My Mom

Because I'm a bit of a procrastinator, I didn't get a card out to my Mom in time for Mother's Day.  So in lieu of this, I thought a blog post for her would be a nice substitute.  (Plus I'm pretty sure she is one of my only readers now anyway...:)

Top Ten Reasons I Love My Mom:


10.  She's an awesome cook!!  Everything I know about cooking, and my deep love for food is because of her. I am so, SO grateful to have been raised on home-cooked meals, and dishes made with love!!

9.  She's an awesome speaker and teacher!!  When I have had the chance to hear her give talks or lessons in church, or otherwise I have always been blown away at her perspective, her observations, use of examples and analogies, and strong testimony.  I was lucky enough to have had her as my seminary teacher for 2 years, and that was a special bond we share.

8.  And did I mention she's a professional storyteller?!?  How many people can claim this as their "job"?!?  In addition to the fact that she is truly talented in this arena (my faves are Tiki Tiki Tembo and the Gingerbread Man), I love that she turned a hobby into a career!!  Talk about entrepreneurship!  She saw a need in her finances, and just made it happen.  I really respect that a lot.

7.  Day-trips around Michigan, with a few over-nighters splashed in.  My Mom enjoyed traveling and exploring what our great state had to offer.  I loved how whenever we had a break from school, we would pile into the family car...either the big red station wagon, Econline van, or min-van, and hit the open road!  She would find out about something interesting, and we would all discover it together.  Places and events such as the Tulip Festival in Holland, Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes, Camp Dearborn, The "Havens"...both Grand and South, Mackinac Island, Traverse City, Huckleberry railroad at Crossroads Village, Frankenmuth and Birch Run, Kensington Beach, just to name a few...we always had a fun trip planned for our breaks to give us the feeling of discovery and vacation.

6.  Shopping Trips. I learned as a young that if I wanted to be included in impromptu shopping trips on Saturday mornings, I needed to actually get my butt out of bed before noon.  When I did, my Mom would sometimes spring a fun shopping spree on me just "because".  I would usually come home with something special, and not always just because I needed it.  I have always appreciated how my Mom knows how a new outfit or something cute for your house can cure just about whatever is troubling you...especially now as an adult, I look forward to trips to "the Peddler" as time with my Mom (and my crazy sisters too, but that's another story for another day!! LOL!).

5.  Sacrifice.  Need I say more?  My Mom is the pinnacle of sacrifice out of love for me in my life.  Everything she does is for her family.  She and my Dad raised six children, and I know it wasn't easy or cheap.  They both learned to work hard, and sacrifice so much for that purpose.  I know how much she has personally sacrificed for me, and a lot of the time I was an ungrateful punk about it.  I will never be able to repay her.  I can only strive to do better and be more like her.

4.  She's honest and tells it like it is.  'Nuff said.

3.  She's one of the funniest people I know. 

2.  She's always up for a good chat...will listen to you for hours on end, and give sound, thoughtful advice and feedback. 

1.  I can't imagine anyone else...she is the best, and I love her so much!!

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!!!

Top Ten of my Thirties

10.  3 states in 10 years: leaving Twin Falls to move to Michigan, Spring 2006; moving to Tonica, Illinois, December 2008.  Really hoping for another move before my 40th birthday...fingers crossed!

9.  The Compuware years, Spring 2006-Fall 2008 culminating in getting the boot from Compuware, October 2008 thus suspending (and hopefully ending) my career in Technical Writing!

8.  Lots of callings for me: Primary teacher and YW counselor 2004-2006, RS teacher and Primary teacher 2006-2008, RS teacher, Activity Days leader, and Nursery leader 2008-2012, Temple Prep teacher and YW 2012-present...years of service and sacrifice that have helped me to learn, grow, and realize who I am and what is most important in life.

7.  Seeing my FAMILY!!  Day Family Reunions; Snow Mountain Ranch in 2007, and Crystal Lake in 2010.  Sister's Reunions; Park City in 2005, and Couer d'Alene in 2008. Lots of other impromptu reunions along the way including Denver in 2011, a weekend at Erin's house in 2012, and most recently a weekend in Michigan with all 5 of my siblings this past month!  Brown Family Reunions: so many weekends and quick trips to Rexburg and Rigby (when we lived in TF), 2004-2006; visiting Summer 2007, 2009, and 2010;  the last time we would all be together before losing Dennis (Sept. 2010), and Laurie (Jan. 2011).  Our first voyage to Idaho without them, Summer 2012; with hopefully many more to come!

6.  Checking an item off my bucket list of things to do before I die...eating dinner at Rick Bayless's restaurant, Frontera Grill; April 2013.

5.  My first semester teaching!! Summer 2012--hopefully the beginning of a new adventure!

4.  Running a half marathon, Fall 2008.


3.  Watching my children grow over the past 10 years...lots of milestones and transformations.  Watching Maryn and Avery go from toddler years to school age years, 2 baptisms and 1 baby blessing, Maryn entering Young Women, while Parker finishes Nursery and enters Primary, and now Middle School and Preschool...these are the best years of my life.

