Well, it has been forever since I last blogged, and honestly, I am ok with that. I just cannot ever keep stuff like this up! I get excited in the beginning and then I lose interest. I am sorry if I let my Blogger Friends down, but then again, I see most of you all the time anyway! You know what's going on with us! As for Benton...(I have to use your married name because if I used your maiden name, you wouldn't be confidential anymore-Ha ha!) now that you text, we are going to communicate just fine! Plus, I know how to send pictures through my phone!
So, without further adieu...I am signing off BloggerWorld. It was a brief journey, but nonetheless meaningful while it lasted. If anyone out there needs an update on Brew Crew Five...give me a call OR send me a text! Love to you all.......LPB
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Your vote really counts!
If you know me at all, you know that I am absolutely not about to get into anything political here on the blog. I read a few of the forwarded emails that I get and look at our local (yet famous) cartoonist's interpretation of some things and chuckle. I have also done the responsible thing and already voted for our Nov. 4th election. But, for the most part {get ready to cringe, because the most ignorant statement is about to come out}, I DON'T CARE. Of course, I want our country to prosper and I want our small business owners to thrive (we are one). I do not want any tax increases and I want a Christian running this country who will be sure that we stick to the values that we were founded on. But, that's about it. I have voted and I am ready for this to be over. It is now in God's hands.
The IMPORTANT election occurred yesterday at school. E ran for Vice President of the Student Council. I didn't even know that she knew what the Student Council was! She came home one day last week and said she was running. This is not consistent with her personality. She has just started to enjoy dancing on stage in her recitals. It has taken 5 years! E made posters and gave a speech on stage with a podium, while parents, 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders watched. She did great! She spoke slowly and clearly and she enjoyed herself! She did not win which upset her, but she did her best and tried hard. We celebrated her accomplishment with a Bruster's visit after dinner. Everyone was so proud of her!
So, don't forget to vote Nov. 4th. If you are still undecided, E is available...you can always write her in!
PS. Please don't comment on my ignorance...in times like these, it IS bliss!
The IMPORTANT election occurred yesterday at school. E ran for Vice President of the Student Council. I didn't even know that she knew what the Student Council was! She came home one day last week and said she was running. This is not consistent with her personality. She has just started to enjoy dancing on stage in her recitals. It has taken 5 years! E made posters and gave a speech on stage with a podium, while parents, 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders watched. She did great! She spoke slowly and clearly and she enjoyed herself! She did not win which upset her, but she did her best and tried hard. We celebrated her accomplishment with a Bruster's visit after dinner. Everyone was so proud of her!
So, don't forget to vote Nov. 4th. If you are still undecided, E is available...you can always write her in!
PS. Please don't comment on my ignorance...in times like these, it IS bliss!
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Love and Marriage
So C and I were driving to school this morning and as we were pulling out of the driveway, I thought I would start a potentially funny conversation with my 4 year old....
"Hey C, do you think you will want to get married at our house one day?"
"Huh?" she so eloquently responded.
"Do you think (in 20 years) when you get married, you will want to get married at church and then have a big party at our house?"
Her eyes lit up at "big party..."
"I'm gonna marry Walker. Emma used to say that she would marry Walker, but now she says 'Fine, I will marry Samuel.' So, I'm gonna marry Walker."
"Who's Ella going to marry?"
"I dunno."
"Do you think that you and Walker can live together FOREVER, play together EVERY day, and eat dinner together EVERY night? Would you want to be with him that much, or do you think you might need a break from each other every now and then? (Knowing that M and I still need a break from each other every now and then too, but I was making a point:))"
Blank stare...
"In other words, is Walker your best friend...best boy friend? Because you want to marry your best friend and it has to be a boy." (I am really not excited about having to explain other people in this world that choose to marry their same kind...) Daddy is my best friend and we played together for 4 years before we got married!"
"Maggie's gonna marry Barritt. She loves Barritt."
I could tell that she was processing this "over her head" conversation in her precious little mind, but we were not going to get anywhere else with it. So, I chalked it up as a cute, fun talk about the importance of choosing a life-long partner.
{Insert soap-box}
In this day, we have to be so careful about our kids and their boyfriends and girlfriends. But, I fear we are losing the innocence and purity of elementary love. We are designed to love and we learn God's love through relationships that we have on Earth. Whether it is from our parents, puppy loves, high school "love"/crushes, and/or eventually the love of our soul mate with whom the Lord has paired us.
