Chris and Brindy Bennett

Christmas Season 2011

2011-12-29T14:41:00.005-07:00

Before we left for our trip, we took the time to visit Temple Square. We drove into Sandy and took trax the rest of the way. Lydia thought it was fun to ride on a train. It will probably the last year we will be around for it for a long time. It was fun, it was pretty cold and Lydia got tired by the end, but it was beautiful as always.

(It appears as though all of my pictures from the first part of our trip were uploaded to my sister's computer and so I don't have them...bummer. Hopefully soon.)

This holiday season has definitely been one to remember! We have so much freedom with time it has been wonderful! We spent 10 busy, fun filled days in Virginia with my family and now we are already back home and feels as if we hadn't even left! Whew, why do fun things have to pass by so quickly!?

We enjoyed a riot of a time with 10 grandchildren all age eight or younger! It was so much fun getting to see them all together and play and drive the parents crazy just as I'm sure we used to do as young cousins.

We invited another brother into our family with a fun fun wedding. It was a bit stressful leading up to the wedding, but it sure was fun to see them so happy together. They were a picture perfect bride and groom and the reception was probably the funnest reception I have ever attended! I will post some more pictures soon.

Mom and Dad gave us a wonderful gift!Time to relax and spend together! They reserved a room for each family at a big lodge called the Great Wolf Lodge. It had a large indoor water park! We spent two days and a night there and it was great! The kids loved it, the adults loved it and we were all together, including the newly weds! :) Lydia loved the big slides and still talks about them today. The first night Chris talked me into going down one of the big slides with him. It was pretty pitch black the whole way down and I was in tears at the bottom! hahah I just don't understand why people don't believe me when I say I DO NOT ENJOY THOSE THINGS!! Turns out it wasn't so bad in the daylight, actually, quite fun, but still.

Mom and Dad also gave us kids each a box full of pictures from growing up. It was so fun on Christmas Eve to sit and look through them all together and reminisce and laugh.

We did a Christmas Eve program with Grandpa reading the story from the bible while the grandkids acted it out. They put enough parts for each child in a cup and let them draw out a character to role play. Lydia got Mary and she was so cute.

Christmas was everything we had hoped. Lydia loved the story of the Baby Jesus as well as the idea of Santa Claus bringing her gifts. In our move, we got rid of an old raggedy pink stroller that I had got at a yard sale for Lydia to play with. It was so big and bulky for her, we figured we'd just get rid of it. She saw us take it out of the car at DI and it just about broke her heart. I was in tears watching her cry so sincerely about losing something she really did love. She was so distraught we decided that Santa better bring her a new one. Her Daddy helped her write a letter to Santa Claus explaining that she gave her stroller away to help another little girl have a good Christmas, but now she didn't have one for her baby. Every where we saw Santa, she would ask him for a pink stroller. She was so excited on Christmas Morning to find a pink stroller. Santa knew exactly what she wanted and came up with a great bundle, the stroller came with a pack and play for the baby, and a high chair (a set that came apart easily for packing!); all of which she has enjoyed greatly! It really has been fun. Now she sits her baby in her high chair and makes her food in her kitchen! It is adorable.

The flights weren't so bad for the most part. Lydia was great. I was quite uncomfortable on the way from DC to Denver. We got stuck in the row right in front of the exit isle and those seats are fixed and they aren't like the normal seats, they actually push you so you're leaning forward! And you can't recline them at all! I was so aggravated! My stomach already feels like it's in my throat, it doesn't need any help for three and half hours on a crammed airplane! But we made it home safely.

The Christmas that we Can't Take to Virginia

2011-12-11T21:35:00.005-07:00

We gave Lydia her Christmas present from us early. After working on it almost all night, we moved it into her room and woke her up. It was really fun. She loves it. Chris did amazing. Merry Christmas Lydia!

Some close ups of the details. We had a lot of fun with this part....

We have been working so hard on finishing this kitchen for Lydia. It has been all fun, hard...and exhausting. We are so happy with the finished product though. Lydia has the perfect imagination to really make this come to life!

Thanksgiving 2011

2011-12-11T20:40:00.008-07:00

Our little Thanksgiving dinner (which turned out to be not so little). I thought the food all tasted great! Chris did a great job on the turkey and potatoes and I made some yummy salads and rolls. Too bad everyone left in such a hurry they didn't get to enjoy any of the leftovers!

My Lydia and I later in the evening after Chris had to go to work. She is such a joy!

Lydia posing with her new Thanksgiving/Christmas Season jammies. Her favorite thing is hot chocolate so she loves these jammas.

Some Things that Lydia Says....

2011-12-10T00:25:00.003-07:00

I have just been wanting to write down some of the things that I love that Lydia says. Little things that I postpone correcting her on just because it makes me smile every time I hear her say it. I want to remember these little things that come out of her two year old mouth.

Amilars (Animals)

You make me happy when skies are great (grey)

You tell me a secret? (When she can't remember the answer to a question we might be asking her and wants you to tell her)

smishmillow (marshmallow)

Mary and Joph-es (Mary and Joseph)

I want a big big big (when she wants lots of something)

Furnt Fries (french fries)

"Please bless with the food..." (please bless the food, when saying the prayer.)

ME (or anyone actually...): "What do you want for Christmas Lydia?"

LYDIA: "ummm. Gum and treats." (she will seldomly say a pink stroller for her baby, but these are the few things that are a complete regular when asked what she wants for Christmas.)

Unknown Person to Lydia: "Hi."

Lydia: "I'm two." (with two fingers held up.)

Unknown person to Lydia: "What's your name?"

Lydia: "I'm Lydia." (I just love how she says her name so perfectly and clearly so people can understand and I love how she always says, "I'm Lydia", not just Lydia.)

You're so welcome. (she will say this just when she feels happy about something that either she had done for someone or someone had done for her, even when people don't tell her thank you.)

Mind Unraveling

2011-11-28T20:48:00.005-07:00

I feel like the words of that song that says...

..."2 AM and I'm still awake writing a song,

If I get it all down on paper it's no longer inside of me

threatening the life it belongs to."

My mind seems to be racing a million times a minute and it is becoming exhausting so I decided maybe if I write a few of my thoughts down, they won't stay in my mind to bother me.

I am worried about my baby right now. I have not been able to find a doctor that I like and that I would like to deliver my baby and so I am anxious about that and I want to be assured that everything is going as it should. It is fun because I am beginning to feel the babe move around quite a bit, but then again each movement is a reminder that I am not taking the recommended precautions as far as prenatal care goes. Will life please just pause for a minute so I can have time to find a doctor that I like and begin seeing for this baby!?

I can't stop worrying about leaving the mortuary. I know that we cannot handle the stress any more of having to be home all the time and having to find a babysitter for Lydia and not being able to be with her the maximum time possible due to having to work in the evenings at viewings all the time. I know that we do not want to have the stress of wondering if we have cleaned the mortuary to the owners' expectations. They are such nice people and are really great to work for, but I don't feel like they train properly. It seems like you're left to guess what they want or expect with a lot of the responsibilities here and they're totally fine until you make a mistake or find that you've been doing something wrong because they act like you should have known better, even though they never made it known in the first place. Does that make sense? ...any way. I am glad that we are leaving I just hope that they have no hard feelings about our timing and all that kind of stuff.

I am worried about our finances. We've had such freedom with our money since we've lived at the mortuary and now we must be very careful about how we spend our money and it's something I know is necessary because we really haven't had to worry about it for the past two years, but now we must and we will, it will just be difficult to adjust.

I am constantly worrying about whether pursuing medical school is what I want to do. I feel so often that I have to sacrifice so much to get there and I wonder if it really is worth it. I keep thinking how much time I am missing with my little Lydia while I am at school studying. I keep thinking how much I can't wait for this school year to end so that I can spend more time with my family, and then I remember that I haven't even started medical school yet. I worry about student debt with going to medical school, especially with the new healthcare bill. I am determined to be there for my children full heartedly and I keep thinking, how can I do that while I am still struggling through schooling!?

I feel as though life is so up in the air right now and everything is just spinning and it isn't slowing down and it won't be slowing down for...what seems like forever! We are still in the middle of moving, my in-laws hate my guts, my grades are dropping, everything seems to make me cry these days (pregnancy...yes, that is a valid excuse), I am losing self confidence and esteem because my body is changing to accommodate baby, I do not have time to exercise which is something I desperately need emotionally and mentally, Lydia is growing up so fast and she is also learning new ways to be mischievous, sassy, and tantrum throwing (among the happy fun things that come with this age as well like singing and dancing and learning to do things on her own.).

I just keep thinking there must be an end, but then something else always comes up and I am just not sure how to stay calm.

My agenda for the next little while:

Finals

Fly to Virginia (which I was hoping would be relaxing, but I'm pretty sure it's going to be just as stressful and busy as ever!)

Becky's wedding (pictures and flowers and all that comes with that....)

Christmas

fly back to Utah

Start school again....

...End of semester = graduation and baby pretty much at the same time

Move again!

Take the MCAT

Apply for Medical Schools

(all with new baby of course....)

Be supportive and probably find a job while Chris finishes school

Get accepted somewhere to medical school

Move again.

And begin Medical School with two children

....IS THIS HOW I PICTURED MY LIFE RIGHT NOW? no.

DO I REALLY WANT MY LIFE TO GO THIS WAY FOR THE NEXT FIVE OR SO YEARS? i don't know.

WILL LIFE PLEASE JUST PAUSE FOR A SECOND AND LET ME CATCH UP!? nope.

..." Because life's like an hour glass glued to the table,

no one can find the rewind button now,

so cradle your head in your hands.

And breathe. Just breathe.

oh breathe. Just breathe."

P.S. If you've read this in its entirety, please do not think it is a plea for pity or attention. I am looking for neither. I just really do feel better having written it all down. Now you have a peek into my life that you never thought you'd see. :0)

Thanks

2011-11-21T23:03:00.004-07:00

What do you do around Thanksgiving time? I always wonder if it is cliche to list out all of the things that I am thankful for, but then I say to myself, 'how is that cliche? If it is the only time during the year pretty much that you do!' I've often thought, well everyone knows what I'm thankful for and it's the same old thing every year, but then it NEVER gets old hearing it from others and reminding myself of those things every year at this time is something I could always use. I need this holiday and I love it! After Thanksgiving I feel like I am so blessed and fortunate. So without further ado, some of the things that I am most grateful for in my life right now:

Christopher Floyd. He builds me up and gives me confidence to continue. He believes in me when I begin to doubt. He provides for my needs and he keeps me smiling.

Lydia Carol. She lights up my day every day. I miss her when I am not with her and when I am with her, oh does she bring me so much pride and happiness! She definitely is 2 and pushes our buttons, but the joy she brings is overwhelming.

My Mom and Dad. It is the most comforting thing to know that I can call my parents and ask for support or advice with complete confidence that they will not push anything, will not judge us for the choices we make, and will give us unbiased advice and counsel. They will never insult us or make us feel incapable. They treat us as adults and love us unconditionally.

My sisters. I will always have friends at the reach of a telephone. How I wish we were closer! It just isn't the same over the phone, but it is enough to close the gap of loneliness sometimes.

Marcella. I can always call her for cooking advice, craft advice, advice about children, or anything. She has such talent and great homemaking skills! I am so grateful I have her to learn from.

Nicolette. She is such a calm and relaxed person. I love to call her and she has so much that she is doing and yet you'd never guess it. She handles everything with such grace, I always feel like I am important to her.

Becky. She is such a silly girl that I am grateful for her unpredictability. I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to be at her wedding and to watch her love develop.

Rachel. I miss her terribly! I feel like she is the furthest away from me...oh wait...she is. haha I am so grateful for Rachel's humor and genuine service. I am so excited to see her in a couple of weeks.

Jenny. I am so glad that I have another sister to add to my list! I am grateful for Jenny. She is a good example to me of a good mother and wife. She has been such a friend and support these past couple of years. I am so grateful to know that she is close by.

My brother. The other day I found a note from Justin that he left in my lunch in high school. He is such a good brother and I love him and am grateful for him. He is always so willing to help us with whatever we might need.

