Family Fun!!

What a great weekend! We visited Becky's family in Perry Co, PA. We arrived on Friday after a five hr. trip. The kids did pretty good. We were very excited to see our family. The kids are not able to see them very often...maybe twice a year or less.

As we were unpacking and settling in for the night, Matt and I realized that we left the kids suitcase home. Thus, we had no clothes, shoes, pull ups, or diapers (and Daniel was in the last one from his backpack, aka diaper bag). So at8:30pm, we head off to Wal-mart in Lewistown...40 miles away. It was a nice "mini-date" however, it was snowing & raining so the conversation in the car was at a minimal! I must say it was fun to pick out some clothes for the kids and not feeling bad about getting them!!

On Saturday, we had a great day! It is always fun to be at the Lodge and just hang out. Thanks Ron and Evie! Matt and I were able to ride ATVs, and thanks to my cousin Matty, I was able to ride along for a jump! How fun! Sammie and Daniel of course loved all the attention as well as the dogs!!

Matt was able to feel like a kid and spend time playing on Josh's Wii. I think he spent a good half of his time playing with my cousin's boyfriend. I was even asked how it felt to be single again...but he had fun and that's what matters!!

I want to send out a huge THANK YOU to my cousin Chris for organizing all the meals! She is a chef by trade and she shows it every time! She not only planned but also brought over half of the food with them. It was great! Back to my weight watchers I must go!!!

Well, it was a fun weekend and I want to thank all of my family for taking time out of their schedules to hang out with us! It was great!

Love you all!!

Catch Up Time!!

Once again, it's been over a month since our last update! I hope people are still reading this thing!!!

Last month, Daniel turned One year old!! We had a great time! He got his first haircut that day. He did really well, until Mommy started to trim the back. He is quite the little man now! We celebrated his day by having a small group of family and friends over for a cook-out! We were blessed to have all three grandparents as well as Aunt Vicki here for the celebration. (One of these days we hope to have all Aunts and Uncles, and cousins, help in celebrating their birthdays!)

When we opened gifts, I think Sissy and friends had more fun than he did. He didn't really want anything to do with opening them! He just sat back and watched! The gifts were great--clothes, books, toys (what else can a one year old ask for!). He has four walking toys yet still prefers to crawl! Don't rush, Daniel!! Take your time!!!

October has been a good month. Matt and Becky celebrated their sixth anniversary on the sixth. We waited until Sunday to truly celebrate! All four of us adventured to Colonial Williamsburg for a three-day trip! We almost never get going on time for trips, and this one was no different...we left two hours later than planned. I was so thankful that this drive was only a couple of hours! When we get to the hotel, they had a difficult time finding our reservation. After we had settled into the room, we ventured out for dinner...looking for something authentic. Well, it was definitely a college town b/c the most authentic we could find was a pizza/sub shop. Nope, can't do that. Sammie can't eat there and I just could not stomach that in hot weather! So off to Friendly's we go!!

On Monday, we got up and headed out an hour late...so much for punctuality! It's really heard to give kids meds when you're on vacation! We ended up not getting into Colonial Williamsburg until lunch time and we were so thankful to find a nice place to eat! Chownings...outside eating...it's great! Pulled pork sandwiches and grilled chicken salads (It was so big, I could not even finish it!) Now we are filled and ready to go...we just wondered around a little bit and saw a few things on Monday.

On Tuesday, we got there two hours earlier and had a game plan of what and when to see things! It was really nice! My favorite parts were the New Hope Plantation...the smell of tobacco in the shed as it's drying...what a wonderful, memorable smell (my dad was a tobacco farmer) and the weaver. The weaver did a great job involving Sammie in the presentation. I hope she remembers that for a long time!

Over all we had a great time and really enjoyed getting away just the four of us. We rarely get to do something like this so when we do, it's great! The kids did really well. I am really looking forward to going back again...maybe without kids this time!! (Hint! Hint!)

We have also battled with sick kids! They both had strep and pink eye just before we left on our mini-vacation. When they were finished with their medications last week, I had them seen for a recheck and I'm sure glad I did! Sam still had strep (fourth time in four months!) and Daniel with an ear infection! They are both doing better now. We had a recheck visit today and no more strep! We are officially strep free!!!

