A little bit about us

I can't keep off this thing!   Thought I would tell a bit about our family. Still trying to figure out how to put a real photo of moi on here. Soon! You're not missing much.

We are a family of 6, living and learning together, currently in North Dakota. We've lived here only a year, and move on average every 2-3 years. (This is the 4th place our 7 year old has lived!) Our oldest is turning 14 this week, and is in the 9th grade. He's a cool kid into playing his guitar, baseball, and reading Louis L'Amour novels.  Our second son is 12, is my nature and science guy and spends hours writing stories and drawing. Our 9 yr old is a girl, and is my sensitive lil' cuddly bunny. She is very musical, artistic, and sweet natured. Our 7 yr old girl is a whirlwind of energy and loves to practice gymnastics, but takes time to give me lots of huggies and smooches when I need them.  Hubby is career Air Force, with 19 years in, and loves his job. He's the best dad and spends so much time making memories with his kiddos.  We enjoy moving,traveling, and seeing various parts of the world. Our most fave vacation ever was going to Australia when we were stationed in Guam. Hawaii is another favorite spot--we've been there twice and had a ball staying in the cabins at Bellows Air Station right on the beach.

 

I love homeschooling, being with my kids and my husband and doing my best to provide an atmosphere that is (hopefully) conducive to creativity and happiness. We laugh a lot, do zany things to each other, fight and make up! It's a gift to be home with these guys and I am aware of that every day.  I am passionate about scrapbooking, music, but most of all, my family. I have done a few specks of writing here and there for TOS (we're in the Fall issue under Christmas traditions) and a couple of other hs publications.  Some day I hope to do something like that full time.  that's it for now!

What I've Learned from my Dog

 

Well, I've had some thoughts swirling around--always a scary proposition, especially as I've been taking my last few (sob!) autumn-weather walks. Winter comes early to ND, and I know it's a matter of weeks before it will be toooo frigidly cold to do much outdoor exercise beyond shoveling snow! I think it may end up being hardest on my new puppy, Toby. He's my little 9 month old Bichon/Poodle mix (or as hubby likes to say, "the sissy dog"). Here's a pic of him with my little Anna--ain't they cute?

 

He can't be much of a sissy, since he hangs in there with me on my 3-4 mile briskly-paced walks nearly every day! The funny thing is, as soon as he sees me with my walking shoes on, the leash in my hand, or with my 'old lady visor', he goes nuts. He knows it's Walking Time and he gets excited. He LOVES to go with me and I wouldn't think of leaving him behind.

The other funny thing about Toby is that he just wants to be near me. In my presence, at my feet. Right now he is literally curled up ON my feet. It's so sweet. The problem is, he wants to be at my feet all the time. Like when I'm cooking dinner. If I stand still longer than a nanosecond chopping onions or such, he'll curl up on my feet.  He gets a hurt look (I'm not making this up!) if I make him move. Even then, he is just content to be near me, in my vicinity.  How could I not love a dog that adores me this much? It could go to a girl's head (or at least, my head) if I let it, then I started thinking.  Perhaps it's not without reason. Toby knows I will take good care of him, I check to be sure his food and water bowls are full when the blasted kids who promised they would 'always feed him and take care of him and take him out and give him baths and pick up his doo--doo' neglect him. I take him out at night, put him in his kennel, brush him when he needs it etc. In a nutshell, I'm his provider.

What does Toby do for me besides give me his undying adoration? Not much. He's kind of a pain sometimes, actually. But he is devoted. He doesn't ask for much, in fact he doesn't SAY anything. (this may be why I like him so much!!!) It made me stop and think how I should be toward Jesus. When I think of being "in His presence", do I think of a holy church service with organs blaring, wearing fancy clothing and sunlight streaming through stain glassed windows?  There's a place for that, but perhaps the daily being in His presence is much simpler. Just content to rest where He is. Perfectly willing to follow where He leads me, without questioning. Knowing that being anywhere in His vicinity is enough for me, implicitly trusting that He will take good care of me. Even risking making a pest of myself as I follow, puppy-like, after my Savior. Knowing my Master's voice and not letting anyone or anything turn me aside from it. It's so amazing to me how God can teach us such truths through the simple things in life.

