Proud

This post is all about Brinnley.  November 13th was the Principal's Pride assembly.  Miss Brinnley was awarded for November, which was First Things First.  I think my dear girl is good at that.  She knows that before she can play there are things she has to do.  Her teacher said Brinnley puts first things first by always completing her work before moving on to other choices.  I am just so proud of this little lady.  She has received a Principal's Pride award every single year, and that is no small thing when only one child is chosen from each class each month.  But she works hard and tries her best and I am proud of her.  This little lady also made the Honor Roll.  She loves school and is doing really well.  I am so grateful for that!  I just love this sweet girl and am so thankful she's mine!

Birthday Time!

January 26th my Brinnley turned 7. This birthday and age is hard for me to wrap my head around. There is no way I can have a 7 year old! She is growing way to fast!

School was pretty fun for her. She took treats to school (individually wrapped Twizzlers or Tweezlers in this house). The janitor, Jared, and the school helper? Sue both said happy birthday to her. Sue even gave her a happy birthday crown. She came home feeling so special!

She and I consulted about almost every detail of her birthday party. She helped pick the decorations, she chose the cake, and she planned the menu (for the kids). It was so fun to look through all the fun cake ideas with her on Pinterest. I enjoyed the planning just was much as she did. This party was a lot of work, but oh so worth it!

Thursday the 26th we had the fam over for a party. The guest list included Margi, Mike and Kristy, Jen, and Teran. The first order of business was dinner. The menu for the kids was hot dogs. Easy. For the adults: salad, homemade rolls, and Tomato Tortellini soup. Making the rolls was a fun venture. I had the kids help me roll them (crescent rolls) and flour and dough was everywhere! But we had oh so much fun doing it together. The soup was excellent, but I forgot to put the cheese in. Oh well, more for on top ;)

After dinner we opened presents. Ainsley got a stuffed dog for Christmas and I brought Porter back a dog pillow pet from Vegas. Brinnley has been saying that she needs a dog. She finally got one. His name is Chocolate Chip.

Auntie J made Brinnley 4 different gift cards to redeem on their girls day out. There is one for dinner, a movie, making crafts, and brunch with Mike and Kristy. She is so excited!
She also got a real gift card (thanks everyone!) so we can do some summer clothes shopping a little bit later. This lady loves her a gift card!
So cool! This is an actual street sign! Jen has some connections!
Then the cake. So this cake I found on Pinterest. On Pinterest it was a two layer cake with ice cream in the middle. It looked like a lot of work and I am not the best with two layer cakes, yet. So we did a single layer and chose to put the ice cream on the side instead of in it. It's just a round cake with Kit Kats on the edges and M&Ms on top. SO fun. And it wasn't sickeningly sweet either. The cake is vanilla from scratch and the frosting is from scratch too. I was pretty darn proud of myself. The only thing I bought ready made for this party was the bag of salad. Who knew I could bake? And cook? And have it taste ok?

She was one happy little lady!

I love you so much Brinnley and I am so excited for all the adventures we will have together this year!

The Reason

This holiday season has been one of the most meaningful I have had in a while. It hasn't been about shopping and wish lists. It's been about focusing on what really matters. I have had so many touching moments with my children. This year we read two longer Christmas books, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever and The Forgotten Carols: A Christmas Miracle for Isaac and Eliza. With both books I became really emotional. When I finished the last page of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, I was crying and Ainsley asked me if I was sad. I told her I wasn't sad, but that I was happy. I told her I am so grateful for my Savior and we talked about His birth and why we celebrate Christmas. Then Ainsley said that Jesus was born and He died for us so that we can be a family forever. It was a beautiful moment. I felt so much love for my Savior and I was so grateful that my kids were getting it.

