Happy Birthday Josh

Today is Josh’s Golden Birthday.

Happy Birthday Honey!!!

I am so grateful for Josh and the person he is. I know I don’t tell him enough how much I appreciate everything he does for me. So here are just a few of the many reasons I love him. He has made it possible for me to stay home with our child. He puts up with all my weird little habits. He watched “Mamma Mia” without complaining! He has learned how to make the perfect Diet Coke. He lets me fall asleep every night to the sound of the TV, even though it drives him nuts (I can’t fall asleep when it’s too quiet). He is an amazing cook. He is a great father. He helps with the house work. He lets me drive the nice car. He loves my family. He let me get a cat even though he has never liked them. He reads tech books for fun. He plays in the rain with Brooke. He has taught himself how to play the guitar. When we first got married I would work 16 hour shifts on Sundays, he would wake up early to drive me to work, then he would come back later that evening with a nice dinner for me, then drive me home. Everyday of my pregnancy with Brooke, he would massage my back and my feet (EVERYDAY). He is a hard worker. He can always make me laugh. He never yells, even when he is really mad at me. He knows how to do all those manly things like; change the oil, frame a room, clean a drain, and many, many more.

I love you Josh. You are the best friend and husband a girl could ask for! I hope you have a wonderful birthday!

Grateful For My Family

In this last week, I have had two friends suffer the loss of a child. One lost a baby girl to SIDS and the other lost his son in a fatal car wreck. I can’t imagine what either family is going through at this moment. Both deaths were completely unexpected. A week ago both families, I am sure were getting ready for a fun and exciting Christmas Holiday. Now one family is grieving the loss of a child they buried last week and another family is planning a funeral for Christmas Eve. My heart goes out to both families. I pray that especially at this time of year that they will be able to feel the love of their Savior and Heavenly Father. I can’t imagine getting through something so tragic without that comfort. 

Their losses have definitely made me more grateful for my family and my sweet child. I can’t imagine my life without any of my family, and being Brooklynn’s mother is truly the greatest joy that I have ever known.

My Alphabet…

So it’s Saturday afternoon, and I am bored out of my mind at work. I thought I would do some blogging. Lucky for me, my friend Erin tagged me, so I don’t have to come up with a blogging subject on my own. Thanks Erin for letting my brain be lazy today!

P.O.T.W. #10 Disneyland

Today I am missing Disneyland. A year ago we were there and it was such a great trip. Brooklynn took her very first steps on that trip and it was so special to be able to go as parents for the first time and see the excitement in her eyes. 

For any of you that have never been at Christmas, I highly suggest it. Josh and I have been a few times for Christmas now (that’s how much we like it). It’s something that we know we can’t do every year, but we hope to continue every few years. It’s such a fun vacation anytime, but when you add the excitement of Christmas, it’s ten times better. Everything from all the Christmas decorations, caroling around every corner, “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” drinking hot chocolate on main street, and then snow at the end of the day!

Disneyland, don’t worry, someday we’ll be back!

P.O.T.W. #9 Brooke

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This picture was taken this morning. I just can’t believe how grownup Brooke is becoming, and how much she is growing (literally) and learning each day. We love our Brooklynn and can’t imagine life without her!

Last Year There Was Snow!

I am definitely a little bipolar when it comes to snow. I probably spend too much time during the winter watching the weather report, praying that snow will only fall on convenient days for me. I hate driving in the snow. I hate when Josh has to drive in the snow. I hate when any one I love has to drive in the snow. If it was up to me, everything (except for the essentials, which does not include Television Stations) would shut down anytime it snowed. However, when everyone is safely home, I love the snow. 

 I was going through my Iphoto’s, and came across some pictures that were taken one year ago today. If I remember right it was one of the first big snowfalls of the year. After we had put Brooklynn down all snug in her bed, Josh and I pulled out the snowboards and went snowboarding in our backyard at 11pm. Yes, I realize we really don’t have a big back yard, but we do have a hill. If we didn’t have Brooke, we probably would have been across the street at the neighborhood park, because they have a great hill!  After awhile, we figured we had probably done enough damage to our young little sod and if we wanted any chance of having grass in the Spring, we probably should quit.

Then we got the idea to build our first Frosty Buhlerman. He was the first snowman I think we have ever built together. We had so much fun that night, although I remember we both ended up with severe colds that stayed with us for a few weeks (including our Disneyland vacation). So all you kids out there, it might be fun to play in the snow during the middle of the night, but I must warn you, you will get sick! 

 I decided to post these pictures for a few reasons, first because that is one night I never want to forget. I love being married to Josh, because you never know how your night is going to end up. Second, because it made me think about how each year is so different then the rest. I can’t believe how much my life has changed since then, even though there are so many similarities. We never get to relive our most cherished moments, but when things are hard, you also have to realize that things will change, they always do. That is one of the great adventures of life. Nothing is ever the same. So last year we had snow, and this year we don’t (at least not yet). I am excited to see what treasured memories are awaiting my family and me.

The Christmas Season Has Arrived

The Christmas season has officially arrived at the Buhler house. We kicked off the season at Temple Square to celebrate my Dad’s 60th Birthday (Wow).

Here is a collage of pictures. We took several pictures trying to get one of Brooke looking at the camera. This is the best we could come up with (I am not sure why we really try sometimes.)

We also were able to get our Christmas tree put up. Brooklynn is in love with the tree. We decorated the bottom half with homemade, wooden ornaments that she can play with (they have already been rearranged several times). We put all the good ornaments on the top half of the tree, where hopefully they will be safe.  Brooke has already figured out how to turn the lights on and off, and has spent the whole day doing so (can’t wait to see what this electric bill will be). Zoey is also very excited about the tree. Every year, she spends the month of December sleeping under it (probably dreaming of being an outdoors cat). If you look at the second picture, you can see her tucked away beneath the tree.

Monday night we continued with the Christmas festivities. We went to City Hall and watched Santa arrive on a Fire Engine. We stood outside with a crowd of people singing Christmas carols as they turned on the city Christmas lights. Then watched as Santa came around the corner riding on a fire engine. After his arrival, we enjoyed some yummy scones and hot chocolate. We then went on a hay ride (singing more carols.) Brooke loved the hay ride. She smiled the whole time, and pretended to lead the music while everyone was singing (she learned how to do that from watching Little Einsteins). Brooklynn also had the opportunity to decorate a sugar cookie. She got a little carried away with the sprinkles, but it sure tasted good!

I love the Christmas season, and I hope you are all enjoying it as well!