August Birthdays!

August is a special month for us; not just because Travis and I have our anniversary on the 16th, but because my dear little sister Brenna, my mother, and my father all have their birthday's in this month. And my life would NOT be... well I wouldn't be here with out my mom and dad, and my life just wouldn't be as wonderful with out my little Brenna.

This is quite a few years old but I've always loved the way this captures so well that child like quality in her.

I love what a little goof she is. She has a love for life and just wants to have fun with you all the time. She gives the sweetest hugs and always makes you feel like you're special. He has the most perfect tan skin and beautiful hazel eyes, she is wonderful at softball, and I can't think of a more special little 10 year old!



Then there is my mom who is a big kid at heart. (Far left in blue).
My mom has more artistic creativity in her pinkie than I have in my whole body, and probably more muscle as well (but that comes from being a massage therapist). She creates the most beautiful poems, books, blankets, Halloween costumes, Christmas ornaments, and so much more. She has in infinitive love for books an old movies, something that i inherited from her for sure. I'm so proud that I know who Humphrey Bogart, Doris Day, Katherine Hepburn, Tony Curtis, Jack Lemon, Jane Powell, Debbi Reynolds, James Garner, and so many other older actors are because of our time spent together.
I also know how to make a house sparkle and shine in cleanliness thanks to the years of chores we were blessed to do.

Because of my mom I've always allowed myself to try something new with out being afraid of what others think. I've kept a bit of my inner child with me as I've grown up, so sometimes I may look silly while I'm out playing with the kids in a game that I'm obviously too big for... but I play anyway:) I attribute my abundant confidence and lack of fear when I speak my opinion to the way my mom raised me.


I'll always remember how she used to piggyback me to church all through the snow on the Sunday's my dad had to work, the way she worked with me to memorize the Articles of Faith, the wonderful Birthday cakes she's made over the years, the late nights we'd stay up laughing until we were crying, the nights she stayed  up late just crying with me, how well she'd take care of me when I was sick. My mom always wants to get the family together and participate in a fun activity and over the years she has made the holidays so memorable, and I'm excited to do the same with my family. Thank you mom, I love you.

~And who can forget my Dad~

 He is a prankster at heart, and the best dad in the world. He is driven to reach the finish line in his goals (although I know he feels like he's just driving in circles), and no matter how hard life can get he's always taught me to rely on my faith in God. I owe my dedication and perseverance to his example. His favorite quote is from Batman,
           " And why do we fall? So we can learn to pick ourselves up. "

Thank you for teaching me to pick myself back up. Thank you for the countless hours of playing softball with me and for coming to my games. Thank you for being my running partner and pushing me to know I can go further. Thank you for the sock wars, numerous back tickles, walks, being my babysitter, races for cherry pies to see who could fall asleep first, and for teaching me that raising a family in the Gospel is the most important thing we can do in our life. I love you.

Happy Birthday Brenna, Mom, and Dad.
You're all so special to me!