tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24838987582485452682024-03-12T16:16:48.333-07:00Hugs, kisses, and diaper free wishes My life as a wife, mommy, and a Mormon. Alexa Brynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200938494943818936noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483898758248545268.post-16309212139755280952014-10-13T14:47:00.001-07:002014-10-13T14:47:27.000-07:00Back to Reburg....for the long haulIn the middle of April we packed up all our things and headed back to Rexburg...<br />
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Christian and <b>Andy</b> drove</div>
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And Kara and I flew with the boys- thank goodness for <b>Kara!</b> </div>
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Our plane took off at 6:30 am, which meant I was up at 4,after being up until 2:30 with Porter who refused to sleep. But we made it to the airport on time, and once we were up in the air they both did pretty good! Before that, we had one failed boarding attempt and about a 2 hour delay at the long beach airport...it was more than a little stressful with those little chunks!</div>
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When we landed in Salt Lake, <b>Taylor </b>picked us up and we ate and headed up to Rexburg! The boys were champs, and slept most of the four hour drive. When we arrived, Christian and Andy pretty much had the house set up! I was sad leaving my family, but glad to be back in this little town, I hate to admit it, but I'd missed it. </div>
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April-July pictures:</div>
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While Christian goes to school, I spend most of my days at home trying to find ways to entertain the boys, and ultimately, watching while they entertain themselves and play together...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christian's First Day of School </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We traded our calibur for a new Scion XB!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Costco is an hour away, so we only get to go every once in a while.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Porter wants to be just like his daddy</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christian competed in one powerlifting meet before tearing a muscle in his chest</td></tr>
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We spent Taylor's birthday weekend, and 4th of July weekend in South Jordan! In may we got to see most of the "Boys" and our Reilly cousins <i>Always </i>a good time...For the fourth of July Amanda, Katie, Susie, and Connor were all there, along with Kara, Taylor, Ashlynd, Blake and Ashley...it's always good to see everyone, I needed that family time, and Porter fell absolutely in love with Connor!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cloth diaper butts are the cutest...and we LOVE AMERICA</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Porter James and Parker Jordan, 2 days apart</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bike ride with dad</td></tr>
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<br />Alexa Brynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200938494943818936noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483898758248545268.post-52499540638907425402014-10-13T14:03:00.001-07:002014-10-13T14:03:05.232-07:00January-April at Grandma's houseWe were SO lucky to live with my Grandma for Christian's offtrack after Benson was born, and get 4 solid months of family time, bonding, and lots and lots of help; I will be <i>forever grateful</i> for that!<br />
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In no particular order here are some pictures of our adventures<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I got to take this lady to get her LICENSE!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ikea tunnels are the BEST toys ever</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Horsey</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sasster love</td></tr>
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<br />Alexa Brynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200938494943818936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483898758248545268.post-87900699512541173032014-10-13T13:49:00.001-07:002014-10-13T14:12:08.165-07:00Our Sweetest Little Christmas Present is almost 10 Months Old!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #134f5c;">Remember that one time I had the roundest, sweetest baby boy on Christmas Day? and I wrote but never posted his birth story!? Let's go back to <b>December 25th</b>, shall we?</span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;">Sweet boy was due on the 21st of December, and I kept telling everyone that I he could come any day <i>except Christmas day!</i> I was ready, hair done, nails done, and Christian was home from school...</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XSbbGEjH4VE/VDw-sVB7sSI/AAAAAAAAAhI/gxyE3CBIIjQ/s1600/IMG_1675.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XSbbGEjH4VE/VDw-sVB7sSI/AAAAAAAAAhI/gxyE3CBIIjQ/s1600/IMG_1675.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;">So we spent Christmas Eve doing the usual things, party with the Wilson family</span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;">Then up to Valley Center for good company, a nativity, and santa at the Jensen's.</span> <span id="goog_201671689"></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;">When we got back to Grandma's house we spent most of the night helping her get ready for Christmas morning brunch. I never knew how much work she really put into it, and I am so grateful for her for doing it every year, and creating such amazing memories and traditions for our family!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13;">Christmas morning we couldn't wait to give Porter his gifts, and he was SO excited about his wooden shape stacker he made this silly face...</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;">All morning I just felt uncomfortable, I enjoyed brunch and family, but around 11am I knew I was having contractions, so I went back to our bedroom and started timing them. Sure enough, they were coming pretty quickly, and consistently; about a minute long every 4-5 minutes, and after an hour of that I called the hospital. The nurse on the phone said, "well, he's not going to fall out, but you should probably come in." I told my Grandma and Aunts what was happening, and they corralled my husband, uncles, and Poppy into a bedroom where they surrounded me and gave me a blessing of comfort. That blessing was just what I needed. After being induced with Porter and spending my whole time laboring in the hospital, this whole experience was new and scary, but after my blessing, I knew everything was going to be okay, and I was ready.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;">We arrived at Palomar Hospital Labor and Delivery shortly after 1pm, the nurse took me right into a room and had me change, and then said she was going to see how far along I was "to see if they will admit you." When she did, she found that I was already 6 cm dilated, and about 75% effaced, which meant we were having that baby today! </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Mtt2l1KbCs/VDwvg6VtyQI/AAAAAAAAAbk/Od-aCSTY-hw/s1600/IMG_1775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Mtt2l1KbCs/VDwvg6VtyQI/AAAAAAAAAbk/Od-aCSTY-hw/s1600/IMG_1775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="color: #38761d;">They got me all hooked up to the monitors, we filled out paperwork and I got an epidural. By 2:30 I was at an 8 and my water had broken. My epidural was not working 100% and I was still terrified of pushing without being totally numb, so when the nurse talked to me about laboring down and waiting to push I was all for it, but by 4:00 I knew I had to push wether I felt ready or not. </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kxwAUaqwqEI/VDwvhNBYn-I/AAAAAAAAAbo/0L_DoNcTcIk/s1600/IMG_1777.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kxwAUaqwqEI/VDwvhNBYn-I/AAAAAAAAAbo/0L_DoNcTcIk/s1600/IMG_1777.PNG" height="320" width="180" /></a><span style="color: #38761d;">They checked and found that I was fully dilated and baby was already at a 0 station, so they brought in Drs, nurses, and extra Drs and nurses because I hadn't had time to receive all the strep B antibiotics that I needed and they wanted to be sure baby was healthy. They kicked out the people that didn't want to see him born, leaving Christian, Taylor, Delaney, Tina, and Cheyenne in the room, and with my next contraction I began to push. After my first push, there was a </span><i style="color: #38761d; font-weight: bold;">loud</i><span style="color: #38761d;"> bang and people scrambled to get Taylor, who had just fainted off the floor! My Dr was a no nonsense kind of guy and quickly reminded everyone that we had a baby to deliver, so I pushed twice more with that bum epidural barely working, and there was Benson, 8 lbs 4 ounces of perfect straight from heaven...</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She said she felt bad she missed it, we were just glad she was okay!</td></tr>
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<i><span style="color: #741b47;"> We had amazing nurses: my delivery nurse talked me through everything that happened contractions, epidural, and the super fun after birth stuff, she made me feel calm and in control, and was SO good to my poor fainting sister. My nurse the next morning didn't question me or make me feel like a failure when I asked for a bottle, and had us in the car on our way home at the 24 hour mark!</span></i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meeting baby brother for the first time...<br />
<i>and a very tired Daddy!</i></td></tr>
