Thank you Brown Friday

 Just before thanksgiving I was rear-ended, hoping it will be a blessing in disguise, I had this great idea to sell pies for Thanksgiving to make some Christmas money.  I was pretty sore from the wreck but I managed to make 30+ pies. 

We had Thanksgiving in Kanab.  I always love a big brown get together.  This year Brant’s brother McKay did a Movember with all the guys growing out their facial hair.  I of course made him a Peanut Butter pie fitting for the occasion. 

My family used to have pigmy Ping-Pong tournaments at Thanksgiving this year the Brown’s did only not pigmy style.  Brant really took it to me.

What would Thanksgiving be without our little native! He is gets more fun everyday! 

On Friday we had Brown Friday celebrating Delores 80^th Birthday!  VaNae (Brant’s sister) did an amazing job putting a new and improved Brown family cookbook together!  Natalie and Lacee did this amazing Birthday Cake.  I thought it fitting that she gave each family a little serving spatula (like the one she got from her mother-in-law). 

Truly fitting symbol of her service, not only is it a cooking utensil but it is little things she does every day serving up a little love here and there until everyone is endeared to her.  I hope she had a fabulous 80^th birthday and knows how truly loved she is, I have the best mother-in-law in the world!  

We were finally able to visit Mary.  I am so thankful for Brittney taking such great care of her.  
 

Dis- Shuffled

I always learn so much each season, usually the lesson comes to me through one of my girls this season was a little different.  This season was one of the most emotional seasons for me and that is saying something (I coached pregnant/post-partum season).  It has been a card game.  After tryouts I felt like I had a stacked deck (one card I wanted but didn’t play out in my hand).  Then as the deck got shuffled—I had a girl quit and 2 girls go down with injuries.  I played the hand I was dealt.  I had to be flexible, which is not my strength.  I know myself pretty well.  I am passionate about volleyball but I would not describe myself as emotional or impulsive decision maker.  I choose my players on stats.  I could not get these girls to come together I had all kinds of talent but not enough team. 

Personally, I felt it came from a divided coaching staff.  I learned that while there have been benefits to being the behind the scenes coach it also limits your control.  I am a firm believer that if you know better you should do better.  I truly felt stifled and the season was a disappointment.  When expectations are not met there is always disappointment.  The greater the expectation the greater the disappointment with that being said I never want to have to lower my expectations.  I always want my players to rise to the occasion.  I think on the flip side of disappointment if you live up to high expectations it builds confidence.  I want to build confidence, I will only continue to coach if I feel I have power to achieve expectations.  If I have to lower my expectations to avoid the disappointment I do a disservice to myself and my players.  So when the chips are down can you keep a poker face?  Well I am who I am if I like the cards I am holding you will know it and if my hand is no good I won’t fold.  I needed this season for reflection to see that I was holding back and I am better than that.  I don’t know if I can come to the table again unless I am the one holding the cards.      

 

Good thing I took a Time-out after the season ended.  This was my first experience with time-out for women I had my apprehensions but it turned out pretty good it is a long time to sit in such a big meeting but it felt personal and I actually enjoyed the girl time! My five words healthy, inspiring, articulate, efficient, energetic.

  

Buzzin' Dozen

 
I cannot believe I have a beehive.  Rianne turned 12 and we did another combined birthday party.  We are so lucky to have great friends.  So for 2 girls who are sweet as can bee we did a buzzin dozen party. 

Rianne wanted a doughnut cake. 

Then we did these cute honey drinks. 

I love that our lil’ beehives still play dress ups it was such a fun party.  I have said it before but every year just gets more fun, love growing up with this kid (she is growing too)! 

