What Christmas looks like from my view....

We had an amazing Christmas. It was filled with family, a lot of laughter, food and some presents too. I am blessed I could not ask for a better Christmas or family.

17 days and counting

Anyone who has ever asked me the age old question don't you want more kids gets this response. "I love the age Rob and Logan are now why would I go back?" This season is no exception they are so excited for Christmas. We have had so much fun getting ready. I being such a country girl introduced my city living husband to the Christmas tree farm this year. A decision I now regret since we took home two trees, an additional one for the boys room. And awoke some crazy tree craze in Phil who has to this date put up six Christmas trees in our home. I regret waking that sleeping bear. For all of you laughing feel free to show up at my house after Christmas to help take them down. Anyway.. nothing can compare to hearing Logan sing Christmas carols adding his own words to what he doesnt know. Listening to him and Rob discuss if every Santa we see is the real Santa or a helper.. or seeing the Veggie Tale Manager riding along on the Christmas train. It truly is the most wonderful time of the year.

Giving Thanks for Turkeys..

Not to disappoint the loyal fans who are anxiously awaiting pictures from today.. Here they are pictures of the turkey trot(yes Karla those are the shirts I made even Dan Dan the tan pants man has one)....I have so much to be thankful for my family, my husband being able to walk around the track this year.(ten years ago yesterday he asked me to marry him :) My friends: who has college friends show up year after year for Thanksgiving just to run the turkey trot... This time last year things were so uncertain. I am so thankful and truly know how blessed I am. Happy Thanksgiving.
** Official race results... Logan won for the first year with a time of 11.05/mile**

More than politics..

I know what you are thinking another attempt to change your mind but this is different. I am different from so many of you because of the family I am in. I view voting as a personal decision, and this is mine.
Today in the car on the way home I asked the boys why they want to vote for Barack. They said because he will improve schools and give to the poor ( they don't see this as a bad thing). I wanted to say this. I am voting for Barack Obama because he is a Christian and that comes first to me. I am not going to debate platforms and all that is not what this is about. I am voting for him because for all the times that someone has said to me " I didn't know your husband was black" or my favorite " Your husband isn't really black you know?" or don't forget "Your husband doesn't sound black" I usually don't talk about these things but they are there. I am hoping if Barack is president that maybe we will no longer be intimidated by someone different than us. I am voting for Barack because of the words my Mom said to me when we first talked about me dating Phil. "well its ok for you but what about your kids which race will they identify with?" My answer now would be how about the human race? I asked Rob do kids ask you why your Mom is white and your dad is black? He said why would they Mom?. I am voting for Barack for Phil's Mom who would not get behind Barack for so long because she still knows the trials and troubles that her race has gone through. What we know as history she knows as her life. The women who had never from day one treated me like a white women but as her daughter. When you ask her about the election she still cant believe she has lived to see these times. She cant believe her grand kids are growing up in a world where a Black man could run and did run for the President of the United States. Which brings us full circle. I am voting for Barack for my two boys. If Barack is elected president on Tuesday no one will ever be able to tell them again they cant be whoever or do whatever they want. Regardless of what happens Tuesday I am hoping things will change for them. That is what I wanted to say and someday when they are old enough to understand I will.

September 14, 2008 My first half marathon

I did it. My friend Kristine and I completed our first half marathon. It was the longest wetest race I have ever did. Thanks to Ike it rained here all day with winds up to 40mph but the race went on. Thank God I put all vaniety behind me and decided to wear a poncho. Other people were wearing trash bags. When we were waiting for it to start I tried to get Kristine to quit. It was so miserable in the rain and cold. You couldnt look up cause it was raining so hard. She said we didnt come this far to quit. Once we got moving it was fun. My ponch ripped half way through so I picked one up off the ground someone else had thrown off. ( again I have no pride) What made me the most proud is when we got to the finish line there were only about 6 families there and there was mine in rain coats and long pants cheering me on....Logan yelled Mom you look like a banana.( the poncho I borrowed was yellow) And just like that is was over I am not sure when my shoes will dry out. I hope soon so I can get training for the marathon we signed up for next month.

What will there memories be of.

