Allison's latest photo shoot.....

Allison is getting really good at this photography thing........ I loved this particular shot but go to her website and see the others - they are all pretty amazing. Some of you from Texas might recognize the last bride she did. Gorgeous!

http://allisonrexphotography.blogspot.com/

Moving day!

I finally moved enough of my Dad's stuff out of my house and garage that we could empty our storage unit and move my stuff in! So this morning at 8:00 am several friends from church and my nephew Jimmie came and by 9:30 am they were done!!!! Now all I have to do is unpack and go through everything!!!! Ahhhh, Finally! I get to see my stuff again! I do think it will be interesting to see what I think is important to put out and up and what I will probably just throw or give away. When you have lived without these things for 7 yrs, I'm finding my priorities have changed! Sooooo we shall see.......

Yes, my foot is really broken!

Many have been asking......"Is your foot really broken?". Yes it is. It's the 5th metatarsal that is broken and if I am not very very good and do everything my Doctor says to do i.e. keep it up as much as possible, use crutches for long times of standing on my foot, and even sleep with my cast brace on. I will have to go to (Dr.) Joe Milne and have a pin put in my foot. In about 2 - 3 weeks we will know if I have been good enough. I am trying to do everything to keep from having to have surgery!!! Prayers would be appreciated! Now for the next question......

"Are you still glad you went.....or, Was it worth it?" Heck yes! I enjoyed every minute and have come back so refreshed and rejuvenated and happy to get back to my life! And of course being with my girls and John is always the best part of any trip!

Trip to Utah and Education Week at BYU

I'm back, and I had a fabulous time! The trip could not have been more perfect, even though I fell and broke my foot! It was so good to see my girls again. I was able to spend 4 days with each of them one on one and I attended many classes at Education week. I could not get enough. I learned so much and feel really rejuvenated spiritually, emotionally and physically! I went to Education week with a dear friend and was invited to stay with her and her girls in their condo in Park City and boy was it beautiful! Park City has changed a lot since the last time I was there which was before the 2002 Olympics!

When I first arrived in Salt Lake my oldest, Anne Marie was at the airport to get me and the weekend of Anne Marie and Mom time was off! We went to the Olive Garden for dinner then dropped off bags at her apartment and got settled in, then hit a movie "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" I must admit this was not a movie I really had any desire to see....but it was great! and I really enjoyed it. And of course we stayed up talking and watching DVD's until the wee hours of the morning. On Saturday we went for Pedicures and to Anne Marie's favorite Sushi restaurant. I have only had Sushi one other time, but I will say that Anne Marie knew what to order and I did enjoy it. Because it was my first time basically the waitress brought us Shark to try.....I guess in honor of Shark Week on the Discovery Channel (not really, j/k) but I have to admit it was the best thing I ate there.......it tastes like chicken! lol!

I'm so proud of all that Anne Marie is doing and accomplishing with Work, School, and waiting to get into a Nursing Program.

Then we headed to Ogden so that I could see my Mother-in-law, Mom Brown now she has been married to Jay Jackson for 8 yrs after being a widow for 17 yrs, but she is still Mom Brown, isn't that funny! I know her last name is now Jackson, but she will always be Mom Brown! Since last labor day I have learned to Cherish these times with Moms! We played cards, a Brown tradition (Shanghi), and Mom took us to a Mexican Restaurant that would rival any here in Texas, I was surprised! But loved it!

Jay is so funny to play cards with, he always keeps us laughing! And Anne Marie and I both could not believe it when Mom discarded a player........unheard of!!!! It's going on the calendar as a day to remember!

On Sunday, after church, Allison and John were back from their Anniversary trip to a Bed & Breakfast in St. George, so they invited us down that evening for a piece of the top of their wedding cake and more cards......but the Clay Family Card game of Canasta!



We were surprised when Allison & John invited us down on Sunday, only because we knew it was their Anniversary weekend, but once they got home....John was ready to play cards!!!! too cute!

Monday Anne Marie and I talked, watched DVD's, and went to the Restaurant I miss the most "Training Table". Ohhhhh good stuff! Then Anne Marie had to go to work and Mary Ann who I was planning on going to Education Week with and who invited me to stay in Park City with came and picked me up and we were off to the Condo.

