The Brown Family Blog: Josh, Kim and Owen!

Trick or Treat!

2009-11-03T09:57:00.000-08:00

I am so bummed that I didn't get a family picture, or even any pictures of Josh and I separately with our little lion! It was such a chaotic time that I just forgot about it! Owen had a great time though....and I think you will agree that he makes a pretty sweet little lion! He had the ROOOOOAAAAAARRRRR down and everything!

We love Fall

2009-11-01T09:42:00.000-08:00

Its been a beautiful, perfect fall here in the wonderful state of Indiana. It got cool in the middle of September, and while temperatures have crawled slowly back up here at the end of October, it never got hot again, which makes me happy. I've been trying, and trying to upload a bunch of pictures but for some reason it is taking FOREVER so I'm settling with the best one....

Here is Owen at Eagle Creek. I love this picture. It will definitely be framed and put somewhere in our house.
We have lots of Halloween pictures to put up to. All in good time. We had a great night hanging with bunches of friends and family. I love our house, but we are outgrowing it when it comes to hosting events. If only we could dig a basement underneath our house and throw all of the kids down there! Honestly though, we are very grateful and very blessed. Always trying to keep things in perspective!
And now its November! This is really my favorite time of year. I'm already praying that I can keep my focus on loving people and being generous...instead of getting caught up in when and where we will spend our time and what kind of gifts we will buy....cause really....its easy to loose the spirit of this season if I don't concentrate on the right things!
Happy Fall everyone...hope you have all enjoyed it as much as we have!

Family Pictures

2009-10-26T06:35:00.000-07:00

Our dear friends, Amy and Brian Grissom of Rogue Art Photography took these pictures for us! We love them! Enjoy :-)

More pumpkin patch

2009-10-15T11:00:00.000-07:00

We have this new photo program that lets me upload pictures directly to my blog, but I can't get it all in one entry....I'll have to figure that out....just not right now :-)

Pumpkin Patch

2009-10-15T10:52:00.000-07:00

In the spirit of trying to keep a journal, I will continue writing on here :-)
Last weekend was basically my definition of perfection ..we took Owen to a Pumpkin Patch (in Noblesville, had friends over for Chili, Cornbread and Apple Crisp and then enjoyed a Sunday of leftovers, naps and football. Really, life doesn't get much better in my book! The temps around here have definitely been "Fall like" and I think we are enjoying the fist "REAL FALL' that I can remember in a long time....I'm usually prepared to wait out the warm weather until mid October, and its been cool for SEVERAL weeks now. I'm a happy girl :-) Enjoy the pictures. I'm working on getting a few more up.

The WatersEdge: Thoughts from Michigan's West Coast

2009-10-09T10:03:00.000-07:00

Our Youth Pastor at College Park posted this. I liked it, thought it made sense. The end. :-)

The WatersEdge: Thoughts from Michigan's West Coast

Quick Stats Update

2009-10-09T06:46:00.001-07:00

After a LONG over due well child visit, we found out that Owen is although still a peanut, is healthy and developmentally on track ( I think I knew he was doing ok when he busted out the alphabet song the other night and the used the word "accidentally" in a sentence! Genius I tell ya)

Anyways. Here are the stats

October 8, 2009 (2.5 years)

Weight: 23 1/2 lbs ( around 4 % on the charts....we'll take it! He's been OFF the charts since he was about 12 months old!)
Length: 37 1/2 inches (between 25-30 % on the charts)

In other Pediatrician visit news, I opted out of the flu shot and opted for the last of his HIB vaccines (a series of three to vaccinate against meningitis).

Owen also had his first dentist appt. this past Monday! Like the crazy/bad mom that I am...I forgot my camera, so I had to use my phone to take a picture....so I'll have to figure out how to upload that....but anyways, he did great! He let them clean his teeth with the electric toothbrush, floss and do floride! I was impressed! Maybe he won't develop his Mother's irrational fear of all things dental!

And at this point I should insert a cute picture of Owen, but I'm at work and I don't have acess to any of my pictures, so I'll have to come back and do that later!
So to sum up....our boy is healthy (but skinny) and happy! Yay! We are blessed.

Fall Fun

2009-10-06T10:32:00.000-07:00

We had a great time in Bloomington on Saturday night....we attended an IU/OSU football game with our dear Ohio friends, Pete and Heather Gross. IU football is TERRIBLE (seriously...I never even knew IU HAD a football team. The only IU I have only cheered for is in reference to basketball!) But OSU fans are seriously comitted....and even though it was a complete blow-out we stayed until the last possible minute. Notice that I remain neutral in my colors. Josh is decked out in IU gear, and Pete and Heather are in OSU gear....I am INDIFFERENT! I just went along for fun and friendship! (I'm so non competitive! Josh loves that! HA!) Although....my dad is a die hard IU fan, and I DO happen to work for the University (School of Medicine) so I guess I have to stay somewhat loyal. :-)

I know I've been a blogging slacker lately, but there isn't much to update you on. Soccer season is nearly over....sectionals start on Thursday....it will be weird and wonderful at the same time not having games to go to every other night!
Josh and I have plans to go to Brown County in the next few weeks....other fall festivities include youth group bonfire at our friends home (Josh and I are working with the junior class at College Park this year....LOVE IT!), and we'll host what has become an annual Jesus friendly Halloween/Fall Party on Oct. 31. Last year we packed nearly fifty people into our teeny house....and I loved every minute of it!
I've been lazy about doing pictures because most of my pictures end up on facebook....and let's be real, I don't think there is anyone that knows me that DOESN"T follow me on facebook. Even my Grandma's are on facebook! AWESOME! (Yay Grandma Lois and Grandma Dixie!)

Owen is....well....Owen. Wonderful, sweet, growing, talkative, and right in the thick of being a fiesty two year old! He cracks me up and warms my heart with kisses and hugs on a daily basis.... When we aren't working on obedience and NOT Whining! (ARGH!) Seriously. All of our hard work WILL pay off. I know it. (Unless it doesn't, and then I'll be really, really, REALLY sad) Someday I'll just be able to say, "Owen you need to obey" and....voila! I will be grateful that I put in so much time in his toddler days TEACHING him that what we say is WHAT WE MEAN! :-) Discipline is SO NOT my favorite part of parenting! He is loving Puggles (Awana for toddlers at church) and has been promoted to an actual Sunday School class on Sunday mornings. He is telling me new things about Jesus every week. It does my heart good! We continue to ask for you to pray that God would write his name on Owen's heart! Trusting in God's grace and goodness!
Also....you could pray for us as I take a week off of work at the end of this month to.....dum, dum, dum.....POTTY TRAIN! It's that time! He understands the concept, but doesn't want to quit playing to do his business. So, Monday, October 19....the diapers come off and the big boy underwear come on....and we'll see what happens! :-) I NEED PRAYER! I've been dreading this since I found out I was pregnant with him! Don't they have schools for potty training? I'd send him for sure! :-)

Ok....the end. Hope all is well in the blog world!