The babe. I will have to admit that this pregnancy has not been as smooth sailing as it was with Lydia. I have had much more nausea and cramping and I feel like I'm seven months pregnant already...but I am full of thanks for the little one that I am just starting to feel twirl around in my tummy! I am excited to meet this new little one and curious as to what this baby may hold in store for us. :)

My Aunties. These wonderful ladies bring me so much joy and comfort. I have felt so much love and support from them during these past years being away from my parents. I am very grateful to them and for their willingness to put us up for a night or two here and there. What kindred spirits they each are!

Nature. I have always been one to stop and notice the tiny leaf that fell happened to fall on my head as the wind blew, the little touch of color on its edges. The fresh cool air in the morning as I am out of breath walking up the hill to campus. The beauty of large flakes of snow falling so peacefully outside and the smell of fires and cinnamon in the air. I say a little prayer in my heart several times daily for these little blessings that lift my spirits. I am truly thankful for the beauty of the earth.

Temples. I get to be with my family forever. I get to know the Father's plan with greater understanding. I get to feel peace, confidence, and strength when I go there.

Umbrellas. So happy when I get to enjoy the rain with an umbrella. If it's pouring, scrap it, I don't mind getting dumped on every once in a while, but if it has been drizzling all day or for several days, I am grateful for the umbrella.

Organic Chemistry Tests. Not only am I one step closer to being done with that class, but they remind me that I am nothing and that I will go no where without divine help.

Free Afternoons. I am always tickled when I find myself with a completely free afternoon that I get to spend with my sweet little girl. They are far too rare and I hope that I will have more of them by moving to our new house in Provo.

Warm socks.

Funny jokes.

Smiles.

Genuine kindness.

Strollers.

Comfy pants.

Mascara.

Sitting in good company.

Listening to my daughter sing.

.....and that's only just a few.

When it all comes down to it I just need to say; thanks! That's all. Happy Thanksgiving.

Bennetts: Chris. Brindy. Lydia.....and BABY!

2011-11-13T16:06:00.004-07:00

Lydia is excited for a new brother or sister. Chris and I are excited as well. This April holds many new changes for our family!

We are little nervous about bringing another baby to our family, but we are so very excited too. I will be graduating with my bachelor's in April and the baby is most likely due the date after graduation! Lets hope all of that works out. We will also be moving to Virginia shortly after I graduate so that I can finish up med school applications at home with the help of my parents. I will be preparing to take the MCAT beginning in January and will be taking it in April also...maybe May. We were hoping to hang tough here at the mortuary until April so that we wouldn't have to move twice, but we are ready to have a little bit more freedom and with my last semester coming up, I think it may be a pretty difficult one being pregnant and MCAT prep and all, we figured the more slack we could give ourselves, the better. The mortuary has been great for us, but we are just finding that it is becoming more and more of a burden for us to handle. So we will be moving to Wymount, BYU on campus housing for married students and family, until April when we will be moving to Virginia. We are very excited for all of these changes but very anxious about them as well. We pray that we are making our decisions in harmony with our Father in Heaven's plans.

Everyone says that each pregnancy is unique, and it is hard to believe until you experience it. This pregnancy has been quite different than Lydia's. Pretty much all of the symptoms of pregnancy have been more exaggerated than they ever were with Lydia (i.e. nausea, tiredness, hunger, weepy, emotional, smells, irritability, having to pee....yup, everything has been more noticeable) I have also gotten much bigger much quicker this time. I don't think my tummy was as big as it is now until I was at least 6 months along last time. Chris keeps teasing me that we are having twins, but I'm pretty sure it's just because it's my second...We have not had an ultra sound yet because we haven't decided on a doctor yet. I would really like to work with this mid wife that we interviewed with, but she is not covered under our insurance and it would be much less expensive if we saw an OB covered under our insurance. I am a little disappointed because I really want things a little differently than they were last time. We are excited, also, because we have chosen to wait to find out what gender the baby is until the birth.

We are sure that everything will work out and Heavenly Father will guide us to wherever or whatever we are to do.

We appreciate all the support we get from family and friends. It helps to ease the worry that seems to overwhelm me in times of stress.

Time Flies When You're Havin Fun

2011-10-26T22:59:00.013-06:00

First Date with The Boy

Dating The Boy

Engaged to The Boy

Married The Boy

One Year with The Man

Two Years togetha

Three Years = Love + a baby.

Four Years!...wow you thought that was long, just wait.

Yup! Five Years. And I still got The Boy!

Christopher, you still get me. Every day. I love you Boy! Thank you for five wonderful years!

We got to spend a day up in Park City together. We had a blast being together. It was snowing outside and we were just perfectly content and happy. We ran a family race the next morning (Lydia ran 200 M. and we ran a 5K..which was not the best because of the freezing cold weather that happened to blow in for that weekend, but it was great fun none the less!) and then treated ourselves to a fabulous couples' massage. It was a great weekend.

Lydia's Cougar Run

2011-10-26T22:27:00.005-06:00

Lydia ran her first race on October 8th, 2011. It was the Cougar Run for Homecoming. I thought she would love it and have a blast, and I still think she would have had it been at least 30 degrees warmer! We just happened to get a big cold front just that weekend! Before then it was beautiful and since then, it's been beautiful! We were bummed to say the least. But Lydia was a trooper though, the little gal ran in the 200 meter race in an age group of 1-4 year olds. Chris was waiting for us at the finish line, but poor Lydia wanted him to be running with her the whole time. I didn't know where he went and so I couldn't even tell her that he was waiting for us at the end. He runs with her (in the stroller) almost every day and he took her out to practice a couple of times at the track, so I can see why she wanted her daddy/coach there with her. As soon as we rounded the curve, Lydia just stopped altogether. She was cold and she couldn't find her daddy. Then he saw us, I motioned for him to come and as soon as she saw him she ran the rest of the way with Daddy by her side. It was fun to watch her run and I hope that next year we can have some more fun family races...with warmer weather.

Pre-Race Pep Talk

At the Starting Line

"Daddy!" "Where's my Daddy?"

I was so frustrated because he had just disappeared!

Last stretch! Go Lydia!

Just before our 5K started.

Lydia left after this with Kayla and Debbie because it was just too cold.

Grandpa!

2011-10-11T20:26:00.000-06:00

Saturday to Go Wild

2011-10-04T21:44:00.004-06:00

ZOO TRIP

We took advantage of the free Saturday afternoon we had to go to the zoo. It was fun. Earlier that morning we helped as much as we could with a yard sale for Aunt Launa (she's trying to earn money for her upcoming surgery). We were a little rushed at the zoo, but we got to see everything and the animals were great. Later that day Chris took Lydia to go see the Lion King on the big screen while I attended the General Women's Relief Society Meeting at the Conference Center. It was a wonderful night had by all!

Pie in the Sky

2011-10-04T21:40:00.002-06:00

I made my first Apple Pie. My sweet Auntie Karen came down to my home and taught me her recipe for pie. It was so fun to be with her and to make pies together. I love this woman so very much and I am so glad to be close so I can learn so many fun things from her. I am also just glad that I get to see her as often as I do. Thanks Auntie Karen!

We made one apple, one banana cream and one coconut cream.

And they were delicious by the way....

Sunday Afternoon Picnic

2011-10-02T23:03:00.002-06:00

We had a great Sunday afternoon together a couple of weeks ago. It was a beautiful day and so we decided to take our lunch outside. It was delicious and fun to spend time together. It was a memorable day.

Soccer: Not Just a Past Time...

2011-10-02T14:38:00.000-06:00

SOCCER: Oh happiness! :) I just finished playing another season of soccer on my Esplin Eye Center Team. It has been so fun to be able to continue playing soccer. Not only because I love the game, but because it has been so fun to be on a team again; to get to know other ladies and play soccer together. We've really developed good friendships and I am sad that I will not be able to play with them again. We will most likely be moving after I graduate in April and so I will miss next year's season.

Welcoming the Season

2011-10-02T14:34:00.002-06:00

mmmmm....I just love when mornings turn cold. Gives me good reason to indulge myself with some of this! Welcome brisk air and although I don't like waking up to darkness in the morning, I guess I will welcome dark mornings as well....

We Need You

2011-09-30T06:09:00.003-06:00

Please vote for this adorable little thing! We could get tickets to Disneyland, which would probably be the best graduation present for my family! You just need an email address, so if you have one, you vote once a day, if your spouse has one also, (s)he can vote once a day as well. You can vote more than once! But no more than once a day per email address! Ok?

The website is todays1065.com, then look for the "Disney Halloween Contest" and Lydia's picture is #12. We have to make it into the top ten with the highest votes to even qualify for the tickets.

Thank you everyone. We really appreciate your votes and support and friendship and everything else you do for us!!

tRaFaLgA

2011-09-20T22:11:00.000-06:00

Some of our best friends were able to get us some passes for Trafalga (thanks again Chet and Bobi Sue!). We went with them a couple of weeks ago and had a great time!

I think one of the greatest joys about being a parent is to watch the light in your children's eyes grow with excitement. Lydia had such a great time and watching her almost brought a sense of childhood back within my own heart. It brought back memories of fond family nights at "Fiddlesticks" driving go carts and water boats. Lydia has no fear and that makes me so happy. It's always disappointing when you get so excited to take your child some where that you think they will enjoy immensely and then they either throw a huge tantrum, or refuse to participate in anything whatsoever. Lydia did not disappoint, she really has a fun personality and makes life so much more meaningful, fun and exciting.

LOVED this "Frog Hopper" ride. It brought the seats up to about 20 feet and then dropped them and bounced and dropped again and yatta yatta several times. Fun for the kiddos.

We're on our mark. We're set. LETS GO!

I am so glad I opted out of this one! They got entirely soaked! Lydia didn't seem to mind one little bit! I thought for sure she would be complaining about being cold and wet and what not. Nope. Not even a little bit did she fuss about it. She really had a great time doing everything!

Chris getting attacked by a deranged little boy...

It's war. Taylee really was laughing although it doesn't really appear so in this picture.

They were so cute in there together! Lydia was just having a riot steering her plane and shooting her pretend gun...and waving to Mom.

This one is my favorite! Such a sweet, lively, little soul, my little girl is.

Love this family!

This one is another favorite. This is what makes me happy every day.

Becky and Matt are Gettin Hitched

2011-09-18T14:39:00.004-06:00

My little sister is now no longer single! Her, pretty much life time, love proposed to her on the 11th day of August. They are very happy and sure go quite well with each other. I am so happy for them and I'm glad to see my little sister find someone that she enjoys being with so much. They will be a fun couple and I can't wait for their wedding. It is planned for the 21st of December. How exciting. I'm so glad that all of us will be there for the special day.

Becky had been staying with us for several weeks. This is when said excitement all occurred. So I had the opportunity to take some engagement pictures for them. It was a lot of fun. These are all some of my favorites.

This one probably is one of my absolute favorites!

Momma and Papa Visited

2011-09-13T23:09:00.003-06:00

My parents were able to come visit for a couple of weeks. They had to divide their time among lots of family that wanted to be with them, but we got to be with them too. We always love and cherish the time that we get to spend with them.

Olive Garden with Launa and Richard, us and Mom and Dad. Lydia loves Grandpa.

Susie's Bridal Shower. We had fun going; Becky Mother and I...and Lydia. I love this picture.

Leaving Tucanos. We went here with Mom, Dad and Justin and Jenny and fam. Lydia and Zoey holding hands.

Beautiful stormy sky on the night that we were rejected from the Water Park. We played at the park instead and witnessed this beautiful scene.

I got to do a little photo shoot for my Mom and Dad. It was lots of fun. Happy Anniversary you old birds :).

Stewart Falls

2011-09-13T22:03:00.003-06:00

We got to go on a hike for Labor Day! It was so much fun. We ended up taking the stroller on the hike for most of the way. At the end we parked it and hiked in with Lydia. I think it was kind of a pain for Chris, but considering the alternative (carrying her the whole way or not getting to go because it would have taken all day for her to walk by herself), I think the stroller was all right.

Our little gang. We made it to the falls.

Here are the crazies.

The falls made the air so brisk. It was beautiful.

Yup. That's Chris. Hello up there stud! Call me...

Such a beautiful thing...water falling, who knew!?

Me and my girl! She is a character! love 'er.

The whole fam. Look Chris and I even match almost perfectly! weird.

