The Brown Family Blog

3 year-olds ROCK!

2011-04-01T06:24:00.001-07:00

We are lucky to have my sister, Suzi and my niece, Mari living with us. It is so much fun to have a youngling in the house again. Mari is three and very inquisitive about the world around her. She loves to feed the goldfish in our aquarium, play on the slides in the park outside the house, and watch Sponge Bob with Jim. We recently celebrated her third birthday, the gang was all here and a good time was had by all! Cousin Amy helps Mari open up her Rapuzel doll from Tangled!

New Year's Resolutions.....2011

2011-04-01T06:09:00.000-07:00

2011 has been quite the year so far..... I have learned that one must be specific, I mean very specific about your goals....My goals for 2011 were to be healthier; I should have been more specific...my arms are in very good shape....Due to a knee injury on Jan. 2 (dislocated my knee while reaching for salt in the kitchen)...yes not as exciting as salsa dancing, skiing, or whatever! I have been teaching in a wheelchair for almost two months....crutches when not in the wheelchair. Jim has been a real trooper, he has been doing all of the shopping, etc. This has been a real learning experience, I've learned to be patient, have become better at accepting help from others, and have learned to be strategic in my daily movements, oh yes, I have also learned that you can not pull a cart while on crutches.

Thanksgiving 2010

2010-11-25T07:41:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving to one and all!
May everyone share in the joy of this wonderous time of year and realize how very lucky we are to live in a country founded under the guidance of a kind and loving Heavenly Father. Take time to enjoy the beauty all around you...the falling leaves and their colors, the laughter of children, gingerbread cookies, and the love of family and friends. Don't let a day go by without sharing your love with those around you!

Everyone is on the Mend!

2010-04-24T09:29:00.000-07:00

April has been a very trying and showery month for us. Jim has been in and out of the hospital with medical issues, I was in a car accident, my Grandma Graham passed away, and my children's father finally lost his battle with ALS.

Through all of these trials, I have held strong to the iron rod. Jim is on the mend, as am I, and we are both looking forward to the end of April showers and the flowers that come in May.

Goings....

2010-03-03T05:44:00.000-08:00

We are sad to report that Dotty is no longer with our family. She became very ill, and had to be taken back to the SPCA for care.....and they decided to keep her instead of adopting her out....which is for the best, Pigeon the mean little kitty didn't like sharing her home with any other feline. We are back to being a one cat family, and it looks like it will be that way for some time.

Goings and Comings...

2010-02-15T05:34:00.000-08:00

There have been many changes in our household of late...Amy moved out and is now in her own apartment with some really cool roommates...her brother and sister! Along with Amy leaving, a new member was added to our family on Saturday and her name is Dot. She is a 8 month old black and white kitten. She is shy at first, but not afraid to speak her mind! She and Pigeon are getting along as well as can be expected...both are staying in semi-neutral corners and are sharing our bed...

Celebrating our Anniversary

2009-12-22T20:48:00.000-08:00

Jim and I celebrated our second wedding anniversary today... I gave Jim the Wii Tiger Woods Golf game, and he gave me a beautiful, red Shelby Super Snake radio-controlled car. As soon as we got back from dinner I was able to play with it...first I chased the cat around...it is really cool.

Christmas Party with The Family

2009-12-22T05:27:00.001-08:00

This last Saturday we went to Jackson to celebrate Christmas with my family.

Suzi, Gary, and Mari were there, along with Trisha, Megan, Amy & Alex, Shane, Nancy, Mom and Dad.

Mari is really getting into opening presents this year...she is such a cutie, and so intent on studying her new toy!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

2009-12-18T06:08:00.001-08:00

Christmas at Disneyland... One of my favorite rides is Small World....and I seem to be the only one in the family that truly appreciates how wonderful, educational and how darn cute the ride is. Here are some of the wreaths that line the lane on your way to Small World...

2009-12-18T06:02:00.000-08:00

It is so sad that they will be tearing down this beautiful bridge! I have always enjoyed this fantastic bridge as I enter California Adeventure...

The castle at night was so pretty and festive...

I was lucky enough to see the fireworks and snow! I just adore fireworks!

Disneyland at Christmas Time!

