Not Just Grateful but Relieved....

I wasn't going to blog about this experience because I dont think I will ever forget it. My Dad and Mary came to visit for Thanksgiving this year. On Wednesday, we decided we would all go shopping and just bum around town. We wanted Dad to use Mitch;s truck instead of renting a car to just help him save where he can while in the midst of their house remodel. So we took separate cars to town and were going to meet up at Sam's Club. We parked in different places and they took Caleb and Brynley with them, we had Aubs. We shopped around in Sam's, had different carts and as we were checking out, Dad asked Mary to take Caleb out to the car because he was buying him a christmas present and didnt want Caleb to see. Mary gave Dad the cart that had Brynley in it and Mitch and I had Aubrie and our cart. We checked out and went to our different cars. We all made our way to Home Depot and got out to only find that neither of us had Brynley!!! I was horrified. How could we have forgotten her??? My 23 month old baby was alone and all I could think about was my worst nightmare....someone took her. I called 911 and gave a report and tried as fast as I could to get back to Sam's. The traffic was horrible and I totally saw my Dad driving very illegally just to get back there. I felt so sick I thought I was going to throw up in my car. Caleb and Aubrie were both hysterical and Mitch was so mad and was saying every cuss word in the book but at that moment I didnt even care, I just wanted Brynley to be okay. As I got back to Sam's, the 911 operator called me and said they had her inside, and at that same moment I saw her blonde little head getting carried out by my dad. I just grabbed her and didnt want to let go. She looked annoyed and hadn't even cried. I could tell that she knew we left her, she didnt need to say anything. I felt awful but I was more curious at how my dad could just leave her in the cart and not realize it?? But then again I didnt realize it either.
I am not mad, just grateful that she was okay. It could have been much more horrible and tragic but her guardian angels were looking over her and it goes to show there still are good people out there. It was an eye opening experience for me and for my family. We feel very fortunate that all turned out well. Poor Brynley, she will have no recollection of this event but to me it was the day my heart stopped for a whole ten minutes!

Um...

I wake up to this everyday. I couldnt help but post his crazy fro hair. Mitch hasnt gotten a haircut since July. As you can tell form our family picture above, its grows very fast. It actually looks nice when he does it. Very McDreamy! (You know like Patrick Dempsey) Just not in this picture.

It's a hard life....

We came home form church yesterday and since we go from 11-2pm, its hard to make sure Bryn has her nap. I changed her and went to go and talk to Mitch and just a few minutes later, I found her curled up and the floor...asleep. I just love when they are sleeping. They look like little angels.

Wonderful...

Mitch. He is so awesome because... He worked last night, came home to a wife not feeling very well, got the kids off to school, kept Bryn while I went to school, helped me make lunch, took me to Durango for an appt, listened to me babble all the way, helped me make dinner and then went Home Teaching. He is still gone and hasnt slept but maybe an hour today. He got a crappy overtime tomorrow night and will be off sat but then have to go back on sunday night. How does he do it? He helps me so much and sacrifices himself to do kind things for others. What a stud!
I feel like the luckiest gal in the world.

Everyone needs...

An Aubrie. Let me explain. Aubrie has been bugging me about getting Brynley a potty training toilet, so this past friday I took her to help me pick one out for her. She picked out a Dora the Explorer one for Bryn. So of course, right when we got home she wanted to get it out for Brynley and get her to use it. Well, she did. Aubrie got her to go several times that night and then insisted on saturday that she needed to not wear a diaper while we were at home and Aubrie kept taking her and Brynley kept going. She went saturday without an accident. Then on Sunday Brynley went on the potty all morning and even used the toilet at church! She went all afternoon and evening without an accident. Aubrie is such a cute "little mommy". She was so consistent and persistent with Brynley. But then rolled around Monday, Aubrie went to school and needless to say...Bryn wont go without Aubrie. She refused to go without her. I haven't had much success without my little helper/mommy. But it has been neat to see how well Bryn has done not even being 2 yet! Its a work in progress. Thank you Aubrie, you are going to make a great mommy someday.

I dont like it...

Can I just vent for a moment? I have to say that I hate that everyone is going private with their blogs. Whats the point of a blog if no one can read it. I have to admit I am a blog stalker and some of the people I enjoy checking out are private now. Maybe I am the weirdo but I think its a bummer. Plus when you go private your blog doesnt show me on my blog when you update it. So the person wanting to view it would have to check it everyday and also sign in every time which is annoying. I understand why people are doing it but I just wanted to vent.

Primary Program...

Today in church was our ward primary program. Caleb was asked to give a talk on missionary work. He did such a wonderful job. What a sweet spirit he is. He wasnt even scared or nervous! He had memorized the whole thing and went with what the spirit wanted him to say. I have to tell you I blessed I feel to have him as our oldest child. He is such a great example to his sisters and I know he will have a profound effect on their testimonies and choices. I cannot express into words the love I have for him and my girls.
Aubrie did a great job too. Singing very loud and had memorized her lines too. She is so beautiful and I see what wonderful talents Heavenly Father has blessed her with. I hope she can continue to develop them and be a good example to Bryn. I wish we had a program like this every week. Brynley sat and watched most of the time and wasn't being a handful! Thank you to awesome primary presidency and teachers we have in our ward for making such a great program and taking on the task of teaching our little ones each week.

Something sweet

Wanting a fix of pumpkin without the calories of a pumpkin pie. This is really great. I came up with this and wanted to share it.
This made enough for my family of five with even extra.

2 pkgs of fat free sugar free Jello tapioca
Follow directions on package.
After it has cooled mix in 1 cup of pumpkin (canned)
1 1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
Dish into ramekin cups and put in refrigerator until ready to serve.
Top and serve with rediwhip or cool whip from the can.
**You could also use the Jello rice pudding. Enjoy!

Big sister

Found this the other day and thought it was so sweet. Aubrie in Brynley's crib reading her a book. Too bad they are not always like this!

F.F.A

F.F.A stands for Fantasy Football Anonymous. I made it up last year due to my husbands addiction to it. For those of you who don't know Mitch loves fantasy football! He has been obsessed with it for a few years now. I have been annoyed and frustrated with him over it and I can say that it has been a cause for some arguments in our house. Well....My name is Holly and I am a Fantasy Football Addict. Mitch started a league with some of our friends as couples and I have joined the dark side. Sad but true. Now I am the one stressin out when sunday comes around, hoping that my team will pull through with a win. It has been fun, comepetitive and something for Mitch and I to bond on. So those of you wives out there, join a Fantasy football league with your man and have fun! I actually like football now.

Happy Halloween!

Here are some pics of the kids with their pumpkins and in their costumes last night! We had a fun time trick or treating and then going to the carnival at the church. We also got to see some cool houses that were decorated so neat for Halloween. I want to to that some day, just go all out and decorate my house and yard for Halloween. How fun. The kids were so tired when we got home and Bryn had even layed on the gym floor at the church and said "I want bed". Its safe to say it was a good thing because they had so much fun!





My brother Cody the devil and his Girl Andrea