We're Baaaccckkk!!!

Yup, blog world... we are back!!  After days weeks with no home Internet, thanks to our lovely friends at ___________, we finally reached the end and had a successful installation this morning.  I truly can't believe how much I depend on the Internet for EVERYTHING!!  Between using my small, anything-but-smart phone and loading up to sit in the parking lot of Buffalo Connection (thanks for the WiFi, BuffCon!!), we are very pleased to announce that the Browns are once again, plugged into the high-speed world.

Here are a few, non-exciting events that we have participated in during our 3 week sabbatical:

• Work, work, work!!  Stuart and I are both very blessed to have job(s) that we usually don't mind going to work.  I got to go through some trainings last week, which I was very excited about and have no doubt it will help me in my future.  One of my favorite aspects of working in Mental Health, no day is ever the same.  Each day minute provides a new adventure!!  Stuart is actually working 2 jobs and taking his last undergraduate course ever, so we do not lack for things to do.
• We travelled to Mississippi to help throw a shower for my cousin, who is getting married in April.  It was a great time to spend with family and the boys got to play paintball while the girls "showered."  It was an exhausting weekend, but full of fun!
• We celebrated our first Valentine's in matrimony.  This included a long day at work (for both of us), grilled steak dinner at home and a bedtime of 8:00.  Wow....
• We celebrated my favorite Cotney's birthday.  It's funny that as we get older, each birthday, whether yours or someone else's, simply serves as a reminder of "man, I'm old."

As for our future:

• Weekends at camp
• Taxes at home
• Mardi Gras ball in Montgomery
• Wedding in Mississippi
• Fun at the Beach

So overall, despite the Internet debacle, we are happy, healthy and have no complaints about life!!  We hope this wonderful Spring weather is treating everyone well!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY.... yesterday:)

Even though it was yesterday, I want to wish my most favorite Stuart Brown in the whole wide world, a big "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!"  (INTERNET WAS ON THE FRITZ YESTERDAY SO I COULDN'T POST IT THEN:() 

Another year, a quarter of a century of them to be exact,  are in the books for Mr. Brown.  I have enjoyed celebrating 3 amazing birthdays with you, all celebrated just a bit different.  You sacrificed your big 2-3 to be with me and my family when my grandmother passed away, we "flipped" for your 2-4 and we skated the night away, well somewhat, for the big 2-5!   While we did get schooled in the adolescents of America, I am pleased to announce that we left the skating rink with all of our bones in tact.  It was a great night with great friends!!

So Happy Birthday, Husband!!  I hope it was fiilled with fun and friends.  I look forward to sharing many more birthdays with you and remember.... you have almost caught up with me!!  I love you!!

The big 2-3!!

The big 2-4!!

The big 2-5!!

S is for Stupendous...

In honor of birthday week, I will include a "HAPPY BIRTHDAY STUART" acrostic.

H ilarious
A complished
P erceptive
P roficient
Y o-yo professional

B old
I ngenious
R esourceful
T ough
H andy
D ashing
A bsolute
Y ahoo for Stu

S killed
T alented
U nyielding
A gile
R obust
T eacher
!!

And since he was just so precious, here are a few more pictures for your viewing pleasure....

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!!