Friends

Look who showed up this morning to help me make my grocery list. These are women I would love to take to Starbucks, treat them to a Latte' and chat the afternoon away. I would not mind a bit if Rachel Ray joined us too. Although I'm not sure who would dominate the conversation more. I think Rachel could give Paula a run for her money in the chattiness category. I've never heard the Pioneer Woman talk but I'm sure that she and I would hit it off just fine. She cooks, she's got kids and dogs and she blogs... What's not to love?

Since none of these gals were available for coffee this afternoon I was forced to settle for their books while I munched my grapes. You cannot possibly browse through these books and not get hungry!

List made, groceries bought, yummy food emerging from my kitchen soon to follow. I'll let you know how it turns out. In the meantime if any of you chat with Paula, Ree or Rachel, let them know about my coffee offer.

Twins?

Isn't this picture the funniest?! That's Lee and his dad. No, we did not plan their outfits, it just happened that way. No jokes please about their predictable wives. Although we Brown gals do have great tastes, in men at least. We know a good thing when we see it!

The funny thing is that Lee's dad got almost the exact same outfit as a gift. Hey! I hear you out there cracking jokes.

There's my hunky Georgia boy in his red shirt and blue jeans.

Happy New Year!

I cannot think of a much better way to begin a new year than the way we did it this year. We were able to witness the beginning of a brand new family. Jason and Labranda were married yesterday afternoon in Raleigh. It was a beautiful ceremony and we were so happy to be a small part of it. We've known LaBranda and her mom and dad, Stan and Betty for about 10 years now. They are folks that almost instantly became family to us. LaBranda was 12 when we met her and boy do I now feel old! What a wonderful young woman she turned out to be. Everyday I'm thankful for the examples of godly virtue like LaBranda that God has placed into my own girl's lives.

The happy couple finally able to sit down for a minute.

Jason, you could not have made a better choice than Labranda to be your bride.

The last group photo I have of all of them together was years ago and they ALL looked like babies. Now I can barely stand to look! They are growing up so fast. Gracie was 2 and 3 when she could see Labranda every day. Back then she was learning to talk and could not say "LaBranda" it came out "Nana" and it stuck. I can hardly believe that our little Nana is now a married woman!

Stan is making very sure that Lee completely understands that this is going to happen to him FOUR times! Yikes! After watching Stan and Betty walk their only child through it, I only hope that Lee and I will be able to handle it all with as much dignity when our time comes.

Weddings make you so lovey dovey and remind you of why you got married in the first place. I love weddings!

Old friends are the best friends!

2009 In Review

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Christmas Shoes Revisited

Just when I had the happy thought that the Christmas Shoes song had made it's final rounds, I heard it on the radio yesterday. Please make it STOP!!!!! Today while doing my morning Facebook surf I ran across a fan club group to ban this very song. It makes me feel good to know I'm not the only one reaching for the Pepto when I hear it. I joined the group of course, I may even try to become the president of the group if they'll let me. Below is a post I wrote about two years ago. I may use it as my campaign speech in my run for the presidency.

Here's hoping your day is Christmas Shoes free!

What I want for Christmas is for every radio station to stop playing that high fructose corn syrupy "Christmas Shoes" song! UGH!! I apologize ahead of time if you happen to like the song, somebody out there must like it because they are playing the dog out of it around here. Out of all the wonderful options for Christmas music available, they choose to play Christmas Shoes?!! Go figure.
I mean come on, think this through with me logically for a moment.
First, what kid goes to a shoe store on Christmas Eve or any day for that matter, all by himself?
Second, what kid is running off to the store while his mom is on her death bed?
Third, who worries about what shoes they have on while they lay dying? I mean if I'm sick and about to die the last thing I'm thinking about is whether or not I'm wearing my red pumps.
Fourth, do they REALLY believe Jesus cares about what shoes we die in? Even if by chance we end up in heaven with the clothes on that we died in (think of all those hospital gowns gone missing, no wonder health care costs so much!) would we stand before Jesus for the first time and say "do you like my shoes? I got them just for this occasion" I mean come on, be for real! OK Lastly and probably most importantly, What does this song have to do with Christmas?! Almost nothing! As if it's not pitiful enough, they have to make it ultra syrupy by throwing in the bit about it being Christmas Eve when the mom is dying. I know everyone appreciates a sappy touchy feely story every now and then but this is just too much.
Here's my suggestion, call your local radio station and ask them for the love of all that's sane and rational to PLEASE stop playing that song. If they ask why, you have permission to read them this blog post.
Seriously, lets remember what Christmas truly represents, the entrance of the Savior of the world into the world He gave His life for. Here's a better song:

O little town of Bethlehem
how still we see thee lie
above thy deep and dreamless sleep
the silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
the Everlasting Light
the hopes and fears of all the years
are met in thee tonight.

Shades

Hard work = New Ray-Bans

Happy Birthday Hobbes!

Hobbes is now a year old. When we got him last Christmas he was 5 weeks old and weighed about 5 pounds. Today he weighs about 110 pounds.

A hundred pounds in a year! Talk about growing up quickly!

Remember when he was this size? Me either. It did not last long.

At this stage Caitlin was still rocking him to sleep at night.

Now we've reached the toddler phase. Oh my!

Growing growing growing.

Here's the birthday boy today, all 110 goofy pounds. I've been told that Danes don't finish growing until they are about 18 months old. Heaven help us!