Long Time...

Since I've posted! I have decided to try and be better about blogging:) So much has gone on and happened since I last wrote...like 7 months worth...Wow! I have still been reading, it just seems harder and harder to "sit" and write. School is in FULL swing, and Hannah is busy with lots of activities :) Please pray for Hannah as we are having some "medical" issues...God knows the details and I have to give up(worry) and give it to him!
On another note I'm so glad it's Friday! Thanks for praying! To be continued.....

~ Blessings to you~

~American Girl~

Ok, blogger isn't being very cooperative tonight and I am too tired to keep messing with it...so therefore YOU get pictures before the post...sorry! Enjoy anyway :)

Hannah and her American Girl doll

Cute picture display

At the American Girl Bistro

The ULTIMATE Bistro Burger...YUMMO!!

Hannah and her doll

We found the Sports Girls Display...right away,

to make our first choice of clothing...the baseball outfit!!!!

The girls and their LOOT!!

Ice Skating Fun

WOW! What a great day! We headed to Dallas to the Galleria for Hannah's best friend Maci's birthday day. We were joined by Maci (of course) and her mom Kari, Kasey (a sweet friend from Maci's school) and her mom Kristi. We had a great ride up there listening to the girls sing and talk while of course we "older" girls had our own conversation and laughs. Our first stop was the American Girl doll store...WOW, WHAT A STORE! We have never been until today and I was overwhelmed. The store was huge, hundreds of dolls to choose from, hundreds of outfits to choose from, hundreds of accessories to choose from and hundreds of people!! It was sheer craziness, but well worth it! Hannah was so careful to choose just the right doll and outfits. After we chose our doll and checked out (OUCH!!)then headed upstairs to the American Girl Bistro...WOW, WHAT A BISTRO! lots of pink, lots of flowers, and lots of girls and their dolls. The dolls get their very own high chairs and tea cup! The food was scrumptious and the girls had the time of their life! Its all about the doll and girls here! The doll even gets a "goodie bag" from the party!! Our next stop was the Ice-Skating rink inside the Galleria...so much fun! I opted not to take the camera ice skating :) but I did get a few pics before! So after our long and super fun day I'm not sure which body part will be more sore in the morning...my face from smiling, my belly from laughing, or my feet and legs from skating!! Thank you Lord for a fun day with with friends!

"Thumper"

Introducing the newest member of the Hanes family....Thumper the bunny!!

A quick recap of how Thumper came along.... Wednesday night Hannah and I went out to the livestock show to hang out with my brother and my niece and nephew. Hannah was running around with Kacey and Kyle when she came running to me...

"MOM, can I have a rabbit?"

"No, Hannah we are not getting a rabbit."

"Oh please"...insert begging child here...

"No, Hannah we are not getting a rabbit."

"Fine, I will ask my uncle Brad" (Bred as she says)

Uncle Brads' response..."Sure baby girl, whatever you want!"

Insert one happy child (Hannah) here :)

okay...so I lost the battle...I'm pretty good at giving in on some things, and Kevin really got serious about the bunny and immediatly built this fine rabbit cage...in one evening.

Thank you honey!! God has given you a remarkable talent.

So...here we are with a bunny!! This should be fun :)

Wrapping up SpRiNg BrEaK...

Well, I must say that this week has flown by!! Even though we started the week off doing much of nothing we finished it off keeping busy. Thursday night we took the kids skating at Super Skate in Seagoville...WHEW, that was a busy place. Too many wheels for me!

Friday we headed to Tyler for the zoo and Build-a-Bear...of course my camera can't decide if it wants to work or not so my pictures are limited...:( It was an absolute BEAUTIFUL day and we enjoyed every second of it!

Today, my hubby and I worked in the yard. I worked on my 'first time' garden and he mowed after he finally got me going with the tiller...that was quiet funny,I hope no one had a hidden camera...but if they did this blog serves as a disclaimer that I want a portion of the winnings from America's Funniest Home Videos!!

We finished the day by having breakfast for dinner and then watching the awesome moon rise...What an incredible handy-work of God! Hannah told us that God wadded up a bunch of stars to make the moon!! I love her sweet thoughts :) Lord, please keep her humble and innocent.

Thank you Lord for a beautiful week of rest, laughter, quiet and time with sweet friends and family.

~Love and Blessings to you~

For Sale...

