We Have So Much To Be Grateful For

I had an awesome experience last night at Joann's.  I went in to get just a yard of this fabulous rosette fabric for a little girls newborn shoot that I have coming up.  The lady was so helpful and sweet.  While she was cutting my fabric she asked what I was using it for.  I explained to her how I was starting out in photography and I was using the fabric for a newborn shoot.  She went on to share with me how excited she was to be a grandma again.  Her daughter was just past 22 weeks and they had found out that she was having a boy.  I told her that I was offering newborn sessions at a discounted rate and gave her the address to my website.  She was so happy and said that this little baby boy was going to be a very special spirit.

All of a sudden this sweet women just started crying.  She explained how they had found out just just a couple of weeks ago at the ultrasound that he had spina bifida.  He was going to have a very long and rough road ahead of him.  He will probably never be able to walk without crutches, but may very well be bound to a wheelchair.  They were going to have to have him in Salt Lake City because he will need surgeries immediately after he is born.  As she was telling me this and tears were rolling down her eyes, I couldn't help but join her.  You never think that anything would be wrong with your child.  I would rather have something wrong with me then with Brynlee.  We complain about little things on a daily basis, but how often do we recognize the amazing blessings that we have.  She explained to me how much it would mean to her to have some pictures taken of him.  I leaned over the counter to give her a hug and told her that I would be honored if you would let me take his newborn pictures without any cost.  I explained to her how my sister in law had just been a recipient of new kidney.  Her healthy young women's leader said that she felt prompted by the Spirit to do that for her.  I told this sweet women that this is something so small, but I wanted to do it for them and that I felt like this is something that I needed to do not only for them but for me as well.  I explained to her that I had this strong feeling that I needed to offer this to them.  She was so appreciative and then started crying again, but she was because she was grateful.  I kept fighting back the tears.  Who would think that something so simple such as a photograph could mean so much.  I don't think it was necessarily the fact that I was going to be taking his newborn pictures for free, but I was willing to give of myself to help someone else.  

I'm sharing this story, because this experience really touched my heart.  I feel overwhelmed with gratitude for the health and happiness that we have.  I think that we all need a reminder at times, that life could be so much harder than it is.  We need to acknowledge the blessings that we have and look for ways to bless others. 

I think we all can get caught up in a world of always comparing ourselves to others; whether it's where we live, our jobs, income, or even our talents.  I need to stop comparing myself to anyone else and be less self centered.  I want to direct that energy into ways in which I can help someone else.  I think I'm going to come up with some more ways in which I can help others.  I've been throwing this idea around with Ben, about offering a free photography session for terminally ill patients, I just need to figure out the logistics and details.  Maybe partnering up with hospice?   There's isn't anything more satisfying then being able to help someone by simply doing what you love.        

Brynlee's First Birthday!!

I can't believe that my little Brynlee turned 1 year old on the 21st!  Holy Moly I have a toddler...watch out world!  I'm really grateful for this sweet girl who has been brought into our lives.  I couldn't ask for a funnier, sassier, sweeter, and just down right goofy girl.  Every time I get that smile beaming from ear to ear I know that we must be doing something right.

Brynlee's Update

• She's completely weaned off of formula and loves her whole milk
• Eats three solid meals a day, with snacks in between and use her sippy cups 
• Loves veggies!  We lucked out on this one.
• Walks like there is no tomorrow.  She's so fast to!
• Climbs everything
• Says: Hi, what's that, and dada.  She'll only say mama if she's in extreme pain...the little stinker!
• Still a daddy's girl.  When he gets home from work her face is completely beaming.  She's got a lot of love in this house.  
• Weighs 20lbs and is 29 inches long 
• Follows all of the other babies around in Relief Society.  She's a complete social butterfly.  She'll just walk up and down the room waving and smiling at people.  
• She's a little flirt.  Seriously, we're going to have to watch this one.
• Loves her baby doll.  
• When she does something good she'll clap for herself.  And if somebody tells her good job she'll clap for herself as well.  
• Throws tantrums....ugh this one is not so good!  
• She stills sleeps a lot! She naps about 3-4 hours a day and goes to bed from 9pm-8am

We celebrated Brynlee's birthday on the 22nd and had a little party with our family.  I was amazed by all of the toys, clothes, and books that she got.  I have to say though, she really did need some toys so we are extremely grateful for them!

I had a lot of fun getting all of the decorations set up and I have to say as much as I loved creating it, I'm really glad that her birthday is only once a year.  We had a bunch of yummy food; baked ziti, meatballs, veggies and dip, pigs n' a blanket, cupcakes, rice krispy pops, and some more sweets.  Needless to say we were all stuffed.  It was nice being able to celebrate with family and we really appreciate everything that they did to make her first birthday special.  The funny thing was that Brynlee slept about half way through her party.  All of us ate first, and then I went and woke her up from her nap.  It actually worked out quite perfectly.  However, we learned that Brynlee is not a fan of being sung Happy Birthday.  She bawled through the whole thing!! Oh well, it was a very successful and loving little party.  We love you B!

Here are a few pictures from her special day!

Semester Roundup!

School is almost over for us for this semester.  We can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel!  I have a nice week long break and than start right back up.  In just two more semester I'll be all done and have a Bachelors in University Studies.  It's not really the degree that I wanted or planned, but there are certain sacrifices that you sometimes have to make for the whole family.  Ben's job was to good to pass up in Idaho Falls and I just couldn't bear leaving Brynlee so much during the day to commute and go to classes in Rexburg on a daily basis.  However, I am so glad I am actually finishing and completing a Bachelor's Degree! I'm really grateful for all of the experiences, knowledge, and opportunities that BYU-Idaho has given me.

