Hello 2008

Wow, where did 2007 go? I think it flew by and I missed the last half of it. I have been really bad about blogging lately and I know that I need to just sit down and do it. Here's an update of the Brown family.

Quentin~
Quentin is really growing in his walk with Christ. I am so proud of the man he has become and is still evolving into. I can't tell you how much more I love him each day. We will be celebrating our 10th anniversary this week. Yeah!!!! I can't believe it's really been 10 years. Wow. Quentin is working hard and trying to help me with the boys. It's been a challenge.

Tyler~
Tyler is growing into a young man. He has experienced his first big red pimple on his nose. I know he would just die if he knew I was sharing this, but thank goodness he doesn't read my blog. He is doing very well in school and we are so proud of him.

Brayden~
Brayden is doing so great. He is having success at school keeping his behavior under control. I knew he could do it. He is such a special little boy. Even when I'm mad at him, I can't help but love him even more. He is so caring and helpful.

Sean~
Sean is potty training. Oh my goodness. I think I have become the lazy one with this one. I haven't pushed him to do it (well, because he's the baby), and I know I'm not helping the situation. He does great at Debra's house (because she is soooo good). He is growing and learning new things every day!

Me~
Well I have been busy at work and at home. I had to write out my goals for 2008 at work and it helped me to really focus on what I was there to do. I also wrote down my personal goals and now I have them to work on also. My health is okay and hopefully I'm still on track to have surgery on March 7th. Stay tuned for more on that.

Family~
This is definately a trying time for our family. My uncle Ernie (Aunt Lavonna's husband) has been diagnosed with cancer. This is a fast growing cancer. He is in a lot of pain. The doctors told him that they expect him to live only 3-4 months. We all know that God has a plan for each of us and that he will leave us when God is ready for him. We just hope that it's later. I've never been really close to Uncle Ernie and now I am sorry for that. I do love him and his family. This is going to be very difficult for my Aunt Lavonna and I hope she knows that I love her and I'm here for her.

Quentin's 2nd cousin Kim is in a coma right now. She had 2 blood clots that have gone to her brain. I just can't believe it. Tyler played baseball with Josh for 2 years. Kim and Rick are awesome people. Kim was always there for every game and you knew that she loved both of her kids. Seeing Kim with her granddaughter was an awesome sight. Kim and Rick love each other so much and so I can't even imagine what Rick is going through.

Please just lift our family up in prayer.

Church~
We have decided to jump all in. God said it was okay and so we did it. I will be starting a small group on Mondays. Quentin and I are attending a small group on Wednesday together, and then I'm attending another small group on Saturdays. Praise God!!! We absolutely love it! What an awesome God we serve!

I have to go now. We are reading the Bible as a family and it's time for us to read.

Rush Rush Rush

I feel like all I ever write about is us rushing around, day to day, trying to finish just one more thing. Oh well, I guess that's what it's like to live in the Brown's household.

Football is almost over. I don't know if I'm sad or if I'm overjoyed. This is Tyler's last year before he starts playing middle school football. Then we're on to high school football. I can't believe that he'll be driving in only 4 1/2 short years. Oh my goodness. Anyways, back to football. Tyler's team finished the regular season tied for 2nd place. They played the tournament and finished it in 3rd. Now we are off to Clovis for their tournament. I am so proud of all the boys on this team. They have really put their all into this season. Thank you to the coaches for putting up with not only the kids, but the parents who can be just as bad as the kids.

I have a new nephew. He was born last Friday. He weighed in at 7 lbs and 3 ounces. I believe he was 20 inches long. His name is Jorden. I have seen pictures of him and he is so beautiful. I hope that I can meet him in person.

I went to the Women of Faith conference last Friday. What an inspiring experience. Between all of the laughing and crying, I was totally exhausted when I got back home Saturday night. I would highly recommend going to any woman who wants to be inspired by what God can do in your life. I owe a special thank you to a woman who is an absolute blessing to anyone she comes in contact to. Kathy, you are a special person to me. God will continue to bless you for doing his work. I love you!!!

Quentin has been sick and everyone knows that it's not fun when Daddy is sick. I'm glad he's over it and back to his normal self. Quentin, you mean the world to me and I hope you always remember that you are my love, my friend, and my life.

Sean and Brayden are doing well. Brayden saw a new doctor for his ADHD. I really like this new doctor. He suggested that we change his meds and so we are in the process of doing that. Say a prayer for us. It's going to be rocky for a while.

