Raising a Choice Spirit

Disabilities are hard on kids, especially when they are young. They want to fit in. They want to feel included and have friends like everybody else. I would know. When I was younger, I was one of those kids. Quite frankly, now that I'm an adult, it still gets to me after all this time.

I was born two months early and had to be put on oxygen. Whenever my family members wanted to hold me, that oxygen tank was right there. It was like my constant companion as a baby. I was on oxygen for about a month which my parents believe damaged my eyes. Because of that, I have had glasses ever since I was three years old.

Forgive me. If you have to tilt your head to see these pictures, I'm terribly sorry. My computer wouldn't let me rotate my pictures around, but they are still there so enjoy! :)

Grandpa and Grandma Foster with little old me. I was so small, those clothes I'm wearing are from a cabbage patch doll.

This was the ambulance that I rode in.

I suffer from short-term memory loss (seriously, it's true). My mom noticed I had it when she would give me chores to do and I would have to go to her and ask her what I was supposed to do again.

From kindergarten up until my senior year of high school, school has been difficult for me. I wasn't the best student. I didn't get the best grades. Most of the kids in my class were worried about what they wanted to do after high school and what college they were going to get into while I was busy being worried if I was even graduating high school.

It was hard to make friends because of my memory loss. There was a group of girls that just hated me. They would make fun of me and stare at me almost to say, "What the heck is wrong with you?" I tried really hard to put a smile on my face and be nice to them, but they didn't want anything to do with me. So, I quit worrying about it and focused on the friends I did have. 

In sixth grade, two of the girls in that group thought it would be funny to steal the checklist I took to school every day. My checklist had my schedule with directions on how to get to each class. I was mortified because I didn't know where I was supposed to go. So, I stayed in the office with the secretaries of the school all day long, bawling my eyes out and feeling so embarrassed because I didn't have my schedule memorized yet. Thankfully, the secretaries in the office were my very good friends. They were happy to spend the whole day with them.

Throughout the school years, I would meet with the school psychologist, Mr. Graham. He would test me on my memory. I only remember a few tests that he would give me that would give him an idea of how my memory is. These tests included me having to repeat back words to Mr. Graham in a specific order, looking at a picture with objects in it and looking at the picture again and placing the objects where they were in the picture before, and making pictures with blocks.

I coped with my memory loss the best I knew how growing up. I would be called names by the kids in school. Even a high school teacher made fun of me. I was put down a lot, but I had a good group of friends that helped me be a better person and not listen to those who put me down just because I have short-term memory loss.

Everything was going fine. I learned how to cope with my memory loss. I had accepted it and tried to work harder to remember better. I had friends who were always there for me. It seemed like everything was going great, until the unthinkable happened. On October 25, 2003, I was asleep in my room. My mom heard a Thump! and went to go check on my sisters in the other room. She didn't even think to go in my room first because she knew that I was a very sound sleeper. To this day, I stay in one spot in my bed the entire night. So, she went into my sister's room and checked on my two sisters. Then, she went into my room. She saw me on the floor having a full blown grandma seizure which made me fall out of my bed.

My parents called 9-1-1 and the ambulance rushed me over to Primary Children's Medical Center in Utah. When I woke up in the hospital, I noticed IVs were attached to my arms. A nurse came in and asked me if I remember anything that had happened. I told her I didn't remember a thing. She said that I had a seizure in the middle of the night. Then, the doctor came in. A CAT scan and an MRI were done on my brain. The doctor said that I had a tumor and it needed to be taken out.

That light spot is where my tumor was.

This was my scar after my surgery. To this day, it is still one of my favorite pictures. I don't know why, but it is. Maybe it's because it's all bloody and gross. ;)

I got a black eye from the surgery. That was kind of fun. I used to joke around that my dad and I got in a fight and he punched me in the eye. My dad finally said, "Don't tell people that. They will think I really did abuse you."

