I hope that everyone has had a wonderful Sunday!  Ours was so, so nice, starting with a short morning nap 😁, and then we met Adam and Cory at the Lexington building as Paul was ordained an elder.  Such a special experience for everyone - he is so amazing.

I can't believe that I have missed two Sundays without posting to the Blog. Two weeks ago, we were in Chicago for Blythe's graduation, and last week we went to Adam and Cory's for dinner. By the time we got home, I was tired and couldn't bring myself to do anything but crawl into bed. 

 🎓 CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CLASS OF 2026!

        

                                                                                                     

These kids just seem to keep moving up and moving on. One thing is for sure - along the way, they will be doing great things!  So proud of Blythe, Paul, and Hollie ~

We were able to have lunch with Hollie and family at Texas. Roadhouse

 

Paul was a graduation speaker and did such a good job. If anyone happened to be sleeping, they weren't after Paul got done 😊

ALSO STRIKING OUT ON HER OWN . . . 

 Samantha made the big decision and made a move to Utah.  Adam drove over with her, and they stayed with Zach while Sammi was apartment hunting.  She found a place and got moved in last weekend.  Yay, Sammi!!! I hope you love Provo as much as I did ❤. 

She's looking for a job, and planning to go to into UVU 's dental hygiene program once she's feeling more settled.  (love the bangs, Sammi

KATE, JONATHAN, AND SAYRE are enjoying the beginning of their Iowa Summer.  Kate and Sayre went to Jonathan's concert last night - and evening outside with hot dogs, snow cones, and music -What could be better???

OUR CHICAGO ADVENTURE - We had a fun time during our short stay in Chicago. I actually got to spend a lot of time outside just relaxing (when I wasn't trying to post Facebook ads 👎 

It was so fun to see Spencer and Grant. Spencer slipped away before I got to say goodbye, but Chris sent me this photo the other day, when they met downtown for lunch.

 Oh, and Blythe - She gave me an in-depth makeup lesson along with best brands advice - talk about a professional marketer!  She really would be the best lawyer - she could make a jury believe anything 😳

Kim is on her last week of school, and just completed this t-shirt quilt for her principal - 

 I haven't been brave enough to tackle one of those, but she did a great job.

WAY TO GO, KIM!

MAX AND AMELIA  are counting down the hours until their

BIG day!  Last week they went with Amelia's brothers and sister to Arches National Park,  

Last week they went with Amelia's brothers and sister to Arches National Park

I HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEK!  THANKS SO MUCH FOR ALL OF THE PHOTOS YOU SENT - KEEP THEM COMING!

Today, when I was leaving church, I saw this poster on one of the bulletin boards - 

  I love Elder Kearon and that he reminds us that we should all be joyful, for we have so many blessings!

If you are not feeling joy in your life - maybe ponder on the reason, and then ask Heavenly Father to help you find joy.  

  YOU ALL ARE MY GREATEST JOY!

        LOVE YOU! ❤

 HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO SOME OF MY VERY FAVORITE "MOMS"!

 I have watched you over the years - laughing with your children, laughing at your children, crying over their mistakes, praying for them, sacrificing for them, teaching them, playing with them, and especially loving them. You have all been such a wonderful example to me and have blessed our family with your strengths, perseverance, and faith.  Thank you so much for 13 beautiful grandchildren!!

WE LOVE YOU ❤

From BEN - We got to see Ben tonight, and he has sure grown taller. Angella shared his Mother's Day Project with me.  I always love these, especially from 2nd graders.😂

This has been another busy week for us.  I am still helping out at Liberty three times a week.  Our seniors graduate on Tuesday, and the last day for the other students is May 21st.  It has come so quickly, but I don't think anyone is complaining.

I am back in school this week, and hoping I can manage two classes - Social Innovation, and Digital Media.  I was really busy yesterday trying to complete all of the assignments for the Digital Media class.  It would be much easier if I knew more about digital media and marketing, but hopefully I'll learn.

Adam and Cory came over yesterday morning, and Adam helped Dad put the new toilet in the downstairs bathroom. The flooring guys came on Friday and put in the new floor.  It looks so nice - just need to get everything put back in place, and we should be done.  

They stopped at Sam's Club on the way home, and Adam called Dad to say they had a really nice outdoor furniture set on display. He sent some photos of it, and Dad thought it was a good idea, so he bought it, and Cory picked it up with their trailer. When they were done with the soccer games, they brought the kids, and everyone chipped in and put it together for us.  

Thank you, Adam, Cory, Paul, Lily, and Jake!!!❤

While they were here, JAKE found some time to make an obstacle course where he could tempt fate on his rollerblades. He got creative and used some of the packing materials from the table and chairs. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO PAUL!

PAUL will be celebrating his 18th birthday on Tuesday!  He is an amazing young man and can always make me smile.  He has a summer filled with a family trip to the Lake of the Ozarks and some camping trips with friends.  We love you so much, Paul!!!❤

SAYRE is still in charge on the soccer field!  Yesterday, he scored a goal and had 2 assists.

Way to go, Sayre!

MAX and AMELIA

  Max and Amelia had a great time visiting friends from his mission last week, including a date to Disneyland.  I love this picture because I can clearly remember when he was little and we took all of the kids to Santa's Workshop for Grammie Camp.  We talked him into going on the small roller coaster (I mean really small), and he just looked up and told me, "This is going to be the worst mistake of my life."  

