A Bronken Heart and the Sportsman's Paradise

Last night we had our summer work party at the Sportsman's Paradise and just before we left Brinley had this HUGE melt down.  As you can see, these are real tears and she was extremely sad.  You may be wondering what caused her broken heart and I did too, so I asked her and it turns out she was sad because she wanted a baby sister.  Her broken heart broke my heart and Dustin's too. You have to understand that this has gone on for well over a year.  We talk about babies all the time and a long long time ago Brinley and I were throwing out girl names and we came up with one that Brinley is convinced belongs to her baby sister.  Even if we didn't love the name at first, I don't think we could ever name a baby girl anything different because she has become a person, she has become Brinley's baby sister who just hasn't made it to earth yet. Brinley talks about her baby sister all the time and one day I walked into her room to find a huge pile of clothes and toys.  When I asked here what she was doing she said she was finding stuff she could give to her baby sister (she always calls her by name). We talk about the option of having a baby brother and that just freaks her out.  She does not want a boy.  She says if Heavenly Father gives her a boy, "Dad can have him cause he's a boy."

 

We had to sit her down and have a little talk.  She was still pretty grumpy at the party, but she had so much fun.

 

 

They had a fish scramble.  Yes, it does look like my husband is the only adult in that picture. 

 

Okay, he caught it for Brinley.

 

(And just so we're clear... there is not a baby anywhere in our near future)

Build and Grow

Last week Dustin and I took Brinley to the build and Grow Workshop at Lowe's.  Brinley made her very own Bug Box, she hammered all of the nails and everything.

We pretty much live outside these days

We thought we would  camp up Logan Canyon this weekend, but after 4 hours of searching every camp site in the canyon we ended up at the very last camp site available in Emigration. Logan canyon was completely full which was fine because we actually really  love Emigration.  It rained, we set up camp and ate in the dark, but it was still so nice to spend the weekend with my little family.  We were just in time to pick huckleberries.  Dustin thinks I'm a  hippie and I guess I kind of am.  I just remember the huckleberries we got last year, Brinley and I ate them everyday and we were so sad when they we all gone.  I'm planning a trip back up there next week to pick more, that is if all the real hippies don't get to them first.

 

 

 

We went to the Lake and the rest of the time Brinley entertained us by singing and dancing on this rock.  She would then request that we clapped for her.

I am so thankful to live in such a beautiful place.

Dirty Cookies and a Heart of Gold

I promised Brinley we could make cookies tonight so I found a recipe for some chocolate cookies on the internet, showed the picture to Brinley and asked her if she wanted to make that kind. She said, “Yeah Mom! We’re going to make dirty cookies?” (laughing), “No, we’re going to make chocolate cookies.” She was playing out side while I got everything ready and I turned around to see her using a gigantic bubble blower and wiping dirty pool water all over the window I had just cleaned. I was just about to tell her to quit because I had just cleaned the window, but I feel like I’m always telling her “no” or, “don’t do this” or “don’t do that”, so I thought to myself, I’m just going to let this one go. A few minutes after I watched her smear the entire glass door with dirty water, she ran into the house and proudly yelled, “Guess what Mom? I just cleaned the window for you.” I was so glad that I didn’t get upset with her or tell her to stop. I honestly believe that children’s intentions are so good. They don’t mean to upset us, or make big messes, or be annoying. Their little hears are so golden! I just wonder how many times I have told Brinley to “stop” or to “quit” when she was only intending to do something good. I hope not too many.

Love This Girl

Round 2

 

I guess we didn't get enough of the Lake because we went back over the weekend of the 24th.  Dustin and I were lucky enough to have the 23rd off and it was so great to spend the day with just our little family.  Dustin and I really like East side of the lake and no one else does so when we go alone that is usually where we go.  The waves are usually bigger on the East side and Brinley loved playing in them.  It really made me want to take her to the ocean. 

Guilt

As my little angel lay asleep in her bed I feel overwhelmed with guilt. I feel guilty because some women can never get pregnant. I feel guilty because some women get pregnant and miscarry or give birth to lifeless children. I feel guilty for being so blessed, blessed because my little girl isn’t covered with burns, my little girl hasn’t spent time in a hospital bed, my little girl hasn’t lost her hair to cancer, my little girl has legs that can run and eyes that see and ears that hear and honestly when I look at her she’s perfect to me. Why did I get so lucky and why do I take all of these things for granted almost every single day?

All That Dirt and I Could Still Kiss Her Face Off

We spent 5 days camping in Emigration Canyon with my family.

 

 

 

We went to Bloomington Lake

 

And Bear Lake.

Ran.

Played games.

Ate lots of good food.

Did lots of sitting around.

 

 

The kids built a fort with their own bedrooms and everything.

 

And when we were packing up, Brinley found this nice and cozy rock to lay on.

Can't wait to plan our next camping trip.

Hyrum Dam

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 (July 10, 2010)

Troy and Sabra invited us to go boating with them. We had a blast! Brinley was so brave and couldn’t get enough of the tube. She especially had fun when Uncle Troy let her drive. It was Dustin’s first time wakeboarding and he did great. After only a few tries he was standing.

Our 4th of July Weekend

We have a tradition of watching the fireworks on Grandma and Grandpa Cazier's front lawn.  The view is great and we always have so much fun!

We always light a few fireworks of our own.  Apparently you aren't supposed to put a girl (me) in charge of buying fireworks.  I bought things like sparklers and snaps, but the boys didn't think they were too cool so Curtis bought a few 'real' fireworks.  Funny thing... our little dare devil was actually afraid of snaps.

 

 

Brinley absolutely loves her uncle Steve.  They had so much fun dancing together, while eating popcorn of course.

 

Dustin's grandparents are so sweet.  I so admire their selflessness and can only hope that when I'm their age I can look at my own family and see the same greatness I see in theirs.

We stayed up way too late,

 

then the next morning Chelsea and I ran the Freedom Run 15k.   It was a great run!  I think a 15k is the perfect distance.

We were able to ride in the Cruise-in parade with Mike.  Brinley had a blast (probably because she wasn't confined in her car seat).  She kept saying, "This is so much fun."  She loved waving at everyone.  Plus, Grandpa's Studebaker is pretty cool.

Mike was able to take Grandma and Grandpa for a ride in the Stude.  I know it meant a lot to all three of them.  They really have a love and appreciation for old cars.

 

It was a great weekend! I am so proud to be an American!