We happened to meet a group of our friends on the same hike that day! Always fun to run in to the Croslands.

aRiZoNa

2011-09-13T21:51:00.003-06:00

We took a little trip to Arizona to visit a good friend. We had a great time! Lydia was a pill in the car ride down, but she did all right I guess.

Tha's my little ham! I love Bahama Bucks! These umbrellas are their signature. Lydia was just tickled by the little thing.

We could be in the circus.

There's the Ham again. She started really showing her suit off. haha What cute little gals. It was just a fluke that they had matching swimming suits. Too cute.

Arizona has big spiders!! Gross.

And big rocks.

Do Wisdom Teeth make you Wise?

2011-09-12T22:04:00.003-06:00

I sure hope not, because I went through quite a bit to get those babies out!

BEFORE: Notice my look of worry and terror!

AFTER: Notice....well the picture says it all. Hahahah!

This picture makes me laugh so hard!! Thank you caring, loving husband for taking a picture of me in my time of pain and need. I have no recollection of taking this picture by the way...

Shortly after this picture was taken we arrived home. As I stood in the bathroom admiring my lovely self (refer to picture above once again) in the mirrow, I experienced my first encounter with passing out followed by convulsions. Chris, the studly stud he is, carried me into the bedroom and laid me down on the bed after I had come to. He was worried and so he called off work so he could stay with me. I slept the whole afternoon, woke only to try and force chocolate milk down my throat so I could take my medications. I could not, for the life of me, swallow anything! After a few tries of forcing it down and it coming back out my nose, I ended up passing out again and once again going into convulsions. This time when I came out of it I was scared. I was in a cold sweat and it was a very scary experience that I would rather not have again. Chris called the urgent care and they advised him to bring me in. I was extremely weak and light headed. After arriving they took my blood pressure and found that it was pretty low. They figured I had lost a lot of blood in the surgery and because I wasn't able to swallow anything, I was really dehydrated and my blood volume was suffering from it. They hooked me up to an I.V. and dripped some fluids into my system. I felt much better after that and have been fine ever since! It feels great to be able to move my mouth again and bite properly after having those big teeth taken out.

What's Been Happening!?

2011-09-12T21:40:00.003-06:00

We have been hopping all summer and it just doesn't seem to slow down! School has started back up Full time for me and I have just a few minutes to document a few things that we have been up to lately. Not much journaling, but here are some pictures to remember the fun memories that we have been making.

Summer nights are always so beautiful! We just love sitting outside and talking sometimes when the sun goes down. It hasn't happened as often as we would have like this summer, but this night had a beautiful moonrise.

Lydia is very good at her Tricycle now and rides it with ease. She loves to say, "look at how fast I'm going!"

We got to watch Tyler play his first soccer game! He did great! He scored many goals for his team. Way to go little buddy!

Our garden has been very successful this year. We have grown lots of peas, strawberries, corn (which we haven't actually got to eat yet, the earwigs kinda ruled them), peppers, tomatoes, carrots, squash, watermelon (we are about to pick!), cucumbers, and I think that's all. These jalepenos were sitting on the counter and Lydia decided she wanted to try one and took a big bite out of one before I even saw what she was doing. She regretted it for almost an hour following. She was in tears and sobbing for a good 45 minutes straight! I tried everything. After a glass of milk, a glass of water, a creamy, some salty chips, some soup, and another popsicle, she finally calmed down. I asked her later how she liked it and she said, "It was yummy....? ...It was HHHHHHot."

Lydia pickin some strawberries.

We had a big family dinner at Drew and Leah's house when my parents were out here visiting. It was a lot of fun getting to visit and Lydia had a riot playing with all of her cousins (once removed)....and her daddy of course.
Lydia and Lexie. She adores this little girl far too much. I feel for her future siblings.

Lydia and Zoey. They are good buds most of the time. What cute little chicklets.

We got to go to Cherry Hill one afternoon. It was a lot of fun. This is my little water stinker! She loves swimming and is quite the little dare devil! This was snapped as she danced around the pool.

Family Fun

2011-08-11T13:27:00.002-06:00

We got to go to "Color Me Mine" with Becky and Matt one weekend, and then we actually went back later to finish painting our mugs. I only have a picture here of our pre-fired mugs, but they are so much more vibrant now and turned out great! Lydia painted this light switch cover that now hangs in her bedroom and she points it out every once in a while that she painted it.

Beautiful sunset I got to stop and capture on my way home one evening. I just love the simple beauty of nature that can take your breath away.

Chris took me to see the last Harry Potter movie. Sad day. It was a great movie and we had a great time, even though I had to study in the line and during the previews.

Fiesta Days 2011

2011-08-10T22:56:00.004-06:00

Lydia just had a riot on the motorcycle ride. She was gigglin so hard. It was really cute.

Enjoy the pictures above as I try to explain them some what. Fiesta Days is always a lot of fun here in Spanish Fork. There are booths, carnivals, activities, Road Races, parades, rodeos and music and dancing. We were able to go to the carnival for the dollar family night with some of our friends (Chris had to miss out for work). It was a lot of fun though. I, personally, hate carnivals...almost everything about them, but it sure was fun to watch Lydia ride on some of the rides and utterly enjoy herself. The carousel was hoot! I don't know where she learned it, but this girl is a pageant queen already! She sat there and waved with a permanent smile on her face the entire ride on the carousel! It was hilarious. The boat ride was fun because Shaylie and Lydia got to ride together. They are just the cutest little things! I did have quite the scare when a few seconds into the ride, Lydia looks at me with this face (see picture above) like I have a problem, and she says, "I have to go potty!" For the rest of the ride almost that was all that came out of her mouth! Poor thing, I was so scared she was going to pee her pants on that ride, but she made it and we rushed over to the port-a-potties.

The rodeo was a lot of fun. Chris, again, had to miss out, but we missed him! We ended up going on the only night that it decided to RAIN!! Lydia was a champ and didn't fuss at all about the rain or cold. She did start saying toward the end that, "it was time to go home." That made me feel bad and so we went home, showered and she went right to sleep. She had fun watching the horses though.

Reminders of Love

2011-08-10T22:50:00.002-06:00

We have been so lucky to have such a mild summer this year. We have had lots and lots of rain and have been blessed with these simple reminders of Heavenly Father's love and ever watching eye. Such beautiful things nature/Heavenly Father can do.

Dear Neighbors are Hard to Find

2011-08-10T22:41:00.003-06:00

Our dear friends, the Ports, moved away a couple of weeks ago. It was a very sad day. It continues to be sad every single day as I look across the street and know they aren't there, and when I hear Lydia say, "Shaylie move away? Shaylie not live in that house any more?" in such a sad little voice. It breaks my heart.

I just love Mandi and I miss her terribly. I hope all the best for their sweet little family!

Happenings.

2011-08-08T19:47:00.002-06:00

We have had a very busy past couple of weeks. Everything decided it wanted to happen all within two weeks of each other. Our dear friends and neighbors moved, my parents came out to visit, Kayla got married, school finals are here, Bear Lake Reunion, softball and soccer started again. Whew, that's a lot to handle within a short period of time. We had to sacrifice and weren't able to make it to everything, like the Bear Lake Reunion. Sad. But Kayla's wedding was beautiful and it was fun to be a part of it. She is happy and beautiful and it was a happy day for her and that is all that matters. I am going to try and keep up posting on some of these events as I get time.....

I Love the Mountains...

2011-08-02T21:51:00.003-06:00

PEACEFUL WALKS IN THE MORNING

The young glowing aspen (see below)

PRACTICING TAKING BEAUTIFUL PICTURES

CHRIS CARVED THIS POR MOI!

SWING PLAY

NEVER COMPLETE WITHOUT THE S'MORE!

COLORING (MOVED INTO THE TENT TO ESCAPE BUGS)

FUN WITH SPARKLERS!

HIKE TO GROTTO

SIMPLICITY

THE HEROES IN MY LIFE.

SHE PLAYS THE PART WELL!

I love the rolling hills. I love the daffodils, when all the lights are low....

BOOM DEE AUTTA BOOM DEE AUTTA BOOM DEE AUTTA BOOM DEE AUUTTA!

We finally got to go camping a couple of weeks ago. It was too short of a trip, but we still had a great time. We had planned on leaving Friday as soon as I finished a test for my physiology class. Well I got done later than hoped, we finished packing later than hoped, and our neighbors were trying to get things ready for a yardsale the next morning so we decided because it was so late any way, we would just stay and help them as much as we could and leave for camping first thing in the morning. We did and then ended up not finding a spot until around 10:00 a.m. We set up camp and had some lunch. Then headed down the mountain a ways for our hike up the Grotto. There were so many people there. It was still fun, but I have never seen it quite so crowded. There were even at least 5 dogs there at the same time. Sunday we got to relax and enjoy until we had to leave around noon to get Chris back in time to make it to work...like I said, too short.

We got to color with Auntie Karen, play on a fun swing, hike the Grotto, practice taking beautiful pictures while taking in the beauty of nature. We also got eaten and pestered alive by bugs, bruised hips and shoulders as the ground got harder and harder throughout the night...but it wasn't enough to make it not enjoyable.

One of my favorite things about camping is waking up in the morning. The sun touches the tips of the trees and makes every flower and leaf glow with dew. I love getting up while everyone else is still sleeping and listening to the sounds of the forest. Such a peaceful and calming sound because it isn't completely silent, but it is silent to all of the scattered world below. It is silent to student responsibilities, payment obligations, deadlines and jobs. As I got to take my little walk alone early Sunday morning, it was refreshing to get to see the real world, the Earth, the little things that I forget about as I get caught up in all the things I feel are important all the time. I noticed a lady bug perfectly content on a large leaf, a huge bumble bee pollinating some flowers, a bright young aspen tree supported by dark mature aspens all around it. I had a few minutes to ponder my decisions in life and to contemplate the person that I want become. I'm grateful to have things like the quiet rush of the wind through the trees or the sound of a woodpecker, a songbird in the morning to remind me that life's troubles are temporary, depth, comfort and peace lie beyond windows and doors of our busy schedules.

Pho-Pho Pho-tographyClass

2011-07-20T23:08:00.004-06:00

I had a fun opportunity to go to a photography workshop a couple of weeks ago. I felt it was worth me getting to know my new friend....my camera. Chris got me my dream camera a little early. He was not supposed to get it for me until I graduated, but he was too excited and found a great deal and it was my birthday. I love it to say the least and I've learned to not go hardly any where without it because if I don't have it I am wishing that I did.

Here are some photos that I have experimented with.

This picture is dedicated to my mother. This statue will forever remind me of my mother. She used to have a marble wall hanging of this image and I remember that as little girl, I used to think it was my mom with my brother and sisters and I.

Love me some Watermelon

2011-07-11T22:52:00.002-06:00

I just LOVE me some cold watermelon after a good run! Delicious.

Let Freedom Run

2011-07-06T22:02:00.004-06:00

This year was the second time for me to run the Freedom Run 10K in Provo. I talked Chris into running it with me this year and he did great!! It was a fun way to celebrate our freedom together. Lydia was so good and fun so early in the morning. She thought it was the best thing ever to get up before she was supposed to and leave the house. And then she slept pretty much the whole run. So it was perfect. We definitely were not fast! A time of 1:07, but felt good none the less.

God Bless the U.S.A

2011-07-04T00:39:00.009-06:00

STADIUM OF FIRE 2011

(Blog makes it hard to put these pics in the right order...so they're not really.)

Fireworks Show:

This was a pretty fun Firework show. I still am not sure if it beats being in the nation's capital, right in between the Abraham Lincoln Monument and the Washington Monument, but it was pretty good! It's the Statue of Liberty on the field, if you can't tell.

Brad Paisley:

We like Brad. Good songs, clean guy. Lydia had a great time clapping and singing along.

David Archuleta:

We like him too.

Beach Balls surfing the Crowd:
We never got a chance to hit any...we were up too high.

Lydia singing and enjoying the concert:
She was so much fun. Such a crazy little firecracker!

The Bennett Trio:

My girl and I:

The fireworks made her a little nervous (mainly the noise), but she really did good! She makes everything so much more exciting! Everyone around us was having a riot watching Lydia during the concert. She is just so full of personality and spunk, her dancing and singing is sure to put a smile on anyone's face.

Lydia and Chris:

This is right when the literally lit the stadium on fire...you can see the first flame behind them. I love this picture..because I love these two! There weren't many exciting fireworks when I was trying to take their picture..