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I was hoping to have another 6 weeks in Rexburg with Christian before a month here on my own, but it's looking like I'm going to have three weeks there and six here without him. Lemme tell you, these last few days have already been rough, I just feel like I'm missing a piece of me. So I called him when I left the office and had a good cry. We CAN do it, and it will be SO worth it when baby <b>Benson Oliver </b>[<i>oh yeah,we picked a name!!] </i>gets here in December.</div><div>Porter must know I'm having a rough day, because he's been really cuddly and after lunch, he kept grabbing my face and kissing me. It was the sweetest thing I have ever experienced and I am SO grateful that Heavenly Father has blessed me with such a beautiful, smart, and sweet boy!! <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BLlWUT0zOYU/Ulch2L-ziLI/AAAAAAAAAY4/LoZqy81hnLk/s640/blogger-image-1945598363.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BLlWUT0zOYU/Ulch2L-ziLI/AAAAAAAAAY4/LoZqy81hnLk/s640/blogger-image-1945598363.jpg"></a></div></div>Alexa Brynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200938494943818936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483898758248545268.post-55588756820579048742013-09-16T13:54:00.001-07:002013-09-16T13:54:27.533-07:00In other newsIm 26 weeks pregnant...here is a picture from last week: <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-NO1Rasy539g/UjdwAWl47LI/AAAAAAAAAX8/Luz93naIqWM/s640/blogger-image-1385645617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-NO1Rasy539g/UjdwAWl47LI/AAAAAAAAAX8/Luz93naIqWM/s640/blogger-image-1385645617.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I feel significantly bigger than I was with porter, but at the same time, still not too big. Baby boy moves A LOT!! Especially when I'm trying to relax or sleep [little punk already]. I'm really trying to eat healthy and make sure he is getting all the nutrition that he needs. It has been easier having my own kitchen again and only having to cook for the three of us. I can't wait to meet him, but I am definitely nervous about how Porter is going to take it, he is a serious mama's boy, and I love it more than anything, I just hope that the new little man doesn't take any of that love and affection away!</div>Alexa Brynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200938494943818936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483898758248545268.post-11323415298553534802013-09-16T13:46:00.001-07:002013-09-16T13:46:38.162-07:00My not so baby boyI am amazed everyday at how fast my little man is growing up!<div>All of his pants and shorts are too long, but shirts in the same size fit him perfectly, he is short and round, but not really fat at all, just <i>solid.</i> He's really taken to putting things back in baskets and on shelves, not when he's supposed to clean up, just whenever he wants to. He likes to stack blocks and play with trucks and cars, but gets really frustrated when he can't do something that he is trying to do or when something is out of his reach.</div><div>He dances whenever he hears music, and his new favorite thing to do is hold a phone that has music playing on it while he dances. In between dancing he'll cuddle while he watches Rio, it's my favorite time:</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-X2p-x4p62Ko/UjduKDfMb8I/AAAAAAAAAXY/egsr2isPVXU/s640/blogger-image--393056836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-X2p-x4p62Ko/UjduKDfMb8I/AAAAAAAAAXY/egsr2isPVXU/s640/blogger-image--393056836.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>He is able to communicate what he wants much better now; it has made all of our lives SO much easier. Today he has mastered the sign for more, I've been trying to get him to do it for months, but I'm glad he at least gets it now! He points too, he'll point at you and then toward what he wants, I just love it!</div><div><br></div>Alexa Brynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200938494943818936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483898758248545268.post-1905793944796342572013-09-06T15:12:00.000-07:002013-09-16T13:48:51.605-07:00Back to School<div style="text-align: left;">Well, we did it, we moved to Rexburg! </div>
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Taylor, Delaney, and Andy drove up with us Saturday night and we stayed at Krissy's house in Salt Lake Sunday night before driving up to Rexburg on Monday.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Uf6zTjM_Q40/UjdusZ9nRLI/AAAAAAAAAXw/Q16B-sEbb5c/s640/blogger-image--31540731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Uf6zTjM_Q40/UjdusZ9nRLI/AAAAAAAAAXw/Q16B-sEbb5c/s640/blogger-image--31540731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br></div><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Uf6zTjM_Q40/UjdusZ9nRLI/AAAAAAAAAXw/Q16B-sEbb5c/s640/blogger-image--31540731.jpg"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-RUUc3QMlx-w/UjdurbQ5QvI/AAAAAAAAAXo/3EfZ17zWp0o/s640/blogger-image-1572861096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-RUUc3QMlx-w/UjdurbQ5QvI/AAAAAAAAAXo/3EfZ17zWp0o/s640/blogger-image-1572861096.jpg"></a></div><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-gHbdAeTSu8I/UjduqkNc9xI/AAAAAAAAAXg/QnGftuBqK9M/s640/blogger-image-247315825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; "><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-gHbdAeTSu8I/UjduqkNc9xI/AAAAAAAAAXg/QnGftuBqK9M/s640/blogger-image-247315825.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> It's beautiful here, but saying that the weather is crazy would be a serious understatement! One minute its sunny and warm, the next cloudy and raining. [{ For example, one morning before we went to WalMart--for the millionth time since we've been here--we put Porter in shorts and a short sleeve t-shirt, and as I'm writing this the wind is blowing so hard that I've had to shut all the windows, and its started to rain}]</div>
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Our apartment is really cute, two bedrooms, one bath, and lots of closet space. I'm working on making it homey, hanging our pictures and what not, it seems a little silly since we are going to be here for such a short time before I head home to have the baby, but I want wherever we are to feel like home. Oh, and we bought a red couch that I'm kind of in love with the day we got here (pictures will come later). Overall I think I'm going to like it here, I'm ready for my first real fall and winter, I think... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm <b><i>excited</i></b> for a real fall and to experience real seasons. I'm <i style="font-weight: bold; ">NOT </i>for the three-ish weeks in November/December that Porter and I will be away from Christian <more on THAT later too> but I know it will all be worth it in the end.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-0JywuFc6Okw/UjcwbwGaCrI/AAAAAAAAAXI/yvtlW5YxRaA/s640/blogger-image-614612435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-0JywuFc6Okw/UjcwbwGaCrI/AAAAAAAAAXI/yvtlW5YxRaA/s640/blogger-image-614612435.jpg"></a></div>Christian started school today, and he was pretty excited, I'm so happy for him, and SO proud to be his wife. That also means today is the first day in the last two weeks that Porter and I are alone for most of the day, as much as I sometimes still get nervous being his only companion for the day, I've kind of missed this time when I get to really watch him and see the little wheels turning in his head as he plays. There really is nothing better, or more difficult, than being a stay at home mom, and nowhere else I'd rather be!!</div>
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<br>Alexa Brynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200938494943818936noreply@blogger.com0Rexburg Rexburg43.816934 -111.79355tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483898758248545268.post-76687953694997983812013-09-06T14:42:00.001-07:002013-09-06T14:42:27.072-07:00Sweet Porter turns 1!!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2pY-fqfRhEo/UipKEC0-cRI/AAAAAAAAAWI/jzFNPPc36PE/s1600/IMG_0653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2pY-fqfRhEo/UipKEC0-cRI/AAAAAAAAAWI/jzFNPPc36PE/s640/IMG_0653.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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My <b><i><u><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">sweet Mr. Porter</span></u></i></b> turned one on the 6th of August! I can't believe how fast time has gone, he is the sweetest, most stubborn, silliest little man that I know.<br />
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Quick facts about Porter:<br />
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<li>26 1/4 lbs</li>
<li>29 1/2 inches tall</li>
<li>6 teeth (with 2 others coming in soon)</li>
<li>started walking around 10 months</li>
<li>loves Baby Einstein, Rio, and dancing to all kinds of music</li>
<li>cheese, blueberries, and fig bars are his favorite foods</li>
<li>he gives kisses and hugs, and only likes to cuddle first thing in the morning or late at night</li>
<li>extremely ticklish and has a contagious laugh</li>
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We had a <span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">'Little Man Mustache Bash'</span> for his birthday. We had a GREAT turn out with all of our amazing family and a few wonderful friends. Here are some of the pictures:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Porter and Aunt Delaney</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aunty Taylor</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It took him a while....</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But he really enjoyed his cake!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">like..REALLY liked it!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The happiest boy ever!!</td></tr>
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<br />Alexa Brynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200938494943818936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483898758248545268.post-23458876442456139872012-10-17T18:41:00.002-07:002012-10-17T18:41:08.808-07:00My Worst Two Weeks...The last two weeks of September were literally two of the worst weeks o f my entire life!<br />
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Early morning [3 am] Sunday the 22nd of September I was having a gallbladder attack--Back in February while still pregnant with sweet Porter I found out I have gallstones, but they couldn't really do anything about it--The pain was really bad! Usually when I get them, a couple of Ibuprofen and laying down made it stop, but this time it was just not going away, I told Christian I needed to go to the hospital. I called Taylor and her and Grammy Zan came over and picked up Porter so Christian could take me to Palomar. We got there and they took me back pretty quickly, did blood work, and gave me some pain medicine to help. The labs came back and my liver enzymes were elevated, and they told me I would need my gallbladder out, but since it was an 'elective' surgery and I have Kaiser they couldn't do it there, so they sent me home with a prescription for Vicodin and off we went. Once the medicine they gave me wore off, the pain was back...I knew there was no way I could wait for a referral to surgery so my Dad took me down to Zion.<br />
