Winter in Vegas!!!

Since I have been such a bad blogger this month, here are some pictures from the past few weeks.

We had a family reunion the weekend of my birthday up in Utah and got to see lots of cousins. Alexa and her cousin that was her same age had so much fun. They kept wrestling. I have never seen her act so tough.

It has been nice and warm. Alexa loves going and picking the tomatoes out of the garden. She really likes throwing the over ripe ones out into the dirt.

Then it got really cold and snowed about 6 inches. We actually had a snow day and school was canceled. It was pretty funny. Alexa had a blast out in the snow. She made snow angels and threw lots of snowballs. I was freezing. Luckily she finally settled for me sitting on one side of the glass doors and the was outside throwing snowballs at my face. She thought it was pretty funny and I thought it was a lot warmer inside. My ceiling at school actually fell in because of the snow so I have no classroom until they get it fixed!

Here is her cute little Christmas dress she picked out!

We painted a very colorful nativity. She loves to paint!

Alexa played the angel (along with the other girl cousins) in the annual Christmas Eve Nativity.

She took it very seriously. You can see her trying to flap her arms in one of the pictures.

Christmas morning it was hard to get her out of bed. My dad even accidentally set off the fire alarm cooking bacon and she didn't even flinch. But once she got up we had fun. She really loved her new undies. She kept saying " how did Santa know Ariel is my favorite princess?"

Santa also brought her the new Alexa Princess Barbie. It sings when you tough her hand.

Alexa got me a lot of really cute stuff. KT and Will took her shopping. She got me a princess puzzle that we could do together, my very own set of pom poms so we can sheer together, some stuff for my bulletin board at school, and a cute statue of a mom and daughter dancing. She made me this cute card. She is getting really good at writing and spelling. She is so smart!

The look on her face when all the presents were done! Lucky for her, she is in Utah now getting even more Christmas! We miss her!

Just my thoughts from today...

My testimony of the gospel has always been an easy thing for me. Even when things have been hard, I have not really questioned whether the church was true. I have always been able to rely on my testimony. Today during Sunday school, we were reading from Moroni chapter 7 and the promise in there that if you "ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, He will manifest the truth of it unto you,…and by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things." Later in the chapter it talks about some different gifts that people have and it became apparent to me that I have been blessed with the gift of faith and a testimony of the gospel. Although I know what I believe, the past few months I have felt the spirit less in my life. I was not really sure why, but it has just felt like I was numb to the spirit. I was just living life and just scraping by. I have been so busy with work and church and Alexa that I have not been as diligent with my scripture study and prayers as I should be.
I was talking with my parents tonight about life and felt like I was being a little silly for even feeling the way I was. My mom said you need to just pray about it. She told me to spend 30 minutes on my knees praying about it. So I did. Now I didn’t quit spend 30 minutes on my knees, but when I was done praying for just a little confirmation that I am on the right path, that I am doing the right things, and that the things that I am looking for would eventually come I pulled out my scriptures and decided to just let them fall open. I was just going to read until I felt like I had an answer. I was ready to read all night if I had to. I started reading in a short chapter in Alma about war and all these people dying, wasn’t sure how long I was going to have to read to get out of the violent war chapters which I don’t like so much. I got to the next page and my eyes filled with tears. It was Alma chapter 29.
This is a very important scripture to me. Several years ago, when I was in high school, my boyfriend was killed in a car accident. The night before he passed away, he was telling me about his favorite scripture and read it to me over the phone. He was getting ready to leave on a mission and was maybe going to use this on his little missionary plaque. The evening of his accident, before I had been told what had happened, I felt very dark and alone. I didn’t know what was the matter or what to do to get rid of the feelings I had so I picked up my scriptures and began reading. I read for a while and then my cousin came to the door so I threw my bookmark in and got distracted. An hour or so later I got the dreaded phone call that he had been killed in a car accident. I searched for days to find the scripture that he had read to me the night before. His mom wanted it for the funeral. I had several other people trying to help me find it. We couldn’t find it. Finally one night when things settled a little I went back to my scriptures and opened up to the bookmark and there it was Alma 29, "Oh that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, …..And behold, when I see many of my brethren truly penitent, and coming to the Lord their God, then is my soul filled with joy; then do I remember what the Lord had done for me, yea, even that he hath heard my prayer; yea, then do I remember his merciful arm which he extended towards me."
The Lord is merciful. Not only was I able to have my prayers answered, but I was also reminded that the church is true and that Christ is my Savior and that he loves me. I don’t believe in coincidences. Things happen for a reason. I am so lucky to have had some wonderful missionary experiences lately which have allowed for me to reflect and to see the mercy of the Lord.