Funny, Funny, Funny

2009-09-15T09:19:00.000-07:00

This is just a cute Owen story that I want recorded :-) Humor me.

Ok, so Owen is a total sponge right now. I swear he hears EVERYTHING we say and REPEATS 98 percent of it. Knowing that, we (Josh and I) have really REALLY had to work hard at curbing our language. I'm not talking about sailor swearing here....I'm talking about dang-it, stupid, DARN and the mother of all toned down swear words," Freakin'" and "Crap". I would like to say that my dear husband is more guilty when it comes to using these sort of words, but I am probably just as much to blame. So, we didn't quite manage to not let Owen ever hear us use these words...and he's picked up on them. I had to have this conversation with him about two weeks ago:

Me: "Owen, mommy is really sorry that she said the word "crap". It is not a nice word. It is not a word that I want to say anymore, and I am going to try really, really hard not to say it. It is also not ok for you to say this word. If you are upset about something, you can say something else. Let's try this. Instead of saying "oh Crap" we can say "oh bummer"! Ok?!
Owen: Ok Mommy!

We move on from there. Things go relatively well. I really don't hear him use the word "crap" at all. I ocassionally hear, "dang-it" or "darn-it" and when I do, I remind him that we don't say that....but tell him that he CAN say "oh bummer"! I start to hear "oh bummer" integrated into his daily vocabulary.

Now the actual story...I missed out on. Josh relayed it to me. Apparently Owen was playing with something (a toy, I'm guessing), and it fell on him, or he dropped it or....yah...something like that...anyways, whatever happened, Owen's reaction was "Oh CRAP"! Josh immediately jumped in and said something like, "Owen we don't say that word" to which Owen replied "Oh. Sorry daddy. I should say OH BUMMER"!

I am STILL laughing at this! My kid is so funny! Seriously. :-) He cracks me up on a daily basis. I'm thankful for this small object lesson and reassurance from God....we can mess up as parents and still God gives grace and teachable moments. That being said, I'm making a big point to clean up my language! No more potty mouth for me! :-)

Menu and other stuff

2009-08-25T11:58:00.000-07:00

Just Kidding.

I don't cook during soccer season. Ok. I do. Some. But not a lot. Here is why:

Monday: Josh practices until 5:30, meaning he gets home at 6:00. I teach piano lessons until 5:00. (ok, so I usually cook something easy on Mondays. Last night it was hamburgers)

Tuesday: soccer game (I don't think there is a Tuesday during soccer season where we don't have a game). We are usually home by 9:30

Wednesday: I pick Owen up after work around 5:00 and we have youth group at 6:00 (Owen is going to Puggles this year!)

Thursday: I teach piano until 5:45 and Josh has a game at 6:00. (again, we are usually home by 9:30)

Friday: I really, really should cook on Friday. All throughout our marriage its something we've kind of gotten away from. But in light of our crazy schedules throughout the fall, I'm going to try a lot harder to cook. Usually we get together with friends or just completely veg out on Friday nights.....but we'll see.

Saturday: Ok. I can cook on Saturday too....some Saturdays Josh will have tournaments, but not all.

Sunday: I can cook here too.

So...its not completely impossible, it just seems hard. Especially during the week. I'm going to try and concentrate on making the weekend meals a bit more consistently. I have majorly slacked off on trying new recipes. Anyone have anything good they want to send my way? :-) I'm looking forward to cooler weather for reasons such as chili, chicken corn chowder, chicken tortilla soup and CORNBREAD. OH YA BABY. Lovin' that stuff. Although it will probably be ninety degrees until November. I can't complain really. We've had a very mild summer. I'm just ready for fall the day kids go back to school. I even got my pumpkin candle out last night and I'm trying to figure out when I get out my fall decor. I'll try and hold off until mid-September but I make no promises!

Other Stuff:

I've started a new work schedule. I love it. Instead of working a half day every Friday, I am working all day every OTHER Friday. So every other week I only work two days. Its fantastic really. Every other week I have five days off in a row (including the weekend, but still, its good).

I still really enjoy the balance of being at home a few days, and being in the office a few days. I never thought I would be a part-time working mom, but I find that it suits me well. However, I'm continuing to pick up more piano students, which may allow me to only work from home eventually....maybe. I'm not sure that's what I want. We'll see. And then I keep thinking about going back to school.....ugggh. I just don't know. Josh is done with classes for the most part, so technically its my turn. Again, we'll see :-)

With the return of school, comes the return of routine. I like it. Most of our days are nicely scheduled. I'm back to doing spinning classes at the gym with a friend (YAY!), Josh and I are working with the Senior Highers at College Park again (we are actually co-leading together, how great is that....all I have to say is that God is GOOD!), and our small group will start back up here at the beginning of September.

Its times like these....when I sit back and think about all we are able to do, and how full our life is that I just feel very blessed. Blessed to walk through the hard times, blessed to have Owen, blessed to have a future and a hope....blessed to just LIVE and to be a family.

Oh, and Owen is great. Sometimes his cuteness overwhelms me. I'm blanking on examples of specific cuteness, but every day he does something and I just am thinking "My kid is great. How did I get so lucky? Is everyone's kid so stinkin' funny?....." and yah....you get the idea. I'm cherishing the days where I can ask for a kiss and still get one (we actually play a game where he runs from me and then comes back and kisses me...its wonderful!).....and I'm rocking him at night every time he will let me, and I'm rubbing his back every night when he asks me....and oh yah, "Momma, I hold you"....means, "Momma, please hold me" and you can pretty much know that everytime he says this, he is gonna get held. Yep. How much longer do I have before he isn't little and Josh and I aren't his world anymore? I dont' know. I don't think about it anymore. I'm just living in the present. Because God gives enough grace for tomorrow....and tomorrow isn't here yet.

We just finished a series at College Park on "How to Kill Relationships and Irritate People". It was very, very good. If you are so inclined, go take a listen. The sermons are online. I've linked to the church's website on the title of the series. We talked about Pride, Anger, Living with Unresloved Conflict and The Tongue (words).....and I found something that needed fixing in my life in every sermon. (darn it, and I thought I was getting close to perfect by now!) I don't know what else to say....except that (and I say it all of the time) but I just love our church. After moving back to Indianapolis, I knew College Park is where I wanted to attend because of Kimber Kauffman. I had listened to him on the radio enough to know that his teaching was something we shouldn't miss. We got to sit under his preaching for two years before he resigned, and I never, ever believed that I would love a Pastor as much as I loved Kimber....but Mark Vroegop (College Park's new Lead Pastor) is really in the running. :-) Now.....if we could only get people to attend business meetings and work in the nursery things would be perfect! (ha ha!) All that being said...if you are in Indy, and you are looking for a place to worship....God is DOING THINGS at College Park...He is changing lives and bringing people to Himself.....of course its not a perfect place....and you might be frustrated because there aren't a lot of extra parking places and services are overcrowded, but if you can get beyond the details that need improving, you will most likely have your socks blessed off. Ok. Soapbox on my church is over.