I have The Forgotten Carols CD, and I have played it many, many times since Thanksgiving. One time Brinnley was really listening to the words and she asked me what the songs were about. So with each song I told her who's story it was and explained it. Then we read The Forgotten Carols: A Christmas Miracle for Isaac and Eliza. The book has 4 of the carols in it. As we read the book, the girls recognized the carols and they knew the stories. Again, I thought to myself They get it! And this Christmas Eve morning as I was in the kitchen preparing food for tomorrow and the girls were in the living room coloring, we listened to The Forgotten Carols. The girls decided to make decorations for the house, and Brinnley wanted to make the manger scene. She made it all by herself! When she told me what she was making, she said, "I am making pictures about Jesus because that is why we celebrate Christmas." And Ainsley reminded me that Santa Clause comes because he is like the Kings taking gifts to the Baby Jesus. And that is what it is all about!

I have also been so touched by the love and generosity of others. We have been so blessed and I am so grateful for all that we have. I will always remember this Christmas, as we have had so many of our own Christmas miracles this year. I love my Savior and I am grateful for Him, for His birth; His life of service, love, and teaching; and His death for us. I hope that as we open presents tomorrow that we will continue to remember the reason for the season.

School

Tuesday, August 30th was Brinnley's first day at school. Grades 2-6 started Monday, but Monday the first graders had appointments to meet their teacher. Kindergarten doesn't start until September 7, because the first week of school is when they do Kindergarten testing. Ainsley had her testing/meet the teacher meeting on Monday as well. So it was a Williams Family event at the school Monday. Chant took Brinnley to meet her teacher because I had to stay with Ainsley. When her teacher, Ms. Harvey, asked Brinnley to write her name on the paper, Brinnley asked if she should write Brinn or Brinnley. Ms. Harvey said to write whatever she wanted to be called. And my girl wrote Brinn. So, I guess it's official now. Brinn- so grown up!

Ainsley did really well on her testing and she was very excited about the candy she got afterword. She seemed a little shy, but I know she was soaking everything in. I am possibly more nervous about this lady going to school than I was with Brinnley. Brinnley is outgoing and confident when Ainsley is a bit more reserved at first. Add that to her 12% frame and I get a little nervous for her. But she will be fine. I however will probably cry.

Monday night we had a special dinner of hot dogs and watermelon and I made cupcakes for dessert. Then our Family Home Evening was introducing our theme for the year. I chose Love One Another. I thought this was perfect. With both of them starting out new, I thought it would be a good reminder to love others and be a friend. We talked about how they could show love and concern for others at school and at home. I am very excited about this theme. All three days since school started we have talked about what Brinnley did to show love or concern for others at school and Ainsley has talked about what she has done at home. It has been good for us and I hope we can continue to do it.
Tuesday morning was the BIG day. I was finishing Brinn's hair when I told her next she needed to put her shoes on. She asked which ones and I told her whatever ones she wanted, knowing she was going to choose her sneakers. Cracks me up! But she loves them and a sandal hasn't touched her foot since.
She's quite good at striking a pose.

Sending Brinnley off to the bus. I was fine all day until about 20 minutes before she should be home. I was nervous she wasn't going to get on the right bus. But of course she made it just fine. And when she got off she came running with a big smile on her face. The first thing she told me was what was for lunch. I am so proud of her for eating! She is going to get lots of exposure to new foods this year if she doesn't want to be hungry. There a few kids in her class that were in her class last year, but not her best buddy Ethan. Even though they aren't in the same class, she still managed to still close to him at lunch and play tag together at recess. And of course they sit next to each other on the bus. We are off to a good start!
So what have we been doing while Brinn is off learning? Lot of train tracks and cars and of course the ocassional babysitting job. These two were pros. They even managed to feed the baby with a Flinn Rider figurine. Baby didn't seem to mind.

Even though Ainsley has had fun playing with Porter, she is anxiously waiting her turn to ride the bus for the first time! Speaking of buses, when we were at the school for her testing, we found out this year they approved a bus to take morning Kindergarteners home. I am so excited! No more loading the kids in the car and driving to the school everyday. It is going to be fabulous!

My 6 year old's special day!

Jan 26 Brinnley Beth turned 6 years old. We had a party for her that night. Opa and Oma (Chant's dad and step-mom), Jen, and Teran came over. We had the traditional pizza dinner and then opened presents. This little lady got some great things that she was very excited about.








