April 24

On Sunday, April 24, 1977 at 12:22, I came into this world. 33 years ago. I used to love my birthday. I would have a countdown starting February 24. I made everyone pay attention to the fact that my birthday was just around the corner. This year I didn't remind everyone I came into contact with that it was time to celebrate. I only made sure Kevin was ready to provide me with a fun day. And he did.

We kept the day pretty simple. We aren't really party animals. We started the day at the temple thanks to Tracy watching Brynnlee for us. It was nice and peaceful and beautiful. Then we went to a movie. This is something we haven't done together since before Brynnlee was born. Thanks to Jenn Pohm, we went and watched Date Night....loved it! We ended the evening with a delicious dinner at the Olive Garden. (Thanks Mom and Dad Ball!) Kevin spoiled me with gifts that cost too much, but I think I will keep them. He spoiled me that day and it was nice!

When I was younger I thought my life would be very different than it is. I am not saying my life is bad at all--just different! I didn't think at 33 I would be living in Colorado in a stupid little apartment. I thought I would have children flirting with their teenage years. I look at what I have and wonder....have I done anything? I don't have a nice house or beautiful things. We don't go on crazy vacations in tropical places. I can't buy everything I want when I want to. But then I think are those things the definition of success? Probably to some people. And that's when I realize I have been one of those people and maybe it's time to change my definition.

So here is my new definition: having a good husband, working on a strong eternal marriage, giving birth to a beautiful, healthy child, earning an English teaching degree, teaching at a middle school and being pretty good, having a good relationship with my family, holding a temple recommend, knowing how to cook and bake and doing it well, learning to be a good mom, being a good example to my siblings, learning to be nice. And as I learn and grow and work my definition will expand. We don't live in a nice house. We will one day. We don't go on vacations. We can. We don't buy everything we want we we want to. We all ready have a lot of stuff filling up our home. Do we need more? I am hopeful that as I keep working my definition will include being humble because that's what I really want to be!

Picture Day

While Brynnlee and I were in Utah, my mom arranged for pictures to be taken. My mom was very specific about what she wanted Hallie, Hannah, and Brynnlee to wear in the pictures. Thank heavens my sister Jackie and I were able to change her mind a little. The skirts and shirts ended up being very cute. We trooped around the dangerous cement factory between Brigham and Tremonton. The pictures are adorable. I posted some on here. I know you can't see the whole picture on some posts.....just click on them to get a full view. Thanks Lacy for being so great with the girls---especially Brynnlee who refused to smile most of the time.

The Jam Adventure

I really enjoy staying home and taking care of Brynnlee. I don't miss her giggles or her crazy stunts or her "conversations." It is a pleasure. One thing I really like is that I get to try new things. I can make a meal I have never prepared before or go places I have never been. This week I decided to take on jam. I was inspired by a friend's status on Facebook and the cheap price of strawberries at the local store. The only thing was.....I didn't know how to make strawberry jam. So, I did a little research on the Internet and found a simple little recipe. I decided to make a very small batch. I didn't want to buy a lot of jars, and I didn't want to waste a lot of strawberries--ya know in case it didn't turn out. I squished the berries and stirred them together for what felt like hours---really only about 40 minutes! Bynnlee stood by wondering what I was doing and wanting her picture taken every time I took one of the jam. I followed the directions, poured the jam in jars, and hoped for the best. After waiting a little while to let the jam cool down, I carefully tasted it. I was waiting for the worst. But I tasted some of the BEST strawberry jam ever. Kevin loves it too. Now I don't mean to toot my own horn too loud.....but I did a great job, and I am excited to try out more jam recipes!

Going to Church

One thing I love about Sundays is getting Brynnlee all dressed up and ready for church....especially because she has been given so many cute dresses. Now that church is at 8:30, the mornings can be a little hectic. One morning we were ready to go and waiting for the missionaries to show up for their ride, and Brynnlee decided she was ready to go!