****John Deere Mobile Pressure Washer****
~3000 psi
~2.8gpm
~65 gallon tank
~10-15 hours of usage time
~Comes mounted on a 2009 Carry-On JD green trailer with a ramp
Also comes with:
* 150 foot of extra hose (both hoses on hose reels, mounted to the trailer)
* 1 wand
* Extra set of tips
* Extra tool box mounted to the side of the trailer

Asking $2000 (neg) TELL YOUR FRIENDS!!

~ To God be the Glory~

Spring Break...

Monday day 1: UNPRODUCTIVE
Tuesday day 2: UNPRODUCTIVE

It seems that I have a BAD case of the I DON'T WANT TO's......

Wednesday day 3: Hannah, mom and I went over to Tyler for a day of shopping! Thank you mom! I had a great day, I always enjoy talking, laughing and "people watching" with you :)

Thursday Day 4: Not feeling like too much will go on....house cleaning, laundry...the usual. I really have a long to do list, but.... I DON'T WANNA!!!

Friday Day 5: Much of the same listed above in days 1,2,and 4, I will let you know if anything changes :)

I have to laugh at my unproductive LAZY week because any who knows me well...knows that I NEVER slow down! I am usually going from can to can't...not so much this week! It has certainly been a "break" from my usual...hmmmm, I'm beginning to think I might be enjoying "slowing down."

I have had a "heavy heart" about alot of things lately and I am REALLY trying to hear the voice of God and maybe this week will be exactly what I need in order to that very thing.

Dear God,
I am asking you to reveal yourself to me in ways that you have never, and in ways that I have never experienced before. Please move mountains in my heart that are keeping me from seeing your glory. I am asking you God to enter the realms of my home and do miracles in my life and in the life of my sweet family that you have so graciously blessed me with, through salvation, finances and hardned hearts. God, you already know the "needs" and have already met me there, Thank you Jesus. Amen!


~Blessings~

Just me and my girl....

Beautiful Day...check Feeling Good... check House Clean/Laundry Done. CHECK!

So OUTSIDE we went...A little trampoline jumping!!

A SERIOUS disscussion with Buddy before our four-wheeler ride!

And then we decided to go to the park...this ended up being the most fun...spinning on the merry-go-round as fast as I could push it trying to pick up the water bottle that kept flying off!!! We laughed so hard :)

Another SERIOUS moment of concentration...

I love to swing :)

Getting tired...but determined to get to the top!!

2 hours later...On our way to Braums for ICE-CREAM!!

Thank you Lord for my beautiful daughter and the fun times that we share!!



Blessings~

Brandi

First...Next...Then...

LAST...
Will I be able to say that ANYTIME SOON? Geez...I suppose that this post will be a bit of a "vent" (short, of course)

RECAP:
January- Husband and daughter- flu
One Week in the hospital passing a pancreatic stone?!?!?!

February- Another week in the hospital (thank you Mr. Pancrease)
Hannah- FLU AGAIN...Strain B / I think Kevin had it again too, but
we refused to acknowledge it!!
Septic System backed up
Currently, I am experiencing a stomach bug???
Still have two weeks to go in February....

However God is still on his throne, and still the author of my story...

To be continued........................................

Days like this...

SNOW DAYS!!!

I love them even though it's too cold outside and not "snowy" enought to play in it! Yet, it's the inside of the house that's the most fun!!

Like...
our sweet the neighbor girl coming over to play with Hannah and the simple conversations of girls and their baby dolls!!






Making brownies with Hannah :) I love those cheeks when she smiles!!





Hannah playing "Bible Man" running around the house reciting scripture!! THIS IS MY FAVORITE PART OF ANY DAY!!!


~ playing in the tent
~ making hot cocoa
~ playing school with Hannah
~ listening to Hannah read to her babies
~and of course attempting to get caught up with all that work since I've been out....ughhh it's more fun playing :)

THANK YOU GOD FOR DAYS LIKE THIS...

And this PRECIOUS BEAUTIFUL GIRL!!!

Blessings~

Brandi

Round 2...

@ETMC...4 days...PAIN, being miserable, sitting, laying, standing, crying and eveything else you can think of, IV's, etc...etc...On Thursday of last week, I had a procedure done called an ERCP, where they go into the pancrease and "explore." hmmmm doesn't sound too bad...until it's over and you find out that your pancrease is now "aggravated"...and indeed it was, it still isn't happy!! I have had many doses of pain meds, anti-nausea meds and fluids...none of it working- and on top of all that I developed DOUBLE PNEUMONIA (I have no idea if I spelled that right) because I was in so much pain I couldn't breathe.
I got released today in hopes that this was a good thing, but as luck would have it...I AM MISERABLE!!! I can't find a spot that is comfortable in anyway. Please PRAY...PRAY...PRAY for healing and that I will feel better SOON!!

