Blessed; Missing Matt

This week has been an interesting one. My mom visited for a few days and helped me organize my closet and a large cabinet before Matt left. It was wonderful. It feels good to have things more and more in order. She and Matt helped me pick out curtains for the living room and our bedroom the last time we were visited my mom. Mom has a way of seeing a need and filling it. She is tenacious with a project, down to making sure we got the bins I needed to get the job done. My house looks a lot better and I feel better. One cabinet in particular was haunting my life; flash cards, play dough, crayons, scissors, craft stuff, chalk, bubbles, and those counting bears...odds and ends that would threaten my patience because the kids had easy access to and would quickly spread around the house and make a mess, were making me crazy. I had reorganized the thing so many times and was at a loss for solutions that would last other than getting rid of it all. Then mom had a vision of how to fix it...clear stacking plastic bins, labeled. They are wonderful. No more cleaning up counting bears a thousand times.

While Matt was gone on business in New Mexico, I felt loved and assisted by family. Grandma and Grandpa Brown were here a few days. It was wonderful, too. Fun to see my dad play on the floor with my girls, chase them around with a blanket on his head. Bette helped in the kitchen as always with dishes and meal preparation, brought clothes for the girls, jam, home made bread, and Amish cheese. We all grocery shopped together, which is so helpful. And I got to nap. :) The funniest thing was when Dad had Amber's bunny and was having it talk to Julie's mouse, playing. Julie started calling him Bunny Boy. "Come here, Bunny Boy," in the silliest voice.

Later in the week Papa, Grandpa Phil, visited and was sleeping on the couch. Julie said, "Get up, Bunny Boy."

Then, today during Sacrament Meeting at church, the little boys behind us were sleeping on their parents' laps. Julie turned to them and said, "Wake up, Bunny Boy." It was hilarious. I need to record it, the way she says it cracks me up.

Thursday, we met Papa at Nick's jujitsu studio and watched him grapple. Then we all had lunch together. It was nice. Later that night, after making plans to meet Elaine & Ted at the museum, Amber spiked a temp. My slow thermometer got to 102.3 when Amber would tolerate it no longer. So that cleared our plans for the next day. She was really starting to worry me when she wasn't improving, asleep more than awake, not eating, and threw up in the middle of the night on Friday. Papa was a gem, keeping Julie occupied while I tended to Amber. And I got naps. :) And before he left, he made sure I went to the store so I wouldn't have to drag the girls out. We're so lucky.

It's neat to see the bonds of love we forge as we spend time together. It makes me feel like heaven on earth, truly blessed to have good family and friends who care. I'm looking forward to Laura having her baby and spending time with Grandma Haynie.

So here's the missing Matt part... Though we were well taken care of and busy, I missed Matt. There was an emptiness without him there. I am so glad he's home safe.

Having a week apart, we are both more appreciative of each other. I'm looking forward to our next date.

I just feel so loved. ...Elizabeth, I put the book you suggested on hold at the library. Thanks for the call. :)

Amber's coloring

I left this coloring page up after I printed it for Sunday school and found that Amber had made some colorful changes.

Pregnancy update

I'm 17 weeks along and feel like a bear. I just want to hibernate for the winter. We find out if we are having a boy or girl in 3 weeks!

After using powdered milk for the last several days and slicing my thumb cutting the homemade bread I made yesterday, I finally got myself out to the store with my girls. 1/2 way through the store, Amber threw up in the aisle. Poor thing. So it's been all kinds of excitement around here with mommy's patience wearing a little thin with lack 'o naps and lack o' energy. I think my baby is having a growth spurt or something. We'll say "he" is 5 inches long and I have felt movement. I'm feeling bigger, though happily girl friends from church who didn't know I was pregnant, claim I'm not showing yet, which is nice, though I am in maternity clothes/pants since my waist is uncomfortable in my normal jeans.

I attempted phase 1 of potty training Julie yesterday. We're not ready.

I want to live at Danielle's house and eat homemade waffles with fresh fruit and yogurt everyday. Her house is so roomy and decorated with style. I got some more ideas today. She could so have a bed and breakfast. :) Like she has time and energy to do that everyday, she was hosting a shower for 2 friends having babies soon. It was nice.

I just want to be pampered. My meager attempts at keeping up with the laundry are pathetic. If only a laundry fairy would put the clean clothes away for me, I would do the rest. Oh well, here I am blogging, best get on the dinner train.

Matt, I really do do stuff during the day. My energy just gives out and I have to rest.

He's my Brother

My brother, Nicholas Brown, is making a name for himself in the culinary world. Check out this article telling about his new menu: http://atgeist.com/blog/infusion-the-hidden-treasure-of-geist/

Nathan is still in California and I miss him so much. Would like to zip out and see him like we did in Sept.

Haynie's got a gun

The whole world's come undone! Now everybody is on the run...

I'm so Jealous

A baby was just born in California with 12 toes and 12 fingers. But what I think is really cool is that they are all functional! This guy is will be using "g" & "h" on home row! He'll be able to play the piano a little bit differently too. And he'll have to get custom made gloves or just settle for mittens. And perhaps most enviable, he'll have room on his hand for an extra wedding ring!