"I'll do it!"

When Elder Ray dropped by to say goodbye before transfers, he didn't miss his chance to do a bit of service before going. I can't think of a time he ever came to our house and didn't extend a helping hand. If I ever asked, "Can someone set the table?" or anything to that nature, he was always the first to his feet shouting, "I'll do it!" So it was no surprise when I came outside to find Mitch, Bex & Elder Sloan on the deck watching Ray race up & down the lawn with the mower. The boy didn't even put his backpack down first! We'll miss him... and the free labor! :)

FHE: Looking on the Bright Side....

After two amazingly inspiring talks by the Barclays last Sunday, I decided I knew exactly what we were going to do for our FHE. I could tell my wonderful hubby has been feeling down & overwhelmed lately & I thought the exercise Brother Barclay mentioned in his talk would be an uplifting one for the both of us. Brother Barclay challenged, "Write down 20 things you're good at in 5 minutes.... If you can't make it, maybe it's time to reevaluate yourself." (Not a word for word quote, but pretty close!)

So, Mitch & I grabbed pens, paper, set a timer and started writing away! When we started the activity, I had imagined it ending like this- The timer would go off: I would have my whole list done & Mitch would only have 10 things. I'd tease him a little, then I'd help him finish his list.... Not because my hubby doesn't have 20 things that he's good at-he just sometimes has a hard time recognizing his talents & giving himself rightful credit for them.

How did it really end? I thought I was off to a great start. I very thoughtfully wrote out #1-2 and then Mitch said, "Only 1 minute 20 seconds left." Then I scrambled and only made it to #13... Mitch finished with 19! Then HE helped me finish my list! Believe it or not, I'm glad I didn't finish first. Mitch reminded me of a lot of my positive attributes that I consistently overlook myself. I told him I was going to put the list somewhere I won't lose it & read it when I'm having a tough day to remind myself who I really am & what I'm really capable of:

1. I am someone people can call in their time of need & feel comfortable doing so.
2. I love the Lord and have a profound testimony of the gospel & its ability to heal people and families.
3. I am an awesome Mom!
4. I'm an even better wife!
5. I can cook well... with recipes
6. I am a leader who cares
7. I support people others might not believe in
8. I have pride in my home and family
9. The glass is always half full
10. I have a compassionate heart
11. Service is my middle name
12. I'm a faithful friend
13. I have extreme patience...with my husband! Mitch amended this one to "I am patient to a fault"
14. I have a great capacity to love
15. I'm an excellent student
16. I'm a "jack of all trades" (from patching holes in the wall to organizing messy closets!)
17. Good with animals & kids
18. Dedicated to whatever I choose
19. I can motivate people
20. I'm a great hostess!

Thanks for the help hubby!

The Real Florida...

I think I found my new favorite restaurant in St. Augustine! I can’t believe my family has lived there for so long & this was my first experience at the Conch House. You can’t go wrong with a restaurant that has tiki huts, alligators & cars like this in the parking lot! When you eat there, you really feel like you're in Florida...

Bugged Me Out!

This little creepy fellow-and I do mean creepy- made himself at home on our deck in Florida. I promised Marci I'd catch some video for Caleb! If you guys figure out WHAT it is, tell me! At first I thought it might just be a cricket, but he never hopped. I can pretty much handle spiders, but this thing freaked me out!

Bubbly Personality

In Florida, Bexley really blossomed! We caught all sorts of cute things she did on video so Daddy Mitch wouldn't feel left out!

WARNING: Most of the videos on our blog will be very boring to those who aren't a doting daddy, proud long-distance grandparents, loving aunties & uncles, or my dear friend Lizeth!... We just couldn't help it, she's just so cute!

Tia Ivee

Tia Ivee rocking Baby Bex to sleep in Granny's backyard.

One of the things I loved most about Bexley's first trip to Florida was watching her bond with her Tia Ivee. I really wish I had gotten video of the first time Ivee changed Bexley's diaper.... Somehow she got the dirty one re-taped to the clean one; so when she lifted Bexley up, both the clean and dirty diaper went with her! Ivee learned a lot about motherhood... I think the thing she learned most is that she's in no rush to be a Mom! She enjoys being a cool Tia, then handing Baby Bex off when things go awry! Ivee was so excited to have Bexley in town. She introduced her to her local friends, her international friends on Skype, and took probably close to a million photos and videos with her on her computer. I think she probably has more pictures of HER with Bex than I do! I love how much she loves Bexley and how proud she is of her little niece.

Florida OR Bust!

I don't think the drive to Florida would have gone as well as it did had Bexley not had a babysitter with her in the back the entire way! Rivers did a great job keeping Bexley calm... I really think she enjoyed his company! The ride home without him was not as easy, for many reasons, but I think she missed him too.

Rivers with his head in Bexley's carrier.

Bexley's 4 Month Appointment!

Bexley resting at the hotel after a long trip from Ohio to South Carolina.

Past the half way point and still a happy camper!