Fun Week!!!

This past week has ben a lot of fun, but it has been really busy. I can't remember the last time I got a good night of sleep. I think I am running myself out, but I am sure having a good time doing it.

Last Weekend, Alexa and I went up to Utah and got to see some of our old friends. We went to the Chocolate Festival and how can that not be fun!!!

We had a great Thanksgiving. We made lots of pumpin pies and had lots of family over. We made a cute gingerbread castle with her cousins. Then they gave us a concert. It was so funny. She rocks out!!!

That night my cousins and I decided to start shopping at midnight and had a long day getting some great deals at Toy's R Us and Walmart. Then later that night my family suprised me with a birthday party. I had no idea. I can't believe they pulled it off.
The next day we all went to Opportunity Village and saw Santa. Alexa asked for the new Alexa princess barbie and a digital camera. She loves to take pictures and is pretty good at it.

Click here for a slideshow of our pictures.
http://www.slide.com/r/ypYIVC2p5j8L9KJ1wdBWlL9KHYKwClcZ?previous_view=mscd_embedded_url&view=original

tonight at family prayers, Alexa prayed "that grandme wont get the dizzies" It was cute!!!

Sunday: Alexa's Favorite Day!

On Sunday, Alexa had to give a talk in primary. This is the first time she has ever done anything like this. She is getting so big. She helped me write the talk and she did a lot of it on her own. She did such a good job. It was so cute. Later that night we decide to film her doing it so everyone could see. (No she didn't wear her pajamas to church!)

After church Alexa was singing a song that they have been practicing for the primary program next week. The song that goes "Onward, every onward.." she kept singing it with the wrong words, "Awkward, Aint it Awkward..." She is so funny.

The Fairy Godmother!

Happy Halloween!!!

We had a lot of fun the past few days. Thursday night we went to the trunk or treat at my mom's church. All of our cousins came and went trick or treating with us. No one could tell what I was. I have to get more pictures from my sister of us in our costumes because I forgot my camera. Alexa looked so cute and kept telling me how everyone thought she was so beautiful. Everyone did stop us and say how cute she looked. These pictures don't do it justice. Her wig was so funny. Her grandma sent it to her and she was so excited to wear it.
Friday I went with my cousin to go visit family and some old friends with the kids in their costumes. I now know how candy really does change the way a kid acts. I thought that it might just be one of those old wives tale that they get so hyper off candy, but the kids were so wild and just running around people's houses that we stopped at. It was all worth it though. We had a fun weekend!!!

First Time Voter!

I went yesterday to vote early. This was my first time voting. Last presidential election I didn't get registered right in Utah. I was pretty excited to get to vote. As I was standing in line, there was a boy in front of me who looked realy young. He went up to the booth to sign in and they asked him if he was a first time voter. Of course he was and everyone started clapping and cheered for him. I was excited to be a first time voer, so I was waiting for my cheer. I got to the front of the line. They asked me to show them my ID and then gave me my card to go vote. They didn't even ask. I was kind of depressed that they didn't think I looked young enough to be a first time voter. Oh well.

Pumpkin Art!!!

This past weekend we had a friend from Utah come down and visit. Alexa was so excited to see her. She came with us to Alexa's gymnastics and soccer and then we went to Walmart and got stuff to carve pumpkins. We got a little too adventurous and decided to do some complicated designs. Alexa really wanted a Cinderella pumpkin, so we gave it a try. I was actually pretty impressed with myself and my pumpkin. It turned out better than I thought it would. Alexa loved it. It looked really cool in the dark with the candle lit. It already got all shrivelled up and doesn't look like Cinderella any more.

My cousin's little girl came over while we were doing pumpkins and after we were done with the knives, they got to paint their own pmpkins. They were so proud!

Homecoming Date!

