Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Thank You


Dear Friends,

The above picture is of me and my kids at the happiest place on earth. At the risk of sounding totally cheesy, whenever I am with them, I am still at the happiest place on earth. I am so lucky to have them. I have never felt alone even once in this process because I am surrounded by these four darling, fun, energetic kids. I am a lucky mama!

I am overwhelmed with all of the emails, text messages, facebook messages, phone calls and comments on my blog. I feel so loved and supported. I didn't even know I had 44 readers, let alone, that many people who cared enough to leave super nice comments. The only time I have received more comments is when I did that controversial post about home births and people came out of the woodwork to rip me...so this was a big improvement!

Most of you were probably coming over yesterday to read a Bachelor recap. I wanted to do it but the divorce has just been consuming my thoughts and I knew I couldn't give the recap the attention it deserved. Luckily for you, my friend Greg picked up the torch and did an awesome recap over on his blog. Go here if you watched the Bachelor (and even if you didn't!)

Please be patient with me if you have sent a message and I haven't responded yet. I will get to you! It is probably inevitable that I will talk more about my divorce on my blog..probably more along the lines of surviving a divorce and moving forward. But this blog will remain first and foremost about all the stuff that really matters like shopping and celebrity gossip and my crazy mothering. Maybe even some fun dating stories if that day ever comes..Heaven help me!!

Thanks again. I have the best blog readers in the land. XOXO

Brooke

24 comments:

Christen said...

I am another reader you don't know personally, but I have loved reading your blog. You are always so witty and I can't count how many times I have actually laughed out loud at things you have written. I was so sad all day yesterday when I read the post below. My heart breaks for you and I hope that you continue to feel loved and supported and lifted up during this difficult time. Hugs and prayers through the computer! ;)

lbb said...

I, too, don't know you personally, but feel awful about your situation.
But you are so positive and you will ROCK this.
I adore your blog, honesty, and real-life.
Makes my real life more do-able, too.
Thanks and best wishes.

Hansens said...

I am dying to read some dating posts from you! , that is if you don't make an appearance on the Bachelor first:),show those girls a thing or two. You are such a great writer, have you ever looked into doing it professionally?

LAURA said...

Another blog stalker here, I rarely comment but you and your sisters blogs always have me laughing out loud.

I have thought about you all night and day today, in shock. Life really throws us some twists, I'm glad you have so much support. Know that someone you've never met IRL is praying for you and your family. :)

bspeck said...

When I saw you at the law school reunion I had to tell you how much I love your blog because you are always so funny, witty, and I can totally relate to what you write about...and to fess up that I've been a blog-stalker. I'm truly sorry to hear about you and Sam. I hope all the best for you.

Unknown said...

I know you don't know me but I love reading everything you write except for the post from yesterday. I honestly thought you were joking. I am so sorry that you and your cute family have to go through such a hard time. You have a great attitude, that will take you far. I have gone through some hard times and the best advice that I got was that I was capable of doing hard things. You can do hard things and it will make you stronger. I am so glad that you have such a great family. Lean on them, and your father in heaven. Best wishes to you and your darling kids.

Ashley said...

You do have good blog readers. And for every good reader you know about there are probably ten more silently pulling for you (like cockroaches). I would like to take credit for sending some of these good people your way. I'm glad you have the blog community to pull for you.

Natasha said...

My husband left me when I had a two year old and an infant. It was devastating but like you, my children brought me joy and we survived it. Now that it has been almost 8 years and I have a 3rd baby and a good life I see how strong it made me. That's how I found out what I was made of. (but it still sucked of course.)

I found you through Jill's blog and never commented until now.

Jennifer said...

I don't know if you even remember me, but I loved your mom growing up. She was one of my most favorite customers at Smith's. Anyway, I found your blog through Missy W. and have just loved seeing life through your eyes the past year or so. You are one fun, entertaining lady! I'm so sorry for your current trial and I wish you nothing but the best. Thanks for bringing a smile to my face on tough days when I have needed a boost. My mom died suddenly in July and I've needed some extra laughs on those hard days. I hope that you continue to have all of the love and support you need as you go through this. Thanks for being there for so many of us. Wish we could somehow do that for you, but I have to admit that I'm definitely not as funny as you are. Again, I'm so sorry for you and your family.

Jek said...

Yep, me too. I have been down right depressed all day over your announcement. DIDN'T see that one coming. Enjoy your kids, and after 6 oclock at night accept the inner mean mom monster and don't feel guilT! Bless you!

annie m said...

Okay, so I'm going to take this time to out myself as another random blog stalker- even though you kind of know who I am through my sister. SO awkward!
I want to throw my hat in with the rest and offer my support. Your post was touching; written with such class - very admirable!

Lisa said...

