Spring Forward

I cannot believe that spring is finally here! I have always loved Spring. I love all the flowers especially my favorite flower tulips. I also love that my birthday is in spring! I have been having lots of fun on scrapblog , if anyone was wondering about my new header. Jason has his final on Monday and then is off for two weeks for spring break. Then he will be in his last quarter! General conference is right around the corner and I am very ready for it too. The last most exciting thing about Spring is it starts Garage Sale season and who could deny the absolute thrill of a bargain.My sister Michelle's husband just got an acceptance letter from a PT school today so without question they will be moving soon. I am so glad to see things work out for them. There have been so many changes in my family lately it and the stress has been very apparent. Half the time I want to crawl under a rock so I don't have to worry about what I can't see. It is so hard to watch those you love worry about things out of their control. Sometimes I fantasize about winning a lottery that I don't play just so I could help my family members out. I am queen of brainstorming and seeking resolutions but this time I am up against the toughest problems and seriously the lottery is the only way serious sacrifices won't have to be made. I have faith that there is a plan for each of us and that the refiners fire truly makes us stronger but not much is mentioned about those that have to endure watching their loved ones in the flames.

Our Cookie is 6!

This past week we attended Jason's Grandpa's funeral but we also had our baby girl Brooklyn turn 6! her birthday fell on Jackson's pinewood derby so we opened presents before and hurried off to that. The next day she got to go on her date with dad to see the movie Bolt and to eat her favorite food Mexican! We also had a family potluck in her honor yesterday. So although her birthday wasn't exactly as planned at least she felt loved and was happy. so here we go
1. Brooklyn loves the feel of hair as a baby if you touched her with it she couldn't resist sucking her thumb(still can't)

2. Brooklyn does not hesitate to compliment others, she always tells me how adorable my clothes are or how simply beautiful something is!

3. She has always been drawn to the color pink. At 18 months she loved to color but would only do so with a shade of pink. she would dig through the box until she found one.

4. She did not wear pants until she was probably 5 even now she still prefers skirts and dresses.

5. She is not shy! she will dance anywhere and everywhere and loves to have an audience!

6. She loves animals and has no problem going up to strangers to ask permission to pet their dogs my older kids follow behind her. She has always been the "Boss".

Brooklyn Foushee Gutierrez has such a sweet spirit and seems to have been born with the spirit of determination. She likes to be incharge but has always been very sensitive and I have never had a problem with her hurting others. I love being her mom and watching her dance and sing her way through life!

Great to be 8!

Having computer issues but oh well!
This last week was crazy. Jason's Grandpa was put on hospice so we drove Thursday up to the Tri-cities which is 3.5 hours away. We had a good visit and the kids love visiting with their Gutierrez family. We then drove home the next day. Friday was actually Jackson's Birthday although we mainly celebrated it on Saturday we did take him to Multnomah Falls on the way back home. Saturday Jackson was baptized and confirmed a member of our church! We bought him a suit and afterward he looked so cute! He also is now officially a cub scout which also came with a really cute shirt! I am so proud of the young man he is and is becoming. I so appreciate all those that showed their love for us and came yesterday. I know that giving up a Saturday and enduring chaos is hard but I truly appreciated all your presences. So here are 8 things about Jacksy-boy!

1. He taught himself to read at 6 months before kindergarten started.

2. He used to refuse to get started for the day until he cuddled with me.

3. He is my pickiest eater and will not touch fruit except for mandarin oranges and regular oranges.

4. He could eat pancakes all day long! He also loves raw vegetables like cucumbers, carrots,celery and broccoli. Don't even consider that he dips them in anything though, always plain and raw.

5. He is a wonderful artist and loves to do nothing more than draw and paint or work with clay.

6. He naturally is gifted with an understanding for computers , well game systems also. He figures things out quickly.

7. He loves to sing and dance. He does not mind performing in front of people. His soccer coach said, while describing him, that he will probably end up on one of those dancing shows one day!

8. Jackson has a very tender heart he has always cried after getting into trouble because he didn't want me to be mad at him.

Jackson has always had a lot of energy and at times I thought I would lose my mind in raising him but somehow overnight he became this responsible well mannered kid. So for all you out there struggling with a 3 or 4 year old boy hang in there it pays off. And that might be why I am having an easier time dealing with Harrison, so waiting for that to pay off!!!!