Burst of Inspiration

I was asked to give a little 5 minute talk on the blessings of the temple before our relief society enrichment meeting. It really got me thinking. I thought about blessings be predicated on obedience and a temple recommend is issued if you can answer that you have been obedient. So does the temple really add to this, well yes because you are asked to do more and be obedient to the additional covenants you make. There you go; more blessings. Then I thought of my brother and how Satan works so hard to discourage him, and that the powers of discouragement are fought in the house of the Lord. And my other brother and his sealing how the barn froze and the power went out. Satan threw his own temper tantrum that day. 

I have a picture of that day (just can't find it) Boise temple

I thought about miracles like our motorcycle wreck and the scrapes and bruises stopped at our Garments. I thought about my migraine headache and that pivotal trip I took to the temple to do baptisms. I knew of God’s power as it slowly left my body and as I left the temple it returned. I thought about moments of clarity like with adoption how if left to my own thought process I don’t think I would pursue it but the clarity that I felt in the temple confirmed that to me. How scared I was and the peace I felt when I saw Brant in the temple. I thought about my wedding day! I thought of the countless times I’ve fallen down, been scraped up only to return to the house to the loving arms of my mom with a band aid and a kiss. I still feel that, I just want to go home and He will make it all better and in those brief moments in the temple He does! And I’m ready to go back out. How the temple is always warm and the air always seems cold when you come out even in Mesa.

So there it was the temple described in two adjectives that normally don’t describe the same thing Peaceful and Powerful. So the obvious blessings of eternal families, that’s a big one. The personal blessings of personal revelation which has been instrumental in my own life. The protection, comfort, warmth and connection I feel with my Savior and loving Father in Heaven. The blessings of reassurance, every time I leave I want to be better but still feel good enough. That’s when it hit me; all of these women and their testimonies of the temple are at different places. I don’t know what I said but as I sat in the car before the meeting writing down my thoughts, I hope I shared something like this, I really did keep it to just a few minutes:

The best way to get to know somebody is to spend time in their home. I remember the first time I went to Brant’s house I didn’t open the fridge, or hug his mom and dad. I did notice a picture of the temple and I thought it was interesting that in southern Utah where every home has a picture of the St. George temple, here was the Idaho Falls.

As I got to know Brant better I felt more comfortable but it was still my friend’s house, I’d eat a cookie if it was offered. Then I went to Brant’s house as his girlfriend that was weird and a little more observant because I knew who they were and they knew who I was but we didn’t really know each other. I followed Brant around a little nervous of conversations with his family. I should tell you I was never uncomfortable but it wasn’t totally comfortable either.

Then I took on their name I was now a Brown so there home was my home, but I was content to observe the family interactions without getting too involved. I remember leaving and wondering how these people, who were so good, didn’t make me feel like I wasn’t, but made me want to be better. Their 'Go and Do'  attitude was amazing to me. Then we moved our little family into their home.

Their home was now my home, they welcomed back their son and granddaughter and that included my welcome too. I became really sick, and I was scared and it took a while for us to figure out what was going on. Brant’s mother spent countless hours taking care of Rianne and me. It is all a little foggy to me but I was weak, really weak and I remember knowing I needed to take her upstairs to give her something to eat but I was too weak I didn’t know what I would do, then here came Brant’s mom who told me to lay down she fed Rianne while I slept then brought me down something to eat. I remember feeling so loved, so cared for, and so much gratitude. I was making no contribution, but she just loved me, when I got healthier their home was the only place I wanted to be. Brant's parents became our best friends. I know not many people feel this way about their mother-in-law, but I could live next door to her. I can go to their house with complete comfort, I open the fridge, talk at ease with them, I look forward to every visit, and love their hugs. I cry each time we leave.

For me there is a great parallel: the more we go to the temple the more comfortable we become, His home becomes our home as we recognize that He has taken us in and when we are weak he made that decent below all things to strengthen us. The temple becomes a place we long for, it lifts us to be better than we are. And we ache when leave. The blessings of the temple come as it becomes something we need, something we recognize and cherish. I receive so many blessings from being a Brown, far more than I am worthy of. I am a daughter of God. He loves me and I receive great blessings by being His.