I cannot how time has just flown by & that our baby girl is already 4 months old! Everytime Bexley has a check up, Mitch and I have a contest. We guess how much she weighs-closest without going over wins! This time we decided to include the whole family! Whoever guessed the closest, I promised a little treat in the mail! Bexley was born at 9lbs, 3ozs.

Here are her stats from her 4 month appointment:

16 lbs, 6.5 ozs. (96%)

25 3/4 inches (95%)

head 16 1/2 inches (78%)

We definitely have a very healthy, happy girl! Papa Jose guessed the closest with 16 lbs, 5 ozs.... But Mitch is still claiming he won because he guessed, "Whatever Papa Jose guessed, plus .5 ozs." I know, what a cheater! Everyone else, including me, was WAY off! So Papa, I'll be sending you a gift in the mail soon! I already got Mitch girl scout cookies for technically winning. He's a smart, strategic boy, but Papa Jose deserves a reward too for actually guessing it!

Date Night!... Or Afternoon....

Mitch & I decided long before little Bexley showed up that we would continue to have time to ourselves AT LEAST once a month. I just love date night & being able to spend one-on-one time with my handsome hubby. This month he took me to "DREAMGIRLS".... the musical, NOT the strip club all you Ohio natives are thinking about!

While we were there, I sent a text to my friend Karla Mosley. She was in a production of DREAMGIRLS in Texas, so I texted her a message that said "Just thinking of you! We're seeing DREAMGIRLS in Columbus today!" But, when I went to send it I realized I wasn't sending it to Karla- I ALMOST sent it to a guy named Karl from our church! This probably would have been a funnier story if I had actually sent the text... but we probably spared Karl a heart attack!

I had a great afternoon and Mitch got to catch up on his "beauty sleep" at the show- a definite win-win situation! . Can't wait till "Wicked" comes to town!

The girls we asked to take this picture of us decided it would be cool to wait for the "DREAMGIRLS" sign in the picture. So we waited, and waited in this pose until it showed up again. I think there are ten other shows coming to this theater cause it took awhile! Mitch left his jacket in the car and it was VERY cold and windy-Check out the sign.... Was it worth the wait or what?... I think the answer is "Or what!"

Couch Rest

I knew one day Bexley would get sick for the first time!... I just didn't think it'd be the same time as her Papa! The two of them were a real sight yesterday-both with runny noses, both crying for attention!... Mitch isn't much of a complainer, so for him to say "I think I'm really sick," you know he must be next to dying!

Bexley really played up being sick. Last night she refused to sleep unless she was being held-which made for a really long night for Mom. Today she's still a little stuffy, but in a much better mood. She LOVES her little green chair!

Today, Mitch came home, still sick, to find Bexley watching TV in her favorite chair-hogging the remote! What's Dr.Mom's big plan for her two sick babies? Tylenol & couch rest!

Nothing the Olympics & PTI can't cure!

Really? My turn to have the remote?

What do you mean don't eat it!?! What else am I supposed to do with it?

Ward Talent Show

Inspired by Rachelle, Brendon & the Brown Boys at the family reunion, Mitch and I decided to showcase our talent at the Ward Talent Show yesterday. With the help of our friends Alex & Linnie, we put on a show-stopping skit!...... We even won "Best in Show!"

The video was a taking way too long to post here, so I uploaded it to YouTube:

Click this link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJDgR9Uj8zc

It's also on my facebook page! Enjoy!

VT: Managing Resources Wisely and Staying Out of Debt

The Visiting Teaching Message for this month is one very close to my heart. Debt is not only a temporal responsibility, it is a spiritual one as well. Think of those you know who are overwhelmed with debt... Most are frustrated, even depressed. Now think of a person you know who is living within, even below, their means. Their financial freedom allows them to better serve their families and others in need.

Debt can destroy our self-esteem and our happiness. It is hard to see the light over the horizon when your heart is weighed down and you can't seem to keep your head above water. It is even harder to remember you are a loved child of our Heavenly Father when you see your world crumbling around you and feel abandoned by the Lord. In times of great need, we must remember-the Lord knows our sorrow and is always waiting for us to turn to Him for assistance.

President Spencer W. Kimball promised, "If we live wisely and providently, we will be as safe as in the palm of His hand."

I made these cute purses for the sisters I visit teach and they loved them! I had to hand write on the coins because I visit teach in Spanish, but the one at the site is in English. All you have to do is cut and tape- no worries!

I have found some great visiting teaching blogs that would inspire even the most uninspired to go do their visiting teaching! One of them is http://visitingteachingblog.blogspot.com/
Get inspired! Go visit your sisters!

Ticklish Toes

By popular demand, we're posting some mini-videos for the Grandmas! Ladies, you'll love this! We found our new favorite game with Bexley-it's so fun to see her personality growing.


She was kinda distracted, so we tried it one more time-but she had enough! I love her so much- she's even cute when she's grumpy!

SNOW DAY!

A day off from work, yet still hard at work!

