Sunshine Promises

Back in January I shared our experience of losing our sweet, ever-smiling nephew Bennett (he passed away unexpectedly in his sleep at just 20 months old). I've talked with Mandy, his tender, yet ever-strong mother, about her feelings and experiences since...and I have been so uplifted by her! I, along with so many others, have had a broken heart with Bennett gone...and while Mandy and Dave still have huge holes in their hearts, they have been amazing examples to us of depending on the Lord when the storms of life hit us where it hurts the most. They not only have hope, they know God has a plan for them & their family, and they will be with their son again.

Mandy (who just so happens to be a woman who is fantastic with words) has decided to create a blog called Sunshine Promises...here's the description under her adorable header/title:

"I am a Sweetheart to One and a Mommy to Four Loveable Babes, one of which is smiling down on us from Heaven. I am learning to dance in the rain. Come with me on my journey as I make the most out of Life's mud puddles.

Put on your rain boots. Great adventure lies ahead."

If you want to feel uplifted, receive comfort, and enjoy some beautiful writing, go pay a visit to her blog. And while she is a Super Woman in my eyes, she can use all the love, encouragement, and prayers she can get...if you feel moved to, please leave her some comment love and keep her and their family in your hearts.

cousin sleepover!

My cousin Kirstey came over to our house for a sleepover :) She doesn't live very far away, yet we do NOT see her or their awesome fam enough...it was so fun having her here!!

She was so So SO cute with Brooks and I could tell Brooks was loving play time with his pretty "Aunt" Kirstey :) And he even got to show off his new walking skills in the nude...remember?

For dinner we devoured homemade barbeque chicken pizza and caesar salads...we were full & happy.

We had some much needed girl talk...i sure love my Kirst :) And then all 4 of us laughed 'til our stomachs hurt (okay, Brooks just smiled) while watching/sharing some hilarious youtube videos...like this one:

kills me e.v.e.r.y.t.i.m.e.

After Brooks was in bed, we busted out the ice cream and chocolate chips...and put on some ridiculously yummy smelling chocolate masks (or masques, which one is it?)...we may or may not have put the masks on over our make-up. oops. lol

And we had a little fun with photobooth...

1 bottle orange soda + 1 tub vanilla ice cream + 2 spoons = yummy soda float

{in the ice cream tub, oh yes}

I held up my phone to show that we were chatting with my sister Corrie...who's coming into town tomorrow!!!!!!!!!! can't wait!

Adam was so great to help me enjoy some girl time with my sweet cousin. He went to bed early, and Kirst and I fell asleep on the couch...with our heads on each other's shoulders...while watching "Dispicable Me" :) We woke up in the wee hours of the night and headed to our beds...

We had Life & greek yogurt for breakfast (and one piece of frenchtoast;) before Kirstey headed to work. Brooks gave her a couple sweet kisses and I gave her about 5 hugs on her way out the door...can't wait for next time!! We love you Kirstey!

happy feet

...no, I'm not talking about the movie (even though it was a cute flick)

I'm talking about how Brooks has had quite the pair of happy feet lately...now that

HE'S WALKING!!!!!

The last week or so he's taken a couple baby steps every day...but Monday night we got the first video of him taking lots of, what feels like to me, big-boy steps!

Here's the footage:

And then last night we got this video...oh that little bum...

Over night he went from a few baby steps to getting up all by himself and walking to where he wants to go. When Brooks has his mind set on something there's nothing stopping him :) He still crawls like a little speed demon, but he's walking a ton!

We're so proud of our big boy.

And our typical Tuesdays are going to be a whole lot different from here on out ;)

PS - Thank you so much to those of you who stopped by Rachel's blog to see my guest post!! :)

pssst! i'm over here...

My beautiful friend Rachel has this fun series going on called "Typical Tuesdays" and today I shared our oh-so typical Tuesday :) Go check it out HERE!

And stay a while to check out the rest of Rachel's blog while you're at it! It is because of all her sweet posts of daily life as a [stellar] mother to her 2 adorable girls, and how she's head over heels for her awesome husband, that inspired me to do better at recording our little family's happenings. Plus, she totally makes me want to learn to sew!! (seriously, that girl has some mad skill of revamping some sweet thrift finds...Exhibit A).

Rachel is pretty much as good as it gets :)

PS - When you go to the post you'll see I did my hair in milkmaid braids!! It was a fun-hair-day to say the least. Thanks to Rach!! She'll tell you how here :)

a little luck & some soda bottle vases

I've gotta say, this year is the first that I've decorated for holidays other than Christmas...it's very minimal, but I love it :) It's fun to get my craft on and jazz up the mantel with colors and themes of whatever festivities may be coming up. St. Patty's Day is right around the corner and here is what I did with my mantel over the weekend...got the fun idea for the garland from here.

I used the glass soda bottles from Adam's 80's birthday bash for vases...and took apart a couple bouquets of dainty spring flowers I got on sale at Michaels. The picture of our little family is in the center because I feel that's what makes me LUCKY :)

And last week I was inspired by this lovely lady to spray paint some of the glass soda bottles....

I learned a little lesson:

Spray painting over the ink printed numbers causes some major smear/drippage. A few more layers of paint hid most of it, but I made sure to get the print off the other bottles with my handy-dandy Magic Eraser. (those things really are magic I tell ya)

What do you think? :)

2 quotes and a verse

"If men come unto me I will show unto them their weaknesses ... ; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."

Ether 12:27

"WHAT YOU DO SPEAKS SO LOUD

I CANNOT HEAR WHAT YOU SAY."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Communication seemed to be the theme in Sunday School and Young Women's today...communication with our family members, as well as communication with our Heavenly Father. The verse in Ether reminds me that I need to be humble, go to God with an open heart, and be ready to follow the path He has for me...my weaknesses (I'm working on being a better listener) can then become my strengths! :) And the quote by Mr. Emerson is brilliant...our body language and actions usually trump any words that come out of our mouthes. Adam and I are constantly working on "content communicating" what we truly want and feel...what we say, we mean. And while my prayers express gratitude and love to my Father in Heaven, I have to be sure my actions follow suit.

And on a side note...after Sacrament meeting Adam went to take some papers to the Bishop and I headed to Sunday School...before it got started I had Brooks show the 2 teachers how good he stands...I stepped back and said, "Brooks, come hear sweet boy!" He then got the biggest grin and took 5 good steps toward me!! I snatched him up and said, "stop! Stop!" and we all had a good laugh! I said, "You need to wait 'til Daddy's here and we have a camera before you to start walking..." And then tears started to well up in my eyes...yea, I don't think I'm emotionally ready for my little B to grow up and turn into a walking boy...yet, I can't wait. He's been a mover and shaker from the start. And this Dr. Suess quote says what my heart feels...

{ source }

Today was a good day.

bookworm

Meet Brooks, the bookworm.

I absolutely love how much he's been interested in books lately! He's doing great at learning how open up the books and turn the cardboard pages all by himself :) Here are some sweet photos of our little guy enjoying some good reads...

I texted the ones above to my Mom saying, "Like Grandma like Grandson. He sure loves those books!" My Mom has, and will, always be a great example to me of having a great appreciation for the written word and constantly wanting to learn.

Sometime's he "reads" upside down...heehee..."A" for effort bud!

Yesterday we were at the wrestling meet Adam was coaching and, in between yelling with the rest of the crowd, Brooks enjoyed some light reading ;)

The other night I got these cute pics...he always picks the books we read before bed time.

We love you, our little bookworm :)