Happy Birthday, Merry Christmas

Yesterday was Joseph Smith's birthday anniversary. I made a big chocolate cake and Abby and I frosted it and decorated it. The missionaries came for dinner and my visiting teacher came at the same time, so she stayed for dinner. Then I brought out the cake and everyone wanted to know who's brithday we were celebrating. I was really disappointed that no one knew. We lit the candles, sang happy birthday, and let Abby blow out the candles. The cake was delicious. I am sure that I am not the only one to commemorate the prophet's birthday on his actual birthday (the Church does it earlier in the month), but it seemed like it yesterday. I am grateful for his contribution to the gospel and the blessings that it has brought into my life.

Now it is time to celebrate another birthday--one that no one is allowed to forget--even if you are not Christian. Merry Christmas! to one and all.

Birthday

Happy Birthday to Sariah. The big 30 is now officially hers. For one whole year. Yay!! You made it. Happy Birthday to you!!

How embarassing!

Grandpa started counting. He counts really well. Joshua is #18. Gabe and Laura are bringing #19 and we will have 10 boys and 9 girls. I don't know when I got off count; but I suspect it was when I was on so many drugs last spring. That's my story, and thank you, Grandpa, for setting the record straight and counting for me. Somehow, I am numerically challenged; even though I was really good at accounting for a long time. Surprised?
Boys: Chance, Connor, Branden, Michael, Theron, Kevin, Jacob, Ammon, Joshua, to-be-announced
Girls: Ivy, Sara, Donna, Emelyn, Olivia, Amber, Mary, Abigail, Julie

Amber Lee Haynie

Happy 4th Birthday, Amber! I hope that you have a great day and get to do everything you want to do. That would include, of course, teasing Julie and getting away with it. Poor Julie. Maybe you can just tickle her a bit. :)

#17

Joshua Kelsey Brown was born October 21, 2008, 6:10 pm in Grapevine, Texas. He is 21-1/2" and weighed in at 8.12 pounds. All is well with the Brown family. Joshua looks a lot like big sister Abigail. Abby thinks he should be called Batman. Welcome to mortality, Joshua!

Number 18 on the way

Happy Birthday, Laura!!

I believe that Laura is having THE ultrasound on Thursday. Is it a boy or girl this time?
I say BOY One more boy and we will have 9 girls and 9 boys.

Maintenance

Home ownership is a project-in-the-works (never-ending maintenance). I am hoping to start a habit of putting a certain amount of money into the maintenance or improvement of our house every month. For awhile it will not be very much, and will all be for maintenance. There is a leak under the kitchen sink that has been a problem for a long time. I have fixed it over and over again, which means it has never actually been fixed. Now the board under the leak has rotted and has to be replaced. I bought a board to fix it, but got frustrated because I couldn't get it under the pipes. That has been awhile, I wonder where the board is; I sort of remember giving it away. Maybe I should go look for it...................