Monday, December 5, 2011

Juliet

How awesome is it to be a Grandmother? It's the best. I have been able to spend some quality time with my little granddaughter lately, and can I just say...AWESOME! I thought, well since I'm only tending the baby and she sleeps a lot right now, I can keep my eye on her while cleaning, cooking, crocheting, etc etc. I'm here to say, not so! I can't stop staring at her. She is such a miracle. Even feeding her the bottle is such a joy for me. I love how she trys to grab the bottle with her fists. I love how she anticipates every feeding like she's never been fed before. I love how she focuses on my face and gives me that precious heavenly smile. I love how she gives every effort she has to try and communicate with me, through her coos and ahhhs. And I love how she recognizes her mommy's and daddy's voices.

And yesterday, well that was definitely a payday for our family. Our little Juliet was blessed by her Daddy and how great it was to witness all those in attendance, worthy to hold the priesthood. Her Daddy, both Grandpas, uncles, great-uncles, and a friend or two. What great joy to have the priesthood in our family! I am overcome with emotion at the blessings we have received.

And even though there are trials to face and much work to be done, it is comforting to know that in these precious moments in time, we can come together as families and friends, to share in special moments that bring us closer together and closer to our Father in Heaven.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

A very long day!

Starting with early morning, my alarm went off...I think. Well it must have - and I must have turned it off. Maybe that was a dream. Maybe not! Because when I finally pried open my eyes to look at the clock expecting to see 5:45 a.m., I saw 6:39 a.m. Ouch! That's gonna hurt I thought. So I jump out of bed and rush to get ready....literally. As I'm brushing my teeth, my phone rings. It's Charlene and she doesn't sound very good. She's in a lot of pain and needs to go to the hospital. Worrying about her and her baby, I rush to her house. It is now 7:10 a.m. and we head to the hospital. They immediately take her to labor and delivery, where they begin to monitor the baby. The little guy's heartbeat is strong and he's moving a lot, but Charlene is having contractions. Since she is only 7 months, there is a concern as to what exactly is going on. After a few tests, diagnosis is a kidney stone. That's gotta suck to be 7 months pregnant and have to pass a kidney stone. So with a lot of worrying for her and the baby, the morning finally passes into the afternoon. Armed with pain meds and nausea meds, home we go. We stop at the drug store to drop off her prescriptions and head home. After she has settled in, I head to work - finally! I arrive at 2:00 p.m. and yes there is plenty to do.

Digging in I try to catch up on what should have been done this morning, not daring to even glance at the piles from yesterday and the day before. Work - there is so much of it! I think to myself...job security, right? My daughter-in-law calls to tell me that our sweet Juliet had her tongue clipped today and she squealed. Can't say I blame her. But she is doing well...and so is Elisha (her mom). I call my 2nd counselor and reschedule our young women presidency meeting. I decide to stay until about 6:30 p.m. to make up some lost time. As I am leaving the parking lot, my phone rings. Spencer - "Where are you?" I'm just leaving work I reply. I'll be home in about 1/2 hour. As I pull onto West Temple, my phone rings. Andrew - "Mom, where are you?" I'm just leaving work I reply. I'll be home in about 1/2 hour. As I head to I-215, my phone rings. Tricia (sounding upset) - "Mom, I looked everywhere for you and you're not here. I think you're lost. Daddy and Andrew are very worried about you." I'll be home in about 1/2 hour. Well, I guess it's good to be late once in awhile, so that you can find out how much you are needed and appreciated.

Almost home and I remember that I need to pick up Andrew's prescription. I run into the drug store and take care of that, at the cost of $80. Finally home! Then Andrew shows me his phone, which is damaged beyond recognition (don't ask). So off to Verizon we go for his early birthday present. After spending an hour at the store, and satisfied with his new purchase, we head home. But what do you do with a hungry 17 year old? So being as tired as I am, we take off in the direction of Wendy's, where we actually sit inside to eat. I find myself grateful for this because I am able to spend time with Andrew without interruption.

I am finally home and it's 10:00 p.m. Spencer and Tricia are playing their guitars and singing "Rainy Day People"...I love that song. Called to check on Charlene...she's all tucked in and her hubby is home to look after her. Now as I'm updating my blog and trying to type, Andrew and Tricia are taking turns talking, talking, talking. Something about marching band, bugs, favorite teachers, dorky boys, etc. etc. Time to end now and go to bed. Must remember to set my alarm.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Nova Scotia - 2011

Leaving Salt Lake City!

Tricia is not so sure about this! It's her first time to fly.

See you later Salt Lake - up, up and away!

Arriving in Halifax - yep, I know for sure I'm home now! Fog and rain.
Cathy picked us up at the airport - and then a 4 hour drive to Cape Breton. It's so good to be home. I love my sister, and I'm so glad I had this time with her all to myself. I know it's going to be busy once we get there.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

So far - a year of blessings - a lifetime of bliss!

I remember last Christmas. It was the evening of the 25th, after all the presents were opened, after all the food was eaten, after all phone calls were made to loved ones far away, and after all the visits were made to loved ones nearby, I sat pondering about the day. It was a good Christmas. I have been blessed with countless blessings in my life, so much so that I can hardly contain them all. But I was also feeling a little selfish. Tricia, being our youngest, was 14 years old and so there is no more "childish" feelings about Christmas at my house. So I went into my room, knelt next to my bed, and bowed my head in reverance for the day and what it truly means. As I thanked my Heavenly Father for everything he has given to me and done for me, I humbly sought to ask Him for more. I prayed that I didn't seem ungrateful for everything I had already received. But I quietly asked Him if he could bless our family with a grandbaby, a new family member for us to love and spoil. After all we had twelve months to put this plan in order. And so time goes on!

