Pop's Birthday

I love this picture.  I love these two guys.  Aren't they great?

Pops is the best Pops there is.  He loves his little Hyrum man.  He is so fun to be around.  He helps me write my care plans for nursing school.  He's always been my number one fan and the best coach you can find anywhere.  He might look intimidating at 5 foot 20, but he's just the nicest guy around.

We love Pops!

Sixteen and Dating

So, my brother is an adult and now my sister is 16 and dating...  what is this world coming to?  Keila is becoming a beautiful young woman.  She's spunky, loud, and an all around great friend.

 She got a lizard too!  Like Clementine! Except this one isn't alive.

We went to the Chinese buffet to celebrate Keila's birthday.  It was super yummy.  I ate as much egg drop soup and wontons I could.  Plus, Keila made me eat octopus.  It was like eating rubber.  I don't think I'd recommend it.

 Hyrum had an orange wedge.  He thought it was quite sour.  We thought it was quite entertaining.

 

 I tried out my cupcake decorating skills.   Not too shabby...

Parabéns pra você
Nesta data querida
Muitas felicidades
Muitos anos de vida!

Little Boy's Little Adventures

A Christmas card arrived in the mail the other day from my high school math teacher.  Along with their winter letter, there was a note that said, "Let me know when Baby Brown arrives!"

I felt bad.

Since when did life get away from me?  

Hyrum is 8 1/2 months old!  Sometimes we look at him and say, "Holy cow! He...

 ...is HUGE! How did he get so big?!"
...is so stinkin' cute!"
...is so TALL!  Since when could he pull things down from the desk?"

It's amazing how much he's grown.  He is still the happy Little Boy he has been since Day 1!  We love his little self.  How wonderful it is!

 These are for you, Mrs. Bunger!

 

 Auntie Brooke loves any chance she gets to have Hyrum to herself!

 Hyrum loves watching the washing machine spin.

 He's made it to the age where he cries when he doesn't get his way and Momma thinks it's so dang cute!

 All ready to go on an evening walk with Momma!

 Hyrum loves to play with anything besides his toys.

This time he found the breast pump supplies!

Onesie Dress and Flower

I have this desire, every Christmas, to handmake gifts.  This year I made a couple of infinity scarves, one for Whitney and one for Shaylan.  They turned out really nice.  We Arizona girls don't even know how to put scarves on, but I thought they would be a perfect fit for a couple of the Utah and Illinois girls in my life.  Thank you YouTube for teaching me the new stitch!

My only other handmade gift this year was for Jacie Lynn, my one and only niece.  Thanks to Pinterest, I found the perfect thing.  A onesie dress!  It was fairly simple to make and I think it turned quite nice.  Someday I'd like to make one for my own little girlie.  I also created a little flower clip to go in her hair.  It wasn't too shabby considering the fact that I kind of made it up as I went. 

I can't wait for that little Jacie to grow into the dress so that her momma can take pictures of her!  (I think Tony might have kicked me in the trousers if I tried it on Hyrum!)

Little Bro is an Adult

Remember this handsome guy?

He's an Eagle Scout.

Plus, he turned 18. (Yes, a month ago. Don't judge.)  18! I can't believe it!  

My little brother is an adult!

We had a party.

 

Big surprise...we found Hyrum in the computer cords while we were opening presents.  That kid loves cords of any kind.

Say hello to Clementine.  She's a gecko.  She eat crickets.  Her tail is weird.

Bryton wanted 18 chocolate pies for his birthday.  My mother indulged him.

Parabéns pra você
Nesta data querida
Muitas felicidades
Muitos anos de vida!

(the traditional Happy Birthday song in the Shinkle home)

Not Enough Time

Don't feel pity for me, but you know it's bad when you have your first break down on the first day of school. How am I supposed to do it?  How do I find enough time?  There isn't enough time to find!  

How am I supposed to go to school 34 hours a week, do homework, be a Wifey, AND be a Momma?  That doesn't even leave time for blogging, learning Portuguese, exercising, reading good books [textbooks were officially disqualified from the "good books" list in 2012 B.C.], etc.

I've come to the conclusion that it is impossible.  Funny thing is, impossible things can be done.  You just need a few things...

#1: Husband:  

I'm not just talking about any husband.  I am talking about Husband.  He is the most wonderful guy.  He supports me in my goals to become a nurse.  He helps me with homework. He does things around the house that I don't have time for.  He is the best stay-at-home-dad, work-at-Home-Depot, manage Big-Boy-Movers, love-on-his-Wifey guy I know!

#2: Little Boy

Where can you find a cuter, happier, more lovable guy that the one I have?  He has his moments when he's a grump, when he wants to sleep in bed with Momma (don't judge), but I love him to pieces.

#3: Best Friend

Everyone needs a best friend, especially a best friend who knows what it's like to stress about nursing school and balancing and finding time.  I love my bestest friend.  She makes me laugh.  She helps me with homework and projects and clinical.  She lets me whine and complain.

So, here's to Junior 2!  My goal is to catch up on blogging before things really get going...we'll see how that goes.

Remember When We Fell In Love?

Happy 2nd Anniversary to the man I love most!