My mom, me, Aunt Catherine, Aunt Lucy, and Grandma Richardson- I love Grandma's "thumbs-up"! I did it! :)

I want children with any source of disability or who feel different from everyone else to know that they are never alone. There are always good people who want to help them along the journey of education and throughout their lives. I know sometimes that they feel insecure because they are "different" from everybody else whether it be their friends, colleagues, or even family members. However, they must never feel that they are alone. They have so many people surrounding them who want to help. All they have to do is ask. :)

Follow the Prophet - Don't Go Astray!

As always, General Conference was awesome!

I have to share this talk President Uchtdorf spoke at the General Women's Broadcast a week before General Conference. It was so good, how could I not share it? It gave me goosebumps every time I heard it (and I listened to it about 500 times!).

This is my favorite part of President Uchtdorf's talk. He states:

"My dear sisters, I was grateful to speak with you this evening at the general women’s session of conference. Wherever you are throughout the world, I hope that the Spirit touched you with new insights.

"In this painting, a pioneer girl is skipping along a bright blue path. She has endured many dark and dreary days, but she has a spring in her step and looks optimistic, happy, and hopeful.

"As you walk through life, I hope you will feel a spring in your step as you trust the Lord and continue on your own bright path of discipleship. Faith will lead you to open your eyes to the things Heavenly Father has in store for you. Love for God and His children will continue to brighten your path, even on dark and cloudy days." (end of quote)

This General Conference was very special because we received three new apostles due to the deaths of President Boyd K. Packer, Elder L. Tom Perry, and Elder Richard G. Scott. Elder Russell M. Nelsom became President Russell M. Nelson (as in, he is the new president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles). Elder Dale G. Renlund, Elder Ronald A. Rasband, and Elder Gary E. Stevenson were called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. I'm so excited for those three new apostles.

The Saturday sessions were awesome! 

I really loved President Uchtdorf's talk. He stated, "Tell a man there are a trillion stars in the world and he'll believe you. Tell him there is white pain on the wall and he'll touch it just to be sure." It made me giggle. His talk was on living the gospel. He also said, "Because we love God, we want to serve Him. It is beautifully simple and it works." He said that we should be preparing for exaltation right now.

I also loved Sister Neill F. Marriott's talk. She's the second counselor in the Young Women's General Presidency. She shared a really sweet story about her daughter Georgia. She was in a bike accident and had to go to the hospital while Sister Marriott was on her mission in Brazil. Sadly, Georgia passed away before Sister Marriott's plane landed. She said that her family's motto was, "It will all work out." She said that her family motto doesn't say it will all work out now. Eventually, everything will work out for our good. She also said that we are all going to make it. 

Elder Fransisco J. Vanas, of the seventy, talked about enduring to the end. He stated, "Repentance is a process. It requires consistancy."

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland's talk was pretty amazing as well. He talked about mothers. He said that a mother's love is selfless and kind. He stated that when you have a child, your life will never be your own again. He shared a story about a man who was on his mission and discovered that he was gay. So, he had to come home from his mission for that reason. He was so lost. His mission president, stake president, and bishop spent so much time with him, but the missionary didn't seem like it had helped. He felt like he went way too far to receive forgiveness from Heavenly Father. He and his mother sought healing together. His mother bore her testimony of the Church and of God's love for her son and her own love for him as well. She fasted, wept, prayed, and listened to her son. She carried her own son again, but not for 9 months. After a long time, she got to see her son come back to her. Little by little, he went back to church, earned his temple recommend, accepted a call to serve as an early morning seminary teacher, and went back on his mission after 5 months. That story brought me to tears. He stated, "Mothers, be peaceful. Believe in God and yourself. You are doing better than you think you are. In fact, you are saviors on Mount Zion and like the Master you follow, your love never faileth."

Sunday sessions were pretty awesome as well.

I loved President Monson's talk. He talked about six attributes we must have to let our light shine: be an example in word, be an example in conversation, be an example in charity, be an example in spirit, be an example of faith, and be an example in purity. He talked about all of them in depth. I really enjoyed that. He said that we will stand out of the crowd because we are different. We are different because we wear modest clothing, we don't use profane words, we don't drink, and that we believe in purity. He stated, "Challenging is the truth that each must run. But you and I do not run alone."

