Friday, December 26, 2008
Our 2008 Christmas Countdown favorites
What a wonderful Christmas we had this 2008. Seriously, every year I think this is the best Christmas we have ever had and every year it gets better. Five and two are such divine ages. I do wish I could freeze my kids sometimes and yesterday was one of those days. So here are my most favorite memories from Christmas this year.
1) Mollie Jane trying to unwrap every present under the tree because she loves unwrapping presents. She really is not into getting presents but just unwrapping.
2) Jackson's random hugs all day long at the most unexpected times with the hugest smile on his face because he was having so much fun.
3) The best breakfast in the world that was in no way lo-fat.
4) That we had a house-full of people.
5) Jackson was especially thrilled that his great Aunt Jo and Arlo came in from Little Rock. Since they are about in their 80's I had told him that sometimes older peoples bodies get sick a little easier and they might not be able to drive. When we told him they were coming, he said "are their bodies okay?'
6) That besides my Dad, we were all in our pajamas until 4:45 (that was definitely my favorite).
7) We had brie for lunch (yum) and horderves and sweets and just ate all day for our lunch.
8) Jackson and Great Uncle Arlo playing the Wii.
9) Mollie Jane did not really eat her dinner because she was too busy "hamming it up" for the whole table but instead had three cookies from Aunt Jo for dinner.
10) Aunt Jo sharing with my father about her seizure problem and Glen being at a loss for words.
11) Mollie Jane as we are opening our presents going and getting all my random garage sale junky toys and games that we pick up throughout the year and dumping them all over the room. Why do I even bother buying her presents? She love the junk.
12) My husband who was not supposed to buy me a gift this year buying me a Wii fit because I feel he is secretly worried I will become a "porker" with this third pregnancy.
13) The two pack of dream catchers from our brother-in-law Joel the native Oklahoman!! HAHAHAHAHA. At least we gave you a "fart pen"
14) Alison thanking Aunt Jo for a pearl ring she had given to Mollie Jane a few months ago and her telling me that the reason she gave it to her was really only because she thought she was going to die so she wanted to start giving some things away. So should I offer it back to her????
15) Asking Jackson last night what his favorite gifts were this year and he said "his Wii and his slinky." Excuse, me a slinky??? Seriously, I think it was a quarter. Really besides a Wii the best gifts are definitely not the most expensive.
16) Aunt Jill brought a great red velvet cake for dinner and when we set it on the table Mollie Jane was looking all over the house for "Baby Jesus" from our nativity set to put on our cake. I couldn't figure it out and then she reminded my Mom in her two year old language that Christmas Eve we had a birthday cake and she is now thinking that every cake is a birthday cake for Jesus.
17) Of all the people in our house with that need to be playing Wii and Wii fitness it is not my five year old skinny son with a six pack yet he played it nonstop yesterday and got so hot he had to take his shirt off even though it was like 30 degrees outside!
18) That Jason did Wii fitness in the morning and weighed himself and then did it late again last night and he had gained 4.7 pounds and the Wii figure on the screen literally got fatter in front of our eyes on the screen. I almost peed my pants.
19) Jackson got his own plate last night and got in the serving line and said "I am going to get all my own food, okay Mommy." It is Christmas so of course anything goes. He did (Natalie are you surprised) get turkey, green beans, and sweet potatoes. He "wolfed it down" like the rest of this and with a huge smile on his face said "Mommy, I had three white rolls and they were so good."
20) My sweet husband who said several times yesterday what a great day we were having.
21) Jason's grandpa telling my Mom and Dad about all the laxatives he has taken and his bowel issues.
22) That Great Aunt Jo did not bring her stuffing this year which looks like brownies.
23) That Jason, Mollie Jane and Jill went to our awesome neighbors Franny and Bob's house last night at about 9:15 to take them some Christmas wine we had been meaning to take all week but hadn't gotten around to it. He literally got them out of bed watching a movie and when Dr. Bob came to the door in his boxers and saw Jason's pretty sister Jill at the door and not Mollie Jane or Jason he sort of did a startled jump. Then they both got up and were thrilled for visitors (as they always are) and visited with them in their P.J's.