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That night they admitted me to the hospital, and I ended up waiting 2 whole days just to get an MRI. After that they scheduled my surgery, and Wednesday morning I went in to have my gallbladder removed. I went home that evening, and though I was not super comfortable, it felt good to be back in my house with my boys--I was dying there without them!<br />
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I continued to get better and more able to move around for the next three days, and was pretty confident that I was in the clear, BUT Sunday came around again, and I was back in pain. The pain felt just like it did when I still had my gallbladder, and I was freaking out. I took two of the Norco they gave me for pain from surgery, tried laying down on the floor, stretching, everything I could possibly think of, but nothing was working, so Christian and I headed to the hospital, and we dropped Porter back off to my Mother in Law.<br />
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The next day they attempted to do and ERCP [it has a suppperrrr long name that I can actually tell you if you ask, but I refuse to look it up to spell it out ha] where they put a camera down my throat to see if there was a stone that had fallen out of my gallbladder. That procedure failed miserably...before they were able to see anything not only did I vomit, but there was a perforation in my small bowel. The perforation caused my chest cavity to fill with air, and that air eventually leaked into the soft tissue in my chest and neck which left me swollen, and if you pressed inward on my skin it was squishy (think rice crispies or crinkled wrapping paper). It was not only painful, but made me feel and sound like I was talking through a bubble. However, the way the air dissipated was a good thing--or so they said--if it did not do what it did I would have had to be rushed into emergency surgery. The next day I just sat. They wanted to make sure that the perforation was going to heal itself and that there was not going to be any other issues with that. They hoped that I had passed whatever stone was left so for the next couple of days they watched my liver enzyme tests, still nothing happened, so I had another MRI ( a lot less claustrophobic than the first) and they found the stone! Saturday early morning after they determined that I was healing well, they attempted the ERCP again. I was nervous like you don't even know!! Not only did I remember waking up and vomiting the first time, but I was afraid that there could be a repeat of my previous experience...<br />
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I didn't need to worry, though, everything went smoothly and they were able to remove the stone. I spent that night in the hospital, and was finally able to 'eat' clear liquids and try to rest. The rest part was hard; it was my first night with no pain medication, and sleep was really hard. The next morning [Sunday the 30th] the doctor came in and tried to tell me it was going to be another day, BUT I started to cry and he told me that if still felt good after eating lunch I could go. Needless to say I still felt just fine, and they let me leave. The only thing I wanted to do was see my Baby Porter!!<br />
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I never want to go back to that place! I spent WAY too long in the hospital for something that should and could have been taken care of in one day! I'm glad it's over, and I SO grateful for the people who came to visit and check on me and just make sure I was okay during the whole thing, and I know now more than I've ever known before THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME!Alexa Brynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200938494943818936noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483898758248545268.post-48807225892232325142012-09-14T09:42:00.000-07:002012-09-14T09:42:00.431-07:00Porter James Valle<i>Here is the story of how our sweet, sweet boy decided to enter this world...more like how he resisted entering this world :)</i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">My due date was July 31st, but that day came and went, and lil man showed no signs of wanting to leave the comfort of my ever growing belly. So the morning of August 5th I called Kaiser Zion and at 8:30am Christian </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">and I headed down to begin my induction. By 9:30 we were all checked in and set up in a room. After my first exam we learned that I was still not dilated <i>at all!!</i> So they started by giving me a dose of </span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://talk.sheknows.com/f161/induction-methods-pros-cons-505508/" target="_blank">Misoprostol</a>--</b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I wont go into how they did that, but feel free to click that lil link if you're interested :)--they said they would give me one dose every 4 hours up to 6 times (for 24hours) until I showed progress, and then they'd start Picocin if my body still hadn't gotten the memo that it was time to get this baby out. I had visitors come and go, but my Pops, and Auntie Kyle were there for most of the day...it was such a blessing to have them there, especially in the evening when the contractions got pretty bad. Around midnight my sweet nurse, Albert, finally convinced me that morphine would help take the edge off the contractions so that I could get some sleep, so he gave me some in my IV for immediate relief, and a shot in my arm for more extended relief. I was able to sleep a little bit after that, but when I got up to go to the bathroom I ended up throwing up [<i>heavy painkillers are NOT my friends!]. </i>Shortly after that the midwife came in to check my progress again, and after an entire day and my 3rd dose of the tiniest pill I've ever seen, I was finally at a 3, and she decided to break my water. Once she did that, and with how powerful the contractions were, I thought things would start moving faster, BUT besides another bout with nausea that resulted in Christian having to run across the room to get the trash can, I was pretty ready for an epidural! I was nervous about getting it, I was afraid it wouldn't work or that it was going to hurt...but it worked and it didn't hurt <i>at all.</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">From there it still took most of the day for me to be complete. Around 3:30 I was finally at a 10 and they said they would wait until I felt like I needed to push. I was so nervous that I waited a little longer than I probably could have, but once they had me start pushing he was out in 8 pushes!When I told them I was ready they brought Taylor and Delaney into the room and we started...they and Christian were the best cheerleaders I could have possibly asked for and I wouldn't have had it any other way. It was amazing to have my sisters there and to be able to share that experience with them; their jobs weren't easy, but they didn't complain and I am so glad that they were able to be there and help me through it! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">At 5:35pm Porter James made his appearance, and I have never felt such an incredible love in my life. Everyone says that no love can ever compare to the love you feel for your own child, but there is no way to explain it until it happens to you. As soon as they put him in my arms it hit me. I am a mother. This was everything I ever wanted.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, arial, geneva, lucida, lucida grande, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Throughout my pregnancy and especially while I was in the hospital, I was overwhelmed with the amount of support we were given by our family and friends. After little man was born and everyone got to see him, we were moved into the postpartum unit of the hospital, and stayed there until Wednesday morning when were able to <i>finally</i> take him home!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I feel blessed everyday I get to spend with my little monkey, and though there are times I still can not believe that he is real, I know that he is, that he was meant to come to Christian and I at this time, and that we were meant to be his parents--I know it is a great responsibility, but I am ready. I can not wait to see what the future holds for my little man, but at the same time, I refuse to be one of those people who is constantly waiting for what is next, I want to enjoy every moment while we are in it! </span></div>
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Alexa Brynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200938494943818936noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483898758248545268.post-42693883204218526042012-07-27T12:41:00.002-07:002012-07-27T12:41:22.925-07:00Baby, Baby, Baby!<span style="background-color: white;">I have been attempting to write this blog since early January. The one where I announce that I am indeed carrying a small human in my belly, and how I could not possibly be more elated with that little tid bit of information....but something has always gotten in the way.</span>...SO much has happened in the last little bit it is amazing, even now as I type this, the lil peanut in my ever growing belly is reminding me that he is there, and the time is fast approaching (within the next week and a half!!) that he will no longer just be a sparatic kick or punch, but a living, breathing little man that I can hold in my arms!<br />
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Let's rewind a little, shall we?<br />
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The last week of November of 2011 brought some sad news to the Wilson family. My sweet cousin Cole, my uncle Tommy's youngest son passed away at the age of 27. Even though our 'New Mexico cousins' as we've always called them live far away, our families have always been close, and when we all became friends on Facebook, it was easy to know what was going on in each of their lives, and to get quick updates, and have little conversations. Especially with Cole. He would never fail to send a quick 'hey little cousin' message if I found myself on in the middle of the night, and his random posts always put a smile on my face...they had edge, and I loved that about him! When we heard what had happened, we were all devastated, and wanted to do whatever it was we could to comfort and help our family that was so far away, <strong><em>SO</em></strong> my dad and uncle Larry rented a 15 passenger van, loaded myself, Kara, Grandma, Grandpa, Deanna, Chris, Suzie, Amanda, and Stephanie in it's seats, and we made the 16 hour drive to Hobbs, New Mexico. <br />
