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.

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.

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).

New Year's Eve -2010

Another year has come and gone. It is now 10:30 p.m. and if you know me at all, you'll know that it is way past my bedtime. However, I was going to try and manage to stay up for the big moment. But I'm also quite sure that isn't going to happen. I've been up since 6:00 a.m. and am getting very tired. I'll admit that I'm not a spring chick anymore. More like a winter bear, wanting to hibernate. But before I begin my ritual of snoozing, it is time to wish each and everyone a very Happy New Year. I hope and pray that 2011 will bring you great joy and happiness.

Now for my top 10 Resolutions!
10. Smile at someone every day.
9. Be kinder than I was last year.
8. Keep my house clean.
7. Plant a new tree in the spring.
6. Put a new front door on the house.
5. Practice not having road rage (especially on I-215)
4. Spend more quality time with my hubby.
3. Lose 15 pounds (isn't that what all of us say for a Resolution).
2. Spend more time with my family (although we already do spend a great deal of time together.
1. Get out of debt!

I'll Be Home for Christmas!

As we go through life, we don't think much about being "home" until of course that time of year, when it's all about being "home". And then there's the music, and the movies, and the memories, and the magic. Well, Christmas is my favorite time of year, and as it is every year, I have a deep longing for home! And what is it exactly. Well it's the memories of course. And it's the dear loved ones that are there continually making those memories year after year. But then you realize they are not all there any more. Some have moved on, like me, and some have passed away. The trick is to keep those memories dear to your heart and pass them down from generation to generation. And hopefully, just hopefully, all those feelings of goodness and joy will come seeping through from generation to generation, passed down from ancestor to ancestor, reaching through time and binding us together forever.

Sentimental? Who me? Why of course! Isn't that my nature. And I wouldn't change that part of me for anything in this world. I am so grateful to my Father in Heaven for giving me that gift in my heart.

And as I'm sitting watching the many Christmas movies, feeling my sentimental self, one line in one of the movies goes something like this "that tree needs some Cape Breton starlight". And second movie I was watching has a line that mentions Nova Scotia. Looks like I'm not the only one out there with back east attachment.

Merry Christmas to all and may God Bless!

Guilt Trips

What is it about guilt trips? I think we are all "guilty" of them, pardon the pun. But I believe that most of us are not even aware that we use such a tactic to manipulate others to do what we want. For example, recently during an exchange with some loved ones of mine, (12 of them to be exact) a simple question was asked by one. I won't go into detail because I don't want to hash up any hard feelings, and I definitely don't want to start a war or be accused of having favorites. That is not me. But, a simple question was asked, a simple request was made. Then the answers started coming in. All that was needed was a simple answer....yes or no. What is it about us human beings that we just can't accept a simple yes or no? Why do we need to have a "yes I can because (and now you have to hear how wonderful I am because I am saying yes to your question)", or "no I can't because...(and now you have to hear all about how my life is so tragic/busy that I can't help out or do whatever it is that was asked in the first place)". I recently read an article which talked about ownership of our words. If I ask someone to do a favor for me and they say no, I need to accept the fact that they said no and leave it at that. I don't need to probe and over-analyze every thought that comes into my mind about why that person said no. I just need to accept the fact that they said no and move on with my life. It may have nothing to do with me and probably doesn't. The fact that they may be too busy, the fact that they may not want to participate, the fact that they may not want to use their allotment of time to do something that I want, is entirely THEIR choice and it should not upset or anger me in any way whatsoever. But most importantly, it should not reflect their feelings towards me. In other words, just because they say no, doesn't mean they have an ulterior motive and that they don't want to because they don't like me or they don't want to be around me. That is ridiculous. If they say yes, then all is well - right? I get what I want. It's when I don't get what I want, that the world turns upside down and we go into a tailspin.

It is true as we get older, that life takes on different and more difficult challenges. But just because every request can't be fit into everyone's schedules, especially the bigger the circle of friendships and families become, doesn't mean that everyone has a motive to participate or not participate in that request. It is what it is, and shouldn't be taken as a threat against the one making the request, and I hope that the person making the request understands that she is loved no matter what.

Oh how much energy and time we waste in trying to manipulate people into doing what WE want them to do. Instead of just asking, inviting and accepting. I have found that when I invite and ask, pleasantly, there is a much warmer spirit in my home and in my life. I admit it took me a long time to learn and understand this very important principle in human kindness. I ask, I invite, and I receive those who want to partake and we enjoy. For those who do not or cannot, there will be other opportunities and other moments to strengthen and bond family ties and friendships.

The Strangest People are at Walmart

Okay, so the McDonald's story reminded me of another time that I had a strange encounter. It was Christmas a few years back (don't you like how I sound all elderly and knowledgeable)and I had to pick up something at Walmart that I just could not find anywhere else. Yes, we've all been there. So I walk into the store and head directly for my destination. I know what I need, I know I only have one hour for lunch, and I know I need to hurry. So I find the coveted object to be purchased and tenderly wrapped to be opened on Christmas morning (I can't even remember for whom or what it was). A man walks directly up to me (I believe he was hispanic or something like that) and looks me right in the eye and says, "You would be one good looking woman if you lost 40 pounds." Well I just stood there with my mouth open and didn't quite know how to respond to that. Oh I could think of lots of things now as I look back on it, but I probably shouldn't post any of them. But my mother's words quickly come to mind..."If you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say anything at all." I wish I'd said that! Why is it that I seem to attract these kind strangers? Or maybe it's that I bring out the worst/best in people. Sometimes leaving the house for me is like going on an adventure. I just never know...what next!