Mother I Love You, Mother I Do

And just to prove it I wrote this for yoooou!

If you didn't get the tune for that, Mom, I'm ashamed.

So while everyone is talking about how much they love their Mamas, I just have to say no one's mom could ever possibly compare to mine. I mean really.

No other woman even comes close to my Mommy Dearest.  Here are the qualities where she easily surpasses any other person even.

She absolutely beautiful. I mean seriously. Look at this hot mama! *Side Note: that's not her child*



She's funny, even though I must say I'm funnier. However we do make the same jokes...

She decorates for people's weddings and she's seriously the bomb at it!

She will do just about anything for anyone, even if she doesn't like them or doesn't want to do it.

She works hard for the family and doesn't give up.

She will accept our phone calls, even when it's four am and you're calling to tell her you have mono. Not that that is a personal experience...

She mails random articles of clothing.

She believes in getting up and going to church on Sunday mornings. It doesn't matter if you're tired, you should have gone to bed sooner the night before.

She would rather iron your wrinkley shirt than let you leave the house looking sloppy. I confess to have taken advantage of this a time or two.

She would rather put money towards something one of her kids wants or needs than treat herself to things like pedicures and getting her hair done.  Not that she wouldn't probably prefer it to be the other way finally!

She brags about her kids and grandkids even for the silliest things.

She loves her children no matter what stupid thing they do or say.

Even if she can fix your problem, sometimes she gives you the confidence to do it and steps back to watch you grow up and learn to fly.

None of her kids ever cared if she cooked a fancy meal. We were happy with grits and macaroni and tomatoes (both of which sound really good right now.).

Even if our dreams weren't realistic, she pushed us to try. Or find better dreams.

She's very picky about boys. And girls I guess. No one but the best is acceptable for her kids.

Nothing beat lying my head in my mom's lap after a hard day and crying, if needed, while having my hair stroked or back rubbed.

Nothing but making her rock me even as a teenager, that is.

She has been the chorister in church since she was 13. I don't think she'd like me sharing exactly how many years that is, but it's a lot. Like a whole lot.

She is seriously the best person to complain to.

She is seriously the most awesome mom and grammie in the world. And there will never be a woman that can beat that. Not even me!

And finally, she takes no prisoners and tells me what grammatical mistakes I made in the blog post I wrote about her.

Bus Route

Since I'm in class, obviously this is the most opportune moment to write a blog post.  I mean really. It's life plan and decision making and I'm deciding to do this.  I think it's fair.

Anyways... This blog is a long time coming and it's more of a story and lesson learned from the story.  So if you don't feel like hearing a story of my life, well first I'm not sure why you'd be reading this to begin with but also, feel free to close this page and not go on any farther!

On to the story then!

It began on a cold cold day... December 15 to be exact.  I was flying home to the warm and sunny place that I call home and the day was NOT going how I had planned.  

My plan was to take Jenny to the airport, drive to Trevor's and have him take me to the airport a few hours later. 

Well, driving Jenny to the airport was working just fine.  That was until we hit black ice.  It was the strangest feeling.  I didn't freak out and I didn't even react while it was happening.  The most overwhelming feeling of calm came over me and my body acted without me even thinking of what I should do.  

Just as soon as we hit it, we were out.  The car stayed straight until the very end and even then, it was just a tiny jerk of the car.  It was amazing.  As soon as we were out, Jenny said a prayer for us thanking God for letting us get through it safely and then we promptly began singing "Jesus Take the Wheel."

So then we reach the airport and I drop off Jenny just fine and I decide to head over to Trevor and Elaina's.  Unfortunately, I had some cruddy options.  Either I could get dropped off at the airport a little before 11 and wait until my flight at 2 OR I could take the bus.  Well, I've taken the bus plenty of times in my college experience so I figured that would be totally doable and no big deal.

I was wrong.

I left around noon t be safe and drove my car over to the LDSBC parking garage for Trevor to get later.  Then I took my two hot pink suitcases and walked over to the tram so that I wouldn't have to walk the whole way to the bus stop.  That was fine, except I looked crazy and didn't actually know where I needed to get off.  

