Happy First Birthday Lyla!

I have so many emotions about Lyla turning one tomorrow.  This birthday is full of happiness and excitement, and some sadness because the baby stage is coming to an end.

I made a video of Lyla's first year, posted here.

This has been a year full of so much learning. I had no idea that parenting would include such high highs and some low lows. I had no idea how much it would require me to change. I had no idea my heart was capable of so much love for my family. I had no idea how much I would celebrate the littlest things, like dancing, a high five, eating independently, SLEEPING THROUGH THE NIGHT (LOL)

Having Lyla join our family was the greatest blessing. The early months of her life felt really long. I was sleep deprived, healing, adjusting to mom life, and she needed SO much from us all hours of the day. But after we got into a routine, time started to fly right by!! Being her mom is one of the best things in my life. I cherish it. And I wouldn't trade it for anything.

I can't wait to see what the next few years bring. I can't wait to watch her continue to learn and discover this great big world.

I love my Lyla Bug SO much,
Mama Brookey

Happy Birthday, Love!

 

It's Mikey's 23rd birthday today! I love this man more than I have words to express. Mike is my safe place. He eases my burdens, calms my troubled heart, and loves and supports me to no end. My daily life with Mike is full of so much love. He makes a point to hold me, hug me, cuddle me, and kiss me multiple times a day. Throughout this pregnancy he has stayed up late into the night countless times to help me try to get comfortable enough to sleep sacrificing his own rest. I cannot wait to see how gentle and tender he will be with this little girl. I have no doubt he is going to be the best daddy and he is going to love her unconditionally.

Mike is the hardest worker. He is always busy with work, school, our home, or serving others. He is so fast to offer help to anyone in need- those he knows and those he doesn't. I love this about him. I know he will always find a way to provide for our family's financial, physical, and spiritual needs because that is just who he is. I am so so grateful that he loves God and is a worthy priesthood holder. His worthiness has blessed our home and lives countless times already and will continue to do so.

Mike possesses so many admirable qualities one of my favorites is his ability to be adaptable. Mike is so adaptable and easy going when things happen unexpectedly. He is a peace maker yet still opinionated and determined. He is funny, he makes me laugh every single day, and I love it! He is creative, smart, and a problem solver. Mike is adventurous, he is always game to try something new and to go do something fun. I love that he loves being outdoors, we share this love and it blesses our marriage immensely. I don't know the word I am looking for to describe this quality, but Mike has an ability to see things beyond what they are. He can see the good in difficult situations, the humor in sad situations, he can always see our hard times in a different light and I love that he can ground me during those trials. Mike is humble. Mike is quick to be grateful, he doesn't expect things and is always so grateful for everything we have. Mike is patient when he needs to be, I don't mean that to sound back handed. He knows when he needs to be patient, and he shows that patience so well, especially with me. I am grateful that he can tell when he needs to be patient.

He is the perfect amount of stubborn and competitive that keeps me constantly interested and challenged, which I need. My life with Mike is better than I ever imagined, and let me tell you I imagined a great life with him, but he has made our life so wonderful. I am so grateful I get to have him as my hubby and I am so grateful I get to celebrate him today, because he deserves to be celebrated.

I love you babe! Happy birthday!!
Brookey

Feelin 22

Mike just had another birthday!  I love celebrating him and doing little things to make him feel special!  He does so much for us at work, school, and in our little home so it was so fun to let him have a weekend of fun and relaxation! His birthday fell on Friday and we had my sister's graduation in the morning and then we went to lunch with my side of the family and then he went straight off to work. So I had the afternoon to bake him a cake (I have not baked a cake in over 3 years... but it turned out okay!) and to get everything ready.  We had decided that we would take it easy Friday night and then go out to dinner on Saturday. So I made a fort at home and got take out for dinner that night.  It was so fun to watch a movie in our little fort with our yummy food and treats! I also learned I need to brush up on my fort building skills!

I woke him up with Taylor Swift's "22" song and then we got right to business with opening presents! 