She was pretty disappointed that I was released from young women’s just as she came in.  I had a hard time watching her handle it.  I was so sad to not be teaching I love the youth curriculum.  I knew it was coming and felt peace and confirmation that I would continue to teach, so it was a real blow to be called to scouts I’m still not sure what that is about.  However I know Rianne needs to be in young women’s without me because they need to see she really is that good not for me or anyone else.  This was confirmed when we were talking about river trip she never asked me about it and I thought it was because of the price so when I told her we could make it happen if she really wanted to go she said “mom they are going to be gone over Sunday”  I asked what the other girls who go to church are going to do?  She said they were going to take it easy that day and bring their scriptures” I said so why don’t you want to?  So matter of fact she answered “mom It’s not that I don’t want to it is that Joseph Smith saw what he saw and went through all he did, the church is true and that is where I am supposed to be.”  Another one of my many who is raising who moments!           

To continue playing please insert CANDY

 Halloween seemed to sneak up on us, last minute.

 We went with video game theme: Brant (Wreck it Ralph) Jana (Vanellope von Schweetz) and of course Bennett was (Fix it Felix).  Rianne went as a candy racer and Heath was Luigi.

Sonic tried to wreck it for us by forgetting about Brant as he waited for their corndog special and they thought he was a ghost because they forgot to bring him his order.  He almost missed Trunk or treat, and only caught the very end of it.  We have a BONE to pick with them ;)

Bennett was so cute he just went to the cars and asked for “CANNY”   We came home and sticking with tradition watched Black Beards ghost. 

 

Takes 2 dunks

Heath has been so excited to get baptized!  I wanted to make sure we had pictures, well I was rushing around with the details.  Heath said “I bet in Book of Mormon times it was way easier to just get baptized”.  I asked, “what do you mean? they still needed the priesthood” etc. he said “I guess but once they knew they wanted to be like Jesus the just could get baptized.” 

flippin' pictures ;)

It hit me that I was worried about the memories and he was thinking about the commitment he was making.  You know what it really is that simple.  We appreciated all the people who came to share that special day with him.  I have to say that it was an individual choice for Heath and he made it.    

I have noticed a change in him, he seems to be more confident and I think he feels empowered, that it is up to him no one is making him.  He is choosing and I’m so grateful he is choosing the right!  On his baptism day it hit me even more that he is on his own and so capable, with Dad there, he didn’t need me.  It only took the 2 of them 2 dunks.  J 

I keep thinking about How the Grinch stole Christmas  Maybe Baptism is a little bit more than all the details.  He loved his video, cake, and his comforter from Grandma. He loves being on Jesus' team more.   

Mary & Jeff were in a car accident the day of Heath’s baptism.  They are trying to save Mary’s arm, Heath did his first real fast for the WHOLE day for Grandma Mary it was awesome.  He recognizes that what he does matters and it made a difference.  He has always been determined but now living with purpose he is unstoppable... back to more Dr. Seuss "Oh the places he'll go!   

 
 

         

Wedding Goose

I flew to Idaho for my little sister’s wedding.  Her name is Susan but I have been calling her goose since she was about 5.  As her big sister I feel like I want to protect her therefore my job is to be super critical about all the red flags she may not see (I know it is annoying sorry Goose I just love ya) 

I have to say I think Jason is So good for her.  When I got to meet him I was ready to make a list of all those red flags.  Then I saw the way he looked at her and I thought everything is going to be ok he REALLY loves her. 

my super talented friend took this!

He additionally impressed me with the week with my family in Montana.  I was excited for their wedding and I got to spend some time with my super talented friend Natalie which is always fun. 

   I have mentioned this before but this trip it was confirmed, I don't want to go home to visit without Brant!  I had a few glitches with the trip and was SO grateful to have Natalie with me.
Glad Bennett didn't destroy the decorations until the night was over.   

It was a party in Higley fashion for sure

My favorite was watching Jason watch her as she walked down the aisle. 
 She looked beautiful and happy.  He will take good care of her and if she is happy I’m happy, so she better stay that way Jason ;)
      

 

Called to Celebrate

We met in the middle from Dylan’s B-day  and Heath’s and did a companion party with a missionary theme.  Their primary class has a bunch of Boys and in 10 years I hope we are celebrating as they open their mission calls! 