Skydivers and Flag Entrance:

This poor dude...made a Grand Entrance and then completely wiped out as he was coming in for the landing. The flag caught onto a fence and completely pulled the fence down and the marines were all rushing to try and pick the flag up off of the ground. It was neat to see him flying around though.

Dancers:

Lydia really enjoyed watching the dancers. I have a feeling she may take a liking to dancing...?

Treats:

And of course, once she saw we had some treats, she was in heaven! Music, singing, dancing, Mommy and Daddy, and treats! All of her favorite things.

The Fourth of July is one of my favorite celebrations. It is full of fun, summer time, excitement, and amidst it all there is a reverence and respect that fills the air for the country that we live in.

I am grateful to be living here today. I'm proud to be an American.

Summer is for....

2011-07-03T23:42:00.007-06:00

Playing at the park.

Family Get Togethers.

Beautiful Blooms.

Soccer.

Grilling.

Playing in the Sprinklers.

Coloring with sidewalk chalk.

Long walks in the country.

We love taking walks now that the weather has finally decided it wants to be warm. We walked down the river road in search of the new river trail....after about an hour of walking, I decided I'd come back another day in the car to find the river trail, so we walked the other hour back home.

I let Lydia out of the stroller on this dirt road and she had such fun stretchin her legs and playin for a bit.

OH WHAT DO YOU DO IN THE SUMMER TIME!?

Its a TeenieWeenie Picnic!

2011-07-03T23:27:00.003-06:00

These girls are just the cutest together! Lydia adores Shaylie....and I do to.

This was a memory from my childhood and I thought I would give it a try. It was a lot of fun! Mini hot dogs, mini carrots, mini pickles, mini bags of chips, mini dishes, mini pieces of cheese, grapes, and mini ice cream sundaes!

I think the girls had a great time just being able to eat with their fingers and dish their own plates. It soon turned into a contest to see who could empty the bowl's contents on their plate before the other could. They had a good time though...and it was just plain adorable!

Scriptures are Important....

2011-07-03T23:16:00.003-06:00

....even to a two year old!

She will not let us miss a night. I love it!

Congrats to My Bro!

2011-07-03T22:53:00.002-06:00

Justin graduated from Utah Valley University a few months ago and we got to go! It was fun and exciting to be able to support him and see him accomplish something so great!

Good Job Bro! We're proud of you!

Father's Day

2011-07-03T14:26:00.005-06:00

Lydia's painting that she did for Chris this year for Father's Day.

Father's Day is such a special day. Our primary sang a song that I don't think I have ever heard before, but it started talking about our Dads at home and how special they are, then it ended with our Father in Heaven and what a special kind of love He has. It was neat to not only be reminded about our Dads and the love Heavenly Father has for us, but also to hear them being compared and related to each other. I think there is something special about a father's love.

I watch Chris with Lydia and, despite driving me crazy, I love that he insists on giving her treats and buying her surprises, tickling her until she can hardly breathe, and doing all of the things that she needs from a father that I couldn't give her or wouldn't give her. :)

Breakfast in bed. :) 'mornin sunshine!

Thanks Chris for being Lydia's Daddy. She loves you and misses you when you're gone at work. She asks for you when she wakes up and you're not there. Our family is blessed because you are a good father.

I love my Daddy-Oh to pieces! What an incredible man he is and I am so very grateful for the loving memories that I have of him.

Tickle-tacks, Dive Bombers, "Booodoo Sqwat. Boodooo Sqwat. Booodoo Sqwat Sqwat Sqwat!", "These cards ah marked....they a messsss.... Go Feesh!", Teaching me about money with our Family Bank, Family Bike Rides (and getting me flip flop stuck in the spokes), Camping trips, crashing the scooter with me (I was driving....), "Look at all them fitprints..They musta been here!", hearing you cheer from the bleachers at all of my sporting events, coming to my choir concerts, singing with me in Sacrament Meeting, going on Pioneer trek, making cheese cake with us, pouring cement with you for the drive way! haha, teaching me how to mow the lawn, No Bears is out Tonight!, "Old Mother Morie", Going exploring and taking drives, learning about history and ancestors, many Family Home Evenings and Family discussions.

Dad, I appreciate you so much and I love you for all that you are! You continue to teach me every day and I even though I am kind of grown up, I will always be one of your little girls.

Patience is a Virtue

2011-07-01T23:59:00.002-06:00

I am proud of myself tonight. Recently, Lydia has been trying our patience with EVERYTHING! Whining, throwing fits over the silliest things, not listening, ignoring, rebelling, the whole bit....and no, I am not talking about a teenager folks...she's TWO.

For Family Home Evening last week I decided to make her a "Good Girl Jar" and I would do my best to find things that she did that were good and she would get to add her beans up and get a prize when she reached one of the markers that I drew on the jar. This has been working TrEmEnDoUsLy!!

This weekend has been a long weekend already and it has only just begun...but I will write about that later...this is about tonight. It was after ten and Lydia was still getting out of her bed and out of her room. Chris and I were tired and wanted some time together to relax and after putting her to bed 'ump'teen times, we were getting a little frustrated. About this time is when I usually lose my patience and either shut her door only to have to fight her endless tantrum for about an hour afterward, or give her little spanking and then..deal with her endless tantrum and/or still getting out of bed. I was very patient and proud of myself for keeping my cool, usually Chris is the collective one, but tonight I took over because he had had it! I told her that her choices were not making us very happy and talked with her about being obedient. She really understood and I tucked her in for the last time tonight and she went right to sleep!

I will take my pat on the back now and later work on a post with pics.

Lydia-isms

2011-06-25T11:39:00.004-06:00

Just some fun things Lydia says that I want to remember.

These are all regular occurring sayings that she says:

BUKE hug! (Group hug)

My all done. Or Look what my doing!

MOPS! ( in reference to me or Chris. I don't know where she got this, I think it might be her lazy way of mixing Mom and Pops together, even though we don't ever really call Chris Pops? So she doesn't have to decipher between the two, she can just say Mops and refer to both of us...)

"Harry had a little lamb..."

How you do this? or How you do that?

Got my wedgies. (Yes, thank you Chris for teaching our daughter about wedgies...)

And these have just been random funny things that she has said:

At the swimming pool for our first summer swim this year, she seriously had the time of her life! Most kids are kind of timid about going under and water in the ears, eyes and face, but not this one!! We could not hold her back. She didn't understand that she didn't know how to swim yet, in her mind she totally could. At one point she discovered that she could hop on one foot in the water and was pretty impressed with herself! "WHOA! Look wha my doing!! Look wha my doing Mom!" and then hopped around on one foot for about five minutes. It was one of the cutest things I have ever seen. Next time we go we will for sure have to get video.

We were going to my soccer game this morning and as we were getting in the car she looked down and saw her sunflowers she planted, "Look at my flowers growing!"

She sat down to read a Princess story and started out, "And it came to pass...."

We were in the store the other day and Lydia was calling me Daddy, so I said, "Daddy!? Is that my name? What's my name Lydia?" Completely expecting her to say mommy, I was surprised when she said, "mmm..Brindy Bennett." Yes, you're right Lydia! Mommy's name is Brindy Bennett.

Lydia's First Bed

2011-05-26T13:52:00.003-06:00

I saw this little bed at Ikea and fell in love with it. So we saved up some money and went back an bought it. And I am still in love with it! It's perfect for her little room, it matches the colors and everything and she looks so adorable in it. It is so neat because it is extendable, so it will grow with her!

Sleep tight little one.

My Most Recent Project

2011-05-26T13:47:00.002-06:00

I finally finished my apron to match Lydia's! Are we not the cutest pair?

Failed Test = Humility and Peace

2011-05-20T16:09:00.005-06:00

About a week ago, I took my first Organic Chemistry test. It was a nightmare! I had studied as best as my time and priorities would allow when I entered the testing center. I got in at about 7:30 p.m. I had never taken any tests in the evening and so I was not completely educated on the whole "WE KICK YOU OUT EVEN IF YOU'RE NOT DONE WITH YOUR TEST" policy. I had just completed the multiple choice part of my test, which accounted for only half of the test, when an overly sweet voice announced that we had 10 minutes to finish our tests! I lost it! haha. There was absolutely NO WAY I was going to finish the second half written answer part of my test when the first part took me an hour and a half! I was going to fail. Our grade in this class is almost solely dependent on our test grades. I raced through as fast as I could, answering the ones that I knew right off and being very vague. I handed in my test so flustered and upset, trying to calm myself by thinking, "Well at least I feel pretty good about the multiple choice part... hopefully that will compensate for the damage done on the written part."

All hopes were gone, however, when I looked at my score on the daunting little screen as I left the testing center and saw a 64%! What!? Then I was just bummed! I hadn't been home ALL day. I had been studying SO HARD. And I had no ride home because the last bus leaves BYU at 9:10 and it was 9:05 and I certainly was in NO MOOD to run to the bus stop clear across campus. I called Chris in tears and begged him to come and pick me up even though I knew he wasn't supposed to leave the house because we were on call for the mortuary. I made my way to the bus stop to find that it hadn't left yet! I had the whole 30 minute ride home to ponder on my failed test...and why the stinkiest people ride the 9:00 bus... (But that's probably a story in and of itself...)?

After fighting tears most of the way home, I got off at my stop. I crossed the street, and as I came up to my home I saw the flower bed neatly weeded, groomed, and filled with beautiful topsoil, our garden watered and growing (Chris always does everything that he can and MORE to make my job at home easier. He's the BEST.). The air suddenly became more fresh and as I looked up into the sky I saw a beautiful bright moon surrounded by glistening stars. My eyes welled up with tears again, but this time because of an overwhelming sense of peace and comfort. As much as I struggle with feeling like I have not met the marks that I have set for myself, I had a sweet confirmation that I am doing the will of the Father and He is there to lead and guide me. I felt so incredibly small as I gazed at the flowers, the trees, the moon and the stars! There certainly is a greater hand that controls the universe! The same hand that guides my life and I knew that as long as I do my best, He will help me with the rest. The world is so huge and it has huge problems! Quickly my little failed test felt like one grain of sand on a mile long beach. Reassured that a loving Heavenly Father was aware of me, I turned and went in to my charming little home where my sweet (and handsome and manly) husband was waiting to welcome me. Life really does go on.

Just some Musing....

2011-05-20T15:01:00.004-06:00

Recently I have had to ask myself if I am really in Utah, I mean, is it REALLY supposed to rain this much in Utah!? I don't think I would survive in Washington or Oregon. I love a good thunderstorm, but this rain has got to go!

Despite the gloomy weather I have been trying my best to carry the sunshine-y weather inside me! For example, yesterday, as I was walking around campus, with sopping wet shoes (which undoubtedly means, dripping wet socks...). I came to a dilemma: A BIG puddle! What was I to do? Take a detour and walk around it? no. Prance through it in an effort to avoid getting my already soaked freezing little toesies more ....more what? They were already soaked! So no, I was doing no prancing! I chuckled to myself as I had this internal reasoning session and stomped the biggest stomp I could muster through the puddle. If I had to go through it, I was going to make it good! As I walked away, I couldn't help but giggle, thinking of how liberated I felt...and how silly I must have looked.

As I rode home on the bus today, in between reading my text book (a.k.a. trying to keep my eyes open in between my head nodding), I peered out the window at the ever so wet landscape. I looked up into those huge gray rain clouds that had overstayed their welcome, and just as I was going to look away, wishing for some spring time sunshine, I spotted a tiny piece of blue sky! YES! There is hope I cheered inside! haha~I never realized how pretty a bright blue sky is until it has been missing for about a week! ...or more, since winter just doesn't want to leave...

Yesterday, I got off the bus at campus, walked inside and bought me a cute red..kind of pinkish-red actually, umbrella. For the rest of the day, every time I walked past a window where I could see my reflection, I twirled my umbrella and smiled.

