Life with the Brudfam

It's been too long

 At the end of May, we celebrated Drama Queen's 14th birthday.  I have to say, knock on wood, that this teenager is an absolute delight!  She is funny, creative, confidant, silly, kind and only teases her sisters a little bit.  We love her enthusiasm for life and the clever things she does.  

She requested Cherry Turnover's for breakfast.  Yummy.  
For lunch, The Guy and I pulled her out of school and took her to Cafe Rio for steak burritos.

And that night, we went to Bonsai to celebrate her special day.

After dinner, we came home to have cake and ice cream.  Thanks to Kira, Drama Queen had two pretty cakes to eat!  

Sounds like the highlight of the day was food.  But for Drama Queen, the best part was opening a box with two tickets to the Justin Bieber concert.  Her wish came true.  She kinda liked her other gifts too....clothes, dinner and a shopping trip with Grandmom Williams, and a few other fun things.  

I keep thinking, where did the time go?  It all happens so quickly and reminds me to stop and enjoy every moment.  To write more things down and engrain memories in my head.  And to take more pictures so I will remember these days.

Warning sign

A few weeks ago, Drama Queen really "needed" to go shopping for some clothes.  

She made this the wallpaper on my computer.  

I took her shopping.  But not before reviewing some basic spelling with her (i.e. hapens vs happens).

 

Tuesday

Here's what my Tuesday was full of:

Tears. Hope. Excitement. 

 {watched the Inauguration in my pj's on the couch and was touched by the progress we've made in this country (can you believe, a black president?), the eloquence and articulation of President Obama, and anticipation of changes in our future.}  Loved this quote: 

"On this day we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord."

quote from inauguration, via d.Sharp Journal

poster by the talented  Shepard Fairey

***

Shopping. Hot Dog on a Stick. Bonding time.

Yes, folks, Drama Queen didn't have school today (but her sisters did), so we hit the mall for lunch with The Guy.  There's nothing like a corndog and fries every once in a while.  The Guy left and we did some shopping, hitting two different malls + TJ Maxx.  We found a few goodies for Drama Queen.  

Ended the girl time with Red Mango. 

{Shopping + eating + Drama Queen + Mom = Perfect Day}

It's raining, it's pouring...

and I've loved being confined to the house (mostly) today, watching the rain drizzle.  It's our first rain for quite some time and although I must admit I wasn't excited about the moisture at first, I quickly adapted. This is why today was a perfect day:

* Long sleeve shirt, comfy sweats

* 4 hours of spiritual enlightenment and increased faith** (all while cuddling on the couch with The Guy)

* The kids playing quietly with a few friends (but making a BIG mess)

* Homemade minestrone + cornbread = yummy fall food

In other exciting news, Drama Queen is officially a drama queen.  She's been on an acting team that has been preparing to compete in the Shakespeare Competition down in Cedar City.  She left on Thursday and competed Friday and again today.  And she just texted me and told me that her team won!  We are so excited for them.

**some of my favorites were Elder Holland, Elder Oaks (I am sure we'll be doing a lesson in YW on this one), President Uchtdorf (yet again) and President Monson {and the exciting announcement of 5 new temples! Rome!!)  Oh, and sweet Elder Wirthlin.  I felt like this was an especially inspired & powerful day!  I am looking forward to tomorrow!

missing all the drama

Drama Queen has been off at Beehive Camp all week.  And I miss her terribly.  This is the first time she's been gone this long, and it just isn't the same without her.  There's been less drama in the house, less teasing and fighting, less giggling, less chatting, a lot less texting and just a feeling that our family is not complete without her.

I'm counting down till Friday morning...

Happy Birthday, Drama Queen

I am a little late in posting this {crazy week!}, but we had another birthday this week.  And our lovely Drama Queen turned 12.  What?!  How could this happen so quickly?  She's almost a teenager.  And now she will be coming to YW with me each Sunday and Wednesday, which thrills me!  Hooray!

