Brown Family Blog: October 2005

new baby Guild!

Well, I'm too wired to sleep. Just got home from my first home birth! No, I'm not thinking of crossing to the other side - I like pain killers and most nurses, but it was a neat experience. Really fast! Tiffany called at 5:30 p.m. and said that she might be in labor so keep my phone with me. At 7:30 p.m. she called and said she definitely was, and she had her 9 pound Lyren at 8:45 p.m.! The midwife arrived maybe 30 minutes before birth - Chris and Tiff's mom were getting a little worried that they might be delivering! Rita, you would have loved all this tonight! God is so good! Tonight made me really excited for our little sweet one's arrival!!

Thanks for posting the great pics, Jill! Everyone looked so cute! Inspired by Alan and Holly's New Year's card, we all dressed up as the Incredibles. We won the costume contest at the Fall Festival and got several comments tonight. It is quite entertaining to see a family of 6 parading around in red sweats and black masks - esp when one of them looks like a beluga whale. It was humbling, but our kids had a blast (esp. Lukey, of course).

Since it's safe to brag about our kids here on the blog, I have to for a second. Today was teacher conference day at McKenna and Josiah's school and I was almost in tears to hear all the wonderful things that were said about our children! And to KNOW that it's all God's grace - just overwhelmed with His goodness. They both had all A's (McKenna's lowest grade was a 97!) and both teachers praised them for how well they get along with everyone, submit to authority, etc.! Josiah's teacher hardly had anything to say because he is having no problems. Just encouraging stuff to hear! Praise God for a smooth transition into this new school!

Okay, I'll stop rambling. Love you all and can't wait to see you!

Anda

Fruit of the Loom Guys (notice the "bvd candy sacks" - these are NOT Cary's underwear)

Fun Cousins.

Cuteness.

AAhg! Baby Yoda has been kidnapped by a very large butterfly!

Future Sing Song Stars.

The world is in good hands with these heroes.

It's a Cousin's Conference!

Carrie Underwood In-the-Making

A Very Dramatic Madam Butterfly

Pumpkin Patch Bros.- Mitch & Josh

Fall Fun Festival Bake Contest Winners #1 (catepillar) and #2 (cat cake)

Update

Well, today was the first day of my physical therapy for my ankle. It's been 5 1/2 weeks since I hurt it and it just hasn't completely healed. The physical therapist said that the pregnancy has slowed the healing process. Anyways, he says the therapy will really help. I go again on Monday.

So far, this pregnancy has treated me pretty good. I've felt good most of the pregnancy, just tired at the end of the day. Now it's gotten very uncomfortable. It feels like the baby has dropped which causes a lot of pressure and pain. But now I can breath a lot easier. Anyways, maybe this will mean that I won't go late, or at least too late. We'll just see. Can't wait to see you all at Christmas.

April

Laughs with Luke

We're going around the breakfast table saying something we're thankful for. Josiah and McKenna have "normal" thanksgiving. Luke says, "I'm thankful that I don't live in Alaska." After a pensive pause, "What is Alaska anyways?"

Bless you guys,
Anda

Elijah's Barnyard Birthday Bash

Yesterday was Elijah's 1st birthday! What a reason to celebrate! If you are able to come, we're going to have a little "Barnyard Bash" at our house tomorrow night (Saturday) at 5:30 p.m. We'll have supper and let him eat cake (us too)!

I can't imagine our life without our sweet Elijah. He is a fun little guy, full of joy and energy. He loves balls "ba", music, soft things (like blankets) and his brother and sister who are the light of his life. We are so thankful God has blessed our family with him! I wince a little when I remember this day and the days after his birth. They were a roller coaster for us--and we thank God all the more for such a healthy little boy! May his whole life be a testimony to the glory of God.

This day also reminds me of Jack. It was a year ago that he left this earth and entered heaven. I imagine this is a hard week for Wanda. I pray God will fill her with comfort and sweet memories. His life certainly was a testimony to God's glory, wasn't it?

Love you all--
Trisha

Random new knowledge!

The kids and I just got home from Lubbock--a quick surprise trip to celebrate my friend Jana's birthday with her. I don't think I've ever driven the road from Odessa to Lubbock before--Hwy. 385, I think. It's a wonderful little drive. We passed field after field of cotton, and even stopped and picked a few pieces (boles?). But I had no idea we were surrounded by so many peanut farms! Who knew!

I remember cotton from driving to Lamesa, but not peanuts. There are 3 or 4 very large peanut processing plants on that little highway.

Oh the vast treasures yet to be discovered in West Texas!

Just thought I'd share!

Hey family

Just saying "hi". Had a fun weekend at ACU. Good to see some old friends and Aunt Holly! Loved seeing you and the girls, Holly, and it was definitely the highlight of the weekend for my kids!

Need you guys to pray. Randy says I'm a fairly non-compliant patient and I guess he's right. Didn't take many vitamins over the last several months and I'm extrememly anemic. Not surprising - it's happened almost every time. But it's worse than I've ever experienced this time. I'm now taking my vitamins and iron, but can't really get up without getting really breathless, heart races, etc. I can't remember ever being this tired! Wouldn't be that big of a deal if I could sleep most of the day, but not an option! Just please pray for increased energy and grace to be a happy, joyful, smiling mom-on-her-rump-who's-telling-all-the-kids-what-to-do-because-she-can't-move!