This past week was homecoming week at Centennial. We have been pretty busy helping the freshmen with their decorating and float. It was fun to get to go to the football game with my family, but it is weird being on the other side of things. Alexa got to go on the float as a lion because their theme was animal planet. She had so much fun and thought she was pretty hot stuff. Her gymnastics teacher (Will's sister) is a cheerleader there and Alexa was screaming her name and go bulldogs the whole game. She was so cute.

Last night was the dance. I got to go for a few hours to chaperon. My good friend and Alexa came with me. When we were walking in a student said, "oh how cute that girl brought her little sister as her date." Yeah I guess Alexa was my date, but she is not my little sister. We all laughed, but then the best comment came when we went to go get the free family picture for staff members. We walk up and Alexa and I go stand in front of the backdrop and my friend just stood off to the side. The photographer asked if the other mom wanted to get in the picture too. What is this world coming to that they would even ask that.

Alexa's Art Work

Alexa drew this sweet little picture today of herself praying. I just think it is so cute. She is becoming such a little artist.

Sad Sad Day!

This website is for Elder Brown. You can get his emails and here about Uruguay.
http://elderbrown.groupbrown.com

This morning Tommy was set apart to be a full time missionary and left this afternoon to serve a two year mission , spreading the gospel in Uruguay. He flies straight into the Argentina missionary training center where he will study the language for three months and then he is off to Uruguay. We are so very proud of him. He is the first missionary in our family and well the first missionary on my mom's side of the family. He did such a good job on his talk in church on Sunday. We had lots of company in town and had so much fun talking and "screaming." If you were there that night you will know what I mean. I love my family!!!

I have been so busy with work and Tommy's stuff that I haven't had time to blog lately, but don't worry. Now that Tommy is gone I will have my very own laptop and can blog much more easily. We will miss Tommy (I mean Elder Brown) but it will be fun to see the blessings that come to our family because of his mission.

There is such joy in sharing the gospel. I have already begun to see a change in my life. Yesterday, a friend at work asked for a copy of the book "True to the Faith" which talks about the different areas of the gospel and what we believe in. It is a great reference book. He said he has been searching for something and this seems to be the answer to his questions. He is very interested in the gospel and we will see what comes of it. He is from Argentina and so he was really interested in Tommy leaving.

Soccer Champ!

This morning Alexa had gymnastics and soccer. She looks so cute. She is getting so big. When they kick the ball into the goal, the teacher told them to yell "bulls eye." Alexa would yell "bulldogs." (That is our school mascot! She has been taught well.)

The Prima Ballerina

Alexa learned that pose from the Wii Fit!

Alexa started her first ballet class today. She has been wanting to take ballet for over a year and I finally found a class the community center that was pretty cheap. She loved it. She picked out her outfit a few weeks ago and was so excited to put it on. I bought her a little ballet bag to carry her shoes in at the dollar store that she has been waiting to open. The class was fun. Alexa was very concerned about having her toes pointed. She definitely has the body of a ballerina. She is getting so tall. She will pass me up soon.

Poor Elizabeth!!!

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am not the best at up keep on my car. It is not very high up there on my list of priorities. (I would way rather blog than clean my car!) It was starting to get bad enough that it was even bothering me so I had it washed Saturday and cleaned out the inside. It was so nice to have a clean car. Today the washing your car curse was in full force. Not only did it ran and get my car all dirty, but on my way home from picking up Alexa I was rear ended. I know many of you are assuming it was my fault, but for once, I was completely innocent! It isn't too bad. I will definitely need a new bumper, but I think that the damages stopped there. Later, Alexa decided to name my car. So my car is now officially known as Elizabeth. She then continued to say, "Poor Elizabeth. Elizabeth, you are my best car ever. I love you!" So Elizabeth is a little banged up, but I love my car too!

Started a New Class!

For those of you who only read this to hear the cute stories about the cutest kid in the word, I will start with one of the many funny things that she said today. For the few of you who want to hear about me, you can keep reading.

--Today my dad was watching Alexa while I went to institute. They were working on putting together the swing set that they bought Alexa. Alexa asked my dad, "You're old, how come your legs don't look old?" He must have nice legs!!! Later she told me she thought they looked young because they are so white.

