Sammie's Baptism Day

Sammie got baptized yesterday.  Two of my siblings flew in from out of town to be there to support Sammie.  It meant a lot to me to have my whole family there.  It was also nice to have Sam and his family join us.  My amazing neighbor Doug got my yard ready (including pulling weeds and cleaning out my nasty garage.  Seriously!)   My sis-in-law Annette took these awesome photos.  Prepare yourself for picture overload.

Practicing Our Way Back

Last night, we had our Relief Society Birthday Celebration.  (a.k.a. Enrichment, a.k.a. Homemaking.) This was the extent of my amazing decor:

I was in charge and had a great committee to help me:

I think it turned out nice.  My motto is "do nothing until the last minute."  No.  Just kidding.  My real motto is "Make sure the food is good and don't worry about decorating."  We had soup, salad, and Fazoli's bread sticks and ladies in the ward shared temple experiences. 

As I came home last night and fell into bed, I remembered back to twenty years ago when I was 16 years old.  The Relief Society in my ward was doing a fashion show of antique dresses and outfits for Enrichment.  The lady in charge (who shall remain nameless but I remember her distinctly to this day!) decided to have the young women in the ward be the models.  We were all asked to come to the church the day before and get fitted in outfits for the show.

At 16, I was the same size I am now.  5'9, decent sized chest, long legs.  Do you see where this is going?  The antique clothes were made for ladies 100 years ago who were five foot nothing and probably flat as a board.  To say the clothes were short and tight on me was an understatement.  They had me try on outfit after outfit and they would sit and snicker and whisper about how inappropriate I looked.  Finally, I burst into tears and told them I wasn't doing their stupid show and ran for my car.

When I got home, my mom asked me what was wrong.  I explained what happened and I couldn't even finish before she was in her car heading to the church.  She marched in and told those ladies off and reminded them that the church is about people not programs and told them she wouldn't be coming to their lousy fashion show.  Boo-yeah!  And for those of you who don't know my mom..everyone loves her.  She was the toast of the ward.  So that was a big deal!

My darling mom:

To this day, I try to think about that experience when I plan things for church.  But I also know that people aren't perfect..in any organization.  We all make mistakes.  We all get caught up in trying to make our event perfect.  We all want to succeed and we offend people along the way. 

Recently, I attended a testimony meeting where a woman spoke of God's grace.  Grace isn't a term we often use in the Mormon church but it basically means we all get to return to His presence because the Atonement.  She reminded us that the Atonement is a gift.  We are not EARNING our way back to Him--we are PRACTICING our way back.  I loved that. 

So as I go forward in the future, my goal is to put people first, events second and forgive others along the way.  Oh, and thank the Lord every night that I am no longer in cub scouts!!!

Finding Hope this Christmas Season

I have so many things I want to blog about right now (Gourmet Dinner Night for starters) but my heart is heavy and I just can't bring myself to blog about the silly right now.

I have to admit that I have cried on and off several times over the last two days thinking about the families in Connecticut who lost their dear children.  I can't seem to shake the sadness in my heart thinking of them burying their children at Christmas time.  Then, tonight, I came across this video called "An Unexpected Gift" on my friend Marta's blog.  When I watched this video, I lost it.  It took me back to how I felt two years ago with the events in my own life.  While the circumstances were different, I still felt completely shocked and had the same experience of having to act like nothing was wrong for awhile.   I totally relate to the woman's experience of feeling held by Christ and carried through her ordeal.  Watch the clip here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpV4MIUrT9Y&feature=share&list=PL4E784EC0770935C0

Last year, it was Christmas time when Sam and I made the final decision to end our marriage.  I remember sitting in front of our Christmas tree telling the kids that Mom and Dad had decided to get divorced.  They cried in my lap and I cried with them.  Yet, I was able to share with them that the Savior understood and would help us get through it.  We talked about faith and hope and that Jesus came to earth not only to pay for our sins but to learn how to comfort us and carry us when we are in our darkest hour.

I have always been grateful that it was Christmas time when we were at our lowest point.  It gave my kids something else that was fun and happy to focus on.  But, more importantly, they learned why Jesus Christ came to earth.   The Savior made good on his promise--He has carried us ever since.  Here we are a year later..doing so well.  My children are happy.  Ryan still asks me questions about why we got divorced and what that means exactly.  I don't have all the answers but I can tell him that Heavenly Father and Jesus love him just like his earthly parents love him and that everything will be okay. I hope that the families in Connecticut who lost their precious children can be comforted the same way as I was that Christmas.

May the peace and love of our Savior bring each of you hope this Christmas season.

Sunday Thoughts...Not of the Spiritual Variety

*When I first sit down in Sacrament meeting, I glance at my shoes and silently congratulated myself on their cuteness and the sweet deal I got on them.  My friend Heidi put me on to them.  They were $3.50 on clearance at DSW.  I have the receipt to prove it.  I was so excited to find neutral low heeled sandals.  (I would later leave Sunday School, limp out to the car and go home to change my shoes...you get what you pay for.)

*Mitchell loves to get out of our bench during Sacrament Meeting and wander up and down the aisle.  He smiles at everyone and is about the most charming 2 year old you have ever seen...so I allow it.  I debate whether anyone cares and if I need to go get him.  I figure everyone is giving me the single mom pass. He is completely quiet..just a little distracting.  When he finally walked across the front, I send Luke to grab him.  Luke took him out in the hall and brought him back sopping wet from the drinking fountain.  I decide letting him wander is the lessor of two evils.  I grabbed him a dry shirt when I went home to change my shoes.

He still gives the best smooches.

