CAN'T BELIEVE SHE IS GOING TO BE 10!!!

I have such a full plate the next few days that this post will be my last until next week. My baby girl is 10 and I can't believe it. Boy, does it go fast - I know that is SO cliche - but it is SO true. It seems like yesterday that they wheeled me into the hospital and said "she is coming" and boy did they mean it. That little sucker was born 36 minutes after I got to the hospital. She was my first natural delivery, but also my first brush with things not being right. I still get very emotional thinking about how many holes she had in her heart when she was born and how very tiny she was. Boy, what a difference now! She is my thinker, my sensitive one, my most courageous, my most daring and right now my most spiritual. She is one of a kind! Happy Birthday Abby! Love, Mommy.

Things You May or May Not Know About Me

I was born Melissa Ann Shields

I am the youngest of 3.

I have a wonderful older sister and an older brother who I love with all my heart.

I was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

I accepted Christ as my Savior in 1st grade.

I was in theatre and gymnastics in elementary school.

I loved to sing - still do - but REALLY can’t.

I was a cheerleader - scary, I know.

I was a National Honor Society Student.

I wanted to be an attorney when I grew up.

I graduated from a Catholic High School.

I thought I would marry my first boyfriend.

I went to college at U.T. in Knoxville – BAD, BAD, BAD THING IN MY LIFE.

Had WAY too much fun in college.

I came home from college the following year.

My mother died when I was 20.

I got married when I was 24.

Had Jacob when I was 25.

Had Abby when I was 27.

Had Emma when I was 28.

I love Thai food.

Chris loves Thai food, too. I am a lucky girl.

We moved to Spring Hill, TN in 1998.

We moved to Winchester, TN in 2005.

I love my husband even though sometimes I can’t stand him. :)

I love my children with everything inside of me.

I love waking up to the sound of birds singing in the morning.

BACK TO REALITY

Well, Spring Break is over, but boy did we have fun. We went to see 2 movies (Astronaut Farmer and The Last Mimzy). My sister bought the kids a new trampoline, Abby and Emma got to stay in Nashville with my sister for a few days and Jacob got to go see Reliant K (Alternative Christian band) at Rocketown in Downtown Nashville last night. We are all exhausted, but had a really good Spring Break overall. The weather is beautiful and we have worked outside quite a bit over the past week. We have petunias planted on the porch and two hydrangaes transplanted to our front yard. Wish I had pictures to share, but my camera is still off being repaired. We are so blessed to have such good family and friends. Hope everyone has a wonderful Monday and blessings to all - The Browns

TGIF!

Whew! What a morning we had. Mommy was grouchy and Daddy was headed out the door as usual and it was not a good scene. Thank goodness we have the weekend to chill out! Wishing everyone a peaceful and enjoyable weekend with their families!

P.S. I covet your prayers as Chris is headed out of town Sunday AGAIN for a week. I think I can, I think I can, I think I can........................

Good Advice

A friend forwarded me this email and since I don't have a lot of time this morning, I thought I would post it. Have a great day!

ONE. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.

TWO. Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other.

THREE. Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.

FOUR. When you say, "I love you," mean it.

FIVE. When you say, "I'm sorry," look the person in the eye.

SIX. Be engaged at least six months before you get married.

SEVEN. Believe in love at first sight.

EIGHT. Never laugh at anyone's dream. People who don't have dreams don't have much.

NINE. Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely.

TEN. In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.

ELEVEN. Don't judge people by their relatives.

TWELVE. Talk slowly but think quickly.

HIRTEEN. When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask, "Why do you want to know?"

FOURTEEN. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.

FIFTEEN. Say "bless you" when you hear someone sneeze.

SIXTEEN. When you lose, don't lose the lesson.

SEVENTEEN. Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; and responsibility for all your actions.

EIGHTEEN. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.

NINETEEN. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

TWENTY. Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice.

TWENTY-ONE. Spend some time alone.

Found the Camera!