It really was an incredible condo!


Mary Ann with her girls Sara and Jessica. I was their Seminary teacher so it was fun to spend time with them. Jessica is starting BYU and was getting everything taken care of to start school. And Sarah is getting ready to have her second baby and was having time on her own with her mom and hopefully getting some much needed rest!

Walking around Park City

Tuesday after my classes for Education Week Allison wanted me to help her run some errands so we did and got caught up, visited my brother and his family, went to the mall, and ate at the food court. Then we went to her apartment and she showed me her latest photo shoot, engagement pictures that were just beautiful. She is really talented and I can only imagine how much better she will be when she gets the equipment she needs.

Then it was back up to Park City.

Wednesday after my classes were over John and Allison picked me up and we went to the Movie "Inception" man oh man, what a movie! It was amazing! I loved it. I would like to see that one again! Then Allison wanted to eat at Olive Garden as well.....so we did!

John said there were not enough pictures of him and me.....so we had to take one together.....but then after spending the night at their cute apartment while walking to the Wilkinson Center, to start my Thursday of Education Week, I fell and broke my foot! So now we have more pictures of John and me, ones however that I really could have done without, since these pictures had to have me hurt myself to get them. But I will say John is definitely majoring in the right Major -Athletic Training (Sports Medicine) because I was amazed with all that he did with ice and wrapping the swelling went down a whole bunch! Thanks John for the tender care!

We played cards after my wounds were looked after and ordered in Chinese! It was great Chinese and kind of nice to stay in for one night! Then Mary Ann came and picked me up when she was done with visits to her family and we went back up to Park City.

We went to morning classes on Friday then headed for home, driving this time, and drove straight through so that we were home Saturday afternoon! I definitely needed to get off my foot by then and I fell asleep on Alan telling him all about my wonderful week with our kids and at Education Week!

32 years ago today!

32 years ago today Alan and I were Married in the Salt Lake Temple. It was the best decision I made in my life! This is a great day and I love my husband dearly! While in Utah, my oldest asked me this question - "So if you had to do it all over again, would you still marry Dad?" to which I immediately and without hesitation answered "Absolutely!"

Sometimes I think of how young I was when I got married and how lucky I am that I married such an amazing man, that I never had to worry about whether he had a testimony of the Gospel, whether he was going to be active, whether he was going to be a good father, or whether he would honor his priesthood, whether I could count on him, or whether he would always work hard to provide for his family......I could go on and on but you get the idea. I am very blessed. And now I am going to copy from one of my friends blog. On her anniversary she listed interesting little facts about them since they had been married, and I hope she won't mind.....but I loved how she told us all about her life with her husband.

In 32 yrs of marriage we:

1. Were married in the Salt Lake City Temple.

2. Have 3 beautiful daughters and 1 amazing son-in-law.

3. We both attended BYU, Alan graduated from WSU (Wichita State University)

4. We have lived in the following areas:

• Provo, Utah


• Wichita, Kansas


• Murray, Utah


• Wichita, Kansas


• Atlanta, Georgia


• and Fort Worth, Texas.

5. We have Owned 3 homes:

• Murray, Utah


• Wichita, Kansas


• Fort Worth, Texas

6. We have traveled to the following places for Vacations, Family Reunions, Family weddings, work conferences etc.:

• Montreal Canada


• New Orleans, La.


• Denver, Colorado


• Chicago, Illinois


• when we didn't live in Texas - Dallas, Texas


• Tampa, Florida


• Washington DC


• Portland Oregon


• Fresno, California


• Los Angeles, California


• Preston, Idaho


• Boise, Idaho


• Idaho Falls, Idaho


• Twin Falls, Idaho


• Sun Valley, Idaho


• Porto Rico


• Snowbird, Utah


• Park City, Utah


• Las Vegas, Nevada


• Disney World


• Disney Land


• Somewhere in Oklahoma for dirt bike motorcycle races


• Orlando, Florida


• San Antonio, Texas


• Price, Utah


• Moab, Utah


• Ogdon, Utah


• Salt Lake City, Utah;


• All the Church History sites in Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska, etc...