You never know...

who is watching your actions of listening to your words.

Long, but worth it, I hope :)

I have always heard the saying "actions speak louder than words," but I think that they are pretty equal is most cases.
Just before Christmas I started to work as a waitress on the weekends, and this very job has made me stop and think about this statement more in the last few months than ever. People can be just plain mean, even the ones that "ACT" so nice...have you ever met anyone like that? I never ever dreamed that adults would be so quick to be so RUDE! Now don't get me wrong, not every single person is mean or rude...so THANK YOU if you are one that is patient and kind in all situations, but tonight was a very different night of "waitressing."
Often times a small conversation will start up between the customer and the waitress, leading to general information like... is this your only job, are you from this area, is this your first time to visit us,do you attend church anywhere, etc...etc.
But tonight ,it seems that (ALMOST) every table that was in my section was seated with very friendly, kind, and talkative people (Thank You Jesus!) it makes for a much more plesant shift. Which brings me to my point...you never know who is watching or listening.
I waited on a table with a college girl and her family... (pause, go back with me about THREE WEEKS AGO,apparently this young lady came in with some friends, they didn't sit in my section and I don't remember EVER seeing her before) so,the small talk began, the conversation went something like this:

Mom: "We are from Austin and have never been here, what do you suggest?

Myself: I suggested a few of the more popular items..."Great, I'm glad you came tonight how did you hear about us?"

Mom: "My daughter came out a few weeks ago and she loved the food, liked the atmosphere, but more than that the waitresses were so friendly and fun, and she was so excited when you were going to be our waitress."

Myself: "Awww, what a sweet compliment, I'm glad that I could make your experience good the last time you came." Thank you.

College Girl: "Oh it wasn't you that waited on us, but my friend and I watched your reaction that night and admired the way you handled several unplesant situations."

Myself: Silent............"yall look over the menu and I will return shortly to take your order."

As, I walked away from that table...it hit me...what you do and say is ALWAYS seen and heard by someone else...What impression are you leaving in someones mind? I may or may not ever see her again, but the words she spoke will FOREVER be engrained in my thoughts, but it doesn't stop there...there are THREE more tables that made this statement come alive to me tonight.I won't tell you the entire conversation but I will give you the profound comments made to me that I will never forget.

Table #1-
C :"Did you know that little girl sitting at that table?"
Myself:"No ma'am"
C:" You were very kind to her, I haven't seen her smile the entire dinner until you spoke such words of kindness."

Table #2
C: "How are you tonight"
Myself: "Busy but Blessed"
C: " Yes very busy, but you are still smiling and I haven't heard one negative word come from your mouth."

Table #3:
C: "Thank you, it's been a long time since we have had such a kind waitress."

Now, I am not telling you all of this to brag on myself, because that IS NOT the type of person I am, I am telling you all of this to BEG of you to watch your actions and words more closely, PEOPLE ARE WATCHING and I don't know about you but I want people to see JESUS in me!
I am so thankful that God put every second of this evening in my life tonight, I needed the reminder, better yet I needed the SLAP IN THE FACE!!
So I will leave you with this ...

What do people see in you?

What kind of impression are you leaving?

Love and blessings,

Brandi

Home Sweet Home!

Boy am I glad to be home!! It is just no fun staying in the hospital!! I think that being home has already made me feel better :) and I know that Hannah and Kevin are happy! I still have a ways to go on the recovery, I will go into detail later...but for now...I am HOME SWEET HOME!! Thank you for all your prayers, please continue to lift me up in healing prayers as I do pray for you daily! Love and Blessings~

Brandi

No pictures please...

Have you ever felt like you can't get out of the "rain" of life's storms? Just when you close your umbrella...here it comes again, sending you for higher ground.

Well, I have...NOW!!

I won't go into all the details, but yesterday morning I began having INCREDIBLE pain in my upper right side around the top of the rib cage. A little "episode" as I like to call it... SEVERE COLD SWEAT, HORRIBLE PAIN, NAUSEA, etc...etc... I immediatly went to the school nurse to see what was happening. My first thoughts were...its the flu...has to be... but I wasn't running a fever...hmmm. Anyhow, the pain wasn't getting any better after 30 min or so, only more intense. I left school and drove to the ER, (although I do not remember the drive) They took me back and started the process...LONG PROCESS...VERY LONG PROCESS...only to hear "We are going to be transferring you to the hospital for further testing, your pancrease is inflamed and possibly has a stone."

