Smartypants McGee

Ayelen LOVES to read. She's now on her 3rd chapter book and is very proud of herself. She always enjoyed being read to when she was little and as she got older, she loved to read to her brothers. But it seemed that school had taken the fun out reading. It had become a chore. This last month though something changed. I think my new found love of reading has made her rekindle her love of books. Junie B. Jones books are her favorite. She crawls up on the recliner or snuggles tight in her with my little book light. She'll laugh out loud at the silly things Junie B. says and does. Sights like this make my heart full with joy and pride. Like I said before, I was never a reader. I struggled a lot with reading my entire life. So I worked really hard from the day she was born to make reading a part of her life. I guess the only part that was missing was teaching by example.

I'm getting good at the coupon thing!

All this for under $2!!

*Twilight*

I recently started reading Twilight. Yes, I have caved into the Twilight phenomenon and I now understand what all the fuss is about. I love it! I haven't ever been much of a reader but this book has captured me. I'm half way through and I'm was really crushing on Edward Cullen and being the Facebook junkie that I am, I posted it as my status:
"Sabrina has started reading Twilight and is now crushing on Edward Cullen"
Ha ha. Jeff wasn't too happy when he saw this, so I quickly took it down. But the truth is, Edwards got nothing on Jeff.

We were in 9th grade and I had just moved from Provo to Orem. I was shy and out of my element. Even though there's only a few minutes between Provo and Orem they seemed to be a world part. I was lucky enough to have four of my eight classes with Jeff, who was some what of a class clown. He was always so funny, and could always make me laugh, but his beautiful blue (sometimes green or hazel) eyes lured me in. Jeff was my Edward.

He was the one that took my breath away when he smiled at me. The one that haunted my dreams every night. The one that would make my knees weak when he reached for my hand. When he kissed me he brought a flutter of butterflies into my stomach that came out through nervous giggles. My unsteady knees would make my body quake, but then he'd hold me and the nervous little shakes would ease. I was safe in his arms.

Now 12 years later the feeling is still the same, though I been able to tame those butterflies a little. Those feelings of nervousness have been replaced with overwhelming love and admiration for the man that he has become. I love Jeff with all my heart. He is my dream come true. My best friend, my confidant,and my rock during unsteady times. He is the man that I will proudly stand next to my entire life.

Brayden's loves puzzles

He was so proud that he finished the 65 piece puzzle with very little help.

What a big boy!

Big brown eyes gleaming with pride, as he waddles through the door wearing nothing but a diaper, a smile and Brayden's ski's. "Look me, look me!" I could have died! My baby boy is growing up. Cohen doesn't say too much. Hi, bye, down, out, ma, dadda, babba, no, and he nods or shakes his head. He hadn't put words together until today. I was so proud but also sad that my youngest baby won't be a baby much longer. Man, they grow up too fast. Slow down guys and let me take it all in.

"I kicked your butt Mom!"

Today Brayden, Ayelen, and I were playing Wii Fit. It was so much fun and we were really getting into it. Brayden and I raced and I started telling him, "Wow buddy! You're really kicking my butt!" So we finished the race, Brayden won and I sat down for a quick breather when Brayden said "Up mom, stand up". I stood up, he climbed on the couch behind me and he literally kicked my butt! "I kicked your butt mom!" LOL. But we won't let him now how funny I thought it was. I had to hold it in and let it him know we don't kick people's butt and mommy won't say " I kicked your butt" anymore.

HEY JUDE

Jude Gabriel Haven Brown was born on February 19th, 2009 at 3:54PM at LakeView Hospital in Bountiful, Utah. Weighing 6 pounds 4 ounces and 20 inches long, with a head full of brown hair. Mom, Maggie, is doing very well. Seconds after giving birth she said she would like to do it again 4 more times. The look on Jamie's face when hearing this, was priceless. I was there at their side coaching them though it, this being my first time on the other end. It was such a beautiful and spiritual experience and I'm so grateful that Maggie and Jamie choose to include me in it .

Though Maggie was scheduled to be induced on the 23rd, a week before the due date, Jude decided that wasn't soon enough. Maggie's water broken at 4:30 Thursday morning waking her from a deep sleep. The anticipation had been building for quite some time, 9 months to be exact, and they were more than ready to hold little Jude in their arms. 11 hours, 24 minutes, and 10 pushes later, Jude had arrive wiggling his little hands up in the air. I think even he was celebrating his arrival.

We are all very happy for Maggie and Jamie. They are so beautiful together and we are all very much aware of the love they share. We wish them the very best. We love you Maggie, Jamie and Jude.

I'd also like to thank Daddy, David and Scott for taking care of Ayelen, Brayden and Cohen so that I could be at Maggie's side. It meant a lot to me to be able to be with my baby sister when she needed me. I couldn't 'have been able to if it wasn't for all you men. Thank you!