In other news....

I know updates about Brooke has pretty much taken over this blog.  And for the most part you are just going to have to deal with that because I think she is just so dang cute and lovable.  But I figured that it wouldn't hurt to post a little update on the rest of our life happenings as well. 

Brett just finished up the regular season in Baseball and is now in the throws of playoffs.  He was the head JV coach as well as the assistant varsity coach so baseball season was busy busy for him.  Brooke and I went to a few games and got told multiple times how much the kids like him as a coach (and teacher) from parents in the stands so I know he is doing a great job! They also had a good winning season, especially considering the high school is still so new and they didn't have any seniors to play.  And, I'm not going to lie, he looks good in his baseball uniform! (according to twitter, even the high school girls agreed, but that's another story)  So it was win-win all around.  Playoffs tend to drag out down here.  Their first game is tonight and although I'm definitely rooting them on, I won't be too heart broken when its over. And let us not forget only one month left and then his first year teaching will be behind him!

Brett is also working with the young men at church.  He doesn't always get to go to their activities due to baseball but he enjoys working with them when he can and teaching on Sundays (especially with the new lessons/ teaching style that the church implemented for the youth).  The bishop recently told me that he's never seen someone come in and gain the respect of the young men so quickly.  He said, and I agree, that Brett has a real gift for working with that age group.  He has a great balance of being firm and having fun.

Brett also continues to be a huge help around the house.  If you are a friend on facebook you saw that we had the unpleasant experience of getting a flat tire on his pick-up.  Not the best thing to wake up to on a Monday morning but he was a stud didn't let it get him down.  He also helps pick up my slack and is always willing to do my "honey-do" projects. He is not around much but he makes the most of when he is here.  My personal favorite are Sunday mornings when he gets up with Brooke and lets me sleep in!   

Can we all just agree that Brett is awesome? Okay. Done and done. Hope he doesn't mind me bragging on him.

As for me, I've been taking advantage of Brooke's longer naps and doing some crafty things for around the house.  Mostly I've been focused on getting her bedroom decorated.  Since we moved into this apartment after she was born I never quite had the chance to get it all put together.  I naively thought I'd have all sorts of time when she was a baby.  Ha!  That didn't happen.  But it is slowly coming together.  My original plans weren't looking like I imagined together I changed the colors in her room a bit.  They are now blue, pink and yellow.  I may or may not have painted the pink wooden plaque (pictured below) 4+ times trying to decide what color I wanted it. And the pink picture frame was painted 3 times. Yes, I'm a little indecisive but I love how it is turning out. 

I also made a little tray thing for my junk in the bathroom.  And finally hung up a jewelry organizer that I made a few years ago but never had the chance to use. 

I also use my spare time cooking/baking.  We started participating in a produce co-op and I've been having fun experimenting with new veggies.  Because of the co-op I now have a slight addiction to mangos.  I'm not sure why I avoided them before (mostly because I didn't know how to pick them) but thanks a positively delicious experience and sale prices at the grocery store they have now become a staple in my weekly shopping trip. I just have to figure out a way to eat them that doesn't involve making a juicy mess of myself. Since I'm still dairy free (mostly) its been harder to try new recipes but I'm looking forward to when my menu plans can open back up again.  I cheated a little bit last week and made/ate banana bread (butter is a no-no) and it seemed to go over okay.  I actually made 7 loafs of banana bread in one day.  Don't worry, we didn't eat all 7, although we could have.  We love us some banana bread!

I'm a visiting teaching coordinator at church and although I substituted teaching in Relief Society on Easter, I usually get to enjoy having all 3 hours without obligation.  This makes my life easier since I can be flexible in taking care of Brooke.  She doing much better at church though so that is a huge blessing. More on that in her next monthly post though.

Well, I think that about sums up what we are up to around these parts.  We are bracing for another Texas summer and anxiously awaiting a get-out-of-the-heat trip up to Oregon come July. 

Oh, and here are some pictures of my attempts at being crafty....

Tree branch and bird wall mobile thingy that hangs at the foot of her crib

Picture collage above her crib.  Just waiting to get our prints from our family pictures to fill the bottom photo frame 

 I painted the clock and made the bow holder.  The blue is slightly off though, so I might repaint. 

 Found these giant flowers in a set at the dollar store.  The colors are a little off but it works.

I added blue contact paper to the back of her bookshelf.  One of Brett's "honey-do" items this weekend is to secure the bookshelf to the wall.  Then I'll tackle decorating it. 

Found these vases at Hobby Lobby in their Easter clearance.  90% off, yes please!  I painted them and just need to get something to put in them (white flowers?).  

This is the two-tiered tray for the bathroom. 

And my jewelry board.  Funny thing about this is that I never actually remember to wear jewelry.  But maybe having it out in the open will help remind me.