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.