This semester has been a doozy!  School was busy, life was busy, Ben was busy, basically the one word that sums up this semester is busy.  The one thing that always made me slow down was Brynlee (most of the time).  I try really hard not to work on homework when she's awake, sometimes I do though and she's totally fine with it and she entertains herself with lots of books, toys, and simply exploring.  Brynlee is growing up so fast and has developed quite the little personality.  She can be either a little sweetie or a total spitfire.  God help us when she's a teenager! But seriously most of the time she's great.  She's LOVES hanging out with me in the kitchen and helping me "clean".  Mainly she's obsessed with the dishwasher and thinks it's just amazing.  She's walking up a storm now.  She's actually much better at running then walking.  When she runs she goes pretty far and fast before she falls, but when she walks slow it definitely takes her a lot longer to get anywhere.  She also has developed a love of screaming.  She screams with joy when she is happy and excited.  It's so funny to watch, but I feel bad for our neighbors.

Other than Brynlee and school I've really committed to fulfilling my desire to gain a skill in photography and educate myself.  I've gotten a lot of experience over the last couple of weeks.  I've had 2 couples shoots, 2 families, and 2 maternity session.  And next week I'm doing a senior session with my beautiful sister in law!  It's been busy, but I have to say I have loved doing each one of these and have been able to learn a lot.  One thing expect the unexpected because it will happen, children and snow last...30-45minutes tops so you better hurry and be hilarious.  I can't wait to do more!! I'm happy to have a hobby once again, or at least something that makes my brain work a little hard :)

When it Rains it Pours...Literally

I had to make a trip up to Rexburg to check out the gardens and get a feel of the flow for a maternity session that I have coming up.  Since this is my first session I wanted to be as prepared as possible and have a game plan so she wouldn't have to go from sitting to standing and walking around everywhere then back to sitting then standing then sitting again...you get the picture right.

Well my plans did not got accordingly.

The weather was nasty, but when I left Idaho Falls it said that it was overcast in Rexburg....not raining.

Literally when I got into Rexburg it started to rain...of course.  Me being the stubborn person I am was not just going to head back to Idaho Falls.  I used almost a quarter of a tank of gas just going up there!  I also didn't realize that they changed the parking (again) since I had last been there.  I was worried I would get a ticket so I parked as far away as possible.  I park literally in the farthest corner in the parking lot that is past the right near the temple.

Well when I left my car it wasn't raining that much, just a little drizzle.  Brynlee was bundled up really good to and had a blanket in her stroller so I thought she would be just fine for a few minutes.

Well I got down to the gardens and then it really just started pouring.  So, I ran to the I Center...that is when I basically got stranded.  It was raining really hard and Brynlee was wet just from the walk down from the car.  I didn't have a bottle of formula with me because I didn't think we were going to be there for that long.  I spent the next 30 minutes walking around the I Center trying to wait out the rain.

I then came to terms that the rain for not stopping any time soon, so I ventured out into it.  It was horrible.
I used Brynlee's blanket to try to cover the stroller and block the rain.  But Brynlee kept on pulling it off.  So she was getting drenched.  Then she started crying.  People are now starring and probably thinking who is that stupid girl taking her baby out for a walk in the rain.

I wasn't using the jogging stroller and was in boots, but I attempted to run up the hill.  That is a big stinking hill to! Brynlee was really crying loud now.  She had kicked off her shoes...and her socks.  So now she is completely bare footed in the rain.  Worst mom award right here.  I thought I saw her pink boots about 20 feet away so we ran back down to get them and found her socks as well.

Now I started to cry.  Seriously, right in the middle of campus.  Me and Brynlee just sobbing in the rain trying to get these wet shoes and socks on her feet.  There was really no winning in this situation.

Then all of a sudden I lost my mind.  There was a little go-kart driving by and I totally flagged them down.  I didn't realize that they used them for a tour, I thought that it was just campus employees.  Well I begged them for a ride to my car.  They couldn't believe it, but how could they say no to a crying wet baby!

It was embarrassing.   But, I'm so happy that they gave us a ride.  It was the longest 3 minute ride of my life. I can tell you I was never happier to be home after that.  Brynlee was not a fan of the rain one bit.  She absolutely loves water to, and is not scared at all of it.  But cold rain...not her thing.

Fall Weather

This girl is so sweet and fun.  She was even trying to eat the leaves.  I'm thankful everyday that I am her mama and she's my babe.  I'm also really grateful for how hard Ben works, his accomplishments, and his sacrifices  He's a great husband, dad, and friend.  Today I need to remind myself of all of the things that I am grateful for when I'm feel down in the dumps or just kind of crappy.  I've got a lot of things to be thankful for; an awesome family who I can talk to anytime and know that they love me, a warm bed to sleep at night, food in our cupboard, a healthy baby, and most importantly the wonderful peace and happiness that is found in the gospel.  Nothing can replace knowing the love that Heavenly Father has for me.

Oh Cakes

I'm been trying to get some hobbies lately, because when Brynlee is alseep, the house is clean, and my homework is done for the day I just feel board.  Especially on the weekends because even though Ben has Saturday off, he usually has to spend at least 8 hours playing catch up on homework.  

So I've been experimenting with cakes.

Here's the valuable lessons that I've learned.

1. I am not a professional so my cakes will not look exactly how I want them to. 
2. Fondant is the devil. Period.  
3. When you think you've followed the directions to a T, just wait...something will happen.  
4. It's okay to practice on Styrofoam   In fact I 100% recommend it if you are doing technique that you aren't familiar with.  No sense in wasting cake.  Decorate the Styrofoam how you want and then wipe all the frosting off and do it again.  
5. Butter cream is delicious and your child will go nuts over it. 
6. Remember that decorating a cake is supposed to be fun!
7. Sometimes simple is better

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