24) That Jason has decided I don't really need a double oven cauz I can just walk next door whenever we entertain and use our sweet single next door neighbor Tracy's oven who is usually never there. Thanks Tracy, you saved me.
25) Winston passing gas so bad that my Dad and Mom could not stop laughing and Dad kept his nose in his sweater.
26) That my Dad came up to me and said how much he missed my sister and I being little and what fun memories he has of all our Christmas's and how I realize that in the blink of eye those will be my thoughts exactly.
27) My Mom feeding the pets all day so Jason or I didn't have to mess with the beasts. But wait she does that the whole time she is here!! She needs to come back because they feel truly neglected when she leaves.
28) My Mom cleaning and doing laundry. Entertaining is so much more fun when you have an extra set of hands.
29) Leftovers for several days after Christmas.
30) When you are a little sad after opening up all the presents cauz you think it is all over, I smile because the best meal of the whole year (except for Thanksgiving) is still waiting for me to eat and then I am pumped.
31) Watching Great Aunt Jo, Arlo, and Paw-Paw open up their gifts and just start opening them without reading the tags and seeing who gave them what.
32) Alison spelling Arlo's name on the Christmas tag on his present with a "w." I have been spelling his name "Arlow" wrong for like 12 years but not because I don't know how to spell it but because somehow I always forget his name does not have a "w." Seriously, what is my problem.
33) Mollie Jane randomly asking me several times yesterday (and she has not been doing this until yesterday) "Mommy do you have a baby in your tummy? A boy baby?" Then giving me a big pat.
34) Jackson (No, Pops it was not your fault) locking the keys in the car with it running on Christmas Eve and the "Pop a lock guys" came out for $27.00. So we were late to church but lets face it we were going to be late anyways!!
35) That I actually wrote these memories down. I have been trying to do this every year for my scrapbook and just to remember from one year to the next and I never do.
36) That my parents drove from Tulsa, rented a car, flew from San Antonio just to spend Christmas here with us. It is an awful lot of money and effort to see us but they do it so often and it means the world to my us and my kids.
37) Jackson made all the Wii people yesterday. Sue-sue, Jason, Mollie Jane, Arlo, Aunt Nedda, Big, Jill, Uncle Davie, etc... He was so pumped because on the Wii profile they had a hairstyle just like the way Pops has his hair. He also gave himself 80's glasses, a bun, facial hair and brown skin. Several other people had random features like that. What is up with that???
38) Realizing I had successfully potty trained Mollie Jane. What the heck was I thinking potty training the week of Christmas??? Nevertheless, it is done. Still need to work on the #2 thing a bit. Dry big girl pants and pull ups for 5 days.
39) When Jackson opened his OU T-shirt from "Uncle Poel & Aunt Buzy" as we refer to them the first thing he said was, "Mammy, Pops, you are not really going to like this."
40) Probably the best memory I have of Christmas 2008 is having the thought several times yesterday throughout the day that regardless of how crazy of a year it has been financially with this crazy economy that I have everything I really need. My family, my health, my Saviour. I am so blessed and every year does get better somehow. I give the glory to God. Only he can make that possible.
1) Mollie Jane trying to unwrap every present under the tree because she loves unwrapping presents. She really is not into getting presents but just unwrapping.
2) Jackson's random hugs all day long at the most unexpected times with the hugest smile on his face because he was having so much fun.
3) The best breakfast in the world that was in no way lo-fat.
4) That we had a house-full of people.
5) Jackson was especially thrilled that his great Aunt Jo and Arlo came in from Little Rock. Since they are about in their 80's I had told him that sometimes older peoples bodies get sick a little easier and they might not be able to drive. When we told him they were coming, he said "are their bodies okay?'
6) That besides my Dad, we were all in our pajamas until 4:45 (that was definitely my favorite).
7) We had brie for lunch (yum) and horderves and sweets and just ate all day for our lunch.
8) Jackson and Great Uncle Arlo playing the Wii.
9) Mollie Jane did not really eat her dinner because she was too busy "hamming it up" for the whole table but instead had three cookies from Aunt Jo for dinner.
