Relationships

Hello friends!

I hope you all are enjoying your weekend :)

Just want to take a few minutes and share with y'all some things I've been thinking about...

All of us have relationships of one kind or another. If we are lucky we have lots of them, both friends and family. If we are especially blessed, we have a few very, very near and dear relationships.

The closer we are to someone, the more they see of us-the real us. And, the closer we are, the greater impact we have on each other, be it good, or bad.
The closer we are to someone, the more our lives and choices effects them.

As far as I know, the closest earthly relationship we can have is marriage. I mean, seriously, who else shares mutual responsibility for a home, with all the stress that brings... and... gets to feel your elbow/knee/foot every time you turn in your sleep?! That's right, your spouse.
And while they are (I hope) the most dearest person to us in the whole world, they are the one who we save the worst for.

Think about it. You go to work, your boss might be unfair, your co-worker lazy, your customer crazy, but you keep your cool. You are polite and courteous, even when fuming. Then you come home, your spouse left their clothes on the floor, their shoes in the middle of the main walkway, they made a huge mess in "your kitchen", and poof! Just like that all the calm and collectedness flies right out the window. Nevermind that you didn't have time to make their lunch (thus the dirty kitchen) or do the laundry (thus the overflowing basket resulting in clothes on the floor).

All the pent up tension and frustration throughout the day just comes spewing out, aimed right at the heart of the person you love more than anything else in the world. (At least this is the case sometimes for me. I realize this might not be the case for everyone.)

I know this has been random musings of mine. But in closing... it seems to me that the closer that we are to someone, we can either bless them, or stress, them that much more. If we say something hurtful, it will have a lot more impact on them, than if we said the same thing to a stranger.

Anyway, friends, I hope y'all enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Love y'all!

Bryanna

Today, I've been missing my family. So I decided to post some random pix of the youngest :)

(*Beware* Cuteness overload!)

She was the cutest baby ever!

 My grandma said she thought that Bryanna was my twin, just 13 years younger. She often said that sometimes she wondered if Bryanna was permanently attached to my hip. I'm not sure about the hip, but I know she is attached to my heart forever <3 

  

 I mean, who could resist a smile/look like that?!

Miss Mischievous ;)

Oh no! She's getting big :(

Cool Lady...all grown up...at least according to her :-D

Oh...the toothless days...aren't they the cutest?

Snow Angel

She was beautiful, and the best flowergirl anyone could ever ask for :)

At our house...visiting. Grrr...I wish visiting and family weren't 2 words that go together often...

I love you Bryanna! This is a hug across the miles to you. So glad I get to see you, and everyone, here before too long :)

Chin up!

the latest :)

Ok, so you might like to know what we are up to, since this was supposed to be a place I could let people know what the latest and greatest was in our lives.

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Well, as some of you know, I have taken on a second job.

I am working on my 2 days off at a local fabric store and love every minute of it. The atmosphere is awesome and the co-workers are great :)

They are closing soon though, because the owners are reaching retirement age and wanting to "slow down and smell the roses". If you know of anyone that wants an established, lucritive fabric store, I know of one you can buy!

  

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Our nieces turned 1 on Feb. 20th. They are as adorable as ever :)

Lucky me! I get to practice photography on toddlers :)

Btw, their mom freaks out every time I call them that, but they are!

They are both walking and Grace is talking!!

A few quick thoughts on Valentines Day

Just thought I'd post a few thoughts, before dashing out the door to work :)

And don't worry...there isn't a lot of gushy stuff :)

Sooo... This is the day that every single dreads. They go on facebook and there is an over whelming amount of gushy, sappy stuff...they can't help but groan.

I know cause I was there...not that long ago. This is my second Valentines Day to be in a relationship-first of being married. I think because we are still newly-weds, according to some anyway, every weekend could be a Valentines holiday-that and that we don't have kids yet. Lol!