6 in the mix

Well as crazy and mixed up as life is my kids keep growing up and now my little man is a six! On Saturday we let him take his friend Cooper out for Pizza, it was a good time, and Heath had some skills on Space ship game and scored some prizes. Heath likes a schedule and to know exactly what to expect. We have been working on being flexible and he did a good job just going with the flow that day.

Then on Sunday we had cake and ice cream. Heath wanted a guitar cake that said Heath Rocks!  Not my best work but he enjoyed it. 

As you can see his birthday revolves around food. After breakfast I told him to brush his teeth, he said but mom today is my birthday I don't have to do anything I don't want to, I shook my head and said Brush your teeth! 

This boy can eat and I think he could have 6 meals a day, I’m nervous for when he’s a teenager.

On his actual birthday Monday we took birthday treats in to the school, peanut butter balls then for Family home evening we had his spotlight and gave him, his gift a race track, he was thrilled!

Heath is very independent, he is problem solver, He is a different thinker but so smart. I love the bond he and Ria share, even if it does make him come up with a “kid’s cave”. That’s right my 6 year old has man brain here they are in the cave.

60's for 80th

This year for the Brown Family Reunion we had an 80th Birthday party for Grandpa Brown. Natalie was in charge and she did a fantastic job, tough act for us to follow (We will be in charge next year with no major theme to plan around :).

For me waiting for this weekend was like Christmas we had two great nephews we had to meet and I was just so excited to see everyone. We started things off at the pool, Rianne said “I think there is more people here than usual”, I had to remind her that it was just our family.



Brown family synchronized swimming   



 I was really hoping to get to 80 for Grandpa’s 80th but 79 will have to do, if Brady gets engaged to Andie, he brought a girl to the family reunion. Then I’ll count it!



impromptu fireside Brady & Andie :)



Heath drying out

Then it was time for Lunch, Party hats and Grandpa Facts. We won Family Feud style Marlin Brown game. I was very impressed with how much Rianne knew about grandpa!

Next we headed over to Moccasin for Games, Dinner and the Program. It was nice to have it all in one place and really just our family, well except for a few kids from moccasin trying to figure out why so many people were at the park ;).

Traj doesn't seem too sure about these cousins

We split up into groups and played some games,

Grandpa teaching Heath some Marbles skills

then we had some Dinner, We took a big group shot but don’t have a copy of that, yet.

but here are my 2 new great nephews 

MAC is a handsome happy boy with very soft ears! 



Bridger Boy Brant loves babies he also has soft ears, just not as soft as his uncle Caiden! 

We got ready for the program, each family was given a decade of Grandpa’s life we got the 60’s and yes, Dallin the Bumpit did change my life. Everybody did an amazing job we were impressed with Caiden and his grandpa look! We sang Yesterday by the Beatles but it was interrupted by 2 kids singing Wild Thing to grandpa! I wish we got some pictures of Heath and Rianne, (if someone did I want them). The only problem was we forgot the glasses Brant was going to wear, good thing Zach helped us out.

I have already been told the 60’s look fits me, but they didn’t have spell check so I’m not sure that would have worked out for me. Someone already referred to me as the lady in Billy Madison who blows her kids nose, you know the scene.

We had so much fun, It was over too fast! I love being a Brown! Happy Birthday Grandpa and as my kids tell him often you’re not old until your 90, so you’ve got some livin’ to do!

Big Burger Birthday Bash

Big Brown Bear Brant wanted to BBQ for his Birthday.  So this post is brought to you by the letter B

That’s right Big B had his birthday. Heath was very excited to give dad a gift he picked out (wii game). Can you believe he was more excited than Brant?

We put on quite a spread for him to make some deluxe Cheese burgers! His favorite had Guacamole &bacon. I liked the Denver with ham & eggs. It was a fun little BBQ. 

As if everybody hadn’t had enough cheese burgers, we had to have cake!

Don’t forget the party games. A little red rover I don’t think they ever sent Brant over ;)

Brant you are the BEST!  Hope you had a Blast at you Birthday Burgers BBQ Bash!

