Tagged

So I've been tagged. Here goes...

8 Things I'm passionate about
1. My testimony of Jesus Christ
2. My children
3. My husband (nudge, nudge, wink, wink)
4. Dancing
5. Ice cream
6. The great outdoors
7. Good literature
8. Being a homemaker (don't smirk...I really actually enjoy it on most days)

8 books I have read and enjoyed
click here

8 words or phrases I say often (that I am a mother of 4 is obvious by the end of this list.)
1. Later
2. Come here...COME HERE! ( has anyone seen that "Cosby Show" episode when Cliff says that? hilarious!!!)
3. I LOVE YOU!!!
4. I don't know.
5. That's your last warning.
6. No...Nope...no way...hmmm...no.
7. Get back in bed.
8. Life is good!

8 things I want to do before I die
1. Visit every national park in Utah.
2. Go on a mission with my husband.
3. Sing with a fantastic choir (maybe something like the King's Singers type of stuff)
4. Dance on stage again.
5. Get published.
6. Travel the world.
7. Sit as a family, together, all of us, in the same pew, shoulder to shoulder, in Sacrament meeting for a year (at least!).
8. Learn how to ride a Harley.

8 things I learned this past year
1. I'm happier when I'm dancing.
2. Babies cry a lot more than I remember...
3. but, it's ok for babies to cry...
4. and they're still cute and fun and lovable...right?
5. I'd rather be with my family than anywhere else.
6. God strengthens those who turn to HIM. (OK so I already knew this but its come into a lot clearer focus recently.
7. Camille likes pickles.
8. I need more sleep, now more than ever, because I'm getting OLD!

8 people I want to tag
1. Marjorie Hinckley
2. Mabel Gabbott
3. Emma Smith
4. Ann Cannon (DesNews columnist)
5. Corrie Ten Boom
6. Edward Cullen
7. Shrek
8. David Letterman
I hope that's not being a spoil sport. Sorry, for those of you who were disappointed your name wasn't on my list.

Calling all Housewives

Or housecleaners - if you're the man of the house and you clean it. I need a new mop. The one I've been using for the last 7-8 years is not cutting it anymore. I've changed the head, the floor gets clean, (I think), but I need something better.

Please help me out!!! What do YOU use?

Being a Middling

Birth order. Wikipedia credits Alfred Alder to be "one of the first to suggest that birth order influences personality." I may be a believer, in a general sort of way. There are always exceptions and most things are relative. But generally, he's probably right. I've been thinking about this a lot because of an incident that happened at a family gathering for Camille's birthday. She is #3 of 4. Alfred Alder would define this as "sandwiched in. May feel squeezed out of position of privilege and significance." Jeffrey Kluger, in a TIME magazine article, describes it this way:

"Stuck for life in a center seat, middle children get shortchanged even on family resources. Unlike the firstborn, who spends at least some time as the only-child eldest, and the last-born, who hangs around long enough to become the only-child youngest, middlings are never alone and thus never get 100% of the parents' investment of time and money."

Camille is the truest of middlings. She's three of 4 and the second of 3 girls. You almost can't get more middle than that. Poor thing. I've recently been made aware of just how accurate this description is of my sweet Camille. Her birthday was a week or so ago and this little "middling" of mine was excited to blow out the candles on her birthday cake. Then the birth order dilemma came into focus, big time. Its just heartbreaking to watch.

Needless to say, I stopped filming immediately and relit the candles. Bubbly, happy Camille was back and blew out all the candles by herself. AND she opened all her presents All By Herself! So I'm sort of glad it happened. It brought to my attention a need that is not being met for her. She needs a little more one on one attention, I think. And it is absolutely no sacrifice or added effort to give that to her. In fact, its easy. She is so easy to love. I just need to do more of it! She is one the most amazing little girls I know. One of the top three on the planet, in the universe! She has an infectious smile, brilliant mind, adorable fashion sense, tender heart, beautiful singing voice, strongest hug, endearing yet mischevious sideways glance. There is truly no one quite like her. We all love her to death. So this little middling will not be lost in the chaos or squeezed out. We love her. We're going to keep her and love her and love her and love her. She's ours!!!

How many games can you play with a rock?

Last week Sterling had a work conference at the Grand Targhee resort in Wyoming. So we decided to pack up the family and call it a vacation. Tuesday am we left after breakfast, leaving plenty of time to travel. See, the Browns don't just jump from point A to point B. We enjoy the journey. Our first stop was a picnic lunch overlooking the falls in Idaho Falls in the shadow of the temple. The kids were fascinated by a pelican on the banks of the river. Then we pressed on to Rexburg. There, Sterling led us through the Ricks, excuse me, BYU-Idaho, campus, all the while reminiscing on the good old days. A lot has changed in the last 13 years (16 for me). The new temple is beautiful!!!