I would like to thank all of you for praying for Sammie! Lord, please watch over them and give them good health over the next few months!

The first picture is of Daniel with his first birthday gift and a week before his birthday. Note the hair cut! He looks so grown up!!



Here's a picture of our sweet boy when he was just one month old! How time flies!

He finally did it!

Matt's been talking about it for a few months now...over a year, actually. Let me explain, last fall Matt's brother shaved his head. Since then, Matt's been talking about it more and more. On Saturday he mentioned the topic again but I gave him my usual doubtful response since he talks yet never does it. Next thing I know he's in our bathroom shaving it all off. Here's some pics for you to see. I've even added a pic of his brother Chris for you to compare for yourself!

Sammie's First Day of Preschool

Sammie went to her first morning of preschool yesterday. She did a great job. I have to admit I was a little nervous about taking her. After she woke up, I went into her room to help her pick out her "dress" of the day. Of course, she wanted to wear her Easter dress (a white dress with pink ribbon) so I had to convince her to wear a jumper that was more appropriate for the day. So once that was taken care of, we ate breakfast and then Daddy came home. Well of course, that just made things even better! We took some pictures at the front door and then drove to school. We were there a few minutes early and that was a good thing because Matt had to turn around and go back to the house to get her nametag which we had left hanging by the front door...oops!

We walked up to her classroom, so far so good. After giving her kisses, we started to talk with one of her teachers. Then I noticed there was one of Sammie's peers crying in the doorway not wanting to come in. I looked down and Sammie was watching (more like staring at) this child. In hopes to not have the same situation on our hands, I asked her if she'd like to go play with the toys. And off she went...thank goodness, that was close!! When we headed out to the car, I was starting to feel a little more nervous now. I can't believe she's in preschool. How did she get to this point so fast? Is this really true? As I'm driving out of the parking lot, I feel this knot in my stomach...but no tears. Well, let me tell you, this knot lasted about ten minutes, until I was at the mall ready for a few things to do before I had to return at 11:45 for pick up.

So when I picked her up, I asked how her day was? I was getting the typical answer, it was good. Whatcha do? "played"

That's exciting, I thought. I kept asking more things and I got out that they sang a couple of songs, read a story about a man, and colored. From all this, I am to conclude that she had a great day! We celebrated by going to RedRobin for dinner.

Another CRAZY month!

Matt has traveled across the world to Moldova for a missions trip with church. He and the rest of the team arrived safely back in the states on Aug. 5th at 10pm after a twenty-four plus hours of travel including two hours sitting on the runway at JKF. We are happy to have him home again!

While he was away, the kids and I traveled to PA for a quick, really quick one night visit. We arrived at my mom's on a Friday afternoon then visited with a friend of Mom's that day. On Saturday, we went to the mall to visit with my friend Devon and her family, then off to see Aunt Molly for a few minutes before the Rocherty Picnic. This picnic is held at a church that my mom's relatives went to for a very long time...three or four generations have attended, if not been members of at one time or another. Due to various reasons, no one attends there now, however, the picnic is a good way for a family reunion when we can all get together. The kids had a great time and it really wore them out! After the picnic, Sammie, Daniel, and I went bowling...it now being 8pm and I probably should have headed home to VA two hours earlier. But I just wasn't ready to say good-bye to my cousins just yet! So we hung with them for an hour before our three plus hour drive home.

The rest of Matt's time away was spent with our lovely friends Heather and Seth Karl. See Scott, the husband and father of the family, was in Moldova with Matt. So it was nice to have some company rather than just sitting at home alone. However, it was rather mutual that by the end of the week we were both missing our husbands! It was nice to have someone who could relate with them being away and we could share those thoughts with each other. Thanks Heather!!

Since then, we've been working on cleaning up the house, slowly but surely! Dealing with sick kids in the house...both had strep at one point. And Swimming lessons...that's right swimming. The past two weeks Sammie has gone to the local rec center (chinn) for daily swim lessons four days a week. She did a great job! I was very impressed with her behavior and her willingness to cooperate! She had a few times where she did need encouragement but they were easily resolved! What a great little fish she is!

