10/52

{ Brushing his elephant's teeth, I mean, tusks before bed. }

{ That sweet girl loooooves the swings. }

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week,  in 2013."

(I missed doing these last week, oops!)

"Son-shine" Easter Package for Our Missionary

Easter is in just a couple weeks, and I wanted to make sure that my sister Corrie had some Cadbury Mini Eggs down in Chile. :) But I didn't want them to be the only thing in the package (even though that heavenly candy would have held its own;) so I searched the web for creative Easter packages for missionaries...and I scored when I found this post about a cute mom sending a "Son-shine" package to her boy serving a mission. LOVED that it was fun and festive, but emphasized that Easter really is about God's Son and the miracle of His resurrection. It was so fun gathering yellow treats and trinkets I thought she'd enjoy, and a few things for her to read as spiritual food-for-thought. Rolled up and tied with yellow ribbon, I put in an awesome devotional about the Atonement by Elder David A. Bednar called "In the Strength of the Lord." And I shrunk down a copy of an inspiring passage called "The Fellowship of the Unashamed" that she can keep in her scriptures. It is SO powerful. And right before I sealed and taped up the box, I slipped in some pictures of Brooks and Ava for good measure. :)

 I can't believe this week she will have been serving her mission for 7 months. Still crazy for me to think that she's been living in Chile for most of that time, AND she speaks Spanish fluently! We miss her so, so much...but we are beyond proud of her. It's been incredible to hear from her in her weekly emails about how she's doing, inspiring experiences, the hard days and lessons learned, and how the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ is touching peoples' lives. If you want to read and keep up with her journey in Chile, you can check out her blog here. I'm managing it, and I share her emails she has said can be public. :)

In case anyone wanted to send an Easter package full of "Son-shine" to their missionary, family member, or friend that lives far away this Easter, I wanted to pass on the idea. I sure hope it makes Corrie smile when she gets it!

^^ Brooks was so excited to send our package to Aunt "Co-wee!" ^^

Brooks turns three!!

"Yea-wo" balloons.

Pictures of some of our favorite memories of Brooks in the shape of a "THWEE!"

McDonalds for breakfast & the best Play Place ever.

Thoughtful from sweet friends and family.

Feeding "ducks!"...and geese & seagulls.

Playground fun...and running his little heart out.

"Maca-noni" at Noodles & Co.

FaceTime with Grandma & Grandpa Stum at dinner

Papa and Grammy Kjar came to visit the birthday boy

"Puh-cakes" and "can-doos!"

Brooks' special day was filled with so many of his favorite things...we sure love that birthday boy!! So grateful for the day, THREE years ago, he joined our family.

Dear Brooks,

Left: In my arms, the day after you were born

Right: In my arms, this past January while we were reading a book

I've shared this quote with you before, but I really can't help it... J.M. Barrie (the brilliant man who wrote Peter Pan) said, "Young boys should never be sent to bed...they always wake up a day older." And you, my big boy, woke up yesterday a THREE YEAR OLD. It's equally awesome as it is tragic for my mama heart to think about. Goodness, you grow so fast. I am so proud of the boy you're becoming. Even though you have sneakily escaped out the front door too many times to count (yep, unlocked the door and everything) and you sit on your sister, you are my boy and I love every bit of you. Your Dad and I were talking yesterday about some of our favorite things about you. He mentioned the way you talk...you are so animated. And he loves dancing with you. You two are the craziest dancers with rhythm that just won't stop, neither of you can resist good music. Seriously has me smiling just thinking about it! We both agree that it's incredible watching you care more and more for your sister...you're still pretty little to be thinking of other's feelings, and we're working on it, but lately Ava will be crying and you'll say, "Ee-va, oh Ee-va is okay. Don' cwy." And you'll pat her head or give her a toy. And every time she gets up from naps or when I'm done nursing her, you get so excited, "Ee-va! Goo' morning Ee-va!" Even if it's 7 o'clock in the evening. ;)

Brooks I hope you know your zest for life is contagious. I'm so lucky to be your Mama. You're napping right now and I'm already excited for you to wake up so we can go on a treasure hunt outside because I think the Easter Bunny left us some eggs for a little practice run. ;)

Love you always,
Mom