Welcome Emma Alison

Welcome Emma Alison Brassell, our Christmas miracle! 

What a joyous celebration it was welcoming Emma to our family. The night before Christmas Eve, John and I set up presents and watched “Christmas in Connecticut”. We rolled over to go to bed, and at 12:02 AM my water broke. I told John and he was so excited. We hurriedly got everything ready and woke up the kids at 1:00 AM exclaiming “Santan came!” By 1:13 AM all the stockings were emptied and presents opened. John and I scurried out the door instructing the kids to charge anything they wanted to play with in the morning, but to get some sleep! 

Labor was long and inconsistent. It was difficult and exhausting, and I was so grateful to have John there with me. 

At 12:04 PM Christmas Day, Emma entered the world. The doctor placed her in my arms and I exclaimed ”oh! You’re finally here. We’ve waited so long for you.” I was so emotional. It was a moment when time seemed to stretch out and I felt I knew her before. 

When Emma was born, she didn’t cry, or even whimper. She looked around and seemed like she was trying to absorb her surroundings. She seemed so present. It took a few minutes of jostling her to get a cry, and even then it was so short. 

We sent pictures to the kids, who were at church. I am so grateful for our ward family who surrounded the kids and celebrated Emma’s arrival with us. The kids were so excited to meet her and hold her. 

That night, Cate spent the night with me and Emma at the hospital. We watched Christmas episodes of “Friends” on the the TV and just stared at our perfect baby all night long. 

It was the best and longest day ever. As Cate slept on the couch next to me and Emma in my arms, I felt so much joy. My girls. I prayed they would stay close and look out for each other. 

The next morning the boys rushed in the room and again it was a battle of who would get to hold Emma next and who was her favorite. John and I hugged and he leaned in and said, “we did it, she’s finally here.” 

It was so precious to share the joy with those kids. 

Day one of a long and happy adventure. Emma, ready or not- Welcome to the Brassell Family, we’ve been saving a spot for you.

Cate the Great Turns 14!

And like that, we have a fourteen year old in the house! Cate was so much fun to celebrate this year. I think she felt bummed her birthday landed smack in the middle of a four day weekend, and she wouldn’t see any of her friends. I was so grateful for friends who reached out and wished her a happy birthday. The night before, John took the kids boating while Cate and I stayed home and watched Gilmore Girls while I peeled and cut up peaches to freeze. She is simply a delight to hang out with.

Her meals:

Breakfast: Blueberry Crumble and Orange Julius

Lunch: In n Out Cheeseburger

Dinner: Homemade Mac and Cheese, Potstickers, and Cesar Salad

Cake: Better than Anything Cake

Cate claims In n Out is “her” place. It is her number one choice given the chance, and often on the way home from softball tournaments and track invitationals we will stop there as a treat. 

Cate has learned the art of “M.A.S.H.” (A randomized fortune telling game where you figure out who some will marry, where they will live, their salary, etc.) She is often putting her brothers through the ringer playing with her, they are her eager participants.

Activities: sleeping in, karaoke, running a mile with her dad, driving stick in her dad’s old truck. Basically dad came in for the win today. They had a great time together.

For her birthday her grandma Brassell took her shopping for school clothes, Grandma and Grandpa Partridge got her a dress she’s been wanting, and a back massager. Her friend Colton brought her the Defense Against Dark Arts Lego set. She also got a pitching net to practice for fast pitch season, self-care products, the Divination lego book set, and a fast pitch ball for practice pitches.

Where would our family be without Cate? She is the leader, protector, comedian, advocate, helper, trail-blazer, listener, mediator, librarian, basketball teammate, peacemaker, builder and so many other things. I love our drives home from XC practice where I get to hear about her day. She is a comfort and a friend to me, and gives sound advice. I love how hard she works and appreciate the growth she reaps from her efforts. She has a gift of confidence, and she carries herself with grace. She is a delight to laugh with and a pleasure to dissect deep topics with. Simply put: what a blessing to have daughter who is also a best friend. 

We love you Cate!!!

 

 

Matthew Turns Seven!

 My sweet Matthew is seven!? My, how time flies!! We had such a wonderful time celebrating our littlest brother. 

This was the first birthday in our new home! I was so grateful Cate stayed up and decorated with me!

Everyone got peach gummies and a giant lollipop, and gold Pokémon cards. Matthew also got snake gummies.

He wanted a dragon ninjago cake. Johnny assembled the ninjago pieces for us, and Cate decorated the dragon with them.

It got a little morbid.

Yay! Presents!!

He was a pretty happy boy the next morning!

For breakfast he wanted cinnamon rolls and chocolate milk. 

He was so excited he didn’t eat the cinnamon rolls! Ha ha!

He asked me to read him books halfway during the day, and he fell asleep- talk about MY highlight! 😍

He woke up and cuddled with his dad. Matthew is the master cuddler at our house!

Next we went bowling and to the arcade. He loves the ninja turtle game!

The cutest bowler I ever did see!

For lunch we had mashed potatoes and gravy.

Fro dinner we had pizza (his favorite) and root beer.

I think Matthew’s favorite part of his birthdays is having all the attention on him. He is usually the spectator and cheerleader for everyone else. He milked it for sure. His siblings got together and got him a Pokémon set. For the first time, HE was the one everyone wanted to trade with- what a perfect gift!

He also got a nerf gun which of course led to an epic nerf gun battle. My parents got him remote control bumper cars which were also a hit. 

Matthew- what a joy you are to our family! You emanate love and warmth. Your cuddles are the best. I love how at school when your classmates were asked something you were good at, they said you were good at forgiving others. You 100% are a rockstar at that. You live to be a part of whatever is happening. You make us laugh with you quick with and silliness. I love reading books with you, and it makes me so happy that every day you bring me a stack. You are a loyal friend and a loving son. We are blessed that God gave us such a positive force in our home!