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The drive was long. There were frequent stops, and I would be lying if I told you it was all rainbows and sunshine, but we all arrived in one piece, and were so blessed to be able to spend those short 3 days with our cousins, uncle and aunt, and to give one last 'see you later' to sweet Cole.<br />
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Just the day before we left I had gotten some BIG news. BIG meaning <em>I was going to be a <strong>mom</strong>. Christian was going to be a <strong>dad</strong>. MY Dad was going to be a<strong> Grandpa</strong>! </em>I was going to wait to tell everyone until I went to the doctor, but they couldn't get me in until the end of the month, and I am no good at keeping my own secrets. I first told Kara when we were almost to Mira Mesa. I showed her the picture of the test I had on my phone and she started to cry....at our first stop I showed my dad the same picture, and he began jumping up and down like a weee little girl. It was the perfect reaction!<br />
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When we got home we anxiously awaited the day when the doctor would confirm what I already knew...so on the 28th of December, Christian and I headed over to Kaiser, and got to hear our baby's heartbeat for the first time! It was amazing...I can not even describe how truly incredible it felt to know that there was a little person inside me.</div>
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<i>Fast Forward...</i></div>
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The first few months were pretty rough. It was a great thing to have the bathroom so close at work because it became my best friend since breakfast and lunch rarely if ever stayed down. I threw up pretty much everything and ended up loosing almost 15lbs...but as my belly got bigger, and I got into my second trimester it let up a lot and I felt a whole lot better! </div>
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Annnddddd now...I had my last weekly check up on Wednesday. Not dilated or progressing <i>at all</i>! Sweet Porter is supposed to be here next Tuesday the 31st, at least that's his due date...but if he's not here by then I have to go have a non-stress test, to check his heartbeat when he moves, and make sure there is enough fluid in there for him. As long as all is well, they will let him stay in there until Sunday the 5th, and if he still hasn't come we'll go down to Zion and I will be induced.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">I love him already, each time he moves I get more anxious to meet him, to see his face and hold him in my arms. I hope that he will be healthy and happy, and that he will like to be held... but most of all, </span><span style="background-color: white;">I hope I can be a good mother to him, I hope I can teach him all the things he needs to know to help him through this journey we call life, and to keep him holding on to that iron rod as tight as he possibly can.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">So bring on the next week!</span></div>
<br />Alexa Brynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200938494943818936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483898758248545268.post-34901879967691216682012-03-01T22:12:00.001-08:002012-03-01T22:12:48.240-08:00Longggg time no talk...<div><p>Oh for the loveeee!! I can't believe its been so long since I've written...there is SO much going on, tomorrow will bring many an update, that's for sure :) <br></p>
<p>Talk at you all soon!</p>
</div>Alexa Brynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200938494943818936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483898758248545268.post-34420861558336872622011-07-08T11:06:00.000-07:002011-07-08T11:07:02.389-07:00Days like today..It is days like today that I know my <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>Father in Heaven</i></span> not only <i>loves</i> me, but <b><u>knows</u></b> me <u>individually</u>, and though there are 7 billion others on this earth, each and every day he is watching over and guiding <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">me</span></i>, just me, to where I need to go, what I need to do, and specifically this morning, what I need to read...<br />
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I woke up early this morning to work out with Christian. I <i>LOVE</i> my morning work outs with him, it's the time that I can just let him tell me what to do, and know that he will only push me as far as he knows I can go, but that he will, in fact push me. They allow me to spend precious time with my husband, they make me feel good about myself, like I can tackle whatever the day throws my way...but some days, no matter what I tell myself, it doesn't feel like enough--I'm only human. Today was one of those days. I've literally worked my butt off this week, I've been to the gym everyday, and I know it is doing good things for me. Plus, for the first time in my life I enjoy, and look forward to sweating and working hard. But today,even though I was having fun with Babe, as I watched myself do squats on the bosu ball in the mirror, I just wasn't very happy with my body,I could see all of it's imperfections, the little things I would want to be different, and I just felt yucky.So, I went home, ate a healthy breakfast, got myself ready and came into work. One of the first things I always do is check my blogs (hey, I follow some aweeeesome people!), if nothing else, they are good reads, but sometimes I find things in them that make my soul happy. Today, I hit the jackpot. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, I LOVE Cjane. I read her post, and then followed a link to an article she wrote that I think every woman should read...including you!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6h-nqIAUCXQ/ThKWK3h90WI/AAAAAAAAD8E/fmhA1-yhEqM/s1600/Courtney-J-Kendrick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #1d84a2; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6h-nqIAUCXQ/ThKWK3h90WI/AAAAAAAAD8E/fmhA1-yhEqM/s400/Courtney-J-Kendrick.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(235, 235, 235); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: rgb(235, 235, 235); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(235, 235, 235); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(235, 235, 235); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; position: relative;" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Like some women . . . not all women . . . but a healthy number of women . . . or maybe an unhealthy number of women . . . I was obsessed with my weight. I measured quarter inches, weighed ounces, exercised and denied myself until there was nothing left to deny. I thought about my weight, my body, my image until it crowded out all other concerns. I knew if I were thin there would be nothing left I could ever want.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">That was where I was three years ago.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Then something happened, a baby. Then another something happened, another baby. Then another, another something happened, a pregnancy which will hopefully result in baby three in the late fall. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I don't obsess anymore.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">It's not like I've worked through my issues and suddenly I understand the glory of a women's body. I mean, there are moments spent day-dreaming of the time when my body stops fluctuating to accommodate gestating or milk-drinking humans and my body is mine to deny again. But those idealistic moments are fleeting because there's cheese to slice for grilled cheese sandwiches or shoes to tie or sleep to catch. I simply don't have time to think much about my body--how it looks, how it sways, how it appeals-- although sometimes my husband reminds me. You know, in that gratuitous--look at how big your chest is getting!--excited sort of way.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">And when I exercise it's really for clearing my mind. It's to allow my spirit to breathe. I am sure it helps my cardiovascular system, I just don't think about it much. I love the wisdom in this: Care not for the body, neither for the life of the body. But care for the soul, and the life of the soul.*</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I think the soul is the spirit plus the body. A healthy spirit will build a healthy body. But focusing alone on the body will destroy the spirit.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Mostly, I wake up, put on my house dress and work until the day is done. And when the work is done (it's never done) and the day is over I look at my body and thank it for being so accommodating. At the end of the day that is all I can ask of it. It was never meant to fulfill day dreams of perfection. It wasn't created for attraction alone. It was meant to do what I needed it to do. And it does.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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<div style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">As a testament to this, I often remind myself: I've never been so fulfilled--even forty pounds ago.</div><div style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://classic.scriptures.lds.org/en/dc/101/37a" style="color: #1d84a2; text-decoration: none;">Doctrine & Covenants 101:37</a>"</div><div style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Since I can remember my Dad has told me about <u><i>balance</i></u>. When I heard this as a teenager all I could think was <i>blah,blah,blah...</i>but now, I think I am beginning to understand it. </span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">My body does what it needs to do, and more. I am grateful for it. I know that, some days, I just need some reminding, I think we all do.I think back to my days and weeks spent with Dr. Valantine (an amazing man), and all the lessons that he taught me about my spirit, and the power and control that we truly have over our thoughts, and the things that we choose to believe--<i>it <u>is</u> a choice!