5 Years Old

Tuesday Brinnley turned 5. Her one request for her birthday was to ride on the carousel at the mall. We met Chant for lunch at the food court and then it was time for the big ride. My big girl went to the top of the double-decker carousel. Ainsley wasn't that excited about being high, so we picked Rudolph, who was safely positioned on the lower level.

Brinn got to ride twice and the second time she wanted Daddy to come too.
I found these awesome crowns at Michael's for a dollar. The perfect thing to liven up a party!

Brinnley was cute excited about every single present. She called Grandpa to tell him thank you for the cowboy boots. Now they are twinners! She promised Grandpa a pair of pink boots for his birthday. All the while she was on the phone she was walking circles in the house, clomping across the kitchen floor so Grandpa could hear them.
Aunt Kristy and Auntie J sent money and gift card so Brinn could get new shoes. Her shoes were on sale so we had enough to get some for Ainsley too. Good thing because both girls were in need. Brinn bought at 11.5 and her other shoes were size 10. Ainsley went from a 7 to an 8. Thanks amazing Aunts!

I cannot believe my baby is 5! Really, the time has flown. I feel so blessed to have this beautiful girl in my life. She is such a joy to me. Yesterday we got her hair cut and Brinn was chatting it up with the hair stylist. Out of nowhere she said, "My mom is so pretty and nice." It melted my heart. She is such a sweet little girl and she makes our home a better place. I love you Brinnley Beth! Happy Birthday!

That's a Wrap!

Instead of playing "Pin the Tail on the Donkey" we played "Decorate Hannah and Miley's shirts with stickers." it was a big hit. After each girl stuck their sticker on we wrote their name beside it. It was cute watching them all squeal in anticipation waiting to see where the stickers would end up.
Brinnley got the frog and the horse as gifts. It true character she turned the frog into a cowboy.



Brinnley, Ellie, and Ellie

Brinnley had a rough time blowing out the candles on her cake. After a few tries she recruited all her friends to help her. "Come on guys."

Ellie F. and Brinnley with the horse Ellie gave her. Ainsley wanted it bad!
Ellie, Brinn, and Ellie

Brinnley and Whitney
Brinn and Alex.

She had a blast with all her friends! I am so grateful that she has good friends and so many of them! Thanks, Moms, for letting us borrow your girls for a few hours. They made the day special and filled with energy, just the way we like it!

Dance Party!

Porter had a blast dancing with the ladies. Let me tell you, there were some good moves! I was asking for pointers. ;)

Party Animals

Ainsley
Porter, Ellie, and Alex
Whitney, Ellie, and Brinnley


We kicked off the birthday bash with a lunch of gourmet grilled cheese created by Chef Chant. While he was busy making the culinary masterpieces the girls created their own art work. I printed off some Hannah Montana coloring pages and they had a good time coloring and talking about all things Hannah! Let me tell you, if you want a good laugh and a smile just listen to a group of 6 3-4 year olds. Good times!

Pre-Party Pump-Up

Saturday was Brinnley's 5th birthday party. She had 4 friends come over for a Hannah Montana birthday. While we waited for her friends to arrive, we turned up the tunes and had our own little dance party. I told the girls they need to give me lessons. Porter Boy, he is in his own little world, doing moves only he can do. Gotta love it.

Little Boys

They sure are messy, but boy are they fun and stinkin' cute!

Music to my ears.

I got an I-Tunes gift card for Christmas from my fabulous sisters-in-law. Ever since I have been music obsessed. I have been exploring different kinds of music and artists I am unfamiliar with. I love the way a song can change my mood, how it can lift me with inspirational lyrics and a good beat. I have songs for cleaning my house, songs that calm, songs I can dance too with my kids.

My new/continuing obsessions include the following:
Ingrid Michaelson- Most of her stuff
Marie Digby- Symphony, Say It Again
Regina Spektor- Eet, Fidelity, The Calculation
Leona Lewis- Better In Time, I Will Be
Benton Paul- Paris, Favorite Thing, Moon
Vanessa Carlton- A Thousand Miles, Heroes and Thieves
Owl City- Fireflies
Miley Cyrus- The Climb, Simple Song
Mindy Gledhill
Jenny Jordan Frogley
Katherine Nelson
Kenneth Cope

So here's the deal. I have exactly $8.21 left on my gift card and I would like to "use it wisely." I would love any recommendations anyone has to offer. What's your favorite song? A new artists you think I should check out? Thanks in advance for the help!

Speaking of good music, here is my Ainsley girl singing along with Rascal Flatts.

