one word wednesday: pink

pink

this one really made me stretch

over time i have grown to embrace the softness of pink

or even the occasional wowsers hot pink like this chair

but as a young girl and into my adulthood i took a stand against pink

embracing all the other colors of the rainbow

pink symbolized mediocrity and conformity to me

though i wouldn't have used those words as a young girl

liking pink meant being the same as all the other girls who liked pink 

because that is what little girls were supposed to do

{and boy does my little girl}

i always prided myself on being a little different

wanting to stand out a little

not too much, just enough to be noted as different but accepted

maybe it began with being named briana

a name which at the time was very unique, which i loved

but had one downfall, i could never find it on a bike license plate or a pencil

upon finding out i was having a girl after three boys, i was thrilled

and did my best to avoid pink

but it was destined to come

because for whatever reason it is ingrained to be loved by most normal little girls

{ones who aren't worrying about individuality at the age of 5}

so it has been embraced in our home

because it is Felicity's favorite color

tutus, princess wands, pajamas, blankets...pink abounds

i have now grown up

and can enjoy the femininity that accompanies pink without feeling like i am jeopardizing my individuality

i am cracking myself up at how absurd this all is

pure absurdity: ridiculously unreasonable

Felicity's frills of pink were not what my non-pink-conformist eye was drawn to for this week

my eye was captured by the beautifully subtle pink of my boys' lips 

my handsome boys

don't forget to link up your blog and/or tag #onewordwednesday and @briana6 in instagram

can't wait to see your expressions of pink

next week's word: project

if you are new to one word wednesday be sure to click over here for a little introduction

top: Me - sweet dreams are made of these | Jessica - living the swell life
middle: Jenna - jenna lou designs | Amanda - oh my little dears
bottom: Bethany - rinse repeat | Leslie - my happily ever after

thank you to all our readers who participated in our first week of one word wednesday

looking forward to more joining us on the challenge this week

One Word Wednesday is a simple photo challenge intended to tie friends together and inspire anyone and everyone to document the everyday beauty in the world around them. Please join us every Wednesday, sharing a photo that celebrates a scene from your life on your blog and/or instagram. Each word will be announced one week in advance to give you time to think on and capture an image that celebrates that particular word. Be sure to leave a link or add hashtag #onewordwednesday and @briana6 to your photos, so that we can all share in the joy! Next week's word: PROJECT!

Eyan's baptism day

this day was a wonderful reminder of the gratitude i have for my Father in Heaven sending such incredible spirits to our home

this little man brings such peace and love

he teaches me every single day

and in a most loving and kind way

i am humbled often to be called as his teacher, his mother

Eyan was ready in every single way to be baptized

his desire to be a follower of Christ was evident by his shining face

this essential ordinance of Christ's gospel was administered to Eyan by Mike

and we all were able to witness this tender scene

talks on baptism and the Holy Ghost were given by Grandpa Johnson and Grandma Dix

all of the cousins sang at Eyan's request, his favorite song, "If the Savior Stood Beside Me"

i know he thinks about those lyrics

If the Savior stood beside me, would I do the things I do?Would I think of His commandments and try harder to be true?Would I follow His example? Would I live more righteously,If I could see the Savior standing nigh, watching over me?

If the Savior stood beside me, would I say the things I say?Would my words be true and kind if He were never far away?Would I try to share the gospel? Would I speak more reverentlyIf I could see the Savior standing nigh, watching over me?

He is always near me, though I do not see Him thereAnd because He loves me dearly, I am in His watchful careSo I'll be the kind of person that I know I'd like to beIf I could see the Savior standing nigh, watching over me. 

we were very grateful to all of our family members and friends who were able to attend the baptism

Mike's parents traveled a great distance from Southern Utah to be with Eyan on this most important day

following the baptismal service Eyan had chosen for us to come home and eat pancakes and cereal

a cereal and pancake bar was created

my favorite pancake topping being butterscotch chips and buttermilk syrup

what??!

