Once and a while it hits me so hard just how very grateful I am to be a mother. As I played with my sweet little girl this morning my heart was just so full and I had a special moment, just thinking of how blessed I am to be her mom. I wouldn't trade this for anything! It was such a big decision whether or not I should do grad school right away, but I finally decided to put off grad school and just be a stay-at-home mom. Now that I am home all day with Brynlee it is so clear why this decision was right. I absolutely love art and am still planning on pursuing a master's degree eventually, but it doesn't even compare to the joy and fulfillment that comes from being a mom. This is the best job in the world.
Yesterday was over 80 degrees and soo sunny, but it cooled off in the evening so it was really nice to eat outside. We caught a little bit of the championship game while we were at Sharkeez, but it wasn't much of a game. (I'm pleased to report that once again I won first place in my family's bracket challenge yet again - much to the dismay of my brothers, dad, and husband. See my brother's (Jae Clarke) post about this by clicking his link to the right. This year I ended up in the 98.8th percentile nationwide, which isn't as good as my previous victorious years, but it's not bad. Josh can't decide if he's jealous or proud of me!)
Sunday night we went on a beautiful walk along the beach trail. Sometimes it's a little windy on the beach trail when I go walking with Bryn, but Sunday it was such a nice, clear night.
Brynlee's new favorite thing to do is grab things. Anything. Whether it's her shirt, her skirt, her blankies, her toys, our clothing, or even...
...our faces. She had such a tight grip on my nose last night! Kind of a weird picture, but we thought it was funny. One hand tightly gripping her skirt. The other tightly gripping my nose. We love this little girl!!!
My dad was released during the Sat afternoon conference session after serving on the Young Men General Board for the past four years. I love and admire my dad so much, and am so grateful for the faithful church service he has given. I am grateful for his example of putting the Lord first and being willing to serve in whatever capacity he is called upon to do. I couldn't ask for a greater father.
The little kitchen. (I miss the walk-in pantry from our old apartment!!! But I knew it would be hard to find that much storage space in our next apartment.
Front Room. Notice the dangling things from the counter. I put that up to entertain Brynlee, but Josh actually enjoys laying under it to. He starts kicking and blowing bubbles just like Brynlee. Everyone can use little visual stimulation once and a while. Ha ha.
Front Room
Brynlee's Room. 
Bryn spends a lot of time here.
Our bedroom. Notice the beautiful statue in the corner of the room. Josh's pride and joy, right after Brynlee and I. It's a statue from Bolivia. He wanted it in the front room. I didn't want it in our house at all. (The figure is in a loin cloth!) We compromised.
Our little girl is a quarter of a year old! I can't believe she's this old. She is such a sweet little girl, so content and happy. We're lucky to have such an easy baby. Here are a few of the things about Brynlee at this stage:
P.S. My aunt Lila made this cute skirt for Brynlee. In fact, she designed the fabric and everything. (It was hard to get good pictures of Brynlee because she kept grabbing her skirt and staring at all the colors and patterns!)
12 years ago