Friday Favorites

Happy Friday!

This week has been fast and furious, and we are ready for the weekend!  Here are a few of my favs from this week.  I'm linking up with Andrea, Narci, and Erika.





I've been trying to run/walk with Chip 3-4 times a week.  The extreme cold (for Texans) kept us in for several days, so we were excited to finally get out on Tuesday.  My ears are very sensitive, so I have to keep them covered.  Getting some exercise with Chip is a favorite.

Bubble baths are the best!  I enjoyed a nice, relaxing time in the tub this week.

I received an email for buy one get one free at Nothing Bundt Cakes.  So delicious!  I treated Conner and Caitlyn to it one day after school, and this is the selfie Cait took.  I don't know what she is doing!  She got the chocolate chocolate chip, and Conner got the white raspberry.  I enjoyed a sample of lemon.  Definitely a favorite place around our house-especially when it's free!

I saw this online this week and sent it to Chad.  He teases me about being too optimistic sometimes-like when I kept telling him that the Cowboys had a chance to make the playoffs.


I saved the best for last...our Birthday/Anniversary/Therapy trip is TOMORROW!  It is one of my favorite times of the year.  The kids will be staying with family, and I am so thankful for this opportunity for Chad and I to get away together.


Have a fabulous weekend!

Weekend Wrap-Up

Winter has arrived full force in Texas, and it was a COLD weekend!  We spent a lot of time indoors.

Friday night Chad and I had an unexpected date night!  We enjoyed some delicious fajitas at
La Hacienda.

Then we kept things really exciting by hitting up Half Price Books.  We had to pick up a book for Conner's language arts class, and we bought a couple of books to take on our trip next week.  I am looking forward to some uninterrupted reading time!

Saturday morning a group from our church served at an area homeless shelter.  Part of our group helped in the kitchen and served lunch while the rest of us sorted and hung clothes in the donation center.  It is always such a humbling experience.

This was hanging on a wall at the shelter.

We got home in time to watch the Texans game...if you can call it that.  Conner is a Texans fan, and since the Cowboys didn't make the playoffs, we were pulling for them.  It was an ugly loss.  We spent the rest of the evening taking it easy.

This is so me! 

Sunday morning we went to church.  It was my week in Kids' Church, and our focus was Daniel 3 and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.  What a great story!  Chad had an afternoon meeting, so we went to lunch and dropped him back at church.  Before leaving, Chad gave Conner his first driving experience in the parking lot.

Conner was so excited, and Chad thought he was going to have a heart attack!  At one point Conner went to hit the brake but hit the gas instead and gunned the car.  Thankfully, he was able to recover quickly, and Chad survived!

Sunday afternoon I spent at the grocery store getting ready for the week, and now we are relaxing in front of the fire.

The weekends always go too fast, but I am so thankful for the time to serve, worship, and spend with family and friends.  We are looking forward to a great week and counting down the days until our trip!

Friday Favorites

 

I'm linking up with Andrea, Erika, and Narci for this week's Friday Favorites.

 Our Trip

 Chad and I leave for our Anniversary/Birthdays trip in a little over a week.  Spending a whole week alone with my hubby is definitely a favorite!

This Wreath 

 

This wreath may look innocent enough, but anytime it senses movement, it starts singing.  It kind of drives me crazy.  My sweet father-in-law gave it to me for Christmas.  It hung at their house for several years, and every Christmas I would mention how annoying it was, and every year they would hang it back up.  With the passing of my mother-in-law, he decided it was time for it to find a new home.  I am thrilled that he chose to give it to me, and I will always cherish it, even if it does drive me a little batty! 

My Bible Reading Plan

I am striving to read the New Testament all the way through this year.  I know it isn't quite as ambitious as the whole Bible, but it's what I believe I can do and be successful.  I am using a plan on my Bible app.

Fun Days with Family

Caitlyn convinced Chad to help her try to win a stuffed animal 

The lights were so pretty!

Over Christmas break we used our Six Flags season passes one last time.  It was much more crowded than anticipated and very cold, but we still had a blast.  Spending time with my family is definitely a favorite!

A Good Deal

Through our grocery shopping, we accumulated 60 cents off of each gallon of gas for one visit.  I can't remember the last time I paid so little for gas!

It has been a good week getting back into a routine, but we are all a little sleepy.  We are looking forward to a great weekend.  Enjoy yours!

Top Ten

I'm linking up with Andrea today for Show and Tell Tuesday.  Here are 10 things you should know about me.

1.  I have been married for 18 years to my best friend, Chad.  He is a pastor and the most humble person I know.  He is a wonderful dad and Godly leader.  We enjoy traveling and watching movies together.

