We'd Love to Have You Join Us!

Dear Family and Friends,

What a wonderful time of the year! The Christmas season is once again upon us and we find ourselves fully immersed in the festivities of the holidays. We hope that this letter finds each and everyone of you and your families happy, healthy, and enjoying the things that make this time of year so memorable.

Last year, many of you joined our family as we started a very special tradition, and we invite each of you and many more to join us once again!

Christmas of 2008 was our first Christmas without little Branson here to join us in our holiday celebrations. Rob and I wanted to start a tradition that would honor his memory and allow his sweet, pure spirit to be a part of this special time of year. We decided to buy a stocking, with his name embroidered on it...and fill it completely full...with love. How you might ask, with simple acts of love given to those around us through acts of service.


Together Rob and I really focused on having our eyes and our hearts open to people around us in need, and then perform a small act of service in Branson's memory for them. Each night we would write those small acts down on paper and put them in Branson's stocking. We also decided to invite our family and friends to join us in the effort of filling his stocking to the brim.


We were humbled and amazed as we received emails throughout the holiday season from people we've known for years, and even strangers we've never met. The acts of love ranged from giving a hug to someone having a hard day, a little boy letting his brother play with his favorite toy, to people donating money in Branson's name to a charity, or making goodies for a friend.

On Christmas eve we sat down together and pulled our each little strip of paper and read them, and then after the holidays were over I made a special Christmas Memories book where we scrap booked pages and pages with each little piece. Each time we look at the book we are filled with joy and peace. We were so honored that all of you would participate with us in such selfless ways! It was a Christmas to remember for sure!


So we invite you once again to join us as we begin to add those small acts of love to our little boy's stocking. We know that all of you do so many good things, especially during this season. What we ask, is that you choose one time specifically to perform an act of service for someone and do it with Branson in mind. Then, email me explaining what you did, your name, and location. Then I will print it and it to his stocking and eventually his memory book.

We hope that as you do this your heart will be filled with love and your holiday season will be brightened. We love each of you and appreciate your continued friendship, love, and support. Merry Christmas!

Love, Rob.Natalie.Branson.Brooklyn Call

Brooklyn's First Photo Shoot

My talented, amazing cousin, Abbey, came up a few weeks ago to take Brooklyn's newborn pictures. They turned out beautiful, and we are so grateful that Abbey was able to capture some of the tender moments we share with Brooklyn.

Here are a few of my favorites...

The Three of Us

Mom and Brooklyn

Dad and Brooklyn

Brooklyn and The White Rose...

Shortly after Branson passed away, we had a good friend send us the story of "The White Rose" (posted below). It touched us deeply, and brought us comfort and hope when we needed it most. Branson is our White Rose, beautiful...perfect...

As we have talked about the many years of family pictures that lie ahead for us, we wondered how we would ever see them as complete without Branson as a part of them...I guess they never really will.

However, in an effort to celebrate who he is, we have decided to have a simple white rose in our family pictures to represent him. A symbol of his place in our eternal family.

This picture of Brooklyn and the white rose is beautiful isn't it? A little sister so lucky to have such an amazing older brother.

THE WHITE ROSE
All the Earth's mothers and fathers were gathered together at God's garden of flowers. Those beautiful budding spirits, who would someday come to Earth, were nurtured and tended in the garden. A loving Father spoke to the Mothers and Fathers: "See the works of my hands, someday you will be the parents of these radiant spirits."

The garden glowed with mixtures of all kinds and colors. "Choose Ye." He said. One by one mothers and fathers stepped forward. I want the blue-eyed curly haired one, who will grow to maturity and be a mother in Zion. Yet another chose a brown-eyed, brown haired boy, full of life and love who would someday be a prince in a grand country. The garden buzzed with excitement as the others chose their own special spirits, those whom they would soon welcome into the warmth and love of an Earthly home.