I made a lucky guess though and got off at the right place and made my way over to the bus stop, although I didn't really know where it was.  For those of you that don't know, Utah works on a grid system, so if you know how to count, you can mostly figure out how to get somewhere.

But when there's a bus stop in almost the same spot on opposite sides of the street, it gets a bit harder.  So I took a guess and hoped and prayed that I was right since there would be no crossing the street I was standing on if I were wrong unless I wanted to get run over.

As I was standing at the bus stop, it started snowing. Hard.  This wouldn't have been an issue if I had been dressed like I were in Utah. No, I was wearing sandals, capris, a t-shirt and a light denim jacket.  With hot pink suitcases.  Just picture that.

I was freezing!  And on top of that, I was right by a homeless shelter or something and I was terrified!  Every time someone walked by, I was sure they were going to nab one of my suitcases and take off running, so I had a death-grip on both of them rather than keeping my hands warm in my pockets.  

I was standing there for about 40 minutes.  During that time, I stood there with a crazy lady constantly asking if this was the right stop and if the bus was coming, as if I knew any better than she did.  Then, a man pulled up in this little beater with a back seat completely full of stuff.  He looked right at me and got out of his car. I was so afraid.  I had a vision of him pulling me into his creepy car and killing me.

But he didn't, obviously.  Instead, he said "Why aren't you wearing a coat?" to which I replied, "I'm going to Florida and I'm crazy."  He then proceeded to dig through his back seat and pull out parkas that looked like they were for little girls.  I insisted that I was fine and said that the bus would be there soon and eventually he left.

Unfortunately, the bus didn't come soon.  I was still standing there for about 20 minutes freezing my butt off and being asked over and over again if the bus was coming.

After being asked so much, I started to get scared.  What if the bus wasn't coming?  What if I was stuck there waiting in the cold and missed my flight?  I hadn't been home in a year and I just wanted to be there so badly.

Finally, buses started coming.  Even though I knew they weren't the bus I wanted, the lady with me asked each of them if they were going to the airport and each time they said no.  

I was starting to get discouraged.  All I wanted was to be on a bus and be warm.  It got to the point that I contemplated getting on ANY bus just to be warm again.

I didn't though and eventually my bus did come.  As I got situated and slowly started getting feeling back in my toes, a fiery stabbed-by-needles feeling, I had a thought hit me.

It didn't matter where this bus had been.  I didn't matter where any of the buses had been.  All that mattered was where it was going.  All that mattered was that it was going to the place that would get me home.  I didn't want the buses going anywhere but the airport.  

This was a revelation of life.

It doesn't matter where I have been.  It doesn't matter where any of us have been.  All that matters is where we're going, where our final destination is.  All that matters is that we return home to our heavenly home.

The Spirit hit me so strong as I realized this.  As long as I am doing everything I can to return to my heavenly parents, it doesn't matter where I've been.  That doesn't mean any path to get me there is acceptable, what it means is that as long as I follow the route laid out for me, I can get back home.

That was such a cool moment to have and I felt so grateful to have been blessed to have that revelation given to me.  It's an experience I hope to never forget.

Just remember this:

It doesn't matter where you've been.  It doesn't matter what stops you've made along the way, what wrong turns, speed bumps, or flat tires you've had.  All that matters is that you get on the right bus.  If you aren't on it now, get off the wrong bus and make things right.  It's not hard to make that change.  Get on the right bus and get moving on the path to the place you want to end up at.  

It's worth it, I promise.

Wear Pants to Church

I know this is old news, but here's what I have to say regarding the feminist movement "Wear Pants on Sunday."  

Never in my 21 years of being Mormon have I felt like I was less important than a man.  Never.  

These issues are in your head.  You're upset because you can't hold the Priesthood or be a bishop? Really? Look back to when Christ was on the earth.  Did he have female apostles? No.

Let's bring in something that Christ has said on the matter.  

And he commanded them that there should be no contention

one with another, but that they should look forward with 

one eye, having one faith and one baptism, having their hearts

 knit together in unity and in love one towards another.

                  -Mosiah 18:21

And many more things did the people imagine up in their hearts, 

which were foolish and vain; and they were much disturbed, 

for Satan did stir them up to do iniquity continually; 

yea, he did go about spreading rumors and contentions upon 

all the face of the land, that he might harden the hearts 

of the people against that which was good 

and against that which should come.