I guess love conquers all fear! ❤

Thank you, KATE, for the Sunday Selfie!

                                                                                               Thank you, KEVIN, for the beautiful flowers

Thank you to everyone of you, who called, texted, or stopped by the house over the last two days. 

I love you all so much; there aren't enough words to express it ❤ 

Have a safe and happy week !

 HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO HOLLIE!

This cutie turned 18 on Thursday, April 30th.  I am sorry we were out of town and missed our annual birthday dinner, but I think she might have gotten a better "deal" at Texas Roadhouse!

 Hollie is amazing - she's fun, adventurous, a great sister, generous, kind, and beautiful - all rolled into one.  Her high school graduation is in just a couple of weeks, and she is so ready to be moving on.  

AND . . . she got her driver's license this week.  You Go Girl!!!    

    SHANNON'S SERVICE

 Dad and I left last Wednesday for Shannon's graveside service in Salt Lake. We were there for such a short time, but the weather was perfect every day.  Thursday, we caught up on some much-needed rest - I spent the majority of the day outside with my book.  Ruthie worked in the Temple Thursday evening, so Dad, Ken, and I went to dinner at a little Asian bistro.  We got home just in time to welcome Kim, Chris, and Max. It was so nice to visit and catch up (face-to-face, in person, not just by phone). 

Dad did a wonderful job conducting the service and sharing his thoughts in the eulogy.  

 All of the Brown cousins were able to come, including Kathleen, and Amy (Beth's daughters), as well as Sis and two of her daughters, three good friends of Shannon from her younger years, and Ruthie and Ken.  After the service, we all went to Crown Burger, where they had set aside a table for us to sit and visit. I think the last time we had seen them was when Liggett passed away, and that was over 10 years ago.  It was a good reminder that we should make the effort to get together more often - not just at funerals.  

FRIDAY EVENING    

Ruthie really wanted to go out to dinner Friday night, but Kim, Chris, and Max were heading out to California and needed to be at the Provo Airport by 7ish - so she made a reservation for us at the Brick Oven.  Max brought Amelia so she could meet Zach and Heather, and Ruthie and Ken.  Oh, and maybe I should also say that Dad was in just a little bit of heaven because Ken drove us down in his fancy schmancy Porsche. We let the boys sit in front, and Ruthie and I had a great time visiting in the back seat.  It was a fun evening, but a long day.  When we got back to Ruthie's, Ken lit the fire pit for me, and I sat outside and read my book for a while. Then Ruthie came out and said Ken had the massage chair warmed up, so I took my book downstairs and read a couple more chapters while getting a massage.  

After a couple of long delays yesterday, we finally got home last night, tired, but grateful for time with family and safe travels.  

THANK YOU to Sammi and Paul, who looked after Sendai

and . . . THANK YOU to Eilis, who stopped by yesterday on her way to work and gave Sendai her dinner.  You know she was happy about that! 🐶

CALIFORNIA BOUND

Kim, Chris, Max, and Amelia were able to get a flight out of Provo to California, where Max had tickets to the Open House for the new Yorba Linda Temple. Kim said it is beautiful, and they used orange blossoms in the stained glass throughout the Temple. T

They were also able to attend church, where Max was surrounded by the Vietnamese members from his mission.

IOWA NEWS 

It's a busy time in Iowa for Kate and Jonathan. They are both busy with end-of-year school "stuff", teaching, grading, recitals, and graduation ceremonies where Jonathan plays. Last week, Jonathan traveled to Southern Illinois University, where he did a masterclass and a recital. 

 (pictured here with his friend, Jessi, a trombone professor there, and his podcast partner when she was at the University of Iowa). 

 Also - Sayre scored a couple of goals in his soccer game on Saturday!

   

COLORADO NEWS 

Lily scored three goals and had two assists in her last soccer game, and Jake's team won this past Saturday with a score of 3 to 1.  

SAM'S CLUB did not let me down this week!  I stopped by to pick up a couple of things, and #1. they had gardenia bushes for sale. I cleaned up one of the plants for them, pinching off a blossom that was beginning to turn brown. Our car smelled so good, and my kitchen smelled like "California summer nights and outdoor weddings" all week 😃, #2. they have Salsa Conqueso back in stock.  

It is soooo good - low fat, low carbs, and great for a non-sugar snack.  Kim introduced me to it last summer, but I guess it's seasonal because they haven't had it for quite a while.

FINALLY - 

One of my favorite pics from this week is of Ken feasting on the Garretts' popcorn that Kim brought him from Chicago (it was for Ruthie too, but I don't think she got much).  

 

 I couldn't help but reflect on our family, how much we need each other, the great love and strong ties we share, the fun we have when we are together, and how thankful I am that families are eternal.  

 It is easy to get caught up in our busy lives and let time get away from us when we don't make contact with those who mean the most to us, and who have often had an impact on our lives that has helped shape who we have become.  I wish I had spent more time with my sisters and with Mike.  My new goal is not to let time slip away and not to have made contact with my siblings - either with a visit or a phone call.  

This past week, we made some wonderful family memories, and I think that should always be our focus. It is often the sweet family memories we have that help us survive the hard times. 

❤❤❤