WHAT??? You have got to be kidding me!!! I do not have time for this!!! I am a wife, a mother, a school teacher who is not only 1 but 2 weeks behind!?!?!?!?!?

Okay, so looooong story made short...here I am, in the hospital, with only an IV...no food or drink AT ALL!! Resting my pancrease... (I don't know either) WAITING on tests. Please pray for healing and good health, ALTHOUGH God already knows the details and has a plan...I am trying to understand and hear his voice...until next time... No Pictures Please!!

My crafty hubs is...

at it again!! I wish I were a crafty person :) Anyhow, Every since I have been a school teacher (5yrs) I have wanted one of these...

a paper holder...

It seems like a good idea, right...it would be so easy for each student to have their "own" place to turn in papers, easier for grading and returning purposes and ORGINIZATION which I am very adiment about ...however I could never really talk myself into purchasing a "fancy cardboard" item at such a price...so I brought home the magazine that it is in and talked to my husband about it and he said "Well, I could just make you one." AH, who would have thought ?!?!?!?! He loves to build and paint things and just like his dad, God has blessed him with the ability to so!

So recovering from the flu, being home all week he became quiet became board and fired up a plan.... Step 1...Step 2...Step 3 and PRESTO!!

A solid wood, paper holder! A better quality (and cheaper) product by FAR than what the magazine had to offer! Isn't it beautiful?!?! What a sweet hubs I have!! I can't wait to put it to use in the classroom...It is quiet heavy so it will be interesting to see me getting it in tomorrow :) Thank you honey!!

~Blessings~

Brandi

NO FUN!!

This is what I've looked at every hour on the hour for 48 hours!! I'm pretty sure if themometers could talk...all three of mine would be SCREAMING "NOT AGAIN!" I have only had the flu once and I DO NOT want to shuffle those cards again, but this week it's been worse than when I had it myself, because as mothers (well women in general) we tend to hurt when others hurt, especially those close to us.
I have taken the past few days off work to be home and take care of my sweet family. Kevin and Hannah have been miserable...both of them up a little bit when the fever is down (rarely), but when the fever is up they are DOWN. It is so sad (rewarding as a mommy) to hear Hannah say "Mommy come here and lay with me, I just feel so bad." I want it to be me instead of her. Kevin has just walked around aimlessly back and forth from the living room to the bedroom trying to get comfortable.
I know that "sickness" is just a part of life, but I don't like it!!! I certainly despise it even worse when it's my family.
The flu bug has visited my ENTIRE family in the last 2 weeks, both of my brothers and their families have been bitten! It is NO FUN!!!
My sweet friend Jenna text me today to let me know that tomorrow night some girls from our church will be getting together for a "Girls Night Out!" Oh, that sounds SPLENDID!! I pray that I will get to make it, but my family comes first...so we will see :) I am so thankful that God has blessed me with the ability to take care of my family!! I am so blessed!!

Love and Blessings~
Brandi

Flu,Flu Go Away!!

My sweet baby girl came into my classroom today red faced and burning up, "Mommy, my head hurts, my eyes hurt, mommy everything just hurts!!" So off we went down to the nurses office for a fever check...WHOA!! 103.4 There ya have it!! I quickly got a sub and headed off to Dr. Shaws office...one long q-tip up the nose and an hour later.... The words, "Hannah has the flu" hit me!! I feel so bad for her, she is just laying here on the couch, and if you know my Hannah..."laying" is not normal for her :) Not to mention, Kevin came in from work pale and freezing...fever at 100!! This may be a very LOOOOONNNNGGGGGG week!! Please pray for healing and good health for my family!


Blessings~
Brandi

"The Dash"

His life was taken suddenly during the night with a major heart attack.

As I sat quietly at the funeral service of a man that I have know all of my life, yet merely as an acquaintance. I watched as the pictures rolled, people poured into the church to honor his memory. I listened intently to the words spoken about this man and I could not get the thought out of my mind of how he spent his last days here on earth...as with any death you often wonder these things. This scripture kept coming to mind 1 Thessalonians 5:2...is says "for you yourself know very well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night" FEW people have the chance to "somewhat prepare" in their last days, but if death comes like a thief in the night as it did for this very young man of 42, then did he have all of his "things" in order? "a secure destination", "I love you's", grudges removed, anger released etc...etc... This thought has never hit me SO HARD as it did today as I watched his wife of 32, and his daughter of 7 sitting empty and lifeless in the front pew, I though to myself..."THIS COULD HAPPEN TO ANYONE." SO my question to you today is "How will your dash be spoken of?" Ironically, I recieved this poem in an email last week, it made me think, but today in was forever engrained in my mind.

