Happy Birthday Ryan Edge Bryant!

Ryan Edge Bryant turned 3 on June 16th. It seems like just yesterday I had him. I remember so vividly bringing him into this world and am so blessed to be his mother. We waited to have cake until the day after because I asked him what he wanted for his birthday and he said "I want my Grandpa and Papa", both of which he got to see on Sunday. It makes me so grateful for the role these two wonderful men play in his life. They are truly two of the VERY BEST men, fathers, and grandpa's I know. I feel so blessed that my boys have strong examples to look to and emulate as they grow and learn right from wrong. I love my Dad dearly and have such a special place in my heart for my father in law. Aside from the two of them, I am grateful for my own brothers and also six brother in laws that embody goodness, gentleness and strength in choosing right. I know I am blessed that my boys are surrounded with such a strong circle of men and know it is not a "coincidence" but that Heavenly Father is indeed mindful of me and the road that I am now traveling.

Sleeping soundly, counting sheep.

I peeked in to check on Amree one morning and this is how I found her. I couldn't resist taking pictures because all I could think was how uncomfortable she looked and yet she was sleeping so peacefully. Amree was itty bitty for SO LONG. She weighed 12lbs until she was 7 months old and then she just started growing. Her thighs or "hamchops" like Edge calls them can be described as anything but petite :) and therefore explains how this happened. :)

Pictures after church

They were not so thrilled that I wanted to take pictures of them after church. Edge as you can see by his one shoe was more than ready to get into his comfy clothes, eat lunch and take a nap.

An afternoon photoshoot in the grass.

Amree LOVES it outside and follows the kids out whenever they go out to play in the backyard. I couldn't pass up the chance to take a few pictures of them.

Hide and Seek

The kids were playing hide and seek one afternoon and all the sudden I hear a faint giggle that seems to be echoing. All the sudden, I hear Amree banging on the outside of the dryer door. She had seen Brennan climb in and close the door and followed him. She ADORES Brennan. It melts my heart to see how sweet and tender he is with her and she loves him SO much. Next to her Mama, it is Brennan she prefers to hold her and take care of her. Needless to say if Brennan wants to win the game next time, he better make sure no one is going to give his hiding spot away. :)

More pictures of Amree

This little girl hardly ever cries. She is such a good baby with such a fun and happy disposition. I have enjoyed every moment watching her grow and develop her own unique personality. It was funny when Brennan put her in the suitcase because she just let him strap her in and smiled the whole time.

Last ride on Horchatta and a visit to Papa and Grammy's new puppy, Snippy.

This horse, Horchatta, was the horse Brynlee would always ride by herself. She was such a pretty horse with such a gentle nature. Brynlee LOVED her and was quite out of sorts when she heard that Papa had sold "her horse". The last day she was at my Mom and Dad's before the new owner came to get her, I took the kids over for one last ride and took some pictures. They all got a turn and while they were riding, Amree played with Papa and Grammy's newest member of the family, Snippy.

Happy Girl!

This little girl is such a blessing in my life. I couldn't imagine not waking up to the sounds of my children every morning. It truly makes my life complete knowing that I have four beautiful gifts from Heavenly Father that rely on me everyday. With all my faults, all my mistakes, all my inadequacies, in their world I am enough for them just to be "Mom". Amree is such a happy baby. I am so grateful for her everyday and her chubbyness and smile that truly completes our little family of 5. 

Amree

Amree is my miracle baby. I love this little girl so much. The events surrounding her birth were anything but pleasant. All of my pregnancies have been nothing short of difficult but my pregnancy with her was by far the hardest. All of the stress and emotional turmoil I was experiencing in my personal life, trying to work sometimes 50+ hours a week, mother 3 other children...etc. definately contributed to me not being able to eat anything and I mean NOTHING. I lost weight my whole pregnancy and was sick the entire time. The girls I worked with were just telling me the other day that all they remember of me is helping them one minute and the next being in the back throwing up the water I had just drank in the trash can. That was all day everyday and remained to be true during her birth. The complications that surrounded me bringing her into this world were nothing short of one of the most fearful and most trying times of my life. She is so, so sweet though and every trial, every heartache, every loss was worth it to have her in my life. She is truly a Mama's girl and I LOVE it! I have always gone back to work when my babies have been 2 months old but I didn't with her. I have enjoyed every second of watching her grow and change. I have had the opportunity to really enjoy her and with her being my last one, I am so grateful for that. She is A LOT bigger now. She was so itty bitty when she was born and for so long after. She weighed 12lbs until she was 7 months old and then she just started packing on the pounds.:) Updated pictures of all of them will follow soon.

Edge

Edge is almost 3 and is such a boy. He very much takes after his namesake and is so easy going like his Grandpa Ryan. He loves horses and all things cowboy. He is at such a fun age and is so spontaneous in things he does and says. His smile makes me melt and I am a sucker for his giggle. He is such a good boy and easy to love. He loves his Grandpa Ryan, his Papa, and his nursery leader, Tutu. He is full of mischief and all things boy. He definately favored his Dad as a baby but as he has gotten older and especially the last year, he has a spot reserved in his heart only for his Mama. I love it!

Brynlee

Brynlee is almost 5 and this girl is the best! She has no inhibitions and I love how honest she is. She has such a vibrant personality and vitality for life. She won't think twice about telling you how she feels or what she thinks. She loves so deeply and with everything she has with no reservations. I always tell people I am always afraid of what is going to come out of her mouth. She embodies a lot of what I hope to become. She is so sweet with her baby sister and usually has her in tow everywhere she goes. When Amree was little enough for Brynlee to carry, I would often walk out to the living room only to discover that Brynlee has quietly got Amree out of bed and carried her in to watch cartoons with her. She is so bright and has an amazing memory. I think most of the time she isn't listening or paying attention, especially when we are reading scriptures or having FHE and sure enough when I ask her, she can relay everything back to me, sometimes word for word. She makes me laugh and is always good for a smile.

Brennan on his first day of school

Brennan is almost 7 and started school last year. He is such a good boy. His strength and tenderness is something I love about him. He is such a good helper and good example to his brother and sisters. He did very well in school. He has such a solid understanding of right and wrong and his moral compass is unwaivering. He views things very black and white. Nothing gets past this boy. He observes everything and is extremely aware of everything that goes on around him. Brennan has blessed my life with such richness and he is so sensitive. His gentleness and tender heart is displayed everytime he kisses my cheek and throws his arms around my neck. He makes my heart melt. His existence is tangible evidence that Heavenly Father was indeed mindful of me in a very dark time in my life. Simply put,  Brennan literally brought me back to life. He saved me in every way. How I love this little man.

Me and the 4 kids, hence Bryant-5

So the last year has been a whirlwind of change and growth. A lot has happened and I am so grateful for every trial, every challenge that I pray daily will help me learn, grow and become the daughter Heavenly Father intends for me to be. Me and the kids are still in Camp Verde and I am the single mom of the four, yes I said four, best kids ever. They are my world, my heart, the very essence of who I want to be. Everyday is busy and hard and yet simply the most rewarding thing I have ever done. When I think I have nothing left to give, no more room in my heart to love any deeper, my kids make it possible for me to reach a new realm of selflessness and I am grateful everyday for the sacred calling I hold as a mother. I feel I have come to understand this responsibility and honor more in the last year than I ever did in the past. I feel the responsibility everyday to give ALL I have to teach them what our Heavenly Father is entrusting me to teach them because I KNOW that no matter what I achieve in this life, no amount of reward or measure of success will compensate for failure to teach my kids simple gospel truths, right and wrong, by word and more importantly by example.