                    -Helaman 16:22

Do you know what these scriptures mean?  It means that Satan gets people to "imagine up in their hearts" issues that AREN'T THERE!  Why?  Because if he can get you to think, "Oh me! The Church is sexist!" then you'll do stupid crap like create "Wear Pants to Church" to create contention in the church.  

If you really have an issue, go to Christ about it.  Pray and ask if the church is sexist.  Don't think He'll answer you? Then why be a member at all?

It's sad to me that you women who participated in this are trying to drag the church through the mud.  If you don't like it, why be a part of it?  If you believe the church is true--really truly believe it is true with all your heart--why are you getting caught up in this nonsense? 

As much as I want to tell each of you how much of an idiot you are, I feel more sadness for you.  You've allowed Satan to enter your heart and pride to take over.

But I know one thing.  "Inasmuch as ye are faithful their shame shall be made manifest.  Wherefore, let them bring forth their strong reasons against the Lord. Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you—there is no weapon that is formed against you shall prosper; And if any man lift his voice against you he shall be  confounded in mine own due time."

That's what I know to be true.  Not this nonsense about wearing pants to church.  Try focusing on a real issue.

And just for a little humor, 

Dear People of the World, I don't mean to sound slutty, but please use me whenever you want. Sincerely, Grammar

If you don't know this about me already, I'm an English language major and an editing minor. 

I'm not usually too picky or judgmental about people's spelling or grammar, mostly because I'm not perfect myself. 

There are, however, a few things that really get to me.

Here's a small list. Including a comic from The Oatmeal that can provide further (not farther) explanations on these subjects. Basically my favorite source of grammar humor. Yes, that exists. 

1. To, too, and two. 
I promise you, if you take .3 seconds to think about it, it's easy to figure out. 

2. Lose and loose.
Lose means you misplaced something. Loose means, well, to make something loose. As in not tight.














3. It's and its
It's is simple. IT IS. No really. That's what it means. Its is possessive.



4. Their, they're, and there.
Their=possessive.
They're=THEY ARE. Get how that works?
There=a place.  See how it has HERE inside of it? 



5. Your and You're
If you think your means you are, than you're an idiot.
That's the difference between the two (see how I used two correctly, too?)



6. Definitely. 
The root is FINITE, meaning well, definite. Simple. NO A.



7. Whether and Weather.
If you really can't distinguish between these two, that's just sad.



8. A lot.
Alot is NOT a word. You're saying you have a lot of something, sort of like saying you have a ton or a bunch or a piece or a bag of something. Lot is an amount. 



9. I'm do.
What does that even mean!? I'm do. I am do. That makes NO sense. Do you mean you are going to do {fill in the blank}? If you want to be lazy, at least use gonna! Do does not work as a verb here! You are essentially speaking gibberish!! The same works for I'm die or I'm go! You no make-a any sense!

10. It don't.
If you're going to seriously say this, just please shoot me and put me out of my misery.  Honestly.  It doesn't take anymore time to say IT DOESN'T than to say IT DON'T. Just please. There is no way you write this and think, "Hey, that sounds totally correct." NO. 

11. Our and are.
Just seriously. Really. Honestly. If you don't know the difference between these two, go back to school.

12. Weird v wierd
I have nothing to even say about this. So I'll let The Oatmeal do the talking.




Here are some other links to stuff on The Oatmeal that I feel strongly about. Please for the sake of humanity check them out.

How to Use an Apostrophe

How to Use a Semicolon

This is all I have for now.  I promise I'm not a Nazi and I'm not going to correct you if you're wrong, even if I really want to.  Just have a little courtesy and think about what you say it before you murder the minds of people.

Grab your pitchforks! He's a MORMON!

Is it just me or is everyone else getting sick of the argument "I refuse to vote for Mitt Romney because he's a MORMON!"  Ok... Your point?  

First of all, why should that matter?? Are you really that bigoted and cowardly that you can't accept someone whose religion isn't exactly like yours? 

