Before & After: {the nursery}

Pipsqueak's nursery has been a lot of fun to put together.... a lot of work, but fun!

Before.......

This room in our house used to be the Libraray, and that explains the bookshelves all along one wall. Not only a library, but a music room too - Grandma Tanner used to have a piano along the back wall - quaint, huh? I can just picture it - a reading / music room! After James and I first moved in the library became my office and I had the genius idea of painting the bookshelves red. It was cute while it lasted, but Pipsqueak couldn't have red bookshelves in a pink and black nursery.

After ......

With a little tender loving care, we were able to turn that libraray with bold red shelves into a soft, loveable pink and black nursery. I love it! It turned out just the way I had been visualizing it in my head for the past six months.... Here are a few more pictures to enjoy!

Now, I really need to give credit where credit is due - I will admit that I had all these great ideas, but I didn't do hardly any of the work!

Thank you thank you JAMES for basically doing all the painting, hanging, floor finishing, and moving.... The nursery wouldn't have turned out so well if it hadn't have been for you. I am so lucky to have such a patient and willing husband! :)

A big thanks to Grandma Becky and Grandma Jessie for all their help in preparing the nursery too! Baby Pipsqueak is one lucky little girl to have such amazing Grandmas!

Must Love SHOES!

One requirement of Baby Pipsqueak - she should plan on loving shoes just as much as her Mom and Grandma Becky because . . . .

She already has 15 pair and she hasn't even been born yet!?! James said she already has his shoe count topped by 10... the sad thing is - he's exactly right!

Every little girl needs a pair of patent leather shoes - especially if they have great big black velvet bows on top!

And seriously?? How cute are these? Way too cute to resist!

OK - One word... TOOTY! These are my absolute faves of the bunch. Grandma Jessie saved this awesome pair of little shoes from when James was a baby. I just can't get over them - they are so cute and funny in their own little way. Luckily little Pipsqueak has several outfits that are going to go perfectly with this great pair of shoes!

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And on another fashionista note - I'm in high hopes that our little Pipsqueak also loves bows, hats, and all the other fun girly-girl accessories because heaven knows she has plenty of that kind of stuff already too....

**We're getting so, so excited to meet our precious little girl. The date is set - October 19th is when she'll be making her grand entrance to this crazy world, and joining our family! Twelve days and counting!**

Halloween Candy is out.....

That can only mean one thing:

We get to meet Baby Pipsqueak really soon! The countdown is on -

5 Weeks and 6 Days! :)

We are so excited to see your cute little face, and kiss your cute little cheeks. We can't wait to see if you really have a pugged nose like your 3-D ultrasound pictures show, (Dad actually thinks your nose looks really big?!?) and if your pinky really is crooked like your Dad's (Once again - thanks to 3-D ultrasound pics). Give Mom and Dad at least a few weeks to finish up last minute details - like giving you a place to sleep - and then you can come join "our family"! We love you!

Remembering Grandma....

Lorna C. Brown 1931 ~ 2009

LOA, Utah - Our kind and loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Lorna Ruth Coleman Brown, age 78, after a short separation from our Dad, was reunited on June 18, 2009 in Gunnison, Utah, surrounded by her loving family.

Mom was born to loving parents, Charles Ellis and Ruth Allen Coleman on March 5, 1931 in Loa, Utah. She graduated from Wayne High School, Class of 1949. Lorna married her sweetheart, Arlen "Arlie" LaVor Brown, September 30, 1950 in Teasdale, Utah. Their marriage was solemnized in the Jordan River LDS Temple, June 30, 1983.
Together they brought a daughter and three sons into this world. They shared their lives together for 59 years and celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary in 2000. Arlie died March 5, 2009.

Lorna served as Wayne County Treasurer for eight years; was a member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers Camp Mauna Loa and served as an Officer in the Wayne County Company, and served in other civic organizations. Mom was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in various callings.

