Happy Birthday Brookie Cookie!!!

Happy Birthday Brooke!!! Today is my oldest sister's birthday and so I am going to give a little shout out to her! Growing up she was a swimmer. She swam for Fire Water and Skyline, and she also played water polo. I remember on many occasions going to her swim meets and cheering her on, although it was always so hot in there!! It was fun to be proud of my sister! She took care of us a lot when my parents were away, she tended us many times and always reminds me of that fact when I tend for her now! I think that I have just about paid my debt for all the times that she tended me though! :) I bought my first car from her....she had a little Plymouth Colt that when she tired of I bought from her. I loved that car... it was so fast and could fit anywhere! I recall when she was driving it how cool I thought it was and that I needed that car! Well I did get it and it was super fun! She also had this great dress/outfit growing up that I loved. It was blue with white polka dots and it was this short/dress type thing. I could never borrow it cause it never fit but boy did I love it!



Brooke is a great mother to her 4 children. 3 of which are boys and they certainly keep her on her toes, as they are very active boys. On one occasion I tended for her over night and I was beet by the next day, I don't know how she does it---I get exhausted just thinking about them! She takes great care of all of them and has taught them well, she is always doing something to be involved in their lives whether it is driving to sports or participating in school activities. You can always find her on the sidelines of their games and cheering the loudest. If you want a laugh all you need to do is head to her home and you can be on the floor in sticks with the things that she and her children say.

I remember one experience in particular where she cared for me while my parents were away. She was on the phone and I was trying to open up something with a pair of scissors. Well of course they slipped and I jabbed my wrist and it began to bleed a lot as I had barely missed a vein. She was quick to come to my aid, she threw down the phone and helped me to start applying pressure. My mom came home shortly after and we had it all under control. I am glad that Brooke was there to take care of me cause I would have been a wreck if she hadn't been.

Brooke loves to be social and she has many friends. She loves to ask questions and I would say she is one of the best at it! She has her own Avon business and she has done very well with it, allowing her to devote more time to her children. There is a great spirit in her home and you can tell that she works hard to have a good feeling in her home. Every time I visit I am welcomed into her home even if things are busy and she asks me about me which I am thankful for. I know that she teaches her children well and works hard to help them to be good people.


She is an example to me in many ways and I am thankful that she is my sister and friend!! Hope you have a GREAT DAY, you deserve it!!


HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

Painting Adventures!

Thanks for the help and the fun memories!!! Soon we can have a real party and not just a painting one!

Michele & MacKenzie

Jen & Elba painting

I think that I am getting scolded here for painting him...

Wendy! Jeddah & Wendy

Tyler painting Jeddah---don't worry he got scolded!

Too much paint on me!!!

Condo Remodel

This is what has been done so far. I have the ceilings scrapped and textured and am getting ready to paint this weekend. As soon as I have it all pretty I will post more photos! I have had a lot of help from people that is much appreciated, I couldn't have done it alone!

Draper Temple Openhouse

This week I had the opportunity to attend the Draper Utah Temple Open house. It was a wonderful experience! And the temple is gorgeous, they sure haven't spared anything in the construction. We had the chance to have a guided tour by a good friend of our family, he has been a part of the public affairs committee and offered to take us. It was nice to hear details about the temple that you wouldn't get just walking through the tour with everyone else--what a great sport he was to share his vast knowledge with us! What a blessing the temple is in my life, it is a place that brings great peace and comfort and in our world today that is very much needed! If you haven't had the chance to go and you live in or around the SLC valley you need to go! The open house goes through March 14th.

I closed......

Well it is official....I am a homeowner! I closed this week on my condo! There certainly were a lot of papers to sign, they aren't kidding when they tell you that!!! I am super excited to get things painted and moved in! This is something that I have looked forward to for a long time and I have taken a LONG time to find the perfect place for me and I finally did. The kitchen is my favorite part----nice and open! As soon as I get the place painted I am moved in! I can't wait! But boy is it hard to choose paint colors!!!! I am excited to put my stuff away and leave it there for awhile! I have spent far too much time in my life lately moving around from place to place, I am ready for some stability.

I feel really good about what the next few years of my life may bring---I am venturing into many new experiences that are really helping me to grow. It can only get better right???? I know that there is much uncertainty in the world today, especially with the economy, but I feel a great sense of peace in making this huge decision in my life and moving forward with my life in the way the Lord would have me do.

As soon as I get some of the walls painted I will post a few pictures!

Meeting my favorite artist.....

