate her special day with her this year! 

We love you ma! Thank you for loving me, Scott and my children! 

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I mentioned our garden on a previous post, we are loving gardening and are so glad that we have a little bit of space to plant.  The kids have enjoyed working on it and watering and watching things grow.  

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Scott started building the sandbox last fall and we finally bought sand for it last month! The kids love it and it is amazing how long they can spend playing in there.  

Scott is a child at heart and the kids love it when they get to spend time with their dad.  

Especially when he builds an awesome sand castle!

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Brielle had her spring piano recital last Saturday and she was amazing! She totally mastered her piece, Chim Chimirree from Mary Poppins.  That little girl is talented and she worked hard on that piece.  She has an amazing teacher who pushes her and she is becoming so proficient! 

We are so proud of her and happy that she is acquiring such a good talent.  

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Last week, a group of friend headed to the temple to do a session.  

It was so nice to be able to go and not have to worry about rushing back to the kids, who stayed with Scott.  It was much needed for me to have some time away to recharge and good for the kids and Scott to spend time together.  

I know I've said it before but we have lucked out with a good neighborhood, good ward and good friends.  There are still quite a few things I miss about living in the East, but having a good support system here makes me grateful.  

Gretchen got all the kids some ice cream cones one afternoon and they were all in heaven! These kids play together almost everyday and I'm so glad they have each other.  

Great Salt Lake.

After almost a whole year of living here in Salt Lake City, we finally made it to the Great Salt Lake. 

...and what do I have to say about it? I can't say it was particularly amazing, but it has its own beauty.   

The kids loved running around in the shallow water and playing in the sand.  

I love the mountains in the background in this picture, I don't love that I am on the phone, but I was talking to my brother.  

It was a little bit of a chilly day and we tried really hard to keep Brooke from getting wet..but it didn't quite work out...

She was in heaven when we finally let her do what she wanted! 

She got her way! 

Look at that face! She was so happy! 

Brielle was having so much fun, just doing her own thing. 

My mom was being hilarious, saying that this was like the Dead Sea!

Love her! 

I'm glad we finally got around to visiting the Great Salt Lake.  

It was a fun outing with the family! 

Brooke Kate│Approaching the terrible two's...

Brookie Kate is approaching the terrible two's.  

Sometimes it is hilarious, like today when I told her it was time to go inside, after playing outside for a long time, she said as defiantly as a 21 month old can get, "I no want to!" 

Can you believe that little girl?   

She has the most amazing eyelashes! I wish mine were that long!  

She tattle tells on her brother and sister and says, "Brielle did it! or Brother did it!" She can't say Braden for some reason...so she calls Braden, 'brother'.  

She gets into everything and absolutely delights in making messes, which drives me completely bonkers, especially when I am trying to make dinner...the kitchen floor is always a mess with pots and pans and whatever else she can get out of the cupboards. 

  

She continues to be a good eater and sleeper. 

She LOVES books and her favorite book is "The Eye Book" by Dr. Seuss.  She picks that book first all the time, no fail and wants me to read it over and over and over. 

In the mornings, when she wakes up and I say, "hi brookie! how are you?" She says, "good". Sometimes she says, "Good morning!" 

She has started to throw some pretty good tantrums, with kicking legs and flailing arms, the whole deal! And on top of it all, she starts saying, "you mean! you mean!"  Sometimes when I don't want her to do something, I say with a stern voice, 'you need to stop right now Brooke' she says, "why?" 

Seriously? The first time, I was flabbergasted! That little girl gives me a run for my money! 

She keeps me soooo busy and on my toes all the time, she is the reason for my lack of blogging! I have no time to sit down and devote the time I used to devote to keep this blog updated regularly.  7pm rolls around and I am EXHAUSTED! But we honestly, absolutely LOVE this little girl! 

She makes us so happy and she is so lovable!