On Saturday we were supposed to go zip lining for one of his presents from me, but they cancelled the tour we were going to take, so we will have to do that in the next few weeks! That night we went to Goodwood BBQ, which is his favorite! I sure love my husband! He is my absolute best friend and he is the person I love with my entire being. Happy Birthday lover boy! Thanks for choosing me!

Building the fort was a lot of trial and error, it took me about an hour to do- I am not proud of that haha!  But I used lots of furniture, string, command hooks, clothes pins, and sheets.  On the ground I used lots of thick blankets and pillows to make it comfy! I also added some string lights and used our lighted marquee letters to add some light! It was so fun and I would definitely do it again! 

Happy birthday Mikey! 

all of my love, 

Brookey

Mikey's Birthday!

I sure do love this man!  And I am so glad we have spent the last week celebrating him and his life!!

The partying began last Monday.  My parents threw a family BBQ for him with his favorite foods.  We finished the night with a delicious white chocolate raspberry cake, a fire, and some s'mores!  My parents got mike new swimming shorts and a really good looking shirt (picked out by yours truly;) ).

My cute mom is amazing.  She found this yummy recipe for white chocolate raspberry cake (which we have learned is Mike's favorite flavor through wedding cake appointments- haha!)  It was a hit!
Everyone loved it!

On Wednesday, Mike's true birthday I got really sick.  Unfortunately our plans had to get moved around.  I gave him his presents.  We did a quick run up to H&M so he could pick up some shorts he has been eyeing, and we went out to dinner.  We then went back to my house and snuggled for a while.  I felt so bad I was sick, and tried my very best to suck it up so he could have a special day.

I made Mike a photo album with all of our pictures from our relationship, and got him his favorite cologne- Acqua di Gio from Giorgio Armani. Oh my land, it is yummy!

On Saturday when I was healthy again I took him on a real birthday date.  I took him on a hike up to battle creek falls, we put out a blanket at the top of the waterfall and scarfed down some yummy costa vida.  (my version of a picnic lol!)  After our hike we went to The Chocolate to grab some dessert and ended with a drive through Provo Canyon at sunset!  It was a super fun date with my lover boy!  I love celebrating him! 

Finally, last night we got to end the birthday festivities with his parents!  They took Mike and I to Goodwood BBQ (one of Mike's favorites! The man likes himself some BBQ if you didn't notice)  It was so fun to get intimate time with Chris and Camille.  It doesn't happen a lot when there are 8 kids running around, so it was pretty special!  I am so grateful for them and the people that they are.  They have raised a stalwart, respectful son and for that I am oh so grateful.  I very much look forward to becoming their daughter soon! They opened their home and hearts to me on day one and our relationships have progressed with each passing day.  Seriously, I just love them!  I am so blessed to have these wonderful people in my life.  And I am overwhelmed with gratitude that they are mine forever.

I am pretty sure Mike had a great birthday- I mean, it lasted a whole week!! I sure do love him.  I am so glad we get to spend all of our birthdays together for the rest of eternity!  Happy Birthday Michael! 21 honestly NEVER looked so good... ;) XOXO

lots of love,
brookeydee

Happiest Birthday to my lover boy!

Its Michael's Birthday!!  Gosh, I sure do love this man.  He has completely changed my life for the better and I am grateful for that every single day.  I am so excited to marry him and celebrate every birthday that our lives give us!

Here is my #typical list of 21 things I adore about this handsome man:
he has the purest heart, he has a great sense of humor, he is a gentleman, he loves to serve, he loves to love, he is loyal, he is an honest man, he values family, his ability to live in the moment, his patience with me, his desires to do good, his work ethic, his love for God, his desires to be obedient, holy smokes his body, his kisses and snuggles, his goals, his sensitivity to the Spirit, the way he smells, his courage, and his smile and laugh.

I could go on all day, but those are a few of my favorite things. I am so lucky to soon call him my husband!

Also, I am so glad I can start telling people that he is 21 and I am 22.. totally selfish, but seriously, I have received some weird looks with the age difference.

lots of love,
brookeydee