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.