The Mom With Brownies

COMMON GROUND: CATHOLICS & PROTESTANTS

noreply@blogger.com (The Mom with Brownies) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:09:00 +0000

Common Ground Part 1 from Kensington on Vimeo.

Common Ground Part 2 from Kensington on Vimeo.

Common Ground Part 3 from Kensington on Vimeo.

RELIGION: PERCEPTION/PERSPECTIVE

BRISAN'S TURN! COLLEGE AT 14

noreply@blogger.com (The Mom with Brownies) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 15:22:00 +0000

Brisan made it clear, years ago, that he wanted to follow in Kazz's footsteps. He wanted to go to college early so he can have his Associate degree finished by the time he's ready to move out of the house.

Brian and I are big believers in raising adults. That is, we understand fully that we are training our children to leave the nest. It's sad, but a fact of life that must be accepted.

So, here we are, watching our second born head off to his first day of school...college...at the ripe old age of fourteen. He and his friend, Joe, took their first class together. Joe happens to be thirteen.

Brise turned 15 on January 20th and Joe turns 14 on the 28th.

Brise decided to take two classes this semester. Adobe and Keyboarding. I thought that was a wise choice, being that he never quite learned to type correctly. He can do a good job with a few fingers but to be a video game designer, he's going to need to know how to type well...and fast.

He has earned A's on his first college assignments. Brian and I are so proud of him.

Daxx, Kole, Brise, Brian, Jai, Vinze, Kazz, Becca

He was a Joe's house for a Teen Rally on his birthday night, so we held his birthday party at home a few days later. He got a large desk for a present. He'll need it for college and gaming. :o)

Grandma and Grandpa B. sent him a card for his birthday with money inside. They also sent a separate card and check for getting into college early.

He's a happy boy.

Time, it goes SO fast.

Happy Birrthdayyyy tooooo youuuu!

RANDOM JANUARY 2012 HAPPENINGS

noreply@blogger.com (The Mom with Brownies) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 15:09:00 +0000

Jaibrian beat the snot out of her brothers in Wii Bowling!

There was a Crazy Hair Day at school. This is how I learned that hair spray "paint" stinks to high Heaven! Red, Green and Blue were the colors of the day....and the rest of the week, as we tried over and over again to wash it off their scalp!

Our children must have high self esteem to walk out the door in this condition.

Vinze is having a blast playing basketball this year. He's proclaimed basketball "his" sport.

Daxx likes to watch his big brother's games

Mr. Roboto

noreply@blogger.com (The Mom with Brownies) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 15:01:00 +0000

Kole Looking Down

Christmas time comes around and parents plan, prepare, order, save, fret a little about what to get the kids....

And then, they play with the boxes.

Kole looking around

Kole having fun as he becomes a robot

Mr Roboto

PINTEREST: Tights and Leggings

noreply@blogger.com (The Mom with Brownies) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 23:49:00 +0000

The Cute Way

I have been sucked into the abyss people! For those who have found Pinterest, you know what I mean. For those who have not...come with me and I'll show you that which stares back at you my friend. tee heee heee....

I am CUH-RAZY For Pinterest. I cannot get enough. It is an OCD persons dream...thus the reason I am an instant fanatic!

You have to be invited. If you want to join, just click here to be "invited" by me. If the link doesn't work for you, just leave a comment below with your email address and I'll invite you...and then I'll delete your comment so your email isn't hanging around the blogsphere forever.

I am making it a daily goal to do/make/start and/or study one thing from my Pinterest Board(s) every day.

Today I found the picture above. I decided to do the quick project. I wrapped all of Jaibrian's legging/tights onto one hanger to free up a much needed drawer in her room. It's the little things people! The picture above is not mine. I managed to put 13 tights on one hanger.. Here is what I did...

Hot Mess of a Hanger

I know it's a hot mess, but the drawer is ready for gloves, undies and socks. That's all I care about at this point. The Pinterest gal who explained the tights hanger thingy said it was a great way to decorate with ordinary things. Well, not so much in this house. I put the hanger in the closet...again...MY goal was to free up a drawer. Goal achieved! That's the beauty of Pinerest. Ideas are just that...ideas. The implementation varies to meet the individual need. Thank Heaven for that.

I am off to find tomorrow's assignment!

2011...WHATEVER

noreply@blogger.com (The Mom with Brownies) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 19:49:00 +0000

Listen 2011! When we began this journey together you were exciting and young. I was looking forward to our relationship because you offered promises of happiness. Your strong arms held the joy of Kazz's Wedding, Jaibrian's Adoption and our family becoming Catholic. Your dark, caring eyes sucked me in and I fell in love at first glance....yeah, maybe it was the intoxication of turning 40 in 2010 that pushed me deep into your arms, but you weren't pushing me away either. You took advantage of the drunk chick who was running from her problems. You know what? I now realize that your character has something to be desired! I mean, WHO does that?!

In hindsight, I should have asked about your family history, your illnesses, weaknesses and warts. I should have gotten to know you better before putting my heart into your hands, but I was weak. I wanted the joy. I hot glued those rose colored glasses to my face and jumped in with both feet. You had me hook, line and sinker.

What you did not tell me was that you are a big fat liar! You have a way of lining the most joyful days of my life with just enough emotional chaos to bomb the dickens out of my emotional psyche.

As we prepared for Kazz's wedding, you delivered news that one of our children have to take medication for the rest of his life. You overshadowed the happy, fun wedding plans with illness and heartache that only a mother can understand. An ache that YOU KNEW would be with me forever. I will never be able to fully forget you because of that news...YOU ROTTEN, ROTTEN SACK OF STUFF.

THAT wasn't enough for you, though WAS it?! With Kazz's wedding you also delivered mounds of snow that made the drive more treacherous than driving on a glacier at the South Pole! Sure, all the guests arrived unscathed and returned home in one piece, but not with any help from YOU!