*When I went out in the hall to get Buster, I ran into a friend who said "I know Ryan is your favorite."  I respond "How did you know?" and wonder how she has an inside track into my mind.  Ryan is my current favorite child (I think it is okay to have a favorite child as long as it constantly changes.)  She goes on to talk about the Bachelorette and I realize she is talking about Ryan on the show.  My Ryan is still my current favorite child..probably because he cuddles me every morning in bed and comes up with new compliments everyday like "I like your eyebrows mom."


(sneak peek of the new paint, darling Ry Ry and my lion mane hair=hair appt. this week!)

*Back in Sacrament meeting (intently listening to the speaker) I debated whether I had picked the right clothes for our family photo we just had taken..I reworked all the outfits in my head and scolded myself for not cutting Luke's hair BEFORE the photo..it looks so much better now.  I also wished I had worn the dress I wore to church today and not the outfit I did wear.

*I looked around and noticed which guys in our ward were wearing blazers/suit coats.  I have a weird theory about the strength of a man's testimony in correlation to whether or not he wears a jacket to church.  Go ahead and tell me I am full of crap..I don't care.  I will still hold fast to my theory.  Maybe it is just that I like a man in a suit jacket.

*I notice my friend David on the stand who is in our bishopric.  I think "I have the nicest people in my ward."  I really truly do.  David came over with a couple other guys last week and helped me move my furniture for the painter.  They also took all the stuff off my walls.  They are coming back tonight to put it all back.  Another guy in my ward, who lives across the street (Doug) insists on mowing my lawn every single week.  My lawn has never looked so good.   It means the world to me.  Look at that lush grass:

So what is the verdict folks?  Do you wear painful heels to church in the name of fashion?  Do you think it is okay to let Buster wander the aisle during Sacrament meeting?  Is it okay to have a favorite child?  Do you think there is a correlation between testimony and suit coats?  Talk to me.

Sunday in Spring

I had a really great weekend. It was our stake conference and I made it a point to get to the adult session Saturday night and I took my kids to the regular session Sunday morning. The Sunday morning was a total bust because Mitchell was out of control and we left early. I forgave him because it was his birthday and really, who doesn't want to sneak out early anyway? The adult session was so good though. I have been feeling a little spirtually disconnected lately so I made myself go to it and it turned out being so worth it.

When we arrived at Stake Conference this morning, I had to parallel park on the street. I am terrible at parallel parking. I have no faith in the way they taught us in driver's ed so I usually reverse and pull up about 10 times to get in.  My kids were laughing at me. When we came back to the car to leave, Luke said, "Mom, I'm just walking home because it's going to take you like 15 minutes to get out of that spot!" It made me laugh out loud. Sometimes that kid cracks me up.

This afternoon, I took my kids down to Temple Square to see the tulips. I had to parallel park again..twice in one day..what are the odds? My kids thought it was hysterical. The tulips were out of this world. If I ever get married again, I am doing it in the spring! I am done with winter weddings! It was so nice outside and fun to walk around with my kids and enjoy the flowers.  Mitchell was napping at my Mom's house.  Here are some of my favorite shots:

It is also Buster's birthday today. My baby is two!!! Yes, I made that cake...continuing the tradition of the world's ugliest cakes. Don't forget this one.

I wish my Grandpa Warner was here to see it. He loved my ugly cakes! I think I really took it to the next level with this one. The cake kept flaking off as I tried to frost it. At some point, I had to stop frosting or the whole cake would have come off on my spatula. And yes, I shamelessly brought it to a family party. I have no dignity!

This little guy didn't care. 
 

Happy Birthday darling Buster!

Good-bye Grandma Warner

Grandma with Ryan circa 2008

I am putting my Disneyland post on hold for the moment to say good-bye to my Grandma Warner. She passed away this morning.

About three weeks ago, I took lunch up to her house. It was no small feet to get my kids to three different friend's houses and pick up lunch and haul Buster but I am SO glad I did. I got to have a really nice lunch with her. That was the last time I saw her.

She was my last grandparent to go. I loved Grandma Warner because she always made me feel so good about myself. She thought I was the best dresser, and the best mom and are you ready for this--the best cook! Sam always laughed how she called me a "natural born cook." He was like "Are we talking about the same person?" Grandma also thought Sam was so good looking and told me again at lunch that she thought Sam was such a handsome guy!

My grandma was classy and kind and always interested in other people. She has been sick with diabetes for as long as I can remember but she never talked about it. She liked to hear about what my kids were doing and what was new with me.

My grandpa passed away a month ago and I don't think it is any coincidence that they died so close together. They always wanted to go together and I knew she wouldn't stick around very long without him. Theirs was an amazing love story and I'm so happy they are reunited.

I recently read a quote by Stephen Hawking where essentially he said that a belief in the afterlife or Heaven is only a fairytale for people who are scared of the dark. I could not disagree more. I have an absolute belief in Heaven and life beyond the grave. There is no doubt in my mind that my grandma returned to Heavenly Father and had a joyful reunion with my grandpa. I'm so thrilled that she is finally released from this body that has given her so much pain and suffering. I know that one day she will be resurrected and given her body back in its perfect form. I am so grateful to have the peace that this knowledge brings me.

I Have a New Lease on Life

Ryan looking dapper in his new doggie sweater

Dear 12:30 church,

I love you, love you, love you. I know everyone is complaining about you and I know it means no nap for Ryan every Sunday for the rest of the year but you have changed my life. No more getting up early, no more scrambling to get three kids and myself bathed and out the door by 9:00 a.m., no more interminable Sunday afternoons. Now, let's talk about what we can do about the middle hour.

Sincerely,

Brooke