Being a Mother is a Beautiful Thing

2011-05-14T22:49:00.003-06:00

Mother's Day

May 8, 2011

My Mother's Day was full of this sweet little thing! We got to spend the whole day together after church. One of my favorite things about being a mother is singing to her, with her, and listening to her sing by herself. I was pleased when she took a liking to the song, "You are my Sunshine" because that was one of my favorites when I was a little girl and it has a whole new meaning now when I get to look into her eyes and sing the words. As she learns more and more every day, I become more and more pleased with who she is becoming! She is genuine and she teaches me things that I didn't realize I needed teaching of. My heart swells when I hear her little words come out so perfectly, "I'm trying mommy." or "Please help me." or "I DID it!" or "I love you." or "Come 'ere Mom.", "Play with me", "Dance togetter?", I will never tire of listening to her.

Lydia,

Thank you for making me a mom. I'm so glad that I'm yours.

"You are my sunshine. My only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are gray. You'll never know dear, HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU! Please, don't take my sunshine away."

Baby Lexie

2011-04-30T21:56:00.003-06:00

My brother and his wife have new addition to their family and she is just as precious as can be! We were so glad we were able to attend her baby blessing. We had a lot of fun visiting with every one and getting to know little Lexie Jane.

Amazing Brindy

2011-04-26T04:15:00.003-06:00

Finals are finished! Brindy has now just finished another semester at BYU. She worked so hard through the whole semester learning and memorizing. Her hard work paid off when she found out she earned A's in all of her classes. It has been rough, but she is AMAZING. Cheer her on as she finishes her last year and applies to medical school. She is the most wonderful student, an even better Mommy, and the BEST wife a man could ask for. Brindy I love you and am so proud of the hard work you have shown in your determination to become an even better person than you already are. Thank you for your wonderful example.

April. Avril. Abril. Travnja. APRIL!

2011-04-25T15:25:00.018-06:00

Thanksgiving Point Gardens

The Goilies

Miss Becky Louise

She's so beautiful.

Lydia Magoo

This girl LOVE, loves, loves to dance! I love it too! She steals her own stage!

Love these two to pieces!!

Momma and the girl

Rolling down the hill....

She's was much more keen on bounding...

We like April. It is, I must say, somewhat unpredictable due to crazy weather patterns, but I love few things more than to see the Earth be restored to life! April brings color, fragrance, peace, warmth, Easter, and simple happiness! I just love feasting my eyes on beautiful, perfect tulips, hyacinth, and daffodils; budding leaves, snow capped mountains and cloudy, stormy skies.

It all brings a smile to my face and brings motivation to my soul!

We were so very lucky to get to see my sweet little sister for a few days before she returned up to Idaho to finish her Bachelor's Degree in English. She returned from serving an LDS mission in Salta, Argentina in March and so it was definitely a treat to have her here for a few days after not seeing her for over a year and a half!
We took her to the tulip festival on our way home from the airport and, although most of the tulips had not bloomed quite yet, it was absolutely beautiful! We enjoyed a sunny, peaceful stroll around some beautiful gardens. We all weren't really expecting to come home with sunburns!

Thunderstorm

2011-04-01T22:20:00.002-06:00

I had so much fun introducing Lydia to thunder and lightning...and she had fun introducing it to her princesses...

Discovery Gateway

2011-04-01T21:52:00.003-06:00

We have such a cute little Gal!

I have been begging to go to the Discovery Gateway Museum, and we finally got to go last saturday (the 26th). Chris wasn't feeling very well, which was a bummer, but we had a great time none the less. Chris's brother and his family have year passes that allow for up to 7 people to get in for free! So we were lucky enough to tag along with them and not have to pay the pretty pricey fee to get in!

Thanks Matt and Kelly!

Lydia illustrating herself a story...

She LOVED sitting in the helicopter. Especially by "Cake" (a.k.a. Kate)

Lydia riding the big horse. Little cowgirl? ...not too sure.

She looked much more natural behind the wheel of this little truck!

Yep. She's a natural climber! She was cruising up this wall.

Absolutely ADORED this little vehicle! She threw a major fit when I told her she couldn't take it into the big play house. She played on these little play vehicles for the longest time!

Cherish the Childhood

2011-04-01T21:49:00.003-06:00

I was putting dishes away and when I pulled out this cupboard/drawer to put a cookie sheet away, this is what I found! Silly little girl. She is really enjoying playing hide and seek now with everything! She knows just how to remind me to smile every day.

First 5K for 2011

2011-04-01T21:40:00.002-06:00

Chris and I ran the Rex Lee Run at BYU a couple of weeks ago. We had been doing our best to practice, but both of us didn't run it as well as we were hoping to. I guess that just means we'll have to do more and do better each time!

We ran this one in honor of all those who fight or have fought cancer, but especially my Aunt Sherry, who is fighting Breast Cancer. We love you Sherry!

Chris Time: 33:43 (77th in age group, 738th Overall)

Brindy Time: 28:24 (41st in age group, 340th Overall)

There were 1356 Runners total.

Wedding

2011-04-01T21:34:00.003-06:00

We were lucky to be able to attend the wedding of Britney Bennett to Trevor Morrison (I think that was his last name...)

Any way. It was wonderful!! I loved every second of it. The sealer was amazing and made it special, not only for the bride and groom, but for each couple present in the room with them. It was a beautiful experience to get to share that special moment and day with Britney and Trevor. They make a very cute couple and I wish them the best!

I didn't get any pictures of the Bride and Groom..go figure...but I snapped a few of our family at the temple.

2011-03-18T13:08:00.002-06:00

Smile, though your heart is aching.

Smile, even though it's breaking.

When there are clouds in the sky,

you'll get by...

if you smile through your pain and sorrow.

Smile, and maybe tomorrow you'll see the sun

come shining through for you.

Light up your face with gladness.

Hide every trace of sadness.

Although a tear may be ever so near,

that's the time you must keep on trying.

Smile. What's the use of crying?

You'll find that life is still worth while

if you just smile.

That's the time you must keep on trying.

Smile. What's the use of crying?

You'll find that life is still worth while

if you just smile.

Smile, though your heart is aching.

Smile, even though it's breaking.

When there are clouds in the sky

you'll get by...

that's the time you must keep on trying.

Smile, what's the use of crying?

You'll find that life is still worth while,

if you just smile.

You'll find that life is still worth while

if you just smile.

2011-03-17T10:42:00.003-06:00

Tell me your secrets

and ask me your questions

Oh, let's go back to the start.

Runnin in circles

comin up tails

heads on a science apart.

Nobody said it was easy

It's such a shame for us to part

Nobody said it was easy.

No one ever said it would be this hard.

Oh take me back to the start.

I was just guessing

at numbers and figures

pulling your puzzles apart.

Questions of science

science, and progress

do not speak as loud as my heart.

Tell me you love me

come back and haunt me

I want to rush to the start.

Runnin in circles

chasin our tails

coming back as we are.

Nobody said it was easy

oh it's such a shame for us to part.

Nobody said it was easy

No one ever said it would be so hard.

I'm going back to the start.

2011-03-15T09:53:00.002-06:00

When you try your best, but you don't succeed.

When you get what you want, but not what you need.

When you feel so tired, but you can't sleep.

Stuck in reverse.

And the tears come streaming down your face,

when you lose something you can't replace.

When you love someone, but it goes to waste.

Could it be worse?

Lights will guide you home,

and ignite your bones,

and I will try to fix you.

High up above or down below.

When you're too in love to let it go.

But if you never try you'll never know

just what your worth.

Lights will guide you home.

Just Wanna Go Home

2011-02-21T08:21:00.002-07:00

The winter days that drag on toward the end of February seem to enhance feelings of depression and a desire for happiness. The middle of a semester always seems to encourage feelings of anxiety and being overwhelmed. Disagreements with people always leave me feeling awful, hated, and alone. I don't know whether it is the winter, school or people being wroth with me, but I am just not feeling myself and I cannot seem to dig my way out of it. I know that I shouldn't let such things get to me, but I am not a very disagreeable person, in fact I hate disagreements so when someone finds reason to argue with me, it really hurts me terribly. I find it difficult to express myself when someone else is so intolerable and unreasonable. When everything I try to do or say is flipped and turned inside out to be interpreted as hurtful or rude, it is incredibly frustrating to even try any more. I don't even know the real reason why such arguments start, I don't even really see them as arguments really, just immaturity and miscommunication. I wonder if any one else struggles with these same feelings. Do arguments ever start out of the blue for any one else? I'm beginning to feel as though everyone secretly despises me and is just waiting for the chance to stab at me. I just want to leave this place forever. Never look back and never have to dance on eggshells when I'm in the midst of family of all people! I just have a hard time understanding why others' families would want to find fault with each other and search for issues to fight over and cause havoc and trouble. My family has never had any problems with this whatsoever. Is it common? Am I just naive in thinking that a family should be built around unconditional love and support for each other? Please just take me home! I long for the feeling of a mother's love and a father's pride, and not have to accommodate for miles in between. I wish for my sisters' talks and silly things to cheer me up when something goes wrong. I yearn for the support that comes with a loving family; for uplifting conversations and spiritual discussions. I want to feel a part of that bond and the strength and power that comes from it; the security and comfort that can only come from dear relationships. Please, show me the way home, and I will make every effort to make it there as quickly as possible!

Two Year Photos

2011-02-18T22:16:00.010-07:00

Things I love about Lydia at two:

~It melts my heart to listen to her sing! Especially I Am a Child of God, Teach Me to Walk in the Light, Twinkle Twinkle Littler Star, Puff the Magic Dragon, Awake are some of my favorites.

~I love that I only have to buy you diapers to sleep in! And I love your cute little bum in panties.

~I love hearing you learn how to count....even when it's backwards! Although you can count backward from 9-0, when you're going to throw something, it usually goes something like this: "2. 1. 0. 9. 8!" Throw! ..and sometimes you tack on 7.

~The way you say, "Thank you" is precious.

~When we're trying to say bed time prayers and for some reason you like stall us by trying to name everything in sight. "Couch.....and.....bear....and...'nother couch.....and....bed...and stroller....and....toys...and...." on and on.

~you Love RICE! which is funny because I remember reading in my baby book that I loved rice!

~You still ask for milk every morning.

~It amazes me how much you learn so quickly! You know all of your colors and most numbers 1-10 and even some letters (you can say your ABCs, but associate only a few letters).

~I love when I brush your teeth every night and you say, "What's IN there!?" referring to her teeth. (If any one has trouble getting your kids to let you brush their teeth, try this trick: Pretend to actually see the food that they have eaten throughout the day and brush it out so that the teeth are all clean. It has worked Wonderfully for Lydia!)

~I love that you bring your stories and toys to life. (picking the berries that are on the bush in the picture of a story, holding hands with your princesses and complimenting them on their cute dresses, dancing with your baby and giving her rides on bike, train, and stroller, and reading to her)

~You love "hiding". It's cute to see you try so hard to be unseen.

~It was so cute the other day, you were playing in the kitchen while I was making dinner, and I realized that you were saying to your princesses: "What does....a lion say? ....ROAR.....What does.....a chicken say?.....Bawk Bawk Bawk (flapping your arms even)..." and so on. It was so cute, it made me laugh.

~I have had a cold sore on my lip for the past couple of days and it was so cute when you first noticed it, you asked me if I wanted a bandaid on my mouth.

~I don't know where you learned it, but sometimes when you are writing with a pen and paper, you'll say, "Brindy Bennett" as you attempt to write my name...You'll also say, "Write-a-name." So we'll help you write your name.

~I love, love your many facial expressions!

~It's so fun to hear you say new things constantly! Some of my favorites are:

"Brindy Bennett"

"What ya doin?"

"Makin Dinner."

"Thank you" "Your Welcome"

"Ga Morning"

"Lips" (referring to chapstick)

"Peek-a-Doo"

"OH Yummy!"

"Hands-a dirty!"

"Slippy!" (slippery)

"Bidges" (London Bridges Falling Down)

"A drink-a water."

"hmmm lets see."

"Cute! I love it!"

~I love it when you have to go potty and as we leave for the bathroom you yell good-bye to everything in sight! ("Good-bye Daddy! Good-Bye plate! Good-bye water! Good-Bye Cinderella!")

...IN OTHER WORDS, WE LOVE JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU!!

Gotta love the intrigue of the nose holes! Her cold which includes a constant stuffy or runny nose has heightened her interest in said holes....

The sunday before her birthday was a beautiful day! We went out for a walk together as a family and it was so much fun! Oh how I long for the day that Chris will have sundays and evenings off so we can do these things more often!