10) Aunt Jo sharing with my father about her seizure problem and Glen being at a loss for words.
11) Mollie Jane as we are opening our presents going and getting all my random garage sale junky toys and games that we pick up throughout the year and dumping them all over the room. Why do I even bother buying her presents? She love the junk.
12) My husband who was not supposed to buy me a gift this year buying me a Wii fit because I feel he is secretly worried I will become a "porker" with this third pregnancy.
13) The two pack of dream catchers from our brother-in-law Joel the native Oklahoman!! HAHAHAHAHA. At least we gave you a "fart pen"
14) Alison thanking Aunt Jo for a pearl ring she had given to Mollie Jane a few months ago and her telling me that the reason she gave it to her was really only because she thought she was going to die so she wanted to start giving some things away. So should I offer it back to her????
15) Asking Jackson last night what his favorite gifts were this year and he said "his Wii and his slinky." Excuse, me a slinky??? Seriously, I think it was a quarter. Really besides a Wii the best gifts are definitely not the most expensive.
16) Aunt Jill brought a great red velvet cake for dinner and when we set it on the table Mollie Jane was looking all over the house for "Baby Jesus" from our nativity set to put on our cake. I couldn't figure it out and then she reminded my Mom in her two year old language that Christmas Eve we had a birthday cake and she is now thinking that every cake is a birthday cake for Jesus.
17) Of all the people in our house with that need to be playing Wii and Wii fitness it is not my five year old skinny son with a six pack yet he played it nonstop yesterday and got so hot he had to take his shirt off even though it was like 30 degrees outside!
18) That Jason did Wii fitness in the morning and weighed himself and then did it late again last night and he had gained 4.7 pounds and the Wii figure on the screen literally got fatter in front of our eyes on the screen. I almost peed my pants.
19) Jackson got his own plate last night and got in the serving line and said "I am going to get all my own food, okay Mommy." It is Christmas so of course anything goes. He did (Natalie are you surprised) get turkey, green beans, and sweet potatoes. He "wolfed it down" like the rest of this and with a huge smile on his face said "Mommy, I had three white rolls and they were so good."
20) My sweet husband who said several times yesterday what a great day we were having.
21) Jason's grandpa telling my Mom and Dad about all the laxatives he has taken and his bowel issues.
22) That Great Aunt Jo did not bring her stuffing this year which looks like brownies.
23) That Jason, Mollie Jane and Jill went to our awesome neighbors Franny and Bob's house last night at about 9:15 to take them some Christmas wine we had been meaning to take all week but hadn't gotten around to it. He literally got them out of bed watching a movie and when Dr. Bob came to the door in his boxers and saw Jason's pretty sister Jill at the door and not Mollie Jane or Jason he sort of did a startled jump. Then they both got up and were thrilled for visitors (as they always are) and visited with them in their P.J's.
24) That Jason has decided I don't really need a double oven cauz I can just walk next door whenever we entertain and use our sweet single next door neighbor Tracy's oven who is usually never there. Thanks Tracy, you saved me.
25) Winston passing gas so bad that my Dad and Mom could not stop laughing and Dad kept his nose in his sweater.
26) That my Dad came up to me and said how much he missed my sister and I being little and what fun memories he has of all our Christmas's and how I realize that in the blink of eye those will be my thoughts exactly.
27) My Mom feeding the pets all day so Jason or I didn't have to mess with the beasts. But wait she does that the whole time she is here!! She needs to come back because they feel truly neglected when she leaves.
28) My Mom cleaning and doing laundry. Entertaining is so much more fun when you have an extra set of hands.
29) Leftovers for several days after Christmas.
30) When you are a little sad after opening up all the presents cauz you think it is all over, I smile because the best meal of the whole year (except for Thanksgiving) is still waiting for me to eat and then I am pumped.
31) Watching Great Aunt Jo, Arlo, and Paw-Paw open up their gifts and just start opening them without reading the tags and seeing who gave them what.
32) Alison spelling Arlo's name on the Christmas tag on his present with a "w." I have been spelling his name "Arlow" wrong for like 12 years but not because I don't know how to spell it but because somehow I always forget his name does not have a "w." Seriously, what is my problem.
