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. 

❤❤❤

 Yesterday, as I was reflecting on the past week, I couldn't help but remember Sister Emily Belle Freeman's talk in conference about Best days and Worst days. 

 - Monday was a Best day.  I worked at Liberty until about 1 PM, and Dad continued coordinating between the two mortuaries to finalize plans for Shannon's transfer to Salt Lake and the graveside service program. Monday night, we had our family home evening dinner group and served sub sandwiches with lots of meat and vegetables. I made a potato salad, and other than prepping the veggies, meat, and cheese, we had a really nice time visiting with good friends.  

- Tuesday was another Best day. I worked at Liberty in the morning, came home and worked some around the house, and then drove up to Lewis-Palmer HS for Lily's soccer game.  She is a powerhouse of energy! When we got there, the game was tied, but by the end, they won by 2 points. Such a fun game, and then on the way home, we met Paul at In-N-Out for a hamburger.  

- Wednesday, I worked in the office and got my desk cleaned off (a major project), and took Sendai for a good walk. Sammi had a long lunch, so she came over and took a good nap. My friend Melanie called and wanted to come over to talk about the Pathways Program.  She had a lot of questions, so we spent a couple of hours going through the website, and just as she was leaving, the missionaries came to give us a short message. 

After they left, I made some cookies for Dad and I to take across the street to our new neighbors and over to Donna. I count this as a Best day - getting to help others, and savoring a chocolate chip cookie!

- I also decided to stay home on Thursday, so we could get Sendai to the beauty shop.  It was another Best day!  I leaned down a couple of days earlier to give her a hug, and she was smelly! 😬  By the time she's done with the groomer, her coat is white again, and she smells so good. Sadly, it doesn't take her too long to go outside and lounge among her favorite rocks, sticks, and dirt - 

- Friday was a Best/Worst day. I went to work in the morning, and after I got there, I wasn't feeling very well.  Then one of the counselors asked if I could do an Ad Hoc report for her (that made it a very Worst day). By the time I figured out the correct filters, printed it, and then sent it to her, it was time to go home. So, I basically only got one thing done that morning.  The Best part of the day was when Samantha called and asked if I wanted to go to The Shops at Briargate with her.  Thank you, Sammi, you were the bright point in my day!  

- Saturday was definitely a Worst day! I stayed in bed most of the day with an upset stomach, finally got up about 2 PM, watched a little TV, and then went back to bed.  Dad took really good care of me, Sendai, and the house.  And he gave me a blessing, so I felt much better today. 

One thing I learned this week is that our Best days will never be perfect, and in our Worst days, we can always rely on Heavenly Father for comfort and strength. He is always there for us!

 

Hollie went to her prom this past week and had a fabulous time.  I am so happy she is doing all of those fun "Senior" things and enjoying these last few weeks of high school.  

 She is still working at Dairy Queen (there is nothing better than a Blizzard) and deciding on what will come next for her.  

She will also be celebrating her 18th birthday on Thursday!

  HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HOLLIE!

 Ben will hopefully be getting baptized towards the end of May. At the beginning of the school year, when we picked him up from the bus stop a couple of times, he hopped off the bus with his miniature Book of Mormon in his hands.  He still loves to read his scriptures at night, and Angellla sent me this cute video of him - I think he does a great job ❤

Sayre has kept Kate and Jonathan on their toes this week - He scored 7 goals in his soccer game yesterday (Kate made these cute soccer cards for him), he lost a tooth, and he created a video to tell us the best way to blow your nose 😂

Our handsome missionary, Paul

We are so excited for him!  He starts home MTC around the 1st of August, and then enters the Provo MTC on August 12th (my dates may not be completely accurate, but they're close 😊) 

He will be such a blessing to so many people!

 AND look what's getting ready to happen!!! The groundbreaking for the Colorado Springs Temple hasn't been announced yet, but it looks to me like the equipment is waiting to hear, "on your mark, get set, GO"! 

It will be so wonderful to have a Temple close to home ❤

Dad and I hope you have a wonderful week! We think of you every day. You are in our prayers, and hope you are finding joy in the small things, in who you are, and with your family. 

