Her Inner Beauty Shines Through

Recently Brinley wanted to acknowledge a teacher at her school. She is very sensitive to, and often upset by, how poorly teachers are treated by students these days - and she has, on multiple occasions, found ways to show up in kindness and appreciation for her teachers. In fact, just yesterday she came home with a massive binder filled with forms to alphabetically organize for one of her teachers - just because she knew that it was the last thing her teacher would want to spend hours doing. 

This is a letter she recently gave to one of her teachers along with a book that she bought for him, with her money. She also went directly to the principal and gave him the same letter to shine a spotlight on how wonderful this teacher is. Mr. Walsh was recognized in a staff meeting for his efforts and also, when he received the gift and letter from Brinley, he broke into tears. He said that "this was the nicest thing a student has ever done for me."

I really appreciate and admire how Brinley finds ways, entirely on her own, to show gratitude and appreciation for people. She is a wonderful example to her sisters and her parents. We also love to see how excited and joyful she feels when she is able to lift the spirits of those she acknowledges. 

Dear Mr. Walsh,

I thought I’d give this book to you because it greatly influenced the way I look at challenges and failure. I have NEVER been a math person. It has without fail been the subject that has caused me the most frustration and has been my worst grade for years. I read this book a while back (the author is good friends with my family) and it really transformed the way I look at my life. So I decided at the beginning of the year that I wanted to be good at math and that I was going to do everything I had to to make that happen. It’s been really empowering to work really hard for something that I’m not naturally inclined to and get even better grades than I was expecting. To prove myself wrong in my preconceived idea that I was just not good at math.

I also think that one of the key reasons I have been able to achieve this goal is because of your sincere effort as a teacher to go above and beyond what is in your job description. I think teachers go seriously underappreciated, ESPECIALLY high school teachers, because teenagers don’t really show gratitude like they should. 

Thank you so much. For devoting so much time and coming to help me at least 13 times a class period, for answering my questions before school and helping me feel better about upcoming exams or tests when I freak myself out, for explaining everything thoroughly and not just sitting at your desk waiting for kids to come to you with questions, explaining things differently if I don’t understand, taking the time to get to the bottom of a problem when it doesn’t work out initially. There are plenty of teachers who do the bare minimum, and one thing I hope teachers know is that the kids know pretty fast if they like their job or not… and it makes a big difference in the classroom atmosphere! Just in case you aren’t in on the high school teacher gossip, people like your class and love the way you teach! 

One thing I also really appreciate is your care for us as people and not just math students. I really enjoy when teachers ask us about our day, the weekend, the football game, just anything that’s not related to the subject matter, because it shows you care. 

Thank you for being a teacher I will never forget in my high school career and really shifting the way I saw math from a dreaded credit requirement to something I can be proud of and actually mildly enjoy (never thought I’d hear those words come out of my mouth). 

Your efforts to show up for all of us as students and people don’t go unnoticed. I hope this can be a reminder for you years down the road if you’re still teaching that the little things make a HUGE difference. I enjoy starting my day off in your class and I am so happy that I finally have a math teacher that is effective, understands the way I learn, and cares. Enjoy the book, and thank you for all of the things you do for me individually and the class at large!!

Sincerely,

Brinley

A Gift to Never be Forgotten

This is a letter that Brinley gave to me on my 38th birthday. 

The gift was this beautiful gold necklace and earrings. 

The letter and gift were profoundly meaningful to me.

Dear Mom,

I was thinking a lot about the different seasons of a testimony that Avery learned about at Girls camp and it was bothering me because I couldn’t figure out which season we fit into anymore. 

Our leaves on our tree aren’t “dead” - we’ve grown. They aren’t in “full bloom” - we don’t have a testimony of the church anymore. I decided they left a season out, the one that our family has stepped into, thanks to your bravery to step a toe out of the box, learn what broke your heart, and still keep going - THIS is the season of the golden tree, your leaves are golden now. 

You have stepped past dogma, needing validation from an organization and the approval of others in it. You’ve grown out of a belief system and into freedom with an open mind and more compassionate heart. This is the highest and most beautiful state of living. 

Your worthiness is no longer dependent on your conviction and how long your testimony stays in the “summer” phase. The golden tree isn’t a phase or a season, it is something you awakened; a place you can stay for the rest of your life. 