Too cool for school

Well here they are the first day of school.

Heath is in kindergarten, when I asked him how it went he responded with “Grandpa Jeff was right it was actually pretty lame”. He was really upset when he thought they were taking his stuff when they got his supplies out of his backpack, he didn’t know it was still his and he would just keep it at school. And he did NOT want to leave his water bottle at his desk all night. Once we explained it and found a water bottle he could feel comfortable leaving and he was much better.

The next day he was a little upset that “all day all we learned were rules”. He is doing much better now as he has settled into a routine, he still complains about standing in lines all day but for the most part he is glad to go and glad to come home. At the open house his teacher described him as independent, and that he is! Rianne is now in 4th grade she loves school. Here she is on the 4th day of 4th grade. She is so good to watch out for Heath and worries over him like a mom!

The best thing about school starting was it meant our good friends the Udall’s are back! Rianne has waited all summer to give Hailey this shirt.

It is a reminder of good times they shared screaming for ice cream. Funny girls, we only wish they could have found a place to rent that put them in the same school.

Summer full of Suprises

I have to admit after Brant’s interview at NAU I wasn’t so sure about Flagstaff as we drove through the reservation on our way to find a rental I thought what are we doing? I was still apprehensive but I went to a play group with these women who I now don’t know how to live without; seriously I miss them if I don’t see them during the week. I love our ward, we have great friends, it is beautiful here Flagstaff has pleasantly surprised me. We have offically been here 2 years.  Tera has been all over surprise birthday parties, she threw one for Isaac and for me. So we were pretty happy she didn’t see this coming SURPRISE Tera!

I’m coaching volleyball again maybe not a big surprise, but coaching freshman. I think these girls were freshman when I started coaching. Surprise I now have girls I coached, and some are coaching some are married some are mom’s.

We were also excited to meet a new sweet niece Jenica 

We took the kids to Grandma and Grandpa Brown’s while I had volleyball 2-a-days. Heath can focus and work (surprise, suprise)

While they were there we worked on a surprise for the kids.

I didn’t miss them, well not too much which I actually suprised me and I feel a little guilty about. I was busy, but I loved having all week with Brant. It was a week where we felt like we were dating again it felt strange at first to have each other’s undivided attention. We laughed, talked, worked on the surprise, we just enjoyed the time we had with just us. It wasn’t like we did anything all that different or exciting it was just the break from being mom and dad. I love how we keep falling in love.

Camping with Boys

Here is another surprise for you we voluntarily went camping, Don’t be too surprised I told you we really like our friends and flagstaff! We had to keep the kids out of their rooms and although we had a few surprises on route to our camping spot. We made it!

Brant was rolling this log all by himself but by the time I got my camera more lumberjacks joined in

The log provided adequate seating around the fire.

This is hunting expedition caught a wild animal, surprisingly likes marshmallows

Maybe we should invest in more camping gear? It is no surprise if you can get him to hold still long enough he will fall asleep!

We took these dirty kids home for their surprises

Heath was more amazed that we moved his bed than the desk, but Rianne was very excited, she has wanted her own desk for a very long time.

I guess because we now have both kids in school and desks it is no surprise that summer is officially coming to an end :(

I captured this Perfect picture of summer, in Kanab, tree swing and backyard baseball with Grandpa Brown.

Push along

On our way back from the funeral we got to visit our ‘twin family’ the Smith’s. We spent the 24th of July (pioneer day) with them before we headed back home.


Here are the girls 4 months apart

Here are the boys 9 days apart

Lucky for Heath pioneer leg wrestling event went the wrong way for Kinin.

Race to Zion we got their just in time to catch Heath’s age group he recovered from a slow start.

We enjoyed a small town holiday with games at the park; water slides in the back yard and of course the fireworks.   We are just sad we missed the B-ball tournament (If we had only known Brandon was in the same town)
We sure love those Smith/Brown reunions wish they could be longer but thanks for the food and great entertainment!
I always need the pioneer reminder of sacrifices made, I guess I can keep putting my shoulder to the wheel and pushing along!