Hi Brooke-I have read your blog for a while and love it. From the Bachelor posts to the fashion tips (got those black legging pants) I enjoy it all and can always count on a good laugh. When I read your terrible news yesterday I was so, so heartbroken. I can only imagine what you must be going through. I am one more person who is praying for you and who believes in you. Thank you for sharing your life with all of us readers. You are awesome!

Em said...

OH MY WORD, I just saw my sister's comment! She's no cockroach after all...

Em said...

Hmm. Left a big comment before the one about my sister that's not showing up...hopefully you'll just get it in your email.

Janie said...

I also don't know you personally, but know Ashley and Tyler from college. I found your blog through hers. I'm so shocked to hear this news! I'm heartbroken for you and your family and glad you are well surrounded right now. Hugs to you as you navigate this difficult time!

Anne said...

Big hugs from a stranger in Guinea.

Kelli said...

hugs. blog when you are ready. I love how you make me laugh out loud when I read of your adventures.
FYI, I am Brandi's sister. And I wear purple nylons.

sarahw said...

Wow, everyone has such uplifting comments. You have been taking this all in so well, I look up to you for that. Your kids are great, all they will make it through it all. Fun to see you and the kids at Christmas.

The Mostess said...

NO...thank YOU for being so funny. And hot.

suzi said...

We love you guys! Brooke you are a fabulous example! Anytime you want to escape Utah to the concrete jungle that is L.A., I hope you know that you are welcome to stay with us.

There are some pretty cool sample sales downtown the last Friday of every month. Though, I have to be honest I only have an "in" with the infant/children's vendors. It's a lot of fun.

Anyway, please know that we think of you often. There will be hard days ahead, but there will also be a lot of bright wonderful days to outshine the dark days. You're awesome! Suzi

Molly said...

Brooke--it's Molly, Tyler's sister. I was so sad to hear this when Ashley told me. Our sister's 13-year relationship ended last year in a much less amicable way. Their circumstances were different than yours, but she lost her best friend and had to figure out how to deal with her entire adult life worth of memories with someone who would no longer even talk to her. I know some members of our family were just glad he was out of the picture, but I was the one who sat and cried with her over and over throughout the past year. In some ways I wish I had known about your situation sooner only so I could have known that Ashley and I were both providing similar support to our sisters. Hang in there. It gets better. I'm so glad to hear that you and Sam still care about each other. After watching my sister's grief and panic attacks, I wish she had gotten to do it the way you are.

Kristine Gray said...

I just wanted to tell you I knew you were awesome when you posted that birthing post. I'm so tired of hearing how I missed out on a "spiritual" experience of having my babies in my living room in a tub of water.

You should bring your crew out to CA this summer. My Sarah and your Ryan would make a cute couple.

Hang in there!

Jennifer said...

I'm so glad you remember who I am! After so many years, you begin to wonder if people from your past remember you. I had to laugh that you and Rex were talking about the Christmas dance in 1993 when I got hurt. That story has been a staple for many a lesson I've taught to the youth over the years regarding listening to your parents and the spirit. Poor Greg Peterson! He wasn't even there when I got hurt because he had lost his car keys in the snow and someone took him home to get a spare key. All I remember is my dad walking into the emergency room at Alta View Hospital and with a raised voice, asking, "where is her date?" As I was on that gurney, I remember thinking that I just wanted to die because I was so worried about the trouble I would be in. I had promised my dad that I wouldn't tube, but I did it anyway. Luckily Sam Spilker was there to smooth things over - he was always such a good kid! I'm sure Rex told you that that tube was named "Dr. Kevorkian" after injuring multiple other BHS teenagers that winter, including Anthony Taylor who was actually hospitalized. I guess we were all too dumb and young to realize that you probably shouldn't try to fit 12 or 13 teenagers on a long, icy hill! If you crash or fall off, the outcome would not have been good, which was clearly proven!

Great to hear from you! Please tell your mom hi. I hope that you are doing alright with all of these big changes. My brother was divorced back in 2003 and even if it was the right thing to do, it was still hard on many levels. Now that our mom recently died, he has compared his feelings back then to what he is feeling now as he's lost his mom. It's a death/loss and it takes time to grieve. I'm so glad you have a strong support network and 4 beautiful children. Thanks for inspiring so many of us mothers out there who are just trying to keep it real. Your style is refreshing! Jen

Garrett and Shelly and baby Julia said...

Wow Brooke, it's true you are a celebrity! I wanted to add my encouragement for a happier new year, and tell you Garrett and I love and support you. My favorite new year resolution was when I was in high school, I determined to 'do something that scared me every day'. That actually equated to following the promptings of the Holy Ghost more closely, and some of my most triumphant moments came from doing that thing that 'scared' me each day. Sounds like you've already been practicing that little personal motto and good job for you, you've done some pretty big scarey things! I wish you the best for this new year, and let me know if there is anything I can do for you. My prayers for comfort are with you!