Sometimes I think about what Rob and Logan will remember about growing up. I think of all the silly things we do and think of what will define there memories of our family. Will it be bowling in the living room, the hours we spend reading books, the walks we take the lazy Sunday we spend at the park. I know I try everyday to be the Mom that I want to be. I try to keep the big stuff from them cause they are kids. Often Logan says when I have a wife I am going to do...it is often various things. Today it was when I have a wife I am going to tell her she is beautiful and take her out on dates. I asked where he was gona take her and he said to ride horses. Ok.... Today we were driving around singing in the car and they were so happy. I wonder if they will remember. I remember that kind of stuff I remember my Mom wouldn't sing and my dad would whistle off tune.. I hope they remember that its the simple stuff that matters. I am guilty of saying every stage of there lives I love the most. I love where they are in life. The innocence the way they do love everything. I am so lucky to have the life I have.

Not bad for a me.....

The 1st day of the rest of his life.

Logans 1st day of kindergarten today. Logan is so different from Rob. At times I am not even sure he belongs to me. For example, Logan loves to look at himself in the mirror. Those who know me know that often I dont even look in a mirror to get dressed in the morning. He often plays red carpet. It goes like this act like your taking pictures of me as I am walking down the red carpet. I actually asked the doctor once do you think you could of switched him at birth? Logan was excited to go to school. He wanted to play Legos and play on the internet. He was very sad when he realized even though there are computers in the class they are not for him. I am only sad because now he is exposed to a whole world that doesnt revolve around us. He didnt want me to walk him in school. I can do it by myself. I know the way Mom. I watched him go. He never looked back not once I think that is very symbolic of things to come with him. How old does that make me if my babies in kindergarten???

Ok here it is.

In a little longer than a month my friend Kristine and I are going to walk a half marathon. We have been talking about it for a long time and finally decided if not now when.. So we have been training. We have been adding a mile every Sunday this week we walked 10 miles. It was so fun. I have learned lots of things. Things I never knew like you can get huge blisters on the bottom of your toes and they hurt like heck. And you can tape them and they still hurt. After two and a half hours of walking your blood sugar may drop really low. You should not wear cotton shorts to walk in. I am excited to walk the half marathon. I wonder if we will make it only one month to go.

Kayak, lakes and sun..does it get any better?

Today we went to the lake that Marsha and my Dad live on. They have a great beach to play and swim. And to the boys delight they have KAYAKS!!!!!!!!!! So my dad took both boys out on the lake kayaking. We had such a good time. Did I ever tell you I love summer. Today was wonderful. It felt like a vacation. I love spending time with my Dad and Marsha they are so relaxed and low key. No schedules or rushing around. I am glad we have Marsha in our lives...
YEAH SUMMER....

This cracks me up.

I wonder when I will stop laughing every time I see my name as the teacher on someones paper I am grading...me the teacher. GO ahead I laugh every single paper.. Wouldnt Dr.Stevensons be proud or shocked one or the other.

You knew this was coming...

I LOVE SUMMER

Swimming....walking after dinner when it is still light......no school.......swimming.........wearing sandals.........the sun.........the MUNY...........ice cream............and lets not forget SWIMMING!!!!!!!!

I love summer and I think I have passed that love on to both boys not a day goes by they don't say..it sure is a hot day we should go swimming. I love seeing them love summer the way I do. Here are two pictures of them at the Muny for Karla and one from Fourth of July. The older they get the more there personalities are more like me.. They do funny things.

Enjoy the summer it will be over soon.

Happy Fathers Day

Six years ago in February I had the pleasure of meeting someone. I met this person some might say by fate others by divine intervention. They became someone I grew to love over time. I looked up to this person almost immediately when I met them. It was in a bit of a crisis and they handled it and became someone for me to look up to. I learned a lot about unconditional love from this person. I saw it in his eyes the first time he held our son. I saw his face when he found out he was going to be a dad he was so excited. I always loved Phil but seeing him with the boys and be a Dad has been the greatest gift. I love watching Rob and Logan and him play. I knew it was love when he would get up night after night with them when they were small and I would sleep. I see how when they are sick he sits up with them. The boys are blessed to have a dad that loves them and teaches them to love. They are blessed to have a Dad that teaches them to love God and others. I often hear Phil say it is your job to take care of Mom too. I love that Logan always says when I grow up and I am a Dad.... I love that he thinks that is part of growing up to be a Dad. I cant think of anyone I would rather raise kids with. I think we make a great team. I love that my boys have you as a role model. Happy Fathers Day Philip.