</i>! We can not make that choice to believe the lies that the adversary would have us believe. We can not allow his </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">degradation</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"> of all that is womanhood to continue, he can not, and will not ever win when we know that <i><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">we are in control.</span></u></i> </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">So, here's to </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">re-dedication, to focusing on the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>soul</i></span>, on a <i><u>healthy spirit</u></i>, and allowing that strong spirit to create and strengthen that <i>beautiful</i>,<i> healthy</i> body that we have been <i>blessed</i> with</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">. Certainly we do not want to destroy our spirits by focusing only on our bodies. I know that my body is strongest when my spirit is the strongest. I know it, I know it, <b style="font-style: italic;">I KNOW it! </b> </span></span></span></div>Alexa Brynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200938494943818936noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483898758248545268.post-90751012263564980762011-06-28T10:55:00.000-07:002011-06-28T11:07:25.280-07:00Soooooo long Tay Tay!!So yesterday I tried to write this blog yesterday. In fact, I did, and it was long and perfectly worded and you all would have loveeeed it...BUT, when I went to post it i got a lameee message that told me the link was broken. What are the odds!! So, let's try again...<br />
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My whole life-minus 15 months- I've spent with my little sister. Even when we didn't get along, I always knew that when it came down to it, she would always love and protect me from anything. I knew from the beginning that it was not going to be easy to say goodbye to her, but last Wednesday that is exactly what I set out to do.<br />
<em><span style="font-size: large;">PAUSE...REWIND....</span></em><br />
<strong><u><em><span style="font-size: large;">Sunday</span></em></u></strong> was Taylor's farewell. The WHOLE family, along with pretty much everyone she has ever met, went to sacrament meeting at the YSA ward. The first speeker was Justin Wait, who was also going to enter the MTC that Wednesday. He gave a really good talk about the Book of Mormon, and welcomed the spirit into the chapel. After his talk, we -taylor,kara,delaney, me, rachel, and jane-got up to sing. We sang a medley of <em>Teach me to Walk </em>and<em> Love one Another</em>, it is truly one of my favorite songs that I have ever heard, the way they compliment eachother, is beautiful. There were a few tears, and I was so glad that we were able to sing one last time with Taylor(wanna hear it? <em>click </em><a href="http://youtu.be/_Yw4eTBoGew"><em>here</em></a>). Following our song, she gave her talk.She spoke about being a disciple of Christ. Every word she said, she said with conviction, and the more she talked, the more convinced I became that she was on her way to do what she was meant to do, to be a missionary, to teach the people of Texas,and to bring them the gospel.She ended her talk with her testimony in song. She sang a song called <strong><em><u> "With all of my heart,"</u></em></strong> and I don't believe there was a dry eye in the chapel. It was asolutely amazing. The spirit in that room was <strong><em>SO</em></strong> strong, I could feel it in the very deepest part of my heart. My sweet little sister has the strongest testimony, and not only am I proud of her, but I am proud that <u><em>Heavenly Father</em></u> trusted me to come to this earth and be her big sister, she has taught me more than I could ever begin to describe, and I am grateful every single day for her presence in my life.<br />
Following Sacrament meeting, the Wilson side of the family came over to my dad's house for a father's day/Taylor's day celebration. We barbequed and enjoyed eachother's company until President Wilkinsen and his wife came over to set Taylor apart. Before he did so, he talked to her about being a representative of our Savior while she is on her mission, and the things he wants her to remember as she leaves and when it is time to come home. He then asked a few people--grandma, grandpa, dad,kara,uncle larry, and bishop dunham-- to say whatever they had to say before she left. It was definitely an emotional time (right, auntie kyle?) and it was a time I don't think that the people in the room will forget it anytime soon. After that we all sang a couple songs with Stephy playing the piano, and then most people left. For the rest of the night, there were poeple coming and going and lots and lots of "see you laters." We were supposed to leave late Sunday night, buuuut people didn't leave until almost 1 a.m. so we all decided it would be best to sleep for a few hours before we started our drive.<br />
We ended up leaving at 5:30 <span style="font-size: large;">Monday</span> morning. Dad drove most of the way.We stopped in Vegas and a couple other times to stretch, but overall the drive wasn't bad at all (I took lots of naps :)...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m604/alexabryn/IMAG0087-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="108" i$="true" src="http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m604/alexabryn/IMAG0087-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"> We arrived in Orem at around 3:30, got ready and headed to Cafe Rio for dinner (my favvvvvvv) and then sweet dessert at Sub Zero (also my favvvvvv). We were all pretty tired [it's strange how sitting in a car can make you so exhausted], so we didn't do anything else that night, but Taylor, Tucker, and I were up early the <span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Tuesday</strong></span> morning to head to the Salt Lake Temple, it was a wonderful experience, and I was so glad to share it with the two of them (in the short amount of time I was able to spend with Tucker, he became family pretty quick!). We did a session there, and then hurried back to pick up Dad and Delaney. They didn't have any food in the house so they were starving and we headed to Smash Burger-okayyy so we did a lot of eating out, don't judge!-and then to the University mall so that Tay could get a few things. From there we headed back up to <em><span style="font-size: large;">Temple Square</span></em>, we we met up with Danielle :) walked around the visitor's center, and took a tour of the Conference Center. I was amazed by it's size, by the art in that adorned the walls, and the massive meadow, yes, <em>meadow</em> on the roof! </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m604/alexabryn/IMAG0101-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" i$="true" src="http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m604/alexabryn/IMAG0101-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>picture of the temple taken from the roof of the conference center</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;">When we left Temple Square we went to dinner with Krissy, Hayley, and Robbie at Cafe Normandy. Dinner was d-e-licious, and the time we were able to spend just hanging out with Krissy and her family afterward was exactly what Taylor needed. I think it was good for her to be able to just be around people that she cares about instead of trying to see everyone she's ever known in Utah the night before she leaves. We got back to Grandma Sherry's house pretty late, and a couple of her good friends came over to say goodbye.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> By the time I woke up <strong><em><u><span style="font-size: large;">Wednesday morning</span></u></em></strong>, Taylor and my Dad had already left to Target to get her last few little things that she needed to take with her that day. They got back just in time for everyone to get ready and head to Cafe Rio again, to meet up with Garrett and Regan so that they could see her off.... and then we headed to the MTC. </div><div style="text-align: left;">First thing first...The <span style="font-size: large;">iPhone</span> <em><span style="font-size: large;">handoff...</span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m604/alexabryn/IMAG0108_edit0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" i$="true" src="http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m604/alexabryn/IMAG0108_edit0.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Then as we pulled up to the curb, a couple of missionaries came out and grabbed her luggage, and we all got out to say a very <span style="font-size: large;"><em>quick </em></span><span style="font-size: small;">goodbye...</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m604/alexabryn/IMAG0110_edit0-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="209" i$="true" src="http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m604/alexabryn/IMAG0110_edit0-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>...Daddy, "brother"Tucker, little Laney, and Me...</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table>And then we left her there...<br />
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The drive back was a little more difficult than the way there. At one point we heard a sniffle, and Tucker looked back and me and then at Delaney, and asked if she was crying (she swears she never cries). Sure enough, under Tucker's light blue raybans, her little eyes were full of tears. I laid my head on her lap, held her hand, and triend to fall asleep. This is going to be the next 18 months of my life. Hanging out with sweet Delaney and Tucker (and <em>BABE!!!</em>) and though it will be hard at times,I know that she is on the lord's errand and that she will be blessed. I am looking forward to hearing her stories, and to feeling her love of the Savior through her service and her letters.<br />
We listened to Disney pandora for a long time from a little outside of Vegas all the way to about Barstow, and we all sang along. We didn't sleep as much as the first drive either. From St. George all the way to almost Riverside, everyone was awake. I drove from St. George to Barstow, and we made it home a little before midnight. Dad helped me get my bags, Tucker promised we'd hang out soon, and I hurried inside to see Babe! {it was a great trip but I truly had missed him TERRIBLY!}<br />
