Thursday, April 20, 2023

THE BROWN'S TEXAS ADVENTURES

Katia and Skylar got to go to Texas last week for a vacation.  They had a great time!  And I was blessed to get all the pictures!  The whole trip sounded really fun, EXCEPT for the tumble Katia took on her bike.  She really messed up her chin.  But she's still absolutely beautiful in this mama's eyes!

The Beach
The Zoo
Zoo Much Fun!
Texas is beautiful!
Playing on the Beach
I'm so proud that my daughter took a picture with a mushroom.
She hates them.  I love them.
Isn't my daughter a princess?!
Miniature Golf
The injury - as it evolved.

I love these two kids of mine!  They make my life sooooo much better!

Tuesday, April 18, 2023

BLESSED TO GET PICTURES FROM PROM

 As everyone knows, I have TONS of kids that I call mine.  And I LOVE every single one of my "adopted" kids.  My seminary students and Amy's children definitely top the list.  

This week was Church Prom.  I'm so grateful for the photos that I received of my beautiful "daughters" in their gorgeous (and modest) dresses.  (And one of my cute girls - behind the scenes because she wasn't quite old enough to attend the dance.)  I also got three pictures of my boys.  

I promised Nate that I wouldn't post his picture on the blog... so you only get to see two.  But Nate loved me enough to share a picture with me.  You'll just have to use your imagination!  He's a good lookin' dude!  He's a leader (but doesn't know it.)  He truly loves his Savior.  He likes to tease me by setting up our seminary room on Sunday in odd ways, or writing funny notes to me on the board.  AND he always gives me TWO fist bumps before he leaves for school every morning because he knows I like things in twos.

I hope y'all enjoy the pictures as much as I do.  I wish I could introduce y'all to everyone of the kids.  They "slay." (Which is a slang term I learned this morning at seminary meaning they are really AWESOME!)

Emalene is the one on the right.
She went to prom with her cousin.
They had a fun night.
She especially loved the drink bar.
Isn't she lovely?
She loves the gospel of Jesus Christ and definitely shares her testimony in all she does.
She's also tough!  She is in ROTC & she loves cross country.
Jonah makes me smile.
He makes a face that looks just like Beaker on the Muppets for me sometimes.
He's funny.  He's kind.
He and I love reading "Beyonders" by Brandon Mull.
And he loves Star Wars.
I can't believe Mary is old enough to go to Prom.
She has grown into a friend... not just a little girl I used to "kidnap."
She loves dogs.
She loves art.
She loves to read and write.
She loves life.
I miss her (and her mom) soooo much!
Sariah
Sariah is lovely.
She's athletic.  She is an amazing volleyball player.
She's a great role model in my seminary class, as she is the oldest girl.
Despite getting teased a bit from the younger girls, she loves them and shows them love and acceptance.
Sariah is always so free with her love and has made me feel her love on more than one occasion.
and Brett
Brett is a rock!  He is reliable and strong.
I joke with him about his deep voice, but it is truly a strong bass.  :-)
Brett is the first to volunteer to help anyone.
He works hard.  And he loves physical work.
He's also super smart.
Grace (behind the scenes)
Grace has a testimony that is beyond her years.
She is funny.
She is enthusiastic.
And she isn't afraid to contribute.
She's also musical (plays the french horn, guitar, and bass).
And she runs hurdles in track.

Can you see why I love these kids?

Monday, April 10, 2023

PUT ALL YOUR EGGS IN THE SAVIOR'S BASKET - HAPPY EASTER!

I LOVE Easter!  And not because of the bunnies.  And not because of the eggs.  And not because of the candy (although I really do love Cadbury eggs!)  I LOVE Easter because of the celebration of the whole purpose of life: the Savior's sacrifice and love for each one of us - individually.  Here's how we celebrated:

One Cool Dude - excited about Easter: both secular and sacred!
Easter = dandelion season!  Harvesting dandelions for dandelion jelly.  Mmmmm!
Kiara and Cody can now cross off "Carry a mattress across the road" on their bucket list.  Ha ha ha!
Going to the temple on Saturday, before Easter, to seal family members together for eternity!
Easter makes the Plan of Salvation possible!
Easter Outfits!
Look at this fun family!
Easter pics!
Cutest Red Skittle EVER!
Skylar and Katia's Easter pic
Hunting Eggs in the cold.
His ears are freezing!
Look!  A blue egg!
See?  He opened each egg for grandma on facetime.
He was so excited!
This is what the Easter Bunny brought my seminary students -
included in the eggs are a mini-Christus statute and a magnet of Christ.
The kids seemed to be egg-cited by the gift.
Creating is a fun way to celebrate God's gift.
The Lillywhites made bird houses.
My daughter is so pretty!
Hanging their creation for the wildlife.
I painted daisies.
Scott painted the empty tomb.
HAPPY EASTER!  

Saturday, April 8, 2023

OUR TRIP AROUND THE WORLD..............IN KENTUCKY

Scott designed the back of our shirts.
Scott and I thought it would be really fun to visit all of the famous cities from around the world without leaving our Kentucky home.  Spring Break was the perfect time for us to go!  Three days.  Thirty six destinations. One hundred sixty two photos.  One thousand three hundred and sixty miles.  We had a total BLAST!  We would recommend this unusual trip to everyone.  We saw hundreds of churches, cemeteries, Dollar Generals, and barn quilts.  We saw some beautiful country.  We saw poverty.  We saw prosperity.  We'd do it again!
This post has LOTS of pictures (not all 162).  And under each picture/place, I'll write where in the world the famous counterpart is located.

(Germany)
We didn't find a sign in Dundee (Australia),
But I LOVED the yellow flowers!
(Germany)
(North America)
(India)
(Russia)
(Spain)
We loved all the pigs that were decorated up and down main street in Cadiz.
I especially loved this one because my mother's nick name was Mildred.
And these statues were truly spectacular.
(Wales)
(Scotland)
I LOVED the bagpipes on the sign.
Scott loved the flag.
(Canada)
(Columbia.... duh!)
Amazing Bell Tower downtown Columbia, KY.
(England)
We found this beautiful cemetary in Somerset....
(England)
Habanero in London was DELICIOUS!
And we loved the decore!
It was so fun!
(England)
(Germany)
Look at this amazing sight!
(Italy)
(Rome)
(Lebanon....)
This church was spectacular and so were the bells!
(Mexico)
(Bagdad)
(Germany)
We love the state capitol.  But we especially love the outdoor, giant clock.
(France)
(England)
We loved seeing all of the old, dilapidated buildings/homes/barns.
Another amazing church.
And how beautiful some of the courthouses are.
(England)
(France)
I was soooo bummed that we forgot to wear our berets for the picture.
Paris's courthouse.
(Jamaica)
(Egypt)
(Australia)
(Italy)
And our least favorite place to visit.
It was too crowded - too big - too "city."
(Palestine)
(Poland)
(Scotland)
(Greece)
(Belgium)
I sure do love spending time with my eternal companion.  We really enjoy doing silly and crazy things together.  I can't wait to see what other adventures we continue to have as we "grow up."