“If people did not love one another, I really don't see what use there would be in having any spring.” - Victor Hugo, Les Misérables

This is how March started...

Snowy... not flowering with tulips like one would hope. 

This is what happens when I don't think straight...
trying to hang up one last picture on Brynlee's wall, ugh. I can't figure out how to fix it either. 

 This too...

However, sometimes I get flowers when Ty doesn't think straight so sometimes it's worth it. Notice the glass shattered under the picnic table. Guess that's what happens when you don't have a work bench. 

 

But on to the normal stuff.

Meagan and Justin's birthday.

 This kid is all registered for Kindergarten!!!

At her Kindergarten checkup she had to get two shots and after the first one she said, "That hurt," then continued to just watch as the nurse did the second one and didn't even cry, probably because Ty and I bribed her with lunch at Daddy's work and a Jamba Juice. Even though the couple nights before were sheer terror and anticipation for that moment. 

 37lbs. 42.25 in tall and almost 20/20 vision

You've grown a lot in just 6 months little munchkin. 

 

 

 Brynlee thought her new Dr.'s name Sadie was so cool because Maga's dogs name is Sadie. 

Dr. Sadie asked her what her favorite things to do at school were and she said play 'kitten'. Mama had never heard of that one before but apparently she likes to be the kitten. Dr. Sadie also asked if her if she would draw a picture of herself and write her name. 

This is what she came up with...

We had an awesome Family Night that has to be documented. It was a totally spontaneous lesson and it worked out terrifically. I wanted to teach about being brave and having faith so we did the story of David and Goliath. Even though sometimes things are difficult I wanted to show Brynlee that we can do hard things. So...We started with a prayer and I couldn't help myself, I just had to take a picture of her praying.

Brynlee was David, bandana, Minnie Mouse purse full of paper rocks and Dad was Goliath. Equipped with a plastic golf club for a sword, a Firehouse subs hat for a helmet and a vest for armor. Mom narrated. Brynlee just couldn't stop giggling, she thought this was the coolest thing ever. 

 We always end with a game and this kid has been dying to play bowling on the Wii.

 

St. Patrick's Day

Brynlee woke up and said with so much sadness, "The leprechaun didn't come."

This statement inwardly infuriated me. My child is the product of the pinteresting generation where there has to be some gift, crazy elf, craft, magic for every. single. holiday. 

So we talked.... I had to explain that the leprechauns aren't like the Easter Bunny or Santa Claus. 

It did not ruin the day and we still had fun eating green pancakes and wearing green.

 

One day I came home from running and Brynlee said to me, "Mom, when can I go running with you?" It made my heart practically swell out of my chest. As a Mom, there are few things that compare to the joy you feel when your kid wants to be like you, in her own kind of way. We have things in common and are building that relationship every day. So, a few days later, we went running. I let her pick the route and we went .3 miles, which was a lot further than I thought we would go. When we got back, I started stretching and told her she needed to stretch as well. Instead, she laid down on the couch and said, "I'm just gonna take a nap now." What a crack up! She also loves to do pull-ups, pushups, planks, you name it, as long as I'm doing them too. 

Ty has been really into building things lately. 

So he built a bird house that he has given me permission to help make it look pretty. 

And what does he do with the left over pieces you ask? He makes little wooden stick figures to give to Brynlee. 

 

Ty and I went out on a date, basically because Aunt Meagan wanted to watch Brynlee so she practically planned it for us. We saw McFarland, U.S.A. It was definitely a feel good movie and one that helps you refocus on what's important in life. It was a tear jerker for me for sure. 

I enjoyed some time with Aunt Terrie and Lexie at the Vintage Whites Market, enjoyed some Waffle Love with them for the first time and I had NOOO idea what I had been missing. Mmm. Tasty.

There wasn't any better way to end the month than with an amazingly uplifting Women's Conference downtown with some equally amazing ladies. (Wish I had a picture to insert here.) Alina, Tisha and her friend Charity and I all piled into Tisha's ride and hung out for the night at the Conference Center, listening to wonderful words of encouragement and love. It was ALL about families. Some of my favorite lines: 

Our Heavenly Fathers hope for us is perfect.

Boldly defend the Gospel.

We can & must be an important part of helping to carry each other's burdens.

Do NOT bury your testimony in the ground. 

He can only create perfect souls.

Being a parent is not a secondary job or an inconvenience

After the session was over, Tisha and I were interviewed by Carole Mikita from KSL 5 News. That was a cool experience. She asked me what I loved about the session and I basically said that I loved that it was all about families and that my family has a special story just like any one else's. And it's true, all families are different and special. My knees were a bit shaky after that but it was a cool experience. To top the night off we rustled up some grub at the California Pizza Kitchen. 

Perusing quotes for this post and I found one that will be our new motto for this Spring and Summer.

"In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt." 

- Margaret Atwood, Bluebeard's Egg

By the next post all will be revealed..... Until next time.