Jaibrian's adoption did come and go as you promised, but not without a heart wrenching scene where her birth parents signed off their rights in sobbing tears, hugging Brian and me while we physically held them up and bawled with them right there in the courthouse. And you KNOW the other crap that came along with that day...No...I'm not going into it. You know and that's all I'm saying about it! You stupid, stupid 2011!

Oh and SURE we became Catholic surrounded by wonderful friends who held us up in their prayers, mentored us, showed us love and became God-Parents to our children....okay...you did deliver THAT promise, and then some, but I'm convinced to this day that God over-ruled your attempts to sabotage that one!

And THAT was JUST the first few months!! Then you sent a house-fire to our friends who live right down the road from us, almost KILLING their 4 year old son. As we helped them during their time of need you put a screw into my son's finger!

Then my Grandma Frye passed away, my Aunt Judy passed away and my side of the family was in emotional turmoil trying to rally from funeral after funeral. My dad was sad, my cousins were sad, two of my cousins got divorced and some of my friends found out that THEIR kids have illnesses that will last a lifetime! COME ON!!

By August I was such an emotional wreck that I just wanted to sleep! This is when I knew you really didn't have a heart at all. I put the kids in private school and began preparing Brise for college. I started to feel better...and I think you knew that so YOU GAVE KOLE HIVES and broke my daughter's arm!!

That was it. I decided to live the holidays without you! I pretended you weren't even here. I didn't answer your calls, I turned off my phone actually, and I didn't answer the door when you knocked. I got out of my freaking bed, celebrated Thanksgiving with my family, The Twins' Birthday, Brian's Birthday and Christmas with my family ....all of it without you! It Felt Great! I didn't even sign a check during that time because you didn't exist and I couldn't write the date! HA!

I'm breaking up with you. We had a good run, but I've found somebody new. 2012 has promised me a trip to Disney World, a more organized home, a loss of at least 50 pounds and many nights at Tim Horton's for Mom's Night Out. You just cannot compete with 2012. He's a real charmer and you're a half-truth-teller.

No, no, nooo...it's over. Don't even try to come crawling back. I'm done with you. You're not the 2011 you presented yourself to be and that's not my fault. Look! Just deal with it. Good-Bye.

CHRISTMAS IN DETROIT

noreply@blogger.com (The Mom with Brownies) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 07:51:00 +0000

It’s Chrsitmas Time and you know what that means in the Brownie Home!! It’s time to drive up and down Jefferson to look at the Christmas Light Displays on the mansions! Whoot!

Barring the fact that we all covet the mansions and hope to live in a mansion and really wonder where people get the money to pay the taxes for the mansions in Detroit, let alone the utilities, mortgage and household maintenance…. BARRING ALL THAT….

We all really do enjoy the yearly drive Down Jefferson Avenue past the lake to Downtown Detroit in order to view all there is to be seen twinkling, shining and glowing as we pass by.

Granted, we can’t exactly stop in the middle of Jefferson Avenue to snap pictures, so many of them look like this….

Zooming by a mansion on Jefferson...

And this….


Zooming by another mansion

But, the memories and the decent pictures that I do get are enough to tide us over until next year.

If you are ever in Detroit for the Christmas Holiday, be sure to hit the Hard Rock Café, Ride the People Mover, Ice Skate at Campus Martius and take the drive up Jefferson Avenue to covet the mansions.

It’s worth the trip.

CHRISTMAS AT KAZZ AND BECCAS

noreply@blogger.com (The Mom with Brownies) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 07:29:00 +0000

Breakfast at the local joint....family tradition

Kazz and Becca just bought their first home. They've been moving in bit by bit over the past few weeks. It's been exciting to see them glow with happiness as they begin their new life in their new home.

I can't believe all the changes that have happened in their lives this year. They were married, started new jobs, worked midnights, changed shifts, due to unforseen "issues" that the landlords of their rental couldn't avoid, they had to live in our basement for a few months while looking for a home to buy....I feel for you Becca, God knows I could NEVER have done it!

They made offers on 3 houses and were turned down. Once they finally found a house, they had to navigate the landmine that is a job change occurring in the middle of bank mortgage approval and yet another shift change...both of them to days, with Kazz procurring an office position the Monday after signing on the house! Holy Cow....

Mom and Becca

Becca, I love you all the more now that we've lived together and you were able to stay as sweet as ever through all my idiosyncrasies. You are a special part on this family and our lives.

Kazz got a GameStop Gift Card from Grandma

They were hoping to move in my Thanksgiving, but Christmas time was the reality.

My parents were chomping at the bit to come see their place and help with the move, so they zoomed up from Kentucky to "have Christmas with us" ahem...(see Kazz and Becca!) LOL

Kazz handing out gifts to his anxious siblings

Becca was SO hospitable and hosted...during the move, mind you...everyone to come on over for a Christmas meal and gift exchange with my parents. I'm telling you people, I have the best daughter-in-law, so just give up the hunt. She's taken!

My Dad, Glenn with Kole and Daxx

She put up a tree and made her home ready for company...again...in the midst of moving....AND hosted my parents overnight for two nights. See?!

We had the most relaxing, fun evening. Becca made home-made cheesecake, shrimp and salmon. My mom and Becca made the ham and I brought cup-cakes. (Brian, please buy me an oven that works)...But I digress...

Yum, yummy

Vinze relaxing with his big brother

As I watched Kazz sit on the floor next to his tree, in his family home, I had to consciously suppress tears of joy.

He's a man. He is handing out gifts to his family, in his own home. He's the leader of this domain and I am the guest...the very, very, overwhelmingly proud guest who will always see him as Kazzbo...my baby...my precious, strong, intelligent, opinionated, self-reliant baby boy. Kazz, I love you, now and forever.