I have shared with many people that I feel that I really met the Lord when I met M. M will puff-up at that comment to be funny, but he knows what I mean. I never knew how to trust in the Lord. I always knew that the Lord was our Creator and Protector, but I did not ever fully put my life in his hands. When I had hard times, I did not pray to Him for help. I prayed to thank him for everything, but never asked him for anything.
M and I dated for 4 years...long distance. It was the most emotional thing that I have ever done. I knew that the plan for my life included him, but we couldn't be together until I graduated from college. I cried so much because I just wanted to be with him all the time. So, I began to pray for patience, a time-machine, something to make it do"able." And it was. Our wedding was the most exciting day of my life. Finally, we would be together EVERY day, eat EVERY dinner together, and live together FOREVER! (Until we needed a break, of course!)
I desperately want that for my kids. I want them to find the love that we have, take it seriously, and never let it go. I have prayed that for my little sister and brother too. (One of them is on their way-I think-and the other needs to get busy!)
Paul Newman died last weekend, and his wife of over 50 years said that the thing that attracted her to him for so long was his sense of humor. He always made her laugh. (And he was a hottie!) Well, that is M for me...a hottie that always makes me laugh. I will love him until we die, not only because I promised God I would, but because as long as he's cracking jokes...I'm hooked and not going anywhere!
So, if Walker can keep C laughing, they have our blessing. Plus, we love their family. Visit their blog sometime if you haven't already. It's mostly about his little sister, Ivey, but the boys get some "press" too! Great people...
"Hey C, do you think you will want to get married at our house one day?"
"Huh?" she so eloquently responded.
"Do you think (in 20 years) when you get married, you will want to get married at church and then have a big party at our house?"
Her eyes lit up at "big party..."
"I'm gonna marry Walker. Emma used to say that she would marry Walker, but now she says 'Fine, I will marry Samuel.' So, I'm gonna marry Walker."
"Who's Ella going to marry?"
"I dunno."
"Do you think that you and Walker can live together FOREVER, play together EVERY day, and eat dinner together EVERY night? Would you want to be with him that much, or do you think you might need a break from each other every now and then? (Knowing that M and I still need a break from each other every now and then too, but I was making a point:))"
Blank stare...
"In other words, is Walker your best friend...best boy friend? Because you want to marry your best friend and it has to be a boy." (I am really not excited about having to explain other people in this world that choose to marry their same kind...) Daddy is my best friend and we played together for 4 years before we got married!"
"Maggie's gonna marry Barritt. She loves Barritt."
I could tell that she was processing this "over her head" conversation in her precious little mind, but we were not going to get anywhere else with it. So, I chalked it up as a cute, fun talk about the importance of choosing a life-long partner.
{Insert soap-box}
In this day, we have to be so careful about our kids and their boyfriends and girlfriends. But, I fear we are losing the innocence and purity of elementary love. We are designed to love and we learn God's love through relationships that we have on Earth. Whether it is from our parents, puppy loves, high school "love"/crushes, and/or eventually the love of our soul mate with whom the Lord has paired us.
I have shared with many people that I feel that I really met the Lord when I met M. M will puff-up at that comment to be funny, but he knows what I mean. I never knew how to trust in the Lord. I always knew that the Lord was our Creator and Protector, but I did not ever fully put my life in his hands. When I had hard times, I did not pray to Him for help. I prayed to thank him for everything, but never asked him for anything.
M and I dated for 4 years...long distance. It was the most emotional thing that I have ever done. I knew that the plan for my life included him, but we couldn't be together until I graduated from college. I cried so much because I just wanted to be with him all the time. So, I began to pray for patience, a time-machine, something to make it do"able." And it was. Our wedding was the most exciting day of my life. Finally, we would be together EVERY day, eat EVERY dinner together, and live together FOREVER! (Until we needed a break, of course!)
I desperately want that for my kids. I want them to find the love that we have, take it seriously, and never let it go. I have prayed that for my little sister and brother too. (One of them is on their way-I think-and the other needs to get busy!)
