A Year In Review

I didn't get a Christmas letter out, so this will be my replacement. It's great to look back at your year and reflect on all the blessings, isn't it? I know 2008 for us was a good one and I'm looking forward to what 2009 holds.
January - Brandon started semester #3 (out of 10 total including summers) at TTU in Odessa. Becky continued working at the probation department. Braylon was in preschool and doing well. It was around this time that he taught himself how to read. It didn't take any time for him to really take off and now he has a joy for reading. Blaine was in private day care and thriving.
February - Braylon had his 2nd ear tube surgery. He had some hearing concerns and still was getting ear infections after the 1st round of tubes fell out.
March - We took a family camping trip to Junction, Texas and enjoyed canoeing, hiking and especially just sitting around throwing rocks in the river. Go figure that - Nothing like little boys and skipping rocks.
April - Braylon turned 5. We celebrated by having a small group of boys inhabit our little house for 4 hours. Pretty wild and crazy, but a lot of fun for Braylon.
May - Our little family attended a favorite singing group's concert. Go Fish is big family fun - Check out their website.
June - Brandon started semester #4 which consisted of a clinical experience in Colorado City, Texas - about an hour drive one way. It was nice that he got to stay in Midland during the evenings instead of living there for the summer. The boys enjoyed summer gymnastics and an extended summer visit from their cousins Perry and Emma this month.
July - The kids still enjoyed gymnastics and we just kept our routine going during the summer.
August - We enjoyed our trip to Junction so much in March that we went back and took friends this time. This time we did all the above listed activities, but also went inner tubing down the Llano River. Brandon lost our only van key in the bottom of the river. We laugh about it now...But at the time it wasn't all that great to part with $450 to resolve the issue. Braylon started kindergarten (sniff, sniff). He was accepted at the last minute into a local magnet school when they had a last minute opening. A few minor behavior issues aside (he's the class clown), he is doing very well. Blaine started preschool where Braylon had attended the 2 years previous. The teachers tell us what we already knew...He's a sweetheart and does very well in class. Brandon started semester #5.
September - Blaine turned 3! We celebrated by treating several family friends to Chuck E. Cheese festitivies. Always big fun for the kiddos. Becky took a promotion at work and now supervises drug offenders.
October - The Hamiltons dressed as the gang from Scooby Doo for our church Halloween Trunk or Treat event. Getting Brandon to dress as Fred was enough entertainment for Becky for a good while... haha...
November - We enjoyed a quiet Thanksgiving at home with Brandon's side of the family. It was nice to not have to travel too much and just have some time to rest.
December - Brandon finished semester #5 strong. We celebrated Christmas at home with various family members. Brandon and Becky graduated from Financial Peace University.
A good year indeed.....

Health Update

Braylon is feeling somewhat better today - Still not up to 'snuff' as my Mom would say. But better than the last two days, that's for sure. There came a northern wind today that I can't adequately describe here. The wind was BLOWING and it blew my cap off my head a few times as I was outside. I was seriously afraid that debris would fly and hit someone because the gusts of wind were straight out of the Wizard of Oz. Anyway, I didn't even think about letting the boys outside today with that weather and their recent ailments. Soooo...It's 7:30 p.m. as I write this and we are all just about stir crazy. We are heading to bed early!

Poor Baby

Braylon has been developing a nasty cough over the last few days. Last night was just about all I could take when at 10:30 p.m. he was still awake, coughing, crying and just plain miserable. I took him to the doc this a.m. where he was sent over to the hospital for chest x-rays. Yep, my big baby has pneumonia. No fun...And even though the medicine has caused his cough to subside some, he went to bed tonight with a fever and that pink, rosey look about his cheeks. I'm afraid we aren't out of the woods yet.

Merry Christmas!!!

Hope your day has been as blessed as ours! We have finished celebrating 2 out of 3 Christmas 'sessions' and will take a few days' break before our final gift opening. So far the boys have been most excited with what Santa brought them. Blaine literally has not taken off his Hulk costume for more than a few hours (only to sleep). Unfortunately it already has a large snag in the front from excessive play. But that what it's for, right? Braylon got an IPOD and has enjoyed listening to it. Five years old with his own IPOD - what is the world coming to?

I can officially say I didn't get Christmas cards out this year. In my mind up until today I kept saying 'yet.' I don't think it's happening this year. TOO much going on... I may try to get a New Years letter out, let's see if that happens. For everyone who got a letter/card to us, thank you. It is great to hear from friends and family!! God bless you today!!

Movie Review: Yes Man

Starring: Jim Carrey
Rated: PG-13 (A very harsh PG-13 if you ask me)

This film is a story about a man named Carl who, because he is depressed and lonely, tells everyone "No" to every opportunity that arises. This in turn makes him more depressed and lonely. Upon the encouragement of an old acquaintance, Carl attends a conference that advocates the 'power of YES.' Carl makes a covenant that whatever happens in his life and whatever opportunity arises he must say "Yes."