• Abilene, Kansas


• Hutchinson, Kansas


• Tulsa, Oklahoma


• Vail, Colorado


• Aspen, Colorado


• Branson, Mo.


• Silver Dollar City


• Table Rock Lake, Mo.


• Kansas City, Kansas


• Kansas City, Mo.


• Nashville, TN.


• and many other places that I can't remember

7. We have been inside the following temples:

• Salt Lake City Temple


• Dallas Texas Temple


• Manti Utah Temple


• Jordan River Temple


• Mount Timpinogas Temple


• Nauvoo Temple


• Boise Idaho Temple


• Idaho Falls Temple


• Provo Utah Temple


• Ogden Utah Temple


• Logan Utah Temple


• Washington DC Temple


• Portland Oregon Temple


• Bountiful Utah Temple


• Orlando Florida Temple


• San Diego California Temple


• Atlanta Georgia Temple


• Nashville Tennessee Temple


• San Antonio Texas Temple

8. And my husband is my best friend and hero always! The love of my life! And I am grateful that he loves me in spite of my short comings and flaws! Thanks my sweet man for all you bring to my life!

New Calling at Church/Return Missionary

Sunday I met with the Bishop before church and whenever the Bishop wants to meet with you you know something is changing! I don't think I'm breaking any confidences when I tell you that he told me that they really had to pray and pray hard about changing me from the RS Presidency because the RS meetings have been so good and we are on a roll and they hate to upset that basket. But they also have been praying really hard as to who should be the new Gospel Doctrine teacher in Sunday School......so you guessed it I'm the Gospel Doctrine teacher!!! I have always looked up to those who teach Gospel Doctrine and teach it well. I feel like this is a calling that you really have to study and know your scriptures and your "stuff" so I'm a little intimidated because I have taught early-morning seminary (youth), primary (children), and RS (Women), but I don't think I have taught in front of men so maybe the mixed crowd is what is intimidating.....but I look forward to the challenge and have faith that Heavenly Father will help me in this new endeavor!

Sunday, in Sacrament meeting a newly return missionary spoke in our Ward who just happened to be one of my former seminary students! He gave an amazing talk and had some really profound insights that he learned on his mission. It was amazing to see the growth. And made me remember wonderful times in Early-morning Seminary! Thanks MW!

Inquiring minds want to know......

Or, I should say this inquiring mind wants to know......

I spent a great deal of money this weekend trying to make my bed look like a master bedroom bed. I already had the bedspread and sheets, but I went to Bed Bath & Beyond to get dust ruffle, shams, pillow cases to go on extra pillows, extra pillows and throw pillows. I had a 20% off coupon for the entire purchase coupon, so I felt now was the time to do it if I was going to. Of course I only liked the really expensive things.......or I only liked the really expensive things that went with my bedspread.

I have pictures of the bedding how it was when I was finished at Bed, Bath, & Beyond and I felt that something was missing......so I went to another store and got one more accent pillow. However the picture doesn't really do it justice. It's darker colors that then blend in my walls and curtains. But not sure if it looks better with it or without it....... so let me know what you think.

Yes!!!! I'm going to Utah to see my kiddos!

I have a ticket and I leave after work on Friday August 13th! It's my anniversary present from Alan, we will celebrate together before I leave....but this past year has been so crazy with Allison's wedding, my mom's funeral, my Dad's 2 heart attacks and surgery, My Dad's wedding to Barbara, moving into the house we bought and moving my Dad out...... that Alan wanted me to get a vacation that didn't have anything to do with anything except for what I want to do.... they only thing that would make it better is if he could come with me! But work for him right now is not conducive to this idea and this way he can take care of Aileen so I can go by myself. This might sound selfish......but I have not had time away from Aileen by myself in several years.

So I'm off to Education week, seeing my kiddos that live in Utah, and helping my friend drive home so she has help driving home all the way to Texas after dropping off her Freshman at BYU!

Going to Education week has been a dream I have had, and wrote about as one of my life's goals in my personal history. So Alan is making this dream come true! I sure love this man of mine!