I think that's about it. I need to put pictures on here, but honestly we haven't taken a lot lately. I'll try and fix that. Just know that Owen is as cute as ever....and he recently got a haircut making him look about 18 years old and I can't stand it....I'm keeping his curls next time!

This post is way too long to comment on, but hopefully my family is satisfied enough with this to know that we are alive, we are busy, but we are happy :-) Happy (almost) Fall!

Not me Mondays!

2009-08-10T10:00:00.000-07:00

Ok. So I've gotten out of the habit of doing this, but I'm going to try again....because its really fun! Actually, its more fun to read about what other people and other people's kids have "NOT DONE", but you know.....I guess I should be brave and do it too. So. Here we go!

1. On Saturday evening I started to have an arthritis flare up, SO....on Sunday morning I totally DID NOT take a vicodin that was two years old (given to me by my OBGYN for my heroic efforts in childbirth) and think I would be completely fine to go about my day. The vicodin did NOT make me deathly ill and I certainly did NOT spend the day moaning and groaning in my bed about how sick I felt. My arthritis flare up? Totally gone. The effects of the seriously questionable vicodin I took? Still lingering today.....oh well! LIVE AND LEARN and BE SMARTER!

2. I did NOT make a big grocery shopping trip with Owen on Saturday in which I DID NOT forget something that I've had on my list for like five weeks. Salt. Seriously we have NO salt in our house and for some reason I just can't see it on my list or I can't remember it for the life of me when I have no list. Our food is (NOT!) :-) very bland lately! Also, I DID NOT forget the salt and I also DID NOT come home with at least ten items that weren't even on my list. Like doritos and chocolate milk. I mean I would never keep junk food like that in my house....and I definitely DID not just eat doritios with my lunch today! Nope! I don't even like the cheesey goodness of a dorito! NOT ME!

3. On Sunday, when I was gorked out on vicodin, I definitely did NOT choose to ignore my two year old who had wandered into our bedroom/ master bathroom and thought it would be fun to flush the toilet 200 times. I was in between consciousness and I definitely did not keep thinking "Josh is in charge, he will come in and see what Owen is doing. I can just lay here and take no responsibility to whatever happens". Nope. I'm always a responsible mother, even when gorked out on narcotics.

4. Lastly, (barely managing to recover from my date with vicodin for our kick off leaders meeting for Senior High Youth Group last night) I did NOT of my own free will steal baby Luke from his mother, Emily, and proceed to smell his sweet baby head and rock back and forth with him like a crazy person who has never held a baby before and because Luke is super tiny and petite (and I mean NOT super tiny and petite) I did NOT nearly throw out my back and cramp up my arm by holding him for ten minutes. No, fifteen. It was definitely AT LEAST fifteen minutes and I am certainly not a wimp. Shew. Good thing spinning class starts back for me this week! I definitely DON'T need to bufff up!

Owenisms

2009-08-08T07:43:00.000-07:00

(Or just some cute stories about our kid)

Inspired by something cute that Owen did this morning, I thought I should take a few minutes to record some of the funny things he has been doing.

-This morning Owen was coloring at his little table in our "dining room" (I put dining room in quotes because...well, its not really a room, just a section off of our kitchen and living room that we put our table in :-)); announced that he was done coloring, put all of his crayons back in his plastic baggy, pushed in his chair and neatly stacked his coloring book and other books on his table. I watched all of this with a small smile on my face....after all....I am the cleanie of the house, and I sadly admit that on days that I am at home I sometimes trail after Owen cleaning up his mess. Maybe he's catching on. Oh dear. What have I created? :-)

-He has learned to say the letter "W" and he is really proud of himself. Its the only letter that he couldn't pronounce for really long time. We are also working on spelling his name...he is SO close!

-Josh told me this story. The other day Owen was sitting in our bed watching something (Sid the Science Kid, maybe?) and he looked over to our night stand where my diamond earrings happened to be lying (lying, laying? I can never quite remember...sorry Dr. Sauders and Mrs. Rust!). He looked over at Josh and said: "Dad. I want those. I take them. K"?...and went to grab my earrings! Thankfully Josh didn't let him...and I've learned to set them out of my little klepto's reach! But seriously. How funny is that?

-He loves all things soccer. He talks all the time about being a soccer player and going to a soccer game. Good news. In a week his wish will come true. Josh's first soccer game is August 17....and we will spend the next two months living and breathing soccer. I'm afraid that if Owen DOESN'T end up a star soccer player playing for the World Cup someday I might actually be disappointed! (just kidding of course!) This kid lives and breathes soccer. Josh brought him home a little goal the other day and Owen is in heaven.

-Owen asks us everyday to go to church and to go to school. He loves his "Sunday School Class" at College Park, and I'm really excited because he is going to get to go to Puggles this year while Josh and I head back to senior high youth group to be sponsors. (Puggles is Awana for toddlers!) I think he will love it!

-He is speaking really well....sometimes in sentences, but sometimes not. I can almost always figure out what he is saying or what he wants me to do. It's great being able to communicate with him...now to teach him French and Spanish! :-)

-His evening prayers are incredibly cute. Usually I will ask him to pray first and then I will finish . His prayers usually go something like this: Dear Jesus, pray Bayey, pray Cabey, pray Roxy. And Pappa and Gamma's house. And Patches. And Bandon,Header (Heather). AMEN! (Sometimes he remembers Rachel, sometimes not! Don't worry Rach, I always catch you if he forgets!) :-) Oh goodness. The cuteness just overwhelms me!

Anyways, I am loving these days. He is becoming such a little person and its so much fun to watch him grow. I mourn the passing of his babyhood, but with deep appreciation that God allowed it to be such a sweet time. I try really hard to stay in the present with him and enjoy each moment for what it is. The days are truly gone too fast. Once again...I'm incredibly humbled and grateful for the gift of our son. God truly is so good to us!

Owen's new room!

2009-08-02T05:14:00.000-07:00

We've finally gotten Owen's room put together! I love it! The colors turned out GREAT (I think) and I think it will be a room he can really grow with.
All of this being said....Owen is STILL sleeping in his crib! I'm just NOT moving him until it doesn't work anymore. He has only tried to get out of his crib on one occasion and this resulted in him falling flat on his back (this was nearly a year ago) and he hasn't tried it since! So. We've decided that sleep is too precious of a commodity to mess with until it is unavoidable!