This weekend we are working on a church project...a ministry fair. It was our Sunday School class's thoughts and ideas that put this project into motion. We are having our first leadership meeting tomorrow. Please pray that everything will go smoothly and that our works will be to God's glory.

Well, the kids are in bed, and I've gotta get my cleaning time into action! Night, y'all!!

Family Weekend

This weekend was great! We had very few plans outside of spending good family time together! We were able to start all the fun on Friday since Matt had off work! We spent a couple hours playing with Sammie while Daniel took his morning nap. We played Duck, duck, goose and London Bridge. After lunch we went to see the movie Ratatouille. Neither of the kids enjoyed the beginning of it. Daniel cried everytime there was a loud noise and Sammie held her hands over her eyes until I gave her some candy to eat. After the first fifteen minutes, they did great! When we returned home, we filled up the pool and watched the kids splash to their hearts' content!

On Saturday, Sammie got a new bed that our friends Barbara and Nick generously gave her. She loves it! After lunch, we spent some time in the pool. The kids loved it! Sammie helped Mommie get Daddy wet with the squirt toys and then they took revenge on me and got me quite wet too! Saturday night we rented some movies. Matt and I watched Friday Night Lights. Have you seen it? What did you think? From what I saw of it between my snoozes, it wasn't really that exciting. What good came out of it? They lost!

Then there was Sunday...of course, we attended church, and then Matt had his last meeting for his trip to Moldova this week. After lunch the kids and I took naps! Sammie's first nap in a week! Thank goodness! She's been wearing me out! Then off to church again for the evening service and a tailgate party afterwards! It was fun! They did a really nice job with all the food and games they had! Could not have asked for nicer weather either!

Here are a couple of pics of the kids from this weekend!

It's not a clear Pic but I love the expression!

Daniel on the move

He's almost there!! This month he has started to roll from one spot to another intentionally, scoot around in a circle while sitting or on his belly, getting on all fours with a rocking motion, and most recently, pulling himself onto his knees and even to his feet a couple of times. Thankfully, due to recent overnight guests with walking one year olds, we had to put the gates up. They are in place and ready for use! Sammie gets so excited when she sees him move. She's quite the little cheerleader for him.

We have had a slue of things going on. We are currently in a two or three week slump from having overnight guests at our house. Ever since June 29th until last week, we have had visitors every week. Our next visitors come in two weeks and I am really looking forward to their visit. Heather and Seth Karl are coming for a full week! Yipee!!

These past three weeks have been rather productive with the help of our babysitter! Our wonderful babysitter Stacy started taking Sammie to the library last week. Today I took the kids to the library for "Tales for Tots" time and to see the firefighters. Tomorrow there's a puppet show so Stacy will hopefully be able to take her to that. (I was going to go but I have to get some cleaning done for tomorrow night!) Thanks to the library and my friend Amy, I now have plans for almost every week until preschool starts in SIX weeks!

Right now Matt is on his way home from a three day trip to San Jose, CA. He was supposed to leave San Jose around 12:45pm (3:45 EST) Wednesday but the flight was delayed. Then when he got to Chicago for his layover, the second flight was delayed over an hour due to lightning and heavy storms. I just checked his flight status and he is not due to arrive into Reagan until 1:46am. Poor guy. Lord willing, he'll be able to take some time off tomorrow. Let's pray it's the entire day!!

For myself, I've been mentally preparing to lead our church's weekly playgroup (mommy & me) as well as helping to prepare for a special event at church. Both will happen after school starts but it's better to start now than wait until I'm freaking out about it & should have done it two weeks ago! Know what I mean?

Well, it's almost 1:30am so I off to bed! I'll be up around 6am to my almost 10 mo. old alarm clock!

The Potty Adventure

Sammie and Daniel have had a great week. Auntie Melissa, Uncle Steve, and Baby Sarah were visiting until Thursday. We went to Mt. Vernon on Wednesday to ride the ferry. After a slightly difficult time getting on the boat, we had a great ride. The babies did great! Sammie was more interested in visiting the bathrooms on the lower deck but thankfully there weren't many others who were in need of them!

Potty training has taken a turn for the more difficult. Sam has not been very consistent with staying dry, not since the first week. It will be a challenge this week because we have VBS every morning. Fortunately, my good friend Amy will be one of the teachers in her class so I know she will be well taken care of! This is definitely an area of prayer for her and me...that we both stay consistent with it. She has two months before preschool starts and she has to be ready by then!

