Remeber when . . . .

• I wasn't going to buy anymore Easter candy
• I was going to stop drinking diet cherry pepsi
• I was going to fast for 24 hours (but I had to make ice cream for a dessert)
  

You probably don't but I sure do and I failed at all of those this week. My conclusion = I HAVE NO SELF CONTROL!!!! Awesome.

I now have the Kindle fire. That really is awesome. My other Kindle stopped functioning but I bought the extended warranty and so I got a gift card in the mail for the original price and it was only $40 to upgrade to the fire. That was pretty exciting.

I have a headache just thinking about this upcoming week. Monday=teacher meetings until 5, Tuesday and Wednesday=parent teacher conferences, and Thursday=tri-track meet. Can I take Friday off? This is going to be the longest week ever. Good thing I bought some diet cherry pepsi I am so going to need it.

Definitely starting the countdown to spring break. I am pretty sure I am going on a cruise. So excited, can't wait. I just want to soak up the sun.

The weather has been amazing. Friday I hiked the Y, Saturday I played ultimate frisbee and biked. That is something I have been loving:)

Boston: AAPHERD Convention

uss constitution
I was selected with some others from the school district I work in to attend the national PE conference. The conference is held every year. I have been one other time, my first year teaching when it was held in Salt Lake. It is a huge conference and I was excited to go as a veteran teacher and also to see Boston.

We flew in late Tuesday night and were met at the airport by a shuttle and the news that two of the city transformers had blown up in a hotel close to wear we were staying. Luckily it was not our hotel so we weren't evacuated but not so lucky there was no electricity for a 2 mile radius which happened to include our hotel.

It was midnight by the time we got to the hotel. They moved me from room 30 something to 1304 so I only had to haul my luggage up 13 floors:) Let's just say I am not a light packer. The thought of not being prepared makes me nervous. I hauled a very heavy suitcase 40-50 lbs, with a backpack stuffed to the brim on my back, up all those stairs. I was slightly winded when I got to my room. My phone was almost out of power so it made for an interesting first night. I just slept in the clothes I traveled in.

The next morning there was still no power. I was one of the lucky few that woke up early and got a hot shower...yo yeah! Once the reserve was gone it was cold showers for a few days. All meetings for the day were cancelled so we headed to explore the city.

We walked the freedom trail.

State Capital and Bunker hill

It takes you through lots of historical sites: The capital, numerous churches that were used for meetings during the revelution, the church where the Boston tea party was planned, the Boston massacre site, Paul Revere's home, two really old and cool graveyards, past the USS constitution, and then finally Bunker Hill.

We stopped along the way at a famous Italian Pastry shop: Mike's Pastry and bought cannoli's. They were huge and delicious!

The walk through Boston was 7-8 miles and took the majority of the morning. After we went to The Oyster House, one of the oldest restaurants in Boston. I had clam chowder and it was delicious.

Wednesday evening Emily came and picked me up and showed me around Boston. We went to the Harvard campus and walked around for a while. She was an excellent tour guide.

We touched John Harvard's golden shoe for good luck. I am counting on it now!

Emily also drove me by the Boston Temple so I could have a look.

It was super fun to see Emily and catch up for a few hours.

Thursday morning there was still no electricity. I started the day by a slow jog on the freedom trail. One member of our group missed it the day before so we guided her through all the sites. It was a great way to start the day.

We got back to the hotel and everyone in our group was headed to Fenway for a tour. We took cold showers and then jogged much more quickly over to the park to join the tour. It was 2 miles. By this time I was a little tired of running and wondering why on earth I felt like I needed to shower before going...remember the shower was very cold.

But we caught up with our people! Oh and this is the point where we found out the conference was cancelled.


Fenway Park. I am no Red Sox fan but it was cool to learn the history of the park and see the oldest baseball stadium in the country.


I was so happy Robyn was around this day. She teaches at a high school and she has sooo much energy and she is super fun. We really annoyed the tour guide with all of the pictures we wanted. But for $12 per person you should be able to touch the dugouts. (We got yelled at for this)

One entrance to the park.

We posed in front of every spot you could.

Good times. Then we headed over to the Garden and looked around at where the Celtics play. After that it was naps and meeting everyone for dinner.

Friday we jogged along the Charles river. It was a really nice jog and we got to watch all the rowers. The we showered and headed to China town.

They had a cool entrance. Then we walked to the bay so we could eat at The Barking Crab!

Featured in man vs food and drivers, diners, and dives. They have 12 pound lobster.

The 12 pounder costs $289...what the ????

I stuck to fish and chips which were delicious by the way. I think the best I have ever had. I could only eat half of the meal.

Overall it was a crazy week. I didn't count the number of times I walked up 13 flights of stairs but it was more than 10 times. Finally Saturday morning full power was restored. My legs were exhausted by the time I got off the plane last night. I am seriously too tall to fly. My legs hit the seat in front of me the entire time. Very annoying.