    Just for fun, start your week with this short clip from I Love Lucy 😁

      I love Lucy  

  As I think you all know by now, Shannon passed away this past Monday, late afternoon. She had been released from the hospital on Saturday and moved to Pikes Peak Hospice and Palliative Care. The facility is new and beautiful, and quiet, and very peaceful.  Dad and I spent some time with her on Sunday before Church and I am so grateful we took the opportunity to do that.  She was non-responsive, and her body was already slowly starting to shut down.  It is a bittersweet experience - knowing that her time on the earth was coming to an end, but thankful that she could be released from circumstances that left her unable to speak, to think clearly, and from the pain she was experiencing.  Through all of the challenges she faced in her life, I can say that in these last couple of very hard years, she could always smile.  I have often heard others comment that they don't understand why God would extend the lives of people with Alzheimers or Dementia - but I think it is not so much for them, but for the families and caregivers.  Dad and I would both say that watching over Shannon for the last few years taught us how important it is to overlook the flaws of the past (we all have), and learn to see others as the Savior does. 

This week, in Primary we are learning about the bitter and the sweet.  After Moses and the Israelites crossed through the Red Sea they wandered in the wilderness for three days without water. When they finally found a river, the water was bitter, but Moses prayed to the Lord, and He turned the bitter into sweet. I think of all of the times in our lives when we have experienced the bitter - sadness, disappointment, frustration - but in looking back we can see what we learned, how those times helped us become better and stronger, and most importantly, how they brought us closer to our Savior.  I loved this short video clip (3 minutes) from President Christofferson included in our lesson. Wherever you are in your life right now, please take this short time to watch it ❤

FAMILY NEWS 😃

  Our first graduate of the year!!! Congratulations to Kim on earning her bachelor's degree.  We are so happy for you 🎓🎉🌟

 Kate was able to drive to Chicago last week (I'm so jealous) and spent the weekend taking Blythe's Senior/Graduation photos, and shopping and "crafting" with Kim. 

WATCH OUT WORLD!!!

Our next family graduates, in just 5 short weeks, are;

Blythe (May 17th)                                    

Paul (May 21st)

Hollie (May 23rd)

I am so excited for their next adventures, and they are too!  

Samantha has decided to join Max and Amelia in Provo and is hoping to find a job in a dentist office. 

 She currently works at Kids Rock Dentistry and loves her job - she is so great with kids - so she is hoping to find something similar in Utah 

(I love it when she wears her Bluey scrubs 😀)

 Chris had to go to London this week for work meetings, and Blythe decided to join him for the last few days he is theres.  

 

            

I think Kim said there might be some kind of shopping involved . . . 😄

 Recently, Jonathan had a faculty trombone recital.  One of the last times I was there visiting, we went to one of his performances and it was wonderful.  I am sad I missed this one!

 Sayre just started another season of soccer and by the looks of it, this week's game was a cold one!

Kate said he absolutely loves the game and has built up a lot of muscle over the past year.  ⚽

 Lily has also done really well this season, and I think Adam has really enjoyed coaching her team. Adam said it is amazing how much more stamina, endurance, and strength she has - tiny, but not timid!

California news ~ 🚢🌴🌸

Jenny recently put Francie and Ray's home on the market and she said they received a cash offer for the asking price within days.  I am so happy she doesn't have to worry about that now. She, and I think Matt and Karnette have spent hours sorting, cleaning, and moving furniture.  Yesterday she had an estate sale and the new owners will be doing a final walk-through later this week.  I talked with her this afternoon and she said she found 2 shoeboxes full of letters her Mom and Dad had written to each other when Francie first went away to college.  What sweet remembrances to have!  She sent some photos she found - 

            

This is a photo that was taken when I was pregant with Kate and the Air Force sent us From Okinawa to Oakland for testing.  

This is a photo of Francie and Jenny said the baby was me, but I think it looks more like Mike 😁

Amy get home from BYU on Friday! YAY!!!

Jenny also said she is getting a passport - doesn't have a plan yet, maybe a cruise, BUT every girl needs a passport 😎

   YOU GO GIRL!!!

SUNDAY SELFIES ~

  THANKS! I love getting Sunday Selfies ❤

This past week has been a busy one for us.  I think Dad spent the majority of his days on the phone with mortuaries - both here and in Salt Lake, the tile guys, the sprinkler guys, and Pathway calls. I worked at Liberty three mornings, and visited with Helma's daughter Donna a couple of times.  Yesterday, we took the day off from phone calls and visits, and while I got a manicure, Dad got a pedicure. Pure Heaven!  Then we walked over to a nearby Greek sandwich shop and got a Jyro😋
We've had a really nice Sunday.  My teaching partner was gone today, so Dad helped me with my amazing Primary class and we always have a fun time teaching together.  This coming week looks like it might be a little slower so I am hoping to get some yard work done and finish putting the books in the bookshelves downstairs. 

I hope you all have a wonderful week, and please, please send me some photos of your cute faces!