Jen gave her a book explaining her gift. She took Brinn out for a girls' day the next Saturday. The book outlined what they would do. They visited the City Library, went to lunch and dinner, got a manicure, went ice skating, and took a carriage ride around Temple Square. Lets just say Brinnley had a permanent smile plastered on her face when she got home that evening. It was amazing!

Teran got her one of those fun coloring books that has the magic markers that only write on the book. They love it! Her and Ainsley have been coloring all sorts of pictures.




Opa, Porter, and Oma
















This banner was wrapped around the book. It says, "Girls Night Out with Auntie J."











Oma and Opa got her the entire Tangled figure set and the story book. It was a special treat to have Opa read the book to them. She loves it! We have been playing all sorts of games involving towers and bad witches. It's been fun!





And Mom and Dad got Miss Brinn a Calico Kitty play set that is the nursery with baby twin kittens and baby twin Hedgehogs. Now both the girls have a set and they have had so much fun playing together.








Porter was Brinnley's last present. He got all wrapped up and gave her a big hug.

















Brinnley wanted something special this year for her cake. I thought about making horse cupcakes but just didn't have the time. So she got the largest, double layer cake I could make. One layers was chocolate cake and the other was rainbow with rainbow chip frosting. I think she was excited about it.




This is Jen and Brinn on the 29th before heading out for their girls day. They were both so excited! It was so cute! They both had a blast and I think they also slept really well that night!





Happy Birthday baby girl, we love you!

Birthday Girl

Tomorrow Miss Brinnley Beth turns 6. It's hard to imagine she is getting so big! Brinnley is a ray of sunshine. She is so happy all the time. She is caring and considerate. She is adventurous. As parents we are supposed to be the teachers, but I feel like she is teaching me just as much. She is so confident and brave. She is pure. I feel so blessed that she is mine. Our home would feel empty without her. We love our girl!

Here are some stats about Brinn:

She still loves horses with a passion

She loves to read books, and she really likes chapter books

She loves playing school and drawing pictures

She loves to sing, the favorite right now is Justin Bieber "Baby"

She is a jeans and t-shirt kind of girl. But a few sequins never hurt anybody.

She still can't sleep without Moo Moo and will wake in the middle of the night if he falls out of her arms

Her favorite color is pink

She hates having her hair tucked behind her ears. Don't ever call them pigtails, they are ponytails thank you very much!

She loves stickers and all things little

And Brinnley, we love you!

Oh, Matthew!

Tonight was Brinnley's Kindergarten Open House. It was just for the parents. And oh am I glad Chant was able to go with me! Brinnley has been in school for two weeks and two days. The first day of school I started what I hope will be a tradition for a very long time. As soon as we get home from the bus stop, Brinnley and I go sit on my bed and she tells me all about her day. It has been so wonderful to have that one-on-one time with her and really be able to listen to her. Every day she tells me what she learned, what special classes she had (art, P.E., computers), and all about lunch and recess. The first week of school she mentioned a girl named Autumn everyday. They ate lunch together and played at recess together. The second week of school she stopped talking about Autumn so much and Olivia and Matthew entered the picture. The first time she mentioned Matthew was a week ago today. And he has been in every recess and lunch story since then. I asked what they do and she says they play on the monkey bars, the spider's web, or the swings. Last Thursday Brinn lost her hair bow and Matthew spent the whole recess helping her look for it. He even asked his sister if she would look for it the next day during her recess. Sounds like a good kid to me. And Brinn and I had a talk a few days before school started about not kissing boys on the playground. So I asked if she has kissed Matthew and she told me no.

I was excited about tonight because I was hoping I would be able to meet Matthew's parents. When the meeting ended Chant asked if I was ready to go or if I needed to talk to Mrs. Alton (Brinn's teacher) about anything. Just then Olivia's mom came up to me. I had met her during Kindergarten orientation. We were talking about how the girls are liking school and who else they are playing with and I mentioned that Brinnley talks a lot about Olivia and Matthew and that I was hoping to meet his parents. A mom standing in line to talk to Mrs. Alton said, "Are you Brinnley's mom?" Aha! Matthew's parents! She said on the first day of school Matthew came home and told her he had met a really cute girl at school but didn't know her name. She said from the second day of school on he has talked about her and he's got a crush. We talked for a while and shared some stories the kids have told us. I have to admit that I feel much better knowing who his parents are and that they seem like normal, nice people.