"The Dash"

I read of a reverend who spoke at a funeral of a friend, he referred to the dates on her tombstone from the beginning... to the end.

He noted that first came the date of her birth and spoke of the following date with tears, but he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years.

For the dash represents all the time that she spent alive here on this earth, and now only those who knew and loved her know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not how much we own; the cars, the house, the cash, what matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard, are there things you'd like to change? For you never know how much time is left, for your dash could be mid-range.

If we could just slow down enough and consider what's true and real, and always try to understand the way other people feel.

Be less quick to anger and show appreciation more, and love the people in our lives like we have never loved before.

If we treat each other with repect, and more often wear a smile... remember that this special dash may only last a little while.

So when your eulogy's being read, with your lifes' actions to rehash...

Will you be honored about what they say of...

"how you spent your dash."

Think hard, reflect back and prepare for the future.

**Happy New Year 2011**

Blessings~

Brandi

"It's beginning to look alot like"...

~CHRISTMAS~
On Saturday Hannah, Kacey and I rang the Salvation Army Bell at Brookshires. WOW! What many life lessons we learned in just an hours time, better yet, to discover how blessed we really are. The next time you think you have it bad, just go to your local grocery store and sit outside the doors and watch. Anyhow, we did have a good time doing that, the girls helped people with their buggies, groceries and said "Merry Christmas" to every person,weather they gave or not. They also danced and sang Christmas carols as well, I didn't hear ONE complaint come from their lips, in fact they didn't want to leave :)

On another note... Even Ranger (our dog) is feeling the Christmas spirit... by force I believe!! Hannah and I had fun dressing up Ranger as "Santa Dog"...I love this little girl, she is so creative and fun!!

"Santa Dog" Ranger sporting her new look in her new bed!

Precious Memories...

on Thanksgiving day. Hannah, Rowdy, Kyle (my nephews) and I decided we would get out of the house and take a walk. My parents live in "the sticks" as we have always called it, however many of those "sticks" have been bulldozed down and left laying, due to a heartless individual who wanted only the tree trunks...anyway...on with the show :) About halfway down the road Kyle asked me if I had my camera...DUH!!! He said "let's take some pictures." I thought to myself this would last about thirty seconds...45 degress, in the woods, a 12, 10, and 7 year old...LITTLE DID I KNOW...1 hour and 60, yes, SIXTY pictures later it started to rain and we all ran home :) Here are just a few of the PRECIOUS memories we made!! The kiddos are my world! I love you all :) All poses chose by the kids themselves!! This was the last picture as it started a cold rain...but you can see they were still having a blast!!

"Blinging in the Holidays"

I just have to share with you a very special lady in my life, let me give you just a FEW words that describe her...

Classy, Beautiful, Sincere, Compassionate, Unique, Creative, and Virtuous, although I could go on and on those are the ones that come to mind right now. This lady is my mother...

many of you follow her at her blog http://www.kaymiers.blogspot.com/ (Nana's Nuggets) if you haven't been there I encourage you to go, it is a very uplifting and encouraging spot!! I am THANKFUL today that God chose her to be my mother, she has given me the "ultimate gift", the knowledge of Christ. Which brings me to share with you"Blinging in the Holidays."

A few weeks ago, our church held their annual Christmas Table Tour...from the moment they announced it, my mom's wheels started turning...she was going to do a table, and the title was "The Ultimate Gift" :)

So...off we went to Hobby Lobby and a few other places to get the "just right" decor, my mom is very creative and talented in the decor department...she likes it simple yet elegant. We went with silver, white and light teal...she used my grandmother's china (silver and white) BEAUTIFUL!!!

A few weeks went by and mom began to get a little cough,a low fever and both esculated into full blown sickness...:( but, the table tour was still on even though she felt so rotten she didn't even get to attend and enjoy the most beautiful table there...HERS... so at her request my SIL and I did the honors of hosting her table, and let me tell you, it stole the show of 30 plus!! I heard the words, elegant, classy, stunning etc...etc... ALL EVENING!!! I kept mom updated with quick phone calls and lots of pictures, which you can see at her blog :)

On Tuesday, I opened our local newspaper to find this...

a magazine titled...Christmas is in the Air...and guess whos table was FRONT COVER...MY MOMS :) I LOVE IT! I'm so proud for you mom...YOU DESERVE THE HONORS of "BLINGING IN THE HOLIDAYS" I love you and I am very THANKFUL to call you Mom!

~Blessings

Brandi