Dan welcomed me home by saying, "On behalf of the Utah tax payers I would like to welcome you home from your paid vacation." A little crazy. Luckily we went on a grant. I was actually sad we missed the conference because there were some things I was looking forward to. I am also ticked I could not get anyone to go to Les Miserables with me. No one in my group was interested. LAME!

mmmmm

Please tell me I am not the only one in the world addicted to these eggs. I bought a bag today and told myself this is the last time this Easter season.....now we will see if I stick to it!!!!

Busy

I now go to Physical Therapy 2x a week. I have some pretty crazy exercises I do everyday for my shoulder and my hamstrings. The first week I was so sore I could not really do anything else. My hamstrings initially hurt more than they ever have. Now that I have gotten used to the different activities my body has adjusted and I am not sore. They do seem to be working so I will continue to spend $25 a session and see if it continues to make a difference. These super bands were introduced to me at physical therapy and they are awesome.

So awesome that I bought 6 to use for track (yes I am coaching track again, call me sucker of the year). There might have been a slingshot incident where a student slammed into a wall but now that I understand how powerful they are I think we are good.

These are my boots. Aren't they cute. I love wearing them with dresses and skirts but I may need to get some pants to wear them with as well.

Dan got me an Amazon gift card thinking I would buy books for my Kindle but instead I was able to use the money to help pay for the boots:)

Last night was the basketball banquet.

It is completely over. That is a relief. Only one parent would not talk to me or look at me. Kind of awkward but that's how it goes sometimes. High school sports are hard and it is hard when your kid does not play as much as you think they should.

And can I say one thing I actually hate doing: giving constructive criticism to adults. It is just hard and awkward. And I hate doing it. But I am in a multiple positions that force me to do it on a regular basis. LAME!

On another good note the PG womens basketball team I play on won the championship. Yo-yeah! They give out sweatshirts so it is extra exciting. I still love to play basketball.

Presidents Weekend

I was fortunate enough to be able to head home for Presidents weekend. Sam and Amanda were headed out and since basketball is over I was able to take two days off of work and have a mini vacation. SO NICE! Sam drove the entire way which was super nice. I slept and read in the car, oh and ate way too much but that is what you do when you are in the car for 10 hours. Dan was able to come home as well so the whole family was together. That means lots of craziness, laughing, teasing, games, and some inappropriate comments.

Olivia is growing up way too fast. I got this hat for her. My neighbor makes them and I think they are adorable. I don't know that Olivia loves hats and the weather in California is not that cold but it is super cute on her.

We really just hung out all weekend. Either at Ben and Katie's or my parents. It was also Katie's bday while we were home so that was fun to celebrate.

All my pictures seem to have Olivia in them. I didn't get my camera out enough but it is so fun to capture pictures or her in all her craziness.

Sunday night we played games until midnight. Mikila joined us and my stomach was seriously sore from laughing, well my face also hurt from smiling so much. Good times.

The trip bonus was that so many friends from high school were in town. I love these girls!

Birthday Overload!

Truth be told sometimes I am not great at taking pictures or drawing them.

(I didn't draw this Katie did but it was one of my favorites from the night it went from construction worker to fire escape. I can't get enough of this game. I laugh constantly)
My birthday weekend extravaganza. I felt very spoiled this year. Friday night Ben and Jana took me out to some delicious Thai food. Somehow Dan got to benefit from my birthday dinner as well. Not quite sure how that happened (although it happened once before), but the food was great as was the company. Unfortunately it did not send Jana into labor. I was really hoping the baby could come on my birthday.

Saturday I had to coach basketball. It is our end of season tournament. My team surprised me with gifts on the bus. Not just one gift but multiple gifts. Hot tomales, a book, and a curling iron. They love it when I curl my hair but I haven't curled it recently because the handle has a huge crack and I had a dream that it electrocuted me. Silly dream but quite frightening and not worth the risk. Well they got wind of this and took action. Now I have new very nice curling iron. They are expecting curls for the game tomorrow. But the best part was they won their game. I told them that was all I wanted for my birthday and they gave me that!

After the victory we went to Pizza Pie Cafe where coaches and bus drivers eat free, yo yeah! They did dessert there for me also. And sang again, the third time they sang happy birthday. So that was all a little overwhelming but very nice of them. I don't need anyone to sing me happy birthday for a very long time.

Saturday night was girls night with my aunts and cousins. We had some yummy dinner and played games. So fun. I have been fighting a nasty cold for a few days but it was still super fun.

This morning I woke up to snow. It snowed all day. I decided to take my Sunday walk anyways. I really enjoy walking in the mornings before 1 o'clock church. It was a little wet but not too cold.