THE "OLD MAN CAR"

noreply@blogger.com (The Mom with Brownies) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 06:55:00 +0000

The Family Party

December is a huge celebratory month in the Brownie Home. Not only do we get to celebrate Christ's Birth but we get to celebrate the birth of 3 family members too! (And My friend Stacy's Birthday...who is Jaibrian's Godmother)

This year is extra special because Brian turned the big 4-0!! Yep, My husband is in his forties! He's joined me...1 1/2 years later. I got to celebrate that milestone in the year 2010 but whatever! LOL

The Car Brian Drove To Work On Friday

As fate would have it his car completely died a few weeks before his birthday. Now, I can't say that this was a total surprise to us. He bought the thing brand new just before his 30th birthday and has driven it into the ground. It was a good car. (may it rest in peace)

The Car Brian Drove To Work On Monday

At any rate, he wasn't sad to see it go. As I watched him skim the papers for used vehicles I cringed. I just don't know why he would need to buy a used vehicle only to pour money into it that would drain our bank account like a sieve. Seriously. This guy keeps cars until they absolutely die. He can buy a new one and get the moneys worth from it to be sure. I pondered. I thought. I realize that I drive a 15 passenger bus that looks a bit hokey, but I like that dog-gone memory maker. The kids will never forget it and we have lots of fun traveling in that monster...So I decided to give the wifely nudge....

Cheesecake, Cake Cookie, & an Electric Wine Opener

"Honey, why don't you just buy a new vehicle for your 40th Birthday?" To which he said. "ooOOKAYYY!"

A week later he had his car. I was surprised that it wasn't a truck. Kazz thinks "Dad bought an old man vehicle" to which I say, "Good because he'll be driving it when he's an old man!"

Happy Birthday Babe! ...and thank you for giving me a set of keys. :o)

THANKSGIVING 2011

noreply@blogger.com (The Mom with Brownies) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 11:11:00 +0000

It wasn't so long ago that Kazz was in college and playing Halo in our basement. Now, he's bringing his wife to Thanksgiving dinner and buying a house of his own.

It hits me sometimes that our family is changing by the day. It's hard to believe that they are all growing up and I'm getting older. Yet, it's true.

I've slowed down quite a bit this year. I'm taking in the view, trying to assess the next move in my life. I can't quite get a handle on where to go next, what to do, what the plan may be. I'm used to moving at 100 miles an hour but these days I have the energy to move at about twenty. I'm crawling here...taking a breather....looking around to better decipher this situation. There's been lots of praying going on in that department.

During Thanksgiving dinner, I realized that I may just need to sit still. Maybe God is trying to get me to slow down? So I sat. I listened to the kids chat; the sound of our family at a low roar.

I looked around and thought...You know Shelly....There are times in life when a burned out light-bulb, fingerprints on windows and disorganized bookshelves just don't matter. I smiled, ate, viewed my life and counted my blessings.

COOKIES FROM ANY CAKE MIX!!

noreply@blogger.com (The Mom with Brownies) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 19:07:00 +0000

I got this little tid-bit from the Organizing Dinner Facebook Page!

Did you know you can make cookies from any box of cake mix?

Just add 2 eggs and 1/3 cup oil to any 18 oz mix.
Drop into 1-inch mounds and bake at 350 degrees for 8 minutes for delicious and easy cookies.

Cake mixes are often on sale for $1, and very easy to keep on hand. Now that's a Smart ingredient!

Add Chocolate Chips (and/or other flavored chips) for added yumminess.

I pat mine down a smidge with a spatula to give them that ridged cookie look. Some people roll them in powdered sugar before baking to give them that crackled look. Fun, Tasty and Frugal...Can't beat it!

DAXX AND KOLE TURN EIGHT

noreply@blogger.com (The Mom with Brownies) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 10:10:00 +0000

Obligatory Blog Picture Pose (LOL)

Daxx and Kole turned 8 years old yesterday. It's hard to believe it's been 7 years since they were brought to our home and placed in my arms. I can still see their little cutie-patootie faces drinking bottles and crawling around the floor exploring.

Anyway, they're eight and life keeps on keepin' on.... Way too fast.

Last night we celebrated with a quicky-family-birthday. We call them "our last name" parties. They last about 20 minutes, include our immediate family, whoever happens to be in the house at the time, pizza, cake...usually ice-cream-cake...and pop.

The gifts are opened quickly, the food is gone in a jiffy and all is well with the world. Quick and to the point...memories a-la-fastness.

Kazz and Becca got them pogo-sticks. They received beyblades, water blaster guns and cub scout crafts from Brian and me and Daxx got a funny call from his Godmother. They fell asleep an hour later, smiling and looking forward to their school play...which happens later today. More to come....

THE CHRISTMAS TREE SITUATION 2011

noreply@blogger.com (The Mom with Brownies) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 23:23:00 +0000

Our Motley Christmas Crew

Every year one child in our family gets to put the angel on the Christmas tree. It's a tradition that was born way back when Kazz was an only child. Dad picks up the kid and the angel is placed. Actually, the tradition began when I was a child, except that my brother Zach and I both thought we were the "one" who put the angel on the tree every year. Dad would have me do it when Zach was otherwise occupied and vice-versa. I didn't realize that until years later....that booger!

At any rate, this blog is here to help us remember who gets to put the angel on the tree. I looked up last year's Christmas to see who did it last year so that we'd know who could do it this year....there was much hemming and hawing over which "way" we are doing this thing...

Some kids think we're going "up" in age while other think we are going "down" in age. I don't know and I couldn't find the blog posts to prove one way or the other. At any rate, Daxx was absolutely convinced that it was his turn and since none of the other kids seemed to care as much about this thing as he did, well...Daxx won.

Daddy always helps put the Angel on but he didn't have to pick Daxx up this year. Our livingroom is arranged a bit different this year, so Daxx just hopped up on the couch arm and plopped the thing up there.

Brian fiddled with it a bit so that it would be plugged in and sitting snug on the tree. While Brian did that, Daxx took the opportunity to make a face at the camera.

The kids huddled around the tree before it was decorated so that I could grab a quick picture before Brise decided to head back to his room to play or watch or do whatever it is teens do in their teen caves. So much for the pretty Christmas pose...but they're all accounted for...except Kazz who's making Christmas traditions with his own family this year. *sigh*
Life is good.

