Blessings...

"He took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them." - Mark 10:16 Last Sunday we had the opportunity to bless our little Lauryn. She was so beautiful and as I looked at her round little face peeking out of her white bonnet, I felt a wash of gratitude come over me... that she had joined our family and come into our home and into our lives. My parents had flown back in from Oregon to be here on her special day. It turned out the week we had set aside for her blessing was Stake Conference though. So we ended up blessing her in the Bishop's office after the meetings were over. It was such a special experience. When I first realized that we wouldn't be able to bless her in Sacrament Meeting, I was a little sad. But the way it turned out was very special. As I looked around the room at Phil and Jody, my parents, and the Ensign's I realized that even though Lauryn was the one receiving a blessing that day, I couldn't help but feel blessed myself. My parents left to go back home on Monday and I've been trying to shake a melancholy feeling all week. I've been able to spend a lot of time with my parents this summer, so I should feel happy, right? I have been happy and it has been beyond wonderful, but it made me realize just how much I really do miss having them a part of my life on a consistent basis. They were there when we brought Lauryn home from the hospital, they were there for Maryn and Justin's birthdays, they were there for Brynna's first day of school, they were also here for the seemingly meaningless moments too. I drove to Costco on Thursday and found myself feeling sad that I didn't have my Mom there to meander around the aisles with me. We have lived apart for the past eight years, so I don't know why it's hitting me so hard now, but I just miss them. I realized I missed my brothers too. Steve was able to come spend some time with us last month and I found myself remembering all the things I loved about him too. When you're away for so long, you forget. Even though me and each one of my brothers are just as different as can be, I miss them. I miss our crazy family dynamic. I found myself feeling like maybe I just needed to move to be nearer to them, even though that's just not really an option since Justin's job and our life is here. But then I thought of Phil and Jody and how I couldn't bear to not be near them either. I love my in-laws from the bottom of my heart. They have been there, right by my side when life has been at it's best and when life has been at it's worst. I love that they understand and get Justin and I and love us unconditionally despite our quirks. I love watching them with my daughters and seeing the mutual love and adoration they have for each other. So what is a girl to do? As I sat there brushing tears off my cheeks, I had a realization... how blessed am I to have so many people I love so dearly that just the thought of not being near them brings tears to my eyes? I decided then and there to stop feeling sorry for myself. I would absolutely love to have both Justin's and my family close by always. But despite distances and miles in between, I have so very much to be grateful for.

My life is rich with love.Nana & Papa with their Grandbabies on the trail at Anna Ruby Falls. My Mom and I being dorks!Papa teaching Brynna how it's done!Nana sharing some delicious cafeteria fare with Maryn at her school.Papa and Brynnie, just walkin' and talkin'.

Random Thought...

Is it weird that when I see pictures from friend's and family's blogs who live out West, it makes me want to move? Why you might ask? Purely for the grass. I feel like I'm depriving my children of some sort of essential childhood experience of growing up with soft, emerald green goodness to lay in and play in. The South has many redeeming qualities, our brown, scratchy grass is not one of them. To all of you Westerners, do me a favor right now. Get off the computer, go into your yard and roll around in and sniff the grass for me. You don't know how good you have it.

Brynna's Big Day!

We have been driving up the hill to Canton First United Methodist Preschool since Brynna was about three months old. Last week it was finally her turn to be the big kid who got to go inside and stay! On Tuesday we went for the Meet n' Greet with her new teachers. I had not met Mrs. Dana or Mrs. Kathy in our previous years there, so I was probably as anxious as Brynna to check out her new room and meet her new teachers. The second we walked up to the door, I knew it was going to be a great year! There were monkeys everywhere! And for those of you who don't know, no one loves a good monkey quite like our Brynnie! In fact Brynna had even insisted that she wear her monkey shirt that morning, so she fit in just famously! Her teachers were so sweet and welcoming. Mrs. Kathy even had the magic touch and got Lauryn to stop fussing and sleep for me while Mrs. Dana went over the welcome packet with me and the other moms. (Have I ever mentioned how much I love this school!?)

The next day when we went back for her first official big day Brynna was all smiles and ready to fly on her own. Justin and I walked her to the door of her classroom and she ran in to play with the Care Bears without even saying goodbye to poor ol' Mom and Dad! We were just happy though that she was happy, excited, and ready for some fun new experiences. We can't believe how fast she is growing up and becoming her own little person. I am continually amazed by Brynna's sweetness and hilarious sense of humor. She truly is a bright spot in our lives!

Mrs. Clean

With a baby certain things like toilets and floors sometimes have to be put on the back burner. This morning I woke up, fed Lauryn and got Maryn out the door for school. Brynna was chillin', Lauryn was sleeping, so I cranked up some Killers and attacked the dishes and bathrooms. It felt so good to just clean! I mean, how can you not want to dance with your mop listening to this?

Peace to the Soul...

My Mom e-mailed me the link to this and I just loved it so much! I hope you enjoy it too!

Oh Brynna, I Love You!

Sorry this is turned the wrong way, but I just had to put it up! I just can't get enough of Brynna, she is such a little firecracker!

She's Been At It Again...

Yesterday I got out of the shower to see Brynna standing there with a 'I've been up to no-good' look on her face. She told me she had given Princess Pup, the stuffed dog Maryn just got for her birthday, a haircut. I knew Maryn was going to be pretty ticked, so I told her to bring me Princess Pup so I could survey the damage. What she brought me was an unharmed stuffed animal covered in bits of wispy, blonde hair. Not cool. Yup, she cut her own hair again folks. The reasoning... she said her hair was in her eyes! Who needs barrettes or a tuck behind the ear when you can just go to the junk drawer, grab a pair of scissors and just lop off the offending hair in one fell swoop! The picture above is right after the incident, I have done nothing to fix it so far. And while I'll never tell her this, if she must cut herself bangs, she actually got them reasonably straight and at a nice length! So here we go again with growing out her naughtiness!