try it, you will not be disappointed

i was so proud of Eyan wanting to help get everything ready earlier in the day, so he created the darling washi tape flags on the straws

an ingenius idea by the queen of parties herself for a large group of people

so much cuter than writing your name on the cup with a sharpie

clean he is

the most pure person in the world at that moment

as we talk about doing our best and repenting when we make a mistake, he will remain pretty close:)

before we began to eat he read to us all why he wanted to be baptized

to follow Jesus

and to be an example to Tate and Felicity

i am so grateful for this spiritual giant within this eight year old body

what event celebrating Eyan could end without a little hockey

uncle bub got right in the mix

i love that about our family

so grateful to be a part

my buddha baby turns 8

what i felt the moment i first held my first baby, our miracle Owen, are almost indescribable

a rush of breath

a new beat to my heart

a new meaning to life

a softening of my nature

for the first time, i can truly say that i caught a glimpse into the love my Father in Heaven has for me as his child

i worried throughout my second pregnancy that i wouldn't know how or couldn't possibly love another child as much as i loved my first

how could it be possible

yet in that first moment i held sweet little Eyan, eight years ago today, i understood and felt what my Mom had repeatedly reassured me

that my capacity to love would grow and grow

i again caught a glimpse into how our Heavenly Father could love each of us

for we are each his child

and His capacity to love is endless

Eyan was just what Mike and I had prayed for
a Buddha Baby
our Baby Sunshine
he was the happiest, most content baby you ever did see
his twinkling almond shaped eyes
dimpled cheeks
rolls upon rolls
and calm nature
was instantly endearing

he and Owen have been best buds from the beginning

Eyan happily meshing into the identity and interests of his big brother

it has only been in the last year or so that his own likes and interests have emerged

having been content for so long in just doing and loving what his older brother did and loved

as i stated in my recent post of Eyan's pre-baptism photo shoot

he is a gentle soul

affectionate

protector

observer

peacemaker

he is the soft hand on my shoulder when i begin to raise my voice

a reminder i asked him to give me

and he remembers

he remembers

i depend on him

because he is dependable

i am so grateful for this happy soul in our family

happy eighth birthday to my continuous sunshine

eyan's pre-baptism photo shoot: a boy, his scriptures, and mother nature

my little Eyan is getting baptized this coming week

he is a gentle soul

affectionate

protector

observer

peacemaker

he is the soft hand on my shoulder when i begin to raise my voice

a reminder i asked him to give me

and he remembers

he remembers

he is a fierce competitor when it comes to sports and games of any sort

he likes to win

he loves hockey

and checks the game stats and standings first thing when he wakes up

i love this sweet age of eight

budding curiosity 

innocence preserved

a closeness to spiritual matters

expanding knowledge of the world around them

heightened ability to decipher what is right and what is wrong

a world in black and white

mom is still a beacon of truth

it is at this age that our faith, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, opens the window for baptism

to demonstrate our willingness to obey his commandments and follow Christ's example

it is at this age in which children know enough about right and wrong that they can begin to be held accountable for their choices

choices

accountability

responsibility

consequences

repentance

forgiveness

grace

such concepts of grand weight that it takes men a lifetime to understand and practice

but if you ask Eyan about, he can explain in a way only a nearly eight year old heart could

these are all things you pray that as a mother you have taught your child

and have kept your motherly promise to do as Hannah in the Old Testament, to give him to the Lord all the days of his life

i am so delighted by the young man he is growing up to be

and grateful to have captured his soothing personality in these photos

watching them closely

this morning was rather calm

the misty rain and foggy clouds creating that feeling of wanting to stay right where you are and curl up in a blanket

my heart was still heavy from seeing the faces of those lives lost in that senseless act

and reading about their love for life

their dance recitals, baseball games, and passion for their professions

as i drove up to the the younger boys' school today my stomach had a twinge of fear

i followed them closely in my car after i dropped them off

i watched them closely, appreciating them each at this age

tate, 5, a ball of fire.  a spring in every step. you always know he's around.  everyone is his friend.  and he really likes to have fun...you can see the strain in his little body when he's trying really hard to refrain from something that he knows he shouldn't do but looks really, really fun

eyan, 7, a sensitive soul.  a easy-going, content boy.  his eyes are open to who needs help and how he can do it.  he is a protector and a watcher.  everyone loves him and is his bud.  he is naturally drawn to do what is right and loves to feel that warm and fuzzy feeling that accompanies it.