Drama Queen brings absolute joy into our family.  She is cheerful (mostly), thoughtful, kind, funny! and has a knack for finding humor in life, and making everyday fun {along with a huge dose of drama}.   But when I say drama, I don't mean the typical drama of a adolescent girl--she doesn't get in fights with friends, or gossip, or care too much about her clothes or hair.  She is just herself--full of life and energy and creativity.  And we adore her! 

For the past few months, we have received a two-page persuasive essay, a video she made herself, letters, notes, all of which explained why she needs a cell phone.  We found pictures of cell phones in our sock drawers and under our pillows.  I came across notes in my dayplanner, reminding me to go buy her a cell phone. One particularly choice quote:

"Technology these days is 

pretty amazing. Calling, 

e-mailing, IM, texting--

it seems as if we are 

ALWAYS connected. 

Unfortunately, sometimes 

we are TOO connected and 

texting is over-used. 

I want a phone for use 

of safety--not for a 

social device."

I am glad that I have that in writing. i am sure that will come in 

handy when the phone bill gets here, as this Drama Queen was 

able to convince her parents to bite the bullet and get her a phone.

She has been on cloud 9 since she got it. And it's been used an awful lot. 

She must be having a lot of "safety concerns" since she is not using it as a "social device." hmmmm.

Happy Birthday, Coconut! I LOVE you!

silly girl

After the girls left for school one morning, I came across this note while I was cleaning up. I couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Crazy Cousins

These two girlies crack me up.

Cousin "G" spent the night Friday with us, and had a ball making video's on Saturday, including a music video to a High School Musical song, starring "G" as Gabriella and Drama Queen as Troy. It was pretty entertaining.

Twas the night before Valentines

A few photos of what was going on at our house on Wednesday night...

Freckles made a Valentines mailbox for school from a cardboard gift box I had. She painted it white and then made pink and red XO's and hearts. I outlined it all in black marker when she was done and cut a slit in the top. It's one of my favorite boxes we've made--and it was so quick!

Blue Eyes and Freckles gave Sweetheart candies and helped eachother write their names on them. Necco Sweethearts are a classic.

Drama Queen didn't have to give any Valentines--the whole sixth grade went bowling and to lunch at a pizza place instead. She kind of missed making them (and receiving them!).

Happy Valentines Day

Today I feel very grateful for a rich and full life and for so many people to love and who love me back.

I am especially glad to have the Guy back in town after a 4-day golf trip down south. It took him nearly 12 hours to drive back from St. George in the horrible weather yesterday. Here he is in his golf attire right before his getaway. Didn't his mother teach him never to swing a golf club in the house?

And this is just one of the many reasons I love him--He is a big goof! Nice touch to put on the apron and use the oven mitts when making PB&J's. He makes us all smile. And he has many other enduring qualities that made me fall utterly in love with him 17 {gasp!} years ago and 15 years of marriage have only intensified those feelings! He also went and helped at the school for me today--not just once, but twice! This morning for reading in Blue Eyes class, and this afternoon he is making Valentine's crafts for Freckle's class party. He's the best.

And Drama Queen is such a delight! She is a thoughtful, caring and conscientious daughter and I couldn't be more proud of her. Her antics keep us entertained. And Ferocious, the dog is pretty great too!

Sweet Freckles is such a determined little girl whose sweet smile melts my heart. She is so helpful around the house and makes life interesting for all of us.

And little Blue Eyes is growing way faster than her mother has told her is permittable and is therefore, not so little anymore. Her creativity and spark are always in action.

And little Iz feels like one of my own. She had a miserable day yesterday, throwing up and feverish, and is feeling a little better today. {Although I seem to have caught the bug from her.} She and I spent a lot of time cuddling on the couch and despite being extremely sick, she managed to tell me "tank you" when I would wipe her mouth and clean her up each time she threw up (which was probably 15 times!). Thanks to my mom for coming up and taking care of both of us yesterday--you're a lifesaver, Mom!

Since I am not feeling well, I think we'll defer our valentines celebration a day or two. My big plans of cooking dinner for the family and making lots of treats and goodies, just isn't happening today.