--Since I am not that good at writing in a journal, I want to try to record some of my feelings about institute. I started a Book of Mormon class today. I have already taken the class, but recently my dad gave me a blessing and said to turn to the scriptures to find answers. I think that through this past few years I have let myself become pretty numb to all feelings. I was too painful to live the life that I was so I put up this wall to try to protect myself. I have recently really seen that wall as I have started to date. I don't want to be let down so I just don't let myself be seseptible to anything that might hurt. Because of this, I think that it has made it really hard to feel the spirit. It is not that I have ever stopped believing or stopped having the gospel as a daily part of my life, but I think it has not been to the fullest extent. I have missed having those goose bumps and feeling the promptings of the spirit. In institute today, he started off by saying that within the next few years, every person in the class would be making very significant decisions in their life such as careers, spouses, education, etc that will grately determine where we will be and what type of life we will have. This is the most important time to be close to the Savior so that he can guide me where I should go so that I will be happy and have all those things which I desire. He then had us watch the movie "The Testaments" about the Savior's visit to the Americas. I love this movie. I have had some very important questions answered while watching that movie in the past. Every time I watch the part where the Savior comes and the people are so happy. I was so happy today as I too was able to feel the love of my Savior and get those little goose bumps that remind me that He is there and is willing to show me the way. I highly recomend anyone who is feeling discouraged or stuck, to watch this movie. My assigned reading for this week is 1st Nephi 1-14 if anyone wants to follow along and I will keep you posted about my experiences next week after class.

Every Time at the Grocery Store is an Adventure!

(Alice...you know what I am talking about!) Today we went to get groceries with my mom after I got off from work. When we were there I whispered to my mom that I needed to get some tampons. Alexa heard and yells across the store, "TAMPONS, TAMPONS, TAMPONS, WHAT ARE TAMPONS? WE NEED TO GET TAMPONS!" She then also realized that it would echo really loud in that store so she didn't want to stop. I was laughing so hard I started to tear up. My mom was trying to get her to stop by explaining what they were and why we don't say that out loud, but that didn't work.

Making Life Simple

Alexa is on this kick lately to shorten all of her words. Instead of calling her dolls her Barbies, they are her "Barbs." She recently got a new Tankiny, but to her it is called a "tank!" Today when I picked her up from my cousin Holli's who is going to babysit her Alexa informed me that she calls her "Holl." Why use the whole word when you can just abbreviate it.

No Regrets

I can never get her with her eyes open!

Alexa came home today. Yea!!!!!! It is so good to have her home. She seems like she grew so much just in the last week and a half. While she was gone, a friend of my parents came over and we were discussing the gospel. He read an article titled "May We So Live." (click here to link to the actual article. It was really good. I highly recommend it.) In the article it talked about death and how we can live our lives in a way that we need not fear. This was a great message, but the thing that really touched me was the part about living without regret and giving service. You could hear his voice start to crack as he was speaking and I was holding back the tears. The spirit was so strong in the room. There was a story about this old lady and this feud that she had with her neighbor. They were neighbors since they were newly married little couples just starting out and something happened to start the battle. In the local newspaper the grandmother used to write in to the "Dear Abby" type column where anonymously other locals would write back solving each other's problems. The grandmother made a dear friend through the column and they would write each other regularly. Using their pen names, they became best friends. This is where you thing the story gets good and you can kind of predict what happens, but then there is a turn for the worst. The neighbor from the horrible feud passes away. Because they were neighbors it was customary to go and help the grieving family so that is what the grandmother did. She was asked to help clean the office where she found a scrapbook full of her letters to the column. The woman next door who she had spent all of these years hating was actually her one true friend.
I know it is a sad story, but it just reminded me how important it is to love you neighbor and to live your life in a way that you have no regrets. Since I have moved to Vegas, I almost daily have to explain why my last name isn't Brown anymore and yet I am not married. There are so many people who knew me as a Brown. They then always feel awkward for asking, but it doesn't even seem weird or uncomfortable for me. I have had some things happen the past year that I didn't want. Things have not gone according to my "plan," but I have absolutely no regrets. I am so grateful for Alexa and the life that I have. I don't think I would have really changed a thing. I have learned so much in the past few years that I would never have understood. I am so grateful to my Savior for all that He has done for me and for the comfort he has given me. I only hope that through serving others, I can begin to show Him my gratitude for the love He has shown me.