I finally figured it out.. The secret to friendship

What you say did I figure out.. I finally figured out why I am friends with all of you. Yes you if you are reading this.. why I like you. It simple really one reason. Because you wear a swimsuit. Simple isn't it.. I can not and will not be friends with women who do not wear swimsuits. I will never understand that. You know the ones that wear a size six and just don't like there bodies so they don't swim... that is it. . I am not saying you have to wear it to the grocery store but I cant remember any of you saying... Oh I don't swim... I don't even own a swimsuit. There it is so go ahead dig it out and wear it proud and when you put it on think of what I said no swimsuit=no frienship.

ITS SUMMER AGAIN!!!!!!!

What have I got to complain about?

Here is what was waiting for me when I got home. Rob had made me a card. My first "homemade" card. ( Ok I am not counting the ones Phil makes because he forgot our anniversary). I think this may be the best present I ever got. I included the picture he drew on the inside. It is him and I at a garage sale. I am the larger person you may recognize me from my smile. He is the smaller one don't our smiles look alike. He drew this because he is so happy to go garage sale with me. How can you not love the mind of a child. The back of the picture are the tables of clothes since I like to buy his clothes there. And the thing in red is a Scooby Doo game we bought at one this past Saturday. When your son is happy to go to garage sales and buy clothes do you really have anything to complain about?

If not NOW...WHEN?

Ok so here is the question of the day. What is it that you want to do and keep thinking I should do this... And what are you waiting for? I guess I am really trying to get out of the whole I will do it later mentality. Maybe this is midlife crisis. Do you have those at 30 something:) Maybe it is because I swear to you it seems like yesterday I was in college and its been 13 years since I was there. (So Karla that means we have been friends for 16 years :)) Maybe its becuase I had a wake up call earlier this year.
Whatever. What is it that you have always wanted to do but havent and why not or better yet when will you? I have been thinking about this A lot lately. I know what mine is .. I think.

An unlikely workout partner

I like to walk. It is free, it clears your head you can do it anywhere. I have always wanted a workout partner. You know someone to hold you accountable...make you go when you feel like taking a nap. I often walk with my girl friends. But I would of never thought I would find a workout buddy in Rob. He wanted to walk with me. I tried to think up every excuse no its too far. Just stay with dad and Logan but he was persistent " I can do it Mom" so we walk and walk and walk. Now we walk anywhere from 2.5 to 3 miles a day. We run into people who say I saw you guys walking you walk really far... anyway. He is the best workout partner I ever had. When I get home from work there he is...Get your shoes on Mom lets go walk.. Ok, And while we walk we talk and sometimes the conversation is quite well enlightening. " Mom, I think you should know I have a girlfriend now." Me oh ok. Well tell me about her. What would you say he is 6. She is in my class and she is so beautiful. Other times it is well touching. " Is this called quality time Mom, is that what adults say...quality time" It is so great. And dont think we walk slow, No this workout buddy pushes me "come on Mom speed up why dont we just run up this hill to knock it out." The other day Phil saw us walking and said he kicks your butt huh? But yesterday when we were walking he said I love when it is just me and you Mom walking.. and said I am going to say a prayer thanking God right now. And he did while he was walking. And I knew he was the BEST workout buddy I ever had.

Ask and you shall receive SPRING AT LAST!

Two things I have passed down to the boys my love of nice weather and being outside. It has rained here so much it was so nice outside 65 and SUNNY... the second thing is when we have a good day we say "It sure was a nice day today" we say it almost every day really but today as I was helping Rob after his bath he said " It sure was a good day today I will remember it for a long time just me,you, Logan and Dad hanging out. And it was such a nice day outside:) It was a really good day. What more can I say?

