Shaun and Britt Bit-by-Bit

I can not stop giggling about this, so here we go. We are part of one of the most amazing wards. Amazing bishopric, amazing families, just amazing. In our ward there is a women named Sister Minch. Recently, I have become close with her. She calls me, and I call her when I need a good laugh. She is my Mother away from home. This is why. A few weeks ago we decided to bring her and her husband some brownies and chat for a bit. It is always a good time. We walked over there in the evening. When she found out the we walked there and it was dark outside, her eyes got as big as kiwis. How's that for imagery? "Ken, go get my sweater for Brittney, and get a blanket for the baby! No, just put the stroller in the car and take them home!" she insisted. It took me a solid five minutes to convince her that there was no need. Then, we walked the whopping half of a mile home and just laughed.

A week or two later after church I was scurrying across the church parking lot so excited to put Ethan down for a nap .....that he was two hours past due for. Ethan was in the stroller, and I had taken my shoes off preparing to run. Ever run in second hand heels while pushing a stroller? Then, out comes Sister Minch. Across the parking lot or not she yelled " Brittney, where are your shoes?!?" I awkwardly yelled back, " Um, I had to take them off, um they hurt." Sadly, It probably sounded just like that. I went the whole way home just smiling. She is so funny. Here's the best part. The following day, I get a phone call from her. I was probably having so much fun vacuuming that I didn't hear it. This is what I heard when I checked my voicemail. "Brittney, my dear, Ken just got done sweeping up some glass out in the street. I'm just so afraid that it will get in your feet, so perhaps your should carry with you an extra pair of shoes. Just slip some slippers( actual word she used) in your diaper bag." I didn't realize until I put the phone down how big the smile was on my face. You ever met someone who cares that much? Isn't she a sweetie? As I said, amazing ward. :)

I wanted some gum today but I did not have access to any as there was none in the house that I was aware of.  Suddenly I remembered that I saw Britt chewing gum when we got home from church so I asked her, "Did I see you chewing gum today?"  To which she replied, "Why, did I stick it somewhere?"

 As much as I should spend the next hour filling in what has happened in our life recently, I am simply going to take ten minutes and give highlights about our munchkin. Here are some things he enjoys doing around a dozen times a day: Crawling up the stairs, and falling down them, taking all my piano books and sheet music off the shelves, biting my knees, toes, and shins, basically anything that is in range of those EIGHT cutco knife-like teeth. Isn't he going to be a treasure in nursery?? He loves being outside, hates the feel of grass but apparently loves the taste. He can't get enough of it. I am convinced that although I chase him around (and he chases me, which I love), change him, feed him, squeeze him, read to him, and make him laugh, his favorite moment of the day is when his Dad opens the garage and walks through the door. He seriously jumps, and races to his feet. Big ol' smile on his face. Sigh. It is so cute to me but not cool.




                                                                      Mid laugh.....
                                                       Ethan, ecstatic to be at the zoo.....

Fifteen minutes of entertainment...

                                               The real reason Ethan loves his Dad most.
                                      After mutual one night, this is what I came home to. I love it.

A few weeks we decided to take a trip to Vegas. Just the two of us. Shaun's best friend was getting married there...in Vegas!? Yep.Of course we had to go. It was a blast. We loved it! The trip up was super fun. We talked, laughed, and ate all sorts of tasty treats!. We walked up and down the strip, contemplated spending waaaaaaaaay too much money to see David Copperfield, and decided that a chicken burger, and some amazing fatty fries would make us just as happy.

I have to admit that being without the babes has it's benefits. Yes, it does.No bags, strollers, diaper changes, or fussy baby to mention a few from the pessimistic side of parenting. But boy is it rough. He is so so so worth it. He's just this sweetheart, that loves everything, and everyone.

