We SO rock!

Some Christmas pics....

My family came to my house the day after Christmas. Here are a few pics......

Christmas Morning at 4:00 a.m.!

Yes, Christmas occurred at 4:02 a.m. for the Brown family. I am headed back to bed! It was a great morning! Hope we get rested and cleaned before the Shields family Christmas tomorrow morning. Merry Christmas everyone! Love, Melissa

Christmas Eve Eve

What we are called to do........

http://www.lightsource.com/ministry/wednesdays_with_beth/

Christmas Tree 2008

Those who know us know that we have always, currently do and will always have a live tree and a homey one at that. So, this is tree 2008. Each year it is the "best tree we have ever had". I really believe it this year. It smells SO good! (And in the background on the TV is The Christmas Story. We watch it every year while we decorate). I don't want anyone to shoot their eye out!

The Alabaster Box

I just love this clip about the woman who washed Jesus' feet and her alabaster box. I can identify with the woman and how blessed I am to be forgiven by my Father!


http://lifetoday.tv/qt/2006/10/61025.htm

Sorry Nick. Had to steal this picture from your blog!

Well, Chris flew to Florida this morning for a business trip - must be so hard on him, poor guy. :)We have a extremely busy week between b'ball and church and trying to get ready for Christmas, but I am not terribly worried. Things will get done.

I have really calmed down with the Christmas thing this year. Both sides of the family are only buying for children - whew! Our family is trying to focus on Christ this Christmas and no the trappings of presents and decorations. We also just decided to sponsor another Compassion child and we are very excited about that! We have sponsored Jenry Francisco Otoniel Chay Lainez, a 4 year old little boy from Guatemala this year and now we have added a little 4-year girl from Peru by the name of Jerlie Viviana Morales Bayona. They are both so precious. I wish I could post their pictures, but I can't so you will have to come visit our house to see pictures of them! I pray that your family might consider sponsoring a child through Compassion for the upcoming year. Chris and I have done this for about three years and it has brought our family so much joy knowing that we are helping a child be fed, clothed and taught about Jesus Christ. I am challening you this Christmas to reach out to those in need and find the joy in giving! Love - Melissa

It IS a wonderful life!

It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

George Bailey: Just a minute - just a minute. Now, hold on, Mr. Potter. You're right when you say my father was no businessman. I know that. Why he ever started this cheap, penny-ante Building and Loan, I'll never know. But neither you nor anyone else can say anything against his character, because his whole life was - why, in the twenty-five years since he and Uncle Billy started this thing, he never once thought of himself. Isn't that right, Uncle Billy? He didn't save enough money to send Harry to school, let alone me. But he did help a few people get out of your slums, Mr. Potter, and what's wrong with that? Why - here, you're all businessmen here. Doesn't it make them better citizens? Doesn't it make them better customers? You - you said - what'd you say a minute ago? They had to wait and save their money before they even ought to think of a decent home. Wait? Wait for what? Until their children grow up and leave them? Until they're so old and broken down that they... Do you know how long it takes a working man to save five thousand dollars? Just remember this, Mr. Potter, that this rabble you're talking about... they do most of the working and paying and living and dying in this community. Well, is it too much to have them work and pay and live and die in a couple of decent rooms and a bath? Anyway, my father didn't think so. People were human beings to him. But to you, a warped, frustrated old man, they're cattle. Well, in my book he died a much richer man than you'll ever be.

Double Dog Dare Ya!

The more a man knows, the more he forgives. -Confucius

The MAN - The CUTEST Man in the world

My first great-anything and he is also my first great-nephew. I am completely and totally in love!

HAPPY TURKEY DAY!

As if pecan pie weren't rich enough, here is a true Southerner's dream pie! Step one - make a wonderful graham cracker crust and place 10 slices of a Mrs. Smith's thawed pecan pie on the crust. Step two - Make a Southern living cheesecake recipe and pour it on top of the slices of pie and top with some pecans. Step three - cook in a 325 oven for 50 minutes. Step four - cool for one hour. Step five - chill for 8 hours and serve! Easy as pie! :)

God's Sustaining Grace

I encourage you guys to listen this message by John Piper. A friend in Colorado recommended it to me and WOW it really hits home. With all that is going on in our nation and in our personal lives - especially mine - it is just such a wonderful message to hear. I have family and friends that are dealing with personal issues, financial issues, you name it, but thank goodness for God's sustaining grace. Please listen:

http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/ConferenceMessages/ByDate/1995/2678_Gods_Sustaining_Grace/

Lazy Blogger

Wow, I have really been shirking the blogging lately, huh? Busy season of life right now with basketball games, schoolwork, working, redoing a kitchen and, oh, opening a business!

Life is treating us well. I am very ready for my kitchen to be done so that I can start cooking again. I love to cook and, well, let's just way that eating out is becoming very draining on the pocketbook. I find myself daydreaming of fresh vegetables and salads and grilled chicken (not from Wendy's!). Hopefully it will be done by Christmas so the girls and I can make our traditional Christmas goodies.

The kids are great and all is good in life - we are blessed.

A friend quoted in Williamson A.M.

Way to go Casey!

------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Tennessean – Williamson A.M.
Nov 9 2008

Schools' approach to holidays frustrates readers.

A letter in last week's Williamsom A.M. lamented the loss of Halloween parties in some county schools for the sake of more-inclusive fall parties. As we head into the holiday season, we asked readers what place they thought holiday celebrations have in public schools.