The resort was really nice and a fun place to explore. But by far, the highlight was seeing the Bar J Wranglers on their ranch. We'd seen them several other times in concert but this time we were on their turf. The dinner was a fabulous chuckwagon experience, with a lot effort to make it authentic. The concert was wonderful, complete with fiddl'n, yodel'n, bicker'n and of course, a guest appearance by granny! We even got a tractor/train ride. I highly, highly recommend getting tickets to the Bar J Chuckwagon if you're ever in the Jackson Hole area.

So...the dilemma of tagging along on work trips is occupying the time Dad spends in meetings. I was way too outnumbered to attempt swimming. The trails were still wet and muddy from the late spring. The resort was still making the transition between winter and summer, and not everything was up and running. So... the answer to our dilemma..?.. ROCKS!!

• Who can find the biggest rock?
• Who can find the smallest rock?
• Who can throw their rock the farthest?
• Who can throw it the farthest without passing the stick?

And then we checked out of the room but we still had 3 hours until the meetings are over. That's when you set up the laptop with Lion King 1 1/2 (very funnny) in the lobby and entertain your children, in addition to any other children wandering the lobby. When the meetings were over, we headed to Yellowstone. As I close this post, I'll leave you with...

Note to Self:

1. Book a hotel room earlier than 1 hour outside of West Yellowstone. Otherwise there may only be one room available and it will cost somewhere between expensive and way too expensive.
2. Plan for more time. That way, you will probably use your $25 - 7 day pass for more than 7 Hours! But it was a great 7 hours. Hundreds of bison, elk, mule deer, lots of canadian geese, raven, squirrels, etc. Beautiful country, amazing falls at Canyon Village. Ahhh...nature.
3. Bring binnoculars so you can see what everyone else is looking at.
4. Next time, drive the upper loop as well.
5. Next time, hike to upper falls at Canyon village.
6. Next time, bright and early, head out to Hayden Valley to see larger animals.
7. On the way home, bring swimsuits and maybe swim at the city park in Blackfoot, Idaho. Just for fun.

Couldn't get enough snow, I guess. (see Ster, Parker and Millie?)

Entering Yellowstone National Park.

Bison galore! By the end, we were saying, "Oh," disappointment pervading our reaction, "just another buffalo."

Old Faithful...right on time!

My hero...my kids' superhero!

Close encounters, of the animal kind.

My favorite part of the trip. JK

What to read?

Several people have asked me for more recommendations for summer reading. After all, it IS my favorite thing to do. Not just during the summer, but anytime of the year, anytime of the day. So…I’ve created a relatively random list separated into semi-accurate categories. As far as rating the books: Here is the key.

Ending: Was the ending worth it?
Characters: Do I still think about the characters?
Engagement: How easy was it to put the book down? (out of 3, 3 being hard to put it down)
Theme: Was there a moral/societal issue worth exploring?
Rating: Overall rating? (out of 5, 5 being the high score)

And just to qualify some of my ratings, sometimes the theme is stronger than the characters, or the ending is better than the character development or even the plot. Sometimes the characters out-weigh all. So take it for what its worth. I love all these books and would read them all again this summer if I didn’t have so many other books on my list yet to read.

Young/adolescent

Candy Shop Wars by Brandon Mull –

Ending: yes
Characters: sometimes
Engagement: 1
Theme: nothing major
Rating: 3
Ruby Holler by Sharon Creech
Ending: yes
Characters: yes
Engagement: 2
Theme: yes
Rating: 4
The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
Ending: yes
Characters: yes
Engagement: 2
Theme: absolutely, so many levels
Rating: 5

Women/coming of age

These Is My Words by Nancy Turner
Ending: yes
Characters: yes
Engagement: 3
Theme: yes
Rating: 5
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Kidd
Ending: yes
Characters: yes
Engagement: 3
Theme: yes
Rating: 5
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
Ending: ended too soon, in a good way. I just wanted more, more, more
Characters: absolutely
Engagement: 3
Theme: yes
Rating: 5

Adventure/sci-fi

Life of Pi by Yann Martel
Ending: great for a discussion
Characters: not really
Engagement: 2
Theme: sort of, sure
Rating: 4
The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer
Ending: yes
Characters: not really
Engagement: 2
Theme: yes, great discussion
Rating: 5
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
Ending: yes
Characters: no
Engagement: 2
Theme: everyone should be thinking about this
Rating: 5
Pope Joan by Donna Cross
Ending: yes
Characters: yes
Engagement: 3
Theme: yes
Rating: 5 – this book really has it all.