2.  I have an amazing son, Conner, who is 14 years old.  Conner is smart, thoughtful, handsome and stubborn.  He sees things very black and white and likes to be right.  Conner enjoys playing football and loves the Lord.  He serves in children's church and is part of theater at school.  Conner was born with a cleft lip and palate, so has been through many surgeries yet has never complained. I love my boy!

3.  I have an incredible daughter, Caitlyn, who is 11.  She is enthusiastic, joyful, beautiful and emotional.  Caitlyn is an accident waiting to happen and a constant party.  She likes to play softball and enjoys all things crafty.  She also has a growing relationship with the Lord and helps in the preschool class at church.  Caitlyn was born 5 1/2 weeks early, but you would never know that she was a preemie.  I love my sweet daughter!

4.  I am a teacher.  I have taught 4th, 5th and 7th grades in public school and 5th, 6th, and 7th grades in private school.  I am currently an instructional facilitator at an elementary school, and I love it!  I knew from the time I was in high school that I wanted to teach, and I can't imagine doing anything else-well, except for being a side line reporter for the NFL!

My school picture

5.  Family is important to me.  Growing up, we did not live near family, so I am very thankful that my kids are being raised with many of our extended family members nearby.  I love getting together for holidays and special meals, seeing my family at the kids' activities, and even attending church together.  Our family is not perfect, but it is precious!

 

The Brown cousins at Christmas

6.  I love the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers!  Although the Cowboys had a tough season, I am still a fanatic.  Fun fact about the Cowboys-my first year teaching fourth grade, I had a student that won a contest for NFLplay60.  He earned a visit from Jason Witten!  Witten picked him up at his house, brought him to school for a pep rally, and then he did some football drills with my class.  We had a lot of fun, and Jason Witten was a class act.  He is still my favorite Cowboy.

7.  I enjoy traveling!  We try to do a family vacation every year along with small trips to visit out of town family and fun Texas spots.  Chad and I also take a week long trip each year for our anniversary and birthdays.  In fact, this year's trip is less than two weeks away!  I also enjoy serving on mission trips around the world.  I have been to Russia, Alaska, Ecuador and New York on mission.

8.  I like to blog.  Although my blog has been barren for close to three years now, I am inspired to start again.  I have realized how much blogging helps serve as a photo album and journal in this digital age.  I love looking back on past adventures.  I'm disappointed that I don't have that for the last few years, but I'm hoping to make up for it.

9.  There are so many other little things that I could share, but I am going to clump them together and share some random favorites.  I consider myself as someone who enjoys the simple things in life.  My clothes of preference are t-shirts and jeans, chocolate (except dark) is my favorite food along with chips and salsa, I like 80's music, I'm addicted to cheesy Hallmark movies, I have just started to enjoy running again after a long hiatus, and my family plays a mean game of Phase 10!

10.  Last, but certainly not least, Jesus is my everything.  I am a Christian who gets it wrong more than I get it right but live daily in His grace and love.  I strive to honor Him in all that I do and share His amazing love with others.

So, there is me in a nutshell!  Have a wonderful day!

A Year of Change

2015 was hard yet good; painful yet exciting; challenging and full of changes. 
In 2015, we lost Chad's mom.  She faced breast cancer for a second time, fought hard, and in the end, her body just shut down.  She was taken much too early, and it hurts.  We are thankful for our time together, and I am so grateful that our kids grew up with their Mamaw actively involved in their lives.  She is dearly missed.
2015 also brought a new job for me.  Although I am still at the same school, I am in a new position.  With this new position came more work days which meant I started back to work a month before I usually do.  Between summer camps and special days with friends and family, the kids were able to adjust to my new work schedule, and I am enjoying something different.
In 2015 Chad also became the lead pastor at our church.  Although he technically started at the end of 2014, everything wasn't tied up until January of 2015.  He has thrived in this position, and we love our church family.
2015 also brought some changes in our children's lives. 
Conner went from second string on the B team on his 7th grade football team to first string on the A team in 8th grade.  His confidence and enjoyment of the game really grew.  He isn't as mean as he looks here!

Caitlyn also showed great growth in her extra-curricular-softball.  Last spring was her first season to play, and she decided to play again in the fall.  She was consistently at the bottom of the batting order, but in the middle of the fall season, something clicked, and her bat came alive.  She ended the season batting 4th, and her team won 1st place in their league.  She also caught her first flyball in the outfield to close out an inning.

Despite the many changes in 2015, the one constant was our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  He never changes.  His love is everlasting, and His hope is eternal.  He has promised to never leave or forsake us.  I am so thankful that at my lowest low, Jesus was with me, and at my highest high, Jesus was with me.
So, as we begin a new year, I have to wonder, what will 2016 bring?  During this year, Conner will start high school and Caitlyn will start junior high.  Conner will get his driving permit (he hopes!), and Caitlyn will enjoy her last year as a preteen.  Conner will take his first international mission trip, and Catilyn will begin her journey in the youth ministry.  During this year, we will have our first Mother's Day without both of our moms.  We may sell our house to move closer to our church.  We will strive to reach more people with the love of Jesus. 
Whatever 2016 may bring, my prayer is that we will make it all count for Christ, for without Him, we are nothing!




