BACK & READY... 

to be a blogger again!!

I love being a big sister.

It's like being a mom without as much responsibility :)

I can't imagine that I'm going to love my little girl MORE than I love Martha

(baby sis in the picture;)

BUT I'm going to & that's crazy for me to imagine! 

Being a mom is going to be so much fun

& an exciting new journey!!

Feeling very blessed today :)

Hope everyone is having a good Saturday!!

Favorite Time of The Year :)

I LOVE this time of the year!

The smells.

The music.

The food.

The fun.

The lights.

The joy.

& family time <3>

We always go to see our family in GA on Thanksgiving and we took some pictures!

I'm proud of my huge, giant, big ol' family, so I have to share them :)

My silly sis <3 br="br" nbsp="nbsp">

WHOLE family :)

Sisters & Cousin

Typical Browns..

The Family :) 

Whoever took this picture needs some photography lessons.. jussst saying lol

Merry Christmas errybody!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

...Ok, so I think I've forgotten how to blog!

 I just looked at my old blog posts for the first time in a while, and I don't even feel like the same person I was before. 

It's funny how things change. 

I've learned soo much in the past few months.

God is teaching me so much right now, and my prayer is that I learn with a happy attitude:) 

I really do miss all my blogger friends!  

For those of you that don't already know my loverleyy family I'll introduce them:)

Starting from the left, from row:

Cole, Nona, Max, Kimmi, Kamryn. 

and now from the back row left:

That's my dad and mom, Cason with Jessie on his shoulders and then me:)

And my mom's pregnant with number 9! :)

Hope everyone is well, and enjoying a big yummy 

Thanksgiving dinner!! :)

A Home School Question

Oh those common homeschool questions that we are so very used to hearing!!

I love them! 
I usually think they're pretty darn funny.
My favorite questions when people learn that I'm homeschooled, are:
"Do you get to wear your PJ's all day?"
or
"Is your dad your principal?"
or
"Do you have friends?"
or
"So then you must be real smart, right?"
-(Uuuhh, did any of you notice that I spelled Tagged "Taged" in my last post? That should answer that question!;)
or
"Can you wake up whenever you want?"

*laughs*
The list could go on and on!
(Do any of you have any you'd like to add?;)

 One of my bestest blogger buddies asked me a homeschool question on a previous blog post, 

and it's deeper than most homeschool questions I get, and I'm going to answer it to the best of my ability. :)


Her question was,
"I reckon having a big family and being homeschooled is awesome, but I don't quite understand how you meet people outside your family & church.
(This isn't meant as a criticism, just a question!) 
Eventually, we're all going to have to deal with people who aren't Christian and think/behave very differently to us, so why not get used to this kind of thing young, so as to make it less of a shock when the child leaves home?"



First of all, I have no problem meeting people.
I understand why people would think that's not true though because we do go to school at home. :)

I meet people through activities such as tennis and swimming and I've been in a homeschool group for my whole life, so I feel like I have an abundance of great friends. :) 
Friends are definitely important, but I have built in BFFs right here in my house. :D
I've never been in a clique, and I'm glad to have avoided the "girl drama" that so many gals my age have gone through and are going through now.
There are not many things I hate more than drama! hehee


Now, my friend made the seemingly true point that if we're all of the sudden exposed to the world, then it's going to be such a huge shock.

This semester I'm taking two classes at our local technical college and only on Saturdays while my dad waits for me in the hall. ;D
In a way it's really sad to see all the hopeless people, but I've made friends with my whole class, and they all know for WHOM i stand.

It's been pretty amazing! :)

Yes, it has been shocking!
The blatant anti-christian rhetoric that I have been exposed to this semester has been a pretty big surprise for me, but I feel like I was better prepared at the age I'm at now, as opposed to if I were sent to school at a younger age. 

 Often when parents send their children out in the world before they're ready, the world shapes them and they conform to its patterns.
Roman 12:2

I think if I were put in a school environment from an early age, I would have been more calloused to the hatred toward God and the sad hardened hearts that strongly protest God's greatness.
I guess I am glad that I have been so shocked by and not immune to the rebellion that is so obvious in our culture.  I have compassion for the lost and a desire to communicate the gospel to them.