Caleb talked about getting a hotel to stay in tonight, but I asked him if we could put that money aside for after we have kids and do need to get out of the house in order to have a romantic evening :)

So today for Caleb and I isn't that big of a deal :) He asked me what I wanted and I told him a freezer. You know why? Because in the long run, it will benefit him! For a long time now, I've wanted a chest freezer so that I could make big meals all at once. Then freeze it in meal sized portions so we could have a nice home-made meal even on the days I work. (You know, no one tells you before you marry, that it takes just as long, and the same amount of dishes, to make from scratch a meal for 2 or 10.)  Perfect plan. Last night he told me that we could go today and pick one. Yay!! Awesome.

Anyway, I guess my focus has been that if you have a Valentine, you should tell them everyday of the year, not just Valentines day. Also, if you don't-don't worry, they will come along at the right time, even if it seems they are late :)

To all my single friends-I have not forgotten what it's like!

This one is for you :)



My folks came to Colorado for Christmas!

This holiday season, Caleb and I were very blessed to get to spend it with family. We spent Thanksgiving in Texas with my family. For Christmas, my folks came here to Colorado and we spent Christmas with Caleb's family. Then we drove to California to spend sometime with relatives there.

While my folks were in Colorado, we went up on the Mesa, to Powder Horn, so the kids could sled since there wasn't enough snow in Junction. (We got quite a bit right before Christmas, so we did have a white Christmas...which was really nice.)



Ez trying to use her touch screen phone, while wearing gloves in freezing weather. Lol!

Mom taking pix

The view was beautiful!

♥ my hubby ♥

Got some cool light effcts...

On the brink of decision...

Ez, taking a turn.

Yes, that is my dear brother on skis.

Those are the best I have. I took a bunch with Ez's phone because mine died :/

After we got back, we had hot chocolate and chili. What an awesome way to warm up!



Ariella helping to get it ready.

Dad totally worn out.

Tobiah making use of our computer :)



Bryanna helping in the kitchen.

A very tired little girl.

Enjoying hot chocolate while rehashing the days spills and bumps :)

Chili anyone?

Those Infamous New Years Resolutions...

Everyone has New Year Resolutions, whether written down or mentally noted. Some are positive. Some are attainable...some not. Some are more comedic.

In case you haven't gotten any ideas for your own, I found some random ones that may get you thinking...or give you a chuckle :)

2011 what to leave and what to bring Leave: drama, enemies, hate, pain, violence, and tears. Bring: friends, family, smiles, laughter, love, hope, and peace.

My New Year's Resolution was going to be to quit all my bad habits, but then it occurred to me- no one likes a quitter.

This year, I plan to gain weight, sing off-key and have a little fun. Finally, resolutions I can keep!

New year resolution: laugh a little louder, smile a little bigger, love a little deeper, and walk through life a little slower

I was going to make a New Year's resolution but decided, since I am already perfect, that it would be pointless!

And the most resolution-ed subject.

This year I'm using big words to sound smart...Sorry, I meant utilizing gargantuan idioms to simulate

intelligence.

BRING ON 2012. Can't be worse then the year I've had. Thanks to everyone who's dragged kicked or just got me thru this year cause without you I know I wouldn't be here.

2012 A NEW BEGINNING: Positive Attitude & Faith makes for a Fantastic New Year! Live <3 Laugh <3 Love <3

Blessings to you as you enter the new year!

Happy New Year!

Hope you had a happy and healthy, merry Christmas!

This year, for our first Christmas letter, I basically took excerpts from my blog and journal to tell about our year. So if you've read my blog, you pretty much read our letter :)

If you haven't, then you are most welcome to!

Here's a few snapshot highlights from our year!

The wedding!

The honeymoon ;-)

<3 And the honeymoon continues <3

We were blessed to be able to spend our first Christmas with both of our families, my folks came to Colorado for Christmas. Now we are in California visiting some of Dad's family.

We hope this holiday season finds each of you blessed with happiness and health, enjoying the company of family and friends.