Paul Newman died last weekend, and his wife of over 50 years said that the thing that attracted her to him for so long was his sense of humor. He always made her laugh. (And he was a hottie!) Well, that is M for me...a hottie that always makes me laugh. I will love him until we die, not only because I promised God I would, but because as long as he's cracking jokes...I'm hooked and not going anywhere!
So, if Walker can keep C laughing, they have our blessing. Plus, we love their family. Visit their blog sometime if you haven't already. It's mostly about his little sister, Ivey, but the boys get some "press" too! Great people...
http://www.iveysirmans.blogspot.com/
So, lets keep instilling the importance of Christian marriages to our kids. The world will try to rip them apart and we have to fight with everything we have from God to keep them together. We have to help each other in this battle because we certainly cannot do it on our own.
Lord, bless our marriages and our children's. Use every opportunity to remind us how lucky we are to have love. Not only the love of our spouse, but your love, God. Thank you for loving us first. In your son's loving name, Amen.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
The Greatest Boy in the World...
I am not sure if you know this or not, but the Greatest Boy in the World lives at our house. He happens to be my son. The only reason that I can realistically say this is because I only have one son and, well frankly, this is my blog! If you don't like it or disagree, log off. Just kidding!
M calls G The Greatest Boy in the World quite often. I have to admit, sometimes when he is irritating one of his sisters, I do not think this is a deserved name. But, nights like this remind me that it is very well-earned.
G has his first flag football game tomorrow night. This child is OBSESSED with football right now, but he is too young to play. The closest thing we have for 6 year-olds is flag football. It is really a great sport to watch (and play).
{Side note: M and I played in Atlanta a few years just before and right after marriage for fun. It was REALLY fun until I got paired to defend "Pat," a 6 foot 3 inch, 200+ lb "woman" just because I was the tallest female on our team. I was scared to death. I just let her run on by and do whatever she wanted to do on that field. I do not think we won that game.}
Anyway, the boys have plays that they run. It is adorable. Of course, M and great friend L are the coaches. I am actually not sure who is more excited about the game tomorrow; the boys or their dads.
So, I am laying down, tucking G in tonight and he says, "Hey Momma, which play in my ESPN movie is your favorite?" Ummm...thinking..."The one we bought this summer?" (This was a $5 Wal-Mart purchase to ease the pain of no cable in the apartment during the move.) "Yes" he says. "Honey I don't really remember any of those plays. Which is your favorite?" He goes on to tell me about many of the plays in that movie (it is a highlight show).
Keep in mind that he hasn't watched this thing in months. I am looking at him thinking, "Boys are SO different than girls!" I remember while dating M being amazed at the sports information (stats and whatnot) that he could remember, but how quickly he could forget something that we had just talked about. It is a male quality that is with them at birth. And apparently my son has inherited this.
While watching the trailer for the new Richard Gere movie, my heart skipped at the intense romance...in the commercial! And I thought to myself, "What would M say to me responding like this?" And "Is this the way he feels when he sees a commercial for The Masters or The SEC Championship?" Heart skips a beat, he loses a breath? Probably. And is this how G feels about his game tomorrow and the favorite plays from last weeks game on tv? Probably.
So, not only is G obsessed with flag football, but he loves UGA football. He reenacts Knowshon Mereno and Matthew Stafford at home. It is great. He jumps over chairs, dives onto furniture catching balls, and runs through foam chairs pretending they are people. This is what a boy with only sisters has to do until Daddy gets home!
But one thing that truly surprises me about my boy is how smart he is. When E was born, I did everything with her. I played Baby Mozart, read to her in the womb, followed the book to turn her into a smart over-achieving first born. When G came along, I didn't have as much time to spend on his "early development." I was still busy with his 18 month old sister. (I had a lot of work to do.) And God showed me through all of that, that it didn't matter what I did for her or him (to a certain extent). He had a plan for them both and it did not include flashcards and sign language. G is very smart...on his own. When we sat down for his first Pre-K conference, our friend/his teacher told us that he was exceeding her expectations in her class... I was speechless. Honestly, I thought he was just going to be an athletic boy who did just enough to get by in school. His Kindergarten conferences were the same way...still shocked. Now, next week we have our first First grade conference, and I will let you know...things could be changing, we will see.