On Friday, we were surrounded by beers, smoke, and a lot, I mean A LOT of half naked girls. Then Saturday, we went to a wedding breakfast at the Marriott. Ever eaten an omelet, toast, muffins, hash browns, AND cinnamon rolls for breakfast? I never have;) We had a few hours before the sealing so here were our choices: more of "The Strip," and ALL that, that entails or, The temple? Yeah, that's tough. We did a session in one of the most beautiful temples I've ever been in. Heaven. The sealing was amazing. It was a lot of back to back fun with my best friend.
 Well, we do have a basic camera, that leaves for average pictures but also the kind women who took this picture (above) was holding a beer, and cigarette while taking the picture. Talk about talent.

                                                                            Heaven.

Last Saturday, we were in Sahuarita for a Bell/Tate post-Thanksgiving gathering. Really, just another excuse to eat. I look forward to it every year. The Tates are my Grandpa's wife's children and grandchildren. They are all hysterical just like Grandma Joann, and a lot of fun. After a lot of delicious mexican food, a lot more pie, and some super competitive volley ball games we headed home. When we were fifteen minutes shy of our house heading north on I-10 I failed to notice the left lane merging signs. Before I knew it, a semi was on my right, a truck pulling a trailer was in front of me hitting every construction sign. Boards and lights were flung in the air and seemed to be heading right for our windshield. Having failed to merge, I was stuck in between a semi and cement wall on the freeway. So, boards hit the windshield, and it shattered, I panicked and slammed on the brakes simultaneously the semi smashed into our right side and we instantaneously were smashed into the cement wall to our left. In hindsight, that is what should have happened had the Lord not have been so merciful.
His mercy really is infinite, just as His love.

Every board and light missed our car. Miracle # 1. I stopped on the freeway, and no one was behind me to hit me. Miracle # 2. The semi, missed hitting our car by what seemed like an inch. Miracle # 3. This family of three made it home without a scratch ten minutes later. Miracle #4.

A few days a week I open my journal at the end of the day and write how I have seen the Lord's hand in my life that day. Any nearly every time, the same thing happens, a few lines in I just start to cry because of how much He has done just for me that day. I feel overwhelmed with love, gratitude, and joy as I realize even more how He watches over and knows me personally. It amazes me that we have war on three fronts, there are catastrophes world wide that occur weekly. Thousands of Heavenly Father's children are starving in various third world countries. Yet, everyday as I kneel down, and talk to Him, He hears me.Me. He answers MY prayer. Just insignificant Brittney in Tucson. It amazes me. I love Him, and I love the gospel.


Perhaps this should be another blog but I will just sum up our super fun Bisbee trip. The three days before Thanksgiving we decided to go to Bisbee. An old mining town southeast of Tucson. So cute. It was SO FUN! We walked up and down that town, ate at little cafes, ice cream shops, and my favorite...the chocolAte shop. If you couldn't tell, accent on the "a." Heaven. 

This week is a sad one. Shaun is on a business trip while I am left just sitting around here. Sitting is not something I'm good at so seeing as how my sweetheart is out of town I busied myself, spicing up the house. It is something Shaun has wanted me to do since we got married. So, being the sweet wife I am, I did it.....a year and a half later:) First, I started in the back yard. Planted winter rye, and filled up the flower bed with pansies and snap dragons. Then, painted the kitchen, and the rest of our living room. Took down the blinds, and up went some cheap, but nice curtains. I would put up pictures however I can't risk Shaun seeing what I did. He likes surprises. I like his face when he is surprised.

I am very grateful that I am not alone anymore when Shaun is gone on business. Sweet little Ethan is always around. He makes me laugh during bath time, 
during nakie time,

and when he makes these faces at me. Honestly, he even makes me laugh when he stops drinking his bottle to fart. Even writing it, I start to laugh. Gross. He just makes us so happy. Well, my sweet Shaun gets home tomorrow night and we can't wait! I laugh more, sleep better, and fall more in love with him when he is around. Mostly, he is all I think about until he is with me again. I am grateful for that feeling, and I'm so grateful for him.