We Start A New Sport!

We started a new sport.  When Ian went into middle school we encouraged him to try lacrosse.  All the schools in the valley have lacrosse, but it is a club.  It isn't an official sport in the schools.  Anyway, Ian went to the practices and fell in love with it!  Lacrosse is growing in Vegas.  Slowly, but it is getting there.  This Saturday, Ian had his first lacrosse game.  It was a tournament, so it was good to see what he needed to work on.  In the first game he didn't play a lot at all.  He seemed a bit shy, and not aggressive at all.  They lost that game.

Then the second game came.  Ian was into it!  We were winning and the parents were going crazy.  Then I learned that this might be one of the first games they have ever won in two seasons!  What???  Yes, they only shot the ball at a goal four times last year!  Oh man, I realized right then the importance of this game!  Sure enough they won!!!  They were super excited!!!  I think we have found a sport Ian really enjoys!!!

Rugby Sevens

This year Don and Ian went to the Rugby Sevens Tournament here in Vegas.  Unfortunately, they could only go on Friday night because Ian had his first lacrosse tournament on Saturday.  Sometimes I  think it is good they go on Friday night, because they can always get a shirt that fits Ian!  (I know, I am such a mom!) They sure did miss Austin this year.  Don and Ian had a great time.  It was a ton of fun!

I had to post this video because my family always talks about sitting near the crazy muppets!

Dream Come True

This week is semester exams.  It can be a very stressful time for a girl.  Especially Aubrey, she loves to do good on her finals.  Then we found out one of her favorite choreographers, Stacey Tookey would be teaching a master class at the studio.  Aubrey couldn't pass it up!  Tonight her dream came true, and she met and danced with Stacey Tookey!!!  Poor Stacey was sick, but she still taught the class.  Aubrey said it was amazing.  She was just giddy with excitement!  You would think she was meeting a rock star, she couldn't contain herself!  After the class she said that Stacey Tookey changed her life!!!  Aubrey believes she has made her a better dancer.  Aubrey said that Stacey was so nice and kind.  When Aubrey ran through the combination for the last time, Stacey came up to her and said, "What's your name?"  She said, "Aubrey."  Then Stacey told her, "Aubrey, that was awesome!"  Aubrey could of died and gone to heaven right there!!!  She told the girls this quote, "Imperfect people are the ones who made something new in the world."  Then she told the girls they just need to go all out and dance.  They might make mistakes, but it was ok.  Aubrey said that is something she struggles with, always trying to be perfect dancing and holding back.  It was a great night.  I am so grateful for people like her that are so willing to share their talent with these girls.  Sometimes it is not just the dancing that means so much to the girls, but the little lectures that really help them!  When we got in the car that night Aubrey said to me that even though she had her chem exam today, it was an awesome day!

1st Talk In Sacrament Meeting

Well, they didn't let Ian rest too long as a deacon.  He had to give his first talk in sacrament meeting.  (Our primary family worship service is called sacrament meeting. This meeting is held in our chapels on Sunday and lasts approximately 70 minutes. Visitors are welcome to attend. It is common for families to attend, and we are accustomed to having children as part of the congregation. A typical meeting would consist of the following: Hymns: Religious songs sung by the congregation (hymn books are provided), Prayers: Offered by local Church members., Partaking of the sacrament (communion): The sacrament consists of prepared bread and water, which is blessed and passed by priesthood holders to those in attendance who wish to do so., Speakers: Typically a meeting will have two or three assigned speakers.  (Note: We do not pass a plate or request donations as part of our worship services.))

Ian and his brother Zach worked on the talk together.  Hey, Zach works for the BYU-I  presentation lab so he was the perfect person to help Ian.  Ian did an amazing job.  Here is his talk:

Good morning brothers and sisters. For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Ian Brasier. Today I have been asked to talk about the responsibilities of the Aaronic Priesthood.

The Aaronic Priesthood was restored on May 15, 1829 when Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdrey went into the woods and prayed together. As they were praying John the Baptist came and gave them the Aaronic Priesthood and also gave them a specific blessing. “Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah I ^aconferthe ^bPriesthood of Aaron, which holds the ^ckeys of the ministering of ^dangels, and of the gospel of ^erepentance, and of ^fbaptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and this shall never be taken again from the earth, until the ^gsons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in ^hrighteousness.”

We are able as deacons to have the ministering of angels. Every Sunday we are able to uphold baptismal covenants by passing the sacrament. We also have the opportunity every fast Sunday to do fast offering. I know that these duties are important in my life.

The Aaronic Priesthood is important because without deacons people wouldn’t be able to uphold they’re baptismal covenants. People will also be able to get blessings. Some of these blessings that we get are forgiveness of sins. Without the sacrament we would not be able to feel the Holy Ghost as much. Having the deacon’s collect fast offerings is also important. Fast offerings are used to build temples and helping the poor. The Lord said that if we give our fast offerings he will pour out blessings of heaven. It is a great blessing to have the deacons help in this work.

I am most thankful to be a deacon so I can act as Jesus did. In Matthew we read “And as they were eating, Jesus took ^bbread, ^cand blessed it,and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my ^dbody.” I know that I am fulfilling my responsibilities and doing what Jesus would do if he were here with us.

I know that the priesthood is important and I know that Joseph Smith got the priesthood and that the priesthood has been restored. I know that Joseph Smith translated the scriptures and I know that Jesus wants us to pass the sacrament. Amen.

 



Another Basketball Game!

