Thankful

Lately we've had some tough reminders that have made me think about all the things I have to be thankful for. A few months ago, a friend from college my age was killed in a canoeing accident and just a few weeks ago a dear girlfriend was killed in a car accident, that thankfully, her husband and 10 month old son walked away from unharmed. It only takes millisecond for a mother and father to lose their son, or for a husband to become a single dad and a little boy to lose his mommy. Andy and Megan, I'm lucky to have known you both.

Sometimes I get so busy with day to day life that I don't take time to appreciate the people in my life. My husband, our daughter, my parents, brothers, extended family, grandparents, in-laws, and friends- I have so much to be thankful for yet I take so little time to tell them how much I love you all. I'm thankful for our good health, I'm thankful to live where we live and be able bodied and to have honest jobs so we can support our family. I'm thankful for our little girl who brings so much joy to our lives, that she is healthy, happy, strong and growing like a weed. I'm thankful to have a warm house in the winter, a cool house in the summer, food in our refrigerator and a safe home to live in.

Instead of looking around and envying what others might have, be thankful and satisfied with your life and count your many blessings. Don't hang up the phone or walk out the door in the morning or go to bed at night without saying I love you.

My husband is a big Jewel fan. Like I tell him, "Jewel is YOUR George." If you're a female George Strait fan you'll understand what I mean by that. Jewel has a song called "Satisfied" that we were listening to today and the chorus goes like this:
"Did you say it? Did you mean it? Did you lay it on the line did you let it out? Did you look them in the eye and did they feel it? Did you say it in time did you say it out loud? If you did hun, then you've lived some, and that feeling inside? That's called Satisfied."

Be Satisfied.

Love, the Browns

1 year anniversary

On August 8th, 2010, Justin and I celebrated our 1 year anniversary! We have had a wonderful first year of marriage, with lots of great memories, dear friendships and becoming parents to our little girl. Saturday night we had a little BBQ with our neighbors Ruth and Dwayne, JD, and all the kids. Justin thought it would be fun to dress up Kajsa for the occasion.



That's Kajsa with her cousin, Bryn. On Sunday we went to the Ludlow lamb BBQ and had some amazing lamb sandwiches. We also got to visit our neighbors to the north, Chance and Ryanna Turbiville and their new baby girl, Sofia Ann Michelle. Big sister Sylvia is oh so proud of her new little sister! We couldn't believe the difference between 1 week old Sofia and 3 month old Kajsa! Aren't they adorable?



Thanks to everyone for the cards and well-wishes on our Anniversary!

Summer is winding down...

Summer is winding down and the school year will be starting in 2 short weeks. I have so enjoyed spending the summer with our daughter and watching her grow these first 3 months. It will be hard to go back to teaching, but I'm fortunate to have two wonderful ladies in the community who will take care of her during the day while her dad and I are at work. These last few weeks have been a whirlwind, here's a sneak peak at what we've been up to.

On July 31st, Justin and I got to be a part of the wedding of two very special friends of ours, Lance and Karissa Steiger. We have known the couple for years and always have such a great time together, and on the 31st Justin stood up for Lance as his best man and I stood up for Karissa as a bridesmaid. It was a beautiful weekend, a wonderful wedding and reception and we are so happy for the two of them as they start their lives together as husband and wife. Thanks to Grandpa Tom and Great Aunt Sandy for watching Kajsa for us! Below is a picture of Justin and Lance with Kajsa at the rehearsal dinner.



Sunday morning after the wedding, I had to head to Pierre for the State Ag Teachers Conference in Pierre. With Grandma Karen and Kajsa in tow, I spent the next 3 days with some of my dearest friends (other ag teachers!) at conference. Well, let me just say that us ag teachers are doing our part to raise the next crop of future FFA members! FIVE of us brought our babies to conference and we've got several babies on the way!

Welcome to our blog

GETTING STARTED

Well, Erica, I finally did it! My good friend Erica Wagner introduced me to blogging and it's something I've been meaning to do for quite some time. So here we go!

Welcome to our blog, everyone. For our friends and family who live far away (and, for those who live close by), I wanted to create a blog to keep in touch with you all and let you in on the happenings of our little family. I'm going to attempt to teach myself how to post pictures and add a pretty background now. Wish me luck :)