The Angel Among Us

I have to admit... While growing up I realized something very quickly about my sister Elizabeth... She NEVER got in trouble. My other sisters and I quickly decided there was a reason for this... She was an "Angel" We often called her Mom and Dad's Angel, for that was what she was. We didn't always say it in the nicest way but we truly meant it...

As her 32nd Birthday rolls around I realize this MORE THAN EVER. She truly is an Angel among us. I thought and thought about what I could give her for her birthday and I came up with a plan. While Jakob was away I would visit her in Heber. It would be a gift for both of us really because I rather enjoy spending time with her as well.

So, the Wednesday after Jakob left Maya and I showed up at her house. We had A LOT of fun doing... really nothing, but it was A LOT of fun!!! She and Jared calmed me down after the breaking news of the Earthquake in Japan Friday morning. We didn't know if Jakob and Josh were safe yet but they were right there to offer me support and comfort (to save me from myself), Eliza was there to comfort me in the climax of the absence of Jakob (a bit of an emotional night), she made lots of yummy food that we got to eat together, she laughed with me at my rainbow organization of her kid bowls and cups :), we talked and talked about EVERYTHING, played with the kids, and she even went walking with me!!!

I LOVE the way Eliza peacefully glides through life. I love to watch her. She is so calm and collected. Something I will probably work my whole life on becoming and still die trying. She is so beautiful inside and out and the more time goes by the more I realize what an "Angel" she truly is!!!

Thank you Eliza for EVERYTHING!!! I LOVE YOU and HOPE you had a WONDERFUL BIRTHDAY!!!

A Beautiful Land & People

Maya and I were VERY excited to pick up Jakob and Josh from the airport last night!!! It is SOOOO good to have them back home in the flesh again!!! To say the VERY LEAST!!!

We had a happy family reunion (Just as I'm sure the other MBA students had with their families)!!! We got home just in time for dinner and FHE. Jakob had the lesson and he taught us all about Heavenly Father's children in Japan and the cool things he learned on his trip. He had to shorten it a lot because of a 2 year old's attention span but it was fun to learn about his trip from him and in person!!!

He spoiled us as I knew he would. He brought Maya the cutest Kimono and he brought me a beautiful scarf and a beautiful silk Kimono. And Josh got him a robe that looks like a Kimono. So now we all have Kimonos to wear around the house :)

I'm SOOO glad they were far from the Earthquake and that it barely interrupted their trip. But we feel for the Japanese people and our hearts go out to them. We pray that they will be able to recover and rebuild what they lost. They are a great people with a great heritage and though I didn't get to go with Jake I feel a lot closer to the people and hope only the best for them. Jakob said of Japan, "It is a beautiful land full of beautiful people"

Joshie... also in "A Pan"

p.s. It has been brought to my attention that I failed to mention a huge blessing about this Japan trip or "A Pan" trip, as Maya would say. Jake and Josh (his older brother) are both in the same MBA Program. And they both chose to go to Japan. This is one of the greatest blessings because Josh is the ultimate big brother! He really is. He is the oldest of 9 children and has been taking care of all of them since Jake came along (who is the 2nd oldest of the 9).

As Jake says, "He is the Chuck Norris of the Brandley Family!" And it is SO true. If anyone in the family ever needs anything, Josh is ALWAYS there to help. Jake and I were talking the week before they left about if Baby T came while Jake was away and he said to me, "If you need anything, just call Josh" and then we both cracked up laughing since Josh would be with Jake and not available to help me here in Logan.

This fact about Josh is such a part of our (the younger siblings) lives that I actually re-wrote words to one of my favorite childhood songs about "Otis Lee" (the leader of the Cabbage Patch Kids) and made the song about Josh. For your enjoyment (lyrics written November 2009)...

Meanwhile back with the Brandley Batch, life went on as usual. Brandley Kids laughing and playing and growing up happy. And there was one kid you could always count on to be there...

Who's the kid to call on when there's something to be done. Who's the captain of the team who's always number one. Always ready, strong and steady, bold as he can be. There's no match in the Brandley Batch for good Ole Joshie.

Rides his dirt bike everywhere he's always on the go. Has his own myphone so there's nothing he don't know. Wears a Scriber's helmet just as proud as he can be. Smiles at you through eyes of blue, good Ole Joshie Oh Joshie, Oh Joshie. Got no hair but he don't care, good Ole Joshie, Oh Joshie, Oh Joshie, ain't no match in the Brandley Batch for good Ole Joshie.

"I got myself a bull dog (pit bull that is), I've got a load of friends. Everyday is so much fun, I'm sorry when it ends!"

When you've got a problem, he's the one we go to see. Always ready, Strong and steady. Good Ole Joshie. Oh Joshie "yes sir", Oh Joshie "that's me". Got no hair but he don't care, good Ole Joshie, Oh Joshie, Oh Joshie "U-huh", ain't no match in the Brandley Batch for GOOD OLE JOSHIE!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3O2HN6aabuk

This fact was one of the greatest comforts to me as I woke up Friday morning frantic about the 8.9 Earthquake that had just hit Japan. I found out later that they were far enough away that they felt very little of the earthquake and its effects. Yet it was truly a comfort for me that Josh was there with Jake. Had it really been bad at all for them I know Josh would have taken good care Jake.

In a way their friendship reminds me of Joseph and Hyrum Smith. Hyrum, the older brother looked after Joseph even to the day they both died. He believed in him, loved him, and stood by him come Hell or High Water.

Because of this unique and special relationship that Jakob has with Josh. We have chosen to honor Josh by naming our son after him. His name with be Teancum Mark Brandley after his uncle Joshua Mark Brandley.

We love you Joshie - You are much more than chopped Sushi to us!!!

Jakob & Japan...

I seriously already wrote this post and I'm doing it again (except I have more of a story this time)...

Jakob left for 10 days to Japan about an hour ago and I was already missing him LIKE CRAZY!!! He left his phone behind and so texting him and telling him how much I missed him would do no good. So, I thought the next best thing I could do is post about my feelings. Which were very tender and sweet the moments after he left. I wrote a nice post about how much I love Jakob and then went to post it and of course my internet couldn't connect. It hasn't ever done that before but of course the minute that Jakob leaves, things start to fall apart... Which demonstrates the point of my first post... Life without Jakob, just isn't life at all!!!

So, I called Qwest tech support. I'm sure if anyone has ever called technical support you will completely understand this section of this post... I braced myself for the call, because though these computer scientists are brilliant they do not always have the greatest people skills. I'm sure this technical support man got frustrated with me 3-4 times. I'm not a genius in the computer field but come on, have some patience with me, I'm still your customer. And I'm doing my best. I bet they just feel like the rest of us are clueless (which is probably true about me but still... come on, give me a chance). He did help me fix the problem. I always think, if I had known it was going to be that simple to fix I could have just done it myself, but I wouldn't have known then how or what to do. Anyway, I'm sure had Jakob been here, I would have still been the one calling, we have pretty clear lines about who does what in our relationship and with the internet, it is usually me (unless I am telling him it is him and then he does the bare minimum :). I just think if he were here, it wouldn't have happened or I would have had him to tell all about my experience. It makes me miss him all the more.

And now I'm back to my sappy feelings again, teary eyed and everything (partly I'm sure from pregnancy hormones). I LOVE that man of mine!!! I'm really excited for him to go to Japan. A little jealous, to be honest. I wish I could go too, but I know it will be a great experience for him! I just feel a little bit like Jo March in Little Women when Laurie goes off to college and she's jealous that he gets to go and will come back knowing all sorts of things that she didn't know. I have to remember I have had great travels and have done many things that he hasn't been able to do (poor kid hasn't even been to Disneyland!!!), and had there been a chance for me to go, he would have been the first to make it happen. But as it is... 1 - I'm not in his MBA Program (which is the whole reason he is going, it is a requirement for them to go) and 2 - I'm 33 weeks pregnant. There's just 2 big reasons, but they're pretty good ones!!!

So, I'll just settle for being happy for him and will be productive and busy doing good things so that the time goes by quickly and I get to be with him again. What is the saying?, "Absence makes the heart grow fonder" I can already tell it is true. I'm already thinking about what an amazing man he is and how much I truly LOVE HIM!!! I love life with Jakob and he really is my best friend!!! I couldn't be more happy that he is the father of my children and the man I get to be with through eternity!!!

I LOVE YOU Jakob Steele Brandley!!! Please... learn a lot, have tons of fun, and come home safely to your little family who loves and misses you LIKE CRAZY!!!

Now, everybody pray for me that Baby Tiancum waits to come until after Jakob gets home!!!

It's About Time...

I've been thinking about starting a blog for YEARS!!! Many friends have asked me to and I have always been full of excuses... "I'm too busy with graduate school, a brand new baby, the Young Women Program, moving, etc." My excuses have gone on and on. The truth is there is never really time. I like the quote "We make time for what is important to us." And I guess the time has come that starting my own electronic record is important to me.

I have read several articles in the Ensign about the importance of keeping records and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ and how a blog can do both of those things. I know that I am more prone to type on the computer than manually write in a journal so this is where I will start. Today is the day!

One of my friends (who also happens to be my sister-in-law) decided to help me pin down a time and was willing to walk me though each step. Thank you to Mrs. Becca B

randley for helping me to FINALLY do this!!! This is Becca, the bride in the picture (I just wanted to show her off a little. Notice while we're all busy making kissy faces Maya is going for the pretty flowers - smart girl :) Becca was so patient and kind with me! I really appreciate it!!!

Thank you to all my friends and family members for your patience with me in the blogging department.

And, here it goes!!!