2.  Parker Faye Brown, born September 5, 2009; the perfect way to mark my 35th year. So grateful we have our little monkey to keep us "young".

1.  Celebrating 15 years of marriage with Mark, December 2013; the perfect way to toast #39...together.

Birthday Significance

My birthday this year is significant because it is the end of an era.  The end of my "thirties", so to speak.  Another decade down, gone, over, past, finito...I apologize if this sounds a little depressing, I guess I am just feeling really "mortal" today.

But seriously, where does the time go people?!?  Where?!  Where, I ask you!?!  Finishing up my thirties has caused some serious, inward searching.  What have I done with this decade?  Am I a better person?  Did I do any good in the world?  What kind of person do I want to be going into my forties?  What do I want, nay NEED to accomplish in the next ten years?!?

Oh the humanity!!

In other news, my birthday has been fan-tabulous!!  As with other birthdays in the past, it has stretched over the length of an entire weekend!  Love when that happens!  Last Thursday we hit the road to Michigan to accompany Mark to his prospectus defense at WSU on Friday.  Which, by the way, went swimmingly.  He passed with flying colors, and is mere months away from being done for good.  I can't tell you how great that makes us all feel!  GREAT, I tell you!  Saturday we spent the day feeding ducks and playing at the park in Farmington Hills.  Gorgeous, spring weather!  That night the Griswolds hosted a summer kick-off/birthday bash for me at their place.  Grilled burgers, dogs, corn on the cob, fruit salad, chips, cold beverages...all the makings for a good time!  Also the best chocolate bday cake with ice cream, serenaded and presented to me by all my favorite people.  It was glorious!  Thanks again for making it extra special!

So my actual birthday was yesterday, and it continued to be a great day!  Mark and Parker and I got some lunch, and then I had to work.  Oh well, that's life.  When I got home, Mark had grilled dinner and the girls had baked me another cake!  It was so lovely. I am truly blessed.  I love my little family, and I am so grateful I get to spend another year on this earth with them.

Stay tuned for my top ten highlights from my thirties...I'll try not to be too morbid this time!!

Babies and Baptisms and Impromptu Reunions

It was quite possible that my head could have exploded with all the fun jam-packed into one tiny little weekend.  When I heard the news that all 6 of us siblings would be joined for an extended period of time, I think I could feel the excitement bubbling up in anticipation of the pure adrenaline rush!

Erin's oldest child, Braeden was to be baptized on Saturday, April 13th; and her youngest, baby Addie was to be blessed on Sunday, the 14th.  To celebrate these joyous events, my parents went to the effort of transporting us all there.  What an awesome reason to celebrate, right?!?

It was so great to be together again (I think the last time was when Avery was born at her blessing...10 years ago! You may recall a certain sibling of mine jumping out of a rolling, red suitcase...haha!)  Of course, we've had reunions, but not an event where we were able to just be together as siblings under my parent's roof.  It was extra special.

Friday night at Buca de Beppo in Livonia...we were seated in the "Pope" room.  It was hilarious and awesome!  And the food was delicious!

 Saturday before the Baptism, Maryn and Avery gave Cole and Braeden their birthday presents from the Browns.  They were so happy to get to spend some time together.  When it came time for Braeden to sit with his family for the Baptism, he wanted to sit with his "MarynAvery" instead. :)

 Erin did a fabulous job setting a beautiful table of refreshments for after the Baptism.  

"If you feed them, they will come."  

Reminded me of similar baptisms over the years in our beloved Livonia Ward. 

 The Griswold Family, with newest member of the Church, and newest member of the Day clan!!

After the Baptism, we took some time to have a photo shoot to get an updated "sibling photo" for my parents.  We had a hoot goofing around together, despite the crummy weather we managed to get some great shots!!

 Hannah and Melanie chillaxin' at Jeff and Amy's house on Saturday night after the Baptism. 

 J'amy made us a yummy dinner, and then we sat around and talked and laughed for hours.  It was great!! (Jeff, Ryan, and Shauna in pic)

 Sunday morning at the Livonia Ward for the blessing of Adalyn Cora Griswold.  

She is such a sweetheart, didn't cry a bit for her blessing!

As you can see, poor little Addie was just done at this point.  She was so good for her blessing, but at this point, her hunger took over her emotions.  What girl hasn't felt that from time to time? Ha ha!

Feeling grateful for so many wonderful people to share my life with, and the opportunity we had to spend time together.  Wish we lived closer so we could see each other more often, but honestly moments like these definitely make up for the distance. 

I love you all so much!!

