Our OTHER Daughter!

Over the past six months, our family has been blessed with another member!  Kelsey Braithwaite, who I coached for years and years has been spending a lot of time with our family!

It all started when Kelsey's mom was diagnosed with breast cancer halfway through August 2011, about an hour after diagnosis, she was taken by ambulance to the University of Utah hospital for a brain aneurysm. It was a very stressful time for their family, and during the week Kristy spent in the hospital, Kelsey came and stayed with us... thus started her integration!

She has recently started training and coaching at the gym for me.  She has surprised me by her patience (she is practically an only child and has very little practice in patience!)  It has been so fun to have her at the gym and to watch her learn and grow while coaching!

I am so grateful we have had the opportunity to welcome her to our family!  She often comes to the house, as well as comes along on some of our family activities!  I love that Alyssa has her to look up to and I am grateful for the example she is to me!  It has become difficult to imagine our family without her!

The things we love most...
1.  She laughs at Shane's jokes (which he greatly appreciates!)
2.  She will join in a tea party!
3.  She doesn't mind a little "dress-up"!
4.  She babysat for Shane and I while we went to a movie. (What?  A date... alone!  Unheard of!)
5.  She makes me laugh (even if it is watching a video of her major biff at the gym!)
6.  Most importantly... she puts up with my dad!  Which we all know can be a challenge!

Love,
Taryn