BEHOLD my life in pictures.

Okay, so all these cool blogging ladies have this thing where every once in a while they put up all their pictures from their phone and have some fancy title.

well, I don't have a fancy phone, in fact, mine will be 4 years old in october. It's a champion I tell you. It has about a million and a half scratches and spazzes {how does one spell that word?} out from time to time. But, It has this fancy thing called a camera. and the reason i bought this particular phone in the first place was because way back 4 years ago, most phones had 1.3 megapixels and when my little eyes saw this fun pink phone with a whopping 5 megapixel camera, I said, "i'm getting that one" and i did. {wow Bri, that was a wonderful mega run on sentence!!}

so, while these pictures don't really have the same pop as iphone pictures, it's pretty good for a 4 year old phone's camera, right??

p.s. my phone is called the behold. just so my title makes some sense.
p.s.s. i realize this post isn't about Betsy's wedding, I haven't had time to go through those pictures yet.

This is how Q did his hair fro his drivers license picture. what a champion.

little gemma has some rockin shades.

i hope my mom doesn't kill me for putting this up. 

I got Q these swim trunk things in Germany. he's not allowed to wear them out of the house..... look at his WHITE legs though. haha

yay for new makeup!! :D

Quinton puts "smurf" cereal on his icecream... weirdo.

Betsy washing her wedding dress in a normal washer. scary moment!

Betsy's brother Andrew, taped a "Y" paper over my Aggie sticker on my car. haha

I painted my nails real cute like.

I made bridal shower cupcakes.

this is weird. I've worked there a fifth of my life?? {5th year means 4 years. FYI}

Sometimes that makes me a little sick feeling.

Harmons sells OHS stuff!! woo!

I colored real nicely in my mom's primary class. Stylish Guy if I do say so myself. :D

I'm very strongly strongly opposed to putting pictures of myself from a mirror picture because I think they're kind of extremely tacky, but, I LOVE this dress i bought! And it looks a lot better on than on the hanger. It has a lace top. :D I can't wait to wear it sunday!

grilled PB and Marshmallow sandwich. 

try it for dinners!

deep in thought while sleeping on grandma

"Why is uncle Q wearing my bib with no shirt?"

I found this ferrari car thing in the OHS parking lot. 

I thought it would have been a better use of this guy's money to pay for my college.... but I guess he didn't think so.

so i thought these were donkeys on the bum of this ADORABLE baby outfit, but turns out it was a zebra. If i had the money, i would have bought this for a future daughter.

baby clothes are my weakness. 

I found cowboy snow boots!! once again, i wish i could put this in my hope chest. 

sometimes I get bored at work and make snow flakes out of baby wipes at the register.

my grandma cobb bought me these adorable teal eyelet shoes! woo! can't wait to wear them!

this machine is at the wendy's down the street from my home. and that's emilie. it was just remodeled. 

the problem with having this many flavors is.... that I still just get plain dr pepper..... 

I don't like drinking soda too much. So if I'm going to drink it, Why not just drink my favorite?? 

emilie got raspberry coke. it was mighty tasty, actually. 

my newest nails. fun summer color and sparkles.

I made myself a malt to watch the olypmpics. 

notice the hundred wedding announcements on the fridge. 

all my friends decided this summer would be perfect to get wed.

and these next few pictures aren't from my phone. But I doubt you even care.

happy grampy with gemma 

peek a boo.

i love that her feet are on her mommy's

she loved this!

grandpa got out his dinosaur video recorder. 

I'm sure he used his "camera trick" to make two of Gemma.

Welp, i'm gonna go watch some olympics, mmmkay?

and just in case you were wondering how many times I've had the hiccups today, the answer is 6. SIX! It's annoyingly painful. 

Fam dam a Lee.

Hi guys! I'd like to introduce you to my family. Just 'cause I'm not sure if you know them or not.


Meet-

my family

Dean. Padre. Sir Dean. "Big Bud"

possibly the best picture ever
taken of any family. 

Lover of- talk radio, red, steak and mushrooms, Mo Tab choir, Gemma, Chocolate milk, hiding treats in his suit coat pockets, "watching" the news, the telescope, weird phrases, and kissing mom in the kitchen.
Hater of- non collared shirts, zucchini, sandals, shorts, cottage cheese, music in the car, awkward conversations.



Melissa. Madre. Melissa Sue. In charge.
Lover of- singing into hair brushes or wooden spoons, volumized hair, singing lady gaga in the car, night gowns, talking to the dog, air conditioning on full blast, singing the wrong words of primary songs to Gemma, giving out chores, saying awkward things to make dad blush.
Hater of- when I take her hairspray, dad stealing the covers, gemma having a wet shirt, when dad's hair is messed up, Quinton not wearing a shirt.

my first birthday

Ashleigh. Ash. Big sis. the married with child one. ashlay. ashlegha
Lover of- Gemma, Nathan, telling me I need a boyfriend, salsa, laughing till tears, dates, Dr Pepper, giving me advice, drying roses, doing Gemma's hair, rolling her eyes, the name James.
Hater of- school, work, olives, me not being married with child, mushrooms, not being a stay at home mom.

