ON A MUCH HAPPIER NOTE

I was going through some older pictures on my computer - which is working FINALLY!!!

Thought I would share a few......Happy Friday people - have a super weekend!

ALIVE AND WELL

Wow, we have had quite a week. My computer crashed and is having to be completely restored. I am using Chris' laptop right now to update our blog. We have had a very rough week, but it has really made me rely on God and His Word to get me through. Within 24 hours, my computer crashed, we got a call from the IRS about taxes we owe and we found out Jacob was hanging with some not so great kids at school (and subsequently had a meeting at school). This was all while I was running on about 1 hour of sleep (worked about 8 1/2 hours trying to fix my computer myself). Once again, I am asking people to keep us in their prayers. We are being stretched a little thin right now, but I believe that is when God is really at work, so I am trying to just trust and pray. Well, just wanted to let people know we are okay and WISH ME LUCK with reinstalling all my software this morning so that I can get back to work and start making some money again! Love, Melissa

FRIENDSHIP

I read this today and wanted to post it. I have been blessed with such wonderful friendships in my life and YES our friends are an expression of ourselves. Sometimes we need to renew old friendships and sometimes in life we need to let some friendships go, but we must always have friends. It is a necessity.......

Friendship isn't always easily described. The Eskimos, they say, have a hundred different words for snow. Unfortunately, the English language isn't quite as innovative, though it has vast opportunities to differentiate meaning. Certainly, Love is one of those opportunities. And so, too, is Friendship.
Instead of different words, however, we're stuck with simple adjectives. Close friend. Best friend. Childhood friend. Intimate friend. Trusted friend. Beloved friend. But whether you use adjectives or different words, few could deny the nearly infinite meaning in such a simple word.

Friends are special people. We can't pick our family, and we're sorely limited in the number of them at any rate. Society and mores (and often our own conscience) dictate we select a single mate. But our friends can be as diverse and infinite as the adjectives we choose. Our friends, in a very real sense, reflect the choices we make in life.

Stop and Smell the Roses!

I still haven't gotten my camera back from being repaired, but hope to borrow a camera this weekend in order to post some pictures of Jacob's party. He is going to have 5 boys over tonight. Fun, fun, fun......I think I am insane! Well actually I know that I am insane and several people have verified that! :)

I was just sitting here thinking what a beautiful day it is and how I sometimes miss out on the small things in life because I am so stressed out over the so-called "big" things. I am listening to the birds sing and the sun is shining.....it is about 68 degrees. Can't get any better than that!

Please be praying for Chris and I. His working in Atlanta is getting a bit much and it looks like he is going to stay in that territory for awhile. Seems like he keeps getting moved further South........if only we could end up in Florida!!! Well, just keep us in your prayers. Wishing everyone a great weekend! Melissa

HE'S 12!!!

Okay, I am definitely feeling old today! 12 years ago today I was heading from the doctor's office straight to the hospital for my labor to be induced. WOW, how time goes so quickly. He is just such a wonderful child. He is smart, funny and extremely creative. I wishing him the happiest birthday ever! I am so blessed to have him. I love you Jacob - Mom.

HAPPY, HAPPY FRIDAY

Well, this weekend has a lot in store for the Brown family. After battling a week of a horrendous stomach bug (and I mean bad.....), we are all looking forward to my dad coming up, soccer games, holding a yard sale, and Chris' family coming up on Sunday. The International Dogwood Festival is this weekend and, believe it or not, it is a pretty big event. The kids are excited about going and we are excited about all the people and attention it brings to big Winchester, Tennessee! Here is the link for the Festival in case anyone is interested in coming in town and going. Our house is located right off the town square, so you are welcome to our house if you decide to visit! Have a great weekend!

www.winchesterdogwoodfestival.com

Easter Weekend

Well, we had a wonderful Easter weekend. We took the kids hiking at Savage Gulf on Friday and hiked roughly about 5 1/2 miles.

We headed up to my sister's house on Sunday after Church and stayed up there until late yesterday afternoon and now it is back to the grind.....

Verse for the Day: Psalm 121:2

My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Pictures

Just posting some pictures today. Love, Melissa

Spring Soccer

We had a very crazy weekend as usual. Abby's slumber party was Friday night. She had 7 girls over and we went to see a movie, ate pizza, played and WENT TO BED (finally at a little after midnight). Chris' family came up Saturday for the day and it was fun having everyone here. I was very cranky because of no sleep the night before, but Chris would say "what's new?". :)

Here some pictures of the girls first game this season. This is the first year they have played up a division and also the first time they have played co-ed. They are playing U12 this Spring. Abby is #2 and Emma is #3. I will post pictures of Jacob's middle school soccer game as soon as Chris' Aunt sends them. She took all the pictures for me - she did a GREAT job!

As we look towards Good Friday, I hope we will all thank God for what he has done for us and also focus on what we, in turn, can do for Him. Have a great week!