So, I tell you this, not to brag (only!), but to let you know what God has done so far in G's life. He has instilled in him a love for sports, school, his family, and for Him. G knows when he has gone against the Lord, and he has a truly repentant heart. He wants to be a good leader and make good choices. He obviously has a long way to go, but I know that G is going to continue to make us all proud. After all...he is The Greatest Boy in the World.
M calls G The Greatest Boy in the World quite often. I have to admit, sometimes when he is irritating one of his sisters, I do not think this is a deserved name. But, nights like this remind me that it is very well-earned.
G has his first flag football game tomorrow night. This child is OBSESSED with football right now, but he is too young to play. The closest thing we have for 6 year-olds is flag football. It is really a great sport to watch (and play).
{Side note: M and I played in Atlanta a few years just before and right after marriage for fun. It was REALLY fun until I got paired to defend "Pat," a 6 foot 3 inch, 200+ lb "woman" just because I was the tallest female on our team. I was scared to death. I just let her run on by and do whatever she wanted to do on that field. I do not think we won that game.}
Anyway, the boys have plays that they run. It is adorable. Of course, M and great friend L are the coaches. I am actually not sure who is more excited about the game tomorrow; the boys or their dads.
So, I am laying down, tucking G in tonight and he says, "Hey Momma, which play in my ESPN movie is your favorite?" Ummm...thinking..."The one we bought this summer?" (This was a $5 Wal-Mart purchase to ease the pain of no cable in the apartment during the move.) "Yes" he says. "Honey I don't really remember any of those plays. Which is your favorite?" He goes on to tell me about many of the plays in that movie (it is a highlight show).
Keep in mind that he hasn't watched this thing in months. I am looking at him thinking, "Boys are SO different than girls!" I remember while dating M being amazed at the sports information (stats and whatnot) that he could remember, but how quickly he could forget something that we had just talked about. It is a male quality that is with them at birth. And apparently my son has inherited this.
While watching the trailer for the new Richard Gere movie, my heart skipped at the intense romance...in the commercial! And I thought to myself, "What would M say to me responding like this?" And "Is this the way he feels when he sees a commercial for The Masters or The SEC Championship?" Heart skips a beat, he loses a breath? Probably. And is this how G feels about his game tomorrow and the favorite plays from last weeks game on tv? Probably.
So, not only is G obsessed with flag football, but he loves UGA football. He reenacts Knowshon Mereno and Matthew Stafford at home. It is great. He jumps over chairs, dives onto furniture catching balls, and runs through foam chairs pretending they are people. This is what a boy with only sisters has to do until Daddy gets home!
But one thing that truly surprises me about my boy is how smart he is. When E was born, I did everything with her. I played Baby Mozart, read to her in the womb, followed the book to turn her into a smart over-achieving first born. When G came along, I didn't have as much time to spend on his "early development." I was still busy with his 18 month old sister. (I had a lot of work to do.) And God showed me through all of that, that it didn't matter what I did for her or him (to a certain extent). He had a plan for them both and it did not include flashcards and sign language. G is very smart...on his own. When we sat down for his first Pre-K conference, our friend/his teacher told us that he was exceeding her expectations in her class... I was speechless. Honestly, I thought he was just going to be an athletic boy who did just enough to get by in school. His Kindergarten conferences were the same way...still shocked. Now, next week we have our first First grade conference, and I will let you know...things could be changing, we will see.
So, I tell you this, not to brag (only!), but to let you know what God has done so far in G's life. He has instilled in him a love for sports, school, his family, and for Him. G knows when he has gone against the Lord, and he has a truly repentant heart. He wants to be a good leader and make good choices. He obviously has a long way to go, but I know that G is going to continue to make us all proud. After all...he is The Greatest Boy in the World.
Monday, September 15, 2008
She's pretty "fly" for a...
I hate flies. They really, really annoy me. If there is one in the room, especially the kitchen, I cannot concentrate on anything else except killing it.
My family loves to leave the doors open. I am guilty of it too. It feels so good when the slight breeze comes in the house...the smell of outdoors...the sounds of laughing kids playing...it is all exciting.
But, with one...you get the other. (At least at my house this time of year.)