2009-12-18T05:47:00.000-08:00

November was a month full of special events....first our Sealing in the Temple, and then a trip to my homeland, Disneyland! My dad and sister, Nancy went to Disneyland the second week of November...this just so happened to be the first weekend that Disneyland was decorated for Christmas. It was so beautiful, all the wonderful Christmas decorations, and lots of Christmas music. Anyone who know me, knows that Christmas music starts in my home on November 1. I loved all the flowers, and the poinsettas with dew still on them were beautiful!

SEALED!

2009-11-29T08:19:00.000-08:00

A big thank you to all who attended our Sealing on November 7th. It was a beautiful and very blessed day, and the ceremony was magical. I was worried that no one would show up, and I was very happy to see those that we invited there to share in our magical day and blessed sealing.

This is the fulfillment of all of my dreams since I converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I dreamed of being sealed to a good, kind, man...and I found him.

(He shaved the beard and moustache especially for the occassion!)

Amy is Fine!

2009-11-06T15:42:00.001-08:00

My darling Amy was in a "little" accident today...her tire blew out and she ended up in a ditch along the side of the road. She is fine, just a little shook up! Megan, Grandpa, Nancy and I to the rescue! As I write this blog she is getting two new tires, and she will be back on the road by late this afternoon.

Sealing!

2009-11-06T15:39:00.000-08:00

Well, tomorrow is the big day...we will finally be sealed at the Sacramento Temple! I am so excited to be sealed to Jim, and know that for all time and eternity we will be together. This has been a dream of mine since I first became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am so lucky to have found a wonderful man with whom I can share the rest of my life. I look forward to growing old with him.

More Good News!

2009-08-21T11:41:00.000-07:00

Will C. Wood is my new home!
It is official, I was offered and accepted an RSP position at Will C. Wood Middle School...and I am so excited and happy to be going back! This is where I taught my first two years, and though there was a lot of extra work, and very challenging students, I loved it there and learned so much. I am excited to be going back, I will be teaching Language Arts to 7th and 8th grade students, and Study Skills. No more commuting between two schools every day!

Grandchild #4!

2009-08-21T06:37:00.000-07:00

Yahoooo! Jim is a grandpa again! Malia Heather Culwell was born yesterday afternoon, weighing 7lbs 60z,. Jeni and Malia are doing well. She is a beautiful baby...and is yet another blessing in our lives. Congratulations to Jeni and Alan....

2009-07-06T15:13:00.000-07:00

Jim and I, Amy and my sister Suzi enjoying an afternoon BBQ to celebrate the 4th of July!

2009-07-06T15:11:00.000-07:00

My brother-in-law Gary, my sister Suzi and my beautiful niece Mari

2009-07-06T15:09:00.000-07:00

Amy and Mari....

Amy was finally brave enough to hold Mari...

4th of July BBQ

2009-07-06T15:06:00.000-07:00

The 4th of July was especially wonderful because Jim was off and we were able to spend the day together. We spent the afternoon at my sister Suzi's house with Gary, Mari and their family. The weather was wonderful....and everyone appreciated the misters that Gary hung in the tree. A good time was had by all!

School's Out For Summer!

2009-06-18T08:08:00.000-07:00

Well, here we are just a few days from the official kick-off of summer. As of yesterday I am officially packed up and out of both of my classrooms, and currently waiting to be assigned a new home school and classroom. After my being split between two schools during this last school year, I have no idea where I will be for the 2009-2010 school year. With budget cuts etc., I'm really hoping to just have a job next school year, being at just one school all day long would be icing on the cake.
I want to officially thank everyone that helped me during this last school year! It was very difficult at first, going to two schools, but I learned so much and was able to work with some wonderful students.

Busy Week Ahead!

2009-05-24T07:18:00.000-07:00

There are only 14 days of teaching left...it is hard to believe this school year is almost over. So much has happended this school year, it is hard to remember it all. I started the year teaching at Brannan, and then was split to half time at Brannan and half time at Washington Elementary. Within each school day I work with K-8th grade students. I have no idea what next year holds for me, I just hope it will be at one school all day long.

This week I have :
Sunday: Sacramento Meeting, Sunday School, Relief Society and Sunday movie with my Honey
Monday: off for Memorial Day (grading papers and wrapping up lesson plans)
Tuesday: Open House at Brannan
Wednesday: Articulation Meeting at the District Office
Thursday: HOPEFULLY my final meeting to clear my Teaching Credential
Friday: Whoopppeeeeee! The weekend will be here again!
Saturday: Helping a friend pack in Mountain Ranch

I am hoping to fit in some Visiting Teaching and movie night with my children....we will see...
Oh yes, we are still trying to finish 24!

