The Utah Jazz!!!!

So Allison texted me tonight to rub into her father and I that she just happened to be at a Utah Jazz basketball game....

oh, man.....we were jealous! It really made us homesick for all our years in Utah and how much fun we had going to watch our favorite Team! I hope she has fun...darn her!

So...how do you like this warm weather? It still amazes me the difference a day can make in Texas! So if there is ever any kind of storm going on that you don't particularly like...don't worry just wait a few minutes and it will change! Ha!

I worked a full day on Thursday and Friday to make up for missing hours because of the Doctor's office being closed for the ice storm....and I was exhausted! I have to tell you I use to work long hard hours everyday and sometimes weekends too when I had 3 little girls at home...don't know how I did it when I look back sometimes...other than I have a wonderful, helpful and supportive husband. But still I don't think I would ever want to go back to that....I'm very happy with where I am at now! It's enough to make me feel good about myself, I feel intelligent and useful and with the patient's it is giving service and helping people (even though I'm getting paid) and that makes me feel good as well and I don't think I have ever been as appreciated as I am here. I always thought that the architects office in Utah was "THE JOB" and I felt good and smart and necessary etc....and very much appreciated by the CEO! But maybe I'm older...different priorities...but I believe this is better and not as much stress and I can still be a good mother to Aileen....in other words...the best of both worlds! Ya gotta love that!

I think what made me think about all this and count my blessings....was hearing about the Utah Jazz and the memories of living in Utah and what our life was like etc....I have been so blessed everywhere we have lived! I am very grateful!

Her call also brought up others memories as she is attending the Y and dating etc....it always makes me remember my experiences at the Y and falling in love and getting married. Wow, was I ever that young? I guess I was and it also really makes me appreciate that even at such a young age I knew a good thing when I saw it! Really I am married to the love of my life....both this one and the one in the eternities! How do you luck out and find that when you are 18! Really quit amazing and I also recognize the hand of the Lord in my blessings! Anyone who has ever met my husband has always told me what amazing man he is. I just want everyone else to know that I know it too!

My "pay it forward" is complete!

I signed up on my friend Rachel's blog http://rmom27.blogspot.com/2008/12/let-games-begin.html to play the "Pay it Forward" blogging game. It really has been a very rewarding and fun experience. I had 2 comment (you know who you are) on my post that they wanted to play and I am very grateful to them for being willing to spread the cheer forward! I gave one of my gifts on Saturday and Shipped the other yesterday with the promise that it would be delivered today....however, with the ice storm, I am not sure if it will be today or tomorrow now! I'm excited to see their posts that have the rules and invite others to participate...if you think about it...how fun is this to see where it all goes! And it was a joy for me to do something totally unexpected and just to be nice for two people who already mean a lot to me! Have fun with it and go forward......!

here's my post again for the rules: http://alanloisbrown.blogspot.com/2009/01/pay-it-forward-game.html

Home Sweet Home!

Well, because of the Texas ice storm I have been home for the last two days! I have been using this time wisely to re-read the Twilight series! Funny! I also have watched the whole 1st season of "Burn Notice" on DVD (Oh, K, I'm going to lend this to you...you and B really need to see this, you'll love it) and I'm remembering how nice it is not to have anywhere to go!!!!

Oh, and I have been getting all my typing for the Doctor done and caught up so that I don't feel too guilty about not being at work....at least he will know I was productive...and the bonus is I'll be all caught up which is almost a "never" thing and feels really good! There are always more patients and more dictations! But when you don't see patients for a couple a days.....there is an end in sight! Funny!

Allison called last night with a worry about her car. And Anne Marie called last night with a large repair for her car....these are the times that I wish so badly we were closer so we could give better comfort and more help! But they seem to be handling everything fine...and we will help as we can. They really are all grown up aren't they????

Well, my mother wants me to brave all the ice and go to Sonics "Happy Hour"!!! What can I do, (it's a real hardship ha!) she is my mother after all.....so I must go......wish me luck!

