Boob.

There.  I said it.  I've been a big boob lately.  And actually I really hate using the word "boob" as a description so let me change that to crybaby.  I don't know what's wrong with me lately but I seem to cry at the drop of a hat.  And no, I'm not pregnant.  Menopause, perhaps?  Seriously though, I used to be tough.  It was a rare day when I'd shed a tear and yes, it's slowly gotten worse since I've become a Mom.  However, these last few weeks have really done me in and I have no good excuse.  Yeah, I've been under some stress with this house building, and preparing to move, and yada yada yada but nothing REAL.  So why would I cry while watching a rerun of "The Voice" when the sweet young man didn't get picked by the judges. . . . . . . .  or be on the verge or bawling when one of my fabulous young women sent me a text OFFERING to babysit for me.  I didn't even have to call her, she came to me.  Amazing huh?  Oh and Brielle spilt half a box of cereal on the floor and I didn't have my broom because it's out at the house.  Normally I'd kinda laugh at the irony of it, but instead I just wanted to curl up in a little ball and cry.  I cried while watching "Wipeout".  Isn't that supposed to be hilarious?!  Normally it is!  I love a show that invites you to laugh at others' misfortune! Anyway, last time I had eyes full of tears, Brielle and Taylee both sat on my lap to comfort me and Breeze said, "It's OK Mom, we're being good and not makin' a mess."  At that very second Taylee reached over and slugged her sister right in the face.  And you know what I did?  I LAUGHED.  I found it hilarious.  There's something not quite right here! 
Anyway, hopefully things will become a little bit more "normal" very soon.  We're going to be moving very shortly.  I can't wait!   I certainly have a new respect for single moms, that's for dang sure.  We have been so so busy, but I have to say it feels awesome to be able to accomplish something like building a house.  Again.  There's an entirely different pride envolved.  It feels good.  I wired just about every outlet in my house and for someone like me (OK or good at lots of things but not great at anything really), that's exciting.  I'm proud of that.  Except for the part when I was stripping wires and had done 3 rooms already so I wasn't really thinking about the power source. I'd asked my husband if I was good to go.  I was SHOCKED so badly it went up my jaw and down my left leg.  Craziest thing ever.  Hey. . . . . . . maybe THAT's the reason for my hormone craziness!!!  I just had my aha moment!  I went to Trav and told him what happened.  He looked at me and said, "Oops, sorry".  Oops?  That's it?  I would have attacked the man but I couldn't feel my left side enough to jump.  I would have just fallen.. . . . . . and then probably cried :)

Here are the few pics I've taken in the last month:

Checking out the bunnies at the neighbors.  Tay was super brave while brielle hid behind me the entire time.

Taylee especially loved feeding them carrots. . . . . and sneaking a bite for herself in between giving the bunny little tastes.

Valentines Day.  Sequence of Events:

I really wanted a picture of them like I do most holidays.  So I took this one.  Decided I didn't really want the sippy cups in the pic. . . . . .

Taylee was NOT happy to stand there for a second picture.

So I did what any mother would do and bribed her with a piece of candy. But then Brielle wasn't smiling.  Dang.

And all Taylee wanted was her candy. And now so did Brielle.

Climbing and reaching for her tootsie roll.  A picture at this point is not going to happen.

But I still have another cheeser who will do anything for that grape tootsie.

Yep, even a pic with Mom.

Now we're all happy.  Well, sorta.  I never did get a cute pic of them both!  But at least I finally got a smile from Taylee and a great big hug from Breeze.

Since Trav was working on the house all night and I had YW anyway, we went out to lunch to celebrate.  The girls really don't get to see their Daddy too often, so we took them along.  They were so happy to see him.  Can you see Taylee's drool?!

We had New Beginnings tonight for Young Women's, and I always like to see pictures of these types of events in other wards to get ideas and whatnot so here's what we did for "Arise and Shine Forth".  We chose a firework theme.  Even did a flash mob to the song, "Firework".  We had sparkly gloves that lit up and flashed and we turned off the lights so it was pitch black besides the gloves.  It turned out pretty fun, and funny too but that's another story. 

Here they are practicing:

We did the baby picture guessing game while everyone trickled in.

They all had nametags and of course I had to find a way to sneak in my favorite candybar so I wrapped these butterfinger bars in a quote about shining that I got from pintrest.