Classic

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Ending: yes
Characters: yes
Engagement: 3
Theme: yes
Rating: 5 – it just doesn’t get better than this. It really doesn’t.
Oedipus the King by sophocles
Ending: yes
Characters: yes
Engagement: 1 – its challenging to read Greek theater prose, it just is.
Theme: yes, yes, and yes
Rating: 5

Series

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
Ending: sort of, but its not over yet
Characters: yes
Engagement: 3
Theme: love story
Rating: 4
Books: Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, Breaking Dawn
Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander
Ending: yes
Characters: no
Engagement: 2
Theme: yes
Rating: 4
Books: The Book of Three, The Black Cauldron, The Castle of Llyr, Taran Wanderer, The High King
Women of Genesis by Orson Scott Card
Ending: not really – I want to read about the 12 tribes
Characters: yes
Engagement: 2
Theme: yes
Rating: 4
Books: Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel and Leah

Feel free to share any of your good reads in the comments. We would all benefit! Happy Reading!!!!

A reason to exercise

Its hard for me to exercise. With four kids, its just hard.

I could get up early...before my husband goes to work.
But I'm just so tired. Rachel wakes up most nights and because we've decided to take away the pacifier, she cries and cries and cries and cries.
So getting up early doesn't work (for now).

I could do videos at home.
But mostly I just have Denise Austen and she really bothers me. And invariably, when I put the video in, the children start to fight or get into trouble in the kitchen cabinets. That does get my heart-rate up but only because I get so frustrated.
So that just doesn't work for me.

I could load up two kids on their bikes and the other two in the double stroller and go for a walk.
But its difficult to juggle naps, feedings, friends, weather, household chores and other activities.
So going for a walk doesn't always work because of the broad coordination it takes. I'm just not that dedicated or talented or motivated.

I could get a membership at a gym and force myself out of bed to go.
But the nursing, not-sleeping baby thing prevents that to some degree. Plus, it costs money and I'm just not into spending money much these days.
So a membership to the gym will not be happening anytime soon.

HOWEVER!!! If I could watch some of this (see below) while at the gym, I think I could drag my lazy behind there most mornings. Better yet, if I could BE a part of this routine...I would be at the gym every morning, ready to go and excited to be there! But for now, I sit at the computer and push replay.

Anyone want to put a routine together?

Happy Fathers Day

While most of the adults were inside the house, having dinner, Sterling was outside with the kids. This is typical for him. He'd rather be with the children he loves most dearly, especially on Father's Day. That's the point, isn't it? He continually does small and simple things to help me realign my course so I stay headed in the right direction. Thanks honey.


On a more humorous note:
Because I posted a tribute to Mothers (although belatedly) on Mothers Day. I felt it only fair to post this tribute to Fathers. Enjoy.

Wandering Minister

I admire a lot of things about my husband. He is a great father, wonderful husband and good friend. For about 8 months now, we have embarked on a new phase of life for us. Our family is learning to share our father as he broadens his responsibility as father of the ward. Having a bishop as a husband, husband who is a bishop, is a unique experience and has changed our lives and relationship in so many ways. I have discovered so many new things to admire about him.
One of his attributes that makes him such a great servant of the Lord is that he is very close to the whisperings of the Spirit. He always has been but is even more so now. Its interesting that when we were sitting in the Stake President's office and Sterling was extended the call to serve, he broke down. He was brought to the deepest levels of humility and self-doubt. I've never seen him so weak, humble and almost helpless in my life. And then, before my eyes, I saw him lifted and strengthened, through the Spirit, to a state of confidence and almost enthusiasm to fill this call. It was really a beautiful and touching experience for me to see Sterling lifted and strengthened, not by his own strength or will, but by the strength and will of his Father. And that strength has not left him.
He is still close to the Spirit and lets it guide him as he serves as Bishop. Often times on a night we have previously scheduled as his night for Bishop "stuff", he'll say, "I'm going to take a walk." And he'll leave the house, without purse or script. Without direction or agenda. Not knowing before hand the things that he should do. He wanders and fully expects, almost demands, the Spirit to direct him where he should go. It is a beautiful thing.
So on this Father's Day, while the Bishop is still in his office, or perhaps wandering the neighborhood on his way home, I wish my dear husband the happiest of Father's Days. He deserves it, twice over.