I am so <strong><em>proud</em></strong> of both of my sisters, and I am greatly looking forward to the day when we do the whole thing over again with Ashy!<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">GRAND AMERICA 2011!! hahah</span>Alexa Brynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200938494943818936noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483898758248545268.post-16498679401644889012011-05-17T14:24:00.000-07:002011-05-17T14:24:39.952-07:00Sweet SistersMy sweet sisters are leaving me. They've both chosen to go on missions for our church, and I could not be more proud to be their big sister. <strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">Taylor </span></em></strong>will be serving in <em><u>Lubbock, Texas</u></em> and she will report to the Missionary Training Center in Provo on June 22nd. <strong><span style="font-size: large;">Ashy Bee's</span></strong> call should be here this week *fingers crossed*. I can't wait to see where she is going. I know that they will both be amazing missionaries, and that their testimonies of the Gospel of Jesus Christ will change the lives of the people they meet. <br />
My other sweet sister <em><u><span style="font-size: large;">Delaney</span></u></em> is getting so big. She's 14 now, and will be starting high school in the fall. I'm sure that it will be scary for her without two of her sisters, but I also know that she will be blessed and bouyed up by their service, and I know that she is the smartest of us all. Her little spirit is <strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">SO</span></em></strong> strong, she stands up for what she believes in, and won't let anybody tell her otherwise. <br />
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I love my sisters, I'm so glad that Heavenly Father sent them to be part of this journey with me...I couldn't imagine it any other way.Alexa Brynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200938494943818936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483898758248545268.post-89609444738878388882011-05-11T11:17:00.000-07:002011-05-11T11:17:56.895-07:00In the NewsThere are some days in your life that you never forget. There are images that your mind holds onto long after they are seen. I remember being in eighth grade, I remember I was getting ready for school and curling my hair when my dad called us girls into the living room to see what was on the television, just as the second plane hit the second tower...<br />
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</div> I remember the reports...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Se2hFXCEGYY/TcBFT121D4I/AAAAAAAAAMQ/3OrvRJ7QkoI/s1600/0911_big.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Se2hFXCEGYY/TcBFT121D4I/AAAAAAAAAMQ/3OrvRJ7QkoI/s320/0911_big.gif" width="195" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I remember being sad, and I remember being afraid. And then, I remember the country coming together, I remember that no matter who you were, regardless of color, economic status, or religion, you were an american, and you were proud.We celebrated the heroes of that day, and we mourned those that were lost. We supported their families and eachother. We stood united, and refused to let those that sought to defile and hurt our countryman ruin our resolve. <em>I say we like I had some big thing to do with everyone else in the country, but that's how it felt....</em>We declared war the man/organization who were responsibe for the travesty and the loss of our people, and the searched continued for almost 10 years. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As I got into bed on Sunday night, I heard the news-Osama Bin Laden was dead. I didn't quite know how to feel. It is strange to feel a sense of satisfaction or justification for the death of any one person, but this was a terribly evil man. He orchestrated many operations that led to the death of innocent people. I wonder what the ramifications will be, however at the same time I can not help but feel a small sense of hope, a feeling that those who lost loved ones in those attacks nearly ten years ago can now feel even a little relief. Though I can not celebrate death, I can look with hope toward the future...I can pray for our troops, for their families, and for the leaders of our country. I pray that we may be kept safe, and that we will all continue to be proud to be Americans...The Land of the Free, and the Home of the Brave. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nRtqXPPo_6M/TcBPj9_-5hI/AAAAAAAAAMU/LKO2VmGQt_Y/s1600/Home%252520of%252520the%252520Brave%252520Firefighters%252520Flag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nRtqXPPo_6M/TcBPj9_-5hI/AAAAAAAAAMU/LKO2VmGQt_Y/s320/Home%252520of%252520the%252520Brave%252520Firefighters%252520Flag.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Alexa Brynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200938494943818936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483898758248545268.post-75750529037875581842011-04-29T13:59:00.000-07:002011-04-29T13:59:42.828-07:00Daughter of a King...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">sooooooo I didn't wake up before the break of dawn to watch the Royal Wedding, however, I <em>DID </em>watch it once I got to work. It was absolutely BEAUTIFUL, Kate was gorgeous, and William's smile and the way he looked at his bride was absolutely adorable. You can tell that they are incredibly in love, and I am always, ALWAYS happy to see two people happy together!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f5-IxCMrOtk/TbsJk7Rxw-I/AAAAAAAAAMI/rxDYi1mWXlA/s1600/Royal-Wedding-William-and-Kate-Kiss-435x580.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f5-IxCMrOtk/TbsJk7Rxw-I/AAAAAAAAAMI/rxDYi1mWXlA/s320/Royal-Wedding-William-and-Kate-Kiss-435x580.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><strong><u>BUT </u></strong>there was one big, and I mean BIG thing that was missing...I listened to the commentary, watched as the bride and groom arrived, the people cheered, and girls around the world saw Kate Middleton became Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge--a princess, and saw the ceremony that made it so, I couldn't help but notice how many "til death us do part"s there were in the words that the Archbiship said, and even in all that beauty it made me kind of sad. I couldn't help but think about the day Babe and I were married, and blessings of the temple, of the covenants that we are able to make there, the spirit that is felt, and the sealing power of the priesthood. There is no more sacred place to be than kneeling across the alter from the one you love, to hear the sealer talk about eternity, the eternity that you get to spend together, to look into those mirrors, and to see that eternity in them---<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1619335830">"<em><span style="font-size: large;">temple mirrors</span>—one mirror on this side, one mirror on that side. Together the temple mirrors reflect back and forth images that stretch seemingly into eternity.</em></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><a href="http://lds.org/general-conference/2010/10/temple-mirrors-of-eternity-a-testimony-of-family?lang=eng&query=all+eternity">Temple mirrors of eternity remind us that each human being has “divine nature and destiny”; that “sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally”; and that, growing together in love and faithfulness, we can give children roots and wings."</a></em></div><br />
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I also thought of this talk, <a href="http://lds.org/general-conference/2010/04/your-happily-ever-after?lang=eng&query=your+happily+ever+after">"Your Happily Ever After" by President Uchtdorf</a>, in which he reminds us that we are all daughters of a King, we are in fact,<em>"beloved daughters of Heavenly Father, prepared to come to the earth at this particular time for a sacred and glorious purpose.”Those words are true! They are not made up in a fairy tale! Isn’t it remarkable to know that our eternal Heavenly Father knows you, hears you, watches over you, and loves you with an infinite love? In fact, His love for you is so great that He has granted you this earthly life as a precious gift of <strong>“once upon a time,”</strong> complete with your own true story of adventure, trial, and opportunities for greatness, nobility, courage, and love. And, most glorious of all, He offers you a gift beyond price and comprehension. Heavenly Father offers to you the greatest gift of all—eternal life—and the opportunity and infinite blessing of your own <strong>“happily ever after.” </strong></em>He tells us that our "once upon a time" is now, and that through faith in our Savior and following our father's plan, "the day will come when you turn the final pages of your own glorious story; there you will read and experience the fulfillment of those blessed and wonderful words: “And they lived happily ever after.” <br />
I love Christian with all my heart, and each and everyday I pray for the spirits waiting up there in the spirit world to come to earth and recieve their bodies, especially for the ones that I will be blessed to nuture, teach, and show the way. Even as I sit here at my desk in my office, my eyes brim with tears, and my heart is full of love for them. Though I have never seen them, I know that they are there, and I know in the deepest depths of my soul that they are meant for me and my sweet, sweet husband, and I can not bear the thought even for a second that I could bring a child into this world, or look at the man I married, and not know for a fact that they will be with me forever--even after this life! <br />
And THAT RIGHT THERE is why I am grateful for my Savior, for the knowledge and testimony I have of his Atonement, for this past weekend in which the entire Christian world reflected on and celebrated his resurrection. He died, and rose again, that we all might do the same, that we--along with our families, may return to live with him again, and for all eternity.<br />
