Brooke for Spring Break

 Princess Brooke, 

You turned 19 years old last month and I missed being with you so much on your birthday. I was so blessed to have you here for a couple days of your spring break. We are all so very proud of you because of so many reasons but just to name a few : You have determined to spend your time with those who share your faith, you are the spiritual leader of your apartment because you help others go to church and you do have to go alone sometimes. You told me a few months ago, when you called you said, " I know what it's been like for you to go to church on your own now and I can see how that strengthened your testimony because when I go alone, it has strengthened mine." 

You work not just one job but two jobs Brooke! Wow, you are ambitious enough and responsible enough to make your financial needs put you in action! I am so grateful I can help you weekly with groceries but you save for your part of the rent you have to pay on your own and you enjoy the service of teaching children as your work and helping people at the library as your second job. 

A few days ago you went to the mountains and you mentioned on your 5 mile hike, all alone, that you prayed and felt the spirit comforting you in the concerns you were having. You said you felt peace surrounded by the beauty of God's creations. It was the best kind of blessing to hear about your special experience with Heavenly Father and the Holy Ghost Brooke. 

We were so blessed when you came to visit Texas for a few days because you wanted to live the Texas culture while here and we went to Fortworth to watch the cattle drive and pose as the Texans we are. The next outing you wanted to take interest in, was my interest of shooting at the gun range. You and I are good at shooting and we are not afraid of that at all. Will enjoyed himself with you in an environment and activity he likes too and he asked to take some cool photos with you and he talked me into sitting on the table to pose with an unloaded gun. He asked you to take photos too. Grandpa Pack showed you a lot and even Grandma Pack went to the gun range just for you!!!

You took Will to an estate sale while you were here and I know he will cherish the adventerous sister memories he has. When you were home you took him to lots of estate sales. You think outside the box and get creative about fun things to do and we loved having you for a few days Brooke! 

You also inspired me to learn to do something new Brooke. Because you did not want to stay in your high school room decor even one  more time, I had to fix it.  You realized so many things all over the room and walls, was anxiety producing. I had to change your room which I did gladly since I was patient to even let you do that to your walls in the first place.  I taught myself to paint your dresser and book shelf and bought you a new bed which Will has taken over now. Your Dad painted the walls all night one night before you came for the couple days. 

I know you appreciate what I did to fix your room because you tell me, that now you are out of the house, you also know what it's like to clean up after people. You are so kind that even when people in your apartment leave a big mess of crumbs all over the kitchen and dishes in the sink, you clean it up for them. You are the only one in your apartment who cleans the common areas and they are so blessed to have your testimony of Jesus Christ and His church among them, and to have your cleanliness. 

I am proud of you that you have taken your health into your own hands and have gone to the doctor for any blood work or health needs. You have taken your financial planning into your own hands in meeting with the school's financial counselor, and you have taken your mental health into your own hands by choosing to do healthy things like working out and going to institute. 

I always knew you were ready to go to college at age eleven Brooke, but I am so grateful I got you for so much longer. 

You have mentioned you know you have matured and you are happy with the person you are now and though even in any struggles you may have had, I have always thought you are so amazing, and only saw the best parts of you, I am grateful to God Your first Father in Heaven that YOU see the best parts of yourself now too. 

I love you so much Brooke! 

Love, 

       Mommy💝

Wonderful Will

 

 

Will, 

It is such a joy to be your Mother. This 8th grade year is going by fast for you and you are really positive,  hard working and our enjoyment as parents that have one child out of the house now. 

This Christmas you did something really thoughtful first for your girlfriend and for me. 

It was about to be Winter Break and you told me you needed a gift for your girlfriend and that you had a plan to make a " BRRRRR Basket " , which you later said was the gift boyfriends should give their girlfriend. According to who? I don't know? Tik Tok probably.  Anyways, you put together the cutest Basket full of gifts to keep someone warm and more. You chose a furry pink blanket and rolled it up in one corner and you put hot chocolate, candy, Alani energy drinks and a pink boxed up heart necklace, a stuffed penguin, and everything was pink in it! You did it mostly on your own except I was not satisfied with the actual basket it was all sitting in and so I asked to take you to a different store for that. 

We did go to an entire other store and I kept pointing out pretty things we could add and although you said no except to the Basket I was satisfied with as I told you that was one of the most important parts in presentation or packaging; well come Christmas you had asked your Dad to take you back to that store and it must have been pretty soon after because you got me all the things I was pointing out that I said were pretty and made a Basket for me with Victoria Secret Leggings instead of a blanket. 

This was so thoughtful of you for a 14 year old to go back and get the exact things I pointed out but for me!

You are very thoughtful like that Will. If I am or your Dad is not feeling well, you every single time go get us a glass of water or hot tea that you made on the tea kettle on the stove and you hand over vitamins and watch us take them. 

Your friends told me in the car that you are the strongest 8th grader there is. I guess you all are watching how much the other kids can bench press at the gym. 

Recently I learned how to play chess for the first time and I am kicking myself I didn't make you join the chess club at school in elementary because as I was playing and seeing how hard it is, I recalled receiving an email that in your grade you ranked highest in the grade tournament and we're invited to join the team. You told me you didn't want to but that you like playing chess. I guess I didn't know how hard it was myself and didn't realize that was a talent to be invited to the team and I should have made you do it! I wish I were as good at chess as you! In fact you are better at it than three minds combined! Grandpa Pack, and your Dad and me were all playing against you a few weeks ago and you didn't flinch but kept winning until I took over your game and then I lost to Grandpa Pack, of course. 

Will your favorite scripture is about faith and if you have the faith of a mustard seed you can move mountains. I see the strength that your faith gives you. 

When we are sick this week you tell me, " Everything is going to be okay Mom. " 

You are right Will and your faith shows. 

I love you so much precious Will. You warm my heart in your kindness and your positive attitude is a huge blessing. 

Love, 

Mommy💝