A week in the life of...

the Browns. I turned in my notice at work last Wednesday(effective the next day), b/c I felt like it was no longer a "good place to be." I have to say I felt very calm and at peace with the decision. I had discussed it with Jason several times, nothing concrete, and did not tell him or anyone else until I had resigned. I think the circumstances were God's way of saying "this isn't the plan I have for you." Even dealing with the legalities and lawsuits that are inevitably going to come up, I feel like it will be ok. That Wednesday night after quitting I decided to take the kids to the beach. I booked the hotel online, Jason couldn't go, so that left me taking our 3 kids plus Gracie alone. We went to Isle of Palms in South Carolina(just outside Charleston). It is probably my fav place, outside of our home. We were right on the beach. As soon as we arrived, we packed up and headed to the beach. It was beautiful. Jase and Gracie were so excited b/c they couldn't really remember coming before. The first night Jase lost a tooth. Well, I had to pull it, cause it was hanging and Tyra wouldn't do it. It was disgusting and I almost threw-up. We added 2 new members to the family, Lovey and Hermie, who came shelled as a shark and a butterfly. Wonder how long they will make it? Sometimes I do feel guilty that anything we obtain is destined to "walk the green mile". lol. We spent all day Tuesday and Wednesday at the beach. Like the good mom I am, I applied sunscreen before we went out, then promptly forgot to re-apply, and 4 out of the 5 of us are paying for it. The children are lobster-ish.Woke up early today to see the sunrise, however, the kids were too cold so we didn't actually make it till sunrise. Loaded in the car and headed home. I had purchased tickets to the Sugarland concert months ago for me and the girls, and I must say it was an awesome show, and we came out a little hoarse. We are going horse-back riding tomorrow with our BFF Brea, not sure how that will turn out, but praying nothing is broken. Biggest dilemma is Jase and Haylee cannot find boots to wear.

More today...

Today I thought about starting a diet while eating an oreo cakester, or 2, or a total of 3 today cause I had one with my Hardee's for breakfast.

Today I witnessed my co-worker eating some of the bosses lunch, and then arranging it so he wouldn't notice, and I didn't tell him as I passed him in the hall...hehehe

Today the school picnic was cancelled (WooHoo), I am so disappointed.
*Today is the first day I am glad that my husband forgot something I asked him to do yesterday(buy watermelons and a gallon of chili) for said picnic.

Today I am glad that my children are old enough to work at the house, less than 8 hours is not against child labor.

Today I am glad that my dad's garage is like Home Depot, and we were able to get 90% of the things we need for an electric fence without spending a dime.

Today I am grateful that my husband has lots of Mexican friends who like to work extra to do all these side jobs.

Today I am hopeful that my receptionist does not get fired for telling the truth.

Today I took 3 500mg Tylenol to ward off a migraine.

Today Iam wishing there is a way to prevent razor burn.

Today I wish everyone would say what they mean and mean what they say. It's really simple.

Today I was almost killed crossing Alcoa Hwy.

Today the dog urped up water on me.

Today I took a nap to get rid of my headache and now I can't sleep.

Today my son put on his new Mets shirt and hat and does not want to take it off.

Today my husband tried on his new Mets shirt and I should have bought a bigger size.

Today pulling in the driveway,Tyra was walking and talking on her phone, and me nd Jase blew the horn. She screamed bloody murder, almost threw her phone, and me and Jase almost peed our pants laughing.

Today I am at a crossroad concerning my job.

Today my husband was playing with the new helicopter and he crashed it on the roof, and sent our son up to retrieve it.

Today my husband crashed the helicopter on the roof and sent Jase
Said son back on the roof for the second time.

Today I cut out 20 American girl stickers to use as cupcake toppers.

Today I made a second set of cupcake jewels...I am now a pro.

Today I burnt my finger making the candy jewels and wanted to say a bad word.

Today I still haven't figured out how to get the hardened candy off my pan or measuring cup.

Today I used a cooking themometer for the second time.

Today as we continue to work towards being debt free, our dishwasher(12yrs old)has started leaking.

Today my fav receptionist told me she will be leaving ASAP.

Today I am trying to catch up on my TIVO'd shows...and failing miserably.

Today the dog barks everytime the automatic air freshener dispenses(or whatever)

Today I started coughing...again.

Today is soon to be tomorrow and I am going to bed.

Today....

Today I did not wash my hair but added some baby powder so it wasn't greasy.

Today I have no idea if my son brushed his teeth this morning.

Today I washed said son's legs with baby wipes b/c I didn't even think about giving him a bath last night.

Today my 15yo wore clothes that I am pretty sure I didn't buy...Thanks someone.

Today I noticed that my attempt to fix my toenails(after I had them done last night and after the dog stepped on them) was a complete failure, so don't look too close.