A Day of Museums

2009-04-14T06:00:00.000-07:00

This picture was taken at the last exhibit we visited, the Chinese Friendship Garden...we had a wonderful time on our little "honeymoon" and look forward to visiting San Diego again...

This was my absolute favorite exhibit of any that we viewed in our two days at Balboa Park. I have always loved this painting, and was very excited to be close enough to touch it.

The Museum of Natural History was a disappointment to both of us. There weren't very many exhibits, and we happened to visit on Free Tuesday...so there were tons of people, but we still enjoyed the dinosaurs like T-Rex...

This is an actual "Tucker" that we were able to see at the Car Museum.

This is a replica of the Red Baron's plane. Though this is a replica, we were able to view the actual gun that was attached to his plane, along with many of his medals.

The Air and Space museum was one of my personal favorites...I had dreamed as a child of traveling to the moon, and though I didn't make it...it is so cool to be this close to an actual suit that traveled in space.

This is a rhino bank....if you know me, you know I love anything rhino...

There were many museums and exhibits that we viewed on our last day in San Diego. We both really liked the egg-men...little Japanese men made from real eggs.

The San Diego Zoo

2009-04-06T20:36:00.000-07:00

This was my favorite animal in the whole zoo!!!...the one on the right....

We waited in line for about 20 minutes in the sun, but the panda's were worth it...they were smaller than I thought, but really sweet....

The meerkat's were really cute...they were so energetic....just darling....

Today we visited the San Diego Zoo. This is the first animal we visited, and has always been one of my personal favorites...

2009-04-05T18:43:00.000-07:00

Two famous San Diegans & me

My man C3PO and me...

San Diego Museum of Man

2009-04-05T18:36:00.000-07:00

Well our first full day in San Diego was wonderful. We spent the day at the Balboa Park, visiting the grounds and the Museum of Man. Jim was a real trooper, the first museum we visited had an exhibit on the Mayan people, which coincidentally I am starting to teach my history students, and I went crazy with the "take a picture of this and that"...when we were done he had taken 103 pictures...(three weren't of the exhibit).

Tomorrow we are going back to Balboa park to visit the San Diego Zoo...

Honeymoon!

2009-04-04T06:19:00.000-07:00

Well, this day is finally here....Jim and I are leaving for San Diego this morning for our honeymoon....yes we waited a little while for the honeymoon...but we are both very excited to get away from our daily lives to visit San Diego.

We plan on visiting the San Diego Zoo, Sea World, and maybe the Wild Animal Park...along with the beach and who knows what else.

Amy has bravely consented to taking care of all of our fish...no small undertaking on her part.

The next time we meet I should be in San Diego, where I hear the high temperature will be 60 degrees...Whooppeeee!!!!! I get to wear my hoodies.....

TTFN (ta ta for now)

Happy New Year 2009!

2009-01-07T05:44:00.001-08:00

Wow! It is hard to believe that it is 2009...
2008 was a wonderful year for our family, we celebrated birthdays...especially that of our little niece Mari, and our one year anniversary.

We went to Utah to visit Jim's daughter and family...it was absolutely beautiful in Provo, I wouldn't mind living there myself. Jeni, Alan, Emma, Landon, and Lily are a wonderful family, and we are so proud of Alan who graduated from BYU Law school and recently passed the bar. This wonderful little family has now moved to Indiana and are doing very well.

I changed jobs in Sept. 08, teaching at a middle school which I love...however in November I was made intinerant and now cover two schools, my middle school and an elementary school in downtown Sacramento. On a daily basis I am now teaching K-8th grade....

Shane has moved back to the Sacramento area, and will soon be back in college pursuing his degree in Criminal Justice, while Megan is attending Cosumnes River to obtain a degree in Business. Trisha is busy helping with her father and step-mom, while continuing her own eduction into health, being vegan, and the paranormal. Amy is preparing to graduate from high school, and will probably reach her goal by March. She also recently just secured a job at the local Circuit City!

