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Happy 90th Papa!

On Sunday, we had a surprise birthday party for my Papa who turns 90 on Christmas Eve! He also was officially "retiring" from teaching Sunday School after 60 plus years. He started teaching the same Sunday School class when they were the young married couples class. Now, they are all great-grandparents! It is such a unique and special thing that the newspaper even wrote an article about it!
He is so loved and repected by SO many people.

Would you believe that we completely finished off 3 of the 4 cakes?! There were so many people that came to celebrate his life and legacy with us.

Three of my favorite photos of him were displayed on the food table at the reception.


The middle one is a portrait from World War II.

On the right is the photo of him with his Bible that the photographer from the newspaper took.

And "yours truly" took the picture on the left. This is a very casual, candid shot, but it is one of my all time favs! We were eating at Olive Garden and I caught them nestled together like little love birds. I just couldn't resist. It is so natural and sweet. I love pictures that capture relationships and I think this one says it all.

Mom worked so hard getting everything together ~ and I think Papa was truly surprised.

After church, the fam (and a few extra special friends) congregated at Sealand for a delicioso lunch and p0st-party birthday bash. Tyson kept himself entertained and played with a gift card to keep himself occupied until the food came.
Kaylynn played with a cell phone. What high-tech babies we have! Why do we even waste our money on baby toys ~ all they really want is what WE "play" with.
Okay, so you would never in a MILLION years guess what I got Papa for his birthday...
FROGS!!!
I know it sounds completely crazy, but seriously, what do you get a 90 year old??? I have racked my brain for months. He doesn't use electronics, watch movies, need tools or clothes (he's been the same size for like 70 years for heaven's sake!) What to do?

So two weeks ago I walked in Hallmark and found this tiny aquarium cube with two of the cutest frogs (yes~ I think frogs can be cute!) you have ever seen. They are like the lowest maintenance pets you have ever met. You only change the water twice a year and they only have to be fed twice a week. Plus, they come with a years worth of food.
And get this... they live for TWELVE YEARS!


I know it all sounds like the nuttiest idea you've ever heard of, but I knew he would get a kick out of watching them swim around. They really are funny little critters and I have to say we were a little sad to let them go after they have been our "houseguests" for the past couple weeks.


So I got a little inspiration from Dr. Seuss and wrote this silly little poem to introduce Papa to his frogs that I had wrapped in a hat box with a frog on it:




What to get a 90 year old has been the question at hand,
Tools? Clothes? Electronics? or even a Band?


We wanted something symbolic with lots of great meaning,
Ideas to represent the past 90 years are what we've been dreaming.

Through World War II you sang your way through each and every flight,
"God Will Take Care of You" was sung by day and by night.

I remember as a child watching the Godly example you set,
60 years of teaching ~ there is none that have met.

I noticed each day you began breakfast by reading from God's word,
And ended each night by kneeling and lifting your prayers to be heard.

Your faithful prayers have sustained our family for many many years,
They have kept us all safe and dispelled all our fears.

Above all else you've Fully Relied On God in all situations,
Thus the acronym FROG became our great inspiration.

We have confidence our gift will not be duplicated,
and required feedings and care are not complicated.

A bird named Easter, squirrel named Jewel, and a dog named Jess,
Great pets of the past, but all made quite a mess!


"You've all lost your minds" ~ you may be complaining,
But our goal was to give you some fine entertaining.

Now let us introduce your birthday surprise to you...
Clyde and Kermit the frogs ~ yes, not one, but TWO!

Maddox LOVED Papa's new pets!

He kept telling us that he had "shish" (fish) at his house.

Papa got all kinds of cool birthday gifts.

In addition to the frogs, he got a remote control helicopter...
...and a gun shaped lighter!

The little boys thought Papa had the coolest presents ever. I mean, truly, it was like what an eight year old boy dreams of getting for his birthday! Papa always has been a kid at heart!

Micah's face says it all!

Laugh Out Loud!!!

Eleven Years Ago...

My sweet baby girl was born

11 years ago today!

Dear Savanna,

I can hardly believe that you are 11 years old today!

