2012

2012.

Seriously?

How is it really 2012?

I feel sad that 2011 is over and that it passed so quickly yet really grateful that it's over (ha!).

We are ready for a new year.

We are starting it out with a bang and moving to Utah a week from today.

Yep, just like that I said it.

This has been in the works pretty much from the last time I blogged in October until now. I don't even know how to put into words how I feel about it because I feel quite a few different things about it.

I'm going to try--

This is the first move I've ever made in my whole life that I've been sad/terrified/anxious/worried about. Okay I take that back.

But that doesn't mean that it is not the right thing because it is.

I just really really like Texas and I really really really like San Antonio and you see -- we've really planted roots here and bought a house here and this is the longest we've been anywhere the whole time we've been married and so I am just sad. It's funny because we moved outside of Utah for a grad. school adventure 5 1/2 years ago and even though I knew it was right I was sad/terrified/anxious/worried about it. (Are we seeing a pattern? Should I really have learned by now?)

I just didn't want to be outside my comfort zone and the bay area of California was a total culture shock to a 22 year old me.

BUT, it turns out I really loved it there and felt foolish for complaining the first 3 months we were there. And then, moving to Texas from California was really easy and fun to do because we finally had a paycheck and our first home! It didn't take long to adjust to life in Texas.

In fact, there isn't much about this place that I don't like. Ahhh! It's hard to sum up how you've felt about the events of the past 5 years of your life, but can I just say that I think I may have turned into a grown up and I feel like I might be proud of myself for doing that? And that maybe that's why I'm a wee bit nervous to go back to Utah because I've grown accustomed to and comfortable with being uncomfortable in different states, cities, wards, and away from family and there's something to be said about doing just that.

Don't get me wrong.

I love our families and it's going to be so wonderful to see them more often. But this is probably the exact way it needed to happen for me. I needed to move AWAY to see and learn and feel many many things. And let me tell you, much has been learned individually and with Brent. I am a different person because of California and Texas, and I'm grateful for those differences. I could probably even say that I like and know myself better than I did 5 years ago. And it's not just these places, but the PEOPLE. Oh, the people we have met in the last 5 years! From all different places and walks of life and I love them. There are women and friends that have taught me and they don't even realize it. They have been my family while we've been away from family. So many wonderful people. The women that I have been blessed to know have helped me grow from being a girl to a woman, and an insecure new Mom, to a more confident Mom of two. And I'm happy to say that I now have the perspective of the church outside of Utah. It's such a wonderful thing to be in the "mission field." It has been hard and eye-opening but I love the new perspective I have. And I love that I get to take all the love and experiences from these people and the places and move to Utah to start a new chapter in our lives as a new and different Bethany and new Guerisoli family. I don't know how long we will be in Utah or if it will be forever. And I don't know how I'm going to say goodbye to San Antonio and the people I love here. But of this I do know: life is just as difficult and HARD as it is beautiful and fulfilling. I know that Heavenly Father blesses us with the things that we need in our lives when HE thinks we need them. He has a plan for all of us. And I'm ready to go back to Utah and see what the plan for us is there.

So, if you still read our blog (anyone?), come and visit us in sunny St. George!

And if you know of anyone who needs friends or is renting their home in St. George, let us know - we need friends and a place to live! Ha.

Brayden - 9 months

Brayden changed so much this month. He's getting big and active so fast. Soon after he started crawling, he began pulling up on furniture. Now he stands by furniture like he's thinking and calculating what to do next... we'll see if this boy is an early walker!

Brayden is more sensitive than I remember Brooke being at this age. He loves people interaction and wants to be entertained!! He is not as content to sit on my lap and let me read him a book.

He LOVES his Dad and really loves Brookie. He crawls in her room while she is at school and I can tell he misses her!

I've said this a gajillion times but this boy is sweet, happy, calm, and content and we love him oh so much.

Friday Family Date at the Pumpkin Patch

San Antonio pumpkin patches are few and far between unless you want to drive a few hours. This was perfect for a friday night with a few rinky-dink rides. Brooke was a happy girl and that's what we wanted!

Her and I spun around as fast as we could go and she was sick! Not me, I could have gone more..!