my 'mother heart' aches with those grieving mothers

losing my father was the most difficult thing i have experienced in my entire life

the void, the need, the longing

that accompany such a loss is sometimes too excruciating to bear

losing a child...

no words

what i do know is what i have experienced for myself throughout my recent journey of separation

that better than any earthly blanket

i have been wrapped up in the warm and secure embrace of my Savior Jesus Christ 

it is almost too reverent to speak of

but it has been real oh so real

that relationship has been my anchor

and when i have raised it up to tread that sea alone, i have felt it, i have felt the drifting, the confusion, the doubt, the anger

only when i am firmly planted with my anchor can i face the ever-changing, unpredictable waves that make up everyday life

as i greeted each of my boys after school today, i wrapped my arms around them and held them extra long

so grateful they were safe and home

so grateful to hold them

and watch them grow

feeling blessed today

very blessed

The Reluctant Pedaler

this is the story of the reluctant pedaler.

a photo story mainly...

eyan, my six year old has never had the interest of parting with his training wheels.

the image of crashing and burning has prevented him from wanting to.

i haven't pushed him about it, just asked every so often

but i found a little bike jump for the boys for Christmas and i thought this could be the perfect push. 

so a few days before Christmas, we took to the street.

he was definitely resistant.

before the launch we practiced stopping and getting off the bike

once he got on his bike and started to pedal, i barely had to hold on at all.

he did it!

the very first try.

{yes i was the pusher and the photographer...phew, difficult task:) }

a few rides around the cul-de-sac and he was done.

satisfied with his accomplishment but not pressing his luck on that crash and burn.

i love how no matter how he puts on his helmet, 

it always ends up tilted to one side.

lots of enthusiastic on-lookers

cheering him on.

mom, can i have my training wheels back?

Piano and the Wolf

owen and eyan began taking piano lessons this past summer.

they loved it right from the start.

it was something they could see the results of their work right away.

dots on paper, matching keys on a piano, turning into a recognizable tune.

i can't lie, it has been a lot of work, for all of us...

an extreme exercise in patience and persistence,

but i have to say that the fruits of it have been delicious.

confidence, concentration, perseverance,

to hear music played in our home is gratifying...even if its 'twinkle, twinkle little star'.

they performed in their first recital this past week at the home of their ever-so patient and accommodating  teacher Janine Williams.

it was a delightful occasion, hearing so many young children demonstrate their love of music through their piano pieces.

eyan played "up on the rooftop" as a duet with his teacher

owen..."you're a mean one, mr. grinch" {one of grandpa's favorites}

neither of them glanced up at their music

both of them expressed being nervous, but played calmly

i was a proud mother

i pray music will continue to take a starring role in our home as my boys get older

and not just from our dance parties.

music played a significant role in my childhood: with piano lessons starting in elementary school {not that you would know now}, a mother who played Vivaldi, Beethoven, Rachmaninov often, and our own family dance parties.

tonight i turned off all the lights and gathered my boys in the family room.  i had found the narrated version of 'Peter and the Wolf' on Spotify, narrated by what must be the same accent bearing englishman that i can remember as a little girl.  

there was a short period of 'moooommm, can't they talk more?'  but as they began to become involved in the story, dancing and giggles commenced, especially when mom skipped around the room.  hearing the familiar dance of the strings depicting Peter and the ominous horns of the approaching wolf quickly whisked me back in time.  

i soaked up every moment, every note, every giggle, and particularly the wide-eyed glare from Tate when the wolf 'appeared'. {he's a little cautious of coyotes and the like as of late - read his Tate-ism in the sidebar}.  i even caught Owen singing the tune later on this evening.  

love it, just love it.