Mary Did You Know

I found this video on youtube back in 2007. The music is being sung by Clay Aiken. I just love this song and the pictures that go along with the words.

Picture updates

The last couple of months have been gone by so very fast. Here are some of the highlights!
Jason turned 5 years old. His best friends are Lucy, Teegan, Isaac, Ashley, and Londan. We had a small party at the park behind our house and they had a great time.

Terry had to prove that he actually could ride a bike for the kids. They didn't think he could.

It has been a lot of fun watching him grow up!

Ryan was a Junior this past school year and went to two different proms. The first one with a family friend, McKenzie Kaiser, for her high school. The prom was at a place called The White House, in Orange County. They had a great time.

The second prom was with his friend Michelle Choi from his school. There prom was in Riverside at the Mission Inn, a very nice place.



We also went on a campout over the Memorial Day holiday to La Jolla Indian Reservation for 5 days. Ryan was went to Indiana to visit his friends. The campout was relaxing with no cell phone service. The water was very cold, but it didn't stop us from having a great time. Perfect weather: hot during the day and cold at night.

We had a great time and can't wait to go back there again.

Not always picture perfect

Have you ever had one of those days when life just isn't going the way that you wanted or pictured it to be? I'm not really having one of those days, but completely just having a blah day. I was thinking about the posts that I put on this blog. Almost all of them are of these picture perfect moments. Most of the time, it's simply so that I don't forget. But, today I just simply wanted to post the truth. I didn't do much. Today, I took Ryan and Kyle to school, took Joshua to the doctors, made breakfast for Jason (the older boys fend for themselves), worked on some stake girls camp stuff, watched biggest loser on the Internet, and fell asleep watching biggest loser. Here is what is funny, even after doing those few things, here are a few of the things I still need to do today: meet Sister Elsmore at the stake center to plan the menu for girls camp, take Josh to baseball practice, make dinner, meet the YCL's for a meeting tonight at the stake center, go to a special education meeting at the middle school to volunteer to be on the district special education committee, and write a 750 page essay for my English class by 12:00 midnight. Is it OK that I want to wave a magic wand and have these things all done for me? I just don't want to do it today, but know that I should. So, I am now confessing that this little post was very therapeutic. I don't even know if anyone ever reads my posts, but I am now done being a normal person and off to work on the picture perfect day!

His Love

Love this song! Perfect thing to listen to on a Sunday morning.

IHOP

I love pancakes! I especially love pancakes when I don't have to make them. For my sons we typically go through 1 box of pancake mix per setting. So every year when IHOP has their National Free Pancakes, you can guarantee that the Victory's are going. This year we met our friends, the Porter's there. It was a good meal and great company. Here are a few pictures taken:

Nathell and Leanne

Holly Porter

Jordan and Lucy Porter

The Porter's & Victory's (Evan & Terry were not cooperating)

Jason, Josh, and Adam Porter

Our bellies were full and we loved it!

Create video

I thought this video was very inspiring this morning!

A Great Day in Heaven!!

Today was a great day for me and my family. My Dad went to the San Diego Temple to be sealed to his parents and siblings for time and all eternity. The spirit was very strong in the sealing room. I am so proud of my Dad. It was cute how nervous he was. I am so grateful to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Families are Forever. I can't imagine Heavenly Father wanting it any other way!

My parents, Ron & Roxanne Brown

After the Temple we went to Old Town San Diego for lunch at the Mexican Restaurant. It's our favorite!!! We decided to go over to the Mormon Battalion visiting center. It just reopened. The renovations are amazing. After the tour you can have your picture taken. Don't you love my Dad's smile - he looks like he would have fit perfect in 1847!!

My trip to Maui

10,000 ft up on Haleakala Volcano

I had one of the best trips to Maui this past week. I went to visit my "sister from another mister" Laurie Kimura. The trip was amazing, Laurie and her boys were the perfect hosts. First, my awesome parents let me use those frequent flyer miles and I got to fly FIRST CLASS round-trip! I really enjoyed that warm towel to wash my face and hands. The hot swordfish dinner on a real plate with silverware was perfect. I even ate the carrots. Can you tell it doesn't take much to impress me? So during my 6 hour flight I made a list of everything I wanted do: visit Hana, jump in a waterfall, eat a pineapple, wear a lei, see a whale, swim with a fish, see the sunset from the top of the volcano, visit a public market, get a picture of a rainbow and several other things. The most important thing was just to hang out with Laurie.

I am so lucky to have her as a friend. I joked with her once that in the pre-exsistence Heavenly Father said a little prayer when we left Him because we were a handful then and knew we would be handful again when we became friends on earth. I wonder sometimes if when He is watching over us He giggles at some of the things we do, as any parent would.

We went to a lavender farm that had the most awesome view of the island. The only problem was the lavender is not in season. But we enjoyed the peace and quiet, a lavender scone with jelly (kind of hot), lavender brownie and lavender herbal tea (not my favorite, it tasted like dirty water). Road to Hana

On one side of the island, its this beautiful green with waterfalls, tall bamboo trees, tropical plants and flowers. And on the other side....

Dry, ugly and only accessable by a dirt rode. Note to self, not wise to go on a dirt rode in a Honda Accord. What an adventure!

This is Baldwin Beach, right down the street from Laurie's house! Seriously, the girl has it made!!

Saw a rainbow everyday, that has to be good luck right?