Our neighbor Twyla sings Mitch's praises every time it snows and he shovels both our driveways! The last big snow storm, he was out of town and Twyla and I braved the cold and helped each other finish the job. I must say, it's nice to have him back so I can cheer him on from the warm living room. I would help, but we only have one shovel and he won't share!

Check out the snow on our patio table! I was going to measure it with a ruler, but I think I need a measuring stick!

Happy Valentines Day!

Mitch, Bexley & I had a great Valentines Day together! I don't know how he did it, but Mitch somehow bought and hide these beautiful flowers for me! I was surprised with them Valentines' morning with a cute card that had a picture of Rivers in it, looking guilty.... Evidently I would have had chocolates too, if he hadn't eaten them!

Since it was Sunday, we weren't planning on doing much. My friend, Michele Boehmke, and her family invited us over for dinner. Every time we go to Michele's they just have the best food! Her husband, Tim, made potato soup. He is a very good cook! Then, we had fun making pizzas and attempted to do some foot stamping of the babies.... For those of you inspired to get your baby's foot & handprints for your scrapbooks, I highly suggest doing it while their asleep! We learned the hard way! The footprints went ok, but the handprints were a nightmare! Both Bexley & Milo curled their hands shut & made it impossible to get a decent print!

Michele- your dinner invitation was an inspired one! Our oven "kicked the bucket" that night and is still not working! But, we haven't even had to cook since you feed us Sunday and we had the leftovers for dinner tonight!... Now just hope the repair guy shows up tomorrow and doesn't get snowed out like he did today! Thanks again!

Happy Valentines Day everyone!

Amanda's B-Day Bash!

January 2oth, 2010- For my birthday this year, we decided to take a special trip to Cleveland! We drove up, stayed at a hotel and spent the whole next day exploring the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame! Since we left late, Bexley slept the whole ride up. By the time we were settled into our hotel room, she decided it was time to wake up and play! This picture was taken around 3am-when she was at her most talkative state. She just hated the hotel crib and would not calm down in it-we finally decided to just let her hang out with us.... She loved that, and babbled and cooed away while Mitch and I tried to sleep.

Bexley's sleepless night paid off in the long run. She fell asleep the next morning as we were leaving the hotel, slept through our entire trip to the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame and the West Side Market. Actually, she slept until we were an hour away from being home!..... Yup, a seven hour daytime "nap"-which resulted in another sleepless night for Mom, but well worth the quiet day and quality time I got to spend with my hubby. Whether she knows it or not, the "day off" was the best gift little Bexley could give me for my birthday! We don't have any other pictures because the museum doesn't allow pictures inside, but it's definitely an interesting place for all music fans to visit.

Bexley's First Christmas Dress

I could not believe how hard it was to find a Christmas dress for a newborn!
These pictures were taken on Dec. 17th- I can't believe how different she looked only 10 days later on the day she was blessed!
Ivee's favorite picture

Baby Taz

Well, I should have known what I was in for when I found out Mitch's nickname as a baby was "Baby Taz!" Bexley sure can cry with the best of them!.... A trait she definitely picked up from her papa! This cute outfit showed up on our doorstep from Aunt Ada & Uncle Luis. Ada found this outfit 3 years ago-just about right after Mitch & I got married- and had been holding onto it, just waiting for our first little "Taz" to make her appearance. Like I said, just like her papa.

Kim's 22nd B-Day! Dec. 28th, 2009

While my family were in town for Christmas, we got to celebrate Kimmi's B-day with her!

We ate at Asian Gourmet- Sushi & Thai food- true Kimmi style!

No job, but still working hard! How does that work? Just kidding Dad!

Bexley's Baby Blessing

Bexley Belisaria Brown received her baby blessing on Sunday, December 27th, 2009 in the Westerville 2nd Ward of the Columbus Ohio East Stake from her Papa, Mitch Brown.

Bexley was blessed with:

• A compassionate heart, like her Mother's
• A sense of humor- to help her overcome challenges she encounters in her life.
• To have empathy towards her brothers & sisters (fellowman)
• The gift of tongues- to speak to members of her family who speak different languages
• To honor her heritage-spiritual and cultural-both pioneer and converts of the church
• A desire to marry in the temple and lead her family with a worthy man
• A love for the commandments and a desire to follow them
• To "waste not a moment" in life and pursue an education
• To have a sense of accountability and integrity
• To have a personal relationship with the Savior

I wish I could have remembered every word, it was a very inspired blessing. Her grandpa, Papa Garcia, was in the circle, along with many close family friends from our loving ward.

She's a real talker-just like Mom & Grandma!

I absolutely love the dress she wore! After searching for weeks- and finding nothing-I stumbled across this dress with my Mom and sisters when we were holiday shopping! Thank you Ivee, for being constantly thirsty! Without you, we would have never gone to the food court and passed the store that had this dress! I knew it was the dress the second we saw it-especially when we all started screaming and running for it! This is my favorite face!