If so, maybe you need to do some self-reflection and see what's wrong with yourself before you go around claiming someone's a terrible person because of their religion.

In case you're one of those bigots, here's a few reasons having a Mormon in the White House might actually be a good thing (as borrowed from another blog :))

Honesty. Mormons don’t have a corner on honesty. You can find honest people in every religion (and honest people who don’t profess a religion at all). And it would be a disservice to claim that every Mormon is honest. (After all, the notorious Western outlaw Butch Cassidy grew up in the LDS Church.)  But honesty is so highly valued in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that a question about honesty appears in the temple recommend interviews. Mormons can’t get into their temples unless they have affirmed to church leaders that they are honest in their business dealings, and if they’re ever convicted of a felony, they are excommunicated from the Church.  Also, the government intelligence agencies regularly recruit Mormons because of their honesty and language skills (learned while serving missions).


Fidelity. Mormons are human. It goes without saying that there have been Mormons who have been unfaithful to their spouses. But marital fidelity is also a question in the temple recommend interview. If the United States had had a Mormon president during the Clinton years, Monica Lewinsky would be minus a $12 million book deal (but her reputation would be intact), and the U.S. history books would be down one impeachment trial.


Healthy living. A Mormon president may find it a little awkward to toast a visiting dignitary because church members don’t drink alcohol, but his faculties are never going to be impaired by his being tipsy in a precarious diplomatic situation.  With alcohol, tobacco, illegal drugs and even coffee off the table, a Mormon president would be less likely to have health issues while in office.


Work ethic. Mormons believe in the concept of work. In hard times, they are more likely to seek work than to look for a handout. Although Mormons have compassion for the disadvantaged — to the point that they fast one day a month and give their food money to feed the poor — a Mormon president would be more likely to pour money into “workfare” programs that engender self-reliance and self-respect than to funnel tax dollars into welfare programs where bureaucrats just write out checks.


Fiscal responsibility. Mormons are counseled over and over again to get out of debt and to stay out of debt. A Mormon president would naturally have this sense of fiscal responsibility in mind when making decisions affecting the financial welfare of the country.


Community service. Because Mormons are led by an unpaid ministry, Mormon men and women learn at an early age how to lead and how to follow. Mormons take turns performing the tasks that must be performed to keep a congregation running smoothly. A man who leads the congregation today may be working in the nursery tomorrow. This teaches Mormons to listen to the ideas of others and to follow them when necessary, as well as how to take charge and make an organization run when it is their turn to lead. Another advantage of taking turns leading and following is that Mormons learn to put the needs of the community ahead of satisfying their own egos.


Cooperation. Mormons are uniquely trained to get along with people from all walks of life.  It begins when they serve as missionaries.  During that two-year period, they must spend 24 hours a day with a companion that has been assigned to them.  Because Mormons are as human as everyone else, not all of these companions are pleasant.  After their missions, they will spend the rest of their lives worshiping in congregations that are strictly determined by geographical boundary.  These congregations comprise people from all socio-economic groups.  If church members don’t like the people they work with in their congregations, they don’t have the option of hopping to an adjacent one.  Instead, they are expected to work things out.  Most of the time, they do.


Knowledge of the world. Most active Mormon men and many Mormon women have served as unpaid missionaries for between 18 and 24 months, paying for their missionary work from family funds. Missionaries who serve overseas preach in the language of the country where they serve and are fluent in those languages when they return. This experience builds character, and it also teaches Mormon missionaries enough about the world that returned missionaries are actively recruited for government service.


Unique views on America. Mormons believe that the United States Constitution was divinely inspired. Any Mormon president would do his best to preserve and protect the Constitution of the United States of America. Mormons also believe that God has promised that the United States will be preserved as long as its citizens continue to remember God. A Mormon president will do everything in his power to preserve the religious freedoms that were granted to its citizens through the Founding Fathers.


Independent Thinking. Just as some said the Kennedy presidency would be controlled by the Vatican, some are saying a Mormon presidency would be run from Salt Lake City.  Yet Mormons are taught the value of free will and independent study in the making and confirmation of decisions.  Just look at the number of LDS people serving in public office, and you will see that their views are all over the political spectrum.