It was so much easier trying to take pictures of Lydia with Chris there to help me too! I think I got several great ones! She was so fun and being so good! I took her out the next day, her birthday, for just a few more with the balloon and was so bummed that the there was a wind in the air so the balloons would NOT fly straight. Oh well. The pictures will serve their purpose, will definitely help me to remember her cute little personality at this stage of her life!

Two Year Old on the Loose!

2011-02-18T20:49:00.008-07:00

I have officially accomplished raising a two year old! Wow! What an exciting ride it has been. I never thought my heart could feel so much love. This little girl is the light of my life and I could not be happier with the person that she is becoming. I am so pleased with her and proud to call her my daughter. (I may sound a bit over the top here, but I AM her mom....so I think I'm entitled to a little boasting of my girl.)

We prepared her for her birthday by talking about it a week or two in advance. We got a few more gifts for her with her with us. We kept telling her that she could play with them when it was her birthday! She could not wait! It was cute. She knew she'd get cake and she knew she'd get presents. It was lots of fun. The only downfall was that she was quite sick the whole week leading up to and including her birthday. The poor thing could not breathe! She was so congested I felt so bad for her. We did know if we should try and have a party or not because she was so sick and everything. I finally just invited my good friend Bobi Sue and her little girl, Taylee, to just come over for a craft and some cake and ice cream. It turned out to be perfect. It was low stress and Lydia loves Taylee (although I can't wait for the day that Lydia will realize that she will get her toys back as soon as her friends go back home! She doesn't really have a problem sharing when it is at someone else's house, but at our house, it's a whole different story!).

On the way to Tucanos. I just thought she looked so cute.

Lydia and Taylee: They played so well together after a little bit of warming up.

Tucanos gave us each a rose for Valentine's Day.

We then went out for dinner at Tucanos (yep still SO good) with Chet and Bobi Sue and their little family. The waiters came out and sang to Lydia and gave her a free ice cream. It was cute to watch her reaction.

Lydia admiring the drummers and singers that came for her!

That night we decided we should invite family for some cake and ice cream on Sunday even if Lydia was a little sick. With it being so last minute, not very many could come, which we kind of expected, and that was fine. We were happy to celebrate with Justin and Jenny and their kids and Kayla! We even got to skype my mom and dad...and Aunt Launa and Uncle Richard because they're visiting my parents. So it was almost as if they were there with us.

She looked adorable for church on sunday in her new fancy dress! I love it. She looks so grown up! I could hardly get her to sit still for a picture.

Funny Story: We wrapped all of Lydia's presents on Sunday because we were planning on giving them to her that night. She had seen one of them before we wrapped it because she went with Chris to the store to buy it. It was a set of princess figures, and she was excited to say the least for them! After church we came home, laid Lydia down for a nap and snuggled up for a nice sunday afternoon nap ourselves. We woke up to the sound of paper ripping! We realized we had left her presents out, rushed into the front room and this is what we found! She had dug through the pile of presents and managed, somehow, to find the princesses!! What a little stinker!

Chris and I had fun making her birthday cake. We decided to do a butterfly. I think it turned out great! We had a little adventure with the food die, and frosting..not exactly what I had pictured in my head, but I think the final product was good any how!

She LOVED the balloons I got her! She helped me pick them out. I think our craft turned out pretty cute too! We put together picture frames with magnetic letters that spell out the girls' names. I thought it would be a cute decoration/toy/teach them to spell their names. Lydia has already had so much fun with hers. I love it!

Her beautiful butterfly cake! Chris and I make a pretty good team. My creativity and his precision and ingenuity creates: butterfly cake.

They were havin a blast! ....Chris? Are you okay under there?

I learned that Lydia does not really like cake. She's an ice cream girl.

Lydia loved opening her presents. This little Butterfly book is Lydia's new favorite. The dishes and kitchen set has been fabulous! I just love the third picture in because my face is so hilarious! hahah! It makes me laugh! No idea what I was doing!

Her gifts have been a hit! She plays and play and plays all day with them if you let her! It gives Mom and Dad so much freedom during the day! She's "makin dinner" at all times of the day.

Lydia I just love you so much! I love seeing your face light up every day and it brightens my world! I love your tender little heart and I look forward to year number 3! Happy birthday. I hope that you had a fun day and that you know how much we love you!

Happy Valentine's Day!

2011-02-15T10:46:00.002-07:00

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

1 John 4:18

Love is a beautiful thing! I'm grateful for a day to celebrate Love for one Another!

Happy Valentine's Day.

Some Videos

2011-01-23T22:43:00.004-07:00

Lydia loves talking on the phone now. It's fun because she will actually have some what of a conversation with you now! This is her talkin to her Daddy.

This one is for Justin. haha! I will not forget the first time that he showed me this exercise that his drama teacher made them do: PUMPKIN (mouth wide and eyes wide), raisin (scrunch up entire face.) haha so funny!

Not sure if this is entirely appropriate, but it was just so cute, I couldn't resist. She LOVES singing for me and talking to me while she is on the potty. I think she likes the way her voice sounds in the bathroom. This was actually Christmas Eve.

She is getting so good at singing songs. It amazes me a lot of the time some of the lyrics that she can figure out! This one is definitely one of her favorites. And the princesses are her new best friends! It was a great purchase on Mom and Dad's behalf; she plays with them ALL DAY LONG!

That silly rice! I don't know what she thought was so incredibly funny about this, but she was just tickled! She laughed like this for at least ten minutes before I finally decided to go and get the camera. Oh the joys of being little. The simplest things are hilarious!

She is a performer!

In case you can't tell, she is saying, "Hey! I love you." (a phrase I often say to her.) to each of her princesses and then giving them a kiss. I walked in the room and saw this and thought it was pretty precious. This was the very first day that she had them! haha Christmas Day.

This was when we went to the Riverwoods to see Santa Claus. It was wet, rainy and cold, but it didn't seem to bother Lydia. She was so cute!

Lydia Loves Pockets

2011-01-23T15:48:00.004-07:00

I love this picture of her.

Lydia has recently developed this new obsession with pockets! If I ever have trouble getting her to wear things (which used to be a huge ordeal! She hated wearing clothes...she's now beginning to love her clothes...) all I have to do is show her the pockets and it's almost an instant fix!

The Guster Concert

2011-01-16T22:47:00.008-07:00

The last part of Chris's birthday was the Guster concert. We had a great time! We were lucky to have Justin and Jenny come up and watch Lydia for us so that we could go up to Salt Lake for the concert.

Waiting in line....didn't expect to be frisked going in....haha

Just waiting for the concert to start...it's getting crowded in here!

This is who I, comically and naively, thought was Guster! It was a laugh really! The whole time this band, called Good 'ol War, was playing, I was thinking in my head what a lame concert this was! They weren't playing any songs that people knew! Nobody was singing along, they were all right, but they weren't at all what I was expecting or wanting! Chris just started laughing at me when, after asking me if I knew the name of this group I said, "I just figured this was Guster..." haha! Some times I crack myself up!!

...and it's still getting crowded in here! :) P.S. PLEASE EXCUSE MY HAIR IN ALL OF THESE PICTURES! I TRIED A NEW PART AND APPARENTLY IT DIDN'T WORK FOR ME AT ALL....

This was Guster and they were GREAT!!!

We seriously had so much fun! This was during one of our favorite songs: This Could All Be Yours

Just another picture of the group. They left the stage after this song. Then came back and performed a Red Hot Chili Pepper song that was pretty funny. The drummer sang it and so it was pretty silly. Then they left the stage.

The crowd cheered for "one more song", but they didn't come back. Everyone started leaving and then all of a sudden they did come back! Since people had already left we got pushed right up to the stage when everyone realized that they had come back. So we were right up close for this last song. It was a fun up, close and personal song. It was a great concert and we left with our voices hoarse and our ears muffled.

Not the best quality video, actually it's kind of awful, but it shall suffice.

Lydia's First Haircut! 01/03/11

2011-01-16T21:44:00.005-07:00

I did it. I finally gave Lydia a haircut! It was so scary, but I love it! Her hair was so long, but it was just thin, randomly lengthened, baby hair. It is now so much thicker and all one length. She looks like such toddler now and not my little baby!

Christopher My Christopher.

2011-01-16T20:46:00.005-07:00

It's 27!!!

It was Chris's birthday this month and we have been celebrating kind of in pieces throughout the month. I kind of want to celebrate his half birthday instead just since I am so scatter brained in January.

I had planned to find a really great place to go tubing for his birthday, however, Lydia graciously gifted us with a night of throw up and NO SLEEP. We decided to try and make a party out of it by blowing up the air mattress and having a family "slumber party" out in the living room. It was memorable, but not exactly the kind of party that I had in mind for Chris's birthday. I gave Chris his present as soon as I woke up. I made him an apron (try #2...) and got him the Bourne trilogy and tickets to go see Guster (one of Chris's favorite bands). We got started late, it was a very cold day, needless to say, we decided not to go sledding. So we went bowling instead. Lydia showed no sign of feeling ill and so we decided that it would be ok. It was a lot of fun. It seems like we often go bowling for Chris's birthday. I figured it's because, one: we don't get to go any other time, and two: it's always so cold on his birthday that that just seems like a fun thing to do!

Daddy helpin his girl bowl for the first time.

We decided to change it up for the second game and play starburst bowling.

RED=opponent's choice

YELLOW=Lydia gets to help

PINK=eyes closed

ORANGE=left handed

Love that view! YES!

I just thought this was a funny picture of Lydia!

We then tried out a new restaurant, Ruby River, with some gift cards we got from the Mortuary for Christmas. It was really good, except Lydia was just a handful the entire time! Our nerves were had by the time the night was through.

The next day was a bit sunnier and so we went tubing then. It was the best planning we could do with school stating that week, but it happened to fall right at Lydia's nap time so she was not exactly thrilled the whole time. So we went down a couple of times and called it good. I think we all did have some fun however. Lydia went down a few times reluctantly, she did cheer at the bottom each time (although it was more likely to have been a pity cheer just to make Mom and Dad happy...)

Love this picture. We're off for fun in snow!

I do want to write just little something about the sweet man that I am privileged to have as my husband. I often ponder at the miracle that it still is to me that we fell in love so quickly and have had such a growing love for each other ever since! (That isn't to say that we haven't had disagreements, because we have, but we grow though them.) This man has taught me so much and I just want him to know how truly grateful I am to have him as a part of my life. He supports me in all that I do (except when I insist we do the dishes before we go to bed...) I love him and I hope that this year brings him confidence to follow what he believes to be right for him.

hey. you're the man!

Ring in 2011

2011-01-16T19:08:00.005-07:00

It looks as though she is in agony, but really one of her favorite things to do is give kisses!

We have so much fun celebrating the New Year with my Dad's sisters usually every year. We just talk and laugh and play games until midnight. When midnight rolls in, we just make noise and cheers and laugh at each other because we each look so goofy just playing and being silly like we were kids again. This year Lydia woke up just before midnight so we saw no reason to put her back to bed just to have her be awakened again to all the noise we were about to make so she got to join in on the festivities. She was not too thrilled at first, but as soon as she realized that Mommy was smiling and cheering rather than screaming and yelling, she caught on and thought it was pretty fun. The rest of the night, however, was quite rough with her to say the least. We went to Aunt Karen's house to stay the night and she was just a rotten little stinker just about the whole night! I was so close to letting her take a breather outside!

We had a fun morning just relaxing and watching movies with Aunt Karen and then took Chris to work and spent the rest of the evening at home.

We are looking forward to what this new year may bring for our family! We will still find ourselves in school at the end of this year as well, but we will be closer to who we want to become and I have made it a goal of mine to be more optimistic and hopeful. It is going to be a great year! Becky will be returning home. Nicolette is going to be having a baby. Jenny is going to be having a baby. Lydia will be done with her "terrible" two's by the end of the year...hopefully :) This fact may make for a challenging year in and of itself, but the joys of her smile are irresistible.

Welcom 2011. May you be calm and happy.

There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays

2010-12-28T22:12:00.003-07:00

Enjoying our Christmas Holiday together as a family!

We love our Lydia. She loves us. And I believe we all love Christmas!

Winter Wonderland?

2010-12-28T22:01:00.004-07:00

The headstones in our backyard....pretty much covered.