                               

Yesterday...

Yesterday I lived one of the toughest days in my 39 years.  Yesterday did not go as I planned, but God knew the details of the day.  Yesterday I was unexpectedly with my family, and God orchestrated that meeting.  Yesterday I lost the most amazing woman I have ever known, and now she is worshiping the King of Kings.
Yesterday morning I received a call that an ambulance was in front of my mom's house.  Fear swept over me.  I frantically called Chad, called my school secretary, and prayed.  As we headed to the hospital, all I could think of was this same moment a little more than 24 years ago.  I went back to the day my mom had her aneurism at 39 years old.  We had an opportunity to see Mom before she went into surgery that night, a Friday.  I remember being so overwhelmed and fearful as a 14 year old.  Not knowing what was going to happen.  How could I be experiencing these same emotions years later as a 39 year old myself?  When we got to the hospital, mom was in the er having a cat scan done.  Chay and Dad were there, and Beau and Andi were on there way.  As our minds wondered what could have happened, a seizure, another stroke, the doctor arrived with shocking news.  Mom's brain was bleeding, and it was terminal.  She was breathing and her heart was beating, but she was dying, and there was nothing that could be done.  Once everyone arrived, we gathered at her bedside, prayed, and then each spent time alone with Mom. 
We were told she might live days or as long as two weeks.  We all assumed it would be weeks because Mom is the strongest woman we know, and we knew she wouldn't give up without a fight.  We made decisions about her placement, and she was moved to a room.  Throughout the day she had many visitors-precious co-workers, friends, and church members.  Chad's parents were able to bring Conner and Caitlyn up as well.  We enjoyed hearing and sharing stories about Mom.
And then, it happened.  The doctor said she passed peacefully.  She was no longer with us.  She was with Jesus.  As Conner said, she was dancing in heaven!
We all prayed selfishly that it would happen quickly.  That she wouldn't have to spend her final days in a hospital bed.  Little did we know it would happen this quickly.  As I said, my mom is the strongest woman we know.  But she is also the must humble person-always putting the needs of others first, taking care of her family. 
We have peace knowing that she is with Jesus, we know Christ is our comforter, an ever-present help in trouble.  But it still hurts.  A piece of my heart is with her. 
She was an AMAZING woman.  She brought joy and laughter everywhere she went. She let Christ's light shine in and through her.  She loved raising her hand and praising Jesus.  She loved chocolate, and coffee, and cheesburgers plain. She loved her customers at the bank, especially the children that she would sneak candy to.  She loved her church, making coffee for everyone, and the ladies in her Sunday School class.  She loved books and movies with love stories.  She loved her dogs and her neighbor Paulie.  She loved football, watching the Cowboys and listening to the Pirates and Raiders on the radio.
Most of all she loved her family.  She would do anything for us and wanted nothing in return.  She always said she did not want to be a burden to us, and I always tried to assure her that she wasn't.  I have been so thankful to have her so close.  I am thankful that the kids could see her whenever they wanted.
Yesterday I lost the best mom a child go hope for, a sacrificial, loving, beautiful, funny, mom and friend. 

True Confessions

#1  I LOVE seeing my family serve.  On Wednesday we went to Dallas to help an amazing group, Our Calling, that was preparing to serve a Thanksgiving meal to people in need.  We went and helped set up.

Caitlyn moving chairs

Then we prayed over the tables and seats that would be occupied on Thursday.

One of the tables we prayed over

Each table has a host family that supplies the dishes, glasses, silverware, etc. for the meal and enjoys the meal with people that come.  It sounds like such a neat experience.

#2  I despise Christmas decorations, music, and shopping before Thanksgiving.  I really enjoy Thanksgiving and its simplicity.  Coming together with family that we haven't seen in a while, thanking Jesus for the many blessings He provides, filling up on delicious food.  I like to savor the holiday.  Don't get me wrong, I am totally into Christmas, but it has to wait until the day after Thanksgiving.  That is when we crank up the Christmas music and break out the tree and decorations. 

Our Advent calendar

#3  I used my food processor for the first time.  We have had it since we got married almost 16 years ago!  I don't remember ever using it before.  Crazy, huh?  Conner asked about making homemade salsa, so we took a shot at it by using a recipe out of our church's cookbook.  It was pretty good!

#4  I might have a slight obsession with free prints.  I wanted to update our Christmas decorations without spending money, so I searched blog land.  I found some prints I liked, printed them at home, and put them in frames that I already had.  SCORE!