Today, was a day like many others where a tiny, virtually weightless creature (God's creature, I might add) was driving me crazy. I tried all day to kill that thing. I missed every time. While I was cooking dinner, E-straight from dance-was in the kitchen with me. I told her that the thing had been there all day and I could not catch it. She said, "OK, I'll get it!" I told her to "go for it" knowing that the fly would still be flying around well after bedtime.
In one swat, she nailed it! I was so happy, I gave her a dollar! (I do not normally hand out money for silly things like this, but it has been a running game this summer-you get a dollar if you kill the fly. They really tried hard, but I had never actually given any money away!) Anyway, 30 minutes and many door openings later, there was another fly on the window that we noticed during dinner. E got up, walked over to the window, took one swat and GOT ANOTHER ONE! We couldn't believe it! (The gross part was what was left on the window-he never even saw it coming.) But, the FUNNY part was how she calmly said, "Got it" and walked to the sink to wash her (gutsy) hand. I laughed for 5 minutes...it was too funny!
I did not give her another dollar...she knew better than to even ask...I think all E needed to know was that out of everyone, SHE got the flies! Those are a few things I love about her: she is not afraid to get her hands dirty and she thrives on making people happy. She will hold you in her arms forever at night just because she wants to be with you. E was like that when she was born...never an independent one, always a social one. Her teachers always say "E is a friend to everyone, and everyone wants to be her friend." Not because she is the most popular girl, but because she is a sweet girl who adapts to many circles and is nice to them all.
We are very proud of E. Not because she is the "Fly Girl" (although she is one "fly" girl!), but because she is God's girl. She truly understands His love, compassion, grace and mercy. She probably couldn't define those words if you asked her, but she lives them everyday and I personally grow because I am her mom. I have learned so much from her and thank God that she is in our family (and can kill flies!)
My family loves to leave the doors open. I am guilty of it too. It feels so good when the slight breeze comes in the house...the smell of outdoors...the sounds of laughing kids playing...it is all exciting.
But, with one...you get the other. (At least at my house this time of year.)
Today, was a day like many others where a tiny, virtually weightless creature (God's creature, I might add) was driving me crazy. I tried all day to kill that thing. I missed every time. While I was cooking dinner, E-straight from dance-was in the kitchen with me. I told her that the thing had been there all day and I could not catch it. She said, "OK, I'll get it!" I told her to "go for it" knowing that the fly would still be flying around well after bedtime.
In one swat, she nailed it! I was so happy, I gave her a dollar! (I do not normally hand out money for silly things like this, but it has been a running game this summer-you get a dollar if you kill the fly. They really tried hard, but I had never actually given any money away!) Anyway, 30 minutes and many door openings later, there was another fly on the window that we noticed during dinner. E got up, walked over to the window, took one swat and GOT ANOTHER ONE! We couldn't believe it! (The gross part was what was left on the window-he never even saw it coming.) But, the FUNNY part was how she calmly said, "Got it" and walked to the sink to wash her (gutsy) hand. I laughed for 5 minutes...it was too funny!
I did not give her another dollar...she knew better than to even ask...I think all E needed to know was that out of everyone, SHE got the flies! Those are a few things I love about her: she is not afraid to get her hands dirty and she thrives on making people happy. She will hold you in her arms forever at night just because she wants to be with you. E was like that when she was born...never an independent one, always a social one. Her teachers always say "E is a friend to everyone, and everyone wants to be her friend." Not because she is the most popular girl, but because she is a sweet girl who adapts to many circles and is nice to them all.
We are very proud of E. Not because she is the "Fly Girl" (although she is one "fly" girl!), but because she is God's girl. She truly understands His love, compassion, grace and mercy. She probably couldn't define those words if you asked her, but she lives them everyday and I personally grow because I am her mom. I have learned so much from her and thank God that she is in our family (and can kill flies!)
Friday, September 5, 2008
He has returned!
The Prodigal Son came home...this morning. I looked again last night, and nothing. But this morning (about 6:45am) he came walking up. Head down, not looking me in the eyes, but awaiting an applause or something. I still have loved on him. I am letting him know my disappointment. So, his homecoming was not like the one in the Bible. (Sorry, God.) My arms were not outstretched, although my heart was elated.
Georgiamom is right when she says that he is a "playboy." As M says, Buddy is "still in the game," if you know what I mean. If I made him an appointment to "remove" his manhood, he may stick a little closer to home. Come to think of it...I know a few men who may need that same kind of treatment. (That was low, sorry,)
So, if someone in our area has some beautiful chocolate lab puppies for sale in the next few months...get one. They may be just as beautiful (though wandering) as their father!