Now in the East corner of the garden, pure white roses stood as sentinels. They were not so colorful as the rest, but glowed with a kind of purity which set them apart. As these beautiful roses were left unchosen, the Father spoke, "But who will take the white roses, the ones in the East corner of the garden? These will return to me in goodness, perfect and pure. They will not stay long in your home, I must bring them back to my garden, for they belong with me. But they will gain bodies as was planned. You will miss them and long for them as you complete your mortal journey, but I will personally care for them. "

"No, not I," many said in unison. "I could not bear to give one back so soon." "Nor I," said others, "We will take those who will remain and grow to maturity and live long lives."

The loving Father looked out across the multitude of mothers and fathers with love in His eyes for someone to step forward. Then He said, "Silence! See the most pure and perfect of all the white ones, I choose Him. He will go down and be a sacrifice for all mankind. He will be scorned, mocked and crucified. He is my own. Will not anyone choose like unto him?"

A few mothers stepped forward. "Yes, Lord, I will."

Then a few fathers, "And I as well."

"Yes, we will Lord."

Soon all the pure white roses were taken and they rejoiced in the choices their mothers and fathers had made.

The Father spoke again. "Oh blessed are you who chose the white roses, for your pain will be a heavy cross to bear, but your joy will be exceeding beyond anything you can understand at this time."

The white roses embraced their mothers and fathers, and so complete was their purity and love that it filled their souls with peace, courage, and faith. Each mother and father knew they could endure this task. And the greatest of all the white roses gathered them as a hen gathers her chicks, and an outpouring of love surrounded each mother, father, and child. Together the Father and His chosen one, prepared these mothers, fathers, and their white roses for their special mission. And together, each mother and father who would bare the mortal pain of the white roses felt God's overwhelming peace and love as they all shouted, "Thy will be done."

Thanks Abbey (check out her website)
We love you!

Is It Really Possible?

Is it really possible that Brooklyn is already 1 Month old?

Time has FLOWN by since her birth, and I already find myself wanting to slow down the clock. She has grown so much and seems to change everyday.


She seriously might be the best baby I've ever known! She never cries...unless she's hungry or naked...she is just so content and happy. She eats about every 3-4 hours and only wakes up once during the night about 3:00. She is too good to mom and dad, and she spoils us so much! We love our snuggle time with her and her darling little smiles. It looks like she's going to have two little dimples!


I think my favorite thing right now is her "wake" time. There have been two specific times when she has been looking in my eyes and I find myself shedding tears...tears of love, joy, and happiness. She looks at me like she "knows" me and it melts my heart! It's amazing how strong her little spirit is...it is so beautiful and pure!


I still find myself amazed that she is really with us...in our arms...kicking, smiling, eating, squawking, and snuggling. We are grateful beyond words for Brooklyn, and we love her so much!


HAPPY 1 MONTH BIRTHDAY TO HER!

I also wanted to post some pictures of my cute grandparents and the good time we had with them over the past weekend.


Every Christmas my Grandparents make home-made chocolates...it's a family favorite tradition. They are so yummy, and no one can even come close to making chocolates as delicious as theirs!

However, when Grandma's gone...so are the chocolates! So, for the past few years I've wanted to spend time with them as they make the chocolates so I can learn the process and hopefully carry on the tradition. So this year, we packed up our bags and spent a few days with them. We had a lot of fun and our eyes were really opened as to how much work it really is!


First, we made the cream centers, then cute them up and rolled it into balls...


Then we had to melt the chocolate, being sure to add the 35 year old "seed" (grandmas' secret ingredient)


Then we took to dipping the centers, or should I say "bathing" the centers in chocolate and putting them on trays to set up.


Now we look forward to enjoying them all season long!

Thanks Grandpa and Grandma for letting us be a part of this yummy tradition! We love you and the calories you provide!

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like...

CHRISTMAS!

Yes, I know some of you may think we're a little ridiculous. We've had Brooklyn's room decorated and ready for her to come home to since August, and it's all decked out in Christmas fashion!

BEFORE

AFTER

True, we are decorating the rest of our house for Christmas starting tomorrow...but November isn't too soon for that right?