We have family and friends visiting over the next two weeks, a "normal" week or two afterwards, and then Matt will be off for Moldova for ten days. Will we ever have a "normal" month!? Probably not. It's not at all what I imagined life would be like, but that's how God works, doesn't He!? Sammie will just have to deal with the changes in big girl panties, and I'll just have to focus on doing at least two loads of laundry every day!

Other events of the weekend...We had a yard sale today. It went well. We made more than what we thought we did. We didn't sell as much as we had hoped but that's ok. After the yard sale, I dashed off to a bridal shower at church. It was one of the nicest ones I'd been to. Very fun yet relaxing too! Today was a day of talking with people I hadn't talked to in a while or are getting to know. At our yard sale, we met one of our neighbors and our other neighbor came over and hung out with us for a while. Also our friend Erin came over to hang out and attempt to sell somethings...she sold one and gave one to Matt...You'll have to ask him yourself!

The past three weeks...

...were as usual...BUSY!!! Memorial Day weekend we visited my mom and sister. We spent Friday and Saturday doing necessary work around the farm. Then Saturday night we met some friends for dinner and then off to a local carnival. Sammie was so excited to go on all the rides, except the dragon/dinosaur ride, which she was absolutely terrified of. Sunday was spent as Sammie's celebration for her birthday. We went to the circus in Hershey! It was really fun! Loud, but fun. Daniel got upset when fireworks went off but they both did really well.

Two days after we returned home Grandma Brown came to visit. Her first week-long visit with us. She taught Sammie about colors and did fingerpaintings with her. She took the kids for walks around the neighborhood, which, sadly, I fail to do on a regular basis. Also, We went to Ikea, a must whenever Grandma's in town! We had a great time with her here. It was great to have her here for Sammie's birthday.

The first weekend in June was Sammie's birthday party....a Princess party. We held it at the local park. We were blessed with beautiful weather! We invited a few boys to the event so I twisted the theme abit and involved dinosaurs through the favors. She had a great time. I hope all the kids did too. Sammie received a lot of wonderful, generous gifts. We are so blessed to have such giving family members and friends.

Last week we had a friend of Sammie's over for the week. It was a great experience for Sammie. She had someone her age to play with and to help her learn how to share. She isn't the greatest sharer, like most three year olds, but she needs all the experience with it she can get!!

This past Saturday was a birthday for two of Sammie's friends...twins. It was a great Elmo party. Their mom is so creative. I love getting ideas from her. Sammie and I ventured to it alone so Matt could get some work around the house done and Daniel could get a good nap. It was great yet a little weird at the same time to only have Sammie with me. I was able to catch up with some old friends while Sammie played and met some new girls her age.

Since this past Sunday the kids have been house-bound for the past three or four days. Why? Because Sammie has been potty training! It's been going really well! She has been in big girl panties for the past four days with very few accidents! She has really impressed me. We took our first venture out today for lunch and she even was willing to go while we're out....which isn't suprising, but we were at my old work place and they are have a kid size potty (and sink). She loved it! She would try to sneak in there just to "potty" or wash her hands for a fourth or fifth time. I never realized how liberating it would be for me to have her independently using the potty.

Now this coming weekend we are hosting most of Matt's family and my mom and sister. Daniel is getting Dedicated on Sunday at church. This is exciting to have the family here because we weren't able to have anyone here for Sammie's Dedication. Also it's Father's Day so it'll special to have Daniel's only Papa here for this special day.

I should be helping Matt finish up all the cleaning but like any other time, I'll do a little tonight and then rush around and stress about it tomorrow! I seem to work best under that kind of pressure!


Here's some pics from the past few months. Hope you enjoy them!