THE DETROIT OPERA HOUSE

noreply@blogger.com (The Mom with Brownies) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 22:35:00 +0000

Brian and Brise in the atrium of the DOH

I don't feel much like a homeschool mom these days because most of our crew are in Catholic School, but we are still homeschooling. Brisan took the college entrance exam a couple of weeks ago and knocked it out of the ball park. He's all signed up for college and will begin in January at the ripe-old-age of 14, just like his big brother, Kazz. Brise is heading toward an IT Degree in Applied Science. (Programming Electronic Games)

This past Friday we headed off to a homeschool field trip that I had planned for the homeschool group that I founded 7 years ago...wow...has it really been that long?

After dropping the youngest four off at school, Brian and I took Brise to watch "Too Hot To Handel" at the Detroit Opera House.

The show was pretty good but I had taken a new prescription just before the performance and about fell asleep during the first half. Brian thought I sounded loopy and he was right. I was dog-tired. Brian hadn't slept well the night before and Brise was bored to death. Though he very much enjoys some plays and orchestras, this wasn't quite up his alley, so...During intermission, we left.

The rest of our homeschool group stayed to watch the second half and later proclaimed that it was amazing. All I know it that our family needed sleep. We went home and crashed. It was a great day, even if it didn't go quite as planned. zzzzz......

JAIBRIAN'S ARM

noreply@blogger.com (The Mom with Brownies) — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 07:05:00 +0000

Jaibrian's Arm at ER

On October 8th Jaibrian and Daxx were happy little children. They had been invited to a birthday party at their class-mate, Mikki's, Home. They were ecstatic because this was to be the first "school friend" party attended. The day was looked forward to as if it were a Hollywood style ball. "How many days left mom?" and "How far is it mom?" and "Is this the week we go mom?" were questions touted over weeks and weeks of waiting.

Before the first cast

Finally the day arrived. Brian and I loaded the two party-goers into the van for a fun day of partying and playing. We arrived at Mikke's house quickly enough. He only lives a few miles from our home. We hopped out of the van, met Mikki's father and mother, who were busy bees trying to make sure everyone was having fun and feeling welcome.

Mikkie's backyard butts up to Lake St. Clair and was full of tents, pizza, and bounce houses. Jaibrian and Daxx's eyes beamed as they took in the view. We walked over to the first bounce house, shoes flew off and the kids were gone. Brian and I took that moment to take in the beautiful view of the Lake. We had been standing there all of 5 minutes when my mother-spidey-sense kicked in.

Waiting for ER Docs

Something isn't right.

I turned around to scan the area. Daxx was talking with his friends who were playing with BeyBlades; But where was Jaibrian. I began to walk into the yard, scanning, scanning, scanning the large perimeter. Finally I saw a woman bent down talking to Jaibrian. It seemed off somehow...not right.

On the way to Urgent Care. Yes, I took a picture. She's amazing!

I began walking over and as I navigated around the woman's crouched position, I caught a glimpse of Jaibrian's face. She was scanning, scanning, scanning the perimeter with a look of horror in her eyes. As she glanced up, our eyes met and her expression calmed. I then realized that she was holding her arm in an awkward position. I got closer; Jaibrian calmly stated, "Mom, I broke it. I broke my arm."

"Yes you did kiddo. Let's get to a doctor."

She had climbed to the top of the very large bounce house slide. As she slid, she got bounced, began to roll and twisted her arm in the process. Apparently there was a collision with another child's legs...we're actually unsure, as the stories were conflicting....children see what they see and they don't always jibe. All we knew was that "how" didn't matter.

Nuff Said

Brian was shell shocked. Jaibrian's arm was hooved up and her eyes had not a tear one. The angelic atmosphere of the day suddenly turned nightmarish and creepy. We grabbed up Daxx, who threw a huge tantrum in the van...because his day of anticipated fun lasted a whole 15 minutes. Jaibrian sat stoically in the van, keeping her tears in check. Brian and I were amazed.

Long story short....the urgent care sent us to the ER. The ER visit lasted hours and hours. Eventually Jaibrian underwent manipulation surgery, got a sling, was sent to an orthopedic surgeon where she got a hot pink cast. After the casting, Brian surprised us with a trip to the Olive Garden. Jaibrian got to pick anything she wanted from the menu. Nothing calms the nerves better than Italian food ya know. :o)

Comfort Food

That cast was taken off weeks later, only to have a purple cast replace it as her arm hadn't healed completely. Today the purple cast came off. Her arm is sore and won't extend all the way, but we have high hopes that over the next 4 weeks it will get back to normal. We hope the next Dr. visit ends with a clean bill of health.

I learned, through this adventure, that our daughter is quite the little marine. The doctors and nurses had never, in all their years...every one of them...in all their years seen a little girl or any child hurt this badly to have no tears. She watched them poke her for the IV, she let them examine, x-ray and prod her arm without so much as a weepy eye. At some point in this odyssey she had to be put into a twilight sleep. During this twilight state they had to straighten one bone that had bent and pop both bones back into place. They expected lots of screaming....that she wouldn't have remembered...but, lo-and-behold, she didn't make a peep.

So glad it wasn't her right arm!

She is wonder woman!

As we left the hospital, she had to drink medicine that contained codeine. Codeine stinks...and tastes bad...THAT is when she cried...a little bit. She didn't want to drink that yucky stuff. LOL

God love our little Jai-Bird. She is the toughest, strongest woman I know...and she's only six. May God watch over her, hold her in the palm of His Mighty Hand and lead her life to His Perfection. Amen.

DAILY LIFE AND A MIDNIGHT VIDEO GAME HUNT WITH BRISAN

noreply@blogger.com (The Mom with Brownies) — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 06:52:00 +0000

It is no secret that I am a night owl. I firmly believe that all good things happen after midnight. (I know, I know...take my mother card from me now...)