We celebrated Christmas with the whole family at my Mom and Dad's in Jackson, and we were lucky to have all four kids here for Christmas Day, and enjoyed having the whole gang together.

Santa brought Jim and I a Wii, so we have been bowling, golfing, and playing tennis to our hearts content.

Jim, Amy and I enjoyed few games of bowling in Sacramento during the break...we hope to go bowling with my sister, Suzi, her husband and beautiful Mari soon.

Jim and I hope to be going to the Temple later this year to be sealed.....we are both very happy and excited about the new year.

The Brown Family Christmas Tree!

2008-12-09T03:21:00.000-08:00

It is finally here...the Brown family Christmas Tree...

Ok, it isn't decorated yet, but at least it is in the house....

Now that I'm done with college classes until March, we can start having family home evenings again...

Please stop by again soon for an updated look at our wonderful tree....

Merry Christmas!

Halloween!

2008-11-01T07:32:00.000-07:00

Well another Halloween has arrived. This year I dressed up as a "Hippie Chick" per Jim...it was his idea...and it worked out quite well. I was able to wear comfie clothes and be very relaxed...as I walked around school with a peace sign and a red heart on my face, and my flower power flower.

I went out to lunch with a baseball player and a punk rocker, there were many funny looks, until we explained we were teachers and we had dressed up for school...yah, we still got funny looks after that, but atleast they knew we didn't dress that way every day.

I was blessed with a phone call from Elder Abeyta, who called me from Salt Lake City...he wanted to say hi and check up on the family. Both he and Elder Clark were such a blessing and great gift to me...they opened up my world, gave me a home, and a foundation for the rest of my life.....

So to all you trick-or-treaters out there have fun tonight, and don't forget to share your candy with your parents!

A Blessed Life!

2008-10-22T01:32:00.000-07:00

Well, here we are at the end of October, and though it is a little early, I just have to share some things that I am most thankful for (not in any particular order)
I am so thankful for my husband...he makes life bearable, enjoyable, challenging...lets just say it isn't boring. Jim has challenged me to be the best I can be...and I'm working very hard at it.
I'm very thankful for my new job! I am back in the classroom, teaching Language Arts, History and Math Skills. I realize that being in the classroom is where I need and should be.
I am so thankful for my faith and membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints...it is such a comfort and joy to me, words can not do it justice.
Life is good, and I know that in the end it will all be alright.

Breaking Dawn is finally here!

2008-08-04T10:24:00.000-07:00

I now hold in my hands the final book in the Twilight series...and just started reading....I'm hoping it has a happy ending for all concerned....I hope it isn't just wishful thinking.....

New Beginnings!

2008-08-04T10:20:00.000-07:00

This has been quite a summer...I have enjoyed my time off and have done lots of reading, crocheting and cleaning.... It has been my first actual summer off since beginning my career as a teacher in 2005. I am proud to announce that I am the newest member of the Sam Brannan Middle School Special Education department as an RSP teacher. I am really looking forward to being back in the classroom, and especially glad to be working with 7th and 8th grade students again.

Go Wolves!

Summer is Here!

2008-07-04T07:49:00.000-07:00

I just want to wish everyone a safe and Happy 4th of July! It is hard to believe that July 4th is already here, summer vacation is passing by so quickly. Amy is off to Bellingham, Washington to celebrate the 4th with Melissa and her family. Jim is spending the 4th at work, while I'm at home. I am still enjoying my daily 4:45 a.m. visits to the gym, after seeing Jim off to work.

So I will close with the immortal words of Tigger....

"TTFN" ta ta for now....

Welcome to my Blog!

2008-06-09T11:08:00.000-07:00

Since I am taking a forced few days off for illness, I thought I would start my own blog. I am inspired by my husband's family, Jeni and Alan, who have their own blog that allows everyone far and near to enjoy their wonderful children...so I thought, why not start my own.

I have been reading everyday as I work out at the gym, and found passage that must be shared...

"...there are seasons in the life of a couple that function, I think, a little like a night watch. One stands guard, often for a long time, providing the serenity in which the other can work at something. Usually that something is sinewy and full of spines. One goes inside the dark place while the other one stays outside, holding up the moon." (Marlena De Blasi)

This is what my darling husband, Jim, has been doing for me these last several months...while I work through a tough job...thank you sweetie! You not only make my life complete, but enable me to continue "working through my storm"