Caught In The Middle

Last night I fell asleep comfortably in my huge king-sized bed, with my down comforter nestled around me, while laying my head on my over-sized feather pillows. Yes, life was bliss. It has been a rare occurrence for me to be sleeping alone. For the past two and a half years, my bed has occupied many children at night. Only until recently, did I insist that unless you have special needs during the night, (sick, bad dreams, etc.) you must sleep in your own bed.

I was unaware that last night was a “special needs” night. I woke up smashed in between my two youngest kids. I felt like the vanilla crème in a sandwich cookie, being squished out of it's place.

I continued my quest for sleep only to be woken again with a sharp elbow to my neck, feeling like a massage gone bad. As I drifted off again, I was awoken to a slap of a hand in my face, like a bug experiencing death on a car windshield…...splat. My claustrophobic tendencies surfaced, as I found no way to have one foot out of the covers, and felt caught in the middle of a battle field.

Yes my blissful nights’ sleep, ended up being anything but euphoric.

Harp Ensemble - 2011-

Multiple Harps perform works such as: Mission: Impossible, Jupiter's Theme, Chopsticks, Canon in D and many more! 13 harps with over 2 dozen more to perform. All works arranged by teacher and harpist Julie Gaisford Keyes.

A Picture Is Worth 1,000 Words.....

......given to me for Christmas by my sweet widow friend.

Matthew 11:28 "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

Thirsty?

.......not any more!

Region

Mike was cleared to play basketball, (from his 3X sprained ankle) for the Salem Hills game on January 4th. He was excited to be back, and came out to play. He is playing really well, and is fun to watch. Salem Hills was the last preseason game of the year. We have now played Tooele, East, and Highland in Region and have had all wins for both Sophomore and JV games.

Tomorrow's game is the big Bountiful rivalry....Bountiful at Woodscross. Most of the Woodscross team consists of his former team mates from the Rebels team. It should be a GREAT game. Unfortunately, Mike is really sick with an upper respiratory infection, and most likely won't play.

Highland JV Game

East JV Game

Tooele JV Game

Tooele Sophmore Game (18 points for Mike)

Salem JV Game
Salem Sophomore Game

Bride Wars

We have been keeping a little secret around our house for quite some time now. We have known that Sarah and Jordan were going to get married, but were unable to let others know.

The Monday after Christmas, Sarah decided she wanted to work on wedding plans. So....that morning Sarah, Katelyn, Lizzy, and I went to search for the perfect wedding dress. We started at the same bridal store where Meagan had found her dress.

The girl's and I went through racks, and racks of dresses, pulling our favorites. Once we gathered all our favorites, Sarah began modeling them for us. They were all beautiful on her! The sales assistant quickly determined her style, excused herself briefly, and came back with a dress for Sarah to try on. Sarah looked absolutely stunning! It was the perfect dress, and was purchased that day.

On the way back from dress shopping we decided to call the Joseph Smith Memorial Building to secure the room where she wanted the reception. Sarah had gone on-line, participated in a virtual tour, and decided upon the Wasatch Room. When we called, they told us that the date she wanted was already taken. Feeling an urgency to secure a date, we went directly to the JSMB. Once there, they explained that Friday the 13th or May 6th was available. Sarah went back and forth on the dates, but finally decided on May 6th.

The day finally came when Jordan and Sarah were going to get engaged. Jordan had met with me to ask for her hand in marriage. Of course, I said YES! He told me that he had the ring and was going to propose to her on New Year's Day.

The morning of New Year's Day Jordan called me and said there was a little problem. He couldn't get reservations for the Roof Restaurant until Monday night, and Sarah was leaving on Monday for Provo. She was planning to move into her new apartment that day, and was also scheduled to work until 7:00. Every excuse he used to get her to come home was not working. He asked for my suggestions. I told him I would think about it and get back with him.

I know Sarah VERY well, and I knew that we could not get her home unless we disrupted something that she was passionate about.

The movie Bride Wars came to my mind. It is a movie about two best friends that become rivals when they schedule their weddings on the same day, at the same place. I remembered how passionate Sarah was about having her wedding reception in the Wasatch room, at the JSMB, on the 6th since the 14th was taken. She had considered both the 6th and the 13th, but settled on the 6th.

