My Loving Fam

Each member of my family actually deserves their own post but, the thing is, we kinda just work better together. That's one thing I love about us!

I love that I pretty much ALWAYS wish I had my family around -- it took me years to learn that not everyone feels that way. I love that, when we do get together, the smallest things become entertaining (like stupid jokes and great food!) I love that, somehow, my parents taught us to stay close to each other no matter how far apart we are.

I love that my kids think anything good they have is from Grandma (even if they were with me when I bought it for them!) and anything we need but can't afford, Grandpa can make!

I love that I actually love hanging out with my little brother -- It doesn't hurt that he found me the coolest sil ever and has two adorable children!

I love that my sister knows me so well that she can shop for anything I need better than I can (clothes, hairstyles, books) that her husband's sarcasm always makes me smile and that her girls melt my heart.

I love playing games, eating good food, watching the kids play together, and totally making fun of each other ALL THE TIME!

A little more love

Last but not least, of course, is our little Ellie bug. I think we all love how much she takes advantage of being the baby in our family. We shouldn't, but we just can't help being completely wrapped around her little finger. She's just so much fun.
I love how vain she is. One of her most favorite things in the world is her long, beautiful hair. She's thinking she's almost as pretty as her new idol, Rapunzel. I agree.

I love how affectionate she is. She could spend hours snuggling on the couch and, if you can't get close enough for that, then she insists on blowing and catching kisses.

I love that she's a total neat freak. Maybe I should be worried about all the therapy I'll have to pay for someday, but for now I just have to love it. She had to clean up her room before we could leave for church last Sunday, because "all these toys are just driving me nuts!". She LIVES to help me do laundry and clean baseboards, and I've even caught her telling her friends they can't play with her toys because it'll make a mess. Maybe she's a nut job, but it just warms a mother's heart!

I love that she's so so girly, but she also loves to hang out with the boys and get dirty and rough.
I love how much she loves her cousins. They are her very best friends. Whenever something good happens, she wants her cousins there. When she's sad, she wants them even more. She has such a special relationship with them, and every time I see it, it reminds of how important my cousins are to me.

We're so glad you're part of our family Brielle!

Still feelin it . . .

I love, love LOVE this kid's dimples. They melt my heart. Especially when they accompany his sheepish grin-- when he's trying really, really hard to not smile but just can't help himself. It's good stuff!

I love how affectionate he is. When he loves you, you know it!

I love that, when he apologizes, he really really means it. Even if he's going to have to apologize again in ten minutes for the same thing it is genuine.

I love that he's introduced mischief into my life. That little bit a naughty in him adds such excitement to our lives and definitely brings humility to mine!

He's our little athlete. He will play any sport at anytime (sound like anyone we know?). Lately, he's been asking to run on the treadmill sometimes at night. This is him on Tuesday, when he ran 2.8 miles -- and he ran over 3.5 the next night! Whodathunkit?!

I love how much he loves school. I was a little worried about this at first (you know, the whole "naughtiness" issue) but he soaks up knowledge like nothing else and really seems to be enjoying school.
I love giving this guy presents. There's nothing like it. You could give him a playstation or a pair of socks -- it doesn't matter -- either way you're gonna feel like the nicest, most thoughtful person on the planet. In a world where most kids just expect to have the world handed to them on a platter this kid seems to get that it is an honor to be given something. So far he even seems to be too naive to realize this just makes me want to give him more stuff!

Love you , Kutter!

More Love!

Is anyone surprised that this next post is about Trayson?

One of the things I love most about Trayson is his goofy grin. It's closely related to his silly sense of humor and his readiness to share it. I love that we can be anywhere, around anyone and he's got a little something funny to add to the conversation!

Again, his fabulous brain! How did I get such smart kids, anyway?! This kid hordes useless trivia just like his Grandpa -- every time he mentions that he knows something I don't (often) that really know one should ever remember actually learning, well, he makes me miss my dad a TON!

He also has a very strong testimony and a tender heart about the things that make him love the gospel. He can't wait to hold the priesthood and serve a mission. It's pretty sweet, and pretty comforting.

He's a kiss-up. Breje teases him about it all the time and it drives her nuts, but I have to admit that it makes life easier sometimes!

He has a special talent with small children. They LOVE him. All of them -- and he has tons of patience when they want his attention (or to pull his hair!) This still comes in handy at home quite often!

He's a morning person. I have to admit that this used to be one of his more annoying qualities, but it's become one of my favorites. He's usually the first one up on Saturday mornings and is content to help whoever follows to breakfast and cartoons, thus allowing mommy to sleep in Forever!

He's one of the most affectionate kids out there. Not many kids his age are willing to give mom a hug on demand, let alone ask for one! Melts my heart! Love you, Tray!

Love

Yep, it's that time of year and I've decided that the only way to get out of this wintertime funk that I'm in is to just totally run with it. Instead of concentrating on how stinking cold it is all the time, longing for the holidays that are soo soo over, glaring at all the shades of gray, and counting the many days left until spring arrives, I have decided to immerse myself in all things I love this month! (Yes, I am aware that it is already Feb 10-- it took a little inner pep talk to get started ----- SUE ME!)

So here, it is. I'm thinking it's only appropriate to start with my beautiful children, since they're sort of tops on the list! Today belongs to my lovely firstborn
Breje

There's all sorts of things to love about this kid.

One of them involves the way she makes having a teenager seem slightly less awful because now I have a new friend. It's so fun when she asks for new clothes on her birthday and wants to join us for the annual girls' shopping trip.

Her testimony is seriously amazing to me.
She has an inner strength which most people don't acquire until they're much older. She bore her testimony on Sunday and I was so torn between pride and sheer terror because she sounded so dang mature (old!)

Her brains. She's super smart. She gets awesome grades, her teachers love her, and she's got gobs of musical talent. It's pretty cool!

I love that when her teacher's tell me how smart she is, they ALWAYS follow that by what a great PERSON she is.

She's a huge help to me. She gets stuck babysitting a lot and it SERIOUSLY helps me out. She even usually has a great attitude about it!

The relationship she has with her little sister. I remember feeling so bad that they'd have ten years between them, but sometimes it seems like the perfect spacing! Brielle misses Breje like crazy when she's at school, and big sis is often the person who is willing to read or story or play "fashion show" when everyone else is just plain too lazy!

I love how much she enjoys young women's. She takes her calling as Beehive president very seriously and is always excited to go each week (even on Sundays!)

She loves reading almost as much as I do, and she even just read Pride and Prejudice. It's enough to make a mom tear up!

--hmm, I think that did help a little! Thanks for making me smile, Breje!