Check out Lydia's seat on my bike! That's how much snow fell!

This is how the boys spent a few mornings last week! We woke up on Tuesday, I think it was, to this! Snow up past our knees! Welcome Christmas.

trudge. jump. sink.

Santa Claus Came to Town

2010-12-28T21:45:00.004-07:00

Jolly 'Ol Saint Nicholas, lean your ear this way....

Lydia and Santa Claus 2010

I was bummed that Santa's chair had to be moved from it's cute little home outside into a boring little room inside to avoid the rain outside, but it was still fun. Lydia didn't react quite the way I thought she would. She was much more hesitant than I was expecting. She was still very good and I hope that we meet Santa again next year, but I hope he will be a happier jollier man!

Lydia Loves these little fires that are found throughout the shops at the Riverwoods. Mommy liked them too. It was a chilly, wet night.

(Just clapping for the singers. She is so cute!)

She loved the Carolers! She didn't care that it was raining. It didn't bother her! She was dancing in the rain. She is such a fun loving little girl!

She is terrified of Nutcrackers! She stopped right there, turned around and said, "Help! Help! Mommy scary....." after I asked her if it was the Nutcrackers, she said, "Ya. Cracker-nut. cracker-nut."

This is where Santa was supposed to be.

We had ourselves a Merry Little Christmas

2010-12-28T20:49:00.006-07:00

Shortly after Santa stopped in. Chris was unable to finish Lydia's kitchen in time for Christmas morning. (He's been building her a little kitchen) We had bought this tricycle on sale and were saving it for her birthday in February, but decided to go ahead and switch the gifts to give Chris a chance to finish the kitchen.

Christmas morning. Lydia enjoyed opening her presents from Grandma and Grandpa Stoker.

She loved(s) all of her gifts!

Opening presents with Daddy. She was so funny. Chris would hand her a present and she would automatically back her little hind end up and plop herself onto Mommy's lap! Every time. It was funny.

This has got to be one of Lydia's FAVORITE things! She does not go probably an hour without reading these little books!

It was actually very nice to have Christmas at our own home just us (for part of it) this year. Chris had to work on Christmas day, but he had Christmas Eve off. We started our Christmas Eve cleaning the church. I will admit that I was somewhat of a sour face that we were asked to clean the building on Christmas Eve. Chris had only Christmas Eve with us, and we had to be home at 3:00 p.m. to take over phones for the Mortuary. So if we wanted to anything on Christmas Eve it would have had to have been between around 11:00 and 2:30...not much time. But it turned out to be just fine. We just had to go pick up a few stocking stuffers and things and then just came back home and enjoyed the evening together. We invited Kayla and her boyfriend to have dinner with us and spend the evening with our family (both of them had to work Christmas as well, so they couldn't really go all the way home). It was fun, but as always...not the same as it is when you're with your own family. One of Kayla's friends came as well and she had a very different idea of what Christmas Eve should be like. I don't know what it is about Christmas, but things seem to nudge their way closer into your heart around that time of year and when things did not go as I had hoped that night, I was so sad inside. It certainly made me homesick and each tear reminded me how far I really was from my childhood and Christmas together with my family. Chris and I stayed up playing Santa. We were so excited! Chris had been working on making Lydia a little kitchen for Christmas, but was unable to finish it in time for the big day, but luckily we had red tricycle that we had bought for her birthday in February so we decided we would just swap them out. Chris put the tricycle together while I finished sewing some aprons (one for Chris and one for Lydia and one for her little friend across the street...the girls' were supposed to be to compliment their new little kitchens). We finally got everything put together and went to bed. Christmas morning was a fun. Lydia liked opening presents and she would come and park her little hiney on my lap before opening each gift. It was pretty funny the way she did it too, almost like a tractor beeping as it reversed into position.

Chris gave me a card table with four folding chairs! I had been wanting one of those for a long time. He also gave me an itunes gift card, make up, hair supplies, hooks for our doors! (been wanting those forever too!), Harry Potter 6-disc DVD set, and some books: Return by Robert D. Hales, and The Incredible Soul of a Woman by Deiter F. Uchtdorf. He also got me some scripture markers, sketch pad, and colored pencils. It was wonderful! Lydia got her tricycle, some Princess figurines, a great princess picture (drawn by Daddy), some necklaces, coloring set, ball, books, clothes, and a doll with a wagon. I gave Chris an apron and some cooking utensils he's been craving :), a jigsaw and sander, Iron Man (which we turned into the Bourne Trilogy in combo for his birthday...), and a Guster CD.

Christmas evening. We enjoyed most of the day just us two. We played with all of her new toys and read all of her new books and danced to her new music. Mommy got more of a workout than Lydia did riding her bike around, that's for sure. Momma's gotta do all the pushing for now. We had a fun day together!

This was Christmas Day playing with her new little friends. If you can't tell, she is telling each of them that she loves them and gives them a kiss. So cute.

Chris's parents and sisters came over Christmas evening and we partied into the late hours of the night. We danced like Michael Jackson, played games, talked, laughed, ate yummy snacks, and had a fun night.

Lydia's cute little rag curls.

She looked so beautiful in her new dress from Grandma and Grandpa. She LOVES it. She called it her princess dress. As soon as she saw it she ran over and pointed to the picture of Belle and said it was like Belle's dress. The first thing she did when she got home from church was climb up on her new bike. It's too bad her legs are just a tad short. She will grow into soon hopefully.

We ended up purchasing our family a Wii for our Christmas present as well. We combined monetary gifts from three different sources and decided this would be a fun family purchase. We have had a blast with it so far. We have a dancing game, a few karaoke games, and the Wii Resort and Sports games.

I hope that Christmas is bright in the heart of every soul!

2010-12-26T23:05:00.002-07:00

I just couldn't help but snatch a picture of this. This is a silly little decoration I found at a yard sale and every little child that comes to my house insists on playing with it (which is just fine with me since I spent maybe a dollar or something on it...and it seems to be pretty durable..) Lydia walks around straddling it all the time saying that she's riding a bike. I though it was so funny when I turned around and saw her taking her baby for a ride with her. She was pretty proud of herself as well! She just kept giggling at her own accomplishment! So cute.

Temple Square

2010-12-26T22:25:00.006-07:00

Just some more fun pictures from our night at Temple Square.

Our cute little fam! We have so much fun together!

My beautiful little sister in law and her lover.

She got inside and heard the concert going on and took off dancing! That's Lydia!

This was transformed into our Christmas picture sent out with our cards...

Just beautiful! Love Christmas time...when it looks like this!

I just thought this picture turned out beautifully! I love this scene.

And this one too...

Yes we were happy. We had bit of hot chocolate and....

...she turned into a hyper active hugger! She would not stop giving me loves! Can't say that I didn't enjoy it!

She was being so silly!!

Momma and the Girl.

Momma and her boy!

We were lucky to get an amazing parking spot. Got there just in time for the last concert of the night and to see the Christus and then left just in time before they turned the lights off! It was perfect! Great experience...it doesn't always work out that way and so we are so grateful!

Christmas Miracle

2010-12-10T21:54:00.009-07:00

The magic of Christmas was brought back into my life last night. We made the trek up to Temple Square in Salt Lake City. I have been there many times before including at Christmas time. It is a beautiful place that holds a special spirit without a doubt. But I don't remember, in previous years, feeling as I did last night. With the fall semester coming to a close, the New Testament class that I have been attending took this last week or so to discuss the Savior's last week of His mortal ministry. As I studied and pondered and prayed, not only to attempt a good grade in the class, but for my own personal understanding, the events that took place have really come to life for me.

When we arrived at Temple Square, the first place we entered was the Visitor's Center with the Statue of Christ in it. I wanted to take Lydia up to see Him. As the line slowly moved up the ramp, I reflected on what it might have been like to literally be waiting in line to see our Savior face to face and to present Lydia for Him to bless personally. I was touched by Lydia's own reverence. The moment that the statue appeared Lydia gasped! "Jesus!" she exclaimed! I could hardly hold her in my arms, her excitement was so apparent. My heart was full as I saw the genuine love that she has already instilled within her for the Savior. She kept telling me, "I want to see!" "I want to look!" There were so many people in there that it was hard for me to tell her she had to wait her turn. I set her down and without a hesitation she raced to see Him closer. What a real experience this was for her and also for me. To see her love for Jesus helped me to remember that she knows Him! And that I know Him and we all do. We have a piece of Him with us already. As I watched her beg to get closer to Him my heart longed to be closer to Him as well. As we were leaving she waved to Him, "Bye Jesus. Bye. Bye Jesus." With tears in my eyes, I whispered to her in hopes that some day she will understand, "Sweetheart, we never have to say good-bye to Jesus." He will never abandon us or leave us alone.

We left the Visitor's Center just in time to witness the narration of the beautiful Nativity scene out on the lawn. Again my heart was so tender this evening. As the images of Mary and Joseph were lit up and I explained to Lydia who they were and who was in their arms as a baby, my emotions were overrun and all I could think of was how incredibly amazing the whole plan of our Father is. Jesus Christ, our Lord, Savior and Master came into this world just as I did and just as Lydia and every one; as a tiny baby. I looked on that scene and thought of that baby's future; the life that He would lead and the things that He would endure for me. I was filled with gratitude, admiration, and humility as I pondered the beauty of the cause for the celebration this time of year.

The magic again entered my life. The magic that so often is lost as we grow up. As I watched Lydia's eyes light up as I pointed out each of the characters in the Nativity Story. (She especially loves the sheep.) I think I'm beginning to understand (and I probably will continue to for the rest of my life, because that seems to be the way it goes...) why being a mother and father is such an important part of our existence here. Not only being a mother or father I guess, but the importance of children.

Who's Excited for School to be out?

2010-12-10T21:40:00.005-07:00

I am!!

Bring on Christmas Break!! We are ready for it in this house. Then I hope I will be ready to get back to the grind in January! This will be over some day...I hope.....

A Day of Thanks

2010-11-25T23:21:00.002-07:00

To my Christopher:

I thank you for your patience with my ever changing mind and my constant absent mindedness.

I thank you for your hard work in school to secure our future.

I thank you for your hard work at your job to secure us presently.

I thank you for the Priesthood which you hold worthily, respectfully, and honorably.

I thank you for your forgiveness of my mistakes.

I thank you for your strong chest that I love to lay my head on.

I thank you for your prayers on my behalf.

I thank you for making me yummy food--since we all know I'm not the best at cooking....

I thank you for your strong arms that embrace me when I need it.

Thank you, Thank you for holding my hand on the way home from that dance in 2006!

I thank you for bringing me flowers often.

I thank you for making me laugh.

To my Little Lydia:

I thank you for teaching me patience.

I thank you for letting me run around the house with you.

I thank you for loving me, even when I make mistakes.

I thank you for being such an affectionate and compassionate little friend to others.

I thank you for singing Follow the Prophet, Eencie Weencie Spider, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, I'm a Little Teapot, I am a Child of God, Popcorn Popping, Head Shoulders Knees and Toes....and many more. I love hearing you sing.

Thank you for dancing when life gets tough.

I thank you for jumping back up and brushing it off when you get knocked down.

I thank you for eating toast with me every morning.

Thank you for learning to go potty on the toilet!

Thank you for your high fives, busts, and thumb ups!

I thank you for your hugs and kisses.

I thank you for saying good morning to me every morning.

I thank you for understanding when Mommy has to go to school.

Thank you for letting me read stories to you and enjoying them as much as I do.

Thank you for being such a sweet, fun little girl who everyone loves to be around.

To my Parents:

Thank you for teaching me how to choose the right.

Thank you for letting me learn from my own mistakes.

Thank you for teaching me to pray.

I thank you for coming to watch me play soccer and volleyball and lacrosse and softball.

Thank you for coming to my choir concerts.

Thank you for cheering for me.

I thank you for letting me find my own testimony.

Thank you for giving me love, shelter and food.

Thank you for leading me, guiding me and walking beside me to help me find the way...

I thank you for holding Family Home Evening.

Thank you for your blessings.

I thank you for camping trips and magical Christmas's.

Thank you for piggy back rides, horsey rides, tricks, No Bear's Are Out Tonight and "Tickle"tacs.

Thank you for encouraging me to follow my dreams and to be all that I can be.

To my Sisters:

Thank you for your notes of love and encouragement.

