College memories & best friend's upcoming wedding

College days with those ladies above were some of the funnest of my life!

I'm so grateful I was able to attend BYU-Idaho...I experienced so much personal growth (both spiritually and academically) and I was introduced to Adam, thanks to his sister Sharla! :) But before that sweet man came into life, it's where I met and became life-long friends and sisters with some of the most incredible girls I know! I went knowing my room-roommate, a friend from home, Shauna...she's pretty much the sweetest person with a heart of gold, lovely inside and out. And we happened to room with two awesome girls in the dorm, one of whom was Alyssa, this gorgeous and hilarious girl from Connecticut. She quickly became another sister. With them I scored the roommate jackpot. :) We shared clothes, went to dances together, took mini-road trips, stayed up late watching Fresh Prince of Belair while eating countless bowls of cold cereal, we "studied" together, met boys together, and shared so many laughs and hilarious moments that when summer came I don't know why I didn't go on strike and say I'm living there with those girls forever. Haha! But the next year managed to be just as awesome. Shauna, Lyss, and I lived off-campus in an apartment with 3 other girls...one of which was Kersie who had lived a few doors down from us in the dorms, and who happened to have grown up in Vancouver with Shauna and I but we had never really met. Kersie has the most giving heart, and always knows how to have a good time! Shoon, Lyss, and Kers made my college experience what it was. I'll treasure the memories we made f o r e v e r.

And while I am heading to Washington to spend time with Corrie before she leaves on her mission, I'm also going to see Kersie marry her best friend!! His name is Kyle and she says he is incredible and has such a good heart. I canNOT wait to meet him. :)  And before the wedding this weekend Shauna is throwing her a bachelorette party for her and to say I'm giddy about it is an understatement. We'll miss Alyssa though (living in Boston)!

The moral of the story is those girls have blessed my life...and I'm so glad we've all found such wonderful men! So, when are we going to plan that couples-campout ladies?? (teehee!)

Kisses in Belize

Today is International Kissing Day...and Adam will definitely be getting

the-most-mind-blowing-welcome-home-kiss when he gets back from work tonight. ;)

That photo above is one of my very favorites. It was taken when we went to Belize 2 years ago with two of Adam's brothers and their wives. It was such an incredible trip! I couldn't help but reminisce and turn a few of my favorite photos from our travels into some fun polaroids. Someday we'll go back...

10 things that have been making me incredibly happy as of late

1. Zoo trips with sweet friends including a picnic lunch, a [traumatic] carousel ride, ice-cream cones that fixed said carousel ride, and of course plenty of incredible animals! Brooks got pretty excited about the sea lions. :)

2. Morning runs...or run. ;) First one this morning in about a year!

3. Scoring a bold, green maxi dress with a lovely floral print, on clearance. I may have done a happy dance out of the store.

4. Making and sharing a raspberry-lemonade coconut smoothie with Brooks. The brain freeze that followed was totally worth it.

5. Adam bringing home Nielsen's Frozen Custard...caramel cashew, our favorite.

6. While eating the frozen custard, we watched the lovely Regina Spektor be interviewed on the Colbert Report, and then sing. I adore her.

7. Laughing when sweet Brooks tried to feed Grandma Stum (my mom) goldfish crackers through the laptop screen while video chatting.

8. Taking baths with Ava. Love my little mermaid.

9. Watermelon. With fresh lime squeezed over a juicy slice. Mmmmmmm.

10. Accidentally typing "love" in the contact spot when I was writing a text to Adam...and it automatically filled it in with his info.  Apparently I address him as "love" a lot in my texts.  :) :) :)

What's been making you incredibly happy??

"It's hard to beat waking up beside the person who's given you so many of the best days of your life."

While looking for an anniversary card for my handsome husband earlier this week, I came a cross the card above. Even though we're not technically "old married people" I still found myself smiling and nodding along as I read it. I ended up picking a different card, but I took pictures of this one and showed Adam last night, on our 4-year wedding anniversary eve. :) We both got a few good laughs while reading it together, then shared a couple sweet kisses...it really does describe some of the aspects of how marriage is. And I wouldn't have it any other way.  The print is pretty small, so in case it's too hard to read, here is what it says:

Stuff only boring old married people like us understand...
That Friday night is actually the perfect time to go grocery shopping.
That no one else can drive you crazy quite like the person you love most in the world.
That it's wonderful to have someone you can always lean on...and possibly fall asleep on.
That it's hard to beat waking up beside the person who's given you so many of the best days of your life.
That "date night", although a nice idea, bears little resemblance to an actual date.
That the ten-thousandth kiss, in its own quiet way, is just as sweet as the first.
That "for better or worse" really means "for better or worse."
That love takes work. And time. A lifetime to be exact.
Happy Anniversary

Four years ago today we started this adventure called marriage.  And while Adam and I have shared incredibly romantic moments and have been on fun adventures, big and small, together...we've also done and said things we regret, then have eaten our fair share of humble pie and chosen to forgive. But through it all, Adam and I remember that we made promises to each other and to God that we'd put the other first, and that we would love and devote our souls to caring for each other, forever.  How lucky am I to have a man who keeps his promises. :)

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY LOVE!

Ava says...

Dear Brooks,

When you first met your baby sister you were kind of out of your element..neither Dad or I had been home that morning to get you out of your crib (so grateful to Grandma Kjar who was there though). And when you came to the hospital it was a new, strange environment to say the least. You really were not interested in baby Ava, and that was okay. You wanted to either dance and color with Daddy, or snuggle and play with me (and the room's phone;) in my hospital bed. :) But it was in my bed, the second day at the hospital, that you gave her a kiss! The sweetest kiss on her tiny head, I'll never forget it.

Upon getting home, Daddy and I would talk about "baby sister Ava" (before she was born we would talk about "baby," so it was fun to have a name with it) and encourage you to give her hugs and kisses...but you mostly wanted to just look at her, and maybe give her a light kiss on the top of her head or tickle her toes every once in a while when I'd pull her feet out of her sleeper. "Ticka, ticka, ticka, tickoo!" we'd say together. It was beyond adorable! I'd offer for you to hold her and every time you'd decline, which was, again, absolutely okay. I didn't want to push anything faster than what you were comfortable with.

Well, this past Monday night Dad came home from cheering on Uncle Ben at the Olympic Trials in Iowa City all weekend...you were SO excited to see him at the airport! I think it was a miracle you went to bed that night in your own crib, you were glued to him the second he had you in his arms at the airport. ;) The next morning you came into our bedroom, I was just finishing nursing Ava, and you said, "Babyyyyy!" in your most adorable, excited voice. Daddy offered for you to hold her and you got the biggest smile on your face!


You sat at the head of the bed and held your baby sister for the first time.

Oh I'm smiling just typing this! Dad and I asked where her nose, eyes, ears, teeth (or lack there of), chin, and cheeks were...and you pointed each, tiny feature out. Oh I was one proud Mama! I think you first held Ava that morning because you wanted to show off to Dad what a good big brother you are to her...I know you're sweet to her, because you see your Daddy be sweet to her, and to me. I'm lucky to have such tender, loving boys in my life! And since that morning, multiple times a day you'll come up to me when I have her, and you'll put your little, but strong arms out and and say "Baby, baby." Then I proceed to melt into a puddle, then of course let you hold her to your heart's content. ;)

I'm so impressed to see what a sweet, tender big brother you're becoming. You've handled this transition so far SO WELL. I love you sweet boy. Keep up the awesome big brother love, Ava is lucky to have you!!

Love always,
Mom

PS - Here are some photos of you & Aves...those sweet moments are dear to my heart :)

Wish I knew what you were thinking right the, peaking at your new baby sister... 

"Ticka, ticka, ticka, tickoo!"

Sweet morning together before General Conference...

At Ava's 2-week check-up...pointing out little sister's nose :)

Kisses in Mama & Daddy's bed...

Sharing your apple ;)

First time holding her! You were so tender...

Kisses on the couch!

Love your hand on her shoulder...best friends :)

PPS - These pictures are from a little mommy-son date we went on a few weeks ago. Love that you were wearing your "big brother" shirt. :) Sweet Grandma Stum stayed home with Ava, while you and I went out to enjoy the sun and some yummy frozen yogurt. I love our time together Brooks! And I could've eaten you instead of the fro-yo, you were just too sweet eating with 2 spoons. ;)

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Spiritual Health:

Read "He Lives! The Witness of Ladder-day Prophets" from the March 2008 Ensign.  An incredible article from one of my favorite Ensign issues! The testimony excerpt that touched me most when I read it was by David O. McKay:

“‘How can we know the way?’ asked Thomas, as he sat with his fellow apostles and their Lord at the table after the supper on the memorable night of betrayal; and Christ’s divine answer was: ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. …’ (John 14:5–6.) And so he is! He is the source of our comfort, the inspiration of our life, the author of our salvation. If we want to know our relationship to God, we go to Jesus Christ."