So for now.....all of Owen's toys have been moved to his big boy room and he is loving having a new space to play in (since his "toy room" has been closed off for the last month and most of his toys have been packed away for the re-model!)

We still have "surfer boy" decorations to hang on the wall....and I'm still keeping my eyes out for a better storage system for toys, but all in all....his room is great! We love it! Can't believe my boy is old enough to have a little boy room. But this does free up the nursery a bit....hmmmm....(sorry no announcement!) :-)

I'm thyroid-less!

2009-07-19T14:19:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! Just wanted to update with a quick post----
I had my thyroid surgery on Friday, July 17 and everything went really well. I was actually in surgery for a bit longer than I anticipated....evidently the scar tissue surrounding the left side of my thyroid was a bit hard to get around and Dr. Miskulin had to spend a little bit longer digging around, but eventually she was successful. Coming out of the anesthesia was the hardest part for me....I woke up in recovery really hot and sick to my stomach. The nice nurses covered me in ice packs and gave me some zofran....it took me a bit to come out of my sleepy grogginess, but I was able to be discharged from the hospital around 8:00 PM Friday night. I spent Friday night and all day Saturday being very sore and extra raspy voiced....and today has been a bit rough as I've run a low fever, had some signifigant swelling and been pretty dizzy....BUT the good news is that its getting easier to swallow and the pain is certainly lessening. I'm looking forward to feeling better each day!
In the meantime, I've been really blessed by so many friends and family that have been willing to help with everything from brining us meals to helping us take care of Owen. So thankful for friends/family and the community of believers that have come to our side to help us out!
Anyways...I knew a lot of you were wondering, so I wanted to give a quick update. Thanks for your prayers....well wishes....and love! I anticipate that I'll be back to "normal" (whatever that is!) by the end of the week :-)

Florida: 2009

2009-07-08T11:18:00.000-07:00

Well, we are back and we had a great time. We flew in on June 30 (Tuesday) with some rainy weather which continued through Wednesday. We were starting to get a bit nervous when everything magically cleared up in the sunshine state and the rest of our visit was filled with sunny days. We got home late Monday night July 6 and slept happily and gratefully in our beds! (vacation is always wonderful, but there truly is NO PLACE LIKE HOME!)
Here are our pictures in no particular order....and these are just SOME. We took over 300! I've already posted these on facebook so if you follow me there, you will find this a bit repetitive!
I also want to say thanks so much to friends, Curt and Laura Sharbaugh for letting us crash with them and treating us to a great time! You are always so selfless with your time, food and home! We love you and are blessed by your generosity!

It rained a bit on Thursday morning so we hid out in the covered outdoor playground on the beach! Owen had a blast!

Running.....always running.... :-)

So, our kid is pretty darn cute.....

Did I mention that Owen likes to run? He'll walk around saying "Mom, I run, k"? :-)
Lunch at Frenchys!
Unfortunately Owen was terrified of the fireworks! We did not see this coming! He buried his head in our shoulder or chest the whole time, usually with his eyes closed tight...and he refused to look! Later he admitted that he was "scerred". Poor little guy!
Our unsucessful attempt to capture a group picture of the kids....
The cutest twins I've ever known! Micah and MacKenna Sharbaugh!

Personally, I think this picture should win some sort of award!
We love you Kenna!
I think someday....Owen and Micah will really be buddies!
And...we've already talked about arranging a marriage between Owen and Mackenna!
We wanted a picture of the moms and the babies...this is the best one...a bit dark and windy, but you get the idea!
"A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter; he who finds one finds a treasure."
A few Familiy shots....
Happy 4th!

2009-06-29T11:36:00.001-07:00

First of all, I am definitely NOT writing this post right now because I have more than enough work to keep me busy in light of the fact that I am leaving for Florida in a few short hours and will be out of my lovely office for seven whole NON- glorious days!

I most certainly did NOT slack off all weekend when I should have been packing/cleaning/ getting ready for our trip. I did NOT take a nap on Saturday AND Sunday AND I definitely did not allow Owen to watch Madagascar AND Veggie Tales both in the same day. Because I never really even let Owen watch TV. He doesn't even know what it is!

I did NOT make three really dumb mistakes playing Euchre with friends on Sunday night which prompted my hubby to question my ability to be his partner. I was NOT smug at all when we won despite my mistakes.

I did NOT make a really dumb money mistake when I accidentally paid both of my student loans TWICE for this month...you know....leaving us LOTS of extra superfluous money for the month. (Oh well, cutting down on that interest, right)?

Lastly, I did NOT freak out and reconsider my decision to attend dinner tonight with my Doctor's and co-workers because I couldn't find anything on the menu that I would eat. Luckily I figured out that I just a little slow and that there actually are alternatives to sushi and duck. Shew. We'll see. Wish me luck!

2009-06-24T05:55:00.001-07:00

We are back from our Smoky Mountain Excursion. It was hot. And I mean, really, really hot. Seriously I know I complain about Indiana Summers, but I don't think Indiana has anything on the southern states. It was also really pretty. The view from our cabin/chalet was amazing. We have pictures. Somewhere. Probably still on our camera. I'll get them up sometime.

We leave for Florida in six days. SIX DAYS people. I can hardly stand it I'm so excited. We plan on alternating between naps, beach and pool. And they may not know it yet, but we are going to play euchre. A lot. Because Curt and Laura are my favorite people to play euchre with. There. I said it. Get ready guys! (and don't even think about trying to get me to play Settlers of Catan or some other weird game...we are playing EUCHRE! EUCHRE I say!) :-)

Owen is a blast right now. Seriously, he is my favorite kid ever, and I guess that's a good thing since he's mine. But honestly, aside from the SELDOM temper tantrum and occasional trip to the bathroom (when we are in a public place) in which I must remind him sternly to obey lest he receive a spanking......he is great. I love this age. He is talking. I mean really communicating with me. He gets things. I love it. I miss my "baby" but this is fun too. We've been reading books about going potty. Oh dear. I'm thinking that when we get back from Florida I will buy him a potty seat. I'm pretty sure he will get that too. My kid is smart. Have I told you that I think he know's his ABC's? I mean he won't sing them by himself, but if I sing them, he will sing with me, and if I stop mid song, he knows the letter that comes next! Genius I tell ya. We won't talk about how he likes to count backwords. Nope. I'm sure he's just doing that to be funny! Also, he loves to sing the B-I-B-L-E and shout the word Bible. That's right. I'm indoctrinating my kid into early childhood Baptist songs at the earliest age possible. Next we'll work on I am a C-H, I am a C-H, I am a C-H-R-I-S-T-I-A-N. :-)

That's all for now. I'll post some pictures soon!