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</em>Alexa Brynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200938494943818936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483898758248545268.post-47113904316597293222011-03-30T12:08:00.000-07:002011-03-30T12:08:12.206-07:00Okay Friends...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qG4_STglTNg/TZN06AhWK3I/AAAAAAAAALo/YwPXpvYz8ao/s1600/Catch+Up_%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" r6="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qG4_STglTNg/TZN06AhWK3I/AAAAAAAAALo/YwPXpvYz8ao/s320/Catch+Up_%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">My (and Jane's) little <em>darlings </em>got first place last Saturday at their Regional contest at Cal Poly Pamona...I got to sit in the room and keep time with one of the judges that we always dreaded in high school, and just thought that he was the most awful man on the planet (my kids think the same thing), BUT as soon as they-my team- left the room he turned to me and told me that I'd "done a great job with that team." Tanner and Conner rode home with me and Jane, and they are just as funny as can be. I love them, I really do. It's fun to be able to laugh with them and be able to help them to reach their potential, they really do have some serious potential-our goal is to make it at least past the first round of state. However, their first place win means that I now have to find a new Gavel for my dear, sweet chairmen, Christian...<em></em></div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Christian accepting their 1st place award!</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table>I got to see sweet Danielle and her <em>FIANCE </em>the saturday before last...I was SO excited!! I really miss that girl, and I am SO happy for them to start this new part of their lives. <br />
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I love being married, I love my Husband, I love to say "husband," I love cooking dinner with him, waking up with him, and just getting to spend every second that I can with my best friend...it couldn't be better! I know I'm always saying that, everytime I post pretty much. I'm happy, and you should be too. Especially because General Conferance is this weekend, yaaayyyy!! I am excited to hear from the leaders of the church, to feel the spirit, and listen to their inspired messages, as they feed us what our Heavenly Father wants us to know so that we can be the best we can in this life, and return to live with him someday.Alexa Brynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200938494943818936noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483898758248545268.post-4312965031768279242011-03-10T10:28:00.000-08:002011-03-10T10:28:59.265-08:00random thoughts/my body?<em>a whole lot of randomness comin your way:</em><br />
<ul><li>I got to spend some time this Saturday with a few of my favorite girls (Kayleigh, Janie, and Miss Joelle). Kayleigh and I got our hair done with JoJo at Envy and then we met Jane for lunch at Pizza Nova. I miss spending time with my girls, so it was nice to see them and enjoy their company![ and made me reeeaaalllyyyyy excited to see miss Danielle on the 19th :)] my hair underneath is now red-brown-violet, aka maroon and i LOVE it! </li>
<li>Jane and I are coaching Parli-Pro again this year, and it's wonderful! Well, wonderful in the sense that she and I have fun together, and we have a sharp team. The problem is that they know they are smart, and they know that they perform well under pressure...which reminds me a <strong><em>LITTLE </em></strong> (did you catch that sarcasm?) of us when we were in high school,except they don't have the know-how to back those big heads up! it'll be alright though, we're attempting to teach them everything we've got in our vast arsenal of knowledge, and if they pick up even half of it we should have a state level team on our hands</li>
<ul><li>annndddd if we have a state level team...janie and i get to take a trip back up to state conference, oooohhhh the memories THAT will bring back!</li>
</ul><li>Silly as it may be, I've been trying to find more "adult" clothes, not old lady clothes, but something nicer than my usual t-shirts to wear on a daily basis...it'll be a slow transition (clothes aren't free friends!) but i like what I've got so far and I'm excited</li>
</ul><div style="text-align: left;">--<strong><em>TANGENT: </em></strong>I get my <em>butt kicked </em>on a regular basis by my hunky trainer of a husband. I'm still not losing weight (even though i've been trying my darndest to eat healthy like a good little girl), but after reading <a href="http://blog.cjanerun.com/2011/03/janna-dean-eating-disorder-awareness.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+CJaneEnjoyIt+%28c+jane+enjoy+it%29">this post on C Jane</a>, that began with this quote--<em><span style="font-size: large;">“The body holds meaning. When we probe beneath the surface of our obsession with weight we will find a woman obsessed with her body is expressing a serious concern about the state of her soul.”</span></em> <em>(Kim Chernin, author of The Hungry Self: Women, Eating and Identity and The Obsession: Reflections on the Tyranny of Slenderness)--</em> I had what Miss O would call an "<span style="font-size: large;"><em>Aha moment"</em></span> I realized that there is no reason to obsess over my weight. I am a strong, confident daughter of my Heavenly Father with <em>Divine</em> potential, fretting over things that are beyond my control will not fix them, but will, in fact, further complicate them, and put not only my sanity, but the state of my <em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">SOUL</span></em> in jepardy. Now, I don't know about you, but that right there is not a risk I am willing to take. Don't get me wrong, I want to be healthy, I know that my body is a gift...afterall a whole 1/3 the hosts of heaven don't even get to have one, it's the whole reason that we are here on this earth-<em>TO GET A BODY</em>!! It is not, however, something that should bring me stress, discontent, or shame. It should bring nothing but JOY! That's the other reason we are here, right? To have <em>JOY?!</em> The two <strong>should </strong>go hand in hand. So, I'm going to keep doing what I'm doing: eating healthy, but not starving myself, and allowing myself certain indulgences every so often [just not all the time]. I'm also going to continue working out with husband AND on my own when he can't be there. I'll get where I want to be, and in the interm, I'll be <strong><em>happy</em></strong> with what I've got :)</div>Alexa Brynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200938494943818936noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483898758248545268.post-6822816507956699922011-02-21T07:39:00.001-08:002011-02-21T13:02:44.973-08:00faith as a little childLast night I got to go with <strong><span style="font-size: large;">Babe</span></strong> to<em> his</em> sister's house so that he could help give his (<em>our</em>) sick little nephew a blessing. I watched as my <em>brother-in-law</em> explained to <strong><em>Isaac </em></strong>that they were going to bless him by the <a href="http://www.mormon.org/">power of the holy melkezidac priesthood</a> and that heavenly father was going to help him feel better. Then I listened. I listened as-- <em>in spanish</em>--my sweet husband put oil on his little head, and Marco blessed him with health, that his fever would break and that he would feel better. Though I will admit that I did not know the exact words that were being spoken, Tears bured in my eyes as I felt the spirit in that room, and in my heart I understood what was being said. I couldn't help but look forward to the day when Babe can do that for our children, he is going to be such an amazing daddy...someday. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
And you know what...as we sat there, Isaac's fever broke and he felt well enough to play with us again.. the priesthood is a powerful thing, and the tender mercies of the Lord are undeniable when we are willing to see his hand in all things. <br />
<div style="clear: both; font-size: xx-small; text-align: center;">Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7</div>Alexa Brynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200938494943818936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483898758248545268.post-76551206482352856222011-02-08T14:04:00.000-08:002011-02-08T14:04:10.615-08:00better late than neverchristmas...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WlQsIQotVvI/TVG8O5yE4OI/AAAAAAAAAK4/OhTsDdOIxmg/s1600/DSC03449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WlQsIQotVvI/TVG8O5yE4OI/AAAAAAAAAK4/OhTsDdOIxmg/s320/DSC03449.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WlQsIQotVvI/TVG8WP-1HMI/AAAAAAAAAK8/kvTC2oGHBp8/s1600/DSC03477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WlQsIQotVvI/TVG8WP-1HMI/AAAAAAAAAK8/kvTC2oGHBp8/s320/DSC03477.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WlQsIQotVvI/TVG8jM9O3BI/AAAAAAAAALA/aP0JOu3rj4Q/s1600/DSC03496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WlQsIQotVvI/TVG8jM9O3BI/AAAAAAAAALA/aP0JOu3rj4Q/s320/DSC03496.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Sweet Katie and Ryan's Wedding.... <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WlQsIQotVvI/TVG899FpLmI/AAAAAAAAALE/g8_rOpPb2bQ/s1600/DSC03499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WlQsIQotVvI/TVG899FpLmI/AAAAAAAAALE/g8_rOpPb2bQ/s320/DSC03499.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>we take pictures while we drive :)</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WlQsIQotVvI/TVG9BRgpnYI/AAAAAAAAALI/jMFszeiZ67c/s1600/DSC03501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WlQsIQotVvI/TVG9BRgpnYI/AAAAAAAAALI/jMFszeiZ67c/s320/DSC03501.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>my "twin" cousin steph!</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WlQsIQotVvI/TVG9FclyFJI/AAAAAAAAALM/j3rNRmZKOUU/s1600/DSC03513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WlQsIQotVvI/TVG9FclyFJI/AAAAAAAAALM/j3rNRmZKOUU/s320/DSC03513.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">yaaayyyyy<em> for being married</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WlQsIQotVvI/TVG9K48pWTI/AAAAAAAAALQ/KQwHY5RXv_w/s1600/DSC03516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WlQsIQotVvI/TVG9K48pWTI/AAAAAAAAALQ/KQwHY5RXv_w/s320/DSC03516.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">best friends!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WlQsIQotVvI/TVG9R9_b0oI/AAAAAAAAALY/F5j-HXx9Mr4/s1600/DSC03519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WlQsIQotVvI/TVG9R9_b0oI/AAAAAAAAALY/F5j-HXx9Mr4/s320/DSC03519.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">auntie kyle <em>dancing with the kiddies</em></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WlQsIQotVvI/TVG9ZvgM1-I/AAAAAAAAALc/xwzhnuloFMY/s1600/DSC03521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WlQsIQotVvI/TVG9ZvgM1-I/AAAAAAAAALc/xwzhnuloFMY/s320/DSC03521.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>sweet sweet seeesters</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Alexa Brynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200938494943818936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483898758248545268.post-84970888400181334782011-02-08T13:51:00.000-08:002011-02-08T13:52:27.813-08:00First danceooooh it's about that time In all the recent craziness, I completely forgot to tell you all about a special moment (or couple of moments) on the wedding day!!<br />