Ava smiles!

She smiled at me today!! Oh I was an absolute puddle :)

This girl sure makes my heart happy. And do you know what else makes my heart happy?...seeing such kindness come from people since Ava has joined our family. Neighbors have brought meals, friends have made blankets and given gifts, flowers have been sent to us, family and friends have called just to check in and say hi, and the most thoughtful comments have been left on this blog :) Thank you all for your sweet congratulations and encouraging words. They mean so much to this new Mama of two!

Along with some good 1-on-1 time with Brooks, and getting some sweet naps with Ava, one of my goals this weekend is to write and send out our Thank You cards...there will be lots of them. Oh we are so blessed :)

Happy Weekend!

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Spiritual Health:

Read "We Testify of Jesus Christ" by President Gordon B. Hinckley (Reading his words made me miss him!)

"In sunshine and in shadow we look to Him, and He is there to assure and smile upon us."

Conference Weekend...full & happy :)

This weekend my body, spirit, and heart were fed :)

So today I'm feeling pretty good!

We ate bacon waffles, berry/spinach smoothies, summer vegetable chicken chili, quiche, giant mugs of hot chocolate, nutella on toast, a delicious pork chop dinner brought over by a neighbor, and homemade cinnamon & orange rolls (brought over by friends). My stomach was basically full all weekend, full and happy :) Oh and there were lots of naps, which always does a body good :)

My spirit was uplifted by messages from the leaders of our church. Elder Ronald A. Rasband's talk (you can watch it here) is still touching my heart the more I think and ponder on it. He talked about how our bodies are incredible gifts from God...a truth I've witnessed when each of my children were born. Yet many of God's children have extreme physical infirmities and ailments. But no matter our physical condition, "...the worth of souls is great in the sight of God," (D&C 18:10). And physical limitations of others, be they permanent or temporary, give us opportunities to serve and become more like our Savior. I need to do better at not just simply offering to help, but to just. do. it.

And my heart smiled as I watched my husband play with our little boy, and snuggle our baby girl. The moments at home sweet home with my little family are precious to me. Oh how I love each of them.

One more thing...my wonderful Mom spent the weekend down in St. George with my brother Justin's family :) We missed her!! And I'm grateful she'll be back tonight for another week (she has been an immense help to me...and I've soaked up our time together!). Yesterday we did some FaceTiming and Skyped a bit too. I took some screen-captures of my phone when we were calling her and waiting for it to connect. Can you tell Brooks was excited when I told him we were going to talk to Grandma?? And yes, that's peanut butter all over his cute cheeks ;)

What's been making me terribly happy lately...

1. Taking Brooks and this baby bump of mine on lots of walks the last few days.

2. Regina Spektor station on Pandora + our new iHome (I've never had one...basically changed my life:)

3. Enjoying an enchilada picnic at the park with my boys.

4. Getting texts from my sweet Mom checking on me.

5. Making a "BIG brother" T-shirt for Brooks to wear when he meets the babe.

6. Back rubs from my sweetheart...especially when he focuses on my lower back.

7. Crushed Vanilla Bean ice cream.

8. Catching goodnight-kisses between my boys...kisses that quickly turned into a jumping-on-the-bed session ;)

9. Contractions. Yes they make me happy, because they're not bad yet, and I know they're helping get our baby here.

10. Pictured below, tonight's breakfast-for-dinner of green german pancakes and green milk for dinner in honor of St. Patty's day :)

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Spiritual Health:

Watched this powerful video. Loved seeing how the Holy Spirit affects so many different people, and why it's so important to them...what a blessing the companionship of the Spirit is in my life.

Physical Health:

Looooooong walk with Brooks...and I gave myself a mini pedicure, which gave me quite the stretch! ;)

Happy Sunday

Who's so happy when Daddy gets home from early morning church meetings??

Little B and me :)

Especially when lots of snuggling and tickling ensues...followed by waffles with whipped cream and strawberries and blue berries. Mmmmmm :)

Goodness I love my little family.

Happy Sunday!