Awesome God

Like the song says, "Our God is an Awesome God." That's the only way I can describe what has happened in my family. As most of you know, Quentin and Tyler gave their lives to Christ on Wednesday. I can't tell you how excited, proud, and over joyed that they made the decision to do this and to do it together. How many fathers and sons can say that they did that together? I thank God everyday for putting Quentin in my life. I have prayed for so many years that Quentin would find his way back to God. It's finally happened. I have never doubted that it would, but I'm human and I'm impatient. I thank God for helping us find the church that we belong in and for finding Randall for Quentin. They instantly had a connection and I know that God was working through Randall to touch Quentin. Tyler has struggled for so long on how to give his life to Christ. I think that Quentin played such a vital role in helping Tyler make this decision. Tyler loves his daddy so much and I'm so proud that they were able to do this together.

Chad, Heather, Kaytlin, and Reagann came to church with us this morning. I'm so glad that they came. I hope they enjoyed it as much as we do.

Randall has been preaching on Marriage. Boy did we need to hear it. I think every week that Randall has been spying on us and is talking directly to us. Our marriage has been so much better and we are learning a lot of things that can help us improve our marriage even more.

Brayden has had such a wonderful week in school. I'm thankful for the good weeks. The good weeks make the bad ones seem less important. He is doing okay as far as grades, but the behavior issues are hard to deal with it. I know that God doesn't give us any more than we can handle and sometimes I find myself questioning that. I know as a Christian that I have to turn it over and so I have been doing that.

Sean is growing like a weed. He is doing so great at Debra's. Debra, I hope you know how much we appreciate and love you. Thanks for everything.

Work is really busy right now and I don't know how I'm going to keep up. I guess we'll see how it goes this week.

Love to all!!!!

It's been a long time

I know, I know, it's been such a long time since I blogged last. It has been a crazy month and a half. Let's see if I can recap without boring everyone.

SEPTEMBER:

In September, we had the Fair. Boy was that a long week. I worked in the vendor bank and Quentin volunteered in the Grill. I also worked 1/2 days at my regular job. Renay was such a huge help with Sean and we really appreciate that. During that same week we had to rush Papa to the emergency room and he was admitted to the hopsital with pneumonia. He's fine now, but it's always scary. Oh and let's not forget that I turned 30 in September. No, I don't feel any older or any different, but thanks for asking. About the only thing that I realized from turning 30 is that Tyler is half way through school, Brayden will only be in elementary school for 2 more years, and Sean will be starting school in 3-4 years. It's amazing how fast time flys. I can't believe how big my kids are getting. School has been really rough for Brayden this year. We have already had 1 meeting with his teacher and one meeting with the principal and the counselor. This is in addition to the numerous emails that have been sent between me and his teacher (which is basically daily). I hope we can help Brayden be successful in school. Sean is starting the potty training process. He has had some success, but of course he's being stubborn. I KNOW he got that trait from his daddy. Just kidding. Anyways, we haven't had much success, but we are still working on it. Tyler has played football every weekend in Bushland and they are tied for 1st place. Go Wildcats!!!! We are so proud of his whole team.

OCTOBER:

We are still having problems with Brayden at school. I hope we will get it worked out soon. We are going to meet with the principal, counselor, and teacher again soon. I have personally felt God working in my life this month. I have asked for some healing and of course that is what God is doing. I have been able to forgive where I thought it was impossible. Only God has the power to do that. I have to thank 2 very special people who are helping me with this. You know who you are and I want you to know that God will bless you for this. Tyler's football team is still tied for 1st. Sean is still plugging away at potty training.

I will try to do better at blogging. I've got to make some time for me again. I think this is my only time to focus on everything that is happening in our lives. I send my love to all and God bless!!!

Who has extra time?

I have been really bad about blogging here lately. I just haven't found enough time to be able to do it. I'll try to update everyone on what's been going on in our lives.

Football

Tyler has been practicing about 3-4 times a week. He has a scrimmage against Tascosa and he did great!! Right now he is playing center and nose guard. He loves playing nose guard. I love to watch him play, but seeing the bruises that he gets is not so fun. He truely looks like he has been beat. Both of his arms are covered and he has numerous bruises on his legs. He still wants to go out there and do it every day. I've also taken on the duty of Team Mom. Who would have thought that it would be so much work. I love it anyway.

