Sunday, April 15, 2018

Our Family

Our family is made up currently of four people, Mike (dad), Sharene (mom), Brielle (10) and Brooklyn (8).  We love each other very much and can't wait to add another addition to our family to love.

Mike:  Mike was born just outside Chicago.  His parents divorced when he was young so he mainly lived with his mom and step-dad, moving around A LOT.  He has lived multiple places in California, Utah, Nevada and Idaho but he claims Seattle as his home.  He graduated from Issaquah High School and worked in the hotel/movie business until he left on his mission for Geneva Switzerland.  He served faithfully for 1 year in Switzerland and 1 year in France.  He returned home and felt strongly he should attend LDS Business College in Utah.  He called his uncle in Utah who signed him up for all of his classes.  He packed up and moved down to begin college.  Shortly into college, he realized why he was supposed to attend LDS Business College.  It was, of course, to meet me!  We met in institute choir.  Mike has a beautiful voice and I played the piano so it was a match made in Heaven.  We began hanging out in December and then I left for Christmas break for 3 weeks.  When I returned back to college, Mike and I spent almost every day together for the next 3 months.  We got engaged the first part of April and were married August 2002.  He graduated with his Associates from LDSBC then went to the University of Utah where he received his Bachelors in Communication.  He now is finishing up his Master's Degree from the U in the Executive MBA program.  He has done amazingly well and has made some life long friends and learned a lot to help him in the business world.  He has worked in finance and management since we have been married.  Currently, he works as a treasury manager.  He has also held the callings of Elder's Quorum President (twice), EQ teacher, primary worker, Choir Director, Primary chorister and ward clerk. 

I was born in a small town in Utah.  I was so blessed to be raised by parents who loved each other and loved us.  I lived in the same home for 18 years until I left for college at LDS Business College.  I really wanted to go to Utah State but by divine intervention, I was led to go to LDSBC to meet Mike!  I loved attending a small school in a large city.  I loved living down the road from the Salt Lake Temple.  I graduated with my associates in Medical Administrative Assisting and have worked in the medical field ever since.  I currently work from home as a medical transcriptionist which I love as I can be home raising my kids and working as that is the most important job I could have, being a mom.  I also teach piano lessons which has been so fun to watch kids grow and learn.  I have had many callings in my life but they mainly involve primary as that is the best place to be in the church!  I have served as a primary teacher, primary pianist, primary chorister (Three times - and the calling I currently have and the one I love the most), ward organist, Young Women President, 1st counselor in Primary, RS activities committee, YW camp assistant and stake YW sports director.  I have enjoyed each of them and have grown to love the people I serve. 

Brielle was born into our family and has been a complete joy ever since.  We waited many years for her and we were overjoyed when she was born.  She is 10 years old but you would never guess it by her vocabulary and reading level.  She loves school, sports, her family, art, playing piano, singing, playing with friends but I think her very favorite thing to do in the whole world is read books.  I hate to admit it but I think she has passed me up on the amount of books she has read in her life and I love to read!  I would guess she has read between 2000-3000 books in her 10 years of life.  It is hard to keep her stocked on good books appropriate for her age.  She loves babies and is getting into the babysitting stage of life, which is so fun. 

Brooklyn is 8 and is the most determined, sweetest, independent, thoughtful girl I know.  If you know a very dependent kid, they are a struggle when they are 1-5 years old but then as they learn to control their emotions, they become the most determined best people to be around.  She is so thoughtful and is always trying to do things for others.  When I broke my ankle a couple of years ago, she was always right by my side asking what I needed and what she could do to help.  She does not take crap from anyone which makes her very confident.  It shows in her countenance and people are drawn to her.  She loves making crafts, composing songs on the piano, playing with animals of all sorts, singing, but most of all, gymnastics.  As soon as she could walk, she could run and jump.  She was jumping on the trampoline at an early age and her balance is incredible.  She can do the splits both ways easily (I have no idea where she got this talent as I am the least flexible person ever!).  She is the best cuddler and we love having her in our family.

I know these girls will be the best big sisters ever.  They are constantly praying for a new baby and ask a few times a week if anyone has chosen us yet. They are as excited as we are to hopefully bring a child into our family soon!! 

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