Bryce

Speckled
Freckles
Spotted one
Alert
Ambitious
Swift
and
Son of a Noblemen.

BRYCE

What is Bryce... His name means a few things, despite my efforts I couldn't find many of the same answers. So sweet and precious has his life been to mine. Countless moments have passed, each special and forever kept in my heart. His soft pale porcelain skin has slightly changed over the five years of his young life. Across his nose small light brown specks have appeared. As if someone had lightly dusted him with glitter. Each little speck so cherished by me, I can't help but smooch his little face.
Bryce was wide eyed the day he was born so calm and curious "alert" no cry can I remember just awake and ready to take in the day. So new and fresh, I fell in love with his personality the moment I saw his wide eyes looking back at me. It seemed as though he was content within himself, an infant needing only to observe the new universe he arrived in.
Bryce's ambition is supernatural, (mommy eyes) he has a desire to construct and build. When I see the Lego creations he has worked hours on I know God has plans for his mind and heart. When we went to Disneyland the first thing he would do when on a ride, was to examine how it was operating and then when finding its mechanism then he would enjoy it to pieces, squealing with delight. I pray that Bryce's ambition is God's ambition.
Swift? Bryce is quick to learn and also loves being first, very competitive. He loves to race me up the stairs but my first thought wasn't what you would typically think of when thinking of the word swift. Swift (acting or moving or capable of acting or moving quickly) Like a swift current, Bryce has a swift mind, quick and ready to adjust. He swiftly can transition to the next task life brings his way. God has blessed me as a mommy with a child willing to accept that life has lemons so lets make lemonade. He is an inspiration to me.

As for the Son of a Noblemen...Considering we don't rank our families this way in America I would say that Bryce comes from a long line of Noblemen on both sides and has many examples of Noble Men in his life ;).

So what is Bryce? He is my son... My Speckled, Alert, Ambitious and Swift Son.
He has a universe to explore and a time-line to do it in.

Winter Recital

Sisters! Both excited and nervous about their recital.

Lydia's precious face after just completing her first dance recital

The Girls after their dances at intermission.

Cassie bringing me a lovely rose!

Cassie continues to amaze me, with each passing day I become more aware of her strengths. She had a desire to learn and be successful, each task was difficult but she always went above and beyond.

It's 2010, I’m sitting by my fireplace and tapping on my husband’s laptop. It’s peaceful. Bryce is napping, the cat is lounging and the dog just went to get a sip of water. I just came in from the garage for a little break of cleaning. While I was cleaning I found a memory card for my digital camera. Wondering what is on it I place it in a digital frame. I anxiously wait as it loads the pictures. My heart smiles as two little girls come on the screen. Cassie wearing a blue and white dress and Lydia wearing a Care Bears sweater, they hug in front of our first tree together as a family. The girls at that time had been with us for about four months. Their hair had grown just a little. What’s odd of me finding this little memory card is that its pictures of the very thing I wrote about in my last story, strange how things work out like that. As the slide show continues, I am reminded of Cassie and Lydia’s first dance recital, held in December. The girls were amazing; they danced like they had been all they’re lives. Precious Liddy was so adorable in her little outfits and was so excited to be on stage. But Cassie shined, she shined like the stars that night. The girls had already completed their dances and so I decided to stand in the back with Bryce, needing glasses to see far distances I couldn’t make out any of the dancers faces. As I’m watching several little girls in white leotards and pink tutus, just like the ones the girls had on in their first dance, came out on stage. I’m impressed by one in particular, in the back row with long legs. She was doing very well, although I couldn’t make out her face I could tell she was smiling. I thought what a sweet girl, I then chuckled out loud. I thought, “that poor girl has the same bad hair cut Cassie does.” I couldn’t help but to think that someone did that on purpose, poor thing! The program was over and the stage became crowded with tiny dancers, as I applaud I feel so proud of their hard work. I’m in the front now so I can see their precious faces and as I scan the little crowd I can’t find Cassie. I found Liddy right away. She was waving wildly until I waved back, sweet thing. Then I do a double take because right beside her is Cassie wearing a white leotard and a pink tutu. “WHAT??” I ask myself, and to my astonishment it was her, my Cassie girl, dancing, perfect rhythm perfect form, she was a perfect mimic. She had never taken that ballet class she had never heard the music but she was who she is and that’s a success. The program concluded with the children bringing their loved one a rose and Cassie came bounding toward me with her gorgeous smile and handed me a sweet smelling rose. She was and always will be a star. I pray she never stops dancing through her life.