~

Eleven years ago my life changed FOREVER! It seems like only yesterday you were a tiny little baby ~ and now you are blossoming into such a lovely young lady. I remember when you were born, I was completely overwhelmed with a new found love that I had never experienced before ~ a protective love. I had this indescribable desire to keep you safe, happy, and protected. It was then that I realized, on a new and deeper level, how very much the Lord loves us all. He loved Jesus with that same protective love too, and yet He allowed Him to be crucified and die just for us! Your birth helped me to better appreciate the love of our Lord!

~

You have such a generous spirit and your desire to make others happy has challenged me to be a more thoughtful person. You have such a big heart that always desires to help others in need. You are always brainstorming new ways to bless others. I remember even as a very little girl, you would wrap up your toys and give them to your friends. You are constantly making something for someone.

~

I love the fact that you are a girly girl through and through! I am so thankful that you love dresses, hairbows, nail polish, make-up, perfume and smelly lotions. I love it that you ALWAYS carry a purse everywhere you go. You probably have more purses than I do! But I still have more shoes than you ~ at least for now. Your love for fashion makes you so much fun to shop with! I tell people that you definitely came here knowing your gender!

~

You are a fabulous helper in every way. I don't know what I would do without your help around the house. If you see me busy cleaning, you almost always offer to help. I couldn't even begin to count the loads of laundry you have folded AND put away for me! You can do dishes, clean bathrooms, dust, mop, vacuum...I think you can practically do any household chore and you do it with a voluntary, helpful heart. You never ask for anything in return. Your only motivation is to be helpful. What a rare and precious trait for someone your age.

~

You have the most incredible memory of anyone I know. Thank you for always giving me reminders and keeping me in check. I guess I would just about be lost without you!

~

You are the best organizer I have ever met. You are constantly sorting and organizing something. You have organized my purse, my card drawer, our books and movie collections, the craft supplies, the game closet, ... you have even organized your brother's room! Earlier today, I caught you organizing our Christmas cards.

~

Your contagious laughter has brought so much joy and happiness into our home. I love to hear you giggle and squeal with delight. Your face just glows and lights up the room when you are happy.

~

You have grown up so much this year. I am amazed at how much you have matured physically and emotionally. But I LOVE the fact that you will still play with baby dolls and littlest pet shop!

~

I am so proud of how you always strive to do all things to a degree of excellence. You definitely are a perfectionist ~ you come by it honestly since your mom AND dad are too! I think it is a good quality trait and will make you successful at whatever you choose to do in life. Just remember, perfection is not actually possible. Forgive yourself and others easily and freely. Learn from your mistakes and then move on. Mistakes do not define you. This has taken me a long time to learn.

~

I am amazed at the many blessings and gifts that the Lord has graciously given to you. It is such a honor to be your Mom. I am so proud of you and thank God that He sent you to our family. Sometimes I wonder what you will be when you grow up. I know it will be something so special and the Lord is going to use you in a mighty and incredible way because it is evident that you are living your life for Him. I pray you will walk with the Lord your entire life and live to glorify and grow His kingdom.

~

I love you, my sweet baby girl!

I hope you have a happy, happy birthday!!!

Love, Mommy

Cousin Christmas Party

Saturday, we celebrated Christmas with Brian's Mom's side of the family. Just in case you didn't know, Brian has a GINORMOUS family with over 100 FIRST COUSINS!!! His mom was the youngest of 17 children!!! And yes, they all have the same mom and dad!!!

When we were first dating, I have to admit that it was a bit intimidating. Anyone ever seen the movie "My Big Fat Greek Wedding?!" It was partly intimidating because Brian did not prepare me for what I was walking into. He brought me to my first Brown Family get together 15 years ago and did not even give me a clue as to how huge the family was until we got there and I got to see it with my own eyes. In his defense, he thought this was "normal" because that was all he has ever known. I quickly explained to him that having a family this big is NOT NORMAL!

But although it may not be normal...it sure is a whole lot of fun!

It took a little getting used to the mere SIZE of the family, but now I wouldn't have it any other way. In fact, I tease Brian sometimes and tell him I would have married him just because I love his family so much. I always look forward to our family Christmas party at Grandpa's fish pond.

Micah made his way to the front of the food line to make sure he got some of Grandma's famous chicken and dumplins. If you are in the back of the line, you are out of luck AND dumplins!



Dallon and Gage took a short break from playing football, exploring in the woods, and skipping stones in Grandpa's pond to get a bite to eat.


Savanna loves it when the family gets together because there are so many beautiful babies to play with.