Nathan. Frederico. brother/son in law.
Lover of- His camero, giving me boy advice, hamburgers, his wife and childrens, "scum", caffeine, soda,
hater of- BK, finishing ash's food, {i don't know what else he doesn't like....}

what a cute cowboy

Me. you probably know me already.
here's what they probably say about me-

this is us.

Ash and I were so stylish in our barney
shirts and ruffle socks!

who needs toys when you have laundry baskets?

Brianna. Bri. {I don't have any cool nick names :(}
lover of- love, all things cute, all things domestic, tender moments, romance, talking, orange, editing pictures, french fries, falling asleep with Gemma, cowboys, green olives, talking about Europe.
Hater of- Bananas, not having anything to do, rude men, stress, drama, Berlin, unpainted nails.

mom thought we were 80's children

Quinton. Q tip. Q bear. Q. the only brother. "little bud"

sorry i was kind of being immodest.

Lover of- showing off his muscles, being shirtless, teasing his sisters, kissing people on the cheek, scaring everyone, friends, OHS, Football, being social, meat, kissing "the chunks", ESPN.
Hater of- pickles on hamburgers, doing the dishes, being slightly hungry, mountain view, water under his chin, playing the piano.



Emilie. Ems, Emmers. emilack patty wack. youngest
lover of- Books, the bachelorette, washington, cheesy movies, trying to make me go on blind dates with her friend's older brothers, getting excited, exclamation points, thinking she's the favorite aunt, sleeping in, baby sitting.
hater of- steak, scary movies, contacts, math, being the only girl left at living at home, Quinton bugging her, having nothing to do.

woohoo!

the day we got Kandi. emilie was 4.

Kandi. Pooch. puppy. chunkers. Chunkies. Chunky. chunk meister. chunky monkey. baby. tanders. tandy. kanders. mama's girl. the chunk. spoiled. {she has a lot of nick names.}
Lover of- going "bye bye", treats, warm towels, sun bathing, cherry tomatoes, lima beans, squash, hanging her head out the window, shredding toilet paper, getting into trouble, kissing Quinton, howling when mom leaves, the OHS soccer field, grandma, mom, tummy rubs, sitting as close to people as possible, playing hide and seek.
Hater of- the mail man, cats, people not paying attention to her, her kennel, the door bell, the beauty shop, the vent, pickles, nail polish.







Caitlin. Caitlin sue. cait.
Lover of- yogurt land, dancing, being held, holding your hand, jumping on the trampoline, painting nails, her aunt Bri, sleepovers, pink and purple, being girly, swimming, cousins, disney channel, high school musical.
hater of- most foods, being bored, holding still.

when we lived in California.

Gemma. Gemmamamamamama. Gemma Bear. gems. Gemma girl.
Lover of- chocolate milk, Quinton's weird noises, peek a boo, rolling over, talking, slobbering, chewing on everything, lights, sparkly things, snuggling when she's tired, watching t.v., her bopoo {pacifier}
Hater of- car seat, going under overpasses, being hungry, not being held, taking naps.

Fear of- work, football, editing pictures, and Einstein....

Reality of Fear
You're not afraid of the dark-You're afraid of what's in it.
You're not afraid of heights- You're afraid of falling.
You're not afraid of people around you- You're afraid of rejection.
You're not afraid to love-You're afraid of not being loved back.
You're not afraid of to let go- You're afraid to accept the reality that they are really gone.
You're not afraid to try again- You're afraid of getting hurt for the same reason.


A friend of mine had this on her blog. I've never thought of fear this way before. It kind of surprises me how true it is too. 


I guess when it comes down to it, you just have to have faith that you can do hard things that you fear. 




This is the time in my blog where I take a few sentences paragraphs to complain for a bit. Because I'm certainly not perfect and am in a complaining mood. Okay, so it's not really that bad, just a little.


You guys, I'm kind of bored a lot these days. You see, I just got back from vacation where I just got to have fun all the time and didn't really worry about anything. And now, this is what my day consists of- wake up. put some make up on and do my hairs {which Is still fantastic to me that I can do this unlike on my trip!} then I probably edit a lot of pictures. {which in case any of you were wondering.... I finished editing a wedding I did! woohoo!} and then I probably do some dishes or help clean some part of the house. Then I beg ashleigh to let me go over to her house So I have something to do and also so I snuggle with my baby niece. Ashleigh's response to me always at her place, "you seriously need a boyfriend" Thanks Ash. And then I maybe go to work if I'm lucky enough to go to work that day to make some money. And then I may watch about Einstein on the history channel because I was that bored. Don't judge.
So, I need more friends here in Orem. All of mine are A-In logan, B- at their house for the summer, C- too busy working, or D- getting married/are married. So, if anyone else is in this same bored summer predicament, give me a call. I'd more than gladly do something with you. Even if we're not even that close of friends. Even if you're a stranger {as long as you're not a strange, stranger. :P}