My parents kept, and are still keeping, me at home so they can shape, sharpen, and mold me into the young woman God calls me to be.

I am so thankful for their protection, and the older I get the more I understand why they protect and prepare us the way they do.

Thanks mom and dad for guarding me like spider monkies! :) *teehee*

So, I would say, yes, it is shocking but
shocking in a very a good way. :)

Mr. Grumpy Man Germaphobe!

Well, I feel the same today as I did this time last week.

Now that it's Saturday I feel sorta like I've hit a milestone!

I have worked so hard studying, and it feels like my hard work has paid off.

Now I have the rest of  Saturday and Sunday to rest!!

What a good feeling!

My mom, Max, and the girls went to see the movie The Princess and the Frog  today while Kimmi was at a birthday party and I was at school.

Mom said Max, during the movie, had to go to the restroom around five times.

Mom said she washed her hands and Max's hands everytime, but the 5th and last time they went in neither of them washed their hands.

Max did  put his dry hands under the hand dryer.
(so I guess that counted)

When they walked out of the restrooms Max asked mom "Did you wash your hands, mom?"

Mom said "No Max. Not this time."

Max didn't say anything, and it was quiet for a a few minutes until they were about to walk back into the movie, and Max said.

"Leggo of my hand! Your hands are gross!"

This is a picture of Max that I found on my old blog a few weeks ago.

I had forgotten about this picture.

Cracks me up!

Happy Birthday Lauren!

 Today is my reallly good friend, Lauren's birthday.

She lives in Florida now, but 1 1/2 years ago she lived only a bike ride away.

Miss her!

For her birthday present she got to come to SC for visiting. We've spent the whole day together, and she's spending the night too!

She's very talented with computers. I mean, she's really good!

As you can see my beautiful new header, it was made by her, and also my blog button.

I love them, and she spent an hour teaching me how to do stuff.

Lauren's the one who talked me into getting a blog, and she still helps me.

Go take a look at her blog.

I don't want her to go home!!

Family Time With The Browns

I got up at 5:30am to drive to GA with my dad yesterday morning.

We were going to my grandpa's brother's funeral; He was my great uncle.

I really don't remember much of him, but going to the funeral I got to hear a lot about Hoyt Brown, and he sounded like a really nice man that I would loved to have known better. He was a Christ follower; a believer in Jesus; a man of God and that is must be such  a comfort to the people closest to him.

I really enjoyed seeing my family.

The Browns (and a Harrelson) are so much fun!

My dad drove to the Columbia Mall where we met Dennis (my uncle) and Kim (my aunt).

We then drove from there to my grandparents' (my dad's mom and dad) house.

I  really enjoyed talking to Mot and Popa. I love them, and they are so sweet together!  They still both love and enjoy each other so so much!

I got to see Linda and Eddie Ray too.

I absolutely love them!

Linda is one of the sweetest people I know!

She reminds me so much of my little sister Nona. They both have sweet spirits and are such happy people,

and I adore Eddie Ray!

I'm so thankful Linda and Eddie Ray got married! If they didn't I might not even know him!

He's one of my most favorite people.

Our drive to GA was nothing close to boring!
Kim is so funny, and I've never met anyone who has as many funny stories, and who is so willing to share them all.
Anyone who knows my dad will tell you he's a very funny person,and his big brother  Dennis is extemely funny as well!

I think he, maybe, has an extra section in his head that's just for pure clever funniness!

Dennis said that whole day that he wanted to take me to go to get a hot dog at "skins".

So, on our way home we went by for some of the best hot dogs I've ever eaten!

There were pictures all over the place, but these two were my favorite!

I thought they were both pretty funny.

Here I am obeying the sign, but really the verse below is my motivation.

 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart

be acceptable in your sight, O Lord my rock and redeemer.

Psalm 19:14

I'm going to go read my bible now.

I'm  reading through the bible in 90 days and I'm really enjoying it!

cRaFt Time

  While Jessie took a nap, poor Kimmi was in bed with a tummy bug, and sweet little Kamryn stayed in Kimmi's room to keep her company and watched a movie with her. That left two Brown girls.