The big leaf on this necklace represents the awakening you led yourself through by letting the uncomfortable into your heart, right by where the necklace lays. The earrings have four little leaves on them, representing the journey you have guided us on, respecting each of our paths, even the turns that might feel uncomfortable to you. You have raised four little leaves and awakened us to our golden tree we never knew was there until you took the biggest leap of faith in your whole life. 

If I had to thank you for doing one thing for me in my 16 years, it would be telling me what broke my heart, changed my life, and ultimately led me to my golden tree. 

I love you Mama, happy birthday!

Love, Brinley. 

May you always err....

It finally happened. Brinley had her first "terrible" day in high school. She came home distraught and recounted how a teacher unjustly caused "the sweetest boy in class" to cry in front of everyone. It wasn't just any student, he's struggling to find friends, struggling to understand 

what is being taught and he's the smallest kid in class.

As I listened to her, and as tears rolled down her face, she shared what she did to comfort this boy, and I felt glad. Glad because her "worst day ever," was born from hurt for another. Glad because she seeks out "the odd one out," and chooses to befriend them. 

Glad because she is understanding why we are all here.

As Aspen (pictured below) has been able to be the "odd one out," she's discovering empathy for those who always feel different. She is learning from them and growing a love for them.

My sweet girls. May you always err on the side of caring too much. 

Loving too greatly and feeling too deeply. 

Surprise

We nailed it! They've been begging to see Coldplay ever since Cody and I went to the concert earlier this year. Tickets purchased eons ago, 

but we kept it a secret until we walked through the doors. It. Was. EPIC!

What Matters Most

"Mrs. Young - please let me know what your academic goals for your child are during this school year." It's a question I've answered more times than I can count and my response has always been the same. Here is the response I offered one of Brinley's high school teachers just weeks ago when asked this question:

"Our primary focus with our children has always been on their character. We have found that when appropriate foundational traits are well established, ownership and diligence in school work, and in other endeavors, is a byproduct. Hence, our expectations for Brinley in your class are that she is respectful, kind, patient, hard working, intentional and reaches out in love to those who may need a friend. She has demonstrated a work ethic that she is proud of and entirely responsible for. Our concern is not on test scores or letter grades, but that she does her very best, day after day, with utmost integrity. Thank you for your selfless service as a teacher. We appreciate you."

Little Lassies

Last week the girls participated in their first ever dance recital held at a local high school auditorium.
They preformed one jig with their respective partners and both did a great job!

Due to strict rules about ZERO video or pictures during the recital we could
not capture them on stage.

The nearly three-hour recital included numbers from Riverdance and Lord of the Dance preformed by world champions and past and present Broadway participants who have / are students at the girls same academy. The instructors took the stage for several of these incredible numbers. Their main instructor currently holds to world champion title in the "male adult" division.

We were finally able to plant our garden after two months of rain!

The girls were enamoured with their new pets throughout the planting process. 

Avery begged and begged to keep the worms in her bedroom. 

It was darling.  
Rest assured the worms stayed in their natural habitat in the garden.

This year we planted less:

2 zucchini plants

1 strawberry plant

2 Cherry tomato

2 big tomato 

1 popcorn plant 

and lots of peas in the pod

Happy Harvest!

Growing Up

Each time I completed another paragraph from THIS post the other night
 I was amazed and would say to myself:

"This women is speaking my words, articulating my exact same thoughts."

By the time I finished reading the post my blood began to boil,
as it does when I consider ponder this issue.

Then I spent a sleepless night in utter frustration.

My thoughts were focused on the exhausting efforts that concerned
parents are obligated to make
in order to protect their children, in my case girls,
from the smut and filth which has permeated our culture.

Remember the saying our grandparents, perhaps even parents
and every other generation prior to them would use:

"It takes a village"

Now responsible parents are doing all they can to to protect
their children from that "village."

I am grateful for the courageous mother warrior over at
Clover Lane.

It's refreshing to hear someone speak the truth boldly.
I have certainly inspired by her to do so!

THIS is another fantastic article all parents should read.


With that being said our baby girl is growing up quickly enough all on her own.

On Thursday she began phase one braces.

The first part of her 16 month treatment includes an upper palatal expander and
two brace brackets.

Six months from now we will move on to treating the issues in her bottom jaw.

We love her orthodontist.
I actually happened to find him on my flight home from Puerto Rico!
We talked the entire time. Poor guy had to stare at my lovely cold sore face
for 2 hours of conversation.

Cody took off work to be with me right by her side during her first orthodontist experience.

She was so brave!

I sat holding her sweaty little hand throughout the ordeal. 

