It's Birthday Week!!!

In honor of Stuart’s big 2-5, I will be sharing stories and pictures celebrating the life of our precious Stuart throughout the week.  I thought I would kick off birthday week with a few facts and “things you need to know” about Stu.

·         Stuart is quite the athlete and seeks to excel at most sports.  You put the word “extreme” in front of it and he’s there.

·         Every girl is crazy ‘bout a sharp dressed man.  Enough said.

·         Stuart likes to dress up…. A lot.

These are just a few fun facts that you may not have known about The Stuart Brown.  Stay tuned throughout the week for more SJB birthday celebrations!!

We are....

Family, I got all my... well you know the rest:).  A word that means so much, to so many.  I think we can all say that we are a member of a family.  Some of my families include the family of God, Latimers, Browns, Camp (all of them), EAMH, Auburn, the list could go on and on and on!!  Family has been something that has been on my mind a lot lately-- partly due to the fact that Stuart and I just started a new family with the 2 of us, but also due to the fact that I have MANY friends are struggling to have the family that they have always longed for. 

Basically, I wanted to post this blog to share 2 things.  First, maybe this can be some sort of inspiration to those who are longing to "grow" their families in all ways possible, to take a look and be thankful for the family that they are a part of.  I can only imagine the longing, waiting, hurting, etc. that can come with this, but I do know that there is a plan somewhere, that will emerge and be perfect.  Second, I post this to bring light to the situations that many of my friends are going through and ask that you lift them up in your thoughts and prayers.  Know that we are all a part of a family, whether through blood, work, similarities or differences, but God gives us the family that he knows we need.  I am thankful for all of my families and have no question in my mind the purpose of each and everyone of them in my life.

"The love of a family is one of life's greatest blessings."  -Unknown

ps-- you can read a better description of "family" by clicking on the link above:)

Happy New Year?!?

WARNING:  THIS POST MAY BE VERY BORING TO SOME READERS, BUT I AM SIMPLY DOCUMENTING FOR MY OWN PERSONAL RECORDSJ

I am well aware that it is in the middle of January, but I thought that it would be a great opportunity for us to share some our goals for the upcoming year. I prefer not to call them “resolutions” since those usually fail by week 2, but when I label them as goals, I feel that it provides me with larger timeline to work with.

·         For Stuart and I both to maintain careers that we enjoy and that help others.  Both of us are fortunate to say that we enjoy working with a very under served population (children and adults with special needs), and thus far we have been able to work in this area.  I am loving what I do, first and foremost because I get to help individuals that are often neglected from society.  Secondly, each day is different, new problems, new medications, new excuses…. It really keeps me on my toes!!  I think that I can speak for Stuart and I thoroughly enjoy helping those who can often not help themselves.

·         I would like for us to get more involved in some sort of community service activity.  Living in a college town, there are tons and tons of opportunities for volunteer involvement, so hopefully we can find something that we fit into and that we can enjoy giving our time and our energy to.

·         We would like for us to build a strong foundation for our future, so that maybe one day (probably in like 100 years) we can peacefully retire and enjoy everything that we have worked for. 

·         I am totally speaking for Stuart on this one, but I hope that he finds the exact, most perfect job for him once he graduates in May.  I have no doubts in my mind that any school system would be lucky to have him teaching special education to their students.  I have seen him work with so many students and the passion that he has is heartwarming.  Any school would be lucky to have his innovative ideas an immense amount of passion to help reach any students who have special learning needs.

I am sure that I am leaving out many of our “hopes and dreams” for 2011, but maybe as you read throughout the year you will learn a little more about our lives.  2010 was such an amazing year for us and I have no doubt that 2011 will bring us much more happiness and many more memories that I can’t wait to share with you throughout the year!!  I hope that this year brings you and yours all that your heart desires as well!!

Just thought I'd share...

A friend of mine had this on their facebook and it was just too good not to share.  So enjoy!!

WAR EAGLE!!

A Little New Year's Countdown...