33) Mollie Jane randomly asking me several times yesterday (and she has not been doing this until yesterday) "Mommy do you have a baby in your tummy? A boy baby?" Then giving me a big pat.
34) Jackson (No, Pops it was not your fault) locking the keys in the car with it running on Christmas Eve and the "Pop a lock guys" came out for $27.00. So we were late to church but lets face it we were going to be late anyways!!
35) That I actually wrote these memories down. I have been trying to do this every year for my scrapbook and just to remember from one year to the next and I never do.
36) That my parents drove from Tulsa, rented a car, flew from San Antonio just to spend Christmas here with us. It is an awful lot of money and effort to see us but they do it so often and it means the world to my us and my kids.
37) Jackson made all the Wii people yesterday. Sue-sue, Jason, Mollie Jane, Arlo, Aunt Nedda, Big, Jill, Uncle Davie, etc... He was so pumped because on the Wii profile they had a hairstyle just like the way Pops has his hair. He also gave himself 80's glasses, a bun, facial hair and brown skin. Several other people had random features like that. What is up with that???
38) Realizing I had successfully potty trained Mollie Jane. What the heck was I thinking potty training the week of Christmas??? Nevertheless, it is done. Still need to work on the #2 thing a bit. Dry big girl pants and pull ups for 5 days.
39) When Jackson opened his OU T-shirt from "Uncle Poel & Aunt Buzy" as we refer to them the first thing he said was, "Mammy, Pops, you are not really going to like this."
40) Probably the best memory I have of Christmas 2008 is having the thought several times yesterday throughout the day that regardless of how crazy of a year it has been financially with this crazy economy that I have everything I really need. My family, my health, my Saviour. I am so blessed and every year does get better somehow. I give the glory to God. Only he can make that possible.
Let the blogging fun begin
I am taking a stab at blogging. The other day our sweet, favorite babysitter (who has been with us practically since Jackson was born) reminded me of this funny saying Jackson used to say when we would hold him up to the mirror when he was a toddler. At that moment I realized I had totally forgotten that memory and it was only a couple of years ago. I think it was at that moment when I felt like I needed to write down some of those cute fun things that occur daily in our house. I have always said "I need to write that down and keep of book of all those special little memories," and of course I never do. I feel with a third child coming life will only get crazier and my memory is only going to fail me more. So it is my hope that I can write down some memories and events from the Brawner's day to day life so that one day I can look back and remember them. Maybe one day my kids can have some written memories of themselves and our crazy but fun life. I think I also got a little pressure from all my blogger friends Shawna, Christy, Penny, my sister, etc.. (most especially Natalie my blogging idol who helped me get my blog up and running) who all are master bloggers. I do not feel totally in touch with the cyber community out there so this is really a big deal for me. Let me just say if Alison Brawner can figure out how to blog anyone can do it. So here is to my crazy new years resolution.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Guess What....
Every year the Brawner's do a birthday party for Jesus. It is one of the highlights of our holiday season. This year will always be remembered as a very special Birthday Party for Jesus because we found out that we are having another boy!!!! We had an ultrasound on the 23rd of December and got to see the baby. It was really great to just watch this baby for about half and hour and see all the tiny delicate features. God is so good and when you see ultrasounds you really are in awe of his handiwork. Our ultrasound tech had us close our eyes and she printed out the sex of our baby and sealed it in an envelope. After the ultrasound, we took the sealed envelope to a bakery. The bakery lady was probably more excited than we were. She was to open the envelope, read the sex of Brawner Baby #3, and then she was going to do pink icing if it was a girl and blue if it was a boy on the inside of the cake. The whole cake was iced white and so we could only tell when you cut the cake. We let Mollie Jane and Jackson cut the cake. At first we didn't really believe them and had to actually physically place a piece of cake on a plate. Alison's Mom and Dad were here along with Jason's sister Jill and her husband David and Jason' Mom, Dad and Grandpa. I am a little unsure about being outnumbered by boys in our family. I know God knows exactly what we need. We feel blessed beyond belief and thrilled.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Christmas 2008
Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances. This is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thes. 5:16-18
Jason is managing his software company in California and working on some custom home building and developments. God has been faithful by showing us through 2008 that despite a difficult economy "he has the plans for us" (Jer 29:11)
Alison is still working as a licensed professional counselor about two days a week with children and families.
