Brian

Well, as I can't seem to keep this up on a regular basis, I will try to get caught up all in one day. I have been thinking about things to blog, and I talk about it with my family, so much, that if I take a picture, I get asked, "You aren't going to blog this are you?" Brian is one who asks whenever I want a picture of him, and I literally have to chase him around the house to get a picture. But as he is one of my favorite people, I wanted to have a post just about him.

January was our 16th anniversary, and common as the bad weather is, we got snowed in for one day of our anniversary, but got to go on our second night. Brian took me to Deadwood, SD and we stayed in a suite with a hot tub in it. We didn't really go anywhere while we were there, as we arrived later at night in the dark. We did go to a restaurant dedicated to Harrison Ford and all of his movies. It was fun to see just how many of them we had seen - and the food was good too.

March brought on Brian's 37th birthday. We have decided that as we get older, we don't do alot for the big day anymore. But, we did have a little party for him and invited a few families over for cake and games. It was a fun time and I think that it was a great way to celebrate his birthday. Since I am trying to really pack in a few extra posts tonight (and being lazy) I am only going to post a few reasons I truly love this man.

1. Brian works really hard to take care of our family. He does many things for us that he doesn't really like, but knows it will be good for us.

2. I love that Brian can build things. He builds beautiful things that I enjoy having in my home. This is also a hate thing, as I don't get all his attention when he is deep into a project.

3. I appreciate that Brian gets heart and soul into his callings. It is all or nothing for him, and I know that others benefit from the hard work that he does.

4. Brian loves others, and is always mindful of those around him. He is considerate of the needs of others, and like me, tries to lessen their problems and make it better.

5. I could go on forever, but I love Brian because I know he would turn heaven and earth for me if there was something I truly wanted. He recently spent a whole day helping me sew a ball gown so that we could go to a dance. He truly is my prince.

I love you!

Isabella is 4!!

Yesterday was Isabella's birthday, and I had every intention of putting her on here yesterday, but I have lost my adapter to put pictures on my computer, so I will have to add pictures later. I am going to borrow an idea from a friend (thanks Viki) and give 4 reasons that I love and appreciate Izzy.

1. Isabella approaches everything in life like a cheerleader. She is a little dingy(no offense to those cheerleaders), but she just loves everyone and everything. Everything is "her favorite", and everyone is her "best friend."

2. Isabella is very appreciative of things that she gets. She always says thank you. Usually followed by "I love it."

3. I love Isabella, because she has helped to heal my heart just a little.

4. I love Isabella, because she gives the best hugs, and is always ready to say "I love you".

We had a little family party for her last night - she had a princess cake, and got training wheels, a horn for her bike, some tinkerbell toys, a backpack, and a purse and a dolly from her grandma.
My present for her birthday, was that she came to me and said "I am too big to wear Pull-Ups." She went to bed in big girl underpants, and woke up dry. Whoo, hoo!

Merry Christmas from the Weinands!

We are sending cards out this year, but they don't seem to be in a big hurry to get done. Hopefully everyone is healthy, happy, and doing good things. We are doing our usual, busy, busy, busy. All of us are healthy, and hopefully are doing a few good things. Here's hoping everyone has a great Christmas.

Letter to EmmaLee

My dearest little girl,

Tomorrow you would be eight. As I envision what might have been, I see us excitedly getting ready for your big day. Your grandmas are here, and your beautiful white dress is all ready and waiting. You are beautiful and full of fun, a joy to all who know you. We are all happy and enjoying our time together.

Instead, today, I got the chance to attend someone else's baptism, and I couldn't go. I was filled with sadness as I knew that this is just one more thing that I don't get to do with you. Everywhere I look, I seem to see children that would be your age, and wonder what you would be like; what you are like now. Are you happy, do you see your grandpas, and do they take care of you or is it the other way around? Did you get to know your sisters before they were born, or is that just one more thing that we won't get to do on this side? Do you get to look in on us from time to time - do you think of me? And one more thing, why doesn't heaven have facebook? ;)

We have tried every year to make your birthday a celebration of you. We do something fun as a family, and remember the fun things we did with you for the short time you were with us. Tomorrow is Sunday, so this year it is going to be a quiet day doing our usual Sunday things. I am eternally grateful for the gospel, because of it, I still have you, no matter what. I just wish, well, I wish a lot of things that aren't to be at this time. Just know that I think of you so often, my beautiful girl. I am trying to teach your sisters about you, so that they will know you like I know you when we are all together again. I love you so much, and miss all the things that we should be doing together. My one wish for you this year is that you are happy, as you always were.

Love, Mom

Pictures with Izzy

Izzy was a good sport and let Mom pretend to be a photographer. She was so cooperative and had a great big smile despite the cold wind.

Rachel, however, was not as tolerant.

She was much better with Izzy to keep her warm, so we moved into the house.

Lovin' this baby face..

My little Rachel is such a funny girl. She is always making faces, she has such a cute smile, but prefers to show me her monster face. She is very expressive, so it is easy to see what kind of mood she is in.

Holding everyone a little closer..

I didn't have a picture or anything to blog with today, but I needed somewhere to write what I was thinking. Today I learned that a Dr. that I worked with, and who took care of my children, lost her husband in an accident. I am heartsick for this sweet woman, she has three small children, all of whom have lost their daddy too. I have spent the afternoon thinking about my life, the experiences that I have had, and selfishly wondering if I have it worse or better. Five (yes, five) years ago when my little Em left us, I had a hard time thinking that happiness was any part of the future. As time has gone on, some days I have felt guilty that I was happy without her being here. Today I am just glad that I have what I have, that I have the opportunity to see my little one again, and I am eternally thankful for my best friend who is still by my side. So for tonight, I will hold them all a little closer, for an instant longer, and thank my Father in Heaven for the blessings that I hold dear. Thanks to for all the friends that have helped me come leaps and bounds from where I was five years ago.