Cute 'lil pumpkin-kids

Our family - and notice the short sleeves! That's October in Texas...

Papa Dave and Grammie Lou Visit

My Parents came out to visit in September for the BYU - University of Texas Football game. I always love a visit from my parents and so do my kids! Grandparents = heaven.

Brayden looks a lot like my Dad and it shows in these pictures. He even sticks out his tongue the same way that my Dad does!

Brayden - 8 Months

*big, sweet, happy boy, not looking so much like a baby-baby anymore :( *crawled right at 8 months and never scooted *picked up on crawling really quickly *still eating at 4 a.m. (seriously baby, Momma loves you but doesn't want to see you at that time :)) *got his first two front teeth with another two starting to break through

First day of Pre-School - Brooke

After having a fantastic year of joy school last year with another group of Moms, we all decided not to continue another year and to send each of our kids to preschool. We decided on a place called "Rainbow Station" and this was our topic of conversation all summer with Brookie. This girl loves, needs, and craves learning and structure so this was the perfect thing. We picked out her outfit the night before, made her lunch and were ready to go. When I dropped her off, there was no looking back for her so I got a good picture of how it would be next year dropping her off for Kindergarten. She has loved school so far and can't wait to go every Tuesday and Thursday. Hard to believe I have one more year until my baby starts school and our lives and schedules change forever!!

Brayden - 7 Months

Brayden turning 7 months was a wonderful thing. His digestive system during the previous months was struggling and those things finally worked themselves out! Finally being on a predictable and consistent schedule again with eating, naps and pooping has made our home be a little more peaceful. He got two more bottom teeth this month and his favorite food is definitely green beans. Haha!!

He now rolls over on his stomach to sleep but wakes up very upset because he can't turn back over. This baby boy loves to PLAY.

I don't ever want to forget his sweet baby face and sweet disposition. I melt just looking at this kid!


One of Brayden's signature things is that he loves to feel and scratch different surfaces and textures. He's been doing this since 4 months old. He started sitting up right around Brooke's 4th birthday and he loves it! Passing into a new phase is so fun and a relief at the same time because he is HAPPY once he can DO IT!

Brayden has started to grunt... or growl... not sure which one. Not like he is going poop just like a little growl. It is so cute and so funny! It keeps us laughing!! Is this just a boy thing?!?

What I do know is that my baby is becoming a big boy way too fast!!!!

Brooke's New Bike

We knew there was one gift that Brooke would want for her birthday this year and she was so excited to find it as a surprise! We wrapped the helmet and told her to walk out in the garage and there it was. She mastered it quickly and will be well on her way to biking sans training wheels very soon. Brooke is very physical and it's fun to see her learn things quickly. And of course this means that Brent can't wait to get her into sports! Soon enough. Soon enough.

Brooke's FOURTH Birthday party

A birthday party fit for a true princess.

Months and months in the works we carefully crafted the best party we could with the know-how we had.

It had to be a big deal - birthday parties only happen every other year in this home!

Pure anticipation is all Brooke felt for months (while I felt nervous and hesitant at the task at hand) as we discussed in car rides, over dinner, in the shower how she wanted her party to be.

The main thing she asked for was RAPUNZEL, herself.

We told her it was impossible, that Rapunzel was quite the busy princess.

The dress she wore for the party was handmade by her Grandma Guerisoli. She was concerned about every detail but fell in love when it was finished.

We straightened her hair at her request because that was how Rapunzel wore her hair - simple and straight.

So the Guerisoli Grandparents showed up two days before for their annual summer visit.

And to work they were put, thank goodness they didn't mind.

I believe my Mother in law and I worked for 16 hours straight the day before and finished with braiding the braid that we displayed out front 1 hour before the party started.

But it was so worth it and so much fun.

My father in law thought everything we were doing was crazy but I told him, "I'm in my element!"

The looks on her face at each stage... and especially when Rapunzel waltzed through the door!

She sang for them, made lanterns, taught them a dance, did a coronation of the princesses, read a story, and presented them with a gift.

Brooke couldn't have been happier.

Isn't it the best to see your child have pure joy?

SUCCESS!

Happy Happy 4th Birthday, dear Brookie bear...

The 4 years that we have had you have been so so wonderful and I love being your mother!