We traditionally always make our Happy Birthday Baby Jesus cake on Christmas Eve and leave a piece for Santa, but there is always so much cake leftover that it ends up going to waste. This year we brought it to the family get together so everyone could enjoy celebrating the birth of our Savior!

Uncle Chuck and Aunt Sandra have set such a wonderful example for all of us of a godly, Christian marriage. Their love for each other and love for the Lord is apparent to everyone.

I just love them to pieces!

Amy and her daughter Hannah ~ both have personality PLUS PLUS PLUS!

Aunt Melanie always brings all of her dress up costumes and props so that the children can reinact the Christmas story while Brian reads it from the Bible. This is my 15th year coming with Brian to the Family Christmas Party and they have been having the children do this for as long as I can remember. Aunt Melanie is so precious to make sure that all of the children have a special part in the play.

Micah decided he wanted to be a shepherd this year.

The boys started getting a little restless toward the end of the nativity time and began using their shepherd's crooks as lightsabers.This has become a special tradition that the children AND adults look forward to every year.

And no family get together would be complete without a lot of good singing....

...and side-splitting laughter!

Dear Santa...

School Christmas Parties

It has become a bit of a tradition the past few years to give our teachers a wreath covered in gift cards for Christmas. We give it to them the last day of school before Christmas break during the class parties. I usually send a secret note home with all of the students in November letting the parents in on the plan and requesting gift cards for the teacher to be sent back to school in an envelope with my name on it.

This year, we had AWESOME participation and all 3 wreaths (Savanna has 2 teachers) turned out really well with a lot of variety to different stores and restaurants.

I always get so excited to give these to the teachers beacuse...

#1. I know ALL TOO WELL how hard they work and how much of themselves that they pour into our children. I love getting to give back just a little to show them how much we appreciate them. I have cashed those teacher paychecks, and they don't go nearly far enough.

#2. As a former teacher, there are only so many "World's Best Teacher" coffee mugs a chick can have in her collection....if you know what I mean. For some reason, people seem to think that all teachers must want a mug filled with candy, stinky lotion, or a cheap candle. Trust me when I tell you ~ gift cards are MUCH better!

I have been blessed with some WONDERFUL room moms back in the day when I was teaching who have blessed me beyond measure and I LOVE the opportunity to do the same for our wonderful teachers.

The day started with all the children congregating in the cafeteria for Christmas Caroling. Savanna was chosen as one of the fifth graders to help lead in singing during the school wide sing-along in the cafeteria. She did a great job "Rockin Around the Christmas Tree"

Time to party Second Grade style!

I snuck in Micah's class during the sing-along and wrapped the desks in wrapping paper to make things a little bit festive. The kids were so excited about their party!

Micah's Teacher, Mrs. D., with her shopping spree wreath. I think she was most excited about the gift cards to Hobby Lobby and Sonic ~ two of her most favoritest spots!

Mrs. D. gave each student a chapter book. Micah was super excited about getting Flat Stanley!

Savanna's classmates wanted to show off their new socks from the sock exchange for the camera.

The kids even got to assemble these ultra cute reindeer - nutter butter cookies.

YUMMY!

Savanna had fun passing out the rice crispy wreath to all her friends. Each student got to pass out whatever goody they brought to share.
Bizzie looked so cute in her elf ears and hat! The kids got to wear Christmas hats to school if they brought $1 to donate for Relay for Life.

Daddy was even able to arrive for the last little bit of party time. He knows how to hunt down a good party! He is such a good Daddy and tries to be at as much of the kids' events as his schedule allows.

Savanna's teacher was positively OVERWHELMED when she opened her wreath! She was so appreciative and even started crying! She is so precious!

Christmas Crafts

I felt like one of Santa's elves this week. I got to help with so many fun Christmas Crafts at the school. It was so fun making these fun treasures for the children to give their parents.

Cole's mom, Kathleen, was my "partner in crime" during the two days of crafting.

Great snowman, Buddy!
Look at all those beautiful creations!

Cole, Brayden, and Micah finished their craft centers early and found some cool Christmas books to read while they waited.

All of a sudden I have realized that this is probably the LAST YEAR Savanna will be making handprint decorations for Christmas!!!

How can that be!!!

I am so glad I have saved all of the wonderful decorations she has made throughout the years. I will always treasure these precious works of art from the heart!