I found these yesterday and bought them for myself (an early V day gift to myself). I love the feeling in my home whenever I keep live plants in it. I never do it because flowers are expensive and I'm sure my kids would get into any kind of potted indoor plant and I'd constantly be vacuuming soil out of my carpet. BUT--the occasional flowers in my kitchen are fun. I know virtually nothing about flowers, but I do know that I really like this particular kind of flower, especially in white. I see them at weddings sometimes and I don't know their name--anyone know what these are called?
I mentioned in an earlier post that I had gotten a new car. My other car was given to me by my sister in law Molly and her husband John. It was a total blessing and I'm so glad I had it, but it was nearing 300K miles and just wasn't cut out for every day commuting to work. On New Year's Eve I was having some major issues with that car so I decided it was time to get a new one. Car buying is always an experience that I DREAD because I know nothing about cars, and I hate spending that much money on something I know is not a great investment. I went to several dealerships. At first I tried going with my kids, but quickly realized that wasn't going to work out. My dear friends and neighbors watched my kids while I went to 6 or 7 dealerships. I finally wound up at Mike Miller Toyota in Salt Lake and found this little gem, which is a 2005 Prius that I got a sweet deal on. It's a hybrid so I save a ton of money on gas and let me just say...I LOVE this car!!! I was a nervous wreck when I bought it, but I'm so glad I have a really reliable car now.
Speaking of Hybrids, and environmentalism in general, this year I was so excited because I got to go to the Sundance Film Festival with one of my best friends Renae. Every year the festival emphasizes "going green" and taking care of the environment. This year, the official Sundance Film Fest 2010 car was Honda's version of what I have--a hybrid. There were hybrids everywhere and they were giving out these water bottles in exchange for making a pledge to drink out of reusable water bottles (as opposed to plastic bottles, which apparently are horrible for the environment):
I love this little water bottle and I've been bringing it to work with me. Fionnuala, if you're reading this, I'm mailing you one!
Renae is one of my friends I met in Virginia and we have known each other a long time. She is definitely one of those kindred spirits that I love to get together with because we have so much in common. We both took a day off from our kids and just spent the day at the Festival talking and having a blast.
It was the perfect girls day out because we ran into this awesome Loreal tent that had make up artists and hair dressers that were giving these free makeovers. We signed up and it was so fun and girly to get makeovers. This girl that was doing my make up must have thought I was an idiot because I'm totally make-up illiterate and I couldn't stop blinking my eyes while she was putting on all that make up. They all kept calling me "sweetie", too, which made me feel like I was about 12 years old.
It was totally worth it, though. Renae and I had so much fun.
Renae took me to see this awesome graffiti painting by Banksy. Banksy had a documentary film that was to be played at Sundance, but Renae and I didn't actually see any movies because the tickets are outlandishly expensive.
And then of course, the real reason I go to Sundance film fest...the celebrities. We ran into this guy (I don't even know his name) from 500 days of summer. He interviewed me for some documentary. I'm sure my part won't go in his documentary because I felt totally boring when I was answering his questions, hahaha.
It was just the best day hanging out with a great friend. We had such fun conversation, and I feel like the occasional girls day out or girls night out is seriously like therapy for women! I hope to make it a yearly tradition!
So I apologize I haven't updated this blog in a very, very long time. I wanted to post a few pictures from Christmas, though.
Here's a picture of little Abby decorating the tree, SO CUTE!
Christmas was awesome this year! We had a Secret Santa that did 12 days of Christmas at our door every night. It was so sweet, they brought gifts every night and I NEVER found out who it was!! On Christmas Eve a man dressed as Santa came to our door and surprised us with the final gifts! I wish I had a picture but I was so taken aback I forgot to get the camera! Plus, my girls were both in their underwear and I think I looked like a mess, so it was just a really funny moment. The whole time I kept staring at this Santa Clause trying to figure out who he was, but he was a total stranger!! Although that left me a tad unsettled, the kids loved their gifts.
Another little Christmas miracle was that our friends the Brooks made the kids this amazing gingerbread house. It actually has "stained glass windows". The kids LOVED this thing and couldn't believe it was made of candy. It was perfect because one of Becca's favorite stories is Hansel and Grettel, so this was a good visual.