Thank you for late night talks.

Thank you for late night goofiness.

I thank you for teaching me that having curves isn't bad.

Thank you for teaching me to karate kick....or be karate kicked!

Thank you for teaching me that real dance moves aren't taught in a studio...

I thank you for cookie dough and pineapple parties.

Thank you for singing with me...and letting me sing with you.

I thank you for sharing your testimonies with me.

Thank you for gifts of love and kindness.

Thank you for coming to watch me play soccer, lacrosse, volleyball, and volleyball.

Thank you for making up silly games, rhymes, and traditions.

Thank you for getting me in trouble.

Thank you for sticking up for me and never betraying me.

I thank you for teaching me how to curl my hair, put on make up, and not dress like a tomboy.

I thank you for being my friends. I love you!

To my Brother:

Thank you for sticking up for me.

Thank you for supporting me.

I thank you for sharing projects that you had made with me.

Thank you for letting me play with your toys.

Thank you for helping us girls to feel so special.

Thank you for giving us a good example to look for in husbands.

Thank you for serving a mission.

I thank you for fixing my cars and teaching Chris how to.

Thank you for working hard all of your life.

Thank you for writing to me on your mission.

I thank you for being so willing to help others.

Thank you for letting me beat you in Racquetball...Just kidding!...I never ever beat you in racquetball!

Thank you for sharing your testimony and strength with me.

To my Father:

Thank thee for my Family.

I thank thee for education.

Thank thee for a beautiful, safe home.

I thank thee for health.

I thank thee for the scriptures.

I thank thee for nature scenes that take my breath away.

Thank thee for children.

Thank thee for flowers, music, art, and history.

I thank thee for forgiveness and mercy.

Thank thee for abilities and potential.

I thank thee for love.

I thank thee for prophets.

Thank thee for carrying my sorrows.

Happy Thanksgiving. May it be a Day of Thanks for everyone.

Happy Halloween

2010-10-31T16:44:00.009-06:00

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

2010

LYDIA:WITCH, BRINDY:WITCH, CHRIS:NA

We have had a fun Halloween this year. Lydia was much more into it and LOVED trick-or-treating! She would say 'trick or trick' so I don't know how exactly she got all the treats that she did!

We both missed Chris very much and continue to look forward to the day when we will get to be with him in the evenings and weekends.

We had such a fun time doing a little at home, make shift, photo shoot!

Carvin our Pumpkins. Lydia was happy to help us clean the pumpkins with a rag, but she wanted nothing to do with getting her hands dirty!

Our Finished products.

We got to carve our pumpkins with Chris on Saturday morning! It was very different carving pumpkins first thing in the morning! It felt a little strange since we are so accustomed to doing it in the evenings when it's dark. But here are our pumpkins. I carved the graveyard, Chris did the Witch and the Cinderella one for Lydia. She loved picking a pumpkin out at the store and her final product Princess pumpkin, but she did not enjoy scooping out the insides!

Lydia helped me make cupcakes for the cake walk at the Trunk-Or-Treat....

...well sorta.... Good thing I had a separate, clean, Mommy only pan.

She's such a happy girl...she doesn't make a very good witch, but she sure does make a cute one! I think she really liked her costume. Even my homemade hat that would not stay on her head! She would get so disappointed when it would fall off. She says "shoot" now and it is pretty cute. I don't know if I should think that, but it really is cute if you heard it. She was so cute with her hat and her broom too. She still sings, "Mean Ol Wih. HAT..." I don't know how else to type that to adequately record how she sings that song. It's so cute.

The Spanish Fork 1st Ward Trunk-Or-Treat. Lydia had a ball this year and it made it fun for me. She didn't really get into all the little carnival type games that they had for the kids (she's still quite young for those), but she LOVED the freedom of running around in the gym with all of the other little kids in funny costumes! She and Holly (Snow White) stuck together the whole night. They were so cute. Lydia and Holly ( a little girl in our ward, Chris actually works with Holly's grandpa) have made quite a friendship. They play so well together in nursery, I think they help each other be brave.

(The picture in the middle, right above is Lydia participating in her first cake walk....before long she had had enough of walking around in a circle while some perfectly good dancing music was playing. She broke free and busted her moves in the center. She's my little dancer and I love it!

We came home and did a little trick-or-treating just to our neighbors. Did our fun little photo shoot and changed out of our costumes. We had a fun time.

We got to go to Tyler's birthday party at Pirate Island Pizza on Friday night. I was the only adult that dressed up Thank you very much! Lydia had a great time there. She was SO excited when I told her that we were going to have pizza. And then got even MORE excited when I told her we were going to see Tyler and Zoey! She just loves them! We had a great time there playing on the little playground and in the arcade. Lydia could not get over the little carousel there. It consisted of a Lion, Zebra, and Elephant. She loved it! I forgot my camera for this event so we have no pictures, but memories will suffice.

Growin So Big

2010-10-25T14:05:00.002-06:00

I just wanted to post some of these cute pictures that we've got of our girl. She is such a disaster and joy at the same time!!! We love you to pieces Lydia!

give her her "Bookies" and "Lamb"...and she's happy!

Loves trying on our shoes all the time now. I think it's hilarious to watch her try and walk around in them.

Getting in to Mom and Dad's bathroom drawers is a constant fight these days. She has this obsession with Chris's deodorant. This is when I caught her in my foundation...yummy!

Talkin on the "phone" which is my calculator.

Loves helping me cook now. It's so fun. She is a very good little helper. She is so funny, when she asks for help it's always, "Help you?" I think she must say that because before when she'd ask for help I must have always repeated her by saying, "help you?" and so now she just says "Help you?"

Go Cougars

2010-10-25T00:06:00.004-06:00

Saturday morning, we went to pick Lydia up from Justin and Jenny's and head to the BYU Homecoming Football game. It was also a great time! We sure missed our little monkey! I think she had a good time with her cousins though.

Lydia was so cute with her little hand over her heart for the National Anthem.

We are just the cutest little family around!!

Lydia and her Momma Cougar

Lydia and the Daddy. I just LOVE this picture! I'm the luckiest girl there is!

Lydia wasn't sure what to think. She just stood there and stared at everything. No reaction whatsoever. It was pretty funny.

Our staged cheering picture.

The view was beautiful! The sun was hitting the temple perfectly. It was not something that a camera could capture.

Little Lydia. She's a doll.

Giving her thumbs up! She loves cheering at any sporting event!

And she fell fast asleep in my arms in the middle of the fourth quarter. What a sweetheart.

Happy Anniversary

2010-10-24T12:43:00.007-06:00

HAPPY NUMBER 4!!!

Chris and Brindy joined October 7, 2006

We celebrated our fourth year anniversary this month. We had so much fun! It was a well needed weekend of romance, laughter, dancing, cheering, family, love, shopping, relaxing, flirting, and laughing some more.

Chris took me to Desert Star Theater for dinner on the 7th. He wanted to leave around 4:30 p.m. I ended up having to take a test that took a lot longer than planned and so we didn't get to leave until about 6:30 p.m. We barely made it there just before the show started. It was so fun! We were right in front of the stage. They sang to us and made us kiss because we were celebrating our anniversary. They performed a spoof on Harry Potter which was pretty funny! Chris and I had a great time just having some time for the two of us. Jenny and Justin took Lydia for the night. We appreciated that so much! Chris reserved a hotel for us that night. It was kind of funny because he chose the one he did for the sole purpose that it had a water slide...turns out it didn't open until two o'clock in the afternoon the next day. Bummer! haha We did however have a great time playing "PIG" against each other in the swimming pool. Chris had me laughing so hard. We had such fun playing like two young newly weds again.

The next morning, we took advantage of the Continental Breakfast...yes the one where I sneezed (see previous post). Then we took off for Park City. We loved the beautiful drive and walking around the outlet mall up there. Chris and I had never been there and heard that it was the place to shop. It was a lot of fun. We both got a new outfit and Lydia too.

(Don't worry..my hair didn't look like I actually wanted it to look,until the next morning, after sleeping on it...)

I bought tickets to a formal dance for Chris and I to go to. I thought it might be fun to surprise him and ask him somewhat creatively since we didn't really have the chance to ask each other to a dance in high school. I filled a big black cauldron with Lucky Charms, placed this: "I would be so Lucky if you, my Charming Boy, would be my date to Homecoming." under all of the Lucky Charms. I placed a spoon in the pot, with a sign attached to it saying, "You must dig for the treasure at the end of the rainbow." Set rainbow arrows leading from the bed to the Cauldron and a sign at the beginning that said "follow the rainbow." It was pretty fun, and he said yes...

I found a steal of a deal on a dress at a consignment store here in Spanish Fork. It is beautiful and it fit me perfect! We went home from Park City to get ready for the dance.

Just being silly before we left.

We had a free meal at Applebee's. It was so yummy!

And then we were off to dance the night away! I was a little apprehensive at first. It had been so long since we had both been to a dance. It did not take us long to bust a move though, and after we realized that we were married and had nothing to hold back, we had a blast!! It was so much fun. We both just danced with no hesitation and had a great time. The dance took place a the Living Planet Aquarium in Sandy, UT! It was pretty neat to be dancing along side eels and sting rays!

Yes, I found the gold....
...but the real treasure is HIM!

We bling blingin' it!
Chris said he had to smile like this because he doesn't have huge "Stoker Cheeks" to hold the coins in place! haha it's true...

Love this picture of us dipping! Thanks Auntie Karen!

And...being silly after we got out of the dance too! I'm not joking when I say we had a blast!

Life's Little Laughs

2010-10-17T20:40:00.003-06:00

So Chris and I had our four year anniversary on the 7th (journal entry soon to come...) But for now, the "funny" will have to do. Chris and I stayed in a hotel up in Sandy. Chris wanted to go to that hotel so bad because it had a water slide that went out of the building and back in. haha! He was so bummed when we found out that the water slide didn't actually open until 2:00 p.m.! We were not going to be waiting around until 2:00 in the afternoon for the water slide. Although we did not get to take advantage of the water slide, we did, however, get the Continental Breakfast! :) Chris and I were just finishing up at the juice machine when I felt a sneeze coming on. "Oh shoot!" I thought as I sneezed and out popped a little toot from the other end at the same time! How embarrassing!! I'm sure every one in that lobby heard and if they didn't they were probably wondering what Chris and I were rolling in laughter about as we hurried out of there!

Life's Little Laughs

2010-10-17T00:35:00.003-06:00

I am in a Physics Laboratory class this semester and this first part of the semester has been focused on electricity and electromagnets, etc.

I have often wondered how water is used to make electricity. I never understood the process. This week in lab we conducted some experiments that I realized might be applicable to hydroelectricity. So I asked the teacher if this was how dams worked and he proceeded to explain that it was. I continued to ask questions so that I clearly understood how it all worked and as it clicked I exclaimed, "Oooohhh! That is so cool. I could never figure out how that whole DAM thing worked." I realized what I had said and turned bright red as the teacher and the whole class had quite the laugh at my exclamation!

Life's Little Laughs

2010-10-17T00:26:00.004-06:00

The other day I had some pine cones on the table (pine cones that I had collected with the intention of making some sort of decoration....). Lydia saw them, looked up at me and said, "Poo poo? Poo poo." pointing at the pine cone.

"Nope." I told her, "That's not poo poo. That's called a pine cone."

She remembered because the next day she got off the toilet after going poo poo and looked in the toilet and said, "Pine cone!?"

Life's Little Laughs

2010-10-17T00:16:00.003-06:00

I just love my husband! Especially when he does things like this:

Chris's parents drove up in a new car a couple of months ago. Nobody knew that they were getting one and they were so excited to surprise everyone. Chris came out with his brother Matthew to inspect the choice of vehicle. Upon eying the car, this was Chris's first comment, "Aw. Nice! A REND-EH-VUS!" HahahaHa! I was chuckling to myself when I heard his dad politely correct him, "It's Renezvous, son." "Oh right..." said my cute husband!

Just a few Pictures...More to come.

2010-10-04T20:26:00.005-06:00

We had the most wonderful day yesterday! I can't wait to finish these pictures. It was so much fun. Chris was a perfect gentleman and stole my heart once again...! I will write more when I have more time, but just for now Chris wanted me to get some pictures up so he could use one as his background at work. Here you go Handsome!