A small fact you may not know about me....Burn Notice and The Closer...my two favorite TV Shows I'm already on the waiting lists for this season's shows that will come out in the summer! Everything else I can miss....but these I MUST SEE ALWAYS! True story.....One year to get cheaper flights to EFY for Allison to Salt Lake, we had to drive to the Austin airport. Well, her flight back was on a Monday night late and I really should have left an hour earlier than I did....but it was the season premier of "The Closer" that night and I would not leave until after that was over! I made it and she never knew (until now that is). That's how much I love "The Closer" and "Burn Notice" ! It's not bad is it, if it is only two shows....right????

Calling all Browns, Ellis' and Holladay's....

Sis. Green, Aileen, and Sis. Wilde

Tonight we were blessed again with the opportunity to feed the Sister Missionaries! We always love feeding the missionaries, Elders or Sisters, but have especially enjoyed taking care of these two sisters as one of them, Sister Green, is the daughter of Lisa Holladay Green! When Alan was growing up there were 3 families, the Browns, Ellis' and Holladay's that did just about everything together. They went on trips and vacations together and celebrated holiday's together. When I married Alan I was introduced to the Ellis' and Holladay's and was immediately accepted as family! So it gives me great Joy to now take care of one of these dear friends, daughter and granddaughter! She is an amazing missionary and is having alot of success! Aileen loves feeding the Sisters as well and I think it helps her to not miss her own sisters so much!

God be with you....

Last night I was invited to go and see one of my seminary students get set apart to be a Missionary and leave for the MTC! It was an awesome experience and fun for President Beasley to say "Sister Brown, you have another seminary student leaving on a mission, these are the payday's for seminary teachers" and he is exactly right. It was a beautiful blessing and amazing to know that he is now a missionary! He's on his way and we won't see him again for two years! As the Hymn says.... 'God be with you til we meet again'!

Honesty is not the best policy!!!!!

O.K. I never do tags! I mean never....but since it was Ashley I am going to do it. Only for you my dear friend would I bear all my flaws out there for all to see. And I definitely believe that honesty is not always the best policy.....but here I go anyway! I am suppose to tell 10 brutally honest things about myself that others might not know:

1. I am a hairy girl. Scary right? When I was younger I didn't think this was so bad, but as I have gotten older, gone through a hysterectomy and menopause....I worry about facial hair. I use to go get waxed all the time when I could afford to....not knowing that once you start something like that you must continue. I worry about having dark hair mustaches and beards....are you grossed out yet? I use Nair on my face now instead of waxing....the only danger with that is I sometimes chemically burn my face....but then the hair just stays away longer...funny! Who cares if I can't feel my face and it burns for a couple of days...its all in the name of beauty right?

2. I wear "rose colored glasses" I am accused of this as if this is a bad thing. I really do see only the good in people and believe what they tell me.....the down side is that sometimes I am set up for a big let down, when i find out that i haven't been told the truth or someone does something to hurt someone else that I would never believe that they could be capable of. I've asked Alan, is my radar really that off....do I not have the gift of discernment? And Alan says, "sweetie, you always want to see the best in everyone, there is nothing wrong with that. In fact that is a wonderful way to be" Don't you just love that man of mine! I know I do.

3. I love very easily. I form a bond to family, friends, people in my ward, work etc... very quickly and am actually one of those people who say "I love you" and mean it. Hard for some to believe I mean it. And hard on me when I realize that not everyone feels that same emotion back to me. But I can watch someone do something wonderful and not even know them and feel genuine love for that person.... This also has benefited me as a teacher of teenagers in Seminary, in primary, and Relief Society.....which leads me to my next truth....

4. I never give a compliment or say something I admire about someone that is not the truth....so I am not false. Some people go "oh come on....you don't even know me" but if I have said it, it is sincere. Which means sometimes my compliments are rejected and people think I'm being all sappy.....and I guess I might be....but it is a honest compliment or I don't give it....I never try to be mean, or hurtful.... but I would say something else that would be a truth if it was not a truth.