I got home from my walk and Katie had made some yummy breakfast. Church was great. I wore a new dress that I bought with the money my parents sent me. Thanks Mom and Dad! A Costco special that I love.

Dan made some delicious steak for dinner and Katie made a great salad. Overall I felt very loved and had a great weekend. I can't believe that I am 32 but I am determined to make the best of it.

I was a little sad Friday thinking about how my life is just different than what I wished for and expected and then you realize that everyone's life is that way to a point. And then I started thinking that it is more important to focus on whether or not I am where the Lord needs me to be and am I doing the things he needs LaNell Brown to do. And you know I think I am on the right track. I am not perfect but I really try to follow the spirit and make the right choices. More than anything I have seen and felt so many weaknesses exposed this year at work. Both from teaching and coaching. It has been really eye opening and difficult but I think I am becoming a better teacher, coach and ultimately person because of it.

I am really looking forward to this coming weekend. I am headed home for the weekend. I am way excited. Nothing like a few days off! That is my birthday present to myself.

Blah

I feel blah because it was fast Sunday and then I totally ate an entire days worth of calories in a 2 hour time period. You would think by now I would be smart enough not to do that. YUCK!

Last week was LONG, LONG, LONG! There were incidents with parents, with students, with players. It goes on and on and on. I was so happy when Friday night finally rolled around. And to start the weekend off my basketball team won Friday night. We have not won a lot of games this year so I was super happy for them.

Yesterday I attended an 18 stake girls camp meeting. Seriously how crazy is that. There were so many people there. Everyone involved with girls camp was invited. It was seriously amazing. Sister Dalton the young women general president came to speak...amazing. And then there were 4 hours of classes. It was training for camp. I am so excited and overwhelmed. I walked away having felt the spirit so strong. I always knew girls camp was important but my testimony of that was definitely strengthened. It was so great to hear the values and be reminded of the sweet spirit that is present as you talk about the young women's standards. The spirit was so powerful and it reminded me of my days as a young women and how I remember feeling the spirit so strong during different lessons and activities. I know my testimony really began to blossom in young women's. And now I have the responsibility to help other young women have that same experience. That is a lot of pressure but I am excited. You should listen to a song written for the young women theme this year. The song is Guardians of Virtue. I love this song. It is amazing.

My Dad is in the hospital again. Total bummer. I just hate that he is in the hospital and that he is so far away. I hate it a lot. He was admitted on Thursday. We are hoping that he is cleared to head home tomorrow. His body was retaining way too much water. He has lost 8lbs in there now that they were able to get the water out.

I applied for grad school at USU. The school counseling program. I am not 100% I will do it even if I do get in but I think it could be really interesting. I think the psychology classes could really help me as a teacher but even more so as a coach. We will see what happens there. No thesis involved so that has got to be a good sign.

Superbowl Sunday. I think I am one of the only people in the world that could care less about the Superbowl. I don't think I have followed professional football since I lived at home like way back in high school. Crazy.

I am expecting great things for this week. It is the last week of basketball. My dad should get out of the hospital. I have a physical tomorrow and can hopefully get referred to a physical therapist. My student teacher should be teaching more classes. Yup all things point to a great week!

Life Can Be Sweet . . . .

Especially when you eat lots of them.

Since I posted last I have been busy but not really doing anything significant. My hamstring has finally started to feel better. I took some more time off and also tried using a rub recommended to me by one of my basketball players. The deep blue oil and lotion by doterra. Not cheap but they did a decent job. The combination with a little rest has relieved some of the pain. I am still going to follow through and go to my doctor appointment on February 4th. But at least I am back to playing basketball and soccer.

I started practicing basketball with my team everyday. I even try to do all the drills and occasionally I will condition with them. I am attempting to motivate them. Practices are definitely more intense when I play with them. However, I am not in good enough shape to condition with them everyday. We still are not winning many games but I do love the girls and they are getting better!

Last weekend I helped Amber lay her hard wood floor. It was similar to when I layed my own. I was super sore the next day. Manual labor is so not for me. It was a reminder that I actually do enjoy doing those kinds of things. It is so rewarding to do something with your hands and to do it on your own.

I have a student teacher. She is just getting ready to take over most of my classes. Friday was so nice because I actually had time to clean my office while she taught.

Attempted to snow shoe. It was more of a hike but it still felt great to get out in the fresh air.

I have been making it to the gym most mornings. I think that is because of the mild weather. It is so much easier to leave the house when it is dark when the temperatures are not in the teens.

I have been reading lots!

I have to give a talk tomorrow. I have read and thought about it all week but inspiration was non-existent. This morning I cleaned, napped, washed my car, did basically everything but write my talk. Finally I went to the temple and my thoughts finally seemed to make sense. THANKFULLY! We will see how it goes tomorrow.

