2009

T’was the week before Christmas when all through the town
The Browns were looking at homes, for roots to lay down
Strike one, strike two, strike three, though we’re not out!
Laura and Bill are now starting to rout

Ben is now 12 and too big for his shoes
With football and wrestling and friends to choose
7th grade is his bane; school is no longer so sweet
Busy each day with homework to complete

Zac is now 8 and 3rd grade is his pleasure
A reading and math wiz, he is his teacher’s treasure
Cub scouts, soccer and wrestling galore
We are always in and out of the door

Sam, now 6, and as active as his brothers
Wrestles as tough and as hard as the others
1st grade is his favorite and he is learning to read
Gaining knowledge and kindness with increasing speed

Bill and Laura are working as hard as ever
In training and teaching and banking endeavors
We are healthy and happy and blessed as can be
Thankful for our young “troubles”, all three

We wish you a Merry Christmas
And send you great cheer
For a magical holiday season

And a Happy New Year!

The Zen of Sarcasm

1. Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me either. Just pretty much leave me alone.
2. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a broken fan belt and a leaky tire.
3. It's always darkest before dawn. So if you're going to steal your neighbor's newspaper, that's the time to do it.
4. Don't be irreplaceable. If you can't be replaced, you can't be promoted.
5. Always remember that you're unique. Just like everyone else.
6. Never test the depth of the water with both feet.
7. If you think nobody cares if you're alive, try missing a couple of car payments.
8. Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes.
9. If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is probably not for you.
10. Never miss a good chance to shut up.
11. If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably a wise investment.
12. If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything.
13. Some days you're the bug; some days you're the windshield.
14. Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.
15. The quickest way to double your money is to fold it in half and put it back in your pocket.16. A closed mouth gathers no foot.
17. Duct tape is like 'The Force'. It has a light side and a dark side, and it holds the universe together.
18. There are two theories to arguing with women. Neither one works.
19. Generally speaking, you aren't learning much when your lips are moving.
20. Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.

Gobble 'til you Wobble!

We had a very nice and quiet Thanksgiving. We decided to stay home!! Just us!! It was delightful. Truly, truly we missed being with family but it was so nice to have a very low-key holiday and hang out at home. (with the stress of two house deals falling through, then one resurrecting itself and then falling through again, and our car going belly up, we just didn't need the added stress of a trip). On Thanksgiving morning we woke up late, had big, gooey cinnamon rolls followed by cheese and crackers and hors de'vours (sp?). The boys played Wii bowling and golf and I spent the morning listening to peaceful Christmas music and making our feast. We had everything! Turkey, potatoes, gravy, green beans, sweet potatoes, stuffing, deviled eggs, rolls, and of course, pumpkin pie. Yumm-o!! We ate and ate and ate. We played board games and napped and watched movies. The day was sickening with gluttony and laziness, but oh, so enjoyable! :o) We really did and do miss being with our family and friends but it was a very good day for us to focus just on us. . . . .somehow I feel very selfish, but very grateful for a recharge.

Halloween Moments

Halloween this year held another "first" for us. Ben is officially too old to go trick-or-treating. He is not too old to scare the trick-or-treaters though. :o)

Zac was a vampire & Sam was Duke from GI Joes. Ben, and his friend, Alex, hung out on the porch and bushes and scared the little halloweensters from the front and flank. We had more than a few screams before a knock on the door. They found it pretty amusing, we didn't have any tears and everyone loaded up on candy galore, so the night was considered a great success by all!!

Sports firsts, Sickie Ickies & Pumpkin Guts . . . (oh, my!)

I realize I have been very absent on my blog lately. The boys were sick for a time so I wasn't able to blog much. But, have no fear, I'm back to blogging. . . . for now anyway. Ben just completed his first year of "official" school sports. He was on the JR high team. It is like these boys that I have known since 1st grade have sprung up over night and now they are all (mostly) taller than me. Crazy, weird. Yes, it is true, Ben has officially passed his mom in the height department. Luckily I still have him out ranked on the width department. :o) The team had a good season with 6 wins and 2 losses and boy, oh, boy, they will be one to watch in the high school level. Fun, fun!

Zac had his first year in soccer. The kid has a knack for it. They put him in each position but his favorites are goalie and defender. His team had a winning-impaired season but they had a fun time. It was a long season and his last game was yesterday. He was sorry to see it end because he loves playing. He had a great time being part of the team!

The boys all had the sickie ickies for a time, but they are up and running around healthy again. Thank goodness. Here are some pictures of the poor little dearies. They weren't too impressed with me taking sickly photos so I didn't get one of Ben. Zac is a ham-bone in any scenario though, so he's happy to pose while getting his nebulizer treatment. Poor Sam just slept and slept and I haven't seen Ben as sick as this in a long while. We all got our flu shots last week, so I'm hoping that between that, and this previous crud they got we are through our sickies for the season. . . .ya think?

Family!!!

My family is SO supportive! Last weekend was a big family event. First, on Saturday night, we went and spent the evening at a 90th Bday party for my dear Grandma. It was extra special. There were about 75 people in attendence and we spent some invaluable time with them. My grandparents have been wonderful to us and support everything we do. Plus we get to see them at least once a year. I'm so grateful to have such wonderful memories of their generous and loving lives! My dear Grandpa is 94 this year and it was so great to have those moments with them both!

The next Sunday was another big family event for us. Zachary was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints! It was awesome! My entire family was there to help him commemmorate his special day. First we all went to my ward where most my family sang a song in honor of my parents returning home from their mission in McAllen, Texas and to honor Zachary in his special decision. Everyone that went to church stayed throughout the entire 3-hour block. That meant SO much to me!! Next we came home and did what we do best, ate, talked and napped. The baptism was scheduled for later afternoon so we had a chance to sit and visit before heading back to church. My dad blessed us by performing the baptism and confirmation and my whole family supported and contributed to the event! I can't thank them enough for their encouragement and selfless support of us! It was really an amazing weekend for us all.

IT'S THE MOOOST WONDERFUL TIME . . . OF THE YEAR!!!

Yes, they ought to write songs about the first week of September when, sigh, yes, it finally happens, . . . . the moment you have been waiting for, for the past 104 days . . . . YES! I'm talking about the MOOOST WONDERFUL TIME . . . OF THE YEAR!!!!. . . . .That would be the first day of school for those of you sans school-age children. Ahh bliss, ahh pure happiness, ahh peace!!

Now, I love my children, mind you, I would do anything for them, but this mama needs some alone time after the past 3 months of 24-7 with them. Yay, yay, yay for teachers! Let's all sign a national petition to give them all jillion dollar raises. They deserve it!!!! Year-round school, anyone??

B, being in 7th grade, feels he is too old to be in the annual "First day of school " photo. Ha, little does he know that I'll be taking one clear though college and medical school. ;o)

S wanted to be sure that everyone saw his new snazzy school shoes!