P.S.
In the mood for a good laugh? Check out Owl City's Dental Care. I only heard the 30 second I-Tunes clip, but it was pretty darn funny!

Help Meets

"And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him." Genesis 2:18

Yesterday was a rough day for me. My dad went in for a procedure early in the morning and so I started off the day a little frazzled as I waited for the news of what they found. When the kids woke up they too seemed a little irritable. Chant was off to clinic and the kids and I were here. After a morning or nitpicking and nagging, I couldn't wait for blessed brake that naptime would offer. And then my little man decided he didn't want to nap his usual 2.5 hours. One hour will do today thank you! So after a short break we were back at it. Dishes, laundry, cleaning rooms. Then came dinner time and a burnt finger for a little boy on a burner that was still hot. He was not to be consoled and cried for close to 2.5 hours. I was even more frazzled then before. Finally I got the little man calmed down and he was tuckered out, so it was off to bed. I plopped down on the couch feeling exhausted and very much in need of a hug. Just then I heard the back door open and a tired-looking husband came into view. He came over to me and said, "I need a hug!" Amen!

Before Church last Sunday we were asked by a member of the Stake Presidency if we could chat for a minute. Well, everyone knows chats turn into callings. And this chat was no different. After President asked Chant if he would accept the calling and Chant said yes, he turned to me. "Sister, will you support your husband in this call?" I have been asked this question before as Chant has been extended other callings, but for some reason this time was different, it meant more. Will I support my husband? SO, that means no complaining about early morning meetings or staying after church? Yes, it means that. But it means more, I think. I have seen in my marriage that when I am excited about what Chant is doing he does better. But when I hesitate or seem reluctant, some of my attitude rubs of on him. Supporting my husband seemed to mean more than just not complaining. It means offering encouragement and sending him out the door with a smile on my face when he leaves to do the work he has been asked to do.

You may be asking how the scripture and the two stories relate. I have been thinking a lot lately about what it means to be wife. Husbands needs just as much love and support as wives do. We need to encourage each other in our efforts at work, at home, at church; be grateful for the help we offer each other; and offer emotional support. I know I could not do it without my husband, partner, and best friend. I am grateful for my husband and my eternal marriage.

I love you Chant!

Words of Wisdom

You are creatures of divinity; you are daughters of the Almighty. Limitless is your potential. Magnificent is your future, if you will take control of it. Do not let your lives drift in a fruitless and worthless manner. …

For you, my dear friends, the sky is the limit. You can be excellent in every way. You can be first class. There is no need for you to be a scrub. Respect yourself. Do not feel sorry for yourself. Do not dwell on unkind things others may say about you.

Polish and refine whatever talents the Lord has given you. Go forward in life with a twinkle in your eye and a smile on your face, but with great and strong purpose in your heart. Love life and look for its opportunities, and forever and always be loyal to the Church (from Ensign, May 2001, 93–95).


Someone shared this quote at a Relief Society meeting last year and it has stuck with me since. I thought I would share this since this is the time of year when we are all recommitting ourselves to do better and be better. I love the power that comes with these words. It speaks to me on a personal level. I am important and I have a purpose. For me the sky is the limit. I really hope that in all I do this year I will live up to these words and challenges. I hope to be accomplish more worthwhile things and spend less time on the things that don't matter. I hope this message lifted you and touched your heart as it did mine.

Movin' Up

Since yesterday was the first Sunday of a new year we had some changes at church. First, our time slot went from 1-4 to 9-12. Can I just say YAY! I have never been so happy for 9:00 church. We got up, got ready and were out the door instead of dragging the getting ready process out for hours. And when we got home we had lunch then the kids got to take a nap! It was a little piece of heaven on earth.

In addition to the time change, the girls moved classes. Brinnley moved up a class from the 3 year old class to the 4 year old class. And Miss Ainsley moved from Nursery to Primary. That is all she talked about all weekend. Brinn gave her the low-down or 411 or whatever it's called these days. Brinnley explained all about the Reverence Tag (when a child is being reverent they get picked to come to the front and be an example and then when they see another reverent child they tag them and the new child comes up front), how their names are written on sticks and pulled out of a jar when they are chosen to help, and all about singing time. Brinnley was very excited to have Ainsley join her in the big kid room. And Ainsley was very excited as well! Just before leaving for church Brinnley said, "Ainsley is going to have the best day of all because she gets to go to Primary for the first time." It did prove to be an exciting day for all. The girls got their first ever CTR rings. AWESOME. Porter stayed in Primary and played with his kids. And Daddy made Ainsley and Brinnley a special cake. A fine day was had by all!