A Jumble of Events

Max has a new friend. My trainer from my mission just had a sweet LITTLE baby girl. Her name is Kadence Toni. We went to SLC on Friday to meet her. She is beautiful and so perfect. I can't believe that Max was once so little, well - that he was once just a few days old. We also got to see my other companion, Heidi. It is always so nice to reconnect with mission friends. We enjoyed an afternoon of good food and company. It must have been the week to reunite with mission companions. Emily came down from Ogden for a night to see us. It was great to have someone else read to him and give him a bath. He really liked that. She babysat him during my classes and did my dishes. I love anyone who does my dishes!!! Thanks, Em for all your help.

The Moffats invited us to go to the Draper Temple Open House, and so we took them up on the offer. I am so glad that we went. Max looked at every picture of Jesus. His favorite part was the chandelier in the celestial room which has 200 lights and hangs from a 50 foot ceiling. I felt the peace of the Lord and was encircled by His love. It refocused my perspective and reminded me that I have my family forever. It was different stepping foot in a sealing room without my companion but again grateful for the covenants I made with Brig almost 2 years ago. God has promised us so many blessings if we are but willing to follow Christ. I love to see the temple.

Letting Maxwell enjoy being naked for a few minutes was a few minutes too long. I ended up having to change my sheets (but you ain't never seen a happier kid.)

Here is Max just about ready to help me enjoy my birthday lunch. Brig had lunch 'catered' right to my door... a spinach and strawberry salad, a huge turkey, mozzarella sandwich, and a delicious pasta dish. I was able to enjoy it for dinner that night and lunch the next day. He also sent me the beautiful Gerbera daises you see. I suppose he was feeling guilty after watching 'The Break-up'. A girl says she doesn't really want flowers (which I say), but she really does. Anyone know what line I am talking about?

Cousin Tevi came for a visit while his family went to a BYU basketball game. Max was not feeling well so they didn't spend much time together but I sure did enjoy a cuddly, sweet Tevi. He let me just hold him and we rocked. It was so relaxing.

My wonderful Grandma Gilbert made me a huge birthday dinner on the 13Th because I was in class all night on my birthday. It felt like Thanksgiving with the whole works. My Aunt Annie and the Moffats also came to celebrate as well. Thanks, Guys!

Brig asked if I would take pictures at the doctor's office, so we did -

I guess we'll just add them in this post.

It's MAX time...

I like pictures of myself better than I do of my mama. Here are some things about me these days that you should know:


I have this obsession with "Dieter the Dolphin", which is a bath toy that I want to play with outside of the bath as well. I know about the crab, and the pelican, and the octopus, and the turtle, but the there is just something about Dieter. Lately, I have been throwing all of the other toys out of the tub.

I have made some new discoveries - light switches, toilet flushers, trashcans, and dishwashers.

My favorite toy is a "ball." I go around the house saying, "Bal..Bal...Bal." I shoot it into the bucket that Mommy put in the walker but then I get bored and take the bucket out, and shoot it through the leg holes. I like that trick better. My new thing is throwing the ball down the stairs at Great-Grandma's house and making Mom chase it and throw it back up to me. I could do this for hours on end. I just giggle the whole time. I have tried to retrieve the ball myself and have been unsuccessful.

I was sick last week and had to go to the doctor. I am fine until they start poking in my ears and digging out wax. Then I let them have it.

I am now a little pipsqueak, only in the 44% for weight and height. But my head still keeps me up there with the big kids - at 98%.

I have FOUR teeth now. I was teething when I had an ear infection. Those of you who like to party, should have come to my house and done it right. We didn't sleep at night!

I do like my medicine, I still like anything that goes in my mouth.

I finally learned the sign "milk" but since I can scream, why should I bother with that?

I miss my Daddy. I look at pictures of him every day and that always makes me happy. I can't learn to throw a ball from mama because she throws like a girl.

I love to read books. The minute Mama says book, I go to my basket and grab the ones I want and start screaming. She is not nice, she will take them out of my hands, and make me crawl to the rocking chair. I sure do hurry though. My new favorite is "Mr. Brown can Moo, can YOU?" I laugh right out loud when mama makes all the funny sounds.

I never cry when Mama leaves me with the babysitters.

I am starting to dance to music - moving my head and shoulders.

I can't wait until my birthday, when I get a REAL cake. Mom and Dad might think they tricked me by giving me one early, but that was just practice for the 16Th of next month. (Maybe Daddy could put a few pictures of that wonderful day on here for you all to see.)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHAYLA!

as Beautiful Bride


as Aunt
as Granddaughter

as Sister

as Daughter

as Wife

as Mother

Hey Mommy! Happy Birthday! Love, Max

Daughter. Granddaughter. Sister. Cousin. Niece. Aunt. Friend. Mother. Wife. Daughter of God. Disciple. Missionary. Coach. Athlete. Teacher. Student. Example. You are many things to many people in this world, Shay, but I will be forever grateful that you are my Eternal Companion. You are my wife, my Partner. You are my Best Friend. You are the Answer to my Prayers. Here, for the whole world to see, I tell you as senitmentally as I can that I love you with all my soul. You are the best mother and wife that Max and I could ever want!