Favorite Summer Read

There is one book that stands out above others as my favorite summertime read. Harry Potter? No. Twilight? No. Don't misunderstand. I love those books and am waiting with bated breath for "Breaking Dawn." But my summer fave is "The Count of Monte Cristo." I love the depth of the passion found in both the charity and forgivness and the revenge. I love the frailty of human nature and the weakness of character, even in noble and honorable men. I am sorrowed at the betrayal, the lost love and the hardships thrown upon the characters. I am impressed and delighted by the discovery of knowledge and intelligence in the lowliest of places. I am captivated by the pursuit of revenge and judgment over love and mercy. I was swept away by the passion, vigor, love and hate of this novel and say to anyone looking for a summer read...read "The Count of Monte Cristo." (Abriged version recommended.)

Please indulge me in sharing two favorite excerpts.

(When Dantes first sees the isand, Monte Cristo)
"At seven o'cock the next evening all was ready, at ten minutes past seven they rounded the lighthouse just as the beacon was kindled. The sea was calm with a fresh wind blowing from the south-east; they sailed under a sky of azure where God was also lighting up his lanterns, each one of which is a world."


Having repaid, in kind, those who had treated him kindly, Dante prepares to repay those by whom he has not been treated well.
""Now, farewell to kindness, humanity, gratitude," said he. "Farewell to all the sentiments which rejoice the heart. I have played the part of Providence in recompensing the good, may the god of vengeance now permit me to punish the wicked!" Muttering these words, he made a sign, and the yacht immediately put out to sea."

And then again, the movie is pretty great. But the book is better. Let me refer you once again to the excerpts provided above. :)

The Last Load

We built the house we currently live in. Well, WE didn't. More specifically, I didn't. I was 8 1/2 months pregnant when Salisbury Homes built it. Its a nice home, we rather enjoy it. But going back 5 years, we were left with a mountain of dirt in the backyard, literally. The home is built up against a hill/mountain that crests about as high as our home. The "yard" extended level, with a gradual grade away from the home for 10 feet. THEN it sharply inclined to roof top level.

This was a problem for us because we wanted one big flat yard, you know, to throw a ball around, get a real good game of something going on. And so began the "backyard project" or the "Great Wall of Sterling" as some have called it. First up, Sterling rented a dumptruck and backhoe and began hauling dirt out. After 100 or so dumptruck loads, huge rocks began to surface, which required jack-hammers and when those didn't help, air compressor hammer things.

Soon enough, we had the dirt out and began constructing a monumental retaining wall. But we now needed more dirt to back fill the retaining wall and fill in garden areas. And so began the years of 8-9 pallets of Lehi block pallets on the driveway, several 8-ton dumptruck loads of dirt and 8-ton dumptruck loads of pea-gravel. This lasted 4 years, every summer!!!

Long story short...Sterling cleared off the last dumptruck load on Saturday (June 7th). Let the day go down in history. He swears that was the last. Dusty, our dumptruck friend, thank you for your years of service but I sincerely hope we never talk to you again.

(The following pictures were taken July 2007)

Here are Sterling's words on this momentous occassion.

Here are the retired wheelbarrow and shovel.

Watch out Betty Crocker

So it all began with a walk. We were on our way home and the girls ran ahead. I'm trailing behind with 2-5 year olds, a 2 year old and the baby. By the time I get the younger crew home, out of the stroller and into the house, I found that the kitchen had been transformed into a testing kitchen with a full-on taste-test experiment taking place. Whoa!!!

We are talking 3 pitchers, sugar, sugar and sugar, kool-aid galore and that was only the beginning. Kool-aid is too easy for these budding chefs. There were bananas-mushed, cut and whole. Chocolate syrup, chocolate chips, even the gallon of milk made a showing. Oh, and did I mention sugar?

They were having the greatest time, so what is a mother to do? Jump in and fully support the chaos. Why not? After all the ingredients had been added and stirred (not shaken) we conducted the taste test. First, the girls themselves, then the hesitant accomplice (the mom). But it didn't stop there. A few neighbors were involved as well.

And the verdict? FUN, FUN, FUN.

Stinky Sock

Rachel is well loved by all her siblings. Who could not love this adorable little girl? I mean, come on, really...? However, Parker seems to have a special place in Rachel's heart already. Who doesn't have a special place in their heart for Parker? I mean, come on, really...?

So...Rachel's sisters are a little less attentive than Parker is. She's too young to play Polly Pocket or Littlest Pets with. She doesn't have any hair to fix. And getting involved in changing dirty diapers is out of the question. They just don't interact or play with her much, at least not as much as Parker does. Parker loves to play with her. He can get Rachel laughing like no one else. In fact, he made up a song for her that she really, truly seems to enjoy.

So recline your chair, close your eyes, go to your "happy place" in your head and enjoy Parker's rendition of "Stinky Sock."