Peoria Zoo Members

I think I posted earlier this year about how we are members of the Chicago Field Museum, and we usually use that membership to help pass the dreary winter months.  This year we decided to become Zoo members to help us pass the spring/summer/fall months.  We have enjoyed getting to know our little Peoria Zoo better over the years.  It's small, but sweet.  It will hold a special place in our hearts I think.  Especially our beloved giraffes.  :)

During our break from school for the girls, we made a lovely Spring day of it with a picnic at a park halfway down to Peoria in a little town called "Washburn".  We love traveling through the little towns on the way to the city, and this one is especially cute.  We have even caught Washburn on the day of their town-wide garage sales before, and that was a special treat!!  They have a fabulous park for being such a small town, so we decided to enjoy that on our way to the Zoo!

Easter Recap '13

 Parker's basket from the bunny included her many loves of late: a book called "Butterfly Kisses", Cinderella stuff, coloring equipment, and My Little Pony.

 Avery's basket included a book called "Avatar" to go along with the cartoon they all watch together on Nick.  Next time you see Parker, ask her to take Avery's "bending" away, and you'll get a kick out of it.  She loved it!

 Maryn's basket included the next book in a series called "The Candy Shop Wars", available from Amazon or Deseret Book.  She has loved the others, and because it's hardcover only she has had to wait for a special occasion.  She gobbled that up just as fast as her chocolate. 

 Dying the Easter eggs on Friday, always an adventure!  This year's technique was using rubber bands and dipping eggs in sugar to make "glitter"...nothing too fancy.

On Saturday, we had a fun Easter egg hunt with some new friends in our Ward.  They invited us over for lunch, an Easter egg hunt, and they even made an Easter egg pinata for the kids to crack open!  It was so fun!  And even better to have some new friends!!

Easter Feast (so my Mom knows we didn't just eat Mac 'n' Cheese) on Sunday evening.  The menu included: a pork roast with a citrus mustard gravy, balsamic green beans with red peppers, baked ranch potatoes, deviled eggs, and glazed carrots.  It was quite yummy if I do say so myself. 

Disappointment and Discovery

I feel like I'm becoming a Jedi.  I'm getting all wise and stuff with age.  Haha!  I have learned recently that along with disappointment, comes discovery.  The disappointment of which I speak is that Mark was not selected as the candidate for the job at Delta, or Weber, or Lincoln-land.  What we were feeling about "change" and impending movement for our year 2013 wasn't exactly what we thought it was. 

BUT, it doesn't mean that change and movement aren't taking place...and that's where the discovery part comes in.  I feel like my eyes have been opened to a new horizon that I didn't realize was unfolding parallel to the one that I was hoping for.  Things are still moving forward, and that needs not be ignored!! 

Discovery #1:  Mark has done a great thing this year!!  The darn prospectus that has plagued him for literally 3+ years is complete!  About a week before we heard back from Delta, he heard back from his committee chairman that it was good to go, and he was ready to defend.  That is tremendous news!!!  He is now slated to defend at the end of April...even better!  After this he is able to start writing the DISSERTATION...dun, dun, dunnnn.  Haha!  But really most of it is written in lieu of so many chapters and versions to that darn prospectus, right?!?  So that's a good thing too.  Because this process has taken a little longer than expected he will need to complete the dissertation by the end of 2014.  If we had gotten a new job, and all that entails there is NO way that this could be accomplished.  So this will allow him to focus on getting this complete, free of distraction and stress...hopefully, knock on wood!! 

Discovery #2:  Now when we approach the job search at this time next year, he will have a PhD!  That will open up so many new opportunities and possibilities.  Who know what it will be?!?  But, like I said in my post the other day...I know that the Lord always makes what's supposed to happen, happen.  Even when you don't realize it. 

Discovery #3:  We will be okay.  Even though I have my days when I can't take it one more day, I know that ultimately we are all okay.  We have sufficient for our needs.  We are being blessed and watched over.  We are learning, and we are growing.  I am able to work a job that is giving me lots of flexibility, and great experience to move forward in my own career when the time comes. Our wheels are not spinning, and we are making progress.  The girls still have some time before HIGH SCHOOL (which is my main concern and focus), so the rush isn't as pressing.  Parker is looking forward to preschool in the fall at one of the best in the area, which is something I have had time to research and prepare for...couldn't say that for a new area at the last minute.  We also have some time to continue making updates to the house, so that when the time comes to sell we are current and lookin' good!

Discovery #4:  "Tying up loose ends" is my theme for the next year.  I now know that treating my relationships with people and this place as if I am relieved I won't have to deal with them/it anymore in a short amount of time is not the way to live.  I need to confront the people and things that aren't working instead of avoiding them, and reconcile with them.  I need to find solutions to the problems we've had from day 1, and find a way to make things better...or at least as tolerable as possible while we continue to be here.  I need to just treat each day as if we are staying here forever.  Stop wasting time, stop putting off, and just DO!  I'm kind of tired of the whole "it's them, not us" mentality we've adopted.  We just need to get over it...and deal.  I will try, but please be patient with me.  I know I will have my days when I continue to wish "Tonica was never born".  Haha!! 

So there you have it...some Jedi wisdom from a humble Padiwan.  Even though I'm disappointed, I will try and continue to discover.  Because I know that "all things are possible through Christ, Jesus".  He has a plan, and that's all that matters.