Nona, and I, took on the challenge of a craft.

Nona got a purse kit in her Christmas stocking, and I "helped" her do it.

She actually did do some of it with me.

I think she'll end up being a crafty girl after all!

We had a lot of fun spending craft time together!

Nona is so sweet hearted, and I'm so glad I'm privileged enough to be her big sis!

God gave me a very special job of being an influence on my baby sister.

I love my job!!

I don't have a picture of her with the finished project yet. It was so funny because I was looking over pictures and noticed that she had started makeing a crosseyed look in the last few pictures. She's so funny, but now I'm with out pictures! haha

Hope everyone had a good day!!

Proverbs 31:13

She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.

Good Bye 2009!

Well, this is my last post for the year 2009!!

 It went by so extremely fast!

 I think almost too fast, but I like that I'm getting older and, hopefully, wiser. ;D

We ended off our amazing 2009 with an oyster roast at our friends family's church.

We first had a church service, and then we went outside for some fun and food.

I really enjoyed talking to, and meeting, new people... country people are so nice!!

It was a lot of fun, and I'm so proud, and blessed, to be a member of a big family with amazing, God fearing parents!

When we went into the sanctuary, for the service, we took up a whole row of seats, and we just, I think, really stood out... alot.

It was so funny because when the church service was over, and everyone was still patiently, and quietly, sitting in their seats, a man stood up and announced the congregation, "Uuuuumm, someone left their light on in their van... it's a big van... a 15 passenger van..."

Now who could that beeee? ;)

We knew it was us right off the bat, so, with out even asking dad if the van was ours, Cole ran out and turned them off.

Love that boy!

It sounds like a war zone outside, and so I think I'm about to go watch some neighbors shoot fireworks. :)

I hope you all have a very blessed 2010!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

For I Am Not Ashamed... Or Am I?

Romans 1:16

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

Although I would never say I'm ashamed of Jesus, sometimes the things I don't say or tell people about myself really show that I am ashamed.

For example, I used to babysit for a family with 4 young children  and these kids could watch movies I can't watch.

When the mom would bring home newly rented movies to her very excited children, it would put me in an awkward position.

Instead of telling the mom of the family that, out of conviction to live a pure life, I didn't want to watch Twlight or Nights in Rodanthe, I would just avoid the subject and play games with the kids.

Now, looking back on it, I wish I would have said something.

 I know they like and respect me, and it's an opportunity I missed to share my faith with them. I feel I probably could have had more influence. For example, I did share my family's beliefs on not dating and how I'm trusting my parents and God in that whole process. They were so very impressed and very interested. I really wish I hadn't held back in other areas.

Really, in a way, it's selfish not to share it all. It's me being more worried about how they might look and think of me, and that's not what I should be worried about.

 Instead of looking for loop holes to escape these conversastions, I should've been more concerned about their salvation and eternal life, and I should have been looking for natural ways to bring it up.

I'm always saying how I love this family, but if I really did love and care for them, I should've taken every opportunity to share the gospel with them even if it was just through being willing to talk about  the movies they watch that I won't watch.

It would definitely be worth it to me to have a five minute uncomfortable talk and maybe reach these people, and honor God in doing so?

In alot of my dad's sermons lately, he's made the point that if you don't feel awkward in this world sometime, at least, you've probably comformed to and really are apart of it.

My prayer for the new year is that I will not be ashamed of the gospel.

Can any of you think of ways you want to be more bold in sharing your faith in Jesus in the coming year?
If so I would love to hear!

 Just to let everyone know what we've done in the past week...

We made gingerbread houses, as we have done every year since the 90's. (We're old school!)

This one's Nona's house... my personal favorite! ;D

This is Kamry's beautiful house. She's so good at doing things! She's really has been seeming more grown up to me lately. She's such a sweet blessing to our family!