I don't really like work these days. My first few days back were kind of rough.... 
not that it's hard work, or that I forgot how to do my job, or even that I forgot all the produce codes {because i remember produce codes like it's nobodies business!}. It's just every time I go to work, it reminds me why I'm going to college, So I don't have to do this job the rest of my life. Because it's not rewarding at all; it doesn't make me happy. Well, I'm rewarded with sore feet. It's just not my cup of tea can of Dr. Pepper, the grocery business that is. But I do love some of the people I work with. And some of the costumers are quite hilarious. And who wouldn't love wearing black shoes, black pants, black shirt, black apron, black everything? I mean, Gothic is the new "in", right now, right? ;)


I miss my logan friends. Living in an apartment complex with kids my age and activities always going on. I miss my school. Aggie athletic games. My student ward. etc.


This is all. I'm done now. And really am grateful to be at home where it's free rent and free food and that I get to see my cute little Gemma bear nearly every day. :D 


Also, can someone please explain to me why men play football?? My brother is the middle of "hell week" {I think... maybe that's next week?} Regardless, he has practices 2 times a day and without a doubt, he comes home with a new injury every time. He had a nail ripped off, bruised ribbs, ankle problems, something with his arms, and ice packs all over his body. And he says he's never been more sore in his life..... And yet, he goes back every day. twice a day. just to come home and get more ice and lay moaning and stinking up the house... I don't get it. It must be a guy thing. I just don't understand why people put themselves through something they know is going to cause them physical pain and injury... To each his own I guess.


Best news of my life time!!!!!!


I GET TO SEE MY BEST FRIEND IN ALL THE WORLD ON SATURDAY!!!!!!!! I haven't seen her in 2.5 months! A record since we've been best friends. And my lucky stars do I miss her soooooooo much! World, prepare yourselves, it's going to be epic. I can't even wait. 




I'm done for reals this time. 


xoXOxoXO
-Bri

Why do people do things that hurt them?

I came home from work today and cried.
Not because I was hurt physically, not because anything had been done to me personally, but I hurt spiritually. Not because I had done anything, but because I have a tender heart and I don't know how to not hurt, when others are struggling. Especially people close to me.

One of my work friends, when she was younger, was into drugs. She cleaned her life up and I ended up taking her baby boy's newborn pictures Like 2 years ago. I hadn't seen her in a while but she came through my line today and looked awful. No one else was in my line and I talked to her for a few minutes and she told me about how she had messed up and that her kids were taken away from her. My heart literally hurt for her. She knew she had messed up and I cannot imagine what pains she's feeling right now. I feel for her. And it breaks my heart to see people do things that mess their lives up. People that have good lives and they throw it away for what they want in the moment. She said she's doing better now and I sincerely hope she is. It broke my heart and I'm praying for her and her family.

And this didn't even come close to the feeling of what another friend's doing. Because I know/knew him better than the girl from work. And I cared/care a lot about him; he knew me better than almost any other person ever has. I can't describe the feeling that what he's doing gives me. It goes far beyond any spiritual pain I've ever felt before and I'm not even going through the trials he is. I feel sad for him but will never leave him out of my daily prayers. I hope he can feel them once in a while.

I was talking to my wonderful parents tonight about how pathetic I am for crying my face off tonight because of other people's trials. My dad told me that I was a wonderful person for caring so much. My mom told me it was a Christ-like attribute.

All I know is sometimes I wish I could just not care. To let it go and let people do whatever they are doing and not care so it never got me down. But as I think about that last sentence, I know that is a big part of who I am. I wouldn't know who I was if I didn't value other's happiness. Is overly caring bad? I think it might be.

Regardless, I hope everyone {let's be honest, we all have problems} realizes that even when they do things that aren't right, there's always a way back. Christ will open up his arms to anyone who is willing to seek him out. I want everyone to know that I believe that. There's only artificial happiness out of doing what's wrong; true happiness is only in doing what is right.


And to end on a non-serious note, my niece is the cutest thing in the entire world. I guess that was kind of serious though because I was being serious.

here's a video and picture to prove it-

This is her ripping a paper towel. Glad Ash got some of it on video. :D

look at those thighs!! I love her! All 12 pounds of her.

okay, so 2 pictures. I couldn't choose. Quinton took these. I still need to teach him how to compose a picture better. 90% of the pictures he took, half of my face is cut off and Gemma is centered. haha. 

She doesn't suck on her fingers, she CHEWS on them. 

I'm so glad she's still so little. It makes me feel like I didn't miss all that much while I was gone. Being an aunt is my favorite thing. :)