I noticed as President Monson spoke, he was leaning on the puplit quite a bit. He looked like he was sick or just getting old. I read an article after Conference was over that said President Dieter F. Uchtdorf was on the edge of his seat, ready to catch President Monson if he ever fell. As soon as President Monson said, "Amen", President Uchtdorf was quickly at his side and led him back to his seat. What a wonderful example of Christlike love.

Elder Dale G. Rendlund's talk was really good too. He stated, "To effectively serve others, we must see them through a parent's eyes; through Heavenly Father's eyes." It opened my eyes to what I really need to do.

President Henry B. Eyring's talk was very inspiring. He stated, "When our hearts are full of charity and when virtue garnishes our thoughts unceasingly, then we will receive the constant compansionship of the Holy Ghost."

I'm so glad that I had the opportunity to watch and listen to General Conference. I don't know where I'd be if I didn't get to listen to our beloved prophet and apostles. I know that they are called of Heavenly Father. I know that President Thomas S. Monson leads the Church today and I'm so grateful for his inspiring counsel.

Dum Dum Da Dum!

So this post is mainly for my sista, McKayla because....wait for it....SHE GOT MARRIED! She married a guy named Zeb Dye. Zeb is from Last Chance, Idaho. He used to live in Ashton, Idaho because Zeb and I were in the same second grade class together. I don't remember him at all. Then again, I was only in Ashton for about a month. My family and I were living with my Gran before we found a house in Shelley.

This is the front of the announcement.

This is the back of the announcement.

I think this is one of the sweetest pictures of these two. Don't they look so in love? ;)

Aren't Zeb and Kay so adorable?

I really love this picture.

Kay and the Foster family went wedding dress shopping a few months before the wedding. Heather FaceTimed me as Kay was trying on dresses. Kay looked beautiful in the dress she picked out.

Isn't she stunning?

Our family threw Kay a bridal shower a few weeks before the wedding. I'm sad I didn't get to be there, but I can't wait to see everyone at the wedding! :)

This is one picture taken from the shower. I hope that everyone had a good time. I'm sad I missed it, but at least I was able to go to the wedding.

I'm so excited for Kay. I know she's going to be an amazing wife to Zeb. :)

On Saturday, Chris and I hung out at the Gibsons. Derek and Cindy came over and hung out with Denise. Charlie climbed all over his mommy. It was so cute to watch.

I cannot get over how adorable my little nephew is! :)

 

Baby Charlie wanted to see what Grandpa Gibson was up to.

On Tuesday, Kay took out her endowments in the temple. I was so glad to be able to go with her. It was perfect because, she took out her endowments on her birthday. How awesome is that?

On Wednesday, Whitney and Jerome came by the house. They were staying with Whitney's mom so we got to see them. Chris and I haven't seen them since they lived in Texas. They moved to Korea and we found out on Wednesday that they moved to Germany. I thought that was so cool.

Chris, Mandy, Bella, Heather, and her little girl (I can't remember her name).

Hyrum (he's Heather's son), Whitney, Rockelle, and Buddy

Whitney, Rockelle, Buddy, Jerome, and Clark- Clark is their youngest. He is so darn adorable! :)

On Saturday, Chris and I went to the temple sealing and helped my mom out with the reception. It turned out to be gorgeous.

On our way to the luncheon!

This picture was totally worth it. Strike-a-pose Brynne! ;)

We had a dance party with some of Zeb's family members before the luncheon started. Can I just tell you Zeb's mom, Randa, has some moves! It was so much fun.

Me and Miss Sheryl at the luncheon. Aren't we adorable? ;)

The reception was beautiful. Kay's whole theme was vintage. It was so pretty.

This is Kathryn. She was JD's date. She was awesome! I told JD I totally approve, but he can't get married soon because Chris needs to build up his leave days. :)



Sisters with attitude!






What a sweet picture!


Typical Foster Family Moment


I actually got to keep the hat I wore in this picture. I told Chris that I've always wanted a bright pink fadora and now I have one! How hot is that? ;)

What a pretty set up!