I have always enjoyed going out with Kazz and Brise to midnight book releases, midnight movies and all things nightime fun. There is something magical about being out late with my children, playing, talking, sitting in silence as we wait with bated breath for the next best thing to hit their lives. Memories in the making...Love, Love, LOVE it!

Tonight was no exception...though I almost missed it! I didn't sleep well last night...as usual. I have my days and nights mixed up...Or as I like to say...I should be living in Hawaii where the time is right instead of in Michigan where the time is wrong...but that's another post for another day.

At any rate, I didn't sleep well and had a lot of things to do today. The kids had a half day of school, Brian had to buy a new vehicle because his old vehicle finally died....just in time to buy his 40th Birthday Present of a vehicle. He loves it; As do I...though I'm not a big fan of the color...but I digress.

So, to recap, Brian took a 1/2 day off work, we drove the kids to school, Brian bought a vehicle and picked the kids up, I drove Jaibrian over to the doctor to get her cast off, then over to my FAVORITE second hand store to buy a bunch of T-Shirts for Vinze to wear during Basketball practice. I grabbed a winter coat for Daxx in the process and a few long sleeved shirts for Kole too; Spent a whopping $20.00...tee hee... Love That Place....

Anywhoo....We arrived home just in time to eat a little bit and get Vinze ready for Basketball. Brian had gone to work, I fell asleep and because my husband is wonderful...I didn't wake up until 11:30pm, when I heard rustling in the house.

I thought the kids were milling about, but it was Brian and Brise getting ready to head out for the midnight release of Elder Skrolls Skyrim! What?! Hey, that's MY job! I go the midnight runs to...well, to ANYWHERE!

Brian has to work tomorrow. God love his heart. He woke up when Brise came upstairs...fully expecting me to be working at my computer....but I was asleep! Brian got up to take his boy to get the video game he had ordered in advance. What a dad. We are so blessed.

I had woken up during their conversation....just in time to usurp Brian's position and place myself in the driver's seat for that destination. (He was oh so happy to go back to bed.) How exciting!! Another Midnight Run. Brise even let me take pictures of him holding his new loot!

Now that IS a treat because he does NOT like having his picture taken. I took it for all it was worth. He WILL be in this blog book! LOL

So, I sit typing, blogging and smiling. Brian is fast asleep in his warm bed and Brise is having a ball playing his new video game. Life is grand, and fun and full of wonderful memories like these. *sigh* I Just Can't Believe My Life.

THE PIXIE IN OUR MIDST

noreply@blogger.com (The Mom with Brownies) — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 22:25:00 +0000

Long Hair

BEFORE

Jaibrian came to me quite a few weeks ago to proclaim that she wants short hair. I listened carefully, explained that she wouldn't be able to have pony tails, put her hair up or play with it like she...(I mean, I)....likes to do.

She assertively stated that she didn't care. She wants short hair.

Brian and I took her to the stylist and let her have a trim. She looked very cute and seemed happy with the cut.

But...she wasn't.

Dorothy Hamill

She came to me, again, about a month ago to say that she really wants SHORT hair.

I was sad...and decided to wait a while longer to see if this "whim" of hers is set in stone or maybe fluid...like a passing breeze.

Yesterday, she asked to look at pictures of short hair cuts on the Internet. She pointed to Dorothy Hamill on Google Images.

AFTER

Well, Crap. She wants really short hair. *sigh*

Brian and Brisan both needed hair cuts today, so it was decided that today would be the day Jaibrian gets her wish.

I am sad, but I have to say that she does look her age now. Before the cut she sort of looked older than her six years.

Now she looks like the Pixie that she is...Just the cutest little, dimple faced child on the earth.

She is flitting about, skipping, wisking her hair back and forth . She walked up to Kazz proudly and said, "Hi!" when we got home...just to get his reaction.

She's too cute. She does look adorable and is a little chatter-box tonight. I suppose she knows what she wants. Good for her.

The most precious thing is that she closed her eyes when the stylist began cutting and she didn't open them the ENTIRE time! She kept them closed until I told her to open them.

When she opened her eyes to see a short haired Jaibrian in the mirror, she immediately smiled. That's all I needed to know we made the right call. :o)

THE BEAST

noreply@blogger.com (The Mom with Brownies) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 13:56:00 +0000

Cousins hanging out in Kentucky

Today, I am thankful for our Beast of a 15 passenger van. I'm convined this thing has kept me from getting tickets over the past few years. I have yet to be pulled over. I attribute that to the cops, maybe, thinking that our van is a group home bus.

And that's okay. We ARE quite "the home" ya know.

This bugger is paid off, carries all of our crew and some of our friends...all at the same time. It has carried many foster children, seen us through family vacations, camping trips, hospital stays, funerals and a wedding.

Brisan loading the van at the campground

It may be falling apart at the seams inside, but the heat works, as does the air conditioning. There are two DVD consoles hanging out in there...but only one plays...thank you Jesus that it's the one WAY in the back where I prefer the kids to sit. :o)

We bought the bus to pull our camper and transport us to and fro. I wanted a vehicle big enough to carry our entire family and a few friends to boot. My Brian was on board with that idea...because he wanted a BIG camper.

Brian, Kole and Daxx walking to the van at Metro-Park

It didn't come with a hitch, but we negotiated that into the deal. When we brought the van home, the kids went bonkers. Since then it's been peed on, spilled in, puked in and dented.

We've laughed, fought, cried and waxed philosophical within. Music has been sung, stories told and lives shared in this monster.

Kazz learning to drive "the group home bus"

The kids friends have bounced in the back seats when I hit bumps. They've laughed at nearly hitting their head on the ceiling. Some have found out that Mrs. Shelly likes loud music and that it is quite customary to dance, clap and boogy down while in the van...especially to and from scouting events.

The Rodeo Lasso Move, Travolta Point and Fist Pump have been seen by more than one passing motorist....further perpetuating the "group home bus" belief in our town.