This is Twin Falls, less than 10 minutes from Laurie's house. We had so much fun, one of my favorite moments. The water was cold but felt good after our legs were numb.One of the highlights on my trip was getting to see Elder Steven Perry, the tall Elder. I was one of his primary leaders when I lived in Michigan. The last time I saw him he was 13 years old and a lot shorter. His parents are Jim and Tracey Perry who are wonderful parents and did such a great job raising a beautiful family. It was fun to see him and his companion at church and talk about Detroit. So proud of Elder Perry! We both agreed that we don't miss the freezing weather. Isn't the gospel amazing that whereever you go in the world, the church is there for you and can instantly feel like you are apart of that ward? I love being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints!

I know this post is long but I wanted to share a few of my favorite pictures. Next week I will be adding the pictures of Laurie and I snorkling! Thanks again Laurie for a fantastic week!

Lucy Porter

This cute little girl is Lucy Porter, one of Jason's best friends. Jason and Lucy are 4 years old. About a year and half ago they started preschool together. Lucy's family have become really good friends to us, like they've been a part of the family our whole lives. Her mom watched Jason for me during my first semester of college, so they were together 5 days a week and on Sunday during Primary. They play great together. I would even say that they have a mini "marriage". They have a great time together, fight every once in awhile, then they are back to being the best of friends. Pure forgiveness, no matter what the situation. They have one game that they love to play, it's called "Lucy Chest". When Jason came home one day and said that he loved playing Lucy chest I asked him to repeat what he was saying because it caught me off guard. I asked him how he plays Lucy chest and he explained that they get a board game out and put the guys on both side of the board, knock out the guys and Lucy always wins. That's why it's called "Lucy Chest". I am so glad he understands at such a young age to always let the ladies win!!

A New Year

I had a conversation with my sister-in-law last night that kind of freaked me out. In the Fall of 2010, I will have one son as a senior in high school and one son as a brand new kindergartner. I have got to step it up and just make lots of new memories with my boys, maybe even make new traditions. Whatever it is, I realised this morning that my time as a parent just flashed before my eyes and I need to document as much as I can. Is it a coincidence that its the new year? I don't know but as I sit here in an empty house, I got sentimental. My greatest accomplishment in life is my children!! Here's to a new year and lots of new memories!!!!

Elder F Enzio Busche

My friend Shannon Brown posted this video on facebook this morning and I love it. I love the message from Elder Busche, it was just what I needed this morning. There are so many people going through trials right now, including myself, and this video gave the little extra strength that I needed to get through the trials for today. Hope you enjoy it!

Havasupi 2009

Ryan and Kyle had a great opportunity with their Boy Scout Troop to visit Havasupi Reservation that is at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. When we moved into our ward a year ago, the scout leaders were already preparing for the trip. All the YM were required to go on 4 10-mile hikes throughout the year to prepare for the long hike down the canyon. We were really afraid for Kyle. His scout leaders assured us that he did great on the pre-hikes, so off we sent them. There was alot of preparation for this trip; hikes, ordering food, golf tournament (the fundraiser for the trip), gear checks, etc. They came home very exhausted but had a great time. I will be forever grateful to the scout leaders who put so much time and energy into the program for the YM.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

The Weston's and The Baker's

The month of July has been so much fun for us. First the Kimura's came to visit and then a few weeks later the Weston's came to town. We were able to spend time with them and the Baker's who now live in Carlsbad. For some reason I don't have a family picture of the Baker's. Sorry Jill. I am pretty sure that Ryan and Kyle would give an arm to live back in Indiana. They miss their best friends Scott and Jake. Some how Sophi convinced me to sign up for the TV show "Wipeout". Here are some pictures highlighting our week. These 2 families are filled with amazing people and we are so grateful that they are part of our lives!

Me and the Boys. This was taken at the San Diego Temple. Love this place. One day I hope to have a family picture where we all look at the camera together and smile and Terry is with us. Until then, this is my little family!!

Tanner Baker and Kyle

Scott, Sophi, Chloe and Ryan

Awesome friends - LaDawn and Jill!

Joshua chilling at Oceanside!

Leanne and Sophi - friends forever!!

Kyle, Jake, Josh and Jason in a tree on the grounds of the Los Angeles Temple.

Chloe, Ryan, Sophi and Scott in La Jolla.

Jason

The Weston Family: Rance, LaDawn, Chloe, Scott, Sophi, Jake, and Olivia

The Kimura Family

We just spent 4 wonderful days with our friends the Kimuras. Here is a list of some of favorite things about their family.

1. Laurie is an awesome cook. One of the first things that Joshua asked Laurie when she got here was if they could make cookies together like they did in Indiana. My kids were fed well and are sad that she is gone.

2. Everyone has a fun time. Whenever we are together, there is never a dull moment. Funny moment over the weekend: Micah and his contagious laugh after he found out that Ryan has a hair stylist named Vince. Thanks Ryan for being such a good sport. So happy that you are ok with your manhood!

3. We haven't seen each other in over a year and it felt like it was just the previous weekend we were all together. We are more than friends, we are family!

This was a 4 day vacation with great food but even better company!!!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Mom, do I look handsome?

Yesterday, I was ironing clothes and Jason came to me with a huge smile on his face and asked, Mom do I look handsome? Obviously, he had put something on his lips but I wasn't sure. I knew my lip gloss was in the car so I asked what he used on his lips and this is what he presented to me:


Elmer's Disappearing Purple Glue Stick