I got the best sugar cookie recipe ever from one of my players. Her mom made me these cookies and they are delicious. Not healthy, at all, but seriously so yummy! So I made a bunch for lots of different people now I just need to deliver them.

Went to this movie with Dan and Katie:

It was really really good.

Have enjoyed trying a new Thai restaurant: The Spicey Thai and dinner at the Cracker Barrel (with Shaanta and Emily).

Life has been busy but sweet.

My Life Right Now

Wake-up
Eat
Work
Eat
Work
Basketball
Eat
Workout
Bed
Repeat

I am not complaining ............ just saying!

Luv'n' the weekend!

Yesterday was so great. I woke up and ran on my treadmill. Went to the Salt Lake Temple, which was awesome. Saturdays are usually filled with errands and cleaning but it was just what I needed to take a break from that. Last week was crazy. Just getting back into the swing of everything proved rather difficult. I am anticipating this week will be much better. Do you ever feel like you woke up on the wrong side of the bed but you can't figure out why you feel a little off? This was me a couple days last week. So yeah the temple was awesome. And so was the snow. And it was so nice to not think about teaching or coaching for an entire day. Tried to go the whole weekend but alas while I was on my Sunday walk basketball crept into my thoughts.

Last night ended with hanging out with family. Girls night out. We made quesadillas and played this:


I played this over Christmas break with the Hancocks and I definitely am amazing at it so I had to buy it. Ok truth be told I can't draw but I have never laughed so much in one night. And I must say last night my sister-in-law Amanda was sitting next to me and she did a most excellent job of interpreting my pictures. She definitely boosted my confidence.

I am just grateful tonight for the temple and family. It is so great to escape the chaos of life and just laugh and relax. Back to the real world tomorrow but while time stood still this weekend it was simply wonderful.

2012 RESOLUTIONS....well the ones I am sharing

1. Write down things I learn while studying the gospel. I have been decent about writing down three things I am grateful for each day I would like to also add something new I learned about the gospel. Probably won't do everyday but at least a couple of times a week.
2. Pay a little extra on my mortgage each month.
3. Rehabilitate my hamstring. I want to leave the pain in 2012. It may mean sitting out a few sports seasons which will be difficult but in the end worth it.
4. Live the abundant life as suggested by President Monson in this months Ensign: Have a positive attitude, be believing in myself, others and gospel principles, and have the courage to live decently. Not quite sure how to measure this one but at least think about it.
5. Study the Book of Mormon more, not just read it

That is plenty to keep my busy for the year. As I finished the Book of Mormon last month I loved a few versus in Mormon 9. Especially Mormon 9:17-21. Here Moroni is explaining that miracles can still take place in we have faith. I love that! And that if we ask with nothing doubting it will be granted unto us...what a promise.

Elder Holland spoke at the BYU Hawaii commencement ceremony and exerts from his talk were posted on lds.org. I really like some things he said:

“Don't go to your first job or first neighborhood or first staff meeting and just begin to act like everybody else. Be strong. Be true. …Teach—rather than being taught. You can't control everyone's morals, but you can control your own. You can't control everyone's language, but you can control your own. You can't control everyone's personal standards, but you can control yours. And thus the light of the gospel—the figurative lighthouse of Laie—can shine in all the world to which you go. Don't give up and don’t give in. Be strong if you are the only Latter-day Saint for a hundred miles in any direction. Stand straight and true and firm.”

“It is incumbent upon us as students, as Latter-day Saints, and as children of God to see the divine potential in ourselves, to believe in ourselves, and to know that with God’s help there is quite literally nothing in righteousness that we cannot become,” Elder Holland said.

Elder Holland began the first lesson by frankly stating, “For Latter-day Saints in general and BYU—Hawaii students in particular, there should be no ‘blur in the vision of what is humanly possible.’ We of all people should not be guilty of ‘living under our moral capacity’ or, as Brigham Young regularly phrased it, ‘living beneath our privilege.’ I’m saying, in short, that if you lack confidence or always sound apologetic or feel you have an inferiority complex, get over it.”

Everyone starts humbly and with feelings of inadequacy, Elder Holland said. We all have our fears and insecurities. But like the visions seen by the prophets in the eras before us, Elder Holland said, remember that God always needs us to elevate our views.

Elder Holland counseled graduates not to dwell on what they might see as personal disadvantages, but to focus on the wonderful blessings they have had and the wonderful world of possibilities before them. And though some students may apologize for not studying hard enough, they should never apologize for the lack of opportunity, lack of possibility, lack of divine love to guide them, or lack of dreams to make them better than they ever thought they could be—because, Elder Holland said, those are gifts for the taking if they are wanted.

This year I want to be better, live better, represent the Savior better. That is difficult and I know I will mess up but I want to wake up each day with the desire to be better and not apologize or feel bad for who I am and what I believe. I don't want to blend into the background I want to be different!

So there you are.