Ornaments 2006

Lydia & Cassie

The smell of cinnamon scented pinecones fills the house. Mistletoe is hanging over head, gleaming lights strung, and the ornament box almost empty. Another year almost over and we can hardly believe it. It sure is cold outside with the winter snows coming, though, I can’t help but smile at the thought of snow on Christmas. Susanville is much prettier with a layer of white. I haven’t grown very fond of Susanville. It’s harsh and the colors are so bland. This March will be the completion of our first year here in this unfamiliar area. I miss my deep green redwood giants with bright blue peeking through. Nothing can replace my crisp cool river, so clean you can see to the bottom. And my ocean with its thundering waves and my fog horn that lulls me to sleep. These things can never come out of Susanville. But nonetheless I’m going to enjoy THIS Christmas, nothing can stop me. It’s dark outside and these cookies are so delicious. As Bing Crosby sings in the background my husband and I look to see that no ornaments are left in the box. At the bottom is some paper towels, I lift them out, in disbelief I unwrap the objects inside. Seeing the shiny gold ornaments, I’m taken back. It’s our very first Christmas together just two years before. Our home is ready for two little girls, unknown to us is their names, their hair color, their story, all we know is they are coming. We wanted to be ready for when they arrived, so while in Wal-mart I found two flat gold ornaments, one being a little girl praying and the other a simple snowflake. Perfect for our new arrivals, we had high hopes that this would give them security, and ownership to their first Christmas away from their real home. Christmas came and went, so we wrapped them in paper towels and placed them at the bottom of our precious ornament box. I can hardly believe it; in my hands are the very ornaments we had bought that first Christmas holiday together. I look up at my hubby to find that my eyes aren’t the only ones glossy with tears. This is what we had been waiting for, the girls are here and not an ornament on the tree belongs to them. With excitement in my voice I call them to my side very softly and slowly I explain to them,” these are for you, they are yours to keep and to put on your Christmas tree.” Hurriedly they take the gifts and with smiles on their faces placed their own ornaments on the precious tree. I know in my heart this is an unforgettable memory, God blessed me this Christmas with more than gifts, but with the undeniable fact that he has a divine plan. His plan I can’t escape, but with his loving guidance I can be a tool for his glory.

Cassie Girl 2008

Your Smile is So Gorgeous in this Picture taken in Crescent City on a cool winter day. We spent the whole afternoon just taking pictures of each other and admiring the coastal views.

The cool water feels good on my ankles, as it laps up against me I can’t help but wish for my Pacific Ocean, the fake tide pool would have to do. Sparks, Nevada’s sun feels hotter than anywhere I’ve been, that day was perfect for a family trip to the water park. My one year old in my arms, so sweet and pudgy, was making baby sounds. Down by my feet was a blond eyed beauty singing a song while hanging onto my leg, her body lying over an inner tube. My eyes wander over toward my tall and skinny seven year old. She’s unaware of my smiling gaze. Arms waving up and down in excitement she’s jumping up over the swells that come crashing to her chest. Her Dad stands nearby chatting with a friend. I look away to glance at the little one at my feet, so happy she sings her song. I return my gaze to the swells that hold my oldest, not seeing her I quickly glance around. So many people to scan over, I can’t scan quickly enough. I look again at the place where she was and I see her hair in the water. Sandy blond floating on top, my heart pounds, and my body leaps forward but held back by the two I have hanging from my limbs. I scream at the life guard, I yell at my husband. I tell the little one at my feet STAY! I rush through the water. I feel like I’m hardly moving. I’m still 10 to 15 feet away and with her dainty little fingers clasping her nose she raises out of the aqua colored water. To my dismay she wipes her eyes and goes beneath the next swell. I stand in amazement, she is swimming.

Puddle of Pee

My sweet bundle the day he came into my World!