This past weekend my stake had our women's conference. The guest was Hilary Weeks!!!! Being that she is my all time favorite artist I was super excited to go and hear her! I have all of her Cd's and her book, and have truly been blessed by hearing her music. I first came to know of her while on my mission. I had a difficult time with one of my companions and it was during this time that one of the other sister missionaries introduced me to her music. I gained strength and wisdom from these songs that I needed. I have enjoyed as she has written more music and I am right there to buy her new Cd's when they come out. My sister Sarah is also a huge fan, and I knew that she had to come along! We had an awesome experience!!! It was super fun to listen to her and to feel of her testimony of those things that she has written music about.

When we first arrived she (Hilary) was walking to the drinking fountain--perfect we could talk to her!! We told her that we were her biggest fans, she was super kind and asked us where we had been hiding all this time! We chatted for a few minutes and told her of the influence that her music has had on us- it was fun to connect with her and chat to a very down to earth person- and then we headed to the conference. We sat right in front so that we could have a good view and hear well. She shared some songs as well as words with us that were perfect for me! She has such a way of conveying the spirit and it was awesome to be there. After the conference was over we headed up to the stand to tell her once again of our appreciation, we had a little token of thanks along with a card that we had written for her. We expressed our thanks and handed the gift to her. She was surprised, but shouldn't be as she is amazing, and said you guys really do like me!!! We told her we weren't kidding we really are her biggest fans!!!

What a great experience to be with her. As we left we talked about how humble she is and the great influence she has had on our lives. I am ever thankful that she has used the talents that she has been given from Our Father in Heaven to bless so many peoples lives. As I think of her I am reminded that we all have something that we have been given from God. We might not be a singer who sings beautiful songs, a skilled physician who heals people, or an artist who paints masterpieces. But each of us have something that we have be given to bless others lives. A sister, mother, brother, father, teacher, friend, or any other role we may have is no less important or makes no less of an impact on others lives.

I have been truly blessed by so many who have been given talents that they use to bless my life. I am a better person because of so many great people! If you have never heard her music I encourage you to do so, I promise that you will not be disappointed! www.hilaryweeks.com

25 Random Things.....

1-I have been tagged about 25 times for this thing! And wasn't going to give in but alas I am :)

2-I love oreos, I always try to branch out in getting something different but it doesn't ever happen!

3-I hate driving with a passion!!! Especially downtown, do the buses think they own the road???

4-Growing up we spent many a summer boating and camping...I think that my dad sometimes wished he had some sons to do guy stuff with!

5-My nieces and nephews call me Rae Rae and now so do my friends, I guess they can!!!

6-I will shortly be closing on my first place---YEA for adulthood!!!

7-I LOVE watching Hockey!!!

8-I am a bit OCD.....though in my older years I have gotten better, I at least let people sit on my bed without getting mad now! My sisters helped me with that while I was on my mission!

9-In the last 5 years I have moved 7 times, soon to be 8....but that will be it for awhile!!!

10-While on my mission I was chased by a bull...thank goodness I had the pitch fork!!

11-I am currently addicted to ALIAS---I think that I have a new hollywood crush!! Only 1 1/2 sessions left!!!

12-I love baking!!! I can't wait for my big kitchen!!

13-I have an obsession with shoes and handbags.....I have a ton, though I hate shoes that tie so that collect is rather small.

14-I enjoy playing rock band---I guess I better buy one instead of using everyone elses!

15-My family means the world to me and I would do anything for any of them.....spending time with them makes me very happy, especially my nieces and nephews.

16-I want to visit Africa. Ghana to be exact.

17-I love to read....I could sit and read all day and night if time would allow.

18-Cleaning is one of my favorite things to do, a clean house also makes me happy!!

19-I have always worked for great companies. Never have I been treated poorly at my workplace....although there might be hard times, I have enjoyed all of my jobs as well as had GREAT bosses!!

20-One day I will have a Grand Piano in my front room.

21-My Grandma Ann was one of my best friends, in my adulthood we really bonded, the day she died was one of the hardest for me. I still miss talking with her, especially about boys!!

22-People love to tease me! I don't like it so much, but I am getting better about letting it slide instead of getting upset.

23-I enjoy sending notes in the mail to people, whether it is to thank them for something or just to tell them how much I appreciate them and think they are awesome!

24-I have 2 metal plates and about 10-15 screws in my right arm---that accident was not fun!

25-I have met some incredible people in my life, who have taught me many thing. I have had great friends all along the way and am very thankful for that!