Girl's Night

A couple of weeks ago, our Ashlee couldn't go anywhere for a while, so we brought the party to her. Milagro's to go for dinner. My new favorite? Sweet Green Chile Stuffed Chicken Quesadilla. Honestly I dream about it throughout my waking hours. Katie organized a night of making bracelets for children in Russian Orphanages from our extra craft supplies. Then we passed around our Ben & Jerry ice creams in a circle to sample. Movie pick? Ramona & Beezus and Princess Diaries 2... braking out in unison 'The National Anthem of Genovia.' It was a nice girls night :)
-Brenda

Juggling

Through the years, Larry and I have each taken on different responsibilities... between home and Pebbles. Looking back, I am not sure it has always been the best choice for us, but it is easy to get into a routine and let the years pass. We are making changes. I guess we all make changes throughout our lives as we go through each phase. With Larry now working a lot at American Fork Hospital, we are in what can only be called 'the adjustment period'. It feels like someone has thrown in an extra ball to juggle and things are getting dropped more often. Too many balls... not enough hands or hours in the day. No milk in the fridge for two days? Out of clean underwear? Coupon shopping? 'Crummy" kitchen floors? Words written in a layer of dust?

I am taking on more of the domestic responsibilities to the surprise and delight of the girls. My heart has always been home, so I know we are moving in the right direction. Kelsie and Abby give each other surprised glances that seem to say, 'We didn't know our Mom could do this' even if it is something as simple as frying up hashbrowns or loading the dishwasher.

We have simplified Pebbles to one store, but still it takes a lot of time and energy. Maybe I have learned lately there is more to life than what we accomplish or the speed in which we move. I am still pondering about simplifying more and staying open for possibilities.

I went to Costco with Lindsey and bought black raspberries. In season. Great price. I am going to freeze all kinds of berries for the winter. I froze single layers of berries in pans and then put them in bags. I felt quite domestic and accomplished until I talked to my sister Becky, who quickly told me 'Oh Brenda, I don't have time for that. I just put em in bags and freeze them. A good wack will loosen them up.' My sister Becky is the queen of country in Tennessee. She is my hero and sets me straight :)
-Brenda

It's been a long month...

It started with a sticky note on the counter and then another sticky note in my planner, 'Don't die, get a 'Colonoscopy'. Then the daily verbal reminders began, 'Did you make your appointment?' Thank you Kelsie for pushing me... it is something that we all need to do when we are 50.

I went in for my Colonoscopy last month. Thankfully my colon came out clear, but they did find a growth in the lining of my rectum (Can I say that in a blog?). It was the size of a gum ball and had apparently been there a long time. I needed to be scheduled for a biopsy before they could remove it. So I went home and waited for the next available biopsy appointment. Meanwhile, I did what most people would do... Constant prayer and thinking about life and death. Alot.

Life changes in an instant and everything is different. One minute I was fine, then I would hear Conrad yell 'Grandma' and I would burst into tears. Life kept me busy, I cleared out a lot of things that I no longer felt attached to... amazing how that happens. Odd thoughts would pop into my head... I remember laying on our bed and hearing the sounds of home life with everyone and thinking this is what it will be like when I am gone. It isn't so much that I am afraid to die, I just love being here.

The first available biopsy appointment would be in July at LDS hospital (they have the machine we needed). A lifetime too long to wait. So I had a CT scan. Inconclusive. I called the doctor's office every day and finally got an earlier appointment for May 18. I think the nurse was just tired of me calling. Three enemas and Larry and I were on our way. The doctor could not find the growth anywhere. He was very puzzled and kept searching. What helped was the blessing that it was my period. He asked if I was also on my period when I had my Colonoscopy. Yes. 2 tampons just in case on that day. Putting two and two together, he realized that the growth was actually a Tampon bulge... a misread and that is why they couldn't see a growth, it was no longer there. He gathered all the information and is presenting it to the medical journals. He asked how I was feeling. Thankful and filled with joy I told him. He said anger may come when we get the bills. I will never forget seeing the worry leave Larry's face or our kids, even though they told me all along that things will work out. I am happy the casseroling for Larry will have to wait for another day.