In honor of the new year (I know, I'm a little delayed...) I thought that I would provide a nice little countdown for 2011.  2010 provided many great things and I have no doubt that 2011 has many more amazing things in store!!  So, here we go!  (excuse the countdown starting at 7, but I am having a mental block at the moment...)

7 (.0)

My most recent a1c, which I am oh so proud of!!  Having stress of wedding, moving, new job, kidney stone, etc, it was no easy task, but I did it!!

6

Wonderful, blissful months of marriage!!  Can you believe it has already been 1/2 a year?

5

Months until Stuart graduates as a Collaborative Special Education teacher!!  Yahoo!!

4

                   

AMAZING parents!!  Stuart and I are blessed to have parents who are so caring and loving!!

3



Wonderful friends!!  I am so lucky to have these girls in my life and there is never a dull moment when we are together!!  We also have incredible music ability.... OGP!!

2

Fantastic kiddos!!  J & S are my most favoritist children in the whole wide world!!

and last, but not least......

1



BCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY!!! 

HAPPY NEW YEAR

&

WAR EAGLE!!



It's Great to Be...

AN AUBURN TIGER!!!  Can I get a WAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRR  EAGLE HEY!!!  It feels so good to be a part of a team that is a national champion!!  I am so proud to be a part of the AUburn Family!!  While the city of Auburn had pretty shut down due to "Snow-magedon," (which, ps-- I never saw the first flake) the streets of downtown were packed with excited Tigers armed with roll after roll of toilet paper.  I am not sure if it is sad or pride to have more rolls of toilet paper with you at Toomers than you have at your house?  If you aren't aware of the tp tradition, you can catch up here.

Here are a few pictures documenting this glorious event, which also served as Stuart's first time rolling Toomers!! 

WAR   EAGLE!!!

Waaaaaaarrrrrr Eagle....

HEY!!  In honor of our AUsome AUburn Tigers making it to Glendale for the BCS Championship, I thought that I would share a few AUburn fun facts:

• "War Eagle" is known as AUburn's battle cry and a greeting that hits the heart of any AUburn fan.  You can read here to learn more about it:)
• AUburn is also known as the "lovliest village on the plains."
• The population of AUburn (in 2000) was listed at 42,987.  On a gameday weekend, the stadium alone, becomes Alabama's 5th largest city.
• Traditions in AUburn are second to none, including Toomer's lemonade, Toomer's corner, the eagle flying and Tiger Walk.
• Aubie, AUburn's beloved tiger mascot has been the recipient of many distinguished awards, which include UCA National Rankings, UCA Leadership Awards and is currently ranked 2nd as Nationally Ranked Mascots.
• AUburn City Schools has been ranked among the top 100 school districts in the United States by Parenting magazine and as the best educational value in the Southeast by the Wall Street Journal.
• AUburn Univeristy's official school colors are ORANGE AND BLUE.

I feel so lucky to have called AUburn my home for 5 years of my life!  This city and school provide me with so many wonderful memories and life lessons that I will take with me forever!  It is truly amazing to be a part of a city/team that is lucky enough to be playing for a National Championship and I wish them all the best!!

I believe in AUburn and LOVE IT!!!

WAR EAGLE!!

Really?!?

So, one might ask....

What does this

have to do with this? 

Well you see, Stuart got his new gun for Christmas yesterday and was soooooooo excited to play with it!!  Within the first 5 minutes of having the new firearm in the house, I hear "oh no!!"  This is not really what you want to hear knowing that there is a new gun around, but I quickly discovered that the "oh no" resulted from a 9mm round that was now resting comfortably in our garbage disposal.  Not really having the time to deal with it yesterday, he simply closes the drain and instructs me to not mess with anything in the left side of the sink.  Of course I think the worst. I will be baking things for new years and forget, resulting in my face being blown up by the round in the sink.  That is totally my kind of luck.  None the less, 24 hours later, we are all still here, including the 9mm round being kept as a  reminder to not play with our big kid toys in the kitchen. 

We hope that your New Year started out with a BANG:)

Happy 2011 everyone!!!