Daniel finding all kinds of toys in his basket


Sammie helping Grandma Starr with dishes


Sammie on the Day of her birthday party


Our first Spring Day in the Sandbox

Mother Daughter Day

Sammie and I attended a mother daughter luncheon at church today. Well, Daniel too. (Matt's in NH this weekend, again.) At first I wasn't at all excited after the morning we had (Well, at least the past hour) and I had a difficult time carrying everything in so I had to make two trips thus stressing me out more!! Once we were all seated and starting to eat. Things did calm down a bit! Sammie got a brownie from one of the ladies b/c she hurt her toe on the way into the church. That calmed her down quite quickly!! Can't imagine why!! I must say after the horrific morning and day yesterday, she was very well behaved! It's amazing how different they are in public than they are at home. I can say that b/c I was the same way! Fortunately, I sat at a table with loving women who graciously helped me with both kids. We played a couple of games and then one of the ladies gave a brief testimonial/words of encouragement! It was a nice time and good to visit with people.

This past week has been busy...with out-of-home activities again. Therefore, we have only gotten a little bit more done...more than we have in the past but not as much as I would have hoped! I am still trying to catch up on laundry...which, I know, never ends!

The only room that is the closest to being declared complete is the kids' room...the kitchen's a close second but not to its best! After the kids go to bed tonight, I will be able to focus a bit more on just putting books and things away! Or put in the yard sale pile!! I'm on my sixth box for that! I've very excited!

Hope you are having a great weekend and enjoying this beautiful weather!! We're going for a walk after our naps!!!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Just want to give a big shout out to all the moms and mommies-to-be (you know who you are!!) in our lives! We are so thankful for all of you! We hope that you all have a blessed day and one that is happy and relaxing!

Matt is off in New Hampshire working on Kayaking shop stuff with Jim! I'm slowing getting some more boxes unpacked and tomorrow, we'll be spending Mother's day with my mom at a half-way point between here and Lancaster, PA! Hope you all have a great weekend!

A sure sign of summer...

...when we go to the last Mommy & Me for the year. Today we'll be heading to the park with our friends from playgroup. Just as a last "Hoorah" for the kids to play together! It makes me a little sad b/c then I have to find a way to fill the two hour slot with another task...just so that it doesn't put a lull in our schedule and make me lazier for the summer. I have three days that are more lax than the other two...I don't really need a fourth! Well, at least I know I can always fall back on unpacking!!! HAHAHA!

Update on the kids...Sammie is doing well. Both of them are suffering like most people around here with allergies. I guess it's the negative of the nice weather! Daniel is also dealing with a double ear infection. He just had one about a month ago too! Poor little guy! He's been such champ!

Hope everyone has a great day! Enjoy the beautiful Sunshine!

Moved IN

We are all moved into our new place. We'll be sending out notes with our new address on them as soon as we can. This past week has been one of less desire. We have been in the house for offically a week now and I think I have only half the kitchen unpacked, and not much more than that! Well, maybe our clothes in the dresser, but not the closets. We have gone out looking for new living room furniture, have bought most of the curtains and a lawn mower, and had the exterminators come to rid us of our termite problem!

How did the move go? GREAT! Matt kicked me and our friend Becca out of the apartment almost as soon as Becca got there. We came over to the new place to start preparing for the boxes...lining shelves mostly. When we got here, we were met by a few (like 50+) Sugar ants in the kitchen! First Termites on Friday then Ants on Saturday...no more bugs! Fortunately, our friend KP was in town and was able to run to the store for some ant spray and baits! The guys made their first load from the apartment and then stopped for lunch. After lunch, we all headed over to storage and within two hours were back unloading everything from storage. They were able to move everything within eight hours! In the morning there were about four guys but by the end of the day there were eight...plus Becca and I. What a blessing it is to have all of our friends who helped and to their understanding, supportive wives/families who lent us their men for the day! We couldn't have done it without any of them!

On Tuesday, My mom arrived for a short three day visit. She was a great help in not only unpacking all of my plastic storage/serving containers (which now takes up over half of our twelve seat dining room table) but also helping me shop for curtains (I hate making decisions like that!) and caring for the kids. A couple of mornings she would let me sleep even if the kids were up...giving them breakfast! Matt and I went to a Red Sox game last night with some friends. It was great to know that the kids were in great hands!