Showing some love to the Lou

Rob has been on spring break so we have been spending some time here we have great things to see here. Hint hint if anyone would like to visit. We are almost spoiled. When we left the zoo today Rob said we did so much this week it was like we were on vacation. Let me know if anyone needs a room at the Casa de Brown house.

This for some reason does not surprise me...

You Are Ernie

Playful and childlike, you are everyone's favorite friend - even if your goofy antics get annoying at times. You are usually feeling: Amused - you are very easily entertained You are famous for: Always making people smile. From your silly songs to your wild pranks, you keep things fun. How you life your life: With ease. Life is only difficult when your friends won't play with you!

http://www.blogthings.com/thesesamestreetpersonalityquiz/">The Sesame Street Personality Quiz

Here comes Peter Cottantail.

We have never colored eggs before at my house it is too messy. Tonight we lived on the wild side.

And yet again....with breaking the rules ( I never was one to follow them anyway)

"For we have a choice in this country. We can accept a politics that breeds division, and conflict, and cynicism. We can tackle race only as spectacle - as we did in the OJ trial - or in the wake of tragedy, as we did in the aftermath of Katrina - or as fodder for the nightly news. We can play Reverend Wright's sermons on every channel, every day and talk about them from now until the election, and make the only question in this campaign whether or not the American people think that I somehow believe or sympathize with his most offensive words. We can pounce on some gaffe by a Hillary supporter as evidence that she's playing the race card, or we can speculate on whether white men will all flock to John McCain in the general election regardless of his policies.
We can do that.
But if we do, I can tell you that in the next election, we'll be talking about some other distraction. And then another one. And then another one. And nothing will change.
That is one option.
Or, at this moment, in this election, we can come together and say, "Not this time." This time we want to talk about the crumbling schools that are stealing the future of black children and white children and Asian children and Hispanic children and Native American children. This time we want to reject the cynicism that tells us that these kids can't learn; that those kids who don't look like us are somebody else's problem. The children of America are not those kids, they are our kids, and we will not let them fall behind in a 21st century economy. Not this time."
Barack Obama March 18.2008

Seems like just yesterday they were learning to scoot....

And today how to ride SCOOTERS!!! Where does time go? They have been wanting them so we finally found some on craigslist they were so happy. It amazing how quickly things change..how big they get.
This last picture is for you T. Rob said Wow Mom you can rollerblade you are cool... I couldnt help but laugh who knew this skill would one day impress my kids. And I was a bit surprised too, It has been a long time.. In this picture we are doing tricks..( they have there legs on there handelbars this is the only trick I can do)

Hello Spring Are you coming or what?

As some of you know and make fun of I have lived in Missouri my whole life other than those four wonderful years at G.C. so I am used to the weather..I am used to the humidity that feels like no other. I am used to the tornadoes.. but I have never seen such crazy weather as this year. On Sunday the boys and I had a picnic at the park. It was 76 degrees. And yesterday snow enough to sled again. Enough I am perplexed. My brother says if it wasn't 76 I wouldn't of minded or noticed the snow. I don't believe that I would of minded. I am a four seasons kind of person and by March I am ready for Spring. I am ready for jacket weather and the park. So global warming, El Nino or whatever ....goodbye winter and hello Spring.

** the little guy is my nephew not Logan**

If only we all had a Lloyd...

Happy Valentines Day!!!!!!

Breaking my own rule here.

I have a few rules I try to live by. One of those rules are DO NOT DISCUSS POLITICS WITH FRIENDs. I often tell Philip before dinner parties I mean it dont discuss it people are entitled to there personal views. I am breaking that rule. I went to go see Barack when he was in town last Saturday night. Phil and I went with a few people from work. We stood there on a hard concrete floor actually the football field with 20,000 strangers for four hours. The thing that amazed me was the diversity that was there.. young, college kids, old white ladies, black men, african american families, middle class white families. It was amazing. I have been an Obama supporter for awhile. I read a lot about him, his issues. I converted Philip. I truly believe he is who/ what we need right now in our country. I know we are entitled to our own views but at least read up on him with an open mind. Ok enough politicking.

http://www.barackobama.com/index.php