I really like my calling working with the young women, but I'll admit I'm glad this night is over.  Now, it's MOVING TIME!

Our Mini Cheerleader

Brielle spent much of this week at mini cheer camp learning a dance to perform with the RHS cheerleaders at the varsity basketball game last night.  She LOVED it! 

The entire 1st day she was so shy she literally did nothing other than cling to one of the cheerleaders for dear life.  I really debated taking her back the next day but she claimed that it was "wonderful" (even though she had tears in her eye's the whole time).  So we gave it another shot and it turned out to be a lot of fun for this girly girl of mine.  She just needed some time to adjust, as she does with everything. 

This is what the entire first day looked like:

Meanwhile, Taylee had no problems showing off her tricks with their friend Shelby:

The cheerleaders were awesome with these girls.  My cute friend Hailey was so patient with Brielle and held her until she felt comfortable enough to try some tricks.

Another one of Brielle's favorites was this beautiful girl named Shelby.  There were several Shelby's so Breeze called the cheerleader "Big Shelby" and her friend who she went with everyday "Little Shelby" who is also pictured in the black shirt.

Finally a smile :)

And of course Taylee was having the time of her life running everywhere and doing her own stunts.

Taylee would watch the tricks and stunts very carefully. . . . .

And then run to the mat and try her own:

Brielle and Shelby playing dress ups and practicing their cheers.

Oh yeah, and let's not forget throwing out some very princess-esque poses:

Game Day:  Breeze was nervous but had an amazing new friend to calm her nerves:

Brielle was fascinated with watching the cheerleaders, and Taylee was just as fascinated watching basketball.  She wanted that ball!  It'll be interesting to see how they'll turn out because at this point they are so so different.  And yet, I am so smitten with both of their personalities!  I love being a Mom!

 Brielle has spent every night shaking her "pon-pons" and yelling, "T-S.  Go, Go Cats" (She always forgets the C and A).  She even adds the most hilarious and adorable little kick at the end that nearly knocks her over, and a booty shake that cracks me up.

Brielle, "Big Shelby", and "Little Shelby":

Yahoo!  She didn't freeze up and cry even once!  She forgot most of the dance up there in front of everyone but I was just thrilled that she had fun!  She kept asking everyone if they saw her do a very good job.  She has been so proud of herself ever since, and she's not the only one!  I'm really hoping this will give her some confidence that she'll be able to hold on to for a while.  I love this girl!!

In Other News:

We have been so busy with the house, our jobs and our callings, that we really don't get to spend much time together as a family anymore.  It does make us SUPER excited to get the house done and go back to normal life again (whatever that means)!   Yet at the same time we feel so blessed that we are able to build a house at all. At least I feel that way. . . .  Trav may be ready to sell the dang thing by now!   Poor guy has spent every waking moment he can at the house.  I'm grateful for his work ethic and vast amounts of knowledge.   I'm also grateful for the many, many babysitters that allow me to help at the house, and do other things like go on a daytrip to the Jorgensen's cabin with the youth. . . . . .  and hike in the blizzard.  Yep, the blizzard waited all these months just for us to start our hike.  It was so fun though.  It was probably more fun in the snow.  I love these kids.

Today:

I just had to add this.  Brielle was trying to get something that Taylee threw in the crib, and she totally got stuck like this.  Her shoe straps got caught on the under side of the bar and she couldn't move.  She kept yelling for me to come save her.  I assumed she was just wanting me to save her from the "dungeon" like we so often play, but it turned out to be quite real this time :)  I was so tempted to stand by and say "Let's see how this play's out", but decided it was already mean enough of me to make her wait while I took the picture.  This girl can always make me laugh!!



I Can't Wait. . . .

Kids make everything better.  OK. . . . . not everything, but most things.  Lots of things?  Kids make lots of things better.  Holidays are one of them.  Same with dreams.  I used to dream of making forts in my living room with my kids out of all sorts of blankets and chairs.  As it turns out, it's even better in real life than in my "dreaming of having kids and what I'd do with them" days.  It's funnier.  They're funnier.  You just can't dream up the things they say and do. 