Never once did she shed a tear. Well, not until later in the day.

She is on a strictly soft foods diet for a week until she masters chewing her food without the use of EIGHT back teeth which are completely 

covered by a hard plastic contraption which holds the expander in place.

We crank both screws every night for 35 days and then comes appointment #2.

This is all quite familiar to me as I was supporting Cody throughout the exact same 

orthodontic treatment when Brinley was a newborn baby, 

however his treatment included an invasive surgery and then more minor surgeries 

which Brinley will not have.

An ice cream outing was certainly in order for our sweet girl after the appointment.

Poor thing is having to learn how to speak properly again.

She had to postpone the talk 

she was going to be giving in church this week until she is able to speak clearly.

I have been completely impressed by Brinley's positive attitude so far.

Although it has been painful at times and eating has been a struggle she has been

  upbeat for the most part.

To The Rescue

Recently Brinley's teacher was throwing away hundreds, 

perhaps thousands, 

of site words. 

Apparently when Brinley discovered what was taking place she 

rescued the words and brought them home to live with us.

 I arrived home from my trip late at night, opened the door to kiss my babies in their sleep and

busted up laughing when I discovered her room adorned with them.

 

The entire front of her bedroom door is also plastered in site words. 

These funny moments help make parenting fun!

She also displays her "Super Star Student" awards with pride!

So my next concern is when to have her remove the delightful decorations. 

You see, if I let anything hang up on the wall for too long the girls become completely 

attached and go through withdrawals when the item is no longer displayed.

I have a feeling it will be a very painful withdrawal when the time comes.

The great news is that Brinley still has this entire bag full of words to use as she desires!

First Day Fun

The night before school started I went to place chore-packs
and outfits on the girls floor as is my nightly ritual.

I walked in after 10pm and noticed that Brinley's eyes were wide open.
She instantly smiled and said
"Mom I'm just so excited I can't sleep."

Cody came in and knelt next to her bed while I lay beside her
and together we
reminisced about the day ahead.
This school excitement may not last forever,
but for now it's wonderful!



Brinley proudly led the family into her school at right to her class.

Above:
Brinley & Teacher
Teacher / office staff gifts & card
Classic first day photo

Below:
Avery & friend Camille
Teacher gifts & card
Dad helping Brinley on Monkey bars
Classic first day photo

Avery was completely distraught when she realized that her school began later in the afternoon, but a fun trip to the park with Mom
and Dad solved that issue in a jiffy.

Avery is as thrilled as a peach to be attending an second year of pre-school. She was so excited during breakfast yesterday that she could hardly eat...not Avery-like at all. When we arrived in the school parking lot her perma-smile turned into a crazy laugh as she hopped down the hallway towards her classroom.

Cody took the morning off work to be able to walk both girls into their classrooms. This is one of the many reasons he is so darn great!

7:54am

I was thankful that Daddy went into work late this

morning so that he could do this...again!
We are in board exam count down days again.
Sep. 10th is the blessed day, wish him luck!

(These were taken with the new camera Auntie Y.)
Front tooth #4 was removed.


(picture taken 1 second after tooth was pulled)

Brinley is very brave and has often requested her teeth
be pulled far before they are ready to come out.
This morning I heard the "pop" sound and out it came.

She has bestowed the title of
"invisible beaver" upon herself.
Our little beavers hair-do today.

Check out THIS site filled with hair-do ideas for little girls.

Zoo Camp

Last week Brinley attended Zoo Camp.

Each day consisted of:
*Holding and touching a wide variety of creatures.
*Lessons about the animals they studied that day.
*A craft.
*A morning and afternoon zoo exploration in a
different area of the zoo each time.
*Lunch & Snack time.
*Game time & playground time.



Friday was a half day so I stayed at the Zoo with Avery and Aspen.
Even though is was 95 degrees and 90% humidity, we survived and the younger sisters had a great time! Aspen especially enjoys the petting zoo where she calls all of the goats "doggies."

Every day after Camp Brinley was so excited to tell us all about her Zoo camp experiences that day.

I'd have to say that I am starting to understand why
OUR ZOO
was rated #1 in the country.

Avery is looking forward to sharing in the Zoo fun during
her Zoo Kids program beginning this fall.

7 Years!

Dear Brinley,

I remember so clearly the morning I dressed you in this beautiful outfit to bring you home from the Kirksville, Missouri hospital.

You were our first darling daughter and we were so happy
when you were born into our family!