Jackson is in half-day kindergarten this year and loving it. He is reading and is "all business" when it comes to school and homework. He plays baseball, golf, soccer, basketball and swim team. His favorite is usually whatever he is doing that season. He has a very sweet, compassionate personality and is so patient with Mollie Jane.
Mollie Jane is all girl and may be trying to steal her father's role as the comedian of the family. She has never met a stranger. Her favorite people in the world are her Dad and brother so we are convinced she is becoming boy crazy. She enjoys preschool, Kindermusik, and Bible Study Fellowship .
The biggest news to report is that Baby Brawner #3 will arrive June 2. We are very excited and will find out the sex of the baby on Christmas Eve. My New Years Resolution is to join all the bloggers of the world and start blogging so you can share in our joy and check out our news after Christmas at www.thebrawners.com.
Alison's sister is having a girl the end of February and it was wonderful seeing her over Thanksgiving. Alison assured her it is most likely the one and only time they will be pregnant together so they thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
We took several trips this year. We went to Washington D.C. for Spring Break, a Bermuda cruise with Alison's whole family in August, and the adults in Jason's family took a trip to London, Rome and Capri this past October
. We also took multiple trips back to Texas to see family and friends.
Have a wonderful Christmas and may you be thankful for all Christ has done in 2008.
Jason, Alison, Jackson, Mollie Jane and Baby Brawner (June 2008)
1355 South Fairway, Springfield, MO 65804 *417-429-3674 (our new phone number)
Christmas 2007
Thanks Be Unto God for His Unspeakable Gift. 1 Cor 9:15
That verse just about sums up the year for the Brawners. We have much to be thankful for but our best gift is truly our Savior. How fortunate we are to know Him.
Jackson is four-and-a-half years old and is our loving, sensitive, talkative, busy big guy. This year he played soccer, basketball, and golf. He does swimming lessons at the same Drury pool where Jason grew up swimming. He wants to play every sport his Daddy played and so far his favorite is golf because he gets to play with Jason. He attends preschool four mornings a week and Bible Study Fellowship.
We occasionally think about our life before Mollie Jane and we just can’t imagine it. She is our laid back, outgoing, yet determined family comedian. She, of course, wants to do anything and everything her older brother does. Yet, she is all girl. She loves shoes, accessories, babies, dresses, and hair bows. She is constantly nurturing all her babies, stuffed animals and everyone she comes in contact with. She goes to Parents Day Out one morning a week and a baby music class another morning a week.
I am working one day a week counseling children and families. I am also volunteering a couple of times a month counseling at a local children’s shelter. I feel challenged and still find my job very rewarding. I did training for a week in Chicago last spring and a week in California this fall. I manage to stay busy but if free time ever exists we love to go for a run, entertain, spend time with friends (and usually their kids too), or head down to Branson and relax.
Jason still owns TrialPoint, a Trial Services company, with our brother-in-law in California. He is still flying but more for pleasure. He is building several housing developments in the Springfield/Branson area. He has started an excavation company and an Amish framing company to help him with his developments. While his work schedule has been busy, he is really enjoying this new challenge. Jason and I are both doing a Bible Study on the book of Matthew this year and are enjoying it.
Our family went to Washington DC for spring break and was able to go to the White House Easter Egg Hunt and use my sister Melissa’s connections in the White House to do some special activities. We took several trips to San Antonio to see family and friends. We spent a lot of time in Branson at our lake condo this spring and summer when it was not rented. We vacationed with Jason’s family in Branson for a week this summer and had fun on the lake. We spent a week in Kiawah Island with Alison’s family. Jason and I celebrated our 11th anniversary this summer and took a much needed getaway to the Bahamas for a week. Our pets are still alive and kicking (the cat barely).
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Jason, Alison, Jackson, & Mollie Jane Brawner alisonbrawner@yahoo.com jasonbrawner@gmail.com
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