Howdy

Hey there, hi there, ho there! Just thought I'd test this out before heading to bed. I have another blog set up for my family to view pics of the kidlets, since we all live so far apart, but thought this blog site devoted to homeschoolers seems like a great idea! I have no idea how to work it all, but will explore that when I've had sleep. God bless!

Mom's 60th

I'm finally getting some photos added on here from our trip to Kansas City and Manhattan, KS the last couple of weeks. Mom's 60th birthday was great, and I think she had an awesome time! Thanks again to Randy and Teri for being brave enough (or drunk?) to host all of us in your home. It was worth it to see the shock on Mom's face when she saw her Mom, Nana. (we had flown her in secretly and Mom had no idea) The big news is that Jeremy and Dee are expecting! Guess we finally have to start treating you like adults, eh? :) We're so happy for you two. Also great was seeing my Uncle David after how many years?

The kids and I drove on to Manhattan, KS, last week, to visit with my sister, aunt and cousin Heather, as well as to see Great-grandpa Brown in the Alzheimer's unit. He seems to be holding his own, and I even got a smile or two out of him. I really miss his jokes and laugh, but every so often you can see a little glimmer of his old self. He's still spunky!

Well, I will keep this short. Just so thankful to have such a great family and to have gotten to spend time with all of you. I love you!

The tired new parents-to-be. We're so excited to hear about the newest little Brown. Congratulations, Dee and Jeremy!

Little beauties--Natalie and Grace.

"Man...you got like 3 feet of air that time."

Matt playing baseball with the little cousins. I LOVE Jonathan's expression here--"Man, I was robbed!!"

How many Brown men does it take to work a camera?

A photo of my folks, Nana, and my brothers Randy and Jeremy with their wives Teri and Dee. We love 'em! I just realized this is one of only a couple of photos of Teri I managed to get all weekend!

Happy 60th, Mom!

The 'whole fam damily' as Grandpa B. used to say. All 'us kids' with Mom, Dad and Nana.

My Dad Phil, with his sister Rosemary and 'little' brother David.

Mom and Dad with all the grandkids(so far). I took 3 shots of this, and still ended up with weird looks on someone's face! This was the least weird photo. Ain't they cute though?

Heather reading to Abigail, Grace and Tanner. I love Abigail's expression here. SO serious!!

Tanner is a little guy very secure in his manhood! (notice the hairband)

Matt and Uncle Randy watching--what else?-- baseball!

Little sickies

Another week gone by....too quickly. All the kids have been sick at one point or another this past week. Anna had such a bad case of strep throat, that the dr. put her on prednisone to help the swelling go down. She had a miserable few days, bless her soul! She is well on the mend, and the rest of us are in various stages of sniffles and/or sore throat.

Is it only October? On Oct. 1, we saw 80 degrees, and were out in shorts. In just a couple days' time, we have a chance for snow already. Our temperature has suddenly plummeted, and I see our low will be 19 on Friday. Tuesday and Wednesday look like there will be a good chance of rain and snow showers. Sounds like a good time to stay home and cuddle up on the couch with a soft blanket and good book!!

Riding lessons are over till spring and a new instructor (too long of a story to bother with, but it didn't work out so well with the lady we were with!). We have plenty of field trips and fun things planned for the next few months. On the 14th, the kids and I head to Kansas City to celebrate Mom's 60th (yes, 60!!) with all my siblings and the cousins. It will be a blast. We will be back about 10 days later, so if you call or email me, and don't get a response, that's why. Another exciting development is that my very dear friend Kim will be coming over to see us from Co Springs. We haven't seen each other in a few years, so that is going to be neat! So we have a lot to look forward to. Pray we have good weather and safe travel. I'm not sure if I'll check in here or not again before we leave. Rest assured, we'll have pleny of photos and updates when we get back!