As far as the kids, they are adapting fairly well. Sammie has definitely had one of her rougher weeks. It feels like she's been testing the limits almost every minute. Thankfully, we were able to take a short break from each other this week when she went to gymnastics with her friend Sara. It's such a blessing to have friends like that! Sammie got her hair cut tonight and I'm not sure if I really like it...it's not very straight so I'll have to take her with me to get it fixed up but also it maybe just a little to short. Before I know it, it'll be long and need to be cut again. Daniel has been good although he's totally off schedule and has been struggling with all the pollen in the air. Poor boy has had such a boogery (?sp) nose this week. If he wasn't such a happy baby and Sam wasn't so gosh darn cute, I'd be insane and committed for treatment by now!

Well, Matt's probably waiting patiently for me to come help him unpack something so off I go...HiHoHiHo, it's to unpacking, I go...

Going Off Line

We'll be off line for the next few days. We'll be moving tomorrow and I don't know when Matt will be able to hook the computer back up next week. Please pray that everything goes smoothly tomorrow. Matt has handled all the Help available and I haven't been much help since I am with the two kids. Sammie is more willing to help so I have found a few things to allow her to help me with. This morning, She was so cute....She helped me mop the kitchen floor in the new place. She just took the mop out of the water and off she went. It amazes me how strong she is since the Mop was three times her height. What good stability!

Hope everyone has a great weekend! "Hook up" with you later!!! HeeHeeHee!

chaos in the brown family!!

Things are so crazy. Sometimes I feel like things could never get any worse...as far as busyness. Or when things are calm and we say we can take on something...then we end up taking on everything! Oh, my! The kids & Matt have been sick for the past week or so and are finally feeling better, just in time for our "big" move this weekend. Now we have to find time to pack so we can move...we have just a few boxes packed! Also, there are still some glitches with the house...We did our walk through last week and are still in waiting for the responses to the concerns we gave the landlord's realtor. Matt takes a lot of things in stride, but he is even concerned about it so that makes me more concerned.

Fortunately, we are so blessed to have a Lord that has everything under control even when I'm feel overloaded. And thanks to Him, we are blessed with friends and family around to help!!! We already have a few guys lined up to help Matt on Saturday and have a place for Sammie and Daniel to stay while all the chaos is going on! The LORD has, is, and always will provide!

Happy Easter!!

We had a great Easter! Our friend Julie brought her two kids over. We had a great time dying three dozen eggs while trying to keep the kids from dropping them and cracking the shells! I alternated the traditional Easter menu from ham to pork tenderloin. Neither Matt nor I like ham all that much...except deli ham. So I think we'll stick with pork tenderloin. It's also somthing that Sammie will eat as well. Just add applesauce and she'll eat (most of) it!!



Last week we travelled to the QC (Quad Cities) area of Illinois to visit our good friends the Karls! We had a great time! Our second day there, Heather and Scott hosted a couples party for a few of their friends. It was great to meet them! Throughtout the week, we visited the John Deere headquarters, pavilion, and store, and touched the Mighty Mississippi! It was great! We also visited the childhood home of Pres. Ronald W. Reagan in Dixon, IL. Matt also had the pleasure of helping Scott with a couple household tasks. We definitely had a great visit with all of them. Here are a couple photos from our trip! Once I can get Matt's help, I'll try to download some more! Or you can click onto the Karls' blog to see more!

Home Search

Yesterday we spent five to six hours searching at rental townhouses and single family homes for us to move into in the next six weeks (Lord willing, by April 21st so that we can have a week to transition over). We have plans to meet with our Realtor tomorrow am and hopefully look at ten listings. (We looked at over 25 homes yesterday!) Matt is able to take the am off for Daniel's 6 mos. check up but has enough time to go looking at homes as well!!! Matt will be stopping the resume/application process this week. If he doesn't hear anything from what he has out, we will definitely be around for another year. Therefore, keep an eye out for a letter in the mail with our new address coming soon!

Other news...Daniel started rolling over last week! It's happened a few times and from his back to his belly. It's a start! He really dislikes lying on his belly unless someone is there entertaining him. These days, that's not to difficult. Sammie has done a great job taking on the big sister role. She loves playing with him on the floor. Today, she was letting him play with her blue doggy which she takes to bed with her every nap and every bedtime. Must have Doggy!