Since I met you

the sun shines brighter

my burdens are lighter

my spirits fly higher

my smile grows wider

my hold on you gets tighter.

I'm a poet and I didn't even know it... I've been thinking about you all day and I hope and pray that you have a great birthday and know that you are special and dear to many people who love you. I wish I was there to celebrate with you, but I'll be there in spirit, and I'll give you a call!

Happy Birthday!

Brig

P.S. I couldn't figure out which picture of you with friends to post, since there are so many! :)

Anyone up for the task?

Vacation Recap

Hi everybody. Brig here. I'm back in Iraq and have decided to take over blogging duties for Shay for a bit as she is busy with a new semester of school and dealing with the crazy little stud muffin known as, well...Muffin, Maximus, Maxiffin (a conglomerate of Maximus and Muffin, for those that have wondered), Mumble, Bugsy, Maxwell, and Max. I just have a lot of time on my hands right now--about 6 months or so--so I thought I'd help her out with recapping our vacation together.

I got back to the wonderful United States of America on December 12 after a not-so-fun 70 hour journey (lots of delays, etc.).

On the chopper ride to Kuwait. I'm the white guy on the right.

Brig with some Japanese soldiers in Kuwait. Konnichiwa!

I had to get some Christmas goodies in Germany on the way home.

I tricked Shayla into thinking that I would arrive on the the 13th and then surprised here the night of the 12th by renting a car and showing up at the doorstep of her grandparents' home where she was visiting. I don't want to get overly-sentimental, but it was a pleasant reunion--to say the least. It was one of the best feelings I've ever experienced to see and embrace her again. After a bit I got to go wake up Max and reintroduce myself to him. He didn't cry when I woke him--just stared and smiled at me. It was awesome.

The next several days were spent relaxing, eating, playing, shopping, and hanging out with family. Most of the time we just spent time as a little family, and most of that time centered around feeding and playing with Max--both of which are some of my new favorite activities.

On the 17th, my brother Cord and his family (thanks a million) watched Max so Shay and I could get away for a night. We went to a nice bed & breakfast up in the mountains near Park City.

Johnson Mill, our favorite Bed & Breakfast

Remember how I suprised Shay by showing up early? Well, she returned the favor by throwing me a belated surprise birthday party. This was no ordinary surprise party, however, as she got my parents and some of my siblings from out of town to show up along with my siblings in Utah. There were a lot of nieces and nephews running around, as well as Grandpa and Grandma Gilbert and the Moffats, who hosted the party (thanks a million as well!). I was definitely surprised and quite overwhelmed at the outpouring of love I received. I felt like a rockstar. It was a lot of fun to see everyone. One of my favorite parts was that Shayla got pinatas, and one of them was a representation of me--how's that for a welcome home? Here are some pics from the party.

Max with a pinata of Brig that was ultimately destroyed by the Power Ranger skills of cousin Will

Shayla the Surpriser and the kiddos ready to whack the pinatas

Brig with two of his favorites, Natalee and Lily

Grandma Risa with Max and Grandpa Barry with Tevi

Keegan with Butterfly Barry

Princess Max

Well, that sums up this week's installment. I had no idea blogging was so demanding. Hopefully I'll still have a desire to post about the rest of my R&R time. We'll see!

2009

The year is not off to the best start but Brig and I decided that at least we can say that he will be home this year! Brig arrived safely in Iraq 60 hours after leaving from the Salt Lake Airport. He stayed in his uniform that whole time and hardly slept. In honor of him, I didn't get out of my pj's or shower as well. I slept enough for him and me both. I did party until 9:00 on New Year's with my in-laws (and I did put some jeans on). I think it was the first year ever that I didn't stay up until midnight.

Max looks around the apartment for Daddy - I don't make mealtimes near as fun, I can't make realistic truck and animal sounds, and I make him take naps when he is just starting to show tired signs. Max won't even pucker his lips and blow spit for me like he did the whole time for Brig. He loves to see the pictures of him and we have looked through our vacation pictures over and over - I guess I like to think I am doing it because Max's face lights up.

Needless to say, we are grateful that we could spend the holidays together as a family. Thanks to all who watched Max (a special thanks to Cord, Heidi, and fam and my mom) and came to Brig's party. We are blessed to have such wonderful relatives. Even if Max is waking up every few hours again through the night and won't go to sleep on his own for nap time, I wouldn't have traded our vacation for anything in the world. It was awesome! If we were only granted one day together, it would have been worth it! Here is a little clip of Bugsy and Brig: