Feeling stronger

I think having a plan and something to start helping Harrison .. that alone is helping me..  I realized this week that Harrison is still Harrison.. We just now have a label..which will help him get help. What's funny is that to others.. you can't even tell somethings wrong.. and sometimes it's hard for me to tell.. besides the lack of speech. I think that makes it hard on me. I know there's something wrong but it isn't easy to see how it's affecting what he learns. I'm Grateful he's not on the low end of the spectrum but frustrated that he will be expected to fit in this world and it will be tough to teach him in a totally different way. I'm learning structure is my friend.. He's thriving on it..It's interesting talking to people that help teach kids on the spectrum and I've heard this again and again..All it is is a different learning style.. very very visual For instance I drew a picture of him eating lunch showed him before we started eating.. and he sat and ate...and smiled and showed me his fork and spoonIT WAS AMAZING!I can't wait to see what he does with the therapists.
 Did I mention I'm tired. 
I feel like it's constant engage Harrison 24/7 because thats how he's going to learn that he has to connect with people. He's great with me Brandon Greyson and Grandparents.. But other people/peers are harder for him. He's ok to just just do his own thing...Which reminds me of me..I hated group work in highschool and college.. Just let me do it my way ....I have a plan... wonder where he gets his stubbornness? We had art time todayHE LOVES IT!Don't know why I didn't try stuff like this soonerwhat a wake up call to motheringHe's teaching me how to play againinterestingand he said all his colors to me made me happy
also coco's laugh makes me happy its like elmer fudd not even joking
And Brandon bought snicker bars we were on the couch watching Modern family and he says want a snickers? I have a secret stash.. Totally fun and unexpected treat. made me smile
I'm feeling stronger.. still hurts...but am ready to start fighting back

they are tight

This girl loves her dad.. when he comes home her face splits in half with a smile...also all her teeth except her two top ones are on the right side its kindve funny...
anyways I'm sad I wanted her to be a mommys girlbut alas.. she is not whenever he sets her down she cries.. I think she's spoiled one baby at a time gives you so much more time to hold them!she stands in her crib and when Brandon walks in the room she bounces up and down or she moves her hands up really high and throws them down fast it's hilarious.she's such a joyI adore adore adore this little girl

best moments of 2010

some of my best moments this year have been with this little bundle of happiness.. she is the best baby anyone could ask for smilie...quiet...quirky... I just love her little personality

 visits to utah and watching the boys discovering things

watching them learn to climb and jump and being greatful they can

their 2nd birthday was super fun to plan and having berntsen grandparents made it even better

finishing the junkyrad chair with brooke was awesome-and our 4th of july party was super fun too.

a much needed trip with dear friends to arizona right after coco was born

hours and hours at the cranston splash park.. i lived there this summer and it was heaven...gated...didn't have to worry about drowning or kids getting away..i could actually sit and enjoy the sunshine

having brandons cousin josh come visit and take pictures.. that was such a fun day we did picture some our family some etsy stuff went to peteres then came back for night shots and there was a firework show we hadn't planned on.. one of my fav memories of this year

days were brandon would randomly take a day off and we'd go somewhere fun...

we loved this little trip to heritage park relaxing.. sunshine..just being together.. it was lovely

thanksgiving in utah.. going to see the lights on temple square was my fav day..it was peaceful reminded me of being a kid and my kids loved the lights

going to anthropologies opening..and them saying oh your one of the bloggers!...

I 'm kindve starting to realize who I am.. that was such a fun night and the day of shopping with brooke and crystal was just very cool

keshias 25th birthday... hilarious and so fun...carla and vanessa still crack me up when I look at these pictures..remembering v speeding around the track and poor carlas tailbone! everyone dressed up...thats was awesome too. no party poopers

long summer nights at johnsons house swimming in the lake playing with the wagon and jett..going to the playground. I love to be there. It's so relaxing and I just feel love when I'm there

having my etsy shop really take off has been a delight I really started it as just an extra source of income to start mod..but it's become my big company and something I really enjoy..just creating things to wear. I really do love fashion

working on my house is a joy of mine and I've loved watching it transform this year as I've redone pieces and painted and sewn.. these pictures we did with wendy and tyler from blue lily is also one of my fav memories -the shoot was so fun and I really enjoyed meeting them finally. 

And can now say we're good friends!

endless bike rides and palm tree park trips to get the kids tired

and our trip to hawaii.. a much needed much enjoyed restoration trip for both of us. Very grateful I was able to spend some one on one time just playing again with my best friend.

we had a wonderful year...

I'm excited for new memories

more learning experiences

I know this new year will bring some changes challenges highs and lows

But I also know we have each other we're surrounded by wonderful family and Friends and most importantly we have a father in heaven who loves us.

So grateful for the blessings we have.

Happy new Year to everyone

-Brandon and Bree

4 fav memories from the dads in my life

1- My grandpa Farnes- there is not a better example of love than this man

has. It oozes out of him. My favorite memory of him was when my grandma was I a wheelchair and wed go shopping. Id sit on her lap and he'd race us down the aisles-He also made me andmy sisters whatever we wanted to eat for breakfast- to this day nobody makes mac n cheese like he does. I will also always remember him getting glow sticks and our whole family wearing them into the ocean for a family reunion- one of my favorite childhood memories. I loved going to see my grandpa. and I still do. He has a neck brace- and he always wears this shirt that says I do all my own stunts- so funny!2-Mr Joel Johnson- a certain time right after Id moved here we were in the car with him and we passed shoppers drug mart by chinook center he tells me and brandon one day your going to have barfing kids and this shoppers is open 24 hours a day and you can go buy....Debbie stops him and is like don't go there joel... don't go there...gravol but the other kind......oh man I have never laughed harder in a car- well maybe one other time that also involved joel in the car. Joel is like the bright spot in everyones lives. He lives life every day And thats what I love about him. His total philosophy on life.How did I get so lucky to have someone like him in my life. I love teasing him about how he always misses his flights - how the bathroom is a great place for reading time-how his love for bmw is soo funny to me- Sometimes I think they just look like regular cars.I get in trouble for this. And car and driver articles circled for me to read. I love playing board games with him"not that were a competitive family" He's just a highlight in my life and Im better having known him.3- My Daddy- Oh where do I start with my dad. When you think of snuffleupagus on Sesame street thats kind've my dad. the guy who can build and fix anything the guy who got me out of bed every saturday to mow the lawn- something I hated but now see the value of. My dad is super smart and super kind. I can count on one hand the times I've seen him angry. Hes a quiet teacher with the patience of job and the heart of a lion. My favorite memory of my dad is playing outside in the summers. Playing Monster -Him throwing us in the pool- and when he brought home this industrial lining from work and put it on our hill in or yard. We had a giant slip n slide and I still remember thinking it was the coolest thing ever. Helping me on my math homework something I hated -but Loved spending time with him. I loved going to country boy dairy and sharing banana splits.4- Brandon- wow what an amazing dad he is. I knew even when we were dating how wonderful he would be. He's great with kids and little kids love him back. He has a way of knowing what's fun to them and immersing himself in activity with them. I love watching him play with the boys-chase them take them on bike rides-knowing when I need a break and taking them to the park or outside- and I also love the more quiet times where I see him tender with coco making her laugh or cuddling one of the boys to sleep. I love that he makes me a better mother. I think he has an eternal perspective towards life that sometimes I forget. And I love him for being that way. Happy Fathers day to you all. I wouldn't be who I am without you.

The amazing race v day style!

Well this year I was a little worried how we were going to celebrate v day with having a brand spankin new 3 day old baby girl.

also why I look like a balloon :)

Luckily I have some amazing friends and we all love to throw parties and when we all pitch in it's amazingly easy and fun crud happens! So we came up with clues and tasks for our handsome men to go accomplish while we cooked them an amazing dinner-

1-Go to the the palm tree park and create a love message for us out of snow, rocks or leaves.

2-At Chad's work they were supposed to make a music video to "I'm too sexy..." but the stereo wouldn't play the cd, so they got off with showing us their pouty disappointed faces Brandon's pouty lips made me laugh so hard.

At Danny's work they had to spell out LOVE with their bodies.IT WAS So funny to watch them manuever.

At Jordan's Dad's office they had to use props to make a video (they bopped their heads with dark sunglasses on for about 3 minutes! To I wear my sunglasses at night- you can tell when the guys loose it that it was going to be such a fun night.

Then they finished off making us rose bud flowers out of kisses out at heritage point.

The other task they had to complete at some point in the date was to use a bag of pennies we gave them to get us a gift- sooo they went to superstore and bought us candy-Picture this 4 guys in matching shirts at the self checkout putting pennies in the machine one by one and someone filming them-We just died laughing when we watched the video.

ON the way back the boys called us and faked a ticket we took their wallets so they wouldn't cheat and try and buy something not using the pennies- so we all kind've freaked- we thought they might be pulling our leg but it took a while and we all started feeling like it was super real- plus they only texted didn't call. Finally they called and said nick talked his way out of the ticket and it helped that brandon's shirt said I heart bj- OH SO FUNNY- but then they ended up walking through the door with bouquets and we figured out they tricked us sneaky guys! It was so much fun!!!!

The studly men in their I heart my wife shirts designed by lovely miss Marissa- I love mine- Brandon and I have the same initials so I feel extra chesy- LOVE IT! plus the bj is just hilarious if Brandon wears it.

We made them little gifts while they were out - they have printable magnet paper at staples- We just made up words and cut them out with the message - I'm so attracted to you hope these help you score!- complete with choco score bar- already these magnets have been a blast in my kitchen this week.

The girlies in hot pink!-love how I'm not looking- I must've been staring at desert...

I laughed so hard at dinner that When I got home I had to take 2 tylenol 3 because my inciscion hurt so bad- I had to hold my stomach every time there was something funny we talked about. I love my friends so much!

Chloe' accompanied her parents on the date- she's such a good little sleeper and cuddler. Aunt Keshia and Melanie held her lots- check out the strawberries- for dinner we had steaks with mushrooms asparagus scallops salad and sparkling cider.

I went home thinking how lucky I am to have Brandon in my life- he makes me laugh is super fun to be with and I love his sense of humor and that he's will to do anything. WHat a trooper- the guys vowed to get us back I'm scared for fathers day.

Happy V day johnson!

I had a truly blissful day

I'm so glad I found and married him. He's one in a million and I wake up every day still as in love with him as when we were dating- as cheesy as that may sound it's true. He's a wonderful person.

Example 1-He let me sleep in- he does this a lot on saturdays because he knows how stressful the boys can be for me while I'm pregnant and how much I love to sleep in sometimes and saturdays are the only day thats an option so he'll take them from 7-9- It's like heaven he'll change them get them breakfast and I don't have to worry about a thing and.....as if that wasn't enough today I hear the door open he's holding smiley Greyson in his arms and a plate with toast and jam and some hot chocolate- just for me!-wanted to wake me up and make me smile- Needless to say it made my whole month having him think of me. How selfless. His smile when he woke me up was priceless.

Example 2-We're up for about an hour and decide its time to shower so we start heading to the bathroom and Greyson starts to cry- I shrug it off and go how do you think I shower every day? He goes ohh Bree he has big tears-and proceeds to go play with him. Wow- what a guy- how selfish am I?

k and again I get out of the shower and what do I hear- Him singing ring around the rosies holding both boys hands and listening to them giggle. He's learned lots from nursery! My heart was officially melted by then. So I go join in and we sing songs for about an hour with the boys in our room- they really like london bridges and sleeping bunnies- it was such a happy moment for me and made my home feel so full of love.

Example 3- we went on a date tonight and he let me get popcorn and a cup full of ice- I'm pretty iron deficient and I can't get enough ice- and he deals with me chewing on it incessantly. In fact just laughs at my weird hormonal issues. I love that he loves to feel her. I can tell when he starts to get excited about having a new little one around- it dosn't hit him until I'm about ready to pop. But it's fun to see his eyes light up with excitement. He took the day off on Tuesday so I can go get a massage to help my neck and legs feel better. When he did that last time I was pregnant with the boys I bawled because it felt so good and I got to lay on my stomach because they have a hole in the table. I'm a stomach sleeper so the last month is hard on me because I can't sleep very well- can you tell I'm up blogging at 1:40 am.

All in all I'm just grateful for his love for me- that we're still super tight after five years- that we just get each other so well- and it just continues to get better. He makes me laugh- makes me feel so loved and I just love and adore my Johnson.

once upon a time....

Last night Greyson was having a hard time going to sleep-

..again..

so brandon went in to cuddle him-

it had been about 10 minutes so I go to check on them and what do I hear?

Brandon telling greyson a story about a knight in shining armor rescuing a princess!

It was sooooo beyond sweet I almost started to cry

as I kept listening a little more he started talking about fireballs and slaying the dragon and plants that ate you that you had to be careful for and that there were bad mushroom guys

it clicked

..........I STARTED TO ROLL ON THE FLOOR LAUGHING..........

I was thinking it was a sweet story he was making up

- no-

just telling him about mario.

I could then hear Brandon laugh from inside the room. He'd been caught!

So funny so tender- hes such a good dad. How'd I get so lucky?

Movember!

Some of you might be wondering why Brandon is sporting a mustache- yes a full blown mustache well...November is prostate Cancer awareness month and a bunch of guys he works with at shell trading including Brandon have been growing just their staches for this awareness cause... for a whole month- they laugh each time someone comes in after the weekend to see how much their facial hair has grown and everything in their office right now is mo this mo that-super funny-It's almost been a month- and believe me next week we'll have legendary pictures of them all together- I think Brandon looks like he could be a cowboy in the old west! I've never ever seen him with facial hair like this- it's pretty hilarious- and the boys thnk it's funny to touch it. Here's the website just in case anyones interested? gave me a good laugh!http://ca.movember.com/mospace/504007stay tuned for the pictures next week!

hes amazing

Sooo this post is to blog about 2 things

1-brandon came home from work dressed like this! This never happens- he layered his shirts all by himself!!! and he has along sleeve sweater on!-and his shoes were brown -amazing!

I told him to leave it on all night cause it looks so good on him! YOU HOT MAN! definatley picture worthy- he's def a polo golf shirt type of guy with some jeans.

2- I've been crazy sick and he's taken such good care of me- last night to try and help me sleep-Ihavn't really slept in 2 nights cause I've been coughing so hard and had achy muscles and a fever. We layed in bed i put my head on his shoulder and he read me fairy tales from off his Ipod-cheesy I know it may sound but it was one of the sweetest things he's ever done for me-a moment I'll always remember- as a sweet brandon moment. I don't think he knows how much that meant to me- and he keeps making me hot chocolate - which is about the only thing I can eat right now. To put it simply he's amazing and I'm just so in love with him.

10:50 sept 2nd, 2005

Brandon and I were married. It was one of the best days of my entire life. I don't think words can express how much I love him. the look on his face when I walked out in my dress {he'd never seen it}I Felt so loved that day and full of what true joy and happiness is.He's the better side of me and Id marry him all over again.