Just to prove that most Mormons have no major skeletons in their closets, consider the latest presidential race.  The opposition is trying their hardest to dig up dirt on the Mormon candidate.  And what are they finding so far?  The fact that he put his dog on the roof of the car and may have made a few ill-advised remarks while in high school.  Compared to some of the previous residents of the White House, this guy is squeaky clean.

So there you have it.  Put down your torches and pitchforks.  Stop trying to see his horns through that nice head of hair and just accept that he's a Mormon.  I'm not saying you have to vote for him, although you should, but stop being so disgustingly intolerant. 

I'm Brooke Towns, and I approve this message.

I am a Mormon.

Who are the Mormons? Are they crazy people with horns and multiple mothers/wives that worship some man?

I don't know. Am I? For all of you that grew up with me, went to school with me, were my best friend, and have participated in plays and community service with me, do I fit the description you've been presented?

Do I?

How many of you know without a doubt that I am a Christian? That I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and that He atoned for my sins?  How many of you know that I am a good person, or at least I try to be in every way?

How many of you have seen me do something kind, without any personal gain or reward?

Hopefully all of you.

How many of you have genuinely seen me do something cruel or undermining?

None of you.  Because that's not who I am.  Why am I not like that? Because of my faith and my knowledge of Christ.

If that's not who I am, why would you assume that the rest of an entire religion is any different?

When you're thinking negatively of the LDS church, do you forget that each and everyone one of you know someone that's LDS?  If you're reading this blog, then you obviously know me.  Do you ever consider that when you're laughing at something mean about my faith or my people that you're also mocking me?

I must say that I do also find it pretty humorous that this is a country claiming freedom of religion while its own administration participates in the mockery of mine and its citizens won't vote for a man because of his.  Funny, right??

No, I guess I didn't really think so either.

Don't think I'm offended or hurt by the actions of certain people lately.  This is something that the LDS church has faced since its origin.  Mormons were driven from state to state until they had to flee the existing United States entirely. 

Men, women, and children were killed because of their participation with the LDS church.  Simply because it was easier for people to believe horrible things than open their eyes and see that this religion wasn't that different.  

Oh.  Did you not know that LDS people were killed just for being LDS?

Did you know that in Missouri it was okay to kill someone as long as they were Mormon?

No? I guess they don't teach that in school.

Did you know that law wasn't done away with until 1976?

Yeah, I didn't think so.  

So, while even my friends mock and are unnecessarily afraid for the same reasons mentioned at the beginning, remember one thing.  I'm LDS and I've never hidden it or been ashamed of it.  Remember who it is you know that's a member of that faith and who it is you're mocking and afraid of.  Then remember me.

And then do one thing.  Find out for yourselves about the Mormons.  Don't go to a Baptist to learn about a Mormon. No offense, Baptists. ;) But really.  Go to the source, learn for yourself, then make an informed opinion. That's all I ask.

Mustaches, cigars, shots, and margaritas.

Well everybody, it's official. I'm fully legal.  Not that that really changes anything about my life but that's ok! My birthday was pretty much fantastic! Last Saturday I had a party and lots of my friends came to hang out and celebrate.  It was a BYORB. Also known as bring your own rootbeer.  We basically just played games and talked and had fun. Or at least I did!  

Then at midnight on my birthday Elizabeth and I went to the 7Eleven by our apartment and I bought a beer.  Calm down everyone.  I poured it in the grass.  We contemplated driving around to find a homeless man to give it to but that seemed too sketchy so the grass seemed the best place to dispose of it!  That was a fun adventure though and definitely one of my favorite memories now!  

After sleeping and skipping all of my classes for the day, Erika, Eric and myself went to Maria Bonita's! So good! Erika and I got virgin margaritas.  They were HUGE and so so so sour!  They were kinda expensive though so we made ourselves drink all of it.  Needless to say we felt really sick afterwards!  Never again will I buy a margarita. Ever.

That night a few friends came over and we played poker and made shots with combinations of grenadine, raspberry lemonade, orange juice, tonic water, and pina colada mix.  We had fake mustaches and tootsie rolls for cigars.  It was pretty great.