What have I learned? To live in the moment more. To ponder more. To listen more. To be a better wife and Mom. To simplify (always). To work less. To stop spending time focusing on things in life that I have no control over. To give things to God. To pray more. To take better care of me. To be grateful for all the little things in life... which end up being the big things. To keep in mind: Good, Better, Best. To be happy.

It's been a long month, but it has also been a blessing in many ways.
-Brenda

At work, I look up and count my blessings, along with the
tampons hanging from the ceiling... thank you Ashlee

Girl Time.

Girl time. This time to celebrate my past #51 birthday with a very yummy dinner of Chicken Curry Sandwiches, fresh fruit, strawberry lemonade and Sandra's out-of-this-world Hot Fudge and Caramel Sauce... yes I had two scoops of ice cream and had to re-fresh my sauce twice. It is out of this world yummy good. I think my favorites times with my friends are staying quietly in, sharing a meal and just talking... feeling the love we have for each other. These are friends I will grow old with as we watch over and take care of one another: laughing, crying, talking and hugging every step of the way. Blessed? Yes.
-Brenda

Marci, Sandra, Kathy Jo, Brenda, Conna, Debbi & Terry

A foot in the door...

This past year has been a busy and sometimes frustrating transition as we makes plans for the future. Sometimes staying where we are at feels easier, but it may not necessarily be right for us. Change can be awkward, uncomfortable, even scary as we step into the unknown future. We are praying and feel we are on the right path.

A couple of weeks ago, Larry interviewed for a job at American Fork Hospital. He got the job... I knew he would. How could you not love Larry? Honest, Hard working, Dependable... Nice. I think one of his best qualities is that he is humble and willing to do anything that is needed. He is looking forward to making his way into the Lab Tech department, but for now is working in the cafeteria... a foot in the door towards his goal as they hire internally first. I love my Larry.
-Brenda

Mother's Day Weekend

Happy to say the tradition continues... the kids (not kids anymore, but always will be to me) came over on Saturday and helped get the yard ready for summer. It is the best gift they could give me and is much appreciated. Probably more so this year than any other time as we juggle life lately. Turning on the music and gathering together somehow melts worries away. We are finishing up the Shop Hop today at Pebbles, which has been busy & wonderful. It has been a good week to visit with new customers. Thank you Katie for pitching in to help Ashlee! Thank you Kelsie & Josh for watching the kids so Katie could help... Oh! the trickle down service in a family is much needed!

This year Kelsie and Abby are planting the garden together... I think this includes weeding too, but will know in a few weeks if it does. They got it planted with heirloom tomatoes, roma tomatoes, all kinds of peppers, cucumbers, potatoes, green beans & carrots. Kelsie is also planting an herb garden in all of our metal buckets.

Today, they all surprised me and came to church. It was perfect having them there with me. Then we just relaxed and I even got to have a nap. They made me a mexican dinner and homemade cherry chocolate chip ice cream. Being a Mom to my daughters has been my greatest blessing in life, adding sons and now grand kids makes it even more so.
-Brenda

Easter Sunday

Church on Easter morning was made perfect when I heard the pattering of little feet, along with "Grandma!" and a hug from Conrad. An Easter surprise from Katie & Ransom. We had a yummy roast dinner with Larry's Mom & Dad, Emile, Cord and Whitney & kids. The kids happily hunted for eggs in the backyard. It is overwhelming to even begin to comprehend all of the blessings we have all been given from our Heavenly Father. I would like to work on being more mindful of them each day. Happy Easter!
-Brenda

Our sweet little Phoebe

This picture about sums up picture taking lately with Conrad.
He is busy discovering life... just as it should be.

Ashlee, Lindsey, Katie, Kelsie & Abby
with their Grandma and Grandpa Birrell