Six Unimportant Things that Make me Happy

2009-06-12T09:33:00.000-07:00

I've been tagged by my new favorite blogger...Lona (Yes, I'm THAT mommy) ...seriously this chica is so flippin' funny that I find myself just waiting expectantly for her to update and write something new! You have to go over and check her out. You won't be disappointed!

Anyways, without further ado...more things to read about me that will really change your life and bring you much excitement. I'm sure...I mean, I just took a facebook quiz that said I'm really popular and exciting. And if its on facebook, you know it must be true! Here ya go!

The Rules:
* List Six Unimportant Things That Make You Happy
* Mention and link to the person who tagged you
* Tag six of your favorite bloggers to play along
{and comment on their blog to let them know they’ve been tagged}

(on a side note, the rules are to list UNIMPORTANT things...lest you think that my child, my husband and my family don't bring me lots of happiness)

1. Sleeping. I really, really wish that this wasn't the first thing that comes to mind when I think of happiness, but it is. I LOVE sleep. God spoiled me by giving me a baby that slept through the night at 4 months, and continued to nap and sleep well at night to this very day. I shudder to think what my next child might do to disrupt my very precious and coveted sleep. On most of my days off, I still take naps when Owen does. They are just too wonderful to give up.

2. Sweet Tea. I don't do life very well without it. I have always been a drinker (of the non-alcoholic kind), and sweet tea has moved right up to the top. I tried to give it up for awhile, and had SOME success, but sweet tea really, truly, honestly makes me really happy.

3. Fall. I LOVE fall. I love leaves, sweaters and sweatshirts, hot chocolate, football and soccer games, pumpkins, fallish smelling candles, pumpkin bread, Halloween....and wow. I could go on and on and on. I wait all year for fall. This is no secret to anyone who knows me well. There is no way that I could permanately live in a state that didn't have fall. I would probably get that seasonal affective disorder...except in reverse. I heart chilly weather and sometimes even gloomy days. Weird, I know.

4. Late Afternoon sun. I love, love late afternoon sun. I'm not a big fan of roast your skin of 12:00-3:00 sun....I like the gentler heart -warming, all over body soothing 4:00-7:00 sun. I don't get to lay out at the pool as much as I used to, but when I do...this is my favorite part of the day.

5. Pedicures. Having nice looking feet makes me really happy. It's a small indulgence I haven't been able to give up since having Owen. I try and stretch them out to every two months, but usually cave and get one by at least then.

6. James Taylor, The Bee Gees, The Eagles, REO Speedwagon, Chicago, etc, etc.....I was supposed to be born in a different decade I think. Yep, I love lite rock. Oh gosh, how incredibly embarassing to admit, but I would much rather listen to my parents music than the pop music of today. (my husband is somewhere shaking his head in disapproval right now...he so makes fun of me for my love of all things lite rock!) Anyways, good music makes me really, really happy. :-)

So, now I'm supposed to tag six of my blogging friends...which won't be hard,because I don't have that many! Here ya go!

Corinne at May you live all the days of your life
Missy at The Life in My Years
Erin at It's Your Movie
Kristy at Boothbloggers
Heather at Me and those Gross boys
Gretchen at Considering it all Joy

Bologna and Cheese Sandwiches

2009-06-10T09:54:00.000-07:00

I just ate a bologna and cheese sandwich for lunch. The lunch (or sandwich, rather) of my childhood. I feel oddly compelled to now go visit my Grandma Dixie and sit by the pool, swing in the hammock and play with Peppe and Ramone (the dogs...who have sadly been gone for many years now). Grandma Dixie and Papaw Roman had this wonderful house...or I thought it was wonderful and it was probably just average...but you know how you idolize things when you were a kid....and make them out to be something really fabulous when really, its not that impressive after all :-) But Grandma Dixie had a green, frog kitchen. You know...green countertops, green linoleum floor, and I am pretty darn sure that she had a green refridgerator! I loved that kitchen! It was so cool. It looked out into their backyard and I loved to sit on the counter and watch the dogs play, or Papaw mow the grass. Really...those were the days.

I had the wonderful opportunity to not only be raised by my mom and dad, but because my mother passed away when I was just a baby, both sets of my grandparents played a big part in raising me as well. At times I lived with both sets, I was a shared child. I don't think it did me any harm to travel back and forth between Grandparents...I think it was wonderful. I loved doing specific things at each house, and loved each set of my Grandparents equally and for their own unique qualities. (on a side note---since my mother passed away when I was very young, my dad remarried when I was about three...I don't ever remember a time when I didn't know that my mother had died and that Cindy was my really my "step mom"--although she was just always mom to me...but until I was nearly a teenager, I referred to my mother, Donna as my "real mom". How funny is that!? I have no idea when ,or how or why I did that. Like Cindy wasn't a real mom? Ha. Its so funny to me how kids grab on to ideas and concepts and use words to describe an unusual circumstance!) (And is that not the longest run on sentence you've ever seen in a parenthesis?! :-))

How sweet were the days of my childhood. Not that adult life isn't wonderful and sweet in its own way, but I love to remember how good my life has been....especially when I am prone to think that for whatever reason my life is anything less than very, very good right now. Inspired by Corinne's blog and thoughts on childhood and growing old, I'm going to take a few minutes to sit back and reflect about some of the very, very good things about my life....my childhood life. Just the ones that come to mind. If you aren't interested...that's completely cool! I am no way deceived into thinking that anyone or everyone who reads this is interested in what I think has been good in my life. Really, its just journal-ing therapy for me. :-)

1. Watching the planes take off at the airport with my dad when I was little. We lived in Santa Ana, Califonia for about four years (ages 4-8 for me)...and my dad and I had this tradition when my mom worked nights of going to McDonalds for dinner and then heading over to the airport to watch the planes. My dad is a retired pilot who has enjoyed aviation and exposing his children to all things airplanes. I can't tell you how many random airports we have stopped at, or how many airshows I have been too....but watching the planes take off at dusk makes the top of my list as a favorite memory.

2. Swimming at Aqua Tots with my mom after I had my check up with my Rheumatologist. This is another California memory. Most of you know that as a child I was diagnosed with JRA (Juvenille Rheumatoid Arthritis). By God's good grace, I am barely affected by this today, although the disease is still present, just inactive. I was really pretty sick as a child and had to have injections twice a month to help control the disease. After I would have my regular blood draw , shot and check up with my Dr., my mom would take me to this really fun swiming group called Aqua Tots. It was for kids that needed physical therapy...and it was wonderful! I loved to swim already and we would do fun water exercises and I got to run around with all the other kids. Good times.

3. Disneyland, Disneyland, Disneyland. No one understands why I don't think that DisneyWORLD isn't just they best thing ever...well...here is the reason...I grew a little California girl and went to Disneyland a gazillion times! Its basically the happiest place on earth! I'll never forget the vacation we took where Curtis and I both got sick and we ended up having to go to the emergency room at some hospital in California. We have a picture of Curtis and I riding "Dumbo" and we both look like death warmed over. Good times.

