Today is a special day! It is Phillip's Birthday! I thought it would be fun to write about Uncle "Filbert" on his birthday! He is a very special older brother, husband, son, and Uncle! He's talented in SO many ways and always leads by example in his committment to his Saviour, Jesus Christ! He's actaully the one who introduced me to my career with Apartment Locating and my brokers. For that, I am very grateful! Phillip, thanks for being such a strong leader and part of our family! We love you!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Happy Birthday to Maddie! Brynlee's best friend turned 2 on December 29! We celebrated with her at a super fun Birthday Party!

In 14 years, we are soooo in trouble!

He's a H.E.A.R.T.B.R.E.A.K.E.R!!!!!

After the Birthday party, they had a Slumber party!

Update on MRI...

Last week Brynlee had an MRI to see if we could find anything causing her seizures. We were hoping, obviously, that we wouldn't...and we didn't. She had to have an anesthesia for the procedure, which was scary for us. She breathes in a gas until she falls asleep. Then they escort us out while they do the MRI which lasts about 30 minutes. After whe wakes up in recovery, they come and get us. So they nurse casually comes out and gets us and we start walking to Brynlee's room. "How is she?" I ask. "She's doing just fine. Already had an apple juice and watching Mickey on tv. She's not upset at all." Yep, that's Brynlee. We got to her little room and she is just watching tv and hanging out. Totally content. So it's time for us to get ready to go and the nurse has to remove her IV. Most toddlers would have been squirming like crazy as she was taking off the tape and pulling that thing out. Nope. Not mine. She said there quietly and watched. We have such an awesome child--so strong!

The end result was that her MRI was completely normal! She has not had a seizure since early November. We will continue her medicine until November 2010 and at that point, the doc will reevaluate her. Thank you for all your prayers.

I decided to end this post with a picture of her in her "hospissal dress" which she LOVES to wear. In fact, she wore it all day the other day at home.

I'm working on a few things for Brynlee's "big girl" room... Her crib will convert to a toddler bed and then a full size bed, but I think we may jump straight to the full size bed---when we do it. I don't think I'm quite ready yet ;)

We are changing the color scheme of her room and I am very excited about the new look. I've even taken on a few projects for it...

I think this will be her new bedding.

(The lamp is not finished yet..I added the fringe and the black swirls, but still plan to add pink accents and paint the base)

I fell in love with RibbitRibbit frames. They are SO cute but also about $40 a pop! Whew! So instead, I tried to imitate them... For $4.99 from Hobby Lobby, I would say they turned out ok.

While I am very stoked to see the new girly pink and black room, I am still really sad that she is growing up so fast! This post wouldn't be complete without her first nursery pics.

One of my coworkers helped me get the slideshow from my mom uploaded to youtube so I could post it on my blog! Scroll down to see it...Thanks Nathan!!!

Oh yea, I totally forgot...

For those of you who are wondering, Christmas is only 361 days away...but seriously, who's counting?

Can you believe that all with all the preperation and anticipation...Christmas is gone? Just like that. We had a wonderful Christmas with family! Every year we feel the stress from running between families. So to contract on a house right before Christmas was also a little bittersweet. Next year, we will be waking up on Christmas Day at our house! I'll extend to the invitation now to anyone who wants to come; in fact, the more the merrier! Steven is just excited about not loading up all the presents to take them somewhere else to open them and then load them all back up to bring home. Although, we are so grateful to have our families nearby!

Every year, at this time, we are reminded how blessed we are with our wonderful families! Not because they completely restock Brynlee's playroom, but because of the love they show for us and our daughter throughout the year. It is so great to be able to spend a few days without the phone ringing, office calling, or running here and there...and just enjoy each other.

We had so much fun this Christmas with Brynlee. Her mind is like a little sponge and she is learning SO much. We really enjoyed teaching her about the meaning of Christmas and even singing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus with her!

Christmas is about so much more than Thomas the Tank Engine and Tricycles...it's about love, hope, peace, and our Saviour. It's about the gift given to us from the Lord, so that we may know over and over the everlasting love He has for us--the gift of baby Jesus.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were so afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!"

Luke 2: 8-14

I got a very special present this year. One that is truly priceless. My mom and stepdad created a slideshow for me and I'm excited to get to share it with you! The "about" on this slideshow starts with Mamma Mia... When Mom saw the movie for the first time, she broke down during this song and it really touched her. The tranisition to Brynlee is a reminder that before I know it she will be "Slippin through my fingers..." I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Thanks Mom and James! I love you both!