This week we will be busy finding a new residence and packing for our trip to see the Karls!! I can't wait! I'm not looking forward to the travel with the kids...three hour flight + three hour drive. But I'm definitely looking forward to being with our friends again! You know it's been a long time when Sammie doesn't remember that Scott's nickname is LaLa and she calls baby Seth, Baby Kate. We'll have to work on that this week before we get there!

Gotta head to bed...it's late and gotta get up early to take Daniel to the Drs. by 8:30am...what was I thinking when agreed to that appt. time!!? Nigh-nite!

Just an update!

It's been a while since I last wrote, so I thought I'd give an update! Things haven't changed much! The kids & I are sick right now. Daniel & I are both suffering from mild cold symptoms and Sam's finally getting those last few baby teeth in, therefore, miserable and with cold symptoms as well. Matt's continuing to look for a job in New England. No positive results yet...we're still praying!

I'm now 10 lbs closer to my goal weight for next year! I'm really looking forward to the cruise! Weight Watcher's has been great! Now I just need to stay focused and motivated! Not feeling well this week has really put a damper on the motivation!

We've started looking into Preschools for Sammie and have found the one we'd like her to attend. Fortunately, one of her little friends will be with her. Also, it's close to the apartment, not that we'll be here at that time (we gave our two month notice). Hopefully, we will be able to find something within a few miles from where we are now.

Once I can find some time this weekend, I will plan to download some pics and get a few up on the blog for all to see. Dealing with photos has not been on a "to do" list for me because I just cannot find time to sit down and really work on them...with the two kids and Matt, when can I?

Never Mind...

...after two days of driving around and looking at a couple of townhouses, looking at what it would take to break our current lease at the apartment, and receiving some friendly advice from a helpful Realtor...Lori Krause (if you're looking for one)...we have decided to wait until April to start looking for another place to live. It was great to talk with Lori! Her family is an example of a family looking to stay in the NOVA area for a "short time," and 15+ years later, they're still here. She is one of a few that have shared a similar story with us. Is this God's way of telling us we're to stay here for a while...not sure, but we do know that He's not showing us any leads in New England. Therefore, we will continue to stay here for a while. If Matt doesn't find a job before May (which has been over a year of searching), then we will take a break from the job search and stay here for a year...reconsidering the job situation January, 2008. Sorry VA friends, but it looks like we're here for a while longer!!

Moving?? again???

Well, we're entertaining the idea of possibly moving again! Into a rental townhouse. I know we're crazy but we're outgrowing the apartment. We thought we could survive staying in the apartment but there are more and more times that we find ourselves looking for something and saying..."oh, it's in storage" and then settling to improvise. Or we still need to keep something and just don't have the space to store it...Esp since Christmas arrived! Don't take me wrong...we are thankful for all the gifts we got, it's just more difficult to find hiding places for things! SO when are we looking to move??? Don't know when exactly...we're looking at a couple of places this week. If we can wait until at least April, that'd be great! However, if we have to move before then, we might have to do that too! Oh, how life is never boring! Maybe someday one of our many moves will result in moving to New England! Only God knows if and when that will happen! It's all in his timing and His Will!

First the rain, then the ice, and now snow!

What a good wintry mix....good enough for Matt to get at least the morning off today! YIPPEE! Of couse, there's a storm this week! Ever since we moved into our old townhouse on Alexander Pl., we get snow for the week of Valentine's and President's days every year! It was nice to wake up to snow. It is so beautiful and if it slows down life a little once in a while, that's always good too! I love the slower side of life! I'm sure not all of you may agree with that, but I do. I'd much rather stay home then have to go anywhere almost everyday! It makes life a little more easier, and lazier!
Well, I better get breakfast started since we're all home! Actually, maybe I can get Matt up to make pancakes...he does a better job than I!

Thanks Karls'!!!

We just want to thank the Karls' for sharing the balmy winter weather with us! I woke up to a balmy 5 degrees w/ a wind chill of -5 this am! How do the differences compare now!? LOL! Thankfully with our new car, I can start the engine and still lock it up to let it heat up inside before I go out with the kids! Thank goodness for remote locks!

Now the snow just has to arrive...which they say is coming tomorrow!! YIPPEE! A reason to get Daniel in his snowsuit, finally!!! Sam's been eagerly waiting to wear her new snow boots, and for me to say yes since there'll be snow on the ground!!!