I called Jordan and told him of my plan. He agreed, so we began the process.

That morning I told Sarah that the wedding planner at JSMB had called late yesterday afternoon, and had asked if we were still planning on the reception on May 13th. I told her we had secured the 6th, and she said that another bride had come in and booked that day. She must have been confused about the date we wanted. I told Sarah I didn't want to ruin New Years Eve for her, since I thought she might get engaged, so I didn't tell her, until this morning.

I then proceeded to tell her that since there seemed to be a scheduling problem, that the bride, the bride's mother and the host, had scheduled a meeting for Monday at 6:00 p.m. for all of us to attend.

Sarah, became outraged! It was a LONG weekend. Sunday night, when Sarah was almost in tears about the meeting, I nearly conceded.

On Monday, she went to work in Provo. In the meantime, Jordan called the JSMB and asked if he could use the Wasatch Room (where the reception was booked) to proposed to Sarah. At 5:00, Jordan, Cailey and I went to the JSMB to prepare. Sweet Cailey assistanted with wardrobe changes, and photography. Jordan looked so handsome in his suit, with 2 dozen red roses, and of course the BEAUTIFUL ring.

I told Sarah to meet me in the lobby. When she arrived we took the elevator to the 10th floor. She was complaining the whole way about this dumb bride, and how she was not going to let her get her way. Once off the elevator, we turned the corner to enter the Wasatch Room. The doors were closed, Sarah was nervous and asked me to enter first. She was directly behind me, wishing this meeting was over. What a surprise! She was so shocked!

Jordan had a chair for her and got down on his knee and asked her to marry him. She melted! She quickly went from bridezilla, to a sweet bride to be in a matter of seconds. I was so lucky to be able to witness such a tender moment.

After a quick wardrobe change, Sarah and Jordan had a lovely dinner at the Roof.

Christmas 2010

I make the kids wait until 8:00 to go downstairs to see what Santa brought. Santa always pull through with the perfect gifts for each child.

After all the gifts are opened we begin preparing for the fabulous brunch. Grandma Brown usually cooks the ableskibers, but she was running a little late, so I cooked them myself. Our company consists of our family, the Fulks', and Grandma and Grandpa Brown.

When brunch is finished, and our appetites are satisfied, we get out our favorite Christmas toys to play.

Christmas Eve - 2010

Before we started our Christmas Eve celebrations we went to the cemetery. This is our third Christmas without Steve. It is still a difficult time, but I have to be strong for my kids. They want Christmas to be a happy time.

I love the traditions of Christmas. Every Christmas Eve we spend time at both sides of the family. We start with a party with my family, at my brother Scott's house, and move on to the Brown side. At the Brown's we dance around the Christmas tree (a Danish tradition) singing Christmas carols and a Danish song, we eat, and open gifts.

This year I didn't make sentimental gifts. My kids insisted that I don't make anyone cry this year. I'm not sure how I felt about that, but I acquiesced.

The Bad Mom

This year I didn't make gingerbread houses with my kids. I did buy one gingerbread house kit at Wallmart for some unknown reason. Lizzy found my subconscious purchase, and wanting to continue in tradition, or maybe just needed a project, she made the gingerbread house. I was no where to be found to assist with her adventure. As you can see, things didn't work out so well.

Candy Making

This year I expanded my candy making skills to include carmels, fudge, and dipped pretzels. I must say, all my candy turned out delish. Maybe a little too good. I think my new years resolution is going to be to cut down on my calorie in-take. So, to sum it all up I made mints (with my sister-in-laws); carmel-chocolate-pretzels; fudge; carmels; and white chocolate pretzels. Yum!

First Game of The Season

The Bountiful Braves played against the Provo Bulldogs in a very exciting preseason game. The score was tied at 34, with 15 seconds left in the game. Bountiful turned over the ball, giving the ball to Provo. With 5 seconds left in the game, Bountiful fouled Provo, who made their shots and won the game. Such a sad loss!

After the first game of the season, Mike sprained his ankle in practice. We thought it was healed, when he sprained it again (in practice). After the third sprain (in practice), it was off to the doctors who put him in a brace and sent him to physical therapy. The doctor's released him to play after Christmas. It's been a frustrating start of the season for Mike.