So Christmas morning we had our traditional breakfast of waffles with strawberries. I do Christmas mornings JUST like my mom did them and JUST like I swore I would never do when I had kids--I make the kids eat breakfast before opening presents. I remember being in AGONY when my mom would make us do this, but as a mom, it's nice to have a nice breakfast before the chaos begins.
This is our little advent calendar we made, Becca was so happy to put the last cotton ball on Santa's hat:
And here are some fun opening presents pictures:
The infamous "pink sparkly diamond" which was the only thing Becca kept saying she wanted for Christmas. I had no idea what she was talking about and it took me a long time to find one, but it was only $5:
Ok the coolest present was from Nana and Aunt Cathy and it was this play kitchen that the girls love! I put it in the corner of my kitchen so that they will leave me alone while I cook and it works like a charm. Here's a video of when they opened it:
The funny thing is, they didn't act surprised or anything, they just got straight to "work." Here a few more cute kitchen pictures:
I realize that there are more pictures of Becca than Abby, but Becca's at that age where she loves to pose for pictures, and Abby just thinks it's a nuisance. So, with time, I'm hoping that will even itself out.
We got to spend a whole week with Nana for Christmas, which was amazing because she totally decluttered my entire house. The kids loved time with Nana and they ask about her all of the time. Also, my mom got me plane tickets to VA for my Christmas present! I'll be coming March 12-21st, which will be during my birthday. I am soooo soo very very very excited :)
New Year's Eve was a very eventful day, I got a car which was CRAZY! But trust me...that car deserves a post of it's own, which is soon to come. And let's face it--I know you all are curious about the divorce, and basically the status is is that all of the paperwork is sitting on a Judge's desk waiting for it's turn to be signed. I work at a courthouse (a different one than the one where it's being signed) so I know better than to call and bug them, but I can't help it. I call about once a week and in my nicest voice possible ask when it will be signed or if there's anything else I need to submit. Although I'm sad for everything that has happened, I am ready for closure. One of my friends suggested I get my ears pierced (which is something I've never done) when it does get signed, just for kicks. I'm planning on it and I think I'll invite all my best gal pals and make a party out of it. Any ear piercing tips??
So for now, I hope everyone had a merry Christmas and keep an eye out for my next blog on my new awesome amazing stupendous car that I love so very much.
My friends and family are awesome and thanks for the love.
I have finally decided to publicly announce some very sad news for the Brymer family. Les and I are separated, we have been since May, and I am planning on filing for divorce this November. Many of you already know this, but for those who don't, I am sorry for the shock and disappointment.
I have gotten an outpouring of support from those closest to me, and I appreciate the continued prayers on our behalf. This has been a decision that I have considered very carefully and prayerfully for a long time. I especially appreciate the respect that my friends have given both Les and I. I think I can speak for both of us when I say that we aren't interested in anyone "taking sides" or making disparaging comments about the other person. Along those same lines, I would like to be discrete about the details surrounding the divorce, and although it would be totally understandable to wonder "what in the world happened?" I will just warn you up front that I probably won't answer that question.
This is a big transition for me and the kids, and I'm sure for Les as well. We are hanging in there, I have gotten a job and we are all adjusting to our new lives. I feel compelled to say that although this wasn't the way any of us thought our lives would turn out, tragedy has a way of bringing us closer to the Savior. I hope we can all consider our relationship to Him, and think to count our blessings even during struggles. I know the Savior lives and loves each one of us, and this has been a time that I have been reminded of that truth again and again.
I love each one of you, and again, thank you for the support and please keep us all in your prayers.
I know everyone is probably getting sick of these, but I can't resist. Today Rebecca shared two pearls of wisdom (that she probably learned from some cartoon on TV)--but I thought they were actually pretty inspirational.
"Never give up, Mom!" -->She learned this from Dora
"It's all part of the plan"--> She learned this from Special Agent Oso, she said it's what he says when he's in trouble.
Anyhoo--these just made me laugh and I thought they were surprisingly inspirational coming from a three year old.
I am from Virginia, moved out here to Utah for college and never left! I have two beautiful girls that I love with all of my heart. I love Utah, miss Virginia, and am trying to find my place in this world.