Please, let me do a little explaining. The first Christmas after Rob and I got married we found this adorable Christmas bedding at Pottery Barn on clearance for 80% off after New Years. I just couldn't resist! Considering that we thought we'd be starting our family soon, we felt it was a great purchase...


So, for the past six Christmas' it's sat in a box...waiting...to be used. We thought last year would be the first after Branson, but unfortunately, there it stayed one more year.

So, when we found out Brooklyn would be coming the end of October, we knew what we would do for her nursery design (at least for the first few months), we'd deck it out in Christmas! We were so happy the day we pulled it out of the box and actually put it in the crib. It brought us joy and lots of hope to know that it would be used this year.

Rob and I had so much fun decorating the room together. We love doing stuff like this, and spent many date nights in that room for a few weeks.
Rob painted the room two slightly different tones. He did a great job picking the paint and getting it applied!


The fabulous Grandpa Kyhl came up for a weekend to help Rob put up the wainscoting...it made such a difference! We love it!


He also built these book shelves for Brooklyn. I saw some I liked similar to these at Pottery Barn, but they weren't in the budget, so Grandpa got the call...and happily responded! They turned out so cute, and we have filled them with all our favorite Christmas books.



Then a few weeks ago, I got an email from Pottery Barn (boy, am I obsessed?) about their stockings for this year. I was over joyed to find that they were the same style as the one we got last year for Branson. After showing Rob we decided on the Santa stocking for Brooklyn and bought two extra stockings for little ones we hope will still be joining our family. We thought they turned out so cute!



We hope that Brooklyn loves her room as much as we do!


Anyways, for all of you out there that are Christmas "freaks" like me...let the celebrating begin!

Celebrating With Our Miracle

There are really no words to express the love and joy that has come into our lives over the past week. Hearing Brooklyn's sweet cry for the first time was a moment that we'll never forget. The sound of life is truly a beautiful thing!

We can't believe how much she's already changed in just the few short days we've spent with her. We are trying to enjoy every single moment we have withe her...and soak up her every little feature.


Brooklyn looks a lot like her older brother Branson. She has a more feminine shaped face, but her nose, lips, long fingers, and big feet are exactly like his. We have enjoyed feeling him close to us as we have celebrated his sisters birth into this beautiful world.

We'd like to share a few more pictures (of the hundreds we've taken). She really is too cute for words!

This is Brooklyn ready for her first car ride home from the hospital. What a cute little package! So far she seems to like riding in the car.

Brooklyn after her first bath. She wasn't quite sure what to think about that whole experience...

We took this shot that morning after her bath time. I think my favorite thing is when she gazes up into my eyes. I'd give a million to know what she's thinking about. She seems to have the ability to truly "see" me.

My mom came to stay with us last week. She was such a big help. It was nice to be waited on hand and foot. Brooklyn loved snuggle time with grandma, and we appreciated having her here too.

Daddy couldn't be more in love with his little girl. He loves to have her cuddle up to him. She loves it when he sings to her in the mornings.

We love our little princess!

Thank you to everyone for your excitement on our behalf. We cherish your love and friendship.

She is Here!!!

Brooklyn is Here!!!

8 lbs 6 oz & 20 1/2 inches long!

Will post again soon!

The Date is Set!

We went to the doctor again today to have Brooklyn looked at. During the ultrasound the doc checked her weight which is now between 7 and 7 1/2 pounds, her heartbeat, and the blood flow through the cord. He was very happy with everything he saw!

He said he had reviewed the data he received back from the amnio test last week and felt really confident that she would be fully ready by Friday to be delivered. Of course, I was bummed, and asked if we could just go ahead and do it today, but he said he would feel better if we waited. He said that although two more days may not seem like that long to us, that it can make a huge difference in the womb. He doesn't want her to have to spend anytime in NICU, and neither do we.

So...we are scheduled to deliver her by C-section on FRIDAY AT 6:00 P.M. We are so excited and I've already started counting the hours. We once again ask for your continued prayers on our behalf that we'll all make it through the next few days.

We love all of you and can hardly wait to post some pictures of our little girl!