Jaibrian comfy and cozy

Some of our friends have shaken their head at the sight of us driving up to their homes, while others felt a sigh of relief to know they aren't the only crazy parents in the world to buy a Beast for a family vehicle.

This bus, this Behemoth, this Blessing....It will be a memory held dear by our children. For me, however, it is a cherished gift. It holds all of our family together, forcing not a separation to our destinations. As children marry, it carries their spouses, our grandchildren to come and still, we are together; One family, One roof, One ride, Together.

I am happy to have it in our Life; As it is not the destinations that matter to me, but the joy of the journey.

KOLE'S RECENT REFLECTIONS

noreply@blogger.com (The Mom with Brownies) — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 13:22:00 +0000

As I drove the kids to school today, listening to the Guy Penrod CD, Kole piped up from the back of the van...

"I can't believe the summer went so fast."

He's only seven. Isn't that too young to feel time flying by?

I was a little bit sad to hear him say those words, though I understand them. We did fill the summer with a lot of "new" this year. We camped and played but also changed a lot about out lives this summer. The kids went from free-roaming homeschoolers to strict Catholic School attending students. Jaibrian was adopted, Kazz got married, Grandma Frye passed away, as did my Aunt Judy.

The kids attended their first wedding and their first funeral this year. That's a lot for one summer. I suppose I understand his observation, but it just seems that I was a lot older before feeling the zip, zipping of years speeding by.

I've seen positive effects surfacing however. Kole, specifically, is leading us in dinner prayer and asking to learn more about God, Catholic teachings and the lives of Saints. Santa Clause isn't as fascinating to him as St. Nicolas these days and his first confession looms in the near future. He asked if he could just say, "I've done a lot of sins." I explained that he'll need to pray about his life, let the Holy Spirit lead him as to what he needs to get off his chest, so to speak. His reaction? "Oh Crap."

The lives of Nuns and Priests are also currently on his mind.

"Mom if I become a priest when I grow up, can I get married?"

Me: "Nope. You will have dedicated your life to serving Christ and His followers. You would actually be a spiritual father instead of a daddy."

Kole: "Oh. Well I might have to be a Deacon then."

He's a cute one that boy.
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30 Days of Thankfulness: Today I am thankful for my good friends who lift me up when I am down, speak kindly when I am not around, love me through my mental moments and patiently deal with my telephone phobia.

OUR CUB SCOUTS

noreply@blogger.com (The Mom with Brownies) — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 18:39:00 +0000

Brian was a Cub Scout and Boy Scout. Their Cub Scout meetings were held in the basement of their local library. When he graduated to Boy Scouts the meetings were held in the basement of a church in Jeddo, Michigan. Funny thing about basements, they are not often thought to be an official "part" of a house or building, yet they seem to be the place where so many memories are made.

Brian has fond, nostalgic thoughts from those basement scouting years; swimming, earning badges, pine wood derby races (that he never won), camping in Jeddo at a Boy Scout Camp where he fished, canoed, shot a bow and arrow and swam, swam, swam.
Did I mention that he loved to swim?

Kazz and Brisan were never interested in Cub Scouts or Football, much to Brian's chagrin. He, however, never pushed them to do these things.

He allowed them to forge their own path and they've loved the activities they joined, just as much as Brian enjoyed Scouting....but that was our "Varsity" boys. We are now raising our Jr. Varsity "team" and they happen to LOVE scouting!!

We give the kids a long list of activities to choose from each year, but they may only choose one thing to participate in, because we have a large family, and one "thing" turns into 15 meetings a month. After mulling over the list of choices they get to announce their decision.

Dad: "Vinze, You're up first. What do you want to do this year?"
Vinze: "Basketball!" came his response. (He takes after his older brothers.)

Dad: "Kole what do you want to do this year?"
Kole: "Boy Scouts!!"

Dad: "Daxx, what do you want to do this year?"
Daxx: "Boy Scouts!!"

Dad: "Jaibrian, what do you want to do this year?"
Jaibrian: "Dad. Helloooo...you know."
Dad: "No, I don't know. What do you want to do?"
Jaibrian: "Daaaaddd...American Herrrrritage Girls...*sigh*" (said in her most as-if-there-were-even-a-doubt-he's-so-silly kind of way.)

This year Brian is a happy, happy man. He's been smiling and whistling, reading manuals, attending leader meetings and heading to Detroit to take a Scouting seminar.

Who is this man and what has he done with my husband?

Today, he woke up, got a shower and announced that we're taking a trip. Guess where we ended up.

I have a feeling that we have morphed into a scouting family. Any more changes you got coming God? Just wondering where we're heading next? It's been a roller-coaster of a ride so far; and I have to say, I'm Loving The Journey.

BECAUSE THIS IS WHAT WE NEED TO DO

noreply@blogger.com (The Mom with Brownies) — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 13:39:00 +0000

We became a homeschooling family the summer before Kazz began second grade. We chose this lifestyle, not because we had a passion for it, but because circumstances necessitated it. As we got to know the lifestyle, Brian liked the relaxed home-life and I enjoyed being Kazz's teacher.

Time went on, Brise became a homeschooled kid and has homeschooled longer than Kazz. I fell into the roll of "Homeschool Mom," identified with that title and ran with it. The lifestyle that we happened upon has become us...our thing...MY thing...the thing I do. I am a Homeschool Group founder. I have homeschooling friends. I enjoy my children and believe in the homeschooling lifestyle...for those who can do it, want to do it and need to do it.

During our years of "being" a homeschooling family, we've also "been" a foster family, adoptive family, converting-to-Roman-Catholic family, and growing family. In the past 7 years we have burgeoned from a family of 4 people to a family of nine. Add to that the fact that our four youngest children are VERY close in age, and it has come to my attention...the day I passed out cold in the floor due to high blood pressure/anxiety/stress....that our lives have transformed drastically since we first made the decision to homeschool.