I had waited my whole life to be a Mommy and so spending time with my new baby Brinley was priceless and will always remain a cherished moment in time.

In the blink of an eye you were already walking up and down our sidewalk in front of our Utah home. You loved wearing these sun glasses.

Shortly thereafter you discovered the wonderful world of
make believe.

I remember how you would spend hours, by my side, playing with stuffed animals and pretend food while I worked on
Stampin' Up stuff in the office.

When you turned three you were delighted to welcome a baby sister into your life. You held her and sang to her and kissed her a lot.

Soon it was time to start Kindergarten and boy did you love it!
Avery established a specific good-bye ritual which she repeated each day as we waved after dropping you off for school.
She really missed having her big sister gone all day!



You learned to make new friends and especially
include those who may feel left out.

Sweet Brinely, how we cherish you, our firstborn.

You have grown into a caring and compassionate young lady.
You have learned to help with sibling
and household responsibilities.

You are learning to make good choices which help
you to feel happy.

You are a very important part of our family.
Avery and Aspen both adore you and look up to your example.

Happy Birthday!

Love with all my heart,
Mommy

Number Scroll

Dear Brinley,

Throughout this, your first grade year of school, you opted out of recess time on a number of occasions to work towards your goal.

To achieve that goal you spent those recess times
writing numbers on your
"number scroll."

You wrote each number from 1 to 3810 in perfect order.

Many days you would come home from school and be so excited to
share with us what number you ended on that day.

All of those numbers took up 35 pages of paper
and each sheet looked like this.

It was really neat for us to see it today for the first time and I could see how successful and happy you felt.

Brinley, I bet that when you started your number scroll it would have seemed almost impossible to get to the number 3810.

Little by little you kept on,
day after day
you were determined,
you worked hard and
you did it!

There will be many hard tasks in your life that may, in the beginning, seem impossible to you sweetie,
but always remember that you can achieve any goal
you set if you
work hard towards that goal just like you did with your number scroll in first grade.

XOXOXO,
Mommy

Our Little Song Birds

Today our girls stood up in front of approximately 350 people in church and sang this song together. They were thrilled to sing into a microphone. They did a great job and their sweet spirits were felt.
A big thanks to ANNIE for playing the piano!

"I Know That My Savior Loves Me"

(This is a little practice run taped in our office)


Music was an integral part of my childhood.

Most mornings I recall waking up to boisterous "morning time" music piping down into my room from the stereo above. On everyday afternoons the sound of Broadway musicals filled our surroundings.

My sister Kelty certainly memorized the words to about 363456 more songs than I ever did, but I can still recall countless songs that I learned as a child.

Of course the most memorable of musical times occurred just before we drifted off to sleep when my mom would sing us nightly bed time songs.

We have continued this ritual with our girls. When Daddy is home he relieves me and always takes over bed time duties. How I love to hear his deep voice softly float down the stairs as he sends the girls off to dreamland with tender songs.

Our older girls can hear a song once or twice and from there on out the melody and words seem to be permanently ingrained in their memory.

They are apt to burst into song at any given time on any given day and I love it! We hope that they too will be able to say that music was
"an integral part" of their childhood.

Pictures and Places

From our home of Bathing Beauties to yours...

and recently I spent time with my fantastic friends HERE and HERE!
To see some irresistible pictures of baby Bexley taken by her OWN MOMMY go HERE.

Little Hands Helping Haiti

We have talked to our girls about children just like themselves who are suffering in Haiti.

Because our television is seldom in use they have not seen pictures or heard news reports of the devastation, so what they know has been related only by our stories.

For close to a year Brinley has wanted to purchase a bath robe.
To achieve her goal she has been doing additional chores
(after completing her weekday and Saturday morning chore packs)
to earn money to do so.

Because I pay on average 5 to 10 cents per chore, this has been a long process.
She had saved $4.12.



On Saturday Brinley came up from the playroom and quietly said
"Mom, I've decided to give my piggy bank money to help the children in Haiti."
To which I replied "What a great idea, how does it make you feel to sacrifice the money for your bathrobe to serve those who need our help," she said
"I feel good inside Mom."



'For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it'
Luke 9:24

Shortly thereafter Avery decided that she too must earn money to donate.

This morning she was a busy little worker cleaning windows, scrubbing the fireplace tile and glass and folding an entire load of laundry by herself.

It is through the truths of the Everlasting Gospel that we are able to help teach our children
how to truly "Feel good inside."