<em><u>Moment #1</u></em><br />
My dear sweet daddy made a slide show of pictures of me and my maaaannnnnn from birth to now...it was beautiful. At one point I went to practice my little song with Taylor, and when I came out, Babe was sitting on the couch in front of the televison where it was playing, with tears in his eyes, on his face and as we walked out to the car together to get something he explained his very personal, incredibly sweet reasons for his tears. I was and continue each and every day to be in awe of him. I am so grateful that I married a man who is so comfortable with himself, and his feelings that he can do things like that.<br />
<em><u>Moment #2</u></em><br />
Babe and I had our first dance to "Marry Me" by train, and it was wonderful. After that I had my dance with my Daddy. I picked the song "In My Arms" by Mark Wills. It's the perfect song for a Daddy-Daughter dance, and especially for me and my dad. He always tells me a story about when I was a little girl and he used to rock me to sleep and says "do you remember when you were little and I used to hold you in my arms..." and so as I'm sure you can imagine it was an emotional thing already, but toward the end of the song he pulled Christian back out onto the dance floor and had him dance with me again and said "these are your arms now."At which point, I of course began to cry....<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WlQsIQotVvI/TVG6oIc7bxI/AAAAAAAAAK0/QBBJFNxQHUs/s1600/1030+--394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WlQsIQotVvI/TVG6oIc7bxI/AAAAAAAAAK0/QBBJFNxQHUs/s320/1030+--394.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'll never, NEVER forget that moment...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>...and it just keeps getting better!Alexa Brynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200938494943818936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483898758248545268.post-59970105861811304022011-02-01T09:39:00.001-08:002011-02-01T09:48:22.275-08:00Sweet Music<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_WlQsIQotVvI/TUhFTkIw9_I/AAAAAAAAAKo/81izW6qsizw/IMG_20110201_092114.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_WlQsIQotVvI/TUhFTkIw9_I/AAAAAAAAAKo/81izW6qsizw/s400/IMG_20110201_092114.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>A Constant Reminder</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table>I would not feel right if I did not acknowledge what I experienced yesterday. Yesterday I witnessed the single most amazing memorial service I've ever been to. I've never seen such an outpouring of love for someone and their family. I was and continue to be in awe of the beauty of it all. The music was beautiful [Calee wrote the most beautiful song I've ever heard in tribute to her Mom and she and her sisters sounded like angels singing it! The Gray's played 'I know that my redeemer lives' and little Taelyn sang her sweet testimony loud and strong with 'I Am a child of God?'] Bishop Pat Moore and President Chuck Neilsen spoke about her life, and her faith, and her spirit and joy she put into everything she did was felt by everyone in attendance. At one point Bishop Moore asked all who had been in any kind if choir she directed to stand...it was amazing to watch a majority of the chapel and cultural hall stand. Rita truly put music in the hearts of all that she taught, and her influence will be felt far beyond the congregation that gathered yesterday. She will live on, as we continue to 'Sing for Rita' <br />
<div style="clear: both; font-size: xx-small; text-align: center;">Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5</div>Alexa Brynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200938494943818936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483898758248545268.post-82244841431887205912011-01-31T09:50:00.000-08:002011-01-31T09:50:37.933-08:0027-30 finallyDay 27 – A picture of you last year and now and how have you changed since then?<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a25/lexiebryn215/family/4642_1092858327314_1402205650_30-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a25/lexiebryn215/family/4642_1092858327314_1402205650_30-2.jpg" /></a></div>This is me and my Katie girl after her baptism...a year and a half ago. SO much has changed since then. Pretty much my whole life [no joke!] and I REALLY could not ask for more than I have in this moment!! <br />
<br />
<br />
Day 28 – Your favorite movie.<br />
<br />
My Best Friend's Wedding<br />
Knotting Hill<br />
A Walk to Remember<br />
<br />
Day 29 – Something you could never get tired of doing.<br />
<br />
I will never never never NEVER get tired of being with Christian. He is honestly the most amazing man that I have ever/will ever know and I am so blessed to be his wife!! I will never get tired of talking to him, laughing with him, or cuddling with him...corny corny corny, but so verrrry true!<br />
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Day 30 – A photograph of yourself today + three good things that have happened in the past.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WlQsIQotVvI/TUb17mGT40I/AAAAAAAAAKg/IUH3VtbYiic/s1600/Photo+288.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WlQsIQotVvI/TUb17mGT40I/AAAAAAAAAKg/IUH3VtbYiic/s320/Photo+288.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
1. I got married the 18th of December 2010 to the most amazing man I've ever met and have since meeting Him been the happiest girl in the world!<br />
2. I got to go through the temple on December 11th, I felt so much more peace than I ever thought possible<br />
3. I was born into the most crazy, loving, and amazing family in the world, and I am blessed to know that I get to be with them forever!Alexa Brynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200938494943818936noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2483898758248545268.post-77229356308116777992011-01-25T09:48:00.000-08:002011-01-25T09:48:52.700-08:00Heaven was needing a hero like youI remember my Junior year in high school when the Schroeder family moved into our ward. It had only been our little group of friends for the last two years, so it was exciting to have two new girls to hang out with who were bundles of fun. But we quickly found out that we didn't just get two new friends, we got a new family! I had the opportunity to be in Rita's Teen Harmony group. I was constantly in awe of her knowledge of music, her perfect pitch, and her ability to make us all feel comfortable and excited each and every week, even the one when we all threw our music on the ground and said we didn't want to sing that particular song (I guess that's only to be expected from a group of 13-17 year old girls, especially when one of them is your daughter). I loved learning from her, and she taught me a lot, not just about music, but about life.<br />
Because of my circumstances, I've had the opportunity to have a few women in my life that have been mother's to me, Rita was most definitely one of them. I remember sitting often in the living room with Brooke, and watching how she loved to push her mom's buttons, but how Rita reacted with a roll of her eyes, a laugh, and a whole lot of love, and I remember wishing on more than one occasion that I had a mom like her, or that SHE was my mom. In a time when I so needed to feel like I belonged somewhere, she always made me feel welcome in her home, she taught me what it meant to be a wife and a mother, she taught me what it meant to be a strong woman, not just through her words, but she showed me how, and I am and will forever be grateful for that.<br />
She was also a teacher in our Young Women's class. Her testimony of the gospel, was evident in every word she spoke, and every story she told. She knew her Savior, and she helped each and every one of us girls to feel of his spirit, and find in us the desire to know him as she did. I know that my life has been blessed to have known her. I know that she will be forever in my heart, and that I will never be able to forget the lessons that I learned from her, her sweet voice, or the light and love she had for her girls, and her husband, for they are forever ingrained in my heart. She truly was one of my heroes...I guess heaven needed her more than we did. <br />
<br />
Oh, it's kept me awake nights, wondering<br />
<br />
<br />
I lie in the dark, just asking why<br />
<br />
I've always been told<br />
<br />
You won't be called home<br />
<br />
Until it's your time <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I guess heaven was needing a hero<br />
<br />
Somebody just like you<br />
<br />
Brave enough to stand up<br />
<br />
For what you believe<br />
<br />
And follow it through<br />
<br />
When I try to make it make sense in my mind<br />
<br />
The only conclusion I come to<br />
<br />
Is heaven was needing a hero<br />
<br />
Like you <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I remember the last time I saw you<br />
<br />
Oh, you held your head up proud<br />
<br />
I laughed inside<br />
<br />
When I saw how you were standing out in the crowd<br />
<br />
Your such a part of who I am<br />
<br />
Now that part will just be void<br />
<br />
No matter how much I need you now<br />
<br />
Heaven needed you more <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Cause heaven was needing a hero<br />
<br />
Somebody just like you<br />
<br />
Brave enough to stand up<br />
<br />
For what you believe<br />
<br />
And follow it through<br />
<br />
When I try to make it make sense in my mind<br />
<br />
The only conclusion I come to<br />
<br />
Is heaven was needing a hero<br />
<br />
Like you <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Is Heaven was needing a hero<br />
<br />
and that's you <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<3 I'm sure she'll be directing a chior of angels up there...but we'll sure miss her here. My thoughts and prayers are constantly with her family, I am so grateful for their examples, and grateful that they will have forever with their sweet mom and wife.Alexa Brynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06200938494943818936noreply@blogger.com0