Georgiamom is right when she says that he is a "playboy." As M says, Buddy is "still in the game," if you know what I mean. If I made him an appointment to "remove" his manhood, he may stick a little closer to home. Come to think of it...I know a few men who may need that same kind of treatment. (That was low, sorry,)
So, if someone in our area has some beautiful chocolate lab puppies for sale in the next few months...get one. They may be just as beautiful (though wandering) as their father!
Thursday, September 4, 2008
He's run away, again.
And at this moment I do not even care. That sounds terrible, I know. Who is she talking about? And more importantly, why doesn't she care? It's not my son. It's not my husband. It is my (sorry for the bad word, kids) STUPID DOG!!!
We have a gorgeous, chocolate Lab named (how original is this?), Buddy. He loves everyone. Kids can lay all over him, you can step on him, and he is perfectly potty trained. But, one thing that he likes to do is run away. He does this about once a month. He is very quiet and sneaky. Tonight, he pushed the iron gate open with his nose (I'm sure). It wasn't all the way closed because it is coming loose...long story...but I didn't think it was a problem because the thing weighs about 230lbs. Buddy found a way past that.
So, I get in my car...fuming...and go look for this dog...that I love. He likes to cross the interstate that we live on (some call it a 2 lane road, but I have watched cars FLY down it like they are about to take off) and visit the neighborhood across the street. It makes me very nervous with him crossing the road.
I drive around the neighborhood with my brights on, hoping nobody thinks I am looking for houses to break into, looking for his eyes to reflect back into mine. Most of the time I find him. Tonight, I have not. Sometimes he "spends the night out." Either way, when he gets home, he is exhausted. I don't do a good job of exercising Buddy, so when he returns from being out on the town, he gets very tired. He gets so tired that he cannot sleep. We say he gets "Jimmy legs." He cannot sit still, let alone sleep. This lasts for about 24 hours. I feel like I have a newborn when Buddy does this. He keeps me awake therefore, I am a grump.
So back to why I am so mad about this child of mine running away. What is he running from? What is he running to? Is it so bad here that he has to leave us once a month just to get a taste of what a good life is? He eats yummy food. He has a nice bed. We pet him everyday. I just gave him a bath! What more does a dog need? What more does a dog want?
I am off to look one more time tonight. He may have to spend the night with a friend. But, if he comes back tonight...I am on the lookout for doggy Benedryl.
We have a gorgeous, chocolate Lab named (how original is this?), Buddy. He loves everyone. Kids can lay all over him, you can step on him, and he is perfectly potty trained. But, one thing that he likes to do is run away. He does this about once a month. He is very quiet and sneaky. Tonight, he pushed the iron gate open with his nose (I'm sure). It wasn't all the way closed because it is coming loose...long story...but I didn't think it was a problem because the thing weighs about 230lbs. Buddy found a way past that.
So, I get in my car...fuming...and go look for this dog...that I love. He likes to cross the interstate that we live on (some call it a 2 lane road, but I have watched cars FLY down it like they are about to take off) and visit the neighborhood across the street. It makes me very nervous with him crossing the road.
I drive around the neighborhood with my brights on, hoping nobody thinks I am looking for houses to break into, looking for his eyes to reflect back into mine. Most of the time I find him. Tonight, I have not. Sometimes he "spends the night out." Either way, when he gets home, he is exhausted. I don't do a good job of exercising Buddy, so when he returns from being out on the town, he gets very tired. He gets so tired that he cannot sleep. We say he gets "Jimmy legs." He cannot sit still, let alone sleep. This lasts for about 24 hours. I feel like I have a newborn when Buddy does this. He keeps me awake therefore, I am a grump.
So back to why I am so mad about this child of mine running away. What is he running from? What is he running to? Is it so bad here that he has to leave us once a month just to get a taste of what a good life is? He eats yummy food. He has a nice bed. We pet him everyday. I just gave him a bath! What more does a dog need? What more does a dog want?
I am off to look one more time tonight. He may have to spend the night with a friend. But, if he comes back tonight...I am on the lookout for doggy Benedryl.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
