Best Friend Ever

Have you ever had one of those days when you should be cleaning but you have no desire. Today is one of those days, so I clean a little bit and then play a game with the girls then clean and play, so on and so on. Well, I decided after lunch that we could build a tent and play in it. So here it is. After I got done and was leaving the room to get the camera, Brookelyn says, "You are my best friend ever mom. Thanks." So sorry to Lukas and Andrew who seem to always take up Brookelyn's thoughts and desires to play with. You two are not as cool as "THE BEST FRIEND EVER!!" Just joking, I know Lukas and Andrew are much cooler friends than me, come on I am the mom.

A crib makes it much easier to build a tent. It will be sad when Kira is no longer in one.

Who's the Mom?

When we woke Kira up this morning so that we could all go Visiting Teaching, Brookelyn said that she wanted to change Kira's diaper. She went and got a diaper, while I grabbed Kira from the crib. Here is what happened.

Here is the beginning. With Brookelyn saying, "Kira lay still. I hope you are not poopy." When the diaper shows no poopy. "Good girl Kira, no poopy." (can you tell what we say:))

She then took off the diaper, wrapped it up and ran to the kitchen to throw it away. This was the tricky part. Trying to figure out how the taps come out, but she figured it out and did a great job. Here is the finished project. I am proud of Brookelyn for wanting to help and I am proud of Kira for laying so still for Brookelyn. She never lays that still for me.

The Wonderment that is....

So here I am up late because I can't sleep very well without Arik. Such when I get used to him being gone he comes home and we start the whole process over. But that is not the point of this post.

As I was checking on the girls, I looked at Brookelyn sleeping so peacefully and so quiet. What a wonderment that I have two beautiful girls. What a wonder that I met Arik, that we lasted long enough to get married (those of you that know that story understand.), and how we are lasting now.

I love to watch my girls doing the smallest of things and see what great, wonderful, joys they are in my life. Sure I want to crawl in a hole sometimes and hide but at the end of the day I would not trade them for anything.

Brookleyn is such a joy in my life. How did I ever live without her? She constantly is learning and growing and wants to be so big so fast. Her encouragement while I work out brings a smile to my face and helps me pull through instead of breaking the tv. Her constant care for her sister, is amazing. She is bossy, showy and loves attention, but I would not have her any other way. We signed her up for soccer and she gets to start playing next month. She is so excited and is happy to know that Lukas will be on her team also. She takes care of us and just wants us to be happy. The great connection between a mother and daughter is the greatest gift anyone could ever have. I had it on the other end and would not trade anything for the relationship I have with my mother. I can only hope that Brookelyn and I can be like that the older she gets.

Kira is the other great joy in my life. I can't think of life without her chaing her sister trying to do everything she does. I smile when she gets frustrated because she can't do what Brookelyn can. I love to see her learn and grow. Like pulling the chair to the counter so that she can see what is going on and can reach all the things Brookelyn puts up there so Kira won't get them. She is sneaky and way too smart for her own good. I feel like I got brillant children that are way too good for me. I am afraid that I will hold them back and I pray and hope that I don't. Kira loves to talk and is right there next to Brookelyn in everything. She is very patience with Brookelyn when Brookelyn tries to play mom. She is just way too cute.

What could be greater than Family??? I have decided that nothing is. Elder Holland once said, "No matter what degree of glory I obtain. If my wife is not there, it can not be Exaluation." What a powerful statement. I feel the same for my sweet wonderful husband. We have our moments but at the end of the day, I want to tell him all the things that happened that day. I want to know of his successes and help him through his failures. I want to be there for him in the rain or in 100 degree heat. The sleet and snow. I love him. I think back to the day we were married and sealed for all time and eternity. I could not look at him without laughing. I know that might not be the reaction some of you had or think is "right" response, but for us it fit. We went through a lot to get us there and that was the greatest day of my life. Other moments have gotten close (ex Brookelyn and Kira's births), but I wonder. If it wasn't for that day, would all the others be so great. Would the greatest of such moments have been lessened if not for that day. I am gratfeul that I never have to know. We are in this together. (Not to be confused with "WE are all in this together" from HSM.) If you do not know what HSM is you must not have girls. :)

So maybe I am all sentimental because I miss my husband and the house is quiet for the only few hours out of the day that it is, but I am grateful for these minutes to ponder my family, my husband and my two wonderful, beautiful daughters.