We also decorated gingerbred MEN. That was a newer tradishion, one that started this year. hehee

•••

We saw our favorite babysitter in the whole wode world from when Cason, Kimmi, and I were much younger! You can't really see her well, but that's just to keep her identity hidden... no actually that's not true, remember my camra got washed. hehee

•••

We went to a live nativity yesterday with friends. It was very much fun, and it was so cute because childrent were the actors. The had camels, lots of goats (I think they were supposed to be sheep, or mayby those angels were speaking to goatherds... not shepherds. heehee

They also had a donkey, which was the cuest thing! I want a donkey! I want to name him Lester.

Daddy and Max. It seems like so many picture we have of him he's cutting his eyes like he is in this one. I think it's so cute!

My very handsome little brother, and oh so cute Jessie Carol!

Ok, so the same person who washed my camra was the photographer last night. This person forgot to turn the flash on so we don't have any very clear pictures of the actualy natitvaty.

•••

We've been wrapping Christmas preasants.

 (and openinging them...woopz heh heh)

I wrapped this one myslef... TAAALENNNT!

Kimmi and I went Christmas shopping today and got our siblings presents.

That girl is crazy good at walking int a store and going straight to the best section for what she's looking for. She doesnt even tell me where she's going or what she's getting.

I would't call myslef a follower, to very many people, I mean I could probably name 5, but when we walk into a big store I just follow Kimmi. Really, I do. I don't even relize I'm doing it half the time.

I love Kimmi, her strong will and all!

She's my BFF!

•••

•••

We have lots of sweet, and fun, Christmas traditions.

Do you and your family have any fun traditions you like to do every year?

If so what are they? I would love to hear about them!

•••

Hope you all are all haveing a blessed Christmas season!

and also if anyone even noticed, this isn't Ten Thigs I Love Tuesdays. I think I might not do that, I can't think of ten things one more time! heehee

• Ten Things I Love Tuesdays •

 

Here they are!

All ten toes of the baby who I love very, very much.

Psalm 139:14
 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

• Books 'n Blessings •

I love it when God blesses me in little ways. I'm speaking of the  kind of blessing I wouldn't have known I was missing if He just never blessed me with it at all. 

Today we went by Trident Tech to sign-up for my three classes I'm going to be taking as dual credit.

First of all I'm just going to let you all know that I'm still home schooled. 

Although, I am going to be taking two classes every Saturday and one class online. 

My dad is actually going to be taking me to school, and he's going to be standing guard over me there, and I'm perfectly content and happy with him protecting me. He is going to sit outside my classes and have a quiet time and prepare for his sermons. Works out perfectly.

Anyway, after we finished talking with the helpful guidance counseler, he then told us we should head on over to Trident's bookstore to get the books I'll need.

I knew the books were not cheap, but I did't know how much... they were a lot. 

We're talking like $165 for my English 101 book, and I don't remember how much the Computer 101 book was, but it was even more!

Dad and I were looking around and realizing how everything was really going to add up. While we were looking and talking with someone who worked in the bookstore a 24-year-old-ish girl standing close by overheard us talking. When the lady who was helping my dad and I pointed dad to another section I was left still looking through what would very soon be my English 101 book. The 23-year-old-ish girl came up to me and asked, "Did you say you were taking Psychology 201?" and I told her I was and she then pulled out, from her bag, one of the books I would need for the PSY 201 class and she said "I took this class last semester and I tried to sell it back to the bookstore, but they didn't want it. So would you like it?" I told her how extremely thankful I was and now I have one of my books for Psychology! 

Isn't that a blessing?

And I didn't even pray that some random girl would pull the exact Psychology book out of her purse and hand it to me.

God knows our needs even if we don't tell Him, and he always wants us to give the glory to Him for the good things that happen in in our lives.

A lot of times I forget who provides me with good things in my life.... it's always  God!

I'm going to be trying harder and harder to give God glory for everything good.

Actually, I'm also striving hard to even thank God for the not so good times too because I know He puts me through hardship, so He can shape me into His image. 

So let me ask,

has God blessed you lately in anyway?

If so, then will you please share it?

Isaiah 25

  O LORD, you are my God;

       I will exalt you and praise your name,

       for in perfect faithfulness

       you have done marvelous things,

       things planned long ago.

Congratulations Tyler

Congratulations Tyler!!!

