(More) Baking with Brynn

After church today, Brynn and I made cupcakes. Nothing fancy, it was from a box, but that meant she could help with each step. We had so much fun, and we got to talk about what she did at nursery today, some things we are going to work on improving this week, things we did over the weekend, etc. Luckily, Collin takes a long nap after church, so Brynn and I really enjoyed the rare one-on-one time. When I told her we could put sprinkles on the cupcakes, she got so excited. No, really...SO excited. She saw me get out all the sprinkles, and I asked her if she wanted to put some on herself, and she answered with "that's the best thing I've ever heard!!" Like most kids, she took the opportunity to put on as many sprinkles as that little cupcake could hold. And then some. I love how kids find happiness in the most simple of things. A $2 box of cake mix, some sprinkles, and half an hour of my undivided attention, and it made my little girl's day. I think I'm going to make this a Sunday tradition.

Recent Random Photos

Since we've spent the past month taking turns fighting some nasty flu and then ear infections, etc, we've had lots and lots of time at home. I've hardly taken any pictures (who wants to see cranky kids with runny noses or an entire family still in pajamas without a bath?), but I did get a few of our day-to-day. Brynn loves to create little pieces of art. She asks several times a day if she can paint or color or use the scissors.
Love her intense concentration here. I mean, she IS using two crayons at once.

In addition to art, she also loves to cook and bake. She definitely did not get this from me. I'm sure in about 2 more years, she will surpass me in her culinary skills. I love how she decided to put the dough on the cookie sheet...who wants to waste time on little cookies? Collin has been developing new skills of his own. Unfortunately I forgot to get pictures of him learning how to jump over the back of the couch or do somersaults into the furniture or eat fistfuls of dog food at a time. So these two pictures will have to do. OK, so he's just getting breathing treatments, but I had to take a picture, because Dave taught him how to hold the little mask over his face by himself. Collin HATES having the elastic around his head, but he'll usually hold it there himself. It also helps that that frees up Dave's hands to play funny dog videos on the computer while C gets his treatment.

Birthdays, Birthdays

Just wanted to wish my sister-in-law Melissa and my brother-in-law Mike both Happy Birthdays. And I wanted to add a few words about each of these people that I am now blessed to have as family.

Melissa is an amazing mother to her two kids, has a successful career, and keeps such a clean/organized house. I am in awe at all that she is able to balance and do so well at, while remaining so humble and down-to-earth.

Mike has also done very well in his career. He recently went out on his own and started his own business. It takes alot of knowledge, dedication, and guts to do that, and he has all of that. I know he will find lots of success in this new venture. Besides his business know-how, Mike also has a great sense of humor.

Happy Birthday!!

For Documentation's Sake

Collin's words at 18 months

(yeah, this is old, but I found a random post-it note where I had written it down a few months ago, so that doesn't make me that big of a slacker, does it?)

mama

dada

eye (which always includes him poking either his or your eye)

uh-oh

no

up

ma (more)

ma (milk)

hello

hi

hot

hug

ball

baby

bye

By 19 months old, he added:

B (nickname for his sister)

I love you (rarely says)

hat

banana

Heavy

This morning we attended the funeral services for my uncle Doug. It was a pretty heavy day, as we continue to see how much his presence on this earth will be missed. However, it was also filled with laughter at the memories that were shared. I am sure Doug would have appreciated that. This past week, I have been so overwhelmed to hear how many people's lives have been touched by Doug, whether in big ways or in small. And I have heard the same things repeated over and over, one of which was how he crammed a whole lifetime into his short 48 years here. He took advantage of every moment he had. I've also heard so much about how he would take the time to really get to know others and was always helping other people and making those around him feel better about themselves. He had such a genuine love for his family and spent so much time with them. What a great example to leave for all of us.

Another thing I have been reminded of this past week is how much our Heavenly Father loves us all and is aware of each of us. Even during times of sorrow (especially during times of sorrow), we can see His hand in our lives. I am so thankful for the faith and knowledge that I have of Heavenly Father's plan for us.

My prayers are also with the couple who were on the plane with my uncle. I hope they and their families will also feel comfort and strength during the challenges they are faced with.

More from Saturday

In addition to the events of my last post, we had another scary situation on Saturday. Collin ended up getting really sick and we had to take him to Urgent Care (actually two different urgent cares, since the 1st one wasn't really equipped to deal with young kids and referred us to a pediatric urgent care for a second opinion). Turns out the poor guy has a lingering respitory-type infection and an ear infection. We were completely unaware of the ear infection, and while he was being seen at the second Urgent Care center, he developed a fever of over 103. It was pretty scary, because he also kept coughing so hard that he could hardly catch his breath and would start gagging. He is doing much better now though. When we first got in to see the doctor there, you could tell Collin was so miserable and just wanted to be held and cry. By the time we were getting ready to leave, the medicine they gave him had started to kick in and he was acting more like his happy self again. We gave him a sucker and all his worries were quickly forgotten. What a relief!

Numb

I have so much going through my head right now, I feel like I need to get it out somewhere. This weekend ended up being a very somber one. My uncle Doug was in a plane crash on Saturday and was seriously injured. He passed away last night. He and his family have been in our constant prayers and thoughts, and yet it does not seem real. Doug was one of those people who lived life to the fullest. He was very active, and would often bike for miles with his oldest son to our family get-togethers. I've always been impressed at how involved he was as a dad. He was also very knowledgeable and was not afraid to stand up for what he believed in. My aunt and uncle have lived out of state for most of the past 30 years, but were able to move back here 5 or 6 years ago. I am so glad that my aunt and their kids are surrounded by family as they face the challenges that are now in front of them. I am also extremely grateful to know that families are eternal and that they will be reunited with him again one day. This weekend has really caused me to reflect on how short life is and how important it is not to get caught up in things that are truly not important. It has been a reminder to me that I need to let go of silly little annoyances I hold onto or my own selfishness, and just appreciate each moment I have with my family. Yesterday, Dave shared with me the article that he was reading in preparation to go home teaching. It is entitled "May We So Live" by President Monson. What appropriate timing. There were a few quotes in the article that stood out to me. President Monson said, "How fragile life, how certain death. We do not know when we will be required to leave this mortal existence. And so we ask, 'What are we doing with today?'....May we resolve from this day forward to fill our hearts with love. May we go the extra mile to include in our lives any who are lonely or downhearted or who are suffering in any way...May we live so that when that final summons is heard, we may have no serious regrets, no unfinished business, but will be able to say with the Apostle Paul, 'I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.' " There is peace in knowing the good and full life that my uncle lived. He will be missed!