Austin and Tikla

Ode to Austin: My Undying Love

2012-02-15T13:42:00.000-08:00

I could use this post to apologize for being in love to all those who celebrated Singles Awareness Day. But, I don't feel like it. So if you don't want to read a bunch of mushy, gushy love stuff, you may be excused.

Austin...

"I cannot say that I was ready for this.
But when worlds collide,
and all that I have is all that I want.
The words seem to flow
and the thoughts they keep running.
And all that I have is yours.
All that I am is yours.

Painted skies.
I've seen so many that cannot compare
to your ocean eyes."

-Mae "Sun and the Moon"

And all that I have is yours.
All that I am is yours.

There were several moments yesterday where we found ourselves silently looking into each others eyes. No words, because sometimes words just get in the way. Except for when they don't. Like when you whispered your love in my ear.

Can't stop thinking about that.

Sometimes Valentines Day seems silly. How could all these feelings ever really be expressed in a love note, or a dinner, or a flower. They can't...but a love note from you is all bundled up with other things:

goofy faces hours of work

serious disagreements, lovingly sorted out

selfless questions like, "what can I improve on?"

strong shoulders that welcome teary mascara stains

laughing with me when I dump the entire

berry cream pie on the kitchen floor.

evenings of closing the curtains

hundreds of sweet kisses

understanding

forgiveness

hugs

Very RELAXED and happy after our massages yesterday. sigh.

I can't help myself. Love like ours is hard to hide.

Oh yeah, and he puts up with this face. He even does this face now.

Well Applesauce Ladies!

2012-02-13T14:34:00.000-08:00

BYU's Big Band Night was delightful!

Oh yes! Red lips, live band, singing, swing dancing, slow dancing, victory rolls, old fashioned microphone, a bit of acting, sparkly dress....Note: the totally legit head mic.

there is one more dream fulfilled.

I was lucky enough to be the hostess for the evening, sing in three numbers, and act in the skit.

Highlights from the evening? Oh yes, there were oodles.

-Mom, Dad, Gram gram and Hempa came!

-Austin's super amazing support of my audition for this in the first place

-My sneak-away-from-backstage dance with my handsome man.

-His killer swing moves even though the poor guy was having back spasms.

-White gloves.

-"You should be an actress" -anonymous audience member

-"You handled that very professionally" -microphone techs

-I didn't trip on anything.

-"It was like watching Ginger Rogers." -fellow cast member, after the Chatanooga Choo Choo novelty dance number.

I could die happy.

-narrowly missing an audience member with my prop suitcase during the afore mentioned sing and dance number.

Most of the night I spent behind a blue curtain memorizing my next line before rushing on to announce the next performer, but when I had the line down I danced with myself back there hidden from the audience, or so I thought. After cutting a rug during "Lullaby of Broadway" I noticed Austin standing behind the drink table where I was in full view. Oh dear.

Can you believe that handsome man is sick and in pain and still swinging up a storm. Wowza I'm a lucky girl.

Folks, it was a swell evening. We were togged to the bricks, diggin' the tunes, and jivin' with the swanky city slickers. I'm gonna take a powder, so thanks for reading this goobledygook, about being stuck on my drooly, hoofing, and having a ball!

Dear everything 1940's,

I love you.

Sincerely,

Rosie from the New York Stage Door Canteen.

The Beast

2012-02-05T20:50:00.000-08:00

Austin has a new toy.

It's been on his wish list for a while now.

I told him, no.

Then using his super amazing power of persuasion and phrases like

Think of all the free stuff we could pick up
We could help people all the time
Imagine taking it up into the mountains and stuff
Dad will give me the boat if we have one

and I said,

Okay, but you owe me a backrub.

Here is the good news. I LOVE it. How could I not. It's YELLOW!!!! MY FAVORITE COLOR IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD! yup.

Here it is.

Austin is calling it "the beast," but I still haven't ruled out, "wasp," "blaze," "daisy," "cutie bug," and "dandylion."

Deuteron-a-marry me?

2012-02-03T13:35:00.000-08:00

When I was in seminary, one of my super awesome teachers helped us remember that the scripture mastery verse in Deuteronomy 7 was about marriage. That's pretty much the only thing that stuck with me from our discussion of Deuteronomy... "I am ashamed"..

However!

Lately, Austin and I have been reading from the Old Testament together. Most of the time my sleepy self gets confused by the instructions on the law of Moses, bored by the lists of genealogy, and giggly at the funny names, but last night we found a diamond of a chapter.

As we read Deuteronomy 6 we both perked up, scooched up against the pillows to see better, and inserted "mmmmmmm"s and "uhum"s in between paragraphs. Let me give you a snippet:

"...to give thee great and goodly cities, which thou buildedst not,

11 And houses full of all good things, which thou filledst not, and wells digged, which thou diggedst not, vineyards and olive trees, which thou plantedst not; when thou shalt have eaten and be full;

12 Then beware lest thou ^aforget the Lord, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage."

That is exactly the way we live now! I just chowed down an apple from a tree I didn't plant. I didn't pray for rain so it would grow, or sweat in the orchard pruning, and digging. Ironically, its easier to forget the Lord's hand in things when they are handed to you. I guess that's why we have trials, to remind us we are dependent on Him.

Timely scripture for me; God has been so good to us lately. Our needs are met and many of our wants. Now is the time to REMEMBER the Lord, and "beware, let thou forget" how many times He has delivered us from difficult things through his enabling atonement.

Speaking of the atonement. There is a talk by David A. Bednar, that our sacrament meeting was based on last week. Powerful stuff, I highly recommend it.

Acting my age?

2012-01-27T20:35:00.000-08:00

When I was little, I knew exactly what a grown up was.

Grown-ups:
-are not scared of the dark, spiders, or asking questions to intimidating teachers.

-have money to pay for stuff (trampolines, houses, plumbers, dish soap)

-can talk to other important grown-ups.

-know how to do tricky things (put gas in a car, untangle necklace chains, start campfires, get gum out of hair, write checks.)

-hold the phone with their shoulder with out it fall down their back.

-can tie balloons without letting all the air out.

-talk on the phone for a long time about boring things.

-chew with their mouth closed, don't lean back in chairs, never "let one fly" in public, make their beds, eat their vegetables, wear deodorant, and wipe their feet.

-get married and have babies.

-cook real food with sharp knives instead of pretending.

-go to work.

Well some of this was right and some was wrong.

"we never really grow up, we just add things to our 'don't do that again' list."

-Tori

I didn't magically reach a point on my 18th birthday, when life got easier and I didn't have to learn anything new. Good thing too, that sounds pretty boring.

The trick is that anything I'm am good at, came from trying and failing and trying again. I never would have been any good at undoing knotted necklaces if it weren't for the hours on road trips dedicated to reviving my sadly tangled chains.

I can remember sitting on the rug in my bedroom with a little bottle of red nail polish. The task required all of my focus. The dripping red brush moved closer and closer to my tiny fingernail. Brow furrowed, lips pursed, I was going to paint the prettiest manicure ever.

Three splotched figernails later, with no Tori, earthquake, or sneeze to blame, my desire for pretty nails won over my independence and I watched in awe as mom slide the brush gracefully over each of my nails perfectly "in the lines."

guess what, I didn't really practice this one, and now I'm a grown up and still get frusterated by the third nail and the rest are all sloppy.

Being a grown up just means I've had more time to practice... life.

...and guess what else. Sometimes grown up stuff sounds a lot cooler than it is. Case in point:

Tikla V Fife: Entrepreneur, Chief Executive Officer and Owner of My English Education Tutor (MEET) currently in it's pilot/fledgling stages;
married to incredibly handsome Senior Vice President of Sales at Linx Communications Austin Tyler Fife.

The first part of that sentence sounds way cooler than it really is, and the second part is way cooler than it sounds. :)

I can put on a business suit, heals, and stick a bluetooth in my ear,
I know what the words plethora, extemporaneous, retrospect mean,
I fixed the plumbing in our kitchen sink,

BUT

My professional outfits are usually marred by an oversized bow or flower in my hair,
I had to use spell checker to figure out how to spell extemporaneous,
and the rotten beans that were plugging our kitchen pipes made me want to go to timeout and punch a pillow.

SO

I guess being grown up is still being Tikla, it just sounds cooler. :)

(Stills from my "coming soon" ESL video tutorial)

According to Austin, I'm "pretty gangster."

Absence makes the heart grow...

2012-01-17T20:57:00.001-08:00

...impatient.

I sat in my car, at the Bajios parking lot, crying all my mascara off, after Austin left for the airport again today. The grandma in the car next to me was this close to knocking on the Trooper window to offer me her hankie.

What is wrong with me!! He'll be back on SUNDAY!!!

Sunday people. That is not very long. But I'm telling you, when your husband is as good a kisser, suggler, protector, pizza baker, foot rubber, and movie quoter as mine is, yeesh it get's kinda lonesome without him.

I'd go on, but you'd probably leave to surf a less depressing blog; and besides, it's 8 minutes past my bedtime. So, I'll leave it at that and go get in my jammies.

P.S. Blowing a christmas gift card at Michael's did wonders to improve my mood. :) Night all!

Things...

2012-01-06T13:28:00.000-08:00

...I don't like, lucky for me:

bacon

tootsie rolls

oreos

Things I don't like, but wish I did:

naps

kale

turnips

..........................................

In other thoughts, this month I'm thinking of retitling my blog to "Missing Husband: million dollar reward." Pretty sure he's got two week long business trips for January. Yuck. The two day retreat, that left me to fight the alligators under the bed by myself last night, was bad enough. Am I the only one who still does the turn off the light and quickly jump into the covers before the bad guys get you routine?

...........................................

Something to dream about:

Our future kids. :)

Christmas travels

2012-01-03T17:32:00.000-08:00

It wasn't until we left Washington that I realized this was the only picture I have from the trip. Sad face!

It's pretty stinkin' cute though.

These girls were so fun! Samantha was ever the gracious host; their home is so comfy.

All too soon it was time to go.

We hopped on a plane to OK and got to hang out with these little dudes.

There is nothing that makes me more baby hungry than watching Austin play with his nieces and nephews. Here's a little preview of Daddy Austin.

this one is a winner!

Poor Dustin was sick again, but other than that, the trip was very enjoyable. Amber was generous, welcoming, and full of good advice.

So, I took a few more photos in Oklahoma than Washington, but still not enough to capture the range of cuteness we experienced for both "Christmas's"

Lucky for me, mom got a new camera for Christmas. So we have a whole slew of paparazzi pictures from our visit to Cedar City.

The least fun part of sledding is always the part where you grab your heavy coaster, clean the snow out of your ears, and hike the long trek back up the mountain. Well guess what folks! We went to Brianhead, and they do the climbing for you.

This is the totally awesome cable that pulls you and your tube up the hill.

on your mark, get set, GO!

Yup that's me getting left in the dust, literally.

let's go get back in line.

We noticed mom's camera pointed our way.

In my mind I thought: here's a cute photo op!

Austin thought: hehe won't this be funny later.

If you try to steal a kiss and fail, is it called "attempted robbery?" because Austin is guilty. That's what you get for ruining our cute photo op.

note: I <3 Reece's Buzz Lightgear eyebrows.

David Archuleta

2011-12-15T07:16:00.000-08:00

Perhaps you remember this post, when I alluded to the fact that Tori is a pretty die hard Archie fan? Well what I failed to mention, I was there biting my nails and crossing my fingers right along with her during the final moments of the only American idol series I ever followed completely.

So when this talented guy came to Cedar and the concert happened to coincide with Starr and Sterling's birthday, we bought tickets. Under the guise that it was for Starr of course ...lies, we wanted to go more than she did.

Much to my dismay, when we got home I realized my camera had the audio disabled the whole show. darn! At least you get to see his cute performing skills from the SECOND ROW!

I have a whole bunch of short clips, and then he starts coming really close to our seats and I think to myself, Why am I recording this!?!? I could be watching the real thing! then the clip ends. :) Did I mention we were on the second row?

He bore testimony during the second set of the Savior's birth through his music. I cried.

Antoroth, mom, food, and garage...if you think of a witty blogpost title that includes those things, let me know.

2011-11-28T16:37:00.001-08:00

This may very well be my favorite picture from the whole trip. Imagine thought bubbles...

A: I'm so happy! This is Jay my best buddy, and we are playing Risk! skipadeedoo!
J: Don't touch me weirdo.

This is Sterling's classic "why is this camera in my face" face. Some how he is still stinkin' adorable.

Now I need you all to summon your inner nerd for a moment. Here we have Reece. Captain of his football team, star actor, and all around stud muffin; creating a clay model of his self imagined world "Antoroth." May I add, he whipped up that batch of play dough himself, dyed it different colors, drew the country lines with a complicated grid system to perfectly mimic his original artwork, and modeled the whole thing. If it wasn't so intensely creative, I would have been making fun of him the whole trip.

Now, the reason we came in the first place:

Thanksgiving!

blew my mind.

This is the new house! (totally cozy, spiffed up little place)

Starr made everyone little name tags. I think this one was my favorite.

The fam bam. Though I mostly posted this one for Tori's face. I <3 her face.

Speaking of faces I love. Isn't she lovely! Pretty sure she is supposed to be hitting an awkward phase right now...nope I don't see it. Anyone?

I was burnt out on "Nerts" so Austin taught everyone a new one, "13." Big hit. For more information on how to play contact Austin Tyler Fife, current champion and forever ruler of my heart.

Presenting....

The Birthday Girl!

Beauty Mommy!

Austin and I couldn't stay for her birthday, so we celebrated early. Our first gift was to turn this:

Into this:

Moving is still hard even after 20 practice houses. I think they just might be here to stay.

(knock on wood quick!)

The next part of the gift was the "mom spa." This package includes:

Foot massage

Hair played with

hand rub

roses presented by Sterling

two Brown kids original song arrangements sung while you are being pampered.

private candle lit bath

...she cried. I'm guessing she liked it?

You are loved mom, even if we don't show it this well very often.

I adore the feeling in this picture from the boys particularly. they look so completely involved in making mom feel happy.

So long famaree! See you again soon!

Mystery

2011-11-18T10:44:00.001-08:00

Oh the intrigue, the suspense, The AWESOMENESS!

So remember this little baby?

It pretty much rocked! Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present Valerie Eisenhoover First Lady of the United States of America.

Here's the murder scene...

This was my first time acting in an audience-interactive show and I loved it! The most interesting thing was watching people's reaction to acting up close.

My character was a tad emotional most of the show, so getting teary and running off to the bathroom may have happened a couple times. Usually, when you cry in front of someone, they are super uncomfy or try to console you.

In this sitch they looked up at me with entertained, impressed, having a good time faces. That was new. :)

My favorite memories from the show:

-Dad laughing before during and after all the jokes in Erma Chelse's speech

-The one horned cow stalking the Spring Haven grounds, and "the president"s attempt to shoo it

-away with a folding chair.

-The love square

-Murder in the dark until 3 in the morning.

-The bell

-Secretary of Defense Irving giving Erma mouth to mouth for real

-the excuse to wear false eyelashes

-The Germans

-Knowing the death scene was coming and being so distracted I didn't let Reece lead the dance in the ballroom.

-My FAMILY CAME!

-Grandpa loudly accusing me of being the murder during the final interrogation scene.

-Austin gushing about how hot the President's wife is.

Is it weird that I get such a kick out of performing?

When Austin called last night after the cast party I said,

K, so, love? I may or may not have just tried out for something else...

(he is still laughing...at me or with me I still don't know...)

Shocked!

2011-11-15T07:57:00.001-08:00

"Every Little Step" was the best performance of the night and they were sent home???

What!?!?!

You can see the other groups freaking out in the background because they are so good!

It took me a bit to get over it last night. :) I reminded myself of Tori when David Archuleta didn't win American Idol. :D

Sure this one wasn't their best performance ever, but yeesh I still thought they were top three for sure!

You can tell Jake is struggling with emotion on this one so the pitch is wavering.
I'm glad however that they did what they came to do. They shared uplifting music and positive attitudes.

And that marks the end of my Sing Off obsession.

obsessed much? :)

2011-11-09T13:41:00.000-08:00

They are BACK!!!

2011-11-03T12:54:00.000-07:00

So, I don't watch TV, like ever. But guys, this show is AWESOME! Are vocal point is ADORABLE. Maybe it would be better if they just got eliminated;

I think Austin might be getting jealous.

Oh yeah, we got a car! Huge, green, and good natured; loves watching musicals and taking long walks on the beach. Our "little (or not so little) Trooper."

Now it's my turn to be jealous. :)

"Do you pop out at parties?"

2011-11-01T16:43:00.000-07:00

Halloween. K, so I can't help myself. I have to do a little rant...you've got yourself a Halloween Grinch. I didn't think much about this ghastly holiday until I had to explain it to a foreigner. We are really weird and creepy for celebrating Halloween! speaking of scary. It was bad enough when it was witches and blood, but now it's getting all yucky sexy too.

Luckily there is a cute, creative side to Halloween. It's true, without it I wouldn't have been able to straighten Austin's hair and turn him into Bieber:

Not to mention spooning out some vitameatavegamin in honor of Lucille Ball:

So, just for now I'll put up with the zombies, slime, and awful fake injuries.

I can't post about Halloween without giving a shout out to the Brown family creative costumes of the past. Alice and wonderland? oh yes the entire family. Winnie the Pooh? yup the was us too. Not to mention Rubix cube, palm tree, book, oven, piano....wait a minute.

Those were all Skylar. Aha, so I've found the reason for our crazy creative costumes. The three-year-old Skylar who told mom he wanted to be a lemon for Halloween. I can still remember stuffing his yellow costume with newspaper so it would plump out like a lemon. Miss that guy.

You Know You're a BYU fan when...

2011-10-28T15:13:00.000-07:00

...you go on a cruise to Mexico, and then spend your day ashore in an internet cafe watching the Cougars swallow Idaho.

It was a cute little cafe too, hot chocolate all round.

We redeemed ourselves from our embarrassing shuffleboard performance last cruise, and actually stayed in a couple rounds. I might even have been the MVP. serious improvement folks, let me tell you, the disks actually stayed on the boat this time.

missing you...

2011-10-25T12:26:00.000-07:00

I cried. A lot. Ben's dad died, what a special way to reverence the grief of losing a loved one, while also sharing hope in the knowledge that death is not the end.

A Little Prince

2011-10-20T23:13:00.000-07:00

So, you know how mommy's get to share the cute little things their kids say. Well, I know three-year-old B isn't mine, but he says the cutest things. Here's a gem from the other day.

B: Sister Fife, pretend you are a "gril" (girl) and I'm a prince and we are dancing.

me: (sigh) okay!

That's when this happened:

Midway through:

B: Pretend we are in a movie called, how to dance with princes.
(breaks away for a moment to somersault on the floor)
B: That was a back flip.

Pretty sweet red shoes! :)

2011-10-18T09:15:00.000-07:00

I'm like a proud little mamma right now.

On the Street Where you Live

2011-10-13T13:39:00.000-07:00

If you have never seen a show at the Hale Center Theater you are missing out! Big thank you to mom for the birthday gift that keeps giving ("wouldn't it be loverly" keeps floating around in the kitchen and car.)

We saw "My Fair Lady" and LOVED IT! Everything at the Hale is performed "in the round." All the set pieces and sometimes people are dropped down or come up through the floor because the audience surrounds the stage.

While we are talking about "My Fair Lady," I do want to say, this show has always bugged me just a bit.

I mean come on, she goes back to the rude grouch who treats her like dirt and then THE END are you kidding me!

Audry Hepburn is exquisite in the movie, Julie Andrews knocked everyone's socks off during the Broadway debut and the actress at the Hale playing the role of Eliza was very talented. But what impressed me most about the Hale production was the infamous "just you wait" Professor Higgins.

Granted he was still a total jerk most of the time, but he made the most of the moments afforded him. After headaches and late nights, when Eliza has yet to say "The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain" correctly, he takes her hand as he expresses his acceptance of their fatigue. When Eliza emerges in her stunning gown and Pickering is all a gasp, he took the time to look at her in stunned admiration before proclaiming the baggage, "not bad." And the best part, the last line of the play:

*puts hat over eyes lazily* "Where the devil are my slippers."

Usually this line is spoken with indifference as though Eliza may expect the exact treatment she'd received before. However, on Monday night those words were said with a sheepish smile returned with a knowing one. He, knowing after being caught listening to the recording of her voice and elusively begging her back, would not be able to get away with that sort of talk any longer.

Don't Play With Your Food

2011-10-11T18:13:00.000-07:00

On Guard!

At dinner the other night, I told Austin about a stat I read. Apparently adult behavior improves dramatically when their children become toddlers. I believe it. When I'm babysitting, I am a mouth closed chewer, feet off the table sitter, and please and thank you sayer.

After a long discussion about whether or not Austin would be able to lean back in his chair after little ones come along, we found ourselves sword fighting with our carrots....

Here we have Escarrotable vs. Escarroble.

Ha, I'm cracking up at how serious these pictures look. Pretty artsy for a chewed up carrot wouldn't you say?

Why do I have the feeling this won't change once we have kids... ah well.

First comes love, then comes marriage...

2011-10-09T14:39:00.000-07:00

Nope, no baby in a baby carriage yet.

However, I did get the chance to play mommy for the past three days to 3-year-old B and 6-year-old M.

I was reminded of a few things:

Their mommy works for the Law School promoting religious freedom in other countries; she had a conference this week. Here's a lady who is pretty much awesome. This morning she nonchalantly referenced a task she had for the day.

Apparently a member of congress in Samoa is a member of the church and good friends with the President of Indonesia. There was a law passed in Indonesia recently that causes problems for the church and many other advocates of religious freedom. The task? She is supposed to put together some points of argument for Samoa friend to take up with President of Indonesia. I'm pretty sure I mumbled something intelligent,

uh, wow, that's like super cool...um.

She responded, gesturing to B, "well I'd rather be home with my children, but it is nice to know that what I'm doing is making a difference."
She'd rather be home.
Home. with her kids. in the place radical feminists call oppressive, tedious, and worthless.

Reminder #1

"The greatest work you will ever do will be within the walls of your own home." -Harold B Lee

At one point during my watch, M decided she wanted to play our Wii instead of doing her spelling words. When I assured her than under no conditions would that be happening she tried to knock our house down with her heels. She was banished from the living room, amid shrieks of "your so mean!" and "I never get anything I want!" Five minutes later I tiptoed downstairs to her fortress to check the damage. The little bookworm was nestled in a corner with "Richard Scary's Peasant Pig and the Terrible Dragon, with lowly worm the jolly jester." I deemed it safe to make my presence known:
We are going to pick up Brother Fife from work are you ready to come?

To my astonishment the answer came:
Sure. do we get to see his office? Can I show him my new hairdo?

Reminder #2

Mosiah 3:19 ...becometh as a ^jchild, ^ksubmissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.

Children are quick to forgive. They don't hold grudges or hate you forever for setting boundaries and rules. Later that day, this page was slipped under my door.

M is in Spanish immersion right now. According to Austin, "Me gusta herman Fife." Translates a little too passionately in Spanish, but I felt the love.

So romantic!

2011-10-08T22:50:00.000-07:00

We have a fireplace. So cute, I know. However, it seemed like last year every time we used it the carpet smelled like smoke and I couldn't breath. Even though the ambiance was almost worth it, I opted for this option.

(sigh) Candles from DI have never looked so good!

Taylor inspired me, check her super cute blog out!

What can I say, I'm a fan!

2011-10-07T11:21:00.000-07:00

I have to agree with Sara Bareilles, "I'm swooning."

2011-10-03T21:50:00.000-07:00

I showed Pinterest to Austin.

A: "wow... so you find cute stuff, are there any men on here?" *doubtful glance*

T: "Yes! A man started following me yesterday."

A: "That doesn't sound right."

Not so secret service

2011-09-29T15:49:00.000-07:00

As you probably know, I babysit for our landlord/friend next door. Her kitchen has this great island in the middle of it, and four little white leatherette bar stools. But something happened...

KIDS happened, that's what. and now the lovely things look like this:

Soooooo, with a little help from the two culprits we transformed them to this!

I've decided I will never be able to do sewing tutorials because I pretty much slop things together and hope no one looks at the "ugly side." So just in case you were excited to learn how to make these babies, Go fish! cuz I'm pretty sure I did each one differently.

Its just fabric, elastic, and a sewing machine. If I were patient they'd be reversible, but alas. I'm not.

You can kind of see what's going on underneath in this picture:

Oh ho! I know what you're thinking what do we do when that lovely white becomes pb&j artwork? Well, you're not gonna believe this, you slip them off and "trow them in the wash, it'll be grand!"

I wrote this post forever ago about motivation.

I had a moment today that made me think, hey maybe I'm not doing so bad after all.

Here's the moment. I wished there were a way to blame someone else for vamping up these stools, and not because I'm ashamed of my handiwork--I think they turned out pretty snazzy--but because this wasn't about me looking awesome. It was about doing something nice for someone else, 'cuz that feels good.

Though now that I think about it, here I am posting about this on my blog... I guess I'm still prideful. (sigh)

The lamest arm bar I've ever seen

2011-09-27T16:02:00.000-07:00

Meet Brian.

Basketball player, handstand on a chair master, Nike shoe obssesser, any team that is playing BYU fan, and EFY buddy of...

This guy.

This is them, back in the day. I believe this picture was captioned, "straight up thugs in AZ."

ahem.

These two heartbreakers are growed up now, and Brian paid us a visit to beat up Austin.

So, maybe I was just kidding about the all grown up part.

Just in case you missed it

2011-09-26T15:55:00.000-07:00

The annual General Relief Society Meeting for the church was held on Saturday night. I just watched the whole thing here.

Wow, was that ever inspiring.

I laughed so hard at Elder Uchtdorf's "hand-stitched pot holders" comment. Why does that remind me of me? (shakes head in exasperation)

I found this darling little visual of the five points from his "forget me not" talk.

eh jokes!

2011-09-24T22:45:00.000-07:00

So this is Saipan.

I lived there.

Here is proof.

Indulge me for a moment while I walk down memory lane.

This is the place I learned how to be myself.

So many memories of seminary, dances, beach parties, judo, girls camp, youth conference, creative dates, and the music.

Once you've lived in Saipan you are part of the club.

I once hear it referred to as "the gathering."

I love this photo (below), I remember the group at Wave Jungle hanging on to those tubes for dear life around the lazy river. Somehow it seemed symbolic. We had to stick together.

Here are the perks of the Saipan club:

You get to memorize a spiel that goes something like this, "Oh, it's a 5x12 mile island over by Guam, kinda like a mini Hawaii."

You get to use phrases and words like, spotting, on the air con, plenty, par, etc.

and here is the best part.

The new family members, this means when you leave there have to be...

SAIPAN REUNIONS!

I didn't realize how many we've had until I was looking through the pictures; and these are only the ones I made it to!

This was last night:

My cheeks hurt from all the laughing.

So thanks, for being my friends and my family.

Vocal Point!!!

2011-09-24T11:17:00.000-07:00

Just another reason Mormons are awesome. :) :)

No, seriously, I've been a fan of these guys ever since I came to BYU. Really well done, can you believe they are singing and doing the Charleston at the same time!!! yeesh.

I love the way he emphasizes "ginger ale" instead of "can of ale." pretty cute.

Proof that Austin cares more about my safety than my style

2011-09-21T19:54:00.000-07:00

Austin came home from work and itching to take a motorcycle ride up Squaw Peak (aka Make-out Point) It was a gorgeous evening and we would make it just in time for sunset. How romantic.

Then Austin insisted that I wear this:

My face is being very honest about my feelings. Yup, ladies and gentlemen, Tikla is wearing an over sized leather jacket with a florescent orange Linx overlay. This shapeless, Halloween inspired look, paired with her helmet hair is fitting, but failing.

This picture doesn't even do that orange justice. You stand too close to a white wall in that baby and you can see your own glow.

Happily for me, I wasn't even embarrassed. Since being married, the list of things that make me blush has shortened by necessity. Austin is a pretty out-there kind of guy. :) Feel free to ask about the "Peruvian wave," the thigh massage, and "tooting the alarm" next time we see each other.

And ya know. He wants me to be safe! (You'd have to be pretty drunk to run over that neon boat.) Mom will be thrilled.

Happy Wednesday

2011-09-21T14:52:00.000-07:00

I didn't post anything on our 2nd year anniversary so here is a little flashback to the day we celebrated.

I understand this is hard to accept, but ladies I got the very-best-million-gold-star man out there. You now have to settle for the second place guy. It's okay to cry a little, you'll get through this.

Guess what tickles my fancy:

Red mugs from mom with oh-so-picturesque garlic nestled in them.

thrifted $2 mini shelf, now hanging above the sink.

Some day, in my future castle, there will be a huge sash window there (framed by gingham curtains with tie-backs) ready to be flung open wide whenever my heart desires. Maybe a little pie sitting on the sill to cool? I guess my shelf will do for now.

Guess what is soooo not cute!

ahem,

ahem,

ahem,

I felt the need to separate the pictures above by at least a few lines.

Benjamin still isn't potty trained. Oh boy. My favorite is when I smell something and have to ask him if he went in his new, dry undies. He tilts his head to the side, thinks about it for a minute and then says, "oh yeah, I did." and you didn't even notice, huh, pal?

But then moments like this happen (see "love" below) and it's all worth it.

Yup, we made those pizzas. I'll never forgive myself for teaching them to toss the crusts in the air. We had enough flour on the floor to make another batch. Aw well.

My little crop

2011-09-19T11:30:00.000-07:00

Look how cute they are!

I'm am one very proud herb farmer.

Can't you just see them now, all grown up and bubbling in a delicious marinara sauce... (sigh)

Speaking of seeds, this is such a good scripture.

Now, we will compare the Word unto a ^a seed . Now, if ye give place, that a ^b seed may be planted in your ^c heart , behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your ^d unbelief , that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to ^e enlighten my ^f understanding , yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me.

Dear Husband,

2011-09-15T22:12:00.000-07:00

I miss you.

I know it's super awesome that your are all pro and on a business trip, but it's sorta lonely and scary here without 'cha.

So, in your absence I've come up with a little list of reasons why I love you (which you should by no means considered positive reinforcement for leaving me.)

Sad Face

-You listen with convicing interest to stories I've told you 7 times already.

-When I say "Look" *happy squeal* you say, "oh, that is soooooo cute, I just don't even know what to do!" and even though I know you are mocking me I can't help but smile even bigger and kiss your adorable face.

-You NEVER leave the toliet seat up. ever.

-When we leave the house you check the stove and oven cuz, what do you know, they're usually on threatening the safety of our hearth and home.

-Your laugh gets endearingly high pitched and desperate when I tickle you too much.

-You smell great!

-The way you ask my permission before listening to "your music."

-Touching toes before falling asleep is code for "I'm not mad."

-Rock, paper, sissors to decide whether or not you get to order a Dr Pepper.

-This picture of you -->

-Your chin

-Your eyes

-Your hair

-Your shoulders

whew what's not to love!?

-Snuggle time and pillow talk

-Your fingers in my hair

-The way you stop me in the middle of whatever I'm doing--usually causing me to drop whatever I'm holding--just to kiss me.

well that got mushier than I intended. What can I say, I miss my man.

oh and just so you know,

the sewing machine has taken up permanent residence on the kitchen table, the basil is sprouting, and the microwave and cupboard doors are all open.

Love,

Wife

P.S. Here is a preview of the adorable pillows I made while you were gone saving the world.

Why didn't anyone tell me...

2011-09-05T15:51:00.000-07:00

...that Park City is the cutest place ever!!! Don't believe me? Scroll down and try to keep calm.

To celebrate our graduation/done with summer selling/awesomeness, we treated ourselves to a little vacay. Since we won't live in Utah forever, site seeing in our own backyard was the thing to do.

Priceline landed us a cozy spot at the Yarrow hotel. Where we enjoyed the...dun dun da da! Romance package.

Aww, can you guess what the yummiest thing in the picture is? Hint: believe it or not, it's not the chocolate covered strawberries.

My only request for the trip was a pedicure. Rather than wait around for his princess to be pampered he joined right in. (It think the massage chairs convinced him.) Much to his dismay he ended up with shiny toenails. Much to MY dismay they didn't show up in the picture. Folks, it is now your job to never let him live that down.

And now to the adorableness:

I think I died and went to gingerbread trim heaven.

We couldn't help but wonder how the "cuteness code" is enforced.

Yup we rode on that. And yes, we smooched a bit after disappearing behind the mountain.

Correction, I died and went to flower box heaven.

I don't know if you can tell from these pics, but Austin broke his beard length record. I kinda miss my furry mountain man.

Can I get an "awwwww" for lunch at the "Red Banjo."

Whew, this is a lot of pictures, but listen pal, it's been a while since I blogged last so pipe down and keep reading.

We lavished a fancy dinner on ourselves, it was so la-dee-da that in between courses our waiter came with a crumb catcher to tidy of up the table cloth before bringing more delicious food. I'm ashamed to say, there were more crumbs on my side than Austin's...(sigh)

Our craziest day was at the mountain resort ziplining, coastering, sliding, mini golfing, sunburning, trampoline jumping, and rock climbing. Total blast!

Next came snorkels and 90 degree water at The Crater, which was a lot like a mini grotto (Saipan peeps, pound it.)

Behold the Heber Creeper:

Sweet little train+snugly husband+big cookies=

Whoa, PDA!!! Close your eyes quick!

Get this. The train didn't even take us back to our car. We RIVER RAFTED back! That's right, another bucket list item is checked off.

This last picture is for Austin. He laughed so hard it was only fair to share the joy.

(explanation: The wind teamed up with my life-jacket-head-rest to smack me in the back of the head whenever the camera came out to document our adventure. So, this is the face of someone bashed in the head by their life saving device.)

And they lived happily ever after.

THE END

Scripture Reading is Like Blackberry Picking

2011-08-12T20:03:00.000-07:00

I grab my basket and head out to the bramble. Right away I see loads of delicious berries right at my fingertips. I snag those and settle into a rhythm. Thinking I've picked that spot clean, I take one step, or bend down a little and the perspective changes. Suddenly there are ten new clusters of dark berry goodness that emerge from the leaves. Every once and a grand while I get a berry so perfect; so firm and dark but bursting with sweetness that I just have to tell someone about it. These are "beauties." Some berries out there are green or red. They hang out right in front of my nose as if to say, "haha, you can't pick me yet!" but I ignore their taunting because I know just as well as they do that in the next couple days they are going to be ripe and I'll be ready. The same berry picking spot will be fruitful every time I go, because even though it's the same bush, new fruit is appearing every day.

"beauty"-->

So, what does this have to do with scriptures you might ask? Every time I open to study I see nuggets of goodness to be found easily, right there for the reading. I may finish a passage and assume I've gained everything I could from those verses, yet a small change in perspective reveals a whole new light on a story I've read a million times. Every so often I read something so perfect, so tailored to my needs that I have to share it with someone. Sometimes there are parts of scripture that go right over my head. I just don't understand yet, but I wait, because I know that come next week after I've been thinking and praying about it, I might just be ready for a beautiful new truth. I've been reading the same books of scripture my whole life, yet somehow every time I open to read, I'm greeted with a blackberry pie worth of fresh ideas.

Speaking of blackberry pie! Everyone is invited over for a slice tonight. :)

One more thought, it's a good idea to be prepared for both these adventures. Note to self: long pants next time...

Sailing in the Marti Ann

2011-07-25T13:33:00.000-07:00

My waterbug and I finally went waterskiing! Ever since we met I've heard tales of the glory days where happiness was found asleep in the old boat after a sun soaking, cherry eating, wakeboarding day. There was a whole part of his life I was missing! No longer! I didn't get any good movies of the wakeboarding, but here he is on the kneeboard:

And now folks, in all humility, I ROCKED THE KNEEBOARD!! (We will kindly ignore the fact that I couldn't get up on the wakeboard and drank half the lake trying)

So, now I am officially accepted into the family. After two years I must say, it's about time!

2011-07-13T21:23:00.000-07:00

I cut my own hair! I just realized there is a post just like this one last summer... I guess it's the time of year I get the ich to try something new.

But look! I'm getting braver. This one is way shorter than last year's hair self-help escapade.
I digging my short locks. Austin's response was "you look like a mom!" :D But he likes it.

This summer is a busy, tired mess. We work hard and play hard...I guess I'll just have to sleep in the fall.

Oregon is beautiful! We paid a visit to Grams and the coast for the "Brown Family Conference" The theme was "looking up and looking out" (meaning look toward heaven first and then serve other people.) We even had matching T-shirts. Isn't my mom incredible.

You can see Austin and Dad's shirts here

Sisters! :)

I love Austin, my family and his. What a charmed life I lead.

Even our lotion bottles love each other

2011-05-21T14:46:00.000-07:00

Dear Mom,

2011-05-08T23:22:00.000-07:00

You are inspiring.

I need you to kiss my owies, hug away my fears, and help me laugh at my failures.

I always will.

I love you!

Summertime!

2011-05-06T15:08:00.000-07:00

Aren't families the BOMB.COM!!! The best graduation gift has been visiting our families.

This summer we are living in Oregon! We popped down to see my side

Yes, that is a chocolate extreme blizzard. Your jealous, aren't cha.

Cheese cake was an early birthday surpise for....

This studly man!

We went dancing at the retirement home with mom and dad and guess what!?! We were left in the dust, but we loved it!

Then it was off to Oregon.

Somehow this very entertaining thing happened--see photo above, only a taste of the entertainment afforded on our lovely drive.

Speaking of lovely...

Our apartment home for the summer is lovely. Smells great, doesn't give me asthma, and has a secret door on the celing of the bathroom. I haven't been brave enough to open it yet. As for Oregon, getting my gas pumped for me kinda makes me feel famous. I discovered the secret to getting the mildew smell out of towels. That was triumphant. Oooh and very fun, we have a superstore Goodwill next door that pretty much knocked my socks off. Look what Austin bought there:

that's right. You have permission to make fun of him for the rest of forever.

We had a weekend before work started so we buzzed up to the Fife side.

Dad Fife took us to see the Ballard Locks, and we made friends with a smolt (baby salmon) named Freddie.

Ladies and Gentlemen the fearless motorcycle men! Shawn rode with Dad and I rode with Austin. After strict orders from Mom Fife to come back in one piece we took a GORGEOUS drive...

...that peaked at this super cute, hot chocolate stocked, bakery at the end of the ride.

All Growed Up!

2011-04-30T21:32:00.000-07:00

Goodbye BYU! It's been lovely, and we will miss you.

I cropped these pictures so the BYU sign in the background says "ha" "ha" :) Pretty funny eh?

Austin didn't really want to walk, but he greeted me with a bunch of daisies and cheered embarassingly loud when I walked across the stage.

2011-04-23T15:29:00.000-07:00

My Wish Came True!

2011-04-20T17:08:00.000-07:00

The weeping cherry tree bloomed!

Spring is breathtaking.

Cross your fingers!

2011-04-13T10:27:00.000-07:00

Outside my front window is a gorgeous weeping cherry tree. We had one just like it when I was a little girl and I would prance around under gently tugging on the branches to make it rain pale pink flower petals. Now I am wishing my heart out that it will bloom before we leave for Oregon.

Serendipity!

2011-04-05T20:05:00.000-07:00

Austin won an Ipad at a Linx meeting. Just another reminder of the awesome blessing Linx has been as work for Austin.

Before I continue it's important to note that ever since Christmas time Austin has been joking about getting a Wii for his birthday. Conversations go something like this:

Tikla: What a beautiful day!

Austin: Yeah, so when I get that Wii for my birthday...

Tikla: (eye roll) *laughter*

Twice, Austin has had a chance to win one at Linx competitions, but struck out. So... Austin sold the Ipad and bought a Wii in less the 24 hours. The rule in our little family is, you can buy whatever you want as long as you can justify it. The Wii was a tricky one to justify even as a birthday gift, so now he gets it free and clear and he couldn't be happier. He is Wii waterskiing as I type. :)

Elder Richard G. Scott: 'Eternal Blessings of Marriage'

2011-04-04T10:56:00.000-07:00

The Best Part of Saipan

2011-04-04T10:51:00.000-07:00

Perhaps my new blog heading "Spring!" should actually read "Spring?"

Dear Saipan: I miss you dearly and want to take Austin to meet you. Your crashing electric blue waves, white sandy beaches, and vivid sunsets are beautiful. But guess what!!! The best part of Saipan came to me this weekend.

My Girls!!!

And Joe and Daniel came along too...

Cold Stone icecream with Madison was a good time. :)

MY TURN AGAIN!!!

2011-04-01T15:35:00.000-07:00

Just pulled the bike out of storage and took a ride around town and up provo canyon. Took one of my favorite rides up Big Creek.

We were both wrong...

2011-04-01T08:05:00.000-07:00

I have a bad habit. Inherited from my Dad I believe. He has been an English teacher most of his life and the dinner table was his favorite place to correct our grammar, pronunciation, or usage. So, poor Austin has to endure my frequent, "is that even a word?" or "you mean, provoking?" I'm trying to get better. However, on the latest word choice debate we were both wrong! Let me illuminate:

Tikla: This recipe is chalk-full of butter.

Austin: You mean chuck-full?

Tikla: No, chalk-full. Isn't it? I swear it's chalk-full.

Tikla: (serious research in hopes of being right, but doubting self)

Findings: The correct form is chock-full, origins uncertain. Chalk-full and chuck-full are American misuses.

How embarassing! ;)

"And so we talked all night about the rest of our lives"

2011-03-25T12:14:00.000-07:00

In exactly 28 days I'll be a college graduate.

It's looking like we will be in Utah for at least one more year before grad school.

Tikla's grumpy face

We are feeling kind of grown up. In the same way I felt grown up when I moved out, got married, or fixed the kitchen sink, I'll get to look back and realize how little I really am right now.

Still....

Our options are limitless! We can be whoever we want to be. Before I married Austin I remember asking myself,

"Is there anything I want to do on my own before I get married?"

My assumption was that I wouldn't be as free once I was tied down to my new family unit. I was wrong. Somehow my options haven't became limited like I thought they might. If anything, I have more opportunities at my fingertips than I did before I was married.

Together we are unstoppable!

Patient (pā'shənt) adj.

2011-03-17T19:05:00.000-07:00

5. Capable of calmly awaiting an outcome or result.

6. A state of being that Tikla Fife needs to work on.

Sister Hinckley's Wisdom

2011-03-04T15:37:00.000-08:00

"I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed,
and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails.
I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels
from taking kids to scout camp.
I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt
from making sandwiches for a sick neighbors children.
I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from
helping to weed some-one's garden.
I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks
and the tears of a friend on my shoulder.
I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived."

— Marjorie Pay Hinckley

"How Did This Happen?"

2011-02-27T14:46:00.000-08:00

My grampa is a poet. At the moment I am his "editor in chief" as we attempt to compile a distributable book of his poems. As I was organizing categories and formatting pages I came across this poem that he wrote for our wedding. Not exactly "how it happened" but very funny nonetheless. Enjoy!

HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?

She was dancing in the kitchen.

She said she didn’t know

that the blinds were always open

and she was putting on a show.

He said he was merely walking by;
innocent as a man can be.
“Could I be blamed for watching?
what was plainly there to see?"

Of the damsel in the window

said the man out in the street,
“It’s not my style to interrupt,
but here’s a girl I’ve got to meet!”

He peeled his eyes from off the window.

He tapped upon her door.

And said, “I like what I’m seeing here.
Can I come back for more?"

And so he did, and, within weeks
his knees were planted on the floor!
He popped the question. Tikla Squealed,
“This is so sudden!"
What have you been waiting for?”

This is not your usual story
you can get a moral from.
It’s just that Tikla was a show-off,’
and Austin was a peeping Tom!
© Robert Lynn Brown

It's that time again!

2011-02-22T20:04:00.000-08:00

A three day weekend!!! Just a little taste of the Browns...

Reece, master of entertaining, made up a "video game" on the white board. I'm telling you kids don't need toys. :)

Starr, isn't she the cutest!!!

Sisters ;) au naturel

Jay J. dutiful dishes doer and excellent cookie maker

A little one on one action in the backyard.

According to Austin, Sterling beat him in a round of PIG fair and square.

Oh, and mustn't forget a little blueberry lush. YUM!!!!

The pink, red, doily laden, highly controversial holiday...

2011-02-16T12:07:00.000-08:00

...was a huge success! :)

Why the Controversy?

Number one: Commercialized love.

Rebuttal: Since when do holidays NOT get commercialized. It's called: good ideas earn money so people jump on them. Can you blame them? If you don't think people should spend loads of money on flowers and chocolate then don't, make cookies and paper flowers yourself. I don't think there are pompous rich guys who sit back and laugh at the stupidity of America as they roll in the proceeds from their paper doily business. I'm pretty sure it's sweet little ladies who run flower shops who are earning their living. :)

Number two: Single people feel sad.

Rebuttal: I don't have a good one for this. No doubt smooching couples, sickly sweet decorations, and loneliness are a lethal combination. However, I'm pretty sure there have only been 2% of my February 14th celebrations that have included being someones "valentine." On the other 98% I've dressed up in pink, drawn hearts next to my eyes, and passed out sweethearts to perfect strangers. So, I guess my point is, other people aren't in charge of making us happy. We find happiness and then we are better equipped to be happy with someone. If it takes a boy/girlfriend to make you happy then you never will be.

Number three: Just one day to show love? Shouldn't I show my love all year long?

Rebuttal: I think Mallory Watkins toasted it golden when she said: "It's just like Thanksgiving. I give thanks every day, but it's nice to have a holiday dedicated to it. I tell my husband everyday that I love him, but that doesn't make Valentine's any less meaningful to us." I can't think of anyone who only shows love on Valentine's Day. If they aren't showing it on the other days then what would make them pop out the prose and roses for the 14th? If anything people break up before this day so that they don't have to show love they don't feel.

So there is my rant against the Valentine's day rant.

Thank you to a husband who refuses to wear green in honor of a catholic St. Patrick, but will wear a pink tie, dance with me to Ella Fitzgerald, and hold me gently on Valentine's Day.

I love you Valentine!

The Parable of the Choir

2011-02-05T12:10:00.000-08:00

I was overwhelmed. Oh, so very overwhelmed by my imperfections and failures. In my sorrow I went to the temple; there in the house of the Lord I was taught the parable of the choir.

In choral singing a brand new piece is often approached with a tool: Solfa. (Do Re Mi Fa Sol La Ti) Each has a corresponding hand signal. To one unfamiliar with this sight singing method it might seem superfluous and tedious. I grant you, often times the first gallop through the piece is hardly musical. However, for a musician comfortable with solfa, this method is invaluable. By learning the piece with consistent vowel shapes for every note, and even hand signals that are a physical reminder that "ti" points to "do" and "fa" points to "mi," the lyrics are less likely to throw the singer into dischordant mayhem.

As I considered the wisdom of this method I remembered that the temple, and everything found inside it's sacred doors, is symbolic. Just as physical reminders in music aid the singer, the covenants made in the temple are reminders of the most excellent way to keep our life in tune with our Savior.

Life is an undeniably, challenging piece of music. It is difficult enough to learn my own part in the song of life, let alone blend my other relationships sweetly. Yet it is the relationship of the melody and harmony that brings richness, beauty, and even dissonance. (Dissonance is vital to music, without it a song lacks contrast, brilliance, and resolution.)

Most often a life lesson must be learned more than once. The measure in my life called "patience" has been rehearsed a hundred times and yet "la" is still out of tune. Even when I think I've mastered it, the Master conductor runs through it again to, "make sure it wasn't an accident."

Slowly, while sitting in the celestial room I cast off my burden. My life is still in the sight reading stages. With the temple as a tool and my God conducting, this song will be masterful. Even though right at this moment I seem out of tune, I get glimpses of the splendid, perfection the composer intends. When those glorious chords fill my life, even for just one count in time, the effort is worth it.

Line upon line, in music and in life.

Stickers

2011-01-27T20:13:00.000-08:00

So, everytime I take off a sticker from an apple I never want to walk over the the garbage can and flick that tiny little guy into the garbage can. I inevitably miss the garbage and end up scraping it off the floor the next day, or I can't get it off my finger in the first place and after waving my hand around a bit I end up sticking it to the bag. Solution. Turn them into refrigerator art. Works for me!

This morning I found a note slipped under the door that connects our kitchen to the Sewells:

I'm thinking her mom wrote that...she is 6. :)

Three day weekends are getting predictable.

2011-01-26T08:59:00.000-08:00

In such a good way! Looky here:

Shrimp for my man,

Opera from Starr

Food for the tummy and soul

and these boys.

Needless to say, I'm thrilled that Austin loves his "inlaws." It has been HIS idea to come visit every chance we get.

Don't ask me...

2011-01-12T09:46:00.000-08:00

why Austin thought that last post was a good idea. (see image 1 entitled "pickin' on the sly") However, since I was coerced into a solemn promise not to remove the offending post, the only option I have is to blog like a maniac until it is safely cleared to the next page.

So...(hurry Tikla think of something new and exciting going on around here...)

Well. We got a new computer! That's exciting! This means that the words I'm typing right now are showing up simultaneously with the typing sounds, rather than in big chunk three seconds delayed. Big smile for that.

I've always been convinced that a child will take a cardboard box over an action figure anyday. Lucky for the Sewell kids the computer came in a huge BOX! This little messages from Margaret tied to my chair are just a token of her love for the box. :)

School is going to be AWESOME this semester. I convinced Austin to take Religion in the Home with me and now, not only did we only have to buy one set of books, but we get to do projects together! So cute!
It's a new year; this means revising our budget categories, making goals, and finding a new calendar.

over and out.

NOW ITS MY TURN

2011-01-08T20:22:00.000-08:00

So I decided for my first blog post ever I would start with a bang.

Here is my dinosaur impression!

Video explains it all

with love,

The Fife's

long ago and far away

2011-01-07T10:48:00.000-08:00

Long ago as in December, and far away as in Cedar City, UT and Federal Way, WA. :D

It was my first time coming back home for Christmas since I left for college! It was musical, lively, and yummy.

My stud muffin chillin' at the Brown's

Starr and I snuck off for a little girls only shopping. Isn't she adorable!

Alex. Totally a part of the fam. Our easygoing, animal loving Korean.

Sterling. He is reminding me more and more of Skylar. He even got a rubix cube for Christmas.

Reece. His irresistablitiy has been giving him grief lately, but he'll manage somehow.

Jay. persistant and articulate

This picture probably represents 40% of our visit. This game was a hit!

We caroled, ate too much chocolate, and opened gifts. We did a name draw which is always fun. Tori got Austin a couple really nice tennis rackets and balls with a booklet of "A Selection from: Tori's Tennis Tips.com" For example, tennis tip #49 was "If you press your face into your racket hard enough you get funny marks." Complete with illustrations. :)

Austin gave Reece his custom tailored suit from Peru (Austin has grown right out of it--His shoulders were busting buttons. Hard to believe he wore it while we were dating! That's my man!) The tag was a Reeses with the 's' changed to a 'c' from a Big Hunk.

I drew dad and a little bird told me he wanted a pull up bar. So I obliged. He claims it's his mid life crisis. ;)

Jay J gave me a gorgeous "willow tree" nativity set. I LOVE it! I just wish I could display it all year instead of waiting until next Christmas.

So after the festivities, we scurried away in time for me to sing with the orchestra and Ballet West in the Nutcracker Ballet. So cool! Austin was a little wigged out by the men in tights...

Then it was off to Washington!! I am so lucky to have such awesome inlaws.

They saved Christmas for us and Austin's gift was a hit! He drew his mom and compiled letters from each of the family members into a purple booklet. He had to read Jordan's letter was so funny he had to read it out loud. With a few breaks to gasp for air we laughed our way through it.

Beautiful Shawnie. I can't believe how lovely she is getting!

Love

New Year's was a literal BLAST with Jordan Samantha Michaela and Heidi.

Much to our dismay/delight our suspension broke just as we were pulling out so we stayed an extra day.

The boys, watchin football

And now I'm back to making castles with this little guy, making pretty lil things before my life gets busy again, and school is officially in session!

You know it's finals week when...

2010-12-17T10:21:00.000-08:00

There is no room on the table for dinner...

And Christmas gifts (in the making) are on the floor and couch...

So, we found a spot of clear carpet and...it's picnic style!

More frightening yet is what we had to eat.

In honor of all my Dad's cheesy surprise dinners.

This is leftover frozen thanksgiving turkey, mashed potatoes, rice, gravy, broccoli, crumbled cornbread and cheese. Oh dear. This one did NOT make the recipe blog. :)

One final left for both of us!

New and Improved "To Do List"

2010-12-07T22:24:00.000-08:00

Somehow this makes the whole list more optimistic. I need all the happy thoughts I can get, that list is pretty darn long...

Finals HERE I COME!!!!

Tapatio

2010-12-07T21:39:00.000-08:00

The best hot sauce ever, introduced to my by the best hot guy I know.

This evening at dinner---

Tikla: Oh Tapatio is really good on this.
Austin: Tapatio is good on everything, therefore, it's good on this.

He spent the rest of the night literally singing it's praise.

Happy Birthday Mom!

2010-11-29T12:35:00.000-08:00

It might as well have been my birthday for how fun this day was! The Orem Hale Center theater performed the Scarlet Pimpernel and it was fantastic! We snagged our tickets months ago so we had front row seats. Wonderful acting and brilliant show.

We went out for Thai food before the show. Dad's phu soup was just spicy enough to "challenge" him, though he ordered a "0." Mom's "3" was almost too much for me, I'm glad I stuck with a "2."

Happy Birthday beautiful mom! I love you!
I couldn't have asked for a more helpful, patient, understanding, fun-loving, beautiful mother.

Hosting Thanksgiving

2010-11-26T17:56:00.000-08:00

It was our debut Thanksgiving dinner. For the first time ever Austin and I hosted the delicious event. Luckily mom did almost everything so it turned out GREAT!

Wednesday night was a party with the whole family tucked into our living room.

Audra and Alexa joined us! And the family got to meet Margaret and Benjamin the kids I babysit in the mornings. Starr was a natural mother to them and transformed from hyper little sister to responsible sitter in a heartbeat.

I think I was caught mid word here, but here is dad making the fruit salad and me braiding the Brown family, traditional, poppy seed rolls.

The boys digested their turkey and pie while playing the computer version of Risk. Sorry for cutting off your head love!

So much to be thankful for!

--aka leftover pie in the fridge.

Sweet Peas and Sweet Husband

2010-11-23T12:09:00.000-08:00

New favorite healthy snack. Sweet peas. Reasons they are awesome:

1. They taste delish.
2. They are handy--no nuking, baking, or freezing.
3. They take a little work to get to so they last longer than popcorn.
4. Hello healthy!
5. They are just so happy! I mean look at that green smile.

My studly, "house husband"

This whole semester he has been the biggest sweetheart. I've got a pretty big school load and part time job; he is just as busy, if not more so, yet he has been making lunch and bed without complaint. We are both very happy it's Thanksgiving break.

Cruise to Mexico!

2010-11-18T13:52:00.000-08:00

Just a few highlights from our adventure last weekend.

Here is the sweet cruise ship!

Every night when we returned to our bedroom the bed was made and the an adorable towel animal was sitting on top. This was my favorite: a darling little bunny rabbit!

In MEXICO!!

lovely sunset after minigolf on the top deck

The biggest stud ever

We rented a paddle boat!

Chasing the ducks, and being goofy

breakfast in our bathrobes

the bed was COMFORTABLE!

heading home now, relaxed and happy

oops the car wouldn't start so we played the Bean game until the tow truck came to jump us.

It was wonderful! Now I just have to catch up on the school I missed. I imagine by the end of this week I'll be wondering if it was worth it. ;)

Fall Festivities and Farewell

2010-11-02T13:22:00.000-07:00

For the first time in my life I didn't dress up for Halloween this year. :( However, Austin's costume more than made up for it. He was a "Brown buster." What is a Brown buster, you ask? Well, it's a super hero.

naturally a few Brown's got Busted this weekend.

Grandma Nanna brought the fixing for caramel apples, wow they were good.

We made homemade root beer. The dry ice made it look so spooky. The bubbles were filled with clouds.

Madison came down with us. Saipan Represent! She fit right in. It felt like she was simply part of the family.

and now the best and saddest part of the trip. Our last time all together before Skylar leaves on him mission. He will be such a wonderful missionary, but we will sure miss him.

Good luck Sky! I love you!

Beautiful Morning

2010-10-27T21:46:00.000-07:00

The first snow of the school year. The usual morning sounds muffled by the frosting on the ground.

Even though deep down I know I'll get sick scraping snow off the car and waddling out of the house as a bundled marshmallow, I'll enjoy the powered sugar for now.

We'll be the first to admit....

2010-10-20T12:04:00.000-07:00

...it's not the best year ever to be a BYU football fan. However, beating San Diego State, in seats this good, with perfect weather, was a pretty happy time.

My self portrait skills need honeing, the only picture we got that doesn't have Austin making a weird face is blurry.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen that is a "Y" in the sky. Even the jets were rejoicing!

Understanding Girls

2010-10-15T11:43:00.000-07:00

We want to feel cute.

If we don't feel pretty--it's a rough day. How we actually look is usually irrelevant. Feeling cute is the point. Why do we stick big bows on our head, dangle things from our wrists or wear mascara? We want to feel cute!!!

According to this formula, getting married has made me feel cuter. That says a whole bunch about my husband doesn't it.

Android in Arizona

2010-10-13T12:29:00.000-07:00

Austin got a smart phone! and yes, it is pretty darn smart. The timing works out pretty well, he'll get to play with it in "airplane mode" on his way to Phoenix this weekend! Business trips, smart phone, Roth IRA: Wowza we are getting all growed up!

Homecoming Spectacular!

2010-10-06T12:40:00.000-07:00

Thursday and Friday Nights!

"BYU's top performers set for Homecoming Spectacular"

Now is an appropriate time for a shout out to Sister Applonie. Choir conductor/stand up comedian. :) Every day of the week is a little brighter because of this blessed woman.

Motivation

2010-09-30T13:49:00.000-07:00

Why do I do the things I do?

I've been thinking lately about this. For example, when I clean up my house before guests come over. Am I cleaning because I am convinced that if the space is organized my friends will be more comfortable? Or do I clean because I want people to think that this is the way my home always looks, and pin a gold star on me? This is troubling; I'd like to think I'm a selfless person, but I worry that at times I do things for the wrong reasons. Perhaps the view of my messy living room might be exactly what someone needs to see.

Last April, Austin and I left some of our things with friends in the ward for safe keeping until we returned. I borrowed some adorable tiny bread pans and baked banana bread for each person who was helping us out. After they had been wrapped in cellophane and tied with bows we left them behind and they were never delievered. I was disappointed. Why? Was it because I knew that the treat would brighten their day? Or maybe I just wanted them to think I was domestic and cute for my action.

I'm convinced that the people we love to be around the most are those who genuinely care for our well being. I resolve to be less worried about other's perception of me, and more concerned with my relationship with "others." The interesting thing about my goal, is not much of my behavior will change. I'll still vacuum up the paper scraps before Sunday dinner, but my motivation will be different.

Oh, pride, will I ever evade you?

Simplicity

2010-09-28T20:33:00.000-07:00

The way night time sounds so quiet, and yet it's filled with noises, the way it feels when Austin runs his fingers through my hair, the way grapes pop in your mouth and splash juices on your tongue.

I love simple things.

Tonight I was on campus. There were very few people left and I decided to pay a visit to my favorite spot. It's probably the ugliest place, but nonetheless my favorite. In the Joseph Smith Building there are a couple staircases. There is a pretty one cased in glass windows that can be seen from the outside, and then there is a cement stairwell next to the elevator. There are rarely people here because it's so unsightly and the elevators make way more sense. Little do people know, when no one else is there, a certain someone named Tikla whistles to herself and listens to the incredible acoustics. The echo is so vibrant that you can harmonize with your own voice.

I stayed until my cheeks were worn out from whistling.
I've decided to stop letting time compete for my attention. Time and I are going to get along.

The most amazing HIKE ever!

2010-09-24T13:05:00.000-07:00

Almost the entire hike is through water!

Kissing on a rock. Awwww!

Penny Slot canyon!

There were natural slides carved out by the water falls. Very cold water, but I was sooo brave! ;)

The red sand made perfect ammunition.

Truce!!!

stealing a kiss.

yup you caught us!

picnickin' and happin'in'

2010-09-21T21:39:00.000-07:00

Fleeting moments,
Fervent prayers,
Fragrant blooms,
Family adventures,
and Fading time.

Five "F"s for the Fife's today.

Question worth pondering: What is piety? Socrates can't seem to nail it down.

Goal for the week: Make our bed every morning.

Request: Please pray for Ethan Fife, our darling Nephew who is in the hospital with Spinal Meningitis.

This weekend:

we rode the motorcycle up squaw peak and watched the para-gliders jump off the mountain.

Dad Fife came to visit!!

first picnic with the infamous watermelon basket

and what day would be complete without a round of "the Bean Game"

my best friends

2010-09-15T11:41:00.000-07:00

The original pile picture

Recreation

plus one more person!!!!

Where have you been!

2010-09-08T12:22:00.000-07:00

And stop, gasp for breath.

so picking up where we left off...primary.

This was histerical. I told the boys to flex and and Ridley decided to show off his six pack.

and the girls. ;D

At the very end of our stay in lovely Iowa, Shawnie came!

In the midst of boring packing and cleaning we squeezed in a Kernels baseball game, swimming, icecream, and girl talk.

We had front row seats, right behind homebase. Shawnie kept us entertained by screaming out her undieing love for each batter, and for the mastcot...Mr Shucks.

There he is in all his Kernel glory. Shawn's new boyfriend, Mr. Shucks.

The long drive was well worth the joy of rolling back into Provo. We've really missed this little city.

First order of buisness was unpacking, second was DUECKS!!!

Melanie made that darling necklace she is wearing.

I'm back to babysitting this little munchkins in the mornings. (side note) those grapes Margaret is holding came from our backyard! How "sweet" is that!!

We picked up mom and Skylar from the airport. They had been visiting Portland. Just before we slipped on down to Cedar City we had lunch with the Smiths! Madison is starting school here and Taylor is already here.

Once we were in Cedar we went to Austin's first ever parade, the greatest hike ever, and recreated the "pile photo." pictures coming soon.

Sister Fife v. BROTHER FIFE!

2010-08-18T15:41:00.000-07:00

I lose... Look at that well behaved, reverent primary class...

...ahem. K, so Brother Fife is way more fun. Only one Sunday left with these little monkeys. I've always been struck by how much you grow to love those you serve. I'm going to miss them.

I look super tired in these pictures, but Austin looks so adorable that I had to post them. This was our first picture together with the new camera! :D

New Camera, Old Tree, and almost done

2010-08-17T15:13:00.000-07:00

My camera came!

This happy, breakfasting group is almost done for the summer. Our numbers have dwindled and I think everyone is ready to go home. Once Austin hits the 200 mark we hit the road.

I love my job, but I will be changing my ringtone when we get back, I don't want to accidentally pick up and say "This is Tikla with Linx, how can I help you?"

I'll miss our corn-fielded, ever sticky, chip on your shoulder Iowa. It's beautiful. Every morning I walk by this tree to get to the garage.

Don't you just want to build a tree house right there...mmmm, it's a perfect tree.

Guess who is coming to visit in 4 days!!!

the ever beautiful Shawnie-magoo! Exciting to say the least. What a lucky girl I am to have such an accepting, friendly sister-in-law.

SharEing

2010-08-09T22:39:00.000-07:00

Sharing doesn't have an "e" in it. Thank you to James, the honorary genius of our 9-year-old primary class. How embarrassing! We were learning about friendship, and one of the friendship flowers had to be stricken from the board, due to my spelling issues.

Primary has been the best calling ever this summer!! I love watching Austin teach and I love making cute things so we are the perfect team. Brother Fife does the important part and Sister Fife does the part that helps them remember the important part. ;)

Just a reminder, we've been married for over a year.

2010-08-08T19:37:00.000-07:00

Oh , Austin...

Old picture

2010-08-08T19:19:00.000-07:00

Austin: The hardcore Jazz fan, and his wife, along for the free hats. :)

Last November Linx sent us to a free game. It was the season opener so there were fireworks, dancing, Bear sliding down the length of the entire area stairs.

I had to post this because of Austin's glorious face. Enjoy.

Avacado Facial anyone? (late update on Austin's surprise for by Birthday)

2010-08-02T09:17:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Fife Spa, established July 16, 2010 in Cedar Rapids, IA.
"Get out of the office, home or where ever you work for our one day special. Anytime July 16th or 17th in celebration of the most amazing woman in the world's birthday all of the following options are available free of charge. Happy Tikla Day!"

This is what greeted me when I came back from the store Saturday evening.

My beautiful chocolate cake, whipped cream frosting, and chocolate covered cherries on top! Mmmmmm!

Here is the stud who works at this spa. I was so relaxed by the end of the night I couldn't stand up straight.

Kernels Baseball Game!

2010-07-22T21:39:00.000-07:00

Our stay in Cedar Rapids would have been incomplete had we not attended at least one minor league baseball game, and what more fitting name could their be than the Kernels? We are in Iowa after all.

Aaaannnd in keeping with Austin tradition, we won! Apparently he has never been to a game where his team lost. After the game there was a firework show that almost topped our 4th of July festivities.

What a stud!

Speaking of Watermelon...

2010-07-20T18:11:00.000-07:00

A birthday gift from the fam! ;) They are keeping in Cedar City until we come back. I can't begin to explain how much I wish I had it now!!!! Is that not the greatest thing you've ever seen! I opened the email with these pictures while on the phone with her and FREAKED out!

It's even stocked with picnic supplies! My family knows me so well.

Yellow Watermelon!!

2010-07-18T15:02:00.000-07:00

Just another example of why Asia is AWESOME! It tastes just like red watermelon, just happier! If that's possible (red watermelon is pretty happy.)

21!

2010-07-17T10:02:00.001-07:00

Independence day, Fife style!

2010-07-06T18:36:00.000-07:00

Look at that red white and blue shot! We weren't even trying!

Cedar Rapids does a huge fireworks show off May's island and we wanted the best seats in the house. So, after a suggestion from Austin's home teachee, we left 3 hours early stocked with an adorable picnic (red gingham table cloth, pb&js, wooden basket, the real deal.)

When we left it was DUMPING rain. My smiley face umbrella blew inside out--just like in the movies. I was wearing a white skirt...yikes! Safely in the car, we drove around until we found the perfect spot over the river protected by the over pass. The rushing water was so loud! So of course we had to take advantage of the opportunity to sing every "America song" we could think of at the top of our lungs. We were drenched, but patriotic. :)

Brian, Brittany, Brooke, and Peytyn came with us.

What a cutie! She is a big linx fan. ;)

So three hours is a looooooong time...This is the old shake your face while taking a picture move. Austin is way to good at it. I can't tell you how happy I am my face got cut off in this one.

I had to post this one for Brian's face...haha I think he thought he was ruining a good picture. Naw, he was just adding character to an already weird one.

Look at those eyes! Look out South Africa this guy is coming your way.

It was a musical evening...

Pretty soon we realized that we probably could have come five minutes before and had great seats. People must have been discouraged by the rain, but we had fun anyway. Right before the show once the rain had stopped we scooted down to a park near the water.

The boys had a rock skipping contest.

They shot the fireworks right over the old capitol building on the island. It was stunning.

Quick poll of favorite firework type:

Austin- the kind that are super bright, white, and loud; and the squirly kind that split off at the last second and fly all over.

Tikla-the super crackly, sparkly kind that sound like drops of water in a hot pan, and the little guys that shoot up in one after another.