Month of loooove - 30th edition

Um. So. Last month (January 15th to be exact). I officially left my 20's and entered the next decade. Yes, my name is Britney and I am 30 years old. There I feel much better now. Actually I wasn't ever really that upset about it. I feel like I have done enough that I deserve to be 30. So I will wear it proudly. Except the cellulite and beginning of wrinkles.

Ben spoiled me fantastically. I enjoyed every minute. I have always known he was a great husband, but he blew me away this time. I woke up and he handed me a paper titled "30 Things for 30 Years". One of the sweetest things ever. He had written out our schedule for the weekend including heading to Salt Lake for the weekend to shop, eat, go to a Jazz game, breakfast in bed and sleeping in. My favorite was line 17 -"Back massage from me - with clothes on". Hilarious. The day/weekend was so wonderful. He had everything taken care of, even the babysitting. Thanks for my best birthday ever babe!

We had such great time and thanks to Shell and Hailey for watching the boys.

I also went to breakfast with some friends and then Hailey and Celine came over and helped the boys make me a special birthday cake. So we did cake and presents before Ben and I left for our weekend get-a-way.

I am such a lucky girl to have so many people who love me. I am undeserving.

My sweet Eli was so excited to help make my cake.

There is nothing left to wish for.

B Strong 5k & Fun Run

click here to register

If you don't know Bronson's miracle story go here. If you do . . . come and support him and his fabulous family.

Month of loooove - 9 month edition

Griffin is officially 9 months old - as of last week. Today he had a meeting with the doctor to make sure he is doing all of the things a boy his age is expected to. You know, like slobbering and jabbering and spitting and sleeping and pooping...all those super important things. He is fantastically perfect. If you don't count the yucky eczema, which I don't. He is round and chubby, happy and sweet, strong and fast. Here are some of his greatest accomplishments to date -

• shaking his head "no, no, no"
• giving high-fives
• giving his mom open mouth, slobbery kisses - my personal favorite
• claps and raises his arms victoriously when I say "yay griffy. yaaaaay!"
• standing up on everything
• climbing the stairs - not good
  

• laughing at pictures of his brothers...seriously adorable
• having deliciously chubby-eat me thighs
• 21.5 pounds
• 29 inches
  
  

• working on his sixth tooth
• crawling - old news
• pulling the vacuum on himself repeatedly
• chewing on his blanket while sleeping

I am completely, utterly in love with this boy. I know how ridiculous that sounds. In fact I have always h-a-t-e-d (that is a naughty word so it must be spelled) when people say they are "in love" with their kids. So irritating. But I am repenting, because I am truly IN LOVE with him. An all-consuming kind of love. He bring me so much joy. Oh man...I am so lucky to be his mama.

Month of loooove - birth mom edition

We are lucky to have three fantastic birth moms (and one awesome birth father) in our lives. I have said over and over how much we love them, but I want to say it again. We love them. I love them. Ben loves them. And the boys love them. We are so grateful for them. "Thank you" is not enough.

A few weeks ago we went to lunch with Blakey's Birth mom, Kellie, her little boy and her mom. It was so fun to chat and catch up.

We love you all. So much.

Month of loooove - washington edition

this is what we did last weekend -

up to washington to visit matty, erica and company. the kids were troopers in the car for all 14 hours. griffin didn't make a peep until 8 hours in. we had so much fun. ate way too much food. laughed harder than we have in a long time - we always do with them. the kids relished every moment together. it was worth the trip just to watch ben and matt transform into 16 year-old boys - they always do. the things they do make me giggle. we had an adults only date night, that griffin crashed, at a yummy japanese steak house. crazy waitresses and all. we saw dr. wall's office. eli had two bloody noses. we watched part of the horrible olympic opening ceremonies. i had a girl date with erica and ainsley, where ains tried to steal a nylon from a shoe store . . . for the second time. griffy was sweet. we stayed in boise on the way home. had valentines dinner with our kids at the macaroni grill. went swimming at the hotel. ate two bags of red vines. totally fantastic.

thanks again guys - we love you.

The month of loooove - Grandma edition

It's officially that time of year. The time when everyone celebrates the people they love with chocolates, flowers and Strawberry Shortcake valentines. Maybe that last one is just me.

Growing up I had a fantastic relationship with my grandparents (maternal side). I still do with my grandpa, but my grandma has been gone for almost 9 years. She was an ideal grandma. The kind that went prom dress shopping, made me yummy food, never made me drink milk (blek) and slipped me a twenty every now and then. She attended every game, program, birthday party, hiccup, sneeze and everything in between. 80% of my early childhood photos were taken at her house. I still love that house - it's home. She was sweet and feisty. Hilarious and ornery. The best.

Every Valentines Day my mom bought us treats. You know, like heart shaped boxes and furry animal things. But I distinctly remember my grandma each year bringing us her own special heart-shaped box o' chocolates (cue forest gump). I really miss her sometimes and wish my kids had been able to know her. She taught me many lessons and bequeathed to me her head-shape, nose and fabulous figure (sarcasm oozing).


So in honor of love month I want to remember all the people who I love and those that love me back. Here's to remembering my grandma - a damn fine lady.

them with me - their favorite

do not judge my hair

I said she was feisty

Side note - for Christmas this year my very resourceful sister put almost all of our old-school family pictures on cd's. We are officially digital. Which means from this point on there will be some major oldie goodness going on at the 4 Walls.