Tonight Aubrey had to dance with her high school dance team at a basketball game.  I am always having to explain to Aubrey that she represents the school now and this is what she has to do.  She really does not like to go to the games.  She is just not into sports.  I didn't know if I would be able to go and see her.  I wasn't feeling too good today.  This was by far the worse day after my surgery.  Anyway, I was worried I wouldn't be able to see her dance!  Lucky for me, I felt good by the evening.  I was so glad I was able to go.  This is one of their competition pieces.  They are still working on it.  I think it will be great when they are done with it!  

Surgery #3

Yes, I just had surgery number 3.  I really didn't want to have an extra surgery, but it was needed.  I have been in the process of reconstruction after my mastectomy.  It has been a long and drawn out process.  After my mastectomy we found out that I had cancer in some of my lymph nodes.  When we found this out, it meant we needed to have more chemo and then have radiation.  It was kind of a bummer, but we did it.  So my reconstruction had to be stopped and pushed back.  When I started up again we realized that my right side (cancer side) was not expanding well.  I felt like it was expanding into my chest not out of it.  It was strange.  I had basically had it.  I was done!  I didn't tell anyone that was how I was feeling.  I was so over it.  Anyway, I prayed and prayed about it.  I really didn't want an extra surgery, I just didn't know what to do.  Then my doctor told me that he thought we should go back in take out the expander and clear out the scar tissue that had built up and put the expander back in.  He was pretty sure that the scar tissue was preventing that side from expanding.  Instantly, I felt like that is what should be done!  I felt relief.  I went from not wanting anymore surgery to wanting to do this procedure.  The good news is that I had a break during the holidays where I didn't see any doctors or do anything that had to do with breast cancer or my chest!  I think I needed this break!  It was good to go and run and just forget about what was coming.  After the holidays I got ready for this surgery.  Yesterday I went in and had the scar tissue taken out.  It went pretty good!  I was able to come home the same day.  I love when I am able to leave the hospital and come home.  I feel like I recover better at home.  I do have a drain in.  I hate those drains!  After three weeks we will start expanding again.  I hope this works!  Don has taken the rest of the week off from work to take care of me and Zach is home this semester to help out.  It has been great having them help me out!  I appreciate it so much!!!

A Zachery Brasier exclusive: My New Blog

Hey everybody! It's me, Zachery Brasier and I just wanted to figuratively drop by this blog to let you know that I've just started a new blog. I'm looking to get more serious about writing, so I need the experience and feedback. Due to the fact that I just go started, I don't have a lot of content up just yet, but go check it out and tune in for some more posts and updates. Thanks for your attention, have a great evening, morning or midafternoon (depending on your time zone.)

My URL: http://zacherybrasier.wordpress.com

Yeah, Basstronaut doesn't have a whole lot to do with anything.. But man is he cool...

Ian's Temple Day!

Today we took Ian to the temple.  (Temples are literally houses of the Lord. They are holy places of worship where individuals make sacred covenants with God.)  Ian is 12 years old now so he can go to the temple.  He can't go in the whole building, but he can participate in baptisms.  (By performing proxy baptisms in behalf of those who have died, Church members offer these blessings to deceased ancestors. Individuals can then choose to accept or reject what has been done in their behalf.)  He was super excited to go to the temple!  It was awesome having Aubrey and Zach there too.  It was one of the moments I wish I could just stop and enjoy the moment for a longer period of time.  Ian loved it.  After that, we went to lunch.  It was a great day to spend together.

If you want to know a little more about temples.  Here is a video:

 

Oh Alabama......

It started out good!  Don't Don and Ian look so cute sporting their Alabama gear.  Then it all went terribly wrong!  What is up with the Sugar Bowl and Alabama???  It seems like every time they go to the Sugar Bowl, they loose.  It was a hard night.  Poor Ian took it real bad!  Now it is on to the Winter Olympics and college basketball.  Like I said before, at least they looked cute!

Happy New Years!

Once again we headed to go bowling New Years Eve.  We started this a few years back and we really enjoy it.  This year we invited the Albrights to go with us.  Let me tell you, Don and Elaine were amazing!  Who knew that Elaine was this awesome bowler???  She has been hiding some of her talents from us!!!

I am a horrible bowler!!!  I mean bad!  Oh well, it was fun!

The kids had fun!  Now that we have adult children and teenagers, it is fun to do something together during the day.  In the evening everyone has their own plans and heads out to celebrate.

As we were walking in to the bowling alley I said to Don, "Why are you wearing your Alabama clothes?  They don't play until Thursday."  He looked at me and said, "It is a Alabama week!"  Then while we were bowling I saw this man walk in with his Alabama clothes.  Sure enough during our games he came over and talked to Don about Alabama football.  I swear, it is a secret club or something!  When Alabama fans see someone else who is an Alabama fan, they are instant friends!!!  It is crazy!

Poor Zach.  He struggled bowling.  Well, not too much!  He still beat me.  Anyway, while he was bowling he went to take his turn and when he released his ball he threw it into another lane!  Yes, not the lane we were bowling in, another lane!  Thank heavens the family next to us had already left!

In two hours we played three games.  Don schooled us!  He did pretty good.  I came in last. It was not my night!

We went home and hung out for a bit.  Zach went out with friends.  Aubrey had a couple of girlfriends over and they played Settlers of Catan and then headed out to the dance.  They had an awesome time at the dance.  They swear it is one of the best ones of the year.

So Don and I had Ian with us.  We went and visited with our friends, the Albrights and then decided we would try something new.  We drove to an exit off of the beltway and watched the fireworks.  It was a great view.  It was fun to go and do that.  A ton of people had the same idea, but once the fireworks were over, it cleared out in seconds.  It is a great way for locals to catch the fireworks.   I took some pictures, or tried to.  I need to work on that!!

So Happy New Year's everyone!