Braithwaite Family

Thank you for:

Always inviting our little family over for dinner

Letting me borrow Jamies maternity clothes 

Letting us help with a 1000 piece puzzle of the temple

Helping my husband find and internship, and letting him drink the soda in the little fridge

Letting us "house/dog sit" at your home, which was really like a vacation for us!

Visiting us in the hospital when Finnley was born

Staying with us the first night we brought her home and waking us up to nurse

Showing me how to nurse!

Taking Spencer across the country to a web/design conference 

Convincing the sales man to lower the price of the rocking chair

Hosting the dinner for Family the day before the baby blessing

Coming to Finnley's baby blessing

Inviting us to come play

Letting us go tick-or-treating with you

Picking me up from Rexburg for play dates

Letting me nap downstairs while Finnley played

Doing my art homework with me

Showing us that zucchini can substitute noodles in lasagna

Talking nerd with Spencer, advising and letting him help with projects

Watching Finnley overnight so I could go to the tough doctor appointment, sleep and attend the temple

Showing us how much fun a BIG family can be

And for being our friends!

I am forever grateful the Braithwaite family made the big from Vegas to Idaho two years ago!

SURE LOVE YA!

Bubbles in the Sink

 I have noticed that as Finnley grows, the time I have to prepare meals shrinks. Last night I had planned a healthy coconut lime chicken soup, but ended up with a bake-n-bake pizza. 

This morning I filled the sink with water, bubbles and toys while I made breakfast. 

She had a blast!

It took twice as long getting the meal in the oven! I found myself pausing repeatedly to watch her play and discover. Time is slippery in the Palmer home!

"Refuse to be idle & have these quickly passing days without substance or meaning or progress." Al Fox

A Friend

Finnley is 15months.  

She can find a friend anywhere we go.

 Friday it was the group of girls watching the frisbee game.

 On Saturday it was the guy bagging the groceries at Broulims. 

Sunday it was the 6ft man walking down the hall at church. 

Yesterday it was the little girl also waiting in the doctors office. 

She has been leading me through her example since the day she was born. So full of energy and acceptance. 

Mosiah 2:4 "..That they might rejoice and be filled with the love towards God and ALL men."

While making dinner

 Finnley is fussing at the baby gate. I can tell she is as tired and hungry as I am. I hand her a piece of the red bell pepper I had just cut for dinner. She eagerly accepts. watching me with those big brown eyes. I pick her up, holding her close. The song "Letting Go" by Paul Cardall comes on the Pandora station.(Click here to listen )

We swirl around the kitchen. I can hear her happily crunching the snack and feel her little warm body against mine. I realize that she must be getting bigger because she is getting so much heavier. By the time I put her down, we have matching pepper juice spots on our clothes.

The Tropics

 Today it snowed again. Snow has always had a special place in my heart. I remember the day I found out President Hinkley had passed away. Youth around the world wore Sunday best to school in remembrance of him. It was snowing that day. It reminded me of his life and purity.  It snowed the day I married the love of my life. The day Finnley was born it was also snowing. 

BUT I have been looking forward to warm summer days. For our date this week we used watercolor to paint a beautiful tropical mural on our fridge. The idea came from Elder Scotts talk.  (https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/04/the-eternal-blessings-of-marriage?lang=eng)

When I stand back and squint my eyes it looks a little like the picture. 

I wish I could see into the future. 

The memory of Spencer hanging this hen yesterday is one I already cherish. If it had gone my way, that hen would be in a box. Ready for the big move. But it is hanging in the kitchen, reminding me of 1. My husbands patient love and 2. To be happy in the now.

3 Nephi 10:4

• Book of Mormon

"...how oft have I gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and have nourished you." 

Mornings

Mornings are my favorite. 

The quite stillness, brings peace into my heart. Spencer is often at the gym or class, the baby will sleep until 9am. I shower, get ready for the day then cuddle up in a warm blanket and read. Time flies and soon I can hear Finn. She is awake. I wait just a little longer to get her, savoring the sweet chatter and giggles.