Now for the important part of this post! 21 things for 21 years!  I guess this year I'll do things I'm grateful for or events that have made me happy/influenced me in the last year. Prepare yourselves for awesome to come at you in no particular order.

1. Having a private room.  This is just so fantastic. Like seriously. I love having my own room. 

2. My family.  Seeing them last month was just what I needed.  I had missed my parents so much.  There's just something great that happens when you get to be with your parents.  It kinda makes me sad to think about not being close.  So I just don't think about it ;)

3. Target.  This seems silly but Target makes me so happy.  If I had all the money in the world, I'd buy myself my own Target. It's like Disney to me.

4. Having dated someone.  After actually dating someone, my life has really changed.  That sounds weird.  But seriously.  Even though it didn't work out, I'm ok with it.  I learned so much about what I want in my future husband and what I am and am not willing to sacrifice.  

5. Being happy.  I've noticed in the last couple of weeks how happy I am.  There are so many things to stress me out but through it all, my heart feels light and I feel joy.  I know that's they way life is supposed to be and I am so grateful for the ability to be happy no matter what circumstances I face.

6. Good weather. It has seriously been the most perfect beautiful weather lately and I absolutely love it!  I wish I could spend all day outside! It's just gorgeous!!!

7. Forgiveness.  I am so grateful that I have been able to learn how to let go and forgive people.  I think it's a lesson that Heavenly Father knew I needed to learn.  I am also grateful for the ability to know that I can be forgiven for my mistakes.  It's such a beautiful thing!

8. School.  I LOVE my classes this year!  All of them are so interesting (well, maybe not D&C...) and just fit what I want to learn about so perfectly!  Love it!

9. Jobs.  While I am a little worried I am going to have a complete mental breakdown by the end of the school year, I am so thankful to have not just one job but two.  Money is getting tighter and tighter so I can use all the help I can get.  Unless someone wouldn't mind like sponsoring me or something... I wouldn't mind quitting... :)

10. My car. Ethan is awesome.  I love having a car! I love being able to be independent and go where I want when I want!

11. Being capable and competent. Need I say more?

12. Laughing. I love funny people and things and I LOVE when people think I'm funny. Because I am. But it makes me happy.  

13. My nieces and nephew.  I love having tiny people that adore me so much and miss me.  It's so nice knowing that there are people that look up to me (no pun intended) and a good reminder to always do the right thing so that I am worthy of it.

14. Trials. Boy have I had trials this last year.  But without them, I wouldn't be who I am today.  I'm grateful for a Father that knows where to push me to prepare me and strengthen me for future challenges.

15. The priesthood.  I love knowing that if I ever need extra help or a blessing, there will always be someone near by that can give me a priesthood blessing.  I also love guys that respect and honor that power and genuinely realize how important and special it is!

16. Mountains. I just can't get over how great the mountains are.  People in Florida will never fully realize how awesome it is to just look out your window and see massive mountains just sitting there.  They are so beautiful and such an awesome reminder that this world really was created for us.

17. Accents and dialects.  After studying this for the past two weeks, I can't help but listen on all of my calls at work to the accents and dialects people have and use.  It's so interesting and curious how and why people speak the way they do.  Pretty cool :)

18. Daisies, dahlias, and zinnias.  Look them up on Google images. Then you'll know.

19. Comfortable pillows.  I am so grateful for comfy pillows.  They just make sleeping so nice.

20. Life.  I am now working on my third decade of life.  So many things have happened and there are so many more things that will happen.  I want to live every day to the fullest, not because of that YOLO garbage ("You only live once" for you old people) but because I don't want to have any regrets in this life.  I want to have fantastic memories and experiences that I can share with my children and I want to make every single day count.

21.  The Gospel.  So much of my life has changed in regards to the Gospel.  I love this Church and the truth I have in my life. I love that God has a purpose for me and that I have the opportunity to be His hands.  I love that this life isn't the end and that I will have my loved ones forever.  I genuinely love the plan that has been set for us and the path that was laid before us.  I also love my Savior and all that He did to make it possible for us to follow Him without any guessing games or dead ends.  I love it all.

There are my 21 things for my 21 years.  I hope to always be happy and thankful enough that coming up with one thing for each increasing year never becomes a challenge!