School

Tyler started middle school this year and boy was it hard to see him walk into that building. My heart was so happy yet so sad. I made the comment to Quentin that our baby was going to middle school and he told me that he wasn't our baby anymore, but our little man. Oh my gosh. How terribly sad. He seems to really love it except for the lunch situation. He hasn't had enough time to really enjoy his lunch, but I hope this will continue to improve as days go by. If not, I guess I'll have to make a call to the school.

Brayden started 3rd grade this year. I just can't believe that he's old enough to be in 3rd grade. I really hope that this year goes really well for Brayden. Last year was so hard adjusting to his meds and trying to learn how to deal with the ADHD and disruptive behavior disorder. Just when I felt like we were really making progress, school was over. I know he's going to be fine because he is such a smart boy. I'm so proud of you Brayden.

Family

We are still attending church each Sunday. We truely love it. If it wasn't for Eric and Renay we would never have gone, so I can't tell them thank you enough. Sean is growing like a weed and is learning more and more each day (thank you Aunt Debra). Quentin has had bit of bad luck with his cars here lately. He is trying to get his Firebird running. What a task this has been?! I talked to my Dad Friday and he said that my grandmother seemed to be doing better. He said she weighs a little more than 100 pounds now. It is so sad to see her the way she is. I love you Grannie. My fondest memories of you are your garden, puzzles, and quilting. I love that I have your gardening books and notes. Maybe some day I can really get after the gardening.

Me

I have been so busy at work and at home. I feel that I'm being pulled in a thousand directions. Sometimes I think I just need a time out. I know that I can't let myself get too run down for the fear of getting shingles again. I think that I've told everyone that I'm going to have the gastric bypass surgery in March. I've have been going to see doctor after doctor and having test after test. I went to the pulmonary specialist 2 weeks ago. He has cleared me for surgery, but he thinks that I should be tested for sleep apnea. I am going to make an appointment with that doctor soon. I will go see the cardiologist on Tuesday. Once I complete that test, I will then have to see a psychiatrist and then a dietician. After all that testing, I can finally have my surgery. I'm excited, nervous, and anxious. Work has just been one stressful situation after another. The merger will be voted on at the end of September and will close on the first of October. I know that things are going to be okay, so I try not to worry too much about it.

I'll try to keep everyone updated more. Until then, I hope God blesses each of you and your families.

Family News

We have had several things happen this week in our family. I hope I don't leave anyone out, but if I do, I'm sorry.

Mom went to the doctor this past week and had some testing done. She didn't get very good news, and without going into too much detail (which she has asked me not to share) we hope that over the next few weeks things will improve.

My Dad had surgery this past week. Nothing major just surgery on a hernia. We have checked on him a couple of times this week and he seems to be doing fine other than being a little sore. He looks like my Papa more and more each day. I can't tell you how much I miss my Papa. Dad has joined a band. His band will play at the Block Party this year. I can't wait to go and listen to him. This will take me back to my childhood. I love to watch him play.

I was told that my sister will be having another baby in October of this year. I always tell everyone that we have nothing but nieces, but the truth is we have one nephew and now one on the way. I don't get to see my nephew and I'm sure I won't get to see the new baby. I can't tell you how disappointed I am with my sister. I wanted so much to believe that she had finally grown up, but again she proved me wrong. I really hope she gets her tubes tied this time and I pray each day that both of my nephews just know in their heart that there are people out there who truely love them and would give anything to be part of their lives. I pray that God will someday bring us together. God has helped me to forgive you sister.

Brayden is feeling much better. I hope he continues to get better. He is such a sweet little boy and each day I'm amazed by him. I love you Brayden.

My Love

I just want to say that I know that everyone thinks they are married to the most wonderful man, but I know that I married the best. Quentin is such a wonderful husband, father, and friend. I think that something has truely changed in our relationship. I think that God has stepped in and made me realize how lucky I truely am. I love to wake up in the morning and just look at him. I wait each day for him to call me on his breaks when he's at work (10 & 3 just like clock work). When I get off of work I rush home so that I can be here waiting on him. He is my bestfriend, my support, and my lover. He loves our children so much. I love to watch him with each of them. He can be very tough on them, but we all know it's because he loves them so much. He always tells me how much he loves me and how lucky he is to have me. He really knows how to make me feel special. I love him so much. I can't imagine what my life would have been like without him. We are so lucky we found each other. I can't thank God enough for putting Quentin in my life. Quentin is my everything.