Welcome Summer

Things we’ve done since school got out: 

Had a root beer float party

Had a weenie roast

Went to church

Went to a birthday party

Did sidewalk chalk (multiple times)

Rode bikes (multiple times)

Went to the park (multiple times)

Went to a movie

Played board games (multiple times)

Went to Hobby Lobby

Did crafts (with supplies from Hobby Lobby)

Played in sprinklers

Watched lots and lots of TV

Ate pizza

Went to Grandmas’ houses (multiple times)

Played on an inflatable slide

Played hands up stands up

Went to work

Talked to Nicky on the phone

Started tumbling classes

Did chores (multiple times)

Went to the garden center

Went grocery shopping

Went thrift shopping (Daisy found a prom dress)

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I feel like I’ve lived 1,000 lives since Friday.

Only 70 days left.

Currently (June 2026 Edition)

Reading:

I have an actual hard copy of this book from the library, and I have to admit, it's difficult to pick it up and read it. I used to be so anti-e-reader, and now that's the only way I like to read because my book is always in my pocket. 

Singing: “Somebody That I Used to Know” by Gotye

Buying: new life jackets for the fam.

Eating: Honey Nut Cheerios and chips & salsa (I do not recommend this combination based on the afterburps).

Watching:

I haven't started watching this yet, but it's next on my list. 

Dreading: sleeping. I don't like sleeping because every night is a gamble - will I actually get any sleep, or will I wake up in a perimenopausal episode (or from neuropathy pain or from a child with a bloody nose...) and fall back asleep twenty minutes before I have to get up for the day?

Annoyed by: sounds I'm not in control of. 

Listening to:

As with my latest TV show, I haven't yet started this one, but it's next on the list.

Procrastinating: weeding. I was doing so good keeping up on the weeds in the garden, and then I went outside the other day and BAM! A bazillion tiny weeds had surfaced! And I think if I let them grow a wee bit they will be easier to grip and pull out of the ground. But those could be famous last words.

Playing:

Sad about: social situations I've observed with my children. The friendships that have crumbled lately, the parties they weren't invited to, the moments they seem lost or depressed, the interactions they are left out of. 

Eating: hot dogs. We had a weenie roast over the weekend, and we have a few leftover hot dogs that need to be eaten. 

Craving: a binge-worthy TV show on a cold, rainy day. 

Suffering from: weird hair. The front sections of my hair are shorter than the rest of my hair, and the right side is an inch shorter than the left. 

Feeling: neutral. I'm not particularly happy nor unhappy. I'm just neutral. 

Looking forward to: watching our garden grow this summer. What successes will we have? (And what failures... insert sad face). We should be picking peas soon!

Buying: 

I added the Simpsons to my Little People collection.

Laughing about: a poor, little child using our bathroom the other day and bumping the bidet and getting a terrible surprise! It was sad and hilarious. And she was quite soaked.

Grateful for: our recent rainstorm.

Sunday Sentiments - Looking for Lagniappes

Last week I was able to listen to one of Nicky's former companions report on his mission from Oregon (what a fun perk of technology!) The program included a talk from a young woman who was leaving on her mission to Louisiana. Ironically, she lived in Louisiana as a child, so she would be returning to her former home to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ... but in Spanish!

I loved this sister's talk! I learned something kind of fun from her. In Louisiana (and nearby regions) there is a commonly used creole word - lagniappe (LAN-yap) - which means "a little something extra." It is used to describe a small gift or bonus, usually given at a time of purchase.

As we strive to obey the commandments and follow our Savior, I believe we are frequently sprinkled with "a little something extra." Lagniappes from the Lord, if you will. A lagniappe is offered by the vendor - it isn't usually requested. Likewise, there are blessings we pray for and desperately need, but then there are the ones we don't ask for. They are delightful, little surprises we don't expect! Indeed, "a little something extra." 

I've written before about my testimony of tithing. I can't explain it logically, but tithing just... works. Somehow it brings forth the lagniappes. I've also had similar experiences with some Church assignments. As I have given my best efforts to various Church callings, I've received lagniappes like multiplied talents and sacred experiences. 

Now that I have a word for it, I'll be looking for more lagniappes from the Lord - those little surprise blessings. something extra I didn’t even know I needed! I only hope I don't have to continue trying to spell it. 