4. Building our first house in Brownsburg, Indiana. As a eight year old I was seriously into some crazy fantasy toy called "Lady Lovelylocks"...and you can be sure that my room rocked out to that theme...I got to choose everything and I for sure choose...PINK walls, PINK carpet, a white canopy bed with Lady Lovelylock bedding. It was a sight...shew! But man, I loved that room!

5. My brother getting baptized...or not. :-) As a young family, we attended Eagle Creek Grace Brethren and Curtis had decided that he wanted to be baptized. So...everything was all set up and he was actually IN the tub with the Pastor....he was all ready to be dunked and he refused! I'm sure my parents were mortified, but I thought it was hysterical. He later claimed that the water was too hot :-) Such a great memory.

6.Riding bikes with friends....to the library, to Dairy Queen...to pretty much anywhere we wanted to go (within reason, I suppose...I probably couldn't ride my bike to Avon or anything). I don't remember having many restrictions as to where I could go...I just had to check in from time to time....I remember lots of long summer evenings of playing kickball in the court that our house was on, hanging out at the Haley's jumping on their fantastic trampline or playing nintendo...and I even remember running around friends yards trying to catch lightening bugs. I mean how absolutely picturesque is that!?

There it is. Some great memories. And now, I'm the grown up. And I know Owen is only two, but already I'm hoping and praying that he can look back someday...when he's working extra hard to pay the bills or maybe afford a family vacation...and remember how great his life has been, and how happy his childhood was. More than anything, I want to give this to him...a wonderful, carefree time of life...where lightening bugs are plentiful, trips to the airport with Grandpa are many, and the hours upon hours spent in the pool are delightful. :-)

**On a completely random and unrelated note, I would also like to say that my dear friend, and talented stylist: Candice Moran of John Perry Salon (ahem: Candice is basically awesome and if you don't already have your own talented favorite st hair stylist, you should FOR SURE go see her!), tinted my eyelashes yesterday. I had no idea that something could be done! After complaining about how bad my allergies had been and not being able to wear eye make-up..she suggested this! And...voila! I love it! No more mascara for me! (ok, at least not for awhile!)

Not Me! Monday

2009-06-08T06:38:00.000-07:00

I've been slacking on doing this, but wanted to give it another try :-) Here goes!

I certainly DID NOT order a big fat sweet tea from McDonalds this morning for BREAKFAST. Not me. I always eat a well balanced, nutritious meal for breakfast. And really, I don't even LIKE sweet tea. (ha)

I definitely did NOT tear up this morning listening to the radio when a dad surprised his pre-teen daughter with tickets to the Miley Cyrus concert. I am NOT that big of a sap. Geez.

I absolutely, positively did not let Owen on TWO occasions this week drink a box of juicy juice...which would be straight sugary juice, undiluted...basically junk food (as my Pediatrician would scold me). There is no way I would ever, ever let him do that.

I also did not fail to get to the gym even one time this week. Nope. I went to spinning class, did cardio and weights on my days off and even took a run around the neighborhood with Josh. I did NOT spend the time that I usually go to the gym laying on the couch or falling asleep by 9:00. Nope, not me.

Lastly, ( in order to combat my ridiculously annoying allergy problem that I'm currently suffering from) I did NOT take two zyrtec yesterday in a 24 hour period that left me completely zonked and pretty much forced me to be the laziest person on earth (ie: I did NOT skip Church, I DID not let Owen watch Madagascar AND several episodes of Veggie Tales, and I did NOT take TWO naps yesterday). Nope, NOT me! I am the most disciplined person ever, even when completely high on allergy medicine. My house is sparkling with all of the laundry put away and I taught Owen how to add and subtract yesterday. I was NOT a complete bum. :-)

The lack of a menu....and etc.

2009-05-27T11:47:00.000-07:00

I've been slacking majorly on the menu thing. That's ok. I think my following has died off and only a few of you have been checking in for recipes.

As weird as it seems, this time of year actually starts to get busier for us....only to lead into soccer season which is beyond busy...its nutso. But anyways. Right now school is over and Josh has class and soccer practice on Monday and Wednesday nights (making it hard, or silly to make a big dinner for just Owen and I); Josh and I like to go to a class at the gym on Thursday nights....and I've never REALLY planned food for the weekends unless we were having company or a Sunday afternoon roast just sounded good. So, I'm sure I'll cook here and there...but mostly we grill out. And eat at Chic Fila. I know. Not the best plan, but it happens. Two things I did make recently include: Swiss Steak (I used a McCormick's Seasoning Envelope and followed the recipe on the back of the envelope...it was fine, but I was not impressed and I have a Paula Deen recipe to try the next time I want to do Swiss Steak), Apple Bread (really good, btw) and if you haven't seen or heard me raving about Pioneer Woman's strawberry shortcake CAKE, OH MY GOODNESS. You have to try it. Its fantastic. Really, its more than fantastic, but I like the word fantastic today. It works.

So thats about it on the cooking end. I probably won't be trying a huge amount of new main course dishes over the summer....but if I do, and its good enough to pass on....I'll let ya know!

In other news....Owen is in the language and learning explosion stage. New words and phrases everyday. New concepts learned every day. New ways to throw temper tantrums (in the middle of the driveway? Good one!). New ways to be onry in general! :-) He loves, loves, loves to be outside. He loves his new slide, he loves to run, he loves to scare away the ducks on the pond, he loves airplanes in the sky...he HATES when we make him come inside. Now, I really do try to be a fun mom and not make my kid sit inside all day, but I can't be outside at all times. I just can't. Laundry must be done, and dinners must be made (occasionally). Plus, the great outdoors hate me. I went to Lowe's last Friday night to pick out some flowers for our back porch and came back covered in bug bites. I'm just cursed. I do less than well with humid weather and bugs. I heart air-conditioning. But really, I'm trying. I do love my boy and his happiness is....my happiness. :-)

Starting Monday, (6.1) I am working two full-time work weeks back to back. Blech. I am already sad thinking about it, but this extra work will pay for our Florida vacation, therefore I'm really, really glad to have the opportunity to do it. (And let me just say THIRTY-FIVE days until I'm on vacation in Florida. WE CAN'T WAIT!!!!)And will remain really, really grateful that I do not work outside of my house full-time. I know many people do it, but I'm just thankful that I don't have to. (Thanks, God!)

That's about it for now! Oh...since the last time I posted a baby congratulations two more of our good friends have had new babies....congrats to Kelby and Anna on baby Will and congrats to Michael and Emiliy on baby Luke! (yay for some more baby boys!) :-)

Pictures

2009-05-27T06:16:00.000-07:00

First of all...a little (completely platonic) :-) cousin love.....