When we picked Brinnley up from our friends' home, we told her we met Matthew's mom and dad. In the car, Chant asked if she thought he was handsome. She got a big smile and said "yes." I asked her again if they have been kissing. She said, "No, but I hug him." Oh boy! I guess I deserved that because during our shortened version of the talk I told her that we can show people we like them by being kind and sometimes giving hugs. So, first crush? I think so.

In other news: we are signing Ainsley up for dance and she cannot wait! We bought her leotard and tights today and she wore them for an hour. Her first day is next Wednesday. And tonight we talked about signing Brinn up for Girl Scouts. And the fun begins! My girls are growing up!

Sorry for the longest post ever, if you are still even reading it :)

Brinnley's First Day of Kindergarten

Brinnley Beth started her first day of Kindergarten today! I'm in a mild state of shock and disorientation right now, but so far I am tear-free. That happened yesterday! Brinnley, Ainsley, and I were all on the couch with arms wrapped around each other bawling our eyes out. This is basically how it went:
Brinnley- I will miss you!
Ainsley- I don't want Brinnley to go! I will miss her!
Me- Just tears and saying "I know"

But we woke this morning with anticipation thick. I served a special breakfast of waffles and chocolate chips. Brinnley put on her new outfit and shoes. And I did her hair extra special- 4 braids pulling back into a barret.

Her backpack has two guitars on it. Very fitting for the future rock star. And a green frog watch! She's ready!

Standing in line waiting for the bus. Bye Brinnley, we love you!
IT is now 1:35. So far we have played Sorry, watched Blue's Clues, gone to the library and Target, read books, and sang songs. Man, 4:00 is a long ways away! In the meantime I penned a short note to my sweet girl:

Dear Brinnley,

Roses are Red
Violets are Blue
Buses are Yellow
And I miss You!

Learn a Lot
Have a good day
When you get home
We will play!

Love,
mom

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!

Happy Birthday to you!

TinkerBell Fairy with little house

Barbie bus (garage sale find for $2!)

Troy and Gabriella!  (Can you hear the screams?)

A plane for her little toys (garage sale for $.25)

A new dress.  It's pink!

Today was the big day.  My firstborn turn 4.  What?  4!!!  Yes, she is a little lady now.  We had her party Saturday with friends so today was all about family.  Chant got home from school at 1:00.  Brinnley wanted to go to the library for her birthday.  That was easy.  We spent some time picking fun books about animals and then hit the movie store for a fun show for the girls.  On our way home we stopped for a grilled cheese sandwich at Steak n' Shake.  The girls and I curled up on the couch and enjoyed the show.

When the movie ended at 5:00 she got to open her presents.  She didn't have any requests, which was good since I have had her b-day gifts since July.  The girls have been playing with the goods in the living room ever since.  A quiet, but wonderful birthday.  Porter even got in on the action by grabbing on of the newly acquired Barbie dolls, well actually Gabriella from High School Musical.  (Hey, it was on sale.  Troy and Gabriella for only $5. 74.  What a steal!)  I am so glad we got to spend her special day together.  I love you my baby girl.  Happy birthday!

Love you,

Mom

4 Years Ago

At just a few days old.  (Billy Blanket glowing behind her.)

