Week 15: A letter to my 16 year old self

Dear Brook,

Don’t take yourself so seriously and remember others make mistakes too. Don’t be so shy and worried about what others think, because their opinions will not matter in the end. You are a beautiful, friendly, outgoing, caring person and you have wonderful friends who know the true you.

Boyfriends are great, they are fun, they help you figure out what you are looking for in a life partner, don’t be so set on one, and when he leaves realize that it is for the best, although you wouldn’t change the relationship you had it isn’t the end of the world and he taught you a lot about yourself. The breakup will teach you how strong you really are and how childish your relationship was. Live and learn from it don’t wish you could go back and change anything. There is a great country song that is so true, Bless the Broken Road, it will ring true to your life partner.

Friends will come and go but best friends will always be in your life. Remember those seven ladies from elementary school, cherish their friendship because they don’t judge you and they will always have your best interests in mind when giving advice. They will be there through thick and through thin, lean on them, share stories, tell them secrets and know that they always have your back. Remember that one friend you met in middle school, she is a confidant and although your lives will go in different directions you will always be able to sit and talk with her no questions are off limits and she will listen with an open ear, so do the same for her because when she needs you the most she might not say anything at all.

Listen to your parents yes they grew up in a different generation but they have lots of knowledge and the always want what is best for you. They will help you through your struggles, they will always be waiting in the background. Remember to thank them randomly, mom likes cards, yes they collect dust but she likes them and it is a little something that makes her smile. Dad likes hugs, although he won’t willingly just give you one, that car accident really scared him, he doesn’t want to lose you and he just keeps it all bottled up inside. Love them they love you.

College you really should get to applying, but I know you won’t you will stay back and work and think you will do it later. Ultimately putting off your dreams of teaching for a boy, it not something to change because your whole future will be different if you go but remember that you have it in you to finish college and although it may be stressful later in life you can do it and it will be much more rewarding.

Smile because the future is so blessed, you will have kids someday sooner than you had planned I am sure, twins non the less they will keep you busy, stress you out, and worry you beyond what you thought was possible. They will be a perfect blend of you and your husband, oh yeah you have one of those too. He is not perfect, but he is a perfect match for you. He keeps you from becoming a hermit, keeps you active and trying new things, and challenges your ways of thinking. He has a smile that melts your heart and even though he can make you grit your teeth at the end of the day he is the one that keeps you sane.

And just keep smiling, your smile is one of your best features, and you will meet and be friends with some amazing people. Life is truly blessed, with love.

Sincerely, Your 32 year old self

4 years - 13 years

Yesterday was my 4 year wedding anniversary. I couldn't have asked for a better husband. We have had an exciting year this last year, not always exciting in a good way. The broken leg was just a broken leg it didn't break us it made us more responsible and more aware of our communication. We have two fifth graders this year and that is an adventure. We have been doing some work around our house trying to get the inside of the garage finished before hunting season starts and winter snow flies. And I had a job change and started school and hubby started another business. It is crazy but we are making it work.  This adventure is our adventure it might not work for anyone else but that is ok because it just needs to work for us.

Dear hubby thank you for joining me on this adventure for being my shoulder when I need to cry or just need a hug. Thank you for holding my hand when I am a little leary of the way. And thank you for giving me a smile and a wink when I am ready to go off the deep end you rescue me without even trying. You will tell me it will be ok even when you aren't always sure yourself, as much as I want the truth sometimes I need to hear that. Because in the end it will all be ok I just sometimes lose sight of that truth. You are my partner my friend and my confidant. I love you more every year we spend together so here is to another 4 years or let's say another 13 years. Love you.

Brook
Sent from my HTC One™ X

Week 14: High school back then

Was high school really so far back then?

I won’t lie it seems like just yesterday except that I am more tired. High school graduation was 1999 if that helps date myself, it was fun and I would I believe go back and do it again. I am not sure I would change anything although there are a few things I would do a little differently I wouldn’t change them completely. I had a boyfriend on and off for pretty much my entire high school existence, I had a great group of friends and why they stuck with me through my boy crazy years is beyond me, and overall I did pretty well in school. I remember parties on the weekends where I was drinking water or pop and everybody else was drinking. I remember sleepovers and walking over to our elementary school, not to be rebellious but because we had such good memories over there and we could safely walk to it. Note: I wouldn’t even consider my kids walking over there in the middle of the night these days. I guess high school back then was a little more calm, more forgiving, more innocent. High school these days scares me a little more, not because of teenage pregnancies either, that was happening when I was in school and those girls looking back were the strongest of all of us. I don’t remember a lot of teasing but I remember watching people tease others and I wish I would have said something back then because really popularity was nothing, it means nothing now that we are adults, we are all going to die someday and whether or not we were popular in high school won’t change that. High school back then was rebellion, it was growing up, live and learn, and it was an experience that worth every minute. Funny how high school reunions are really becoming something of the past because of Facebook I would say. Before you would go to your high school reunion to see how people were doing, see their kids, catch up and try to relive old times. Now you can just click on their timeline on Facebook and catch up no high school reunion needed. Wonder if our kids will have high school reunions or if by then it really will be a faded memory.

Week 13: A room within my childhood home

A room within my childhood home, this topic is like a guessing game. Picking just one room would be hard because my parents had the open concept living room, dining room, kitchen before it had a name. So that is the space I am picking. The living area I will call it. We had tons of dinners there, watched and helped my mom bake, and celebrated many birthdays. You see my family is big on celebrating, and I love that I love that I had the kind of a childhood where my family got together and I love that my kids get that kind of childhood. I was required to attend family functions until I was out of high school, it was not optional and although there may have been times I complained and moaned and groaned I would go and by the time it was time to go home or have family leave I was sad it was over. My kids are being raised the same way family is important you can go and hang out with your friends later, spending time with the older generations of your family can teach you a lot. So the one room in my house and all the houses of my relatives that I loved the most is the living area, the kitchen where the guys usually congregate around the table not to eat but to bullsh*t and the living room where all the kids were usually found rough housing. I love family gatherings so I love living areas. Where ever you make your living area your gathering spot I hope it brings good memories like mine does and I hope my kids will look back and say their favorite room was the living area too because of all the good memories made there.

 

 

Nope these aren't pictures of my parents' house however the living room one is pretty close right down to the animals on the wall.

Don't those stools look amazing I am in LOVE

Yes my dad has a mountain lion fur on the wall and my mom's deer is that size if not bigger. Love Hunting!!

 

Grandparents Day 2013

Happy Grandparent's Day 2013!!!!

These are the thumbprint magnets the girls made their grandparents we shall do a quick delivery today hopefully. Hope all the grandparents enjoy their day.

Brook
Sent from my HTC One™ X

Week 12: What Being A Mom Looks Like

Messy, beautiful, glamorous, ugly, sweet, glowing, dirty!

 

Motherhood looks good on the woman wearing it. It is for sure the best gift any woman could ever receive and the look on a new mothers face is the most perfect look ever. From being sleep deprived to being overwhelmed, feeling lost and maybe even in over one’s head, motherhood looks beautiful. A glow comes from a mom and a fierce sense of protection. I laugh when people say oh you don’t want to see him mad, an angry mom can rival any guy getting mad any day. Mess with my kids and I will make your nightmares seem like fairy tales. I am a momma grizzly and am fiercely protective of my babies. Being a mom looks like love, if you needed a picture of love take a picture of a new mom and you will see what love looks like. Being a mom looks like whatever you make it out to be, but at the end of the day when you are watching your babies sleep, it looks peaceful and perfect.