High School Musical

So High School Musical 3 came out this week and for those of you that really know Brookelyn know what we have been watching constantly for the past day. Here is Kira pausing from the movie to say cheese. Kira is even singing the songs. There is a song The Boys are Back and she says back at all the right places. Then there is another song, I Want It All and Kira can say those words. Poor Arik just shakes his head, in disapppointment. Brookelyn taking a peek at the movie inbetween eating her breakfast. Dad made her pancakes this morning.

My cute girlies sitting nicely together watching the movie. Eating the great breakfast that dad made us. Kira did away with her fork and just used her hands.

Brookelyn posing for the camera. When one of them gets their picture taken the other one wants one to.

Kira saying Cheese for the camera.

So yesterday Brookelyn comes up to me and tells me she needs more letters for the fridge. At first I was confused but as I walked into the kitchen I saw this and all the questions were answered.

Kira came and has taken some of the papers off which was then followed by Brookelyn screaming, followed by Kira screaming. I just thought she was so cute to decorate the fridge.

Sledding and Rexburg

Since today was a federal hoilday, neither Arik or I had to work. Which allowed us to take advantage of a fairly warm day and go sledding. In past years Brookelyn has screamed going down the hill and has refused to get on the sled. This year was just the opposite. She wanted to ride down by herself and she even pulled the sled back up the hill by herself. Kira loved going down but would not walk in the snow. After the first two pics the camera died but we had lots of fun.

As I said earlier we went to Rexburg to watch my brother, Garrett, play hockey. Here are pics from that. Katie holding Lukas. He is a stud.

During an intermission, Garrett came to say hi. What a cute pic. The net protected us from the puck.

My stud of a brother. Way to go, bro!! You did great.

All the action. Garrett did really well. Better than I thought given he had never played before. Congrats!!!

Better Late than Never

I know that these pics are really late but at least you get to see them. Yes mom and grandparents I have copies for you. Life has just been really busy and hectic. I will send them out.

We got to go to Rexburg this weekend and see Garrett play some hockey. For a kid that has never played hockey before he did really great. I will post some pics later once I can find the camera. Sorry to all our friends in Logan. We were planning on coming down Sunday but Saturday night around 11 pm I started throwing up everything. I guess I had a 24 bug because it wasn't until last night around midnight that I felt better. So sorry we missed the blessing Dave and Kylee. We really wanted to be there.

I know that these pics are really late but at least you get to see them. These are our Christmas pics that we took. Yes, mom and grandparents I am sending you copies, life has just been too busy and hectic.

Update

I wish I had pics but I don't sorry.

This past Friday Kira went in for her 18 month check up. She is slimming down. She now weighs 28 lbs. 10 oz. is 34.5 inches tall and has a huge head. She is in the 95% tile for head and weight and the 75% for height. She didn't even cry when they gave her her shots. It made me proud and much eaiser on me since I have a hard time watching them get shots. I hate to see the pain in the eyes.

Anyways, this must be the year to lose weight and/or get healthier. Arik and I decided that we were going to lose some weight. We are not huge but we could afford to lose some. So we started. Then I went to see my sister and she had got some workout vidoes from Costco because they were buy one get one free. We both got this one video and have been trying it out. Last week I lost 3.5 pounds. I was so excited. Then I heard from my mom that she lost 8 pounds and I got all bummed again. At least we all are losing weight so that we will look good for my sister's wedding.

Yep, my sister Melanie is getting married this year. I haven't met the guy but mom and dad say he is great. good to Melanie and great with the kids. I am excited for her and hope that everything will finally fall into place for her this year.

We enjoyed a nice trip to Logan last weekend. We had lots of fun and really really really miss our friends there. This weekend we are going to Rexburg to watch my little brother play hockey. We also get to see some friends there too that we miss and are so glad they live a lot closer now.

Getting so big

Today Brookelyn gave her first talk in Primary. It was so cute and I had to stop and breathe so that I wouldn't cry and make a fool out of myself. Come on, Brookelyn would have been upset. She did a great job. I was afraid that she would run from the mic or freeze up like some kids do, but not her. I was more nervous then her and more than once she gave me the look that says, Mom hurry up what are you waiting for. It was great. I can't believe that my oldest is in Primary. I am getting old!!!!!!

Today was a great Sunday at church and the evening would have been complete if the Cardinals could of pulled off the upset but we can't have everything in life.

Brandee and Spencer came down to watch the Super Bowl and we had a lot of fun. I am glad that I live close to at least some of my family now.