She was an accomplished musician and played the organ at many of the funerals throughout Wayne County and the southern part of the State. She enjoyed playing the accordion. Her love for music was a highlight in her life which was enjoyed by her family and the community. She enjoyed spending time and traveling with her husband, family and friends.
She enjoyed baking, gardening, and crocheting. Her family was her life and her legacy.

She is survived by her children: Arla Mae and Duane Jensen of Roosevelt; Charles Albert and Jan O. Brown, Michael Arlen and Becky O. Brown, Ellis Roger and Kori G. Brown, all of Loa; 11 grandchildren who love and will miss her dearly and 13 beautiful great-grand children, who love and know her as Grandma Great. Mom was reunited in death with a grandson, Dallas Brown; her parents; two sisters and four brothers: Claon Adams, Glena Vee Newby, John Kell Coleman, William Sheldon Coleman, Samuel Eldon Coleman and Ellis Gleave Coleman.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. in the Loa LDS Stake Center. Friends may call for viewing at the Springer Turner Funeral Home, 260 North 400 West, in Richfield, Tuesday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. or at the Stake Center in Loa, Wednesday morning from 10:00 to 11:30 prior to the services. Burial will be in the Loa Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah. On line guest book at: http://www.springerturner.com/

We've all wondered, over the past week, how Grandma worked it out to go so quickly after Grandpa. If I could have it the same way, I would. They are together again, and happier than ever. I'm glad she'll get to know, rock, and love on little Baby Pipsqueak Pace before she comes to earth. Take good care of her for the next four months, Grandma! We'll miss you!

Drum Roll Please....

Think Pink... Baby Pace is a GIRL!!

And we're madly in love with her already! :)

Take a guess!

James and I went to our 16 week appointment yesterday and scheduled the "Big One" - ultrasound, that is! On June 11th we'll be able to find out the sex of our Baby! We're super excited! We want to know what all of you think.... will Baby Pace be a boy or a girl? Go ahead, cast your vote!

Here are some clues...

• I was sick (knock on wood!) until about 15 weeks, 5 days.... but am feeling much, much better now. The sickness was mostly nausea, but not too much vomiting. I had a really hard time eating anything at all for about two months. Thus, James claims that little pipsqueak is starving.

• The only thing I really like to eat/drink right now is water and Otter Pops.

• My love for chocolate and Pepsi is gone - completely. I really, really want to like it again, but any time I attempt to eat either of these things I get sick. :(

• I have two sisters and no brothers, James has two sisters and two brothers. (Not that any of this matters, but it gives you a little more insight!)

• James really wants a boy, but thinks baby is a girl because every time we've gone to the doctor, and the last ultrasound, they both told us that baby is really, really active - he thinks girls are much more hyper than boys. Good reasoning, I suppose. I have NO Mother's Intuition. My guess is as good as any of yours!

{remembering}

5.5.09

Two months has passed since Granpa Brown passed away. I took some time out of my regular schedule to check out the pictures from his funeral and graveside, and realized how quickly time passes.... seems like these images came from just a few hours ago, definitely not a few months ago.

Here are some of my favorites:

The day of the funeral the weather was perfect, and that hardly ever happens in Wayne County - especially in March. So peaceful.

Mo took Granpa for his "last ride" to the cemetery. Of course the ride wouldn't have been complete without the "train horn" salute upon departure - what an amazing tribute to an amazing man.

The flowers - tons of flowers, were all gorgeous. This arrangement was a favorite and by far the most popular with the little ones who were completely envious of the dozer. Especially Ryland - he asked a dozen times (during the funeral, mind you) if he could just go up and get that dozer - really fast? Thanks to Aunt Nadine and family for this winner!

Group shot of the Grandkids.

Kinley.....




and Tee taking in all the flowers.







James, (aka - my handsome husband!) Albert, and Val.

Albert, Michael (aka - my handsome Dad!), and Ellis.






And probably my most favorite of the day.... My Dad trying to explain to Kinley what's going on, and that Grandpa Great is in Heaven now. She's way too smart, and asks way too many questions for a two year old.