Our little purpose group has been so fun! QuingDan (pronounced "shing don") is so sweet and seems to be one of those people that God has just chosen. It's fun to be here watching what He's doing. He has been leading her and preparing her heart for this and we just get to be a part of it! He is good!

Hope all of you are doing well! We can't wait to be with everyone again - I guess there will be SEVEN of us next time we see you! In spite of the falling-apart-body this really is such a joyful season of getting to welcome our new Piper or Isaac into the family! God has been so sweet to us!

Love y'all,
Anda

80's fun

When I was pledging Tri Kappa Gamma, we had an 80's day, since we were started in the 80's. I wore an old stone washed denim skirt, a big men's white button up shirt so it was over sized on me, with the sleeves rolled up, and folded down socks with heels. I wore my hair in a very high side ponytail with my bangs teased big, and plenty of bangle bracelets on my arms. I also had gum in my mouth and constantly blew bubbles and popped them. I was the only one dressed like a teen from the 80's. All the others pledging with me dressed as they did as elementary kids in the 80's. It was kinda fun. I'm sure there's a picture somewhere. I am curious as to where we'll be 20 years from now. I hope like others that some trends don't carry on for long. I think the sequined purses look rediculous. I would like the trend of the "covered tummy" to come back and also the "longer and more decent skirts" to come back too. Hopefully things will change by the time Lena gets old enough to realize some things. But I know how society goes. It's never the way we wish it could be.

Hope everything is good. My nursery is looking great. Mom has done a tremendous job. I love how it is looking so far. Hope everyone is good.

April

80's Ladies

80's Day

Eighties Dress-Up Day at Midland Christian makes me feel old - wait, I am old! The girls and I cut up some old sweatshirts and used the sleeves for leg warmers. They had a little "Flashdance" look going on.
Last night, they wanted to see some pictures of me in the in the eighties to design their "look." My hair was so big and so hair-sprayed I'm sure it was a fire-hazzard. Mitch couldn't believe that I had a shirt with an alligator on it - he thought lacoste/izod was new. I told my kids that one day their kids will be having "2000" dress-up day - I wonder what they'll wear? Jean jackets? Gauchos? Flat Ironed Hair? Nike Shocks?
My favorite outfits that I saw at school today were Betty Linthicum's balloon pant suit with a big bow at her waist and one in her hair - nice poofy sleeves. I'm impressed that she still had them AND still fit in them - she's amazing! Mrs. Lary dressed up in a Hawaiian shirt and was Magnum PI, Mr. Tom Selleck. I had a big crush on him.

Any other ideas of what our grandkids will be dressing up in on "2000 Day?"

Thanks!

Hey Rita! Thanks so much for all the fun pictures! I hope you know the "pitiful" blog I wrote was written with laughter! But we did enjoy the updates. Trisha, it's so wonderful to hear all that God is doing at New Life! So fun to watch the Lord work! We start our purpose group this a.m.! Can't wait to see what He is going to do!

Funny Luke story. Last night at the dinner table RB decides to kiss me - all the kids are watching, but Luke is sitting there with his chin in hands, elbows on the table, and he squinches up his face and says "Yuck" while sticking out his tongue. We're cracking up and he tells us he is NEVER going to kiss a girl. When RB tries to further convince him that it's a good thing and that someday he'll really like kissing his wife - in fact, he'll have to - Luke says, "I'm going to kill myself so I never have to grow up!" Ha! I think that's a story worth telling at his rehearsal dinner!! God help us when he figures out it might be an enjoyable activity!

Loved the bedding, April!! And LOVED the house, Tod and LeeAnn! We cannot wait to see it!

Bless you guys today in Jesus!

Anda

This and that from Mom (in Austin)

I began feeling guilty after I read Anda's blog. I may have over reacted by sending just a "few" pictures for your update. I am still at April and James, and we are having a great time. Today I made my way across Austin and south to the outlet mall where I found a bargain at the Pottery Barn Outlet for the nursery--a dresser that had been marked down to $99 from $749 because of a banged spot on a back corner, and a hutch to go on top that isn't the same wood but works fine. It all blends with the crib they got from Alan and Holly. Tonight James finished putting the crib together, and we put the new bedding on. April hung all the pink stuff in the closet, and it sure looks like she will be a well dressed little gal. It is beginning to feel like something special is about to happen around here.

Alan, I have taught April how to fold a shirt and we are having fun working on the laundry.

I finished my defensive driving course online this morning with 5 days to spare. It sure was boring.

I am managing to stay out of town while Melissa empties every closet and cabinet to get ready to put the last of the new carpet in on Thursday. The pool table, entertainment center and piano all present a challenge. Melissa can take care of it, I am sure. We gave our couch to Tod and Lee Ann, so I guess I better go furniture shopping tomorrow.

Anda, how are you feeling? My "plan" is for you to be early and April to be late. Does that work for you? Somehow I have no doubt that it will all work out. What a fun dilemma for a Grandma!

It is time to find my place on the floor and get some rest. I will hit the floor running again tomorrow. Trisha, you can tell my Beth Moore class that I will miss them, but I have my lessons done. I hope to be there next week.

I love you all. How blessed we are! Just look at the pictures and give God the glory. Love, mom