When the boys arrived at the "MTC" we had them pick where they wanted to go on their missions and took pictures of them pointing to the world map.  For missionary training we played some games they loved the missionary relay.  It was so cute to see them helping each other.  I'm sure Annette took better and more pictures than me. 

What would the MTC be with out some food.  We had cake and ice cream and then they opened packages :).  For goodie bag we had earth bouncy balls and Annette made them each a tie.  
      

On his actual birthday I took his class some treats one of his classmates said cool I’m going to have my mom get candy bars with my name on it. 

Crazy that he is 8 so glad he got to celebrate!   

 

Fishing for Friends

We were lucky enough to get to go to the “Cabin” with the Mortensen’s.  We just love this family.  They are always helping us out and even take pity on us.  I’m not sure what they are getting out of it but hope they don’t go fishing for new friends when the realize we don’t have much to offer ;). 

 We didn’t sit on our bums the whole time although they got pretty dirty on the hike. 

 Even Bennett did some bum sliding ;)

Bennett was fascinated with Bear drinking water. 

It was to a really cool cave I just can’t remember the name of it. 

Hope they weren’t too bugged by us. 

I missed this but Marty's mom got some great picts 

I was pretty drugged up from the dentist, I am a little embarrassed that I slept too much and missed the fishing. 

It was a first for Rianne and Heath.

Thanks for sharing your birthday with us Dylan. 





















! 

Driving by with a birthday hi!

Natalie came to spend some time with us, wish it wasn’t during the busyness of volleyball but I will take her whenever I can get her, I would drive to moon for her.  I loved looking at the night sky with my 2 best friends. 

I made Brant peach pie instead of cake for his birthday and we planned on hiking but with the rain we ended up going on a drive instead. 

Brant is awesome at going with whatever life throws at us.  His sister of course made Birthday cookies for him

 check out her post about him @ http://sweetshopnatalie.blogspot.com/2013_08_01_archive.html    

One thing I love about him is how much he appreciates the beauty that surrounds us. 

This year it has been fun to watch him enjoy city league softball (thus the big league chew) 

Bennett has enjoyed the games too J  

 

 Even though the number of birthdays keeps getting higher, I am having joy in the journey love who I get to travel through life with!     

SUM work

find Bennett he did sum work too!

We only had a 10 week summer.  Rianne is a bookworm and wanted a kindle she asked what she could do to get one.  Well I thought ok I will do a chore program where they can get paid and told her if she had ½ by the end of the summer I would pay half.  Then Heath wanted in on it for a DSI.  I thought I was safe because Heath is so impulsive.  They both did it!  And we found them for a good deal.  Earning it took some work.  It meant filling in prairie dog holes EVERYDAY we started with over 20 in the front yard and finished the summer with only 3.  It took some persistence but it felt good to see some progress we still have some work to do in the front but it is coming.  After we got back from MT we realized we had more help than we thought from this (little) guy. 

They also showed persistence with having to do 10 big scoops EVERYDAY and by the end of the summer SUCCESS we were able to get the trampoline in the ground.  Brant gave them more help than they realized.  I was actually very proud of both the kids they set up a budget and stuck to it putting quite a bit in their mission funds.  We still have Some work to do but I am grateful they are learning to work.        

After sum work deciding Rianne made a choice to attend middle school instead of being  home schooled.  As we went to registration and found her locker it was hard to believe my baby girl is in middle school.  I taught her how to do the lock (and other kids and parents as well).  Later I snuck up and filled her locker with supplies and treats for the first day, I figure she needed a reward just opening it.  She is not thrilled with the dress code or having a top locker (she is short) She is excited about being in the engineering program they have it is going to take sum work.  She also has radio for enrichment classes and can’t wait to be on radio station. 

 Heath is in 2^nd grade I have to admit I have some apprehensions but here he goes hope his teacher is ready for him, he will take sum work.   

We had our traditional armor of God family home evening and fathers blessings.  Ready or not there is sum more work ahead of us, I hope they remember to work I will need their contributions to the house with me starting another season of volleyball.  Hope we are armored up :)