Actual footage of me discovering another lagniappe

90’s Summer

The 90’s have been trending for a while, and I’ve been seeing a lot of social media discussion about having a 90’s summer. Since I was in peak childhood during the 90’s, I’ve been trying to remember what my summers were like. I don’t have memories of fun, amazing summers. I remember being bored all the time and having to do really weird things to entertain myself. Ya, I rode my bike everywhere just like the kids on TV, and we didn’t have cell phones and all the addiction problems that come with them, but it wasn’t all magical. Here are the things I did to stay busy when I wasn’t at school:

Rearranged my bedroom

Hung upside down from my knees on the swing set

Sat on the front porch and counted how many cars drove by 

Stared at the neighbor girl through the fence slats and tried to creep her out (I would intentionally position my face so she could see one eyeball looking at her)

Watched The Box (for hours everyday)

Watched all the talk shows like Jenny Jones, Ricki Lake, and Maury

Played in the irrigation ditch

Hit golf balls across the street

Walked to stores or gas station

Talked on the phone

Played Super Nintendo 

Climbed on the roof of my house

Put grapes from the yard in my mouth and spit them as far as I could

Sat in a tree and watched people at the park behind my house

Organized my Jonathan Taylor Thomas posters

Worked on my novel on our DOS computer

Played Solitaire, Minesweeper, and Mah Jongg on the DOS computer

Read the phone book

…and the encyclopedia, but we only had "E"

Memorized song lyrics from my CD booklets (if you want to hear “Might as Well Be Walking on the Sun” or “Wannabe,” just send me word)

Did cross stitch

Some of these things might sound nostalgic and wonderful, but did you catch the part where I used to count cars and read the phonebook? Do you think I can convince my kids to do that when they’re bored next week?

90’s Britt

Q&A Forever

I found this post in my drafts folder. I never published it because I was going to find some kind of photo to go with is, but I still can’t post photos from my phone. This inconvenience has really put a damper on my blogging. 

Obligatory photo:

(I found this at the DI last week. It has nothing to do with this post).

Here is yet another questionnaire writing prompt. Is it weird that I’m 42 and still do these?

—————-

What’s a topic you could talk about for hours?

Any of these forty topics (and more). 

What’s something that’s made you really proud lately?

I’ve done 100 jumps (sometimes more) everyday for 46 54 days.

If you could witness any historical event, what would it be?

Any of the Jesus things. I’m just curious how I’d perceive it all. 

What’s your favorite way to spend time with friends?

Talking and laughing. Bonus if we are also eating. 

If you had unlimited time and resources, what hobby would you start?

I would buy vintage cars and old houses and (pay someone to) fix them up. 

What’s your favorite thing about your current job?

I can’t tell you. You would think I’m spoiled, and I like to keep the comforts of my job top secret.

What’s the most creative thing you’ve ever done?

One summer I held a free dance class for ages 10-14. Every week I taught the class one minute of choreography and a lesson on self-worth. 

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

I don’t have a specific location in mind, but I would love to live in an old church. 

What’s one thing you wish you knew how to do?

Rap battle.

If you could have any animal as a pet, which would it be?

Meerkats. I feel like you need more than one, hence the plural.

If you could instantly learn a new language, which would it be and why?

Spanish because a large majority of my community is Spanish-speaking. 

What’s the most spontaneous thing you’ve ever done?

Went to Disney World with 11 days notice.

Sunday Sentiments - Glory in My Jesus

Today in Relief Society (the women's class at my Church) we discussed the talk "I Glory in My Jesus" by Elder Aaron T. Hall. I missed most of the lesson because I did singing time in primary, but I studied the lesson at home this week and snuck in the class for the last few minutes. 

In the talk, Elder Hall shared a scripture from Nephi's closing words in the Book of Mormon in which Nephi stated, "I glory in my Jesus." There are two parts to this line that stand out to me: 

First, to "glory." When the word "glory" is used as a verb, it means to rejoice proudly, exult, or take great delight in something. So Nephi was saying that he takes great delight in Jesus Christ, but the second part to that is Nephi referring to the Savior as "my Jesus." 

Artwork by Malory Fiso

This made me think about whether we as individuals can (or should) have our own image of Jesus, His character, and who He is. Is it better for us to have a collective understanding of who Christ is or to have our own perceptions and ideas of who He is? I think there is good to both scenarios. On one hand, it is good to have an accurate and doctrinely sound understanding of His mission and His teachings. But there is also goodness in connecting to certain parts of His character that reach our individual hearts. I thought about this in terms of people I know in this life. I have my version of everyone I interact with. Let's say I have best friend named Betty (shouldn't everyone have a Best Friend Betty?). My experiences with her shape how I describe her. I may see parts of Betty that no one else sees, or there may be aspects of her personality that stand out to me more than others. No one else will see or interpret Betty the way I do, though there may be plenty of overlap. I will always have my version of Betty based on my unique observations and experiences with her. Likewise, I have my Nicky or my Daisy or my grandma or my Mrs. Patterson (I figured I'd throw my third grade teacher in there. Why not?)