On this day (January 26) four years ago I started my morning like any other.  I spent a few hours watching Gilmore Girls, Judging Amy, and ER.  I was enjoying being lazy after having only graduated from college one month before.  I didn't have anything else to do, so why not indulge in a few hours of my favorite shows?  Finally at 11:00 I decided to get ready for the day.  My afternoon progressed as usual.  About 2:55 I found my shoes and sat down on the couch to put them on.  I had a doctor's appointment at 3:30 and Chant would be home from work soon to pick me up.  I was 37 weeks along in my first pregnancy and about to meet my new doctor for the first time.  (Long story, but point is I had to switch.)  As I bent over I felt a small rush of fluid.  I was mortified because I thought I had just wet my pants.  I changed my clothes and continued getting ready.  But the fluid didn't stop coming.  All at once it hit me in a panicky rush that my water had just broken.  What!  My bag wasn't packed!!!  I ran around the apartment throwing things in my bag.  I already had a list of what to take, I just had to throw it in.  Chant walked into the door and saw me running around.  I announced my water had broken.  Then the question came "What do I do?  Do I go to the hospital or do I go to my 

appointment?"  I wanted to meet my doctor first, so to the doctor's office we went.

I sat in the waiting room filled with excitement that continued to radiate while we waited in the exam room.  When Dr. Prince walked in the door he introduced himself and then asked when I was due.  I said, "Today, my water just broke."  He had a look of shock on his face.  He still wanted to do the exam to make sure.  I was at 3 cm.  He could already see a hair full of red hair.  A redhead!?!  He sent me to the hospital and said he would see me soon.

I spent the next few hours in pain.  Our good friend Randi worked at the hospital and her husband Adam came to see her for dinner.  When he found out I was there, he stuck his head in the room and found me pacing the floor.  Finally I had had enough and I told Chant to tell the nurse I wanted an epidural.  Adam stayed in the room to try to help me.  Poor guy!  He didn't know what to do with me pacing and saying over and over it hurt.    

They came quickly to give me an the epidural.  The instructions: don't move.  Yeah right!  I felt this incredible pressure the whole time.  Finally when it was in I was told I could lie down again.  As soon as I did I told the nurse I felt like I needed to push.  She said there was no way I was at a 10 yet but she said she'd check anyway.  Guess what?  I was at 10 cm.  So, needless to say I did not get to reap the benefits of the epidural and they shut it off immediately.  

Half an hour of pushing and at 7:19 p.m. out came the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.  Just like Dr. Prince said, she had a head full of red hair.  The nurses took her and cleaned her then delivered her to me.  Chant and I just stared at the beautiful little baby in my arms.  I couldn't believe my Brinnley Beth was here.  That was one of the most amazing days of my life.     

You are such a joy and I am so grateful to have you in my life.  Happy Birthday to you my little angel!

Love,

Mom 

Brinnley's Birthday Party!

 

Opening Barbie and the Diamond Castle

Whitney, Ellie, Brinnley, Ellie, and Alex watching the movie

Ainsley, Whitney, Ellie, and Brinnley

Ainsley's crazy hair after playing in the bouncy toy Brinn got

Everyone fit inside

The Diamond Castle Cake

All the girls watching the movie

My Brinnley Beth turns 4 tomorrow (the 26th) but we had a party for her yesterday.  This was the first time we let her have friends over for her birthday.  I asked her a while ago what she wanted to do for her birthday.  Her response- watch a Barbie movie and have a picnic on the floor.  I thought, well I can do that even with 6 crazy girls running around.  She specified that she wanted to watch "Barbie and the Diamond Castle."  Lucky me, I found the matching plates, napkins, and cups as Target.  And Brinnley chose a Diamond castle birthday cake.  We were set.

At 11:45 our first guest arrived and by 12:30 the last came and we were ready to party.  We had pizza for lunch.  So cute 6 little girls lined up in a row watching the movie and eating lunch.  When the pizza was gone we brought out the popcorn.  6 little girls laying in a row on the bellies with their feet in the air quietly chomping popcorn and intensely waiting to see what will happen next.  As the movie progressed and the evil Lydia chased the Princesses the party moved to my lap and legs as we all held hands and squeezed each other tight waiting to see what would happen.  Even cheered when the evil Lydia was turned to glass and the girls were transformed into beautiful princesses.  Then the party really began when the end credits rolled and the girls got down to the theme song.  SO CUTE!  Next brought presents, cake and ice cream, and six girls running around the house screaming and playing.  Our first party was a hit!