A great day in February! - We made dinner for grandma and brought it to her house to eat with her because she wasn't feeling too good. Bryant and Elisha showed up with dessert - cupcakes! But they weren't just any cupcakes. These were very special cupcakes. They were pink and blue, and the message read "Happy Valentine's Day from Bryant, Elisha, and the cupcake in the oven"! YES! My prayer has been answered, already! I love my life, and I can't wait to hold my grandbaby, who by the way is a girl! I can't wait to spoil her, and is she ever going to be spoiled!


Everyone, I would like to introduce Ms. Brown, our granddaughter. Isn't she beautiful.


April 20th!
First of all, Tricia was chosen to participate in the Junior High talent show. Only twelve "acts" were picked, so for her it was a big deal. I admit I was very nervous for her...only in the way Moms can understand. She sang a Taylor Swift song, something about happily ever after. And can I just say as a proud Mom - WOW! SHE WAS TOTALLY AWESOME! That's my girl. I couldn't get her actual talent show picture to scan properly, so here she is doing what she loves anyway, in a different talent show. You get the picture!


As I was leaving the school, feeling all proud and such as only Mama Brown can, my cell phone rang. It was Charlene. She was sort of silly/giddy. My heart began to race as I thought what I thought, but then thought I shouldn't think what I'm thinking for disappointment could set in. But she confirmed my thoughts, and announced that the tests worked and she was expecting her first baby.
Everyone, I would also like to introduce Baby Sperry (we don't know yet if we have a Ms. or Mr.) But this one is just as beautiful don't you think.


And finally for a day of overload blessings....there's even more!
I received a very special message on my facebook from a girl named Lauren Jayne Loock. At first I was just going to immediately delete it, since I did not know who she was, and Spencer didn't recognize the name either. But when I went to hit the delete button, something prompted me to stop and open her message to read it. I barely got to the end of the first sentence and my entire body was covered with goosebumps. That's right, I said goosebumps. Could it be! Oh yes, and more. I will save this message forever, and I have put it in my collection of "my most important things". My biological niece Lauren had sent me that message. Now getting word from a niece may not seem like such a special thing, but this particular niece WAS and IS special. She was placed for adoption the day she was born, and although I knew in my heart that this was the best thing for her, it broke my heart to give her away. I was confident in the fact that she was exactly where Heavenly Father wanted her to be, and that was a blessing of peace for me. I felt assured by my Heavenly Father that this baby would be happy, that she would have a good life, that she would have the gospel in her life, and that the family that would raise her would be blessed by our sacrifice. So when she contacted me, it was the day after her 18th birthday, a gift from her parents allowing her to find out who she is and where she came from. Knowing this only re-confirms to me that she is where she's supposed to be. I can't express my joy and my gratitude to Heavenly Father for this special event. And so, we have a more "grown-up" addition to our family to love and spoil. Not to mention, all of the new "relatives" we have inherited along with her. They are truly special people and I am overwhelmed with emotion at getting to know them and having them be a part of our lives. I actually feel like I've met them before and that I've known them my whole life.
Now some may say the power of the internet can bring so much to us today, but I have to disagree on one issue. The power of prayer and the right connection is the ONLY way to bring peace and joy into our lives.

Everyone, I would like to introduce my beautiful niece, Lauren Jayne Loock. Isn't she gorgeous!


I will confess at this time, that pictures "borrowed" from other facebook pages is not exactly stealing! Especially when I need them to brag.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

I HAVE BEEN TAGGED!

Tagged by my daughter in law - I'm not sure I can remember, but I'll give it a try.

Past and future Tag

20 years ago......(Or in the year of 1991)
1: Seems so long ago...we were living in Ledgewood, New Jersey. (I love Jersey).
2: Charlene was 7 and Bryant was 6, and were they EVER CUTE!
3: Spencer did a lot of traveling for the Trisha Brown Dance Company and spent a lot of time in Europe.

10 years ago......(Or in the year of 2001)
1: Back in Utah, living in West Valley.
2: Two additional children have since joined our family, Andrew and Tricia.
3: Charlene graduated from high school.

5 years ago.......(Or in the year of 2006)
1: Working for Ray Quinney & Nebeker.
2: Charlene & Aaron are married.
3: We have decided to sell our house.

3 years ago...... (Or in the year of 2008)
1: Now living in West Jordan.
2: Andrew is in Jr. High and Tricia is in 6th grade.
3: Put a fence around our yard for Sammy.

1 year ago.......(Or in the year of 2010)
1: Bryant & Elisha are married.
2: Spencer is now working for Westminster College and I'm working for Dorsey & Whitney.
3: Went on a 3-day Pioneer Trek with our ward.

This year so far......
1: Called as the Young Women President in our ward.
2: My Mom turned 75 on March 24.
3: Registered Tricia for high school!

Yesterday......
1: Went to the gym at 6:00 a.m.
2: Busy day at work - lots of filing!
3: Went to Relief Society Birthday social.

Today.........
1: Slept in....oh no! Must be working out too much.
2: Went to the gym after work, with the fam and Bryant's inlaws.
3: Went to painting class with the fam.

Tomorrow........
1: Allergy shot.
2: Working at Dorsey.
3: Hopefully an evening of rest.

In the Next Year.......
1: A visit to Nova Scotia is in order, to see my family.
2: Pay off Spencer's Dakota! YES!
3: Lose 30 pounds (I'm already down 7).