Christmas should be celebrated
Well, being this is America, "one nation under God," blessed by God and founded on the goodness of God's love, we should be able to celebrate the birth of Jesus.
It's a traditional American holiday that has been stripped away from us by a tiny radical minority. Christmas is "America." If you don't like it, close your eyes, plug your ears or just leave. Let the majority of Americans (who are Christian) celebrate the birth of our savior.
There's nothing but good and love that comes with this holiday and the holy name of Christ. If it offends you that people can believe in this kind of hope, love, good and giving, what a shame.
I wouldn't even think of going to another country and try to change their culture, laws and favorite pastimes. Merry Christmas to all. If somebody would dare print something this conservative and common sense, I'll be surprised.

Casey Beathard
Thompson's Station

ready to open

Well here are some pics of the shop tonight and I THINK we are ready to open. My wonderful sister and nieces and nephew-in-law (who did all the signage) came into town to help us set up. Hopefully things will go well enough to move onto the "square" by Spring.

Abby at Point

Here is a pic of Abby playing point tonight in her game against North. If you don't know basketball, she is the one with the ball.......

Hudson

I had to steat this pic from Hudson's blogsite and post it on my own - how adorable.

Hudson is my GREAT-NEPHEW and what a cutie!! Here he is with his little buddy Braeden. Hudson is, of course, the cute one on the left! Love ya' little man!

Recovered

Okay, I believe I am recovered from the election. I am not in control anyways - only the Lord and I know that He is in control.

Well, we are opening the Skate Shop on Saturday and are down to the wire to get things done. We still have a second coat of paint for the floor, display racks to put together and inventory to price. The kids are SO excited. It has been fun to do all this together as family. I am trying not to stress out too much, which everyone knows is hard for me! I can't wait to get some rest on Sunday! The good news is that I now have new plumbing and electrical in my kitchen - now if I could just have some walls, cabinets, floors and appliances.

What a sad evening.

But, as usual, John McCain came out the classier man with his concession speech and urged Americans to support our President Elect. Sorry, John, can't do it.......

No more blogging for awhile.

Terrified for my children's future.

Melissa

The Skate Shop

Well, we will be having our grand opening of the skate shop this weekend, Saturday, November 8th at 9:00 a.m. We are a little nervous and still have a LOT to do before Friday, but we are also very excited for the opportunity. Here a couple of pics of the place.

To all my dear family and friends, I pray that this is not our last evening not under the impending "rule" of The Obama - pray, pray, pray!

Well, I realize that I have been blogging WAY too much about politics and have been letting it consume way too much of my time. God is in complete control of this election and I must just pray about it and trust in Him. I realized this morning that I need to be putting as much effort lately into my devotional time and quiet time with God as I have been into watching Fox News every night! :)

I am praying today for all my friends and family - for blessings during tough economic times, for wisdom and discernment and also for peace in knowing that you are loved by the Creator of the Universe! Love to all,

Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation."

4 MILLION $'S FOR AN AD! ARE U KIDDING ME?

WOW - that is insane! Crazy insane and I can still not believe that people are drinking the Kool-Aid! That is 4 million dollars that could have helped some VERY needy people! I am just sick over this type of crazy public campaing financing insanity (from a man (?) who was against public campaing financing???

P.S. - Doesn't that couple look really scared of him?

Twas the night before elections

And all through the town

Tempers were flaring

Emotion all up and down!



I, in my bathrobe

With a cat in my lap

Had cut off the TV

Tired of political crap.



When all of a sudden

There arose such a noise

I peered out of my window

Saw Obama and his boys



They had come for my wallet

They wanted my pay

To give to the others

Who had not worked a day!



He snatched up my money

And quick as a wink

Jumped back on his bandwagon

As I gagged from the stink



He then rallied his henchmen

Who were pulling his cart

I could tell they were out

To tear my country apart!



" On Fannie, on Freddie,

On Biden and Ayers!

On Acorn, On Pelosi"

He screamed at the pairs!



They took off for his cause

And as he flew out of sight

I heard him laugh at the nation

Who wouldn't stand up and fight!



So I leave you to think

On this one final note-

IF YOU DONT WANT SOCIALISM GET OUT AND VOTE!!!!

Question??

Can anyone tell me what Obama's personal plan of redistribution is? What is he personally going to do with his own wealth in order to redistribute and help the "poor" and "burdened"??? Has he said - because, if so, I guess I have missed it.

Fred Thompson Warns Against an Obama Win....

http://www.eyeblast.tv/public/video.aspx?v=e46UkUDkDk

Red-Blooded American

Just what every red-blooded American wants to hear - Marxism!

Happy Halloween!!!

Unbelievable!

http://www.bpmdeejays.com/upload/hs_sal_in_Harlem_100108.mp3

Welcome Socialism

I CANNOT believe that Obama voters do not see that they are voting for socialism. What the heck! Does no one see that? I am so sad to think that pro-life, pro-family, pro-make your way in America, honest to goodness people are so dumbed down to not see that we are in BIG trouble if he becomes President of the United States of AMERICA!

Barack Obama is a socialist. We were pretty sure this was the case after he made his remarks about how bitter people in small towns cling to religion. As Bill Kristol points out, this is very similar to Karl Marx’ line about religion being the opiate of the masses, if not as eloquent as the original German “Die Religion … ist das Opium des Volkes.” Senator Joe Lieberman reinforced this, observing, “I’d hesitate to say he’s a Marxist, but he’s got some positions that are far to the left of me and I think mainstream America.” James Joyner

Back from Vacation!

Finally we are back! We had a wonderful time, but boy am I glad to be home! Here are a few pics -