Aren't they cute?! Miss Bailey is already five months old.....hard to believe!

Secondly, we bought Owen a Little Tikes slide, climber thingy...yah...I don't know what else to call it...and he LOVES it...here are a few cute pics:

Not me Tuesdays

2009-05-19T07:34:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I just can't get the "Not me, MONDAY"S" Done. On Monday's I do NOT sit at my computer all day. Owen and I play, run errands and I nap. Monday's are not days for typing up blogs. Tuesday's while I am at work sitting on hold with insurance companies are much better days for this.
So here is my feeble attempt at a 'Not Me Monday" done on a Tuesday.

Owen had his second birthday nearly a month ago, and I have certainly NOT waited until now to START writing out his thank you cards. I am NOT that disorganized or lazy.

I most definitely did NOT buy a new outfit at the mall on Friday night and proceed to wear that same outfit for nearly the next three days in a row because I hadn't gotten enough of my laundry done to have something else I liked enough to wear!

I certainly did NOT buy ANOTHER darling outfit for my incredibly cute niece, Bailey. Really. I didn't. Because I'm not even allowed to buy anymore clothes for her, so I didn't. Nope.

And lastly, I didn't have to hold back the tears during College Park's morning service on Sunday (read: slyly wipe away the tears that were falling down my face so that no one else would catch me!). Never do I ever, ever cry in church. Never. I also didn't cheer (quietly under my breath, of course) when two of my dear friends sang solos on Sunday morning. I don't get excited at all when Mandy and Jodi sing. Not ONE BIT.

I think that's about it for being honest for now. We'll give it another try next week!

Cute Owen Story

2009-05-15T06:44:00.000-07:00

I wanted to write this one out for the memory books...mostly just for me, but some friends and family members might think its cute too :-)

Owen has been really into looking for trucks and school buses when we are driving. Yesterday, we drove down to the south-side to meet Josh for lunch and Owen and I were talking back and forth like we always do when we drive. We happened to pass a bus and Owen yelled "bye bus" as we passed and then put his hands up and said "Momma, where'd it go"? So I started to explain that the bus was taking the kids to school. To which Owen replied, "school"? So we talked about how daddy was a teacher at school, daddy worked with kids every day at school and the buses take kids to school so they can learn from their teachers. I kept going... :-) I said, "Owen...someday, when you are bigger, YOU will get to go to school. And school is so much fun. You will love it! You will get to learn to read and write and maybe you will color some pictures, or paint and you can learn about science, like Sid the Science Guy!" I continued..."and when you go to school you will make friends that you can play with outside at recess, and YOU will have a teacher that is so nice, just like Daddy is a teacher at his school". So...after I was done with my tirade, painting this glorious picture about school and how much he would love it, Owen threw his hands up in the air and said "Momma! I go! SCHOOL!" It was so cute. So I told him that he would get to go to school when he got a little older and that Momma would miss him very much when he was gone, but that I couldn't wait for him to learn lots of things and make new friends at school. He replied "Yesssss!!!!!" Ok. I just love my little guy. And, I really, really am excited to watch him grow and experience new things and yes, even go to school someday. I hope we can foster a love for learning and an excitment about going to school.
So, thats my story. My kid just gets cuter every day. Oh ya, and he is almost ALMOST able to say the entire alphabet. If you want to hear something heart-breakingingly cute...ask him to say the letter "W". Wow. I need to record him on tape saying it before he actually gets it right!

100 Things

2009-05-05T12:07:00.000-07:00

My dear friend from years and years gone by (or sixth grade, the former just sounded more nostalgic) posted this on her blog...and I'm so bored at work today that I'm taking a stab at it. Let me just clarify that there is really no work to be done (I do answer the phone when it rings) and EVERYONE but me is gone to Florida for a conference. There. I feel much more justified in posting this now.

1. ONE OF YOUR SCARS, HOW DID YOU GET IT?
My leg. I was wearing shorts and I dripped hot glue from a hot glue gun on myself whilst gluing ribbon on a basket for my Uncle David's wedding. (they are now divorced, maybe it was a sign?) :-)

2. WHAT IS ON THE WALLS IN YOUR ROOM?
shelves and pictures

3. DO YOU SNORE, GRIND YOUR TEETH, OR TALK IN YOUR SLEEP?
I've been told that I do snore occasionally, but that its cute and NOT at all embarrassing :-)

4. WHAT TYPE OF MUSIC DO YOU LISTEN TO?
different stuff all the time. Worship music, stuff like John Mayer, Jack Johnson, Matt Kearny, etc...stuff that makes me feel good and nothing that screams at me.

5. DO YOU KNOW WHAT TIME YOU WERE BORN?
dinnertime

6. WHAT DO YOU WANT MORE THAN ANYTHING RIGHT NOW?
to live well (this statement pretty much covers it!)

7. WHAT DO YOU MISS?
a simplier time of life
.
8. WHAT IS YOUR MOST PRIZED POSSESSION(S)?
my Mother's Bible, pictures and my child :-)

9. HOW TALL ARE YOU?
5'3ish

10. DO YOU GET CLAUSTROPHOBIC?
not really

11. DO YOU GET SCARED IN THE DARK?
only if I think scary thoughts whilst being in the dark

12. THE LAST THING TO MAKE YOU CRY?
spanking Owen

13. WHAT’S YOUR WORST FEAR?
prefer not to answer (sometimes I feel like if I voice these things then they come true!)

14. WHAT KIND OF HAIR/EYE COLOR DO YOU LIKE ON THE OPPOSITE SEX?

my cutie is a blue-eyed, red headed dude...so that's what I like!

15. WHERE CAN YOU SEE YOURSELF BEING PROPOSED TO AT?
by the fountains in Winona Lake around Halloween :-)

16. COFFEE OR ENERGY DRINK?
neither.

17. FAVORITE PIZZA TOPPING?
mushrooms!

18. IF YOU COULD EAT ANYTHING RIGHT NOW, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
I'd rather drink. Sweet tea please.

19. FAVORITE COLOR OF ALL TIME?
to wear: black, to decorate with: fallish colors

20. HAVE YOU EVER EATEN A GOLDFISH?
not a live one, Josh has though!

21. WHAT WAS THE FIRST MEANINGFUL GIFT YOU EVER RECEIVED?
a locket from my Grandma and Grandpa (Roman and Dixie) when I was 13...I'm sure I had received other meaningful gifts, but this one sticks out.

22. DO YOU HAVE A CRUSH?
is it possible to have a crush after being with someone for over ten years?! :-) Ok, I still like my guy a lot. Looking forward to our anniversary date at the Melting Pot :-)

23. ARE YOU DOUBLE JOINTED?
nope

24. FAVORITE CLOTHING BRAND?
I tend to buy clothes from Gap, Lerner and Ann Taylor:Loft

25.DO YOU PLAY AN INSTRUMENT?
I did. Piano and Clarinet

26. DO YOU HAVE A PET RIGHT NOW?

Nope.