How thankful I am for the comfort and clarity the restored gospel brings.

I testify that God knows each of us individually and has an
infinite fatherly love for
every one of His children. How his heart must ache for His children in Haiti and all those who are suffering throughout the world.

He has a plan for us which began before we came to earth and extends far into the eternities.
In times of tragady this knowledge offers peace and comfort.

Pee Your Pants Funny

Tonight I went to check on our girls before going to bed, because I have every night since the day Brinley was born. I love to see our children sleeping.

Typically I have tender feelings of love.
Sometimes I just stand over them watching them sleep, adoringly.

Tonight when my eyes adjusted to the dark I had a different reaction....




I busted up laughing, as quietly as I could.
Then I grabbed Cody who had the same reaction.

We unanimously decided that a picture was in order.
Thank goodness for flashes, which did not wake the girls since they were masked.



It was so funny to us that they would decide to wear the masks and
actually fall asleep with them on.

Oh, these are the days folks. These are the days!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This morning marked the launch of Urban Iron #8. One more release memorized, check.
Have I mentioned that I LOVE teaching in January?
Classes are packed to overflowing, oh so much fun!

Delightful

A descriptive word for motherhood:

Delightful

After a night of vomiting last week Brinley presented me with THIS letter, which she had wrapped in a handmade embellished bag.
You can't see this, but on the other side of the letter she had taped a picture
of a sunset she colored.


These are the delightful moments that motherhood is made of.


Inside a Christmas gift bag which was secured shut with almost an entire role of masking tape was Avery's note. As usual she did her best to copy big sister, very sweet.




Later that day Brinley choose to create a reminder for herself which she posted on her bedroom door, it's still there.

Apparently she is finally realizing that her screaming earns her more seclusion.




We let our kids scream when they feel that need arise.
In fact, if they are in a particularly terrible mood I encourage them to get the
demons out with as many screams or angry tones as necessary.


HOWEVER, when they choose to exhibit these types of behaviors they are to do so in one of two places, either their bedroom OR the laundry room with the door shut.


These are places where NO ONE can hear them or be bothered one bit by their tantruming.


This method gets old quickly for kids seeing that the reason they most often throw fits if for attention. When there is zero attention it's just not as fun.

If YOU are raising children might I highly recommend THIS.
It very well may be the best $34 you spend as a parent.

Making Merry

On Tuesday we attended Avery's musical performance at her preschool.
Her teachers always comment that she remembers ALL the words to the songs they learn at school and loves to sing with exuberance.
She sure did sing with vigor up on stage!

I was able to attend Brinley's musical performance and classroom
party at school this week as well.
Brinley was right on cue with all of her hand motions while singing the songs!
She introduced me to the magic elf that has made mischief in her classroom for the past month.

Aspen, Avery and I participated in our weekly playgroup on Wednesday.
We had a party and gift exchange at Angie's house. Fun & crazy!

This year we ventured of the traditional graham cracker gingerbread house making and tried it with rice krispie treats. I am a fan!
Fun, quick and the kids actually enjoyed eating it for a few days.

Thursday night we had so much fun at my Resident Spouse Survivors Club Christmas party. The venue was a historic wine cellar in German Village.
Love getting together with my survivor buddies...this time we included our hubbies.

Friday night was a girls only ornament exchange party at Lacy's. Good food, friends and a porcelain doll head (which Ellie is holding in the picture) made for a fun night!

Saturday night Cody and I hit the road for some quick last minute gift shopping before we headed north to one of his attendings home's for yet another Christmas party.
The food was exquisite and delicious.
We enjoyed mingling with other resident's and attendings.

Apparently the physician who's home we were in has "an incredible and extensive" wine collection in his in home wine cellar.
We just thought it looked really cool...so we took a picture.

Last night we hopped in the car for our traditional drive through the Parade of Lights. When we arrived Aspen squealed with pure delight as she jumped up and down on
my lap in the front seat. It was so cute and we all laughed.
The older girls got to take turns driving the car with Daddy in the drivers seat.

All in all it's been quite the Christmas week!

In Home Decorator

Last week Brinley decided to decorate her room for Thanksgiving.

To accomplish this she colored a turkey (and labeled each one)
on countless pieces of computer paper.

She used precision in taping these beauties up around the circumference of her room, on the front of her bedroom door, closet doors, under the chore pack spot and at the foot of her bed.



I LOVE my creative little Turkey!

Uplifting Thanksgiving thoughts found here.