Becky's Rating: B+

This movie was, at times, very funny. Jim Carrey knows how to deliver and I think he is getting better with age. (Remember how stupid Ace Ventura was??) There was a scene that I believe crossed some moral boundaries of what you can put in a PG-13 movie. The movie really should be rated R with that scene, but far be it from me to second guess the movie rating experts. I'm just saying I would not want my teenager to go with me to this movie. Outside of that, it is cleverly written and very entertaining.

Bottom line: NO! Not a family movie. YES! Still very funny! (YES! I'm a dork!)

Hold This!

This evening after bath I was helping Blaine get dressed into jammies. It was cold in the house and Blaine said he was freezing cold. Shortly after he got dressed he held out his arms to me and said, "Momma, will you hold this?"

...And you know I did!

6 Days

Ok now I'm starting to get a little worried. Six days left to Christmas and I'm not done shopping. Sounds about par for my course. We'll play the frantic last-minute shopping game this weekend. 'Tis the Season!

Principal's Picnic

Please let me boast just a teeny bit. We got a note yesterday from Braylon's school that said that due to his achievements in reading and writing he was selected to join the principal at the Principal's Picnic today at lunch. Anyone who either knows Braylon or who has at least read this blog for any length of time knows that Braylon has sometimes struggled with poor behavior at school. This was a big deal for him to be recognized in a positive way... I hope it's a start to a new trend!

Graduation

Brandon and I graduated from Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University tonight!! At some point in the (hopefully near) future, I will be writing "We're DEBT FREE!!!" The last 13 weeks have been enlightening, challenging and a blessing all in one. I encourage everyone to take this class no matter what financial walk you are on.

As some of the readers know (and some do not), the principles taught in the class have totally transformed our view on finances and priorities. We knew going in that we would be challenged to change our ways, but Mr. Ramsey is very talented in his technique of helping convict about what's really important. Brandon and I have taken a radical response to Dave's 'Debt Free' challenge. We will be debt free in 2009!! We are 'living like no one else so later we can live like no one else.'

Thank you Dave Ramsey!!!

Once Upon a Time

There once was a man who had been born to elderly parents, the second child of his father. His older brother (half-brother actually) had been born because his mother told a friend to sleep with her husband. Pretty weird, huh? Then this same guy almost was killed by his father with a machete on a mountain because God told his dad to do it. But at the last minute God saved him. Then, the guy wife-shops through a messenger from a different part of the country. He didn't even get to meet his wife until they were pledged to be married, but fell so deeply in love with her at first sight, he married her right there on the spot. Then he tells people in his village that his wife is his sister so they won't kill him (just like his daddy had done twice before with his mother). But the village leaders see the man caress his 'sister' and their secret is out. They ended up having twin boys who had problems of their own... The man's name is Issac and his daddy was Father Abraham.

See, the Bible is full of drama...Better than cable. Haha!!!

Shame, Shame!

This evening while I was getting the dishes put away Brandon was reading me a story he was reading online. It was an article about how President Bush commented that he doesn't believe the Bible to be literal. Blaine, as though he was naturally in the conversation, casually said, "Shame on him." Precious...

Happy B-Day Jesus

This morning at church Braylon sang a solo with the preschool choir - "Happy Birthday Jesus" for anyone who may know the ditty. It's a precious song especially when it's sung from the perspective of a child.

"Happy Birthday Jesus. I'm so glad it's Christmas. All the tinsel and lights and the presents are nice, but the real gift is you. Happy Birthday Jesus. I'm so glad it's Christmas. All the carols and bells make the holiday swell and it's all about you. Happy Birthday Jesus. Jesus, I love you."

Those are all the lyrics. Pretty sweet, huh? Braylon wasn't nervous at all and kicked it off quite nicely. There was some question about what key he was singing in, but when you're 5, all keys are universally cute, right?

To top it off, this evening he asked me when the next time he gets to sing with a microphone in front of the church. Nerves of steel, that boys has.

20 Days

Going, going..... Not gone yet. Enjoy the Christmas season!! Remember the reason for it - Jesus!

Get to Reading

I recently attended a leadership conference with some other folks from my church. One of the commitments I made to myself on the way home was to read the Bible through. I mean, if I'm going to be bold to proclaim that the Bible is God's word and the final authority for my life, I should know everything it says, right? Last year I read the entire new testament and since then I've been lingering here and there reading bits and bites. I'm looking forward to a good challenge in this year. And let me say this - So far, this adventure has been pretty dern fun. I find myself really getting into the stories and wanting to know more about the people. Hollywood really needs to perk up and pay attention to this book - It's filled with cool stories and it's definitely rated R, so beware.

Bonus points for anyone who can tell me who the Moabites are descendants from... Go! (Hint: Genesis)

25 Days

Let the countdown begin! I must say that I'm further along in my Christmas shopping presently than I usually am on December 1. Not too shabby... I really like emphasizing that Christmas is a big birthday party for Jesus and I want my kids to really 'get' that more than anything else. I think they do. I am also so thankful that so far they are really not very materialistic. Granted, Braylon does want an I-Pod and Blaine wants a digital camera, but.... it seems that we really have to twist their arms for them to tell us what they want. I know they will be thrilled with whatever is under the tree as if that was the one gift they wanted all along. I'm glad God gave me boys and especially I'm grateful that they are easy to please (most of the time!).