Letters of Intent: Dearest Memory

It's Letters of Intent Friday! Julie of Foursons hosts Letters of Intent Fridays. I'm excited to participate. Check out the Letters of Intent button below.



Dearest Memory,

This has been a crazy week for sure. With both girls being sick at the same time and my total lack of sleep I felt it best to write you for prosperity.

While I know pieces of this week, even the past few weeks, will eventually fade into nothingness, I implore you will help me to remember the highlights. I don't mind forgetting about the sleepless nights, the insane amount of B tantrums and the isolation felt by being stuck in the house with the sickies, in fact I'd prefer to. I do want to remember the love Brenna has shown Paige when she wasn't feeling good and the smiles Paige gives Brenna every time she coughs, as if to say, "I know, I've been there." I hope to remember the fact that Brenna has worn some piece of her Cinderella costume everyday since her birthday and will even put the crown on Paigie's head. Most importantly please help me to remember God's grace brought me out of this when I wasn't sure how I was going to make it, yet another day running on empty!

One thing I also hope to never forget is at the end of this crazy week, baby Lana made (or will make) her grand entrance into this world! Welcome sweet child!

What a Week, Mama!

What at week indeed. It turns out giving up a binky effects all aspects of a three year-old's life. Every little hurt and fall makes for tears. And tantrums...oh my goodness! Sleeping seems non-existant. I say that but it is getting better. Naps seem to be getting better each day, hopefully nights will be following soon.




Paigie said Mama today!!!

Actually it started off as Mamama followed by a happy squeal. It was so precious. By the time we left the hospital this evening she had it down. Yes, you read that right, we ended up at the hospital. (Our insurance doesn't cover acute care clinics without a referral). So she has her first, hopefully her only, ear infection. Poor thing spiked a crazy quick fever and was miserable. But of course by the time we got to the hospital she was calm and checking things out but she was still running a fever. Tylenol broke her fever about an hour later and she slept. She's sleeping now.





Gap is holding a nationwide contest to find the next faces of babyGap and GapKids, and Paige B. is entered into the contest. Check out Paige B.'s entry here: http://family.go.com/gapcastingcall/entries/ClanBrunn/613085591/

Birthdays, Binkies and Babywearing

What a week ahead! Its starting with a birthday ending with a century ride and is celebrated all week by International Babywearing Week!

Yesterday was B's 3rd birthday, where did the time go?! We had a play date at the park on Saturday to celebrate. It was a lovely day, not too hot and the men did most of the chasing. It was so very nice to be able to sit and chat with the ladies and not worry about which one of this kids is trying to climb the wall. Brenna loved her cake, it had Toy Story characters on it.

Being 3 is a big deal here around Clan Brunn, we made a rule a few months ago that children weren't allowed to have pacifiers past the age of 3. Brenna has known this for a while and if you'd ask her anything about her birthday she's tell you she was getting rid of her binky. So when her birthday finally arrived, she was saddened to give up the bink. Since she didn't quite understand why a perfectly good binky needed to go in the trash we "broke" it (we cute a slit in it) and I held her next to the trash can so she could throw it in. When we came back inside she told me she was sad and that she might cry, I told her that was perfectly okay, then she ran off to play with Woody.

Nap time was a little difficult, she cried for a bit. Josh and I both talked to her about being a big girl and how we would all help her get through this. She eventually went down and woke up very grumpy. Only wanting to be held, I had to strap her to my back so I could cook dinner. Josh was very surprised when he walked through the door.

Bed time was, well, non existent. Our routine starts between 7:30 and 8, she finally went to sleep sometime around midnight, in our bed. I know it's going to take some time to adjust, I pray it doesn't take too long. I'm already missing the happy, go lucky B.


This week is International Babywearing Week. I'm excited to participate in the Lake County Babywearers International Babywearing Week Celebration this Thursday. It should be a lot of fun. For myself, I'm trying to do a different carry everyday and take pictures. My Maya Wrap ring sling and Pikkolo are my work horses so I've been trying to use the wrap more at home.

This is my first real attempt at carrying Paige in a ruk, I was a bit nervous but Josh said she looked very secure. I think she enjoyed being up so high.

Close enough to kiss.

My September 11th.

I still feel disconnected from this day. When I hear people say they were forever changed, I'm at a loss.
I was in Bahrain, I had worked the night before and spent all day with the Marines at the range (all though I never did get to shoot) so I was exhausted and went straight to bed when I got home. When I finally answered the phone I remember telling the dispatcher I had swapped days with someone else and was not coming in and he told me what happened. If memory serves correctly the towers had not yet fallen. My Chief had me come in although he didn't allow me to arm up, I spent the next 12 hours or so sleeping in the conference room or on the smoke deck chatting with everyone.
I remember thinking how it was such a tragedy and I may have even remarked about how we, in the Middle East, weren't the target for once. I'm sorry if that sounds cold.
We spent the next several days in Delta, working and sleeping, not much time for anything else. I missed most of the aftermath, the searching and not knowing.
I was back in the States for the first anniversary and that's when I found out how it affected everyone and how America seemed to change.

My heart and prayers are with those who wake up everyday mourning someone they've lost. My heartfelt gratitude goes out too all who still serve and to our first responders everywhere. God be with you and your families.

Getting Excited!

4 and a wake up!
The girls and I are heading to Oklahoma for Labor Day and the countdown has begun! This will be the Second Annual Labor Day Weekend Bash. Last year was a luau, this year will be a fiesta! I'm looking forward to being able to play this year (I was pregnant last time).

So excited!!

Mommy Blogging

There was a report on the news this evening on Mommy Blogging and product review. Some mothers are receiving free merchandise and even money for reviewing products and blogging, posing the question, can you be impartial if you're receiving something in return?
I don't have the answer, but it would be nice if you were wanting a product to review and the manufacturer provided it for you. Personal integrity would of course fall on the individual. Who knows...

Good night.

Rave: "The Stranger within our gates"

On our way home from Colorado we stayed the night at the Western Inn in Council Bluffs, Iowa. From the outside this place looked like a dive and I was a wee bit nervous as Josh pulled up. Josh checked us in while I sat with the girls, he came and got us and gave me a key... yes, a real key, not the little card to which we've all become accustomed; my trepidation grew. We opened the door and I was delightfully surprised, it was quaint, clean and very modern with a mounted flat screen TV and an updated bathroom. I settled in and began to relax.

On the table between the two beds I found the following note...
To Our Guest
In the ancient time there was a prayer for "The Stranger within our gates"
Because this Hotel is a human institution to serve people, and not solely a money making organization, we hope that God will grant you peace and rest while you are under our roof.
May this room and motel be your "second" home. May those you love be near you in thoughts and dreams. Even though we may not get to know you, we hope that you will be comfortable and happy as if you were in your own house.
May the business that brought you our way prosper. May every call you make and every message you receive add to your joy. When you leave, may your journey be safe.
We are all travelers. From "birth till death" we travel between eternities. May these days be pleasant for you, profitable for society, helpful for those you meet, and a joy to those who know and love you best.

Needless to say, I felt the Spirit within those walls and slept very well.