Today I saw my niece's pictures on the computer and literally wanted to eat her face, and smell her, through the screen.

Today I sent my son to school without his backpack and told him, "You don't need it."

Today I was a little short with the business person at work. (In my defense I was getting blamed for making her life easier).

Today I wished for rain so Jase's school picnic tonight will be cancelled.

Today a patient gave Jase a remote controlled helicopter(the real kind), and I am gonna cement my place as the favorite person in his life.

Today I am so glad I donated our goldfish to the new pond at my in-laws.

Today I have less than 24hrs before we leave for Atlanta to celebrate Haylee's bday at the American Girl Doll store, and attend a Mets/Braves game for the boys to counteract all the girly stuff.

Today I still haven't told my husband or son that the room we are staying in is ALL pink.

Today I have no clean laundry which means I have nothing to pack.

Today I hope my husband is wearing the Frog-Togs I bought him, since it is raining.

Today I am having no luck staying interested in all my patients many stories.

Today I am still waffleling on whether to go to Honduras or not.

Today I am in desperate need of a nap.

Today I wonder why dentists make dentures that are too big for the person's mouth.

Today a patient kissed my hand as he was leaving...Seriously!

Today I found the Dream Catcher Angel gave me once she figured out that it was made in China instead of the Indian children that sent it.

Today I bought 2 laptop covers for me and Tyra, both of which I like, so I will be happy no matter which one she chooses.



...to be continued...

My new theme song...

Michael Card- Things we leave behind.

There sits Simon,
so foolishly wise
proudly he’s tending his nets.
Then Jesus calls,
and the boats drift away.
all that he owns he forgets.

More than the nets
he abandoned that day,
he found that his pride was soon drifting away.
And it’s hard to imagine the freedom we find
from the things we leave behind.

Matthew was mindful
of taking the tax,
pressing the people to pay.
Hearing the call,
he responded in faith,
and followed the Light and the Way.

Leaving the people
so puzzled he found,
the greed in his heart
was no longer around and
it’s hard to imagine
the freedom we find
from the things we leave behind.

Every heart needs to be set free,
from possessions
that hold it so tight.
‘Cause freedom’s not found in the things that we own,
It’s the power
to do what is right.

Jesus, our only possession,
giving becomes our delight.
We can’t imagine the freedom we find
from the things we leave behind.

We show a love for the world in our lives
by worshiping goods we possess.
But Jesus said lay all your treasures aside
and “love God above all the rest.”

‘Cause when we say ‘no’
to the things of the world,
we open our hearts
to the love of the Lord and
it’s hard to imagine
the freedom we find
from the things we leave behind.


humbled? Yes. Guilty? Yes. Encouraged? Yes. Forgiven? Yes.

Downsizing...Really? We think.

SO we are seriously thinking about selling our home and buying some land and a trailer or small house or tent(JK-I don't do nature) Seriously?? I know, it seems crazy. We may be crazy. We just keep thinking that we need to de-clutter our lives. We don't want to work just to pay bills. We want our kids to have more room outside and feel less like people are breathing their air. We can't take it with us, so why try to store it up. We will live with less but spend more on mission trips, traveling, friends, family, and whatever else that mean more than stuff. We are just in the beginning of this phase, like 1%, but we are already feeling more at peace with it every day. Not saying there won't be times where I hyperventilate and curl up in the fetal position, but we are young, and there's no better time than today. Who knows what the future holds. I do know that our faith commands us to not be beholden to things of the world. We are far from perfect, and struggle with this daily, but finally we are going to walk in faith and weather the trials and triumphs one day at a time. I must say that Jason is so excited (we just started talking about this yesterday), that a couple of the land listings I found at work, he went out to see last night. Hopefully by doing this I can continue my education without working or working part-time. Let's just say we aren't jumping into anything without prayerfully considering it and making sure we are doing what is best for our family and what we feel that the Lord is leading us to do. We'll keep you posted on the progress. The good, the bad, and the ugly. :)

Monday...

I dislike you almost as much as I do the mornings. Reasons why to follow:
1. Wake up late
2. Wake up with a headache
3. Atti has peed and pooped in his crate. (he isn't even crated at night)
4. A broken coffee cup in the living room floor
5. Stuffing and beads all over the couch and floor from some unfortunate animal
6. car keys missing
7. husband no help with missing keys or anything else for that matter
8. located Jeep extra key....had to drive Jeep(even less fun with a headache)
9. No gas in Jeep
10. kids late to school
11. Me late to work
12. Just lovely

Randon quote for today...

Courtesy of Tyra
Upon picking her up from rowing practice she says she wants me to take her on to church. I respond as only a good mother would, "you kinda smell" and she replies "like hardwork and determination?" Touche!!