Our family has gotten a LOT bigger and I have gotten a little bit older...ahem... I find myself to be the proverbial frog, sitting in a pot of cool, relaxing water that has slowly gotten warmer over time. The homeschooling oasis of a pool has begun to boil....and I have been lucky enough to notice.

It dawned on me that day, that maybe...just maybe...homeschooling isn't "us" anymore. But I fought it. I mean, "I'M SHELLY! I am a Homeschool Group Founder!!" How can homeschooling not be right for our family after all this time? How can that be?

I have never been one to look down upon people for sending their children to school. I do believe that Homeschooling is NOT for everybody. Every family is different and no one lifestyle choice can possibly fit every family. People who know me well, know that I've always believed this. But what happens when WE become one of those families? What happens when, one day, it becomes painfully clear that homeschooling is NOT for us? What then?

I had a lot of soul searching to do.

It turns out that I am still Shelly and still 'want' to homeschool, but my thoughts are not God's Thoughts. He has led our family to a point where our Catholic Children can be blessed by a Catholic education. One that I am not prepared to deliver...yet.

Our family experiences compose my being. Our journey orchestrates my existence; And I have come to realize, not so willingly, that we are still on that journey. Things change and our life...it HAS changed. Our family and my life simply cannot be summed up by one "thing" or one "lifestyle" choice; nor should it be.

Yes, I am still a Homeschool Leader in the sense that I can still help people who want to homeschool. That knowledge is part of me. I know it like the back of my hand. I am still a Foster Parent...though I am not a foster parent. I can still help people become foster parents because I know it like the back of my hand. I am still a mother, though my children are marrying off, leaving the nest and growing. I can still offer young/new mothers my personal life-experience and advice, because I know it like the back of my hand.

The difference, however, is that I've grown into a mature woman who has to let go of the past. I feel God saying, 'Life Changed...Get used to it Shelly.'

So, here I am stating the obvious; just to get used to the words...the facts. I am a mother of children who attend a private, Catholic school, a son who is married and a son who is about to enter college. I am homeschooling a high-schooler and hope to do the same with all of our children. I am still learning, growing and changing. Our family is ever morphing from one experience to another and I cannot fight it any more.

Who wants to live in a straight line anyway? It's the curve in the road that keep us guessing, right? Okay. So Be it. Amen.

HOMESCHOOLING TWO

noreply@blogger.com (The Mom with Brownies) — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 21:10:00 +0000

Today, Brise and Daxx began their 2011/2012 school year. They both woke up during the hustle and bustle of Vinze, Kole and Jaibrian getting ready to leave for St. Germaine. Today is a full school day for those three so I decided that today is as good a time as any for Brise and Daxx to begin their full days of homeschooling also.

Brise usually goes to bed around 3:30am and gets up around noon-ish. He has spent most of his summer with us camping, playing games online and going to teen rallies. Brian and I "knew" that Brise would most likely have the most trouble adapting to his new way of life, so we had a chat with him about what life will be like now that he's about to go to College. He understood the need to buckle down and work hard, though he didn't like hearing that his sleep schedule would be compromised.

You can count me surprised that Brise woke up at 7:00 am without a problem. When I arrived home from taking the kids to school, both Brise and Daxx were ready to roll. Brise had even gotten a shower. Wow!

Daxx enjoyed his Kitchen Science Double Bubble Trouble lesson. He learned that a soap bubble is less than 1 millionth of an inch thick!

Brisan learned that getting up early means he can get a lot more schoolwork done in a day....and oddly enough...seemed to enjoy it. He even took Daxx down to the local convenient store to grab a snack and take a walk on this beautiful day.

I KNOW!! Crazy, huh? A 14 year old brother taking his 7 year old brother out for a walk and chuckling at each other as they walk back into the house?? Who would have thought that these two kids, specifically, would EVER see the day?

You know. I think God knows what He's doing when He leads us to switch up our lives now and then. Go figure.

AUGUST 2011 IN A NUTSHELL

noreply@blogger.com (The Mom with Brownies) — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 13:36:00 +0000

I cannot believe it's August 31st already. If feels like just a week ago that Easter weekend welcomed us into the Catholic Church and the month of April bloomed with joy during Jaibrian's adoption finalization. But time, it has zoomed right along. Here I am, packing for our annual Family Reunion in Kentucky already. Labor Day weekend...whammo...here you are!

August began in a fun way. I have been gathering with 2 of my friends on Fridays to "workout" and weigh in at various venues in our neighborhoods. August 5th we weighed in at my house, played the Kinect and laughed our butts off. August 12th, we met up for coffee and put the scale right on the ground in the middle of the parking lot to weigh our sorry butts... didn't lose a pound; any of us. August 19th we were supposed to weigh in at the Air Show BBQ but Jen couldn't make it...so Stacy and I decided we just can't weigh in without Jen. August 26th, we were supposed to weigh in at a Church Festival but I fell asleep and missed the whole thing. They didn't weigh in because I am the scale carrier and didn't show up. (I'm sure they were so very sad about it.) Well, This Friday is Labor Day weekend, so we're all going to be busy, traveling or otherwise indisposed. I did, however, have my 3 month check-up with my Doctor yesterday. My blood pressure was terrific...but I had gained 10 pounds in 3 months. *sigh* Wrong Direction, Shelly. I have high hopes for September though!

On August 14th our family got to watch Heather, Madeleine and Rachel Price do their thing on stage in the Musical "Annie" at our local Community Center. What a fun time! I took pictures, but the usher made me stop. *sob* Getting caught stinks!

August 15th was eye exam day for all the kids. Brise and Vinze found out they are colorblind. Who Knew?! We didn't. Kole and Vinze got new glasses and everyone else is fine and dandy.


The neighborhood crew in our backyard

On August 20th we got to enjoy time with friends at Sarah's house for a BBQ. That was fun, though I don't like Airshows, Circuses or anything where people tempt fate. It's not my idea of fun to watch people do things that can kill them, so I sat in the garage mostly and had a ball talking with everyone and socializing....and eating Sarah's cooking. (Did I mention the 10 pounds?)