My Sweet as Honey, Sweet as Pie little boy. Born September 2nd 2005 on an early Friday morning. At 7.14 oz he was an average little guy, I fell in LOVE immediately. Having a Cesarean Section I was stuck in my bed for several days even weeks after having my little bundle of joy. Each day was a day of smiles and laughs as I learned the ropes of motherhood, it all seems very humorous to me. I can remember lying in bed unable to sit up and my small Bryce was beside me, knowing he had a poopy diaper I thought well, I'll change him on my belly. So I lift his tiny little body onto my belly and start to change him while laying down...haha. Much to my surprise and disbelief a stream of urine shot up and hit the wall and just in time I turned my head allowing my ear to fill with my newborns pee. I layed there in shock for a second and then my belly started to jiggle as my laughter broke the silence. Oh the tales of motherhood are endless and never dull.

Dress & Shoes

The quiet moments before you say I DO are so Powerful

The Dress that would Change my World.
(I loved the Ruffle)

My Heels

Shoes to Fill

What an incredible experience... to be wed. To find your Favorite Dress of all time, the Perfect pair of Shoes, and to stand before the Man of your Dreams. I know God has plans, He has been moving and working in me for 2.5 short years. When I asked the Lord to show me His will and His timing I had no idea it would be soo soon. He had it all planned out. I had asked the Heavenly Father if He were to have me be a Bride, that He would prepare my heart and teach me to be a Wife after His own heart. I thought for sure this would take many many year. Boy was I wrong. He Brought Chris into my life shortly after that prayer and I didn't have to ask twice "God are you sure he's the one?" I knew right away! I was worried, could this be for REAL? I'm not ready was all I could think of. I didn't want to mess up and cause any pain, could I do this? Be a wife and mother, could I clean the house and have a good attitude, could this be right? Right now? YEP! God's got it all figured out. He has the day timer, He knows my fears and insecurities, my weakness' and my short comings, He knows the deepest parts of my heart and soul. That cry out to the Lord, (that if he were to bring someone) that he bring a believer of the God of the Heavens, a man who loves the story of Christ. I asked for specifics, "God that you would bring a man who Prays at the head of the table in reverence to you. That he cares for his children and teaches them your ways. Lord bring someone who fears and knows you, who wants to be taught and molded my your hands. Lord if this is your will help my heart be ready and my eyes open." Handsome Christopher Robin came Waltzing into my life, I adored him. Where did he come from? I was in awe of the awesome powers of God, He answers prayers... So quickly too. We were wed on May 22nd 2010 Oh what a day of Rejoicing and Love that was. A day that will forever be in my heart and mind, the day I married my Best Friend... Chris. The Day we became a family. I wore my Heels and Favorite Dress and stood before my new husband with Pride and relief. God is in control.

Tooth Fairy's Tale

Quietly I peek around the corner into my sleeping child’s room. What sweet pale skin he has, so soft and smooth, he sleeps soundly with his bunny boy under his arm. Bunny boy is a new found friend for night time. The floor creeks beneath me and I freeze worried I’ll wake him up. So much fun this is, I think to myself. As I slip my hand beneath his pillow and pull out his precious little tooth that had fallen out earlier that day. Wow he is changing and growing so fast. I again slip my hand back under his pillow to leave a special little treat, a coin from Canada, 51 cents, a lollipop and two red starbursts.

Unfortunately, earlier that evening I searched the house for something special to replace the tooth with, but I couldn’t find a single dollar bill, or anything else for that matter. So Chris went out to the car to search for some coins, we had some candy in the cupboard so this would have to do. You see this was Bryce’s First time getting to put it under his pillow and I wanted it to be special. He had swallowed his first tooth at hi Grandma Giwi’s house. So as I sprinkle the fairy dust on his pillow and quietly sneak back out I feel so silly and excited for morning.

His toothless smile greets me early in the morning and he hugs me and cuddles me as usual. Then I realized he hadn’t brought in his special treats so I said well Bryce did the tooth fairy come? He runs to his room and I can hear his excitement, I smile in my covers. I meet him in his room to see what he thinks of this silly little tradition of imagination. He’s smiling and checking out the glitter on his pillow, he excitedly explains that this is from the fairy wings. A little perplexed he says hey this coin was in the car and we have candy like this, you can’t fool this five year old. Bryce lost his second tooth in September while Grandma Weber was here and shortly after my surgery. I’m so glad I got to have that experience with him!

I love living Life with my Bryce

First Moment

quietly my cat purrs, my son sings a child's song.