27. WHAT KIND IS IT?
n/a

28. WOULD YOU FALL IN LOVE KNOWING THAT THE PERSON IS LEAVING?
I'm sure I would

31. BLONDES OR BRUNETTES?
?

32. FAVORITE QUOTE?

"I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen, not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else" C.S. Lewis

"That last thought had no sting with it"..."I wondered if that was how forgiveness budded, not with the fanfare of epiphany, but with pain gathering its things, packing up, and slipping away unannounced in the middle of the night". -Khaled Hosseini, The Kite Runner

33. FAVORITE PLACE?
My house. I'm such a homebody

34. HAVE YOU BEEN OUT OF THE USA?

Yep

35. YOUR WEAKNESSES?
Babies. And, People that are in trouble, lost, and need Jesus.

36. MET ANYONE FAMOUS?
I really don't think I have

37. FIRST JOB?
Blimpies/TCBY Baby!

38. EVER DONE A PRANK CALL?
Not exactly. I've listened in while a friend did it, when I was like 11.

39. DO YOU THINK EVERYONE OUT THERE HAS A SOUL MATE?
NO

40. WHAT WERE YOU DOING BEFORE YOU FILLED THIS OUT?
filing charts

41. HAVE YOU EVER HAD SURGERY?
yep

42. WHAT DO YOU GET COMPLIMENTED ABOUT MOST?
my smile, I'm a good friend

43. HAVE YOU EVER HAD BRACES?
yep

44. WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY?
whoa. that's a long way away. By that time I might want a baby too Mis!

45. HOW MANY KIDS DO YOU WANT AND THEIR NAMES?
at least two. Owen Matthew is already here.

I'm thinking about Wesley Jameson for a boy and Clare Elizabeth for a girl. Both subject to change

46. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
My middle name, Ann, is my mothers middle name, my grandmothers middle name, my great-grandmothers name...you get the idea.

47. WHAT IS THE BIGGEST TURN OFF OF THE OPPOSITE SEX?
arrogance.

48. WHAT IS ONE THING YOU LIKED ABOUT HIGH SCHOOL?

I loved highschool. I managed to avoid MOST of the drama. Mostly I loved being with friends, and Mrs. Tidball's biology class even though she called me into the "back room" when I got a D on a test and she chastised me for spending too much time with Josh instead of studying. That did the trick. I did better from there on!

49. WHAT KIND OF SHAMPOO DO YOU USE?
Biolage

50. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
hate it actually!

51. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
turkey

52. ANY BAD HABITS?
who doesn't?

53. ARE YOU A JEALOUS PERSON?
I guess I can be.

54. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
I hate this question. I guess I would. I'm a good person to have around, but I'm not incredibly fun. I leave that up to my other friends :-)

55. DO YOU AGREE WITH FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS?
probably NOT

56. DO LOOKS MATTER?
sure. But its not the most important thing

57. HOW DO YOU RELEASE ANGER?
crying

59. WHAT’S YOUR MAIN GOAL IN LIFE?
to be a godly wife, mother and to bring God glory!

60. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TOY AS A CHILD?
cabbage patch dolls

61. HOW MANY NUMBERS ARE IN YOUR CELL PHONE?
I have no idea

62.WERE YOU A FAN OF BARNEY AS A LITTLE KID?
ha ha. this means I'm too old to fill this out. I WAS a fan of Today's Special and Shee-rah!

63. DO YOU USE SARCASM?
am I married to Josh Brown? yah. He passed this wonderful trait on to me :-)

64. MASHED POTATOES OR MACARONI AND CHEESE?

mac and cheese

65. WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A GUY/GIRL?
kindness, generosity. and like Missy said so well..."Jesus".

66. WHAT ARE YOUR NICKNAMES?
Kim, Kimmy, MOMMA!!!!!, short stuff (Josh)

67. IF YOU HAD A SUPER POWER WHAT WOULD IT BE?
to go back in time

68. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOW?
Friends. Hands Down, probably won't ever change

69.WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO DEAL WITH YOUR ENEMIES?
Pray for them (good answer Mis)

70. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR?
chocolate

71. DO YOU HAVE ALL YOUR FINGERS AND TOES?
Yes.

72. DO YOU HAVE A COMPUTER IN YOUR ROOM?
No.

73. PLANS FOR TONIGHT?
hang out with Josh and Owen in B-burg

74. WHERE DO YOU WANT TO LIVE WHEN YOU ARE OLDER?
honestly?...Zionsville.

75. EVER BEEN IN A CAR ACCIDENT?
Yes, a few.

76. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO?
The Sweet Escape : Gwen Stefani

77. THE LAST THING YOU DRANK?
sweet tea

78. LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
Marjorie from South Bend wanting records.

79. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE IN THE OPPOSITE SEX?
didn't we already do this one?

80. WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME?
sleep, read, play with O, hang with Joshua....

81. FAVORITE THING TO EAT?

right now...chicken salad. I'm obsessed. I think I almost have my own version perfected. I'll let you know.

82. FAVORITE SEASON?
fall

83. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE TYPE OF DESSERT?
carrot cake (my sister in law makes the best. ever.)

84. HAVE YOU EVER REALLY AND TRULY HAD A BEST FRIEND?
Yes.

85. WHAT IS YOUR HAIR COLOR?
chocolatey-with carmely highlights on my bangs (a Candice Moran creation)

86. EYE COLOR?
hazelish

87. HEIGHT?
Short.

88. FAVORITE FAST FOOD PLACE?
Chic fila

89. FAVORITE RESTAURANT?
probably Bravos, Oceanaire was really really good though...but generally I don't have $75 to spend on dinner for just me :-)

90. DO YOU LIKE SUSHI?
no no no

91. WATCH TV TODAY?
Veggie Tales with O

92. FAVORITE DAY OF THE YEAR?
probably Christmas

93. BREAK ANY BONES?
never have

94. REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT?
I give up.

95. KISSES OR HUGS?
both are good from both of my boys

96. RELATIONSHIPS OR ONE NIGHT STANDS?

silly question

I have one night stand in my room. (this is Missy's answer and I had to leave it. now SHE is the funny friend!) :-)

97. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU BOUGHT?
a wrap from Riley Hospital

98. WOULD YOU EVER BE A HOUSEWIFE?
for sure

99. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING?
New Moon :-) (please don't make fun of me. I never intended to get sucked into the Twilight series...it JUST HAPPENED!)

100. DESCRIBE YOUR LOVE LIFE?
whew! That's personal! Lets just say that we are happy! :-)