I would also dream of being able to take my kids out of school for a spur of the moment day at Lagoon the way my parents did that one time.  I had dreams of surprising them with a trip to Disneyland and filming the excitement as the realization sunk in.  I still do. And in fact, I can't wait for those days.  I can't wait to take them to wade in the Great Salt Lake and look at their upturned noses when they breathe in the foul smell.  I can't wait to watch their faces when they take off on an airplane ride for the first time.  I look forward to the dance recitals, the softball games, the gymnastics routines.  I can't wait to hear all about their first crushes.  I can't wait to take them to a Bee's game when they're old enough to sing the classic "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" songs and eat the delicious baseball hot dogs and frozen lemonade. 

I can't wait for all of these things.. . . And yet, I refuse to wish away my days, waiting until they're old enough to remember and participate in my plans.  

So for the time being,  I'm going to enjoy my babies as they are right now.  Too little to make so many big plans, yet exactly perfect for jumping on the bed and being thrown in the air.  Because someday when they're all grown up, I'm going to dream of the lazy days we spent jumping on the bed, making a complete mess with the ball pit, and being chased by the tickle monster.

It's funny how these seemingly insignificant days can turn out to be such cherished memories of uncontrollable giggles and pure and simple joy. 

Besides, making the bed is a lot more boring than flying into the pile of covers. . . . .. right?

These memories for me:  Priceless



The Sunbeam Sweats

So yesterday was Brielle's first day of Sunbeams at church.  It did not go as smoothly as we had envisioned / hoped.  Breeze doesn't handle new things all too well.. . . . and by that I mean AT ALL.  She is truly the shyest little thing until she feels completely comfortable in which case she turns crazy silly and wild.  So we headed into the primary room for opening exercises and Brielle kept her legs wrapped around me so tight I was struggling for air.  I stayed with her through opening exercises, and when it was time to head to class, I made her walk on her own two feet like the other little kids.  She was not happy.  My beautiful little daughter then decided to fake pass out.  Seriously. . . . . fake pass out.  My barely 3 year old.  It was so dramatic too, with arms flailing and a big sigh and everything.  Where on earth did she learn that????  I was so embarrassed.  So I quickly made her stand up again only to have her do it 3 more times in the hallway.   It was awesome.  And I'm writing that with all the sarcasm I can muster.  Brielle was completely fine when the snacks came out.  So I took off to teach Young Women's and at the end of church, a girl ran up to me and said, "Brielle is just lying on the bench in the primary room and hasn't moved for the past 10 minutes". Great. Apparently, heading back into sharing time just did her in.  What am I going to do with that child?  Her poor teacher! 

Looks can be deceiving:

In Other News:

We rang in the new year with. . . . . . . . . . . . wait for it. . . . MORE PARTIES!!

It started with opening our final Christmas gifts with all of the Kyhl family.

This picture makes me laugh because we all look like zombies, but I promise it really was fun.  We must have been concentrating on what Tripp or Jackson were up to.

Anyway, it was a success.  Thank you Grandma and Grandpa!

New Years Eve Night:

Party with the Gardners:

We had pizza & wings, princess everything, and great company.  Brielle could not have been happier.  Her friend Shelby lives in Brielle's toy heaven.

Taylee experienced her very first french kiss with this little man.  Griffin was so cute I guess she couldn't resist an open mouth kiss. 

I can't say I blame her.  He did an excellent job of charming her with a balloon. 

Cute little Shelby tapped me politely on my shoulder during dinner and said, "Um. . . . .Taylee's eating all of my food".  I looked over and sure enough, Taylee had eaten her food and was standing over Shelby's plate, gobbling down her pizza! 

Shelby was such a good sport to share not only her food with Taylee but also all of her toys with Brielle:

Taylee, me, Kirby, and Griffin

When it was bedtime for the kiddo's, we ran back to Grandma and Grandpa's, did a quick New Year's horn blowing contest, and put the kids to bed.  My favorite time of day!

Brielle and Jackson:

Grandpa Gary having a grand old time!



As fun as the holidays have been, I'm somewhat relieved to go back to our normal schedule.  Breezy is mostly excited to go back to gymnastics.  It's her very favorite part of her week.

I love how this picture looks like I'm shoving my child.  Who knows?  I probably was.  That girl does not listen during gymnastics.  She's simply having too much fun:

Happy 2012 to everyone!  I have a feeling this is going to be a great year!