Please keep Abby in your prayers

Abby will be having surgery this morning around 11:30 a.m. to remove four teeth. Normally not a big deal, but because of her heart murmurs she has to go under general anesthesia with a breathing tube. We covet your prayers and I will post to let everyone know when she is home. Otherwise, it has been a wonderful weekend. The girls and I traveled to Nashville on Friday to spend time with my sister and her family and had a great time, as usual. Of course, I had to post a picture of the man, i.e. Hudson and also of my nieces' booth at their annual church chili cook-off. Their theme this year was A Latte' Chili! So cute!!

Blessed

This is the story of a couple that we knew in Spring Hill, TN and went to church with. What a wonderful story!

http://boss.streamos.com/wmedia/fbctn/stories/wooldridge.wvx

Geez it's cold!

Another beautiful, but freezing, morning here in Winchester, Tennessee. I am thankful for heat this morning that's for sure!

The kids had quite the surprise yesterday evening when I got home from Chattanooga. I went to see my aunt who is at home under Hospice care and came back home with a pure breed Chihuaha (sp?). Her name is Satin and she is a cutie! The girls are in heaven! Thought I would post a quick pic of her this morning. Praying everyone has a blessed day and remember God loves you!

Sleepyheads off to school....

2 Corinthians 5:17 (New International Version)

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

What a beautiful morning

Even though is very chilly here in Winchester, TN, it is an absolutely beautiful morning! I am watching the birds on our bird feeder outside the kitchen window and it reminds me of being a little girl at my home in Chattanooga. We had a window in our den where I could sit and watch the birds. I loved that! One of my favorite things in the world is the sounds of birds when I wake up in the morning. It is a reminder to me of a new day, a new beginning. It is also is a reminder to me that if God is taking care of those birds (watching over them, keeping them fed), then He is certainly taking care of me.

I have been through a lot of loss in my life and the last two years have been especially hard dealing with my brother's injury and then death. Also, there have been several times when I think I can move on and get past it and then something happens to keep me grieving or saddened. I can honestly say this new year and this new morning that I do not feel the burden of sadness resting on my shoulders anymore. I feel alive and rejuvenated and ready to live life! God has had me where He wanted me to be the past two years for a reason and I am sure it was to grow me up in my faith. In fact, I know it was. I think it was also to grow me up in my marriage and in my ability to parent. I am far from the goal line, but I at least feel like I am moving forward. God is a good God. His mercies NEVER fail. Remember that!

Love,

Melissa

Update from the Brown House

Well, 2009 has treated us well so far. We have made a lot of changes in our house this year. We are getting up earlier, Mommy has started exercising every day and not just when she can manage to fit it in, and we have gotten rid of all carbonated beverages or alcohol (i.e. wine) in the house and are not eating out as often. We all feel so much better already - now to see if we can keep it up! Another change we have made is praying together every morning before school and every evening before bedtime. This has really opened up a time where the kids can communicate what is going on with them and/or their friends and that has been a GREAT thing.

I know that as the year goes some of these "resolves" will probably fade into black, but I do know that Chris and I have recomitted our family to Christ this year and that with His help we will be able to make changes for the good and place the bad behind us.

Psalm 71:20 (NLT)
You have allowed me to suffer much hardship, but you will restore me to life again
and lift me up from the depths of the earth.

Great Advice for 2009

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Talk to God about what is going on in your life. Buy a lock if you have to.

3. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to__________ today. I am thankful for______________.

4. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.

5. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli , almonds & walnuts.

6. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

7. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

8. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.

9. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

10. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

11. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

12. You are not so important that you have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

13. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.

14. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

15. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

16. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'

17. Forgive everyone for everything.

18. What other people think of you is none of your business.

19. GOD heals everything - but you have to ask Him.

20. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

21. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch!!!

22. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

23. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I am thankful for__________. Today I accomplished_________.

24. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

25. When you are feeling down, start listing your many blessings. You'll be smiling before you know it.

*From an email forwarded from a dear friend.

We SO rock!

Some Christmas pics....

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