We are all continuing to pass around a cold. Matt had it for the past two weeks along with Sammie having a slight cough. Now I've got it and I fear Daniel may be getting sick as well! We can only pray that we get better before the snow so we can go out to play!! YIPPEE!!

Life Changes this week!

I know most of you probably don't care much about this at all but Matt and I are starting to potty train Sammie this weekend. She's been using the potty inconsistently for almost 9 months so Matt is eager to get her on full-time! So far, nothing very successful today, but it's only day one. We will try again tomorrow and Sunday and the rest of the week and see how she does. If anyone has any suggestions/hints, please feel free to tell. We are open to anything right now.

The other big news this week is that I have started Weight Watchers...I know some of you may be thinking it's about time! Well, I agree! I've got less than 365 days until I'm 30 and I want to be able to slip into an outfit that I wore in college before the big "30!" I think of the song by Tim McGraw...My Next Thirty Years. How true it is! I don't want to waste away the next thirty by doing the same poor habits I've learned over these past thirty! Matt and I have also joined to local gym, which I haven't had a chance to go to this week but will this weekend! And my first goal is to be able to job/walk a 5K before Easter...that is before we take a trip to Illinois!!! I've got eight weeks! Please pray for discipline, endurance, consistancy, and motivation! The four keys that I seem to lack these past years!

Hope you all have a great weekend! Take care, and please if you're reading this, please leave us a comment so that we know you've visited our blog! God Bless!

Home Again, Home Again

And this time for a little while. We had a great time with the fam! Matt and Melissa and their mom suprised me with a birthday dinner in New Hampshire on Saturday and then on Sunday we celebrated Matt's cousin's birthday. We drove up in two days and came home in two days. It went fairly well. It was nice to break up the driving and we were able to stop as much as we needed; not feeling rushed for time at all. Even the DC traffic wasn't bad at all! Thank goodness for the 2"s of snow that caused school and gov't cancellations for the day!

Today we're spending the day relaxing and just getting some laundry done! It's amazing how fast four people can go thru so many clothes in a few days! Matt is back at work but was able to get in early so he can come home early! This week will be fairly quiet, I think! Just hangin' around home and socializing with friends in the evenings!

Heading North, Once again!

Okay, so Matt and I love a challenge...we're heading up to PA tomorrow and then the rest of the way to MA on Friday...despite snow forecasts for Friday. Please pray for safe travel. Also, we have another "sick" child. Actually it's not that bad...conjunctivitis, not to be confused with pink eye (hahaha!!!). Fortunately, it's been controlled and we're ready for the battle. We are so excited to be in the North again with the fam and with the cold(er) weather...it's 10 degrees in Beverly, MA tonight...quite balmy outside as Steve would say...or to Melissa "butt cold!" Either way, it won't be aweful as long as we have heat! Well, hope ya'll have a great weekend...looking forward to talking with you when we get back...or just call us on the cells...esp. on Friday and Monday...what else can we do in the car all day!?

New England Pictures

Hey everyone, here are a couple of the good pictures from our trip to New England. I'm going to load the rest of the pictures on the browns4god.com website.

My cousin Daniel Richard with Daniel Richard (2)

My Uncle Ken with Daniel

The infamous "you have to delete that" picture

My brother Chris and Daniel chillin' on the couch at Grandma and Papa's

Mimi, Sammie and Daniel visiting at Melissa & Steve's house

Grandma Brown emotional after receiving her decorative tiles

Grandma and Daniel talking together

Home Sweet Home

We're home!! We had a great visit with family. On Tuesday we went into Boston's Museum of Science to see Body Worlds 2 Exhibit. It was a display of various cadavors in various lifelike positions...kicking a soccer ball, a dancing ballerina, etc. They were all done through this cool process called plastination. It was interesting and not at all "gory." We also had a great Christmas with all of Matt's family. The kids got tons of goodies, of course! Now finding homes for all of them in this apartment will be a challenge. While we were there, Daniel started with a cold again but he's doing well right now. Driving there and back went well. It went well especially since we brought better entertainment for Sammie. She did really well, not screaming and/or getting frustrated with being in the car for so long! It's always bittersweet to leave. Good to be in our own home again yet long to be up there with our family and friends.