Just as my perception of a person is unique based on our experiences together, I can have my Jesus. We can each have our Jesus and glory in that Jesus. 

In Elder Hall's talk, he shared some more of Nephi's words regarding his Jesus. Nephi mentioned that Jesus Christ had been his support, had led him through afflictions, had preserved him, and had filled him with His love. When I read that, I thought, THAT is Nephi's Jesus!

Later in the talk, Elder Hall shared many of the aspects of Christ that he glories in, and I thought, THAT is Elder Hall's Jesus!

Then there was a quote from President Oaks about Christ, and I thought, THAT is President Oaks' Jesus!

Of course it's all the same Jesus, but each person focused on something meaningful to glory over in regards to their Savior.

This has me thinking more about my Jesus. What are the parts of Christ that I need the most in my personal journey, and what does that make Him for me? I’ve always struggled to develop a relationship with Christ. I have a bit of a personal stumbling block that I haven't been able to pray or study myself out of yet, but I'm always working on it, and I'm always listening for the answer that helps me move past it. Hopefully someday I'll have a better idea of who my Jesus is. 

What We've Been Up To Lately

It's May, and we all know May can be a bit insane, but I have to say, it's not as bad when you don't have a graduate. I keep thinking, "Why does it feel easier this year?" and then I remember that having a senior made everything at least twice as chaotic. And when that senior is leaving on a mission a few weeks after graduation, and he thinks he needs to go on three trips in that time whilst recovering from an injury, it's a lot. I look back to last year at this time and wonder how we made it. I'm going to embrace the ease of May 2026. Here's what we've been up to during this easier but still crazy month:

Daisy's final theatre performance was three nights as Lady Laughs A Lot in The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood. The play was a lot of fun - we had some good laughs with Daisy.

I did the locker decorations for the play. 

I did not know (prior to this) that painting posters is a whole thing right now. After Robin Hood, I made a poster for our friend, Mark's, 50th birthday (yep - my friends are starting to push into the next decade. It's inevitable!)

Daisy went to senior ball (and we chaperoned). She opted to go with a group of girls and no dates. It was the easiest school dance ever! 

(See how easy? I don't even have a photo! It's like it never even happened! That's how easy it was!)

My girls had five dance concerts in a row last week - one for high school, two for junior high, and two for our community studio. 

We've kept the grandparents hopping!

Daisy had Drama Awards - of course she was awarded "Best Laugh."

She also got a Bronze Letter in Theatre. 

We have eaten out way too much! After adding up our expenditures, my jaw hit the floor. We will be reigning it in now. 

I do not regret a single onion tower I've consumed this week, though! (Two. Don't judge. One was technically Christie's, so it doesn't count against me). 

Scotty was sick about a week and a half ago, and then Eva got sick this week (she missed three days of school - way to go out strong!)

I cracked a crown and had to have a new one put on. My temporary crown fell off after two days, so I had to go have it put back on until my permanent one was ready. I love my dental staff, but I don't want to see them again until October. And honestly, not even then. 

We got our garden planted. We started with our cold weather crops in March and finished the rest over Mother's Day weekend. 

We planted carrots, radishes, peas, potatoes, onions, corn, summer squash, spaghetti squash, tomatoes, pumpkins, watermelons, crenshaws, strawberries, basil, chives, sage, parsley, green beans, and a few different flowers. May the odds be ever in our favor! Every year, we have about a 50% success rate. We just never know where our success will lie! I got a little ambitious with pumpkins this year. We'll see what happens.

I put out my 4th of July decorations. It’s early, but I did it while I had the time and the desire. 

I started teaching Zoe how to use the grill. 

I keep thinking of all the life skills my kids don't have and how quickly I'll be sending them out into the world. I'm hoping to tackle a few skills this summer. I’m a big dreamer.

We still talk to Nicky on Monday nights. He remains on the island of Antigua picking up stray cats and stray toilets. Perhaps he'll need a de-worming pill on account of both. 

Eight more days of May! Four more days of school.