August 25th was my Aunt Judy's funeral. I usually have a very difficult time attending funerals. I just have a hard time watching my family suffer and I don't like to take our children to funerals for just that reason. This time, however, many friends stepped up to take the kids overnight so Brian, My mom and dad and I could attend the viewing and funeral without the kids having to witness it. I was so surprised at how precious the funeral ended up being. My dear cousins, LeNette and Dalyn, tried their hardest to make the occasion a celebration of their mother's life. LeNette wore pink on viewing day and red at the funeral. The songs played were a celebration of her life and the family laughed, hugged, kissed and reminisced like it was a family reunion. Aunt Judy would have liked that. It was a sad time, wrapped in love. Precious.

We spent the day with Kole's Godparents and our good friends, The Prices, on August27th. The grilled up some dogs, introduced us to their friends from Ann Arbor and our children had fun chasing each other around the house...and through it at times; though we put a stop to the running in the house pretty quickly. Every time I meet with Dale Price I am reminded of the immediate need to brush up on movie references and my history...the Byzantine era to be specific. I LOVE hanging out with them. It can't happen enough in my book.

On Sunday, August 28th, Kole broke out in hives that were so bad that he had to have an IV Drip to take care of his symptoms. He's currently taking steroids and some sort of allergy meds to counteract whatever it was that caused this reaction. I *think* it was the Gain Detergent that I added to the homemade laundry detergent that I make for our family. I should have known better than to dump that stuff in there, but it was on sale and I like the smell.

Today, August 31st, marks Vinze, Kole and Jaibrian's first day in Catholic School. It became apparent a few months ago that this chick....me....needs to cut back on stress in her life. My blood pressure began to spike to the point that I passed right out and had to be taken to the hospital. The RX is to relax, lower stress, double my heart arrhythmia medication...because it also lowers blood pressure....and relaxxxx...(Did I say that already?)

Vinze, Kole and Jaibrian have all expressed a desire to attend school. Since we always allow our children to spend at least 1 year in a traditional school, Brian and I decided that this is as good a year as any to send them along. Sadly, the school cannot accommodate Daxx's needs right now so he's still homeschooling with Brisan. Brise will attend our local community college in January.We're going to still be busy, but hopefully a more manageable busy.

Today our new family schedule begins. Homeschooling 2 kids and homework with 3 kids in the late afternoon. That is a pace I can manage...I hope.

OUR SCHOOL DAY SCHEDULE

noreply@blogger.com (The Mom with Brownies) — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 14:55:00 +0000

The list below is our most recent, handy-dandy school schedule. The list reminds me of those pretty "Back To School" commercials on television. It looks nice, but the reality is that nobody dances in the hallways with their new backpack glistening in professional lighting.

I'm posting an example of our homeschool schedule anyway, though I change the "boxes" often and the days flow a little less perfectly than a spreadsheet can portray. One day I may video our day just to show how imperfectly we accomplish this list.

Be that as it may, for those who like a little order now and then, this is how is "could" be done. :o)

QUICK POST OF RANDOM, FAMILY, SUMMER MOMENTS

noreply@blogger.com (The Mom with Brownies) — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 04:30:00 +0000

A lot has happened already this summer. I have been scanning our pictures and realized that I've slacked a bit, in the blogging department. Pictures say 1,000 words so I'll use them to share the quick blogging version of the life and times in The Brownie Home lately...

Here we go...

Camping with Grandma and Grandpa for the first time was a hoot.

They slept in the bunk beds of our camper.

Grandpa said he felt like he was back in the Navy again sleeping on the ships.

Grandpa, Vinze and Jaibrian fished and fished.

Don't get too close to Grandpa OR Grandma with your smores...they like to take bites!

Before we went camping we planted some peppers, strawberries and flowers in our flower beds.

Kole

Jaibrian

As soon as the food arrives on the vines, the animals eat them.


Daxx

Homeschool Park Days have been blissful this year

Jaibrian with her friends from church and homeschool and home

The city finally fixed our sinking sidewalk.

We attended Maggie's Birthday party

The city crew let our crew check out the work site.

Jai and Kole watching the men work

Suzanne can't believe her baby is three....I love this picture.

The Mulberry Tree ripened. The kids did their annual mulberry picking...barefoot of course.

Dale, Louis, Jai, Rachel, Kole and Madeleine

Kole and Jai love their dollar store cowboy, army men and Indians.

Jaibrian informed me that our house has a built in garbage can.

???

I explained that our house does NOT have a built in Garbage can.

Jai cleaning out the milk door

I don't know why, but it still amazes me that dollar store toys beat out all those expensive toys every day.

Daxx has taken to wearing hats...

...and very much enjoys his new soothing, calming, sensory devices.

I bought a sensory seeker combo pack from Amazon for our kids to use at the kitchen table during our homeschooling days. They are devices for people who need extra stimulation or something to chew on in order to think better.

I even found something in the pack for me.

I use the metal circles to flip in my fingers so I can listen better....and shut up.

Vinze and the crew cleaned out the shed this month.

This shed has been a beacon of joy for 10 years.

Kazz and Brise used it...

...now Vinze and the kids have found the joy in it.

I am so happy it was here when we bought the house.

They even created an office space.

...and then promptly wrestled in the shed until somebody got hurt.

Kole with a rug burn under his eye

We had an impromptu picnic at Metro-Beach

Jai and Kole finding frogs and fishflies in the grass

Daxx found feathers and frogs too.

Kole threatened to eat the fishflies

The homeschool group that I founded had their annual Ice Cream Social

Brian and Keith taking on the kids

Daxx "broke" his leg...but not "really"....

He pulled the growth plate apart...but the specialist doesn't think it's broken so whatever...

We'll find out more this Thursday.

Daxx is walking pretty well today.

July 7th was 7-11 Slushy day. We got ours!

Vinze paid for a big one

40 foot Ice Cream Sundae at our Homeschool Ice Cream Social

That's the quick update for now!