5. I am very insecure. Some of you, who know me well, know I struggle with this, but most of you probably would not guess this about me. I know I have talents. And I know I have certain gifts. And I have had times in my life where I have felt confident and felt my worth. But most of the time I really have to pray to remember who I am. I know that sometimes when I have sang in church, or given a talk, or a workshop for Youth Conference, Relief Society etc....I know that it went well.....I mean honestly I think we all know when we have done well, added to the spirit, or felt the holy ghost....but when no one comes up to tell me how good I did singing, or that the lesson was awesome etc...I wonder. I have since decided, it is because everyone assumes that I know I'm good. Well, I am (j/k) but I still want someone to tell me. I would say this is my greatest stumbling block.....I think this is something like PRIDE!!!

6. I love everything about being a mother! My children are my greatest source of joy! But I also have to say....it is also hard at times, especially with a disabled child. I remember when I was first married saying...."oh, I could never handle having a handicapped child". And after 23 years of changing diapers, feeding someone who can't feed themselves, bathing and dressing them and having to wash bedding every single day....sometimes 3 times a day....it is hard. But I am so grateful that Heavenly Father sent her to me, and to our family, because we do love her and we do take care of her and try to make her life here on earth as comfortable and productive as possible.

7. This one is very embarrassing for me to admit. Whenever I have taught primary, it has been to be the teacher of a class with a handicapped child in it. My first reaction (this is the embarrassing part) is "Don't they realize I need a break?" then I quickly repent and realize that not everyone knows how to work with these children. And then I am their teacher and fall in love with them so quickly....and mean it....and then I am embarrassed that I even had that feeling for a moment!

8. I do not care anymore about things that use to matter, like make-up, hair-do's, shaving my legs. I remember when I was younger I never left the house without being totally put together....ha! Those days are gone, I do at least brush my hair....and on special occasions I do put on make-up, but really with Aileen, I'm just glad I'm dressed and presentable and on time where I am suppose to be... If my husband complained, I would be better at this, but amazingly he thinks I'm beautiful anyway......in the next life...I'll be put together!

9. I have been known to wear the same clothes for 3 days...without ever taking them off!!!! I know hard to believe! Usually this is because I have been up without going to bed for said same amount of time and haven't taken time to stop and sleep, shower, and get into new clothes. Now that I am working again....this no longer happens! But I am the kind of person that once I get dressed in the morning...that is it for the day....I don't go home and change into something more casual or more comfortable etc....who has time for that?

10. Whew, this has been brutal, I'm so glad I am to my last one.... I love teaching early morning seminary. Did it for 7 years! I miss getting up and being with those wonderful teenagers every day! I miss the forced scripture study and knowledge I had to have while doing it. I miss the blessings that came to my family while I was serving in that capacity. Oh, it was hard, and it was pretty much all I did other than take care of my family and work part time....but it was AWESOME!

O.K., so now the game says that I have to tag 6 others.....I don't know if I can tag, because so few people actually read my blog, I don't want them to stop!!!! I need all the blogging friends I can get....so I will not be offended if the following people do not do this tag.

I tag - nope, can't do it! I appreciate all who visit my blog and make comments in fact I live for it! Love you all!

My new blog design!

You may have noticed that I have a new blog design. Well, I am the luckiest girl in the world because it was designed just for me by a friend that I have made through blogging! Isn't that incredible? I think it is. She asked me some questions and got to know a little about my personality and then came up with a blog design that looks like my scrap booking! I have no idea how she did that....but it is perfect. And I am so thankful to have met someone, through blogging that is that giving and that willing to share her talents with others! Thank you Sarah! You are amazing! She also is one of the people that is playing my "pay it forward" blogging game...so thank you for that as well....I have what I am going to send you ready to go....so if you would email me with your mailing address, I'll get it sent and then it will be your turn! But thank you for my new beautiful blog....I think you really have already paid it forward!