Today, my cousin, Tyler had his Charleston School of Law graduation.

I have a Lawyer cousin now! :D

It was Downtown Charleston, and I love spending time downtown!

And who better to spend it with than the Eddie Ray and Linda Brown family?

It was all so much fun, and I'm so glad I got to be a part of it!

After the reception we went to a restaurant called  Fleet Landing. It was probably one of the neatest restaurants I've ever been to, and the view was stunning!

You could see Fort Sumter way off in the distance.

Anyway, the day was a lot of fun, and we're all so proud of Tyler for all his accomplishments!

(Tyler, Linda and EddieRay)

Ok, I'm sure you are all noticing the bad quality of  this picture , so let me explain why it's so fuzzy.

About two weeks ago I found my camera in the washing machine.... I guess the person who does the laundry (I'm not going to say her name because I don't want to be talking bad about her, but I'll give you a hint... she has 8 kids, she's sweet and fun to be around, and her name starts with a D and it ends with an onna.... but again, I'm not going to mention any names so that I won't  make anyone feel bad.

Anyway, I'm guessing this person thought it was a little dirty so she washed it.

I'm just telling you all this so from here on out you'll look at the pictures I put on my blog and instead of saying, "Wow, would you look at the bad quality of that picture!" You'll now say, "Wow, can you believe the great quality of that picture  even after being washed!"

 Hope every one is well and having a good Sunday!

• Ten Things I Love Tuesdays •

My good friend, off and on Blogger, Alyssa, has started doing something called "Ten Things I Love Sundays", and I, being the little copy cat I am, have decided to do the same. Except, I'm going to be spice'n things up and doing it on Tuesdays. Okay, I know that's not spice'n things up. I've just decided to do it on Tuesdays.  =D

So, here are my first "Ten Things I Love Tuesdays"

I Love:

Very Decorated Salads

When we were out today we went by Publix on the way home and everyone got chicken for lunch, but mom and I got a very yummie, and colorful, salad.

Autumn Colored Leaves

Living in the south, or at least where I live, you can expect to see colorful leaves in December. Yesterday I noticed how pretty the leaves looked on the road right before you get into my neighborhood. It looked like rainbow row except, instead of old Downtown Charleston houses, they were trees. =)

Guesstures

 

We got this game on Nona's birthday so we could celebrate in a fun and special way.

We have now played every Sunday night since, and it's hilarious to watch my fam play.

Each person has their own way of thinking through and playing the game.

Reese's Peanut Butter Trees

Oh my goodness!

Do I even need to say anything here?!?!

Not Having a TV

I was one of the less enthused about the removal of the precious, and I really didn't think I would ever be saying this... but it really has been a blessing not having it. I mean, my parents have been talking about getting rid of the television since.... I don't know maybe since we first got a TV, and so I never thought their words would ever turn into actions. Now that they did it, I don't really even miss it.

We have been sitting around just being with each other more. We've been doing more things like playing guestures and card games, and the house has, beileve it or not, been less messy.

The Library

This is our library....

No, it's not really, but it's beautiful, huh?

Kimmi and I went to a much less extravagant library today, and I got a new library card.  I'm particularly excited about a book on photography.

Rain

I absolutly love the rain. It could rain all the time and I'd be happy.

I'm looking now out at the pond, and it's  actually raining pretty hard.

It's been raining so much here you'd think we were actually in London.

When Crickets Cry

 

I have really enjoyed reading this book, and I'll probably end up finishing it tonight or tomorrow.

Charles Martin is a phenominal writer, and I definitely recommend his books.

(I sound like I'm doing a book review)

Trying New Things

Jesus

I love, and am so thankful for Jesus! Because of Him, we can now have joy, and peace with God.

We have this nativy set.

 I think we've gone through about three of this particular one ove rthe years. We love it.

Press the angel and it  plays  "Away in a Manger", but right now we can't find baby Jesus.

So, it's a little insignificant for the moment. ;D

Well, I did it!

When I sat down at the computer (45minutes ago!) I had not a clue what the 10 things would be, but that made it all the more fun. =D

Thanks for the idea Alyssa!