Easter 2009

Here are a few pics from Easter Sunday.  We had a wonderful day celebrating our Risen Savior!

Leah turns 1 – Philip turns 33

Leah’s 1 st birthday was March 21 – Philip’s birthday was March 22.  We had a party to celebrate both birthdays on Sunday, March 22.  It was SO much fun.  We invited all of our friends that have graciously babysat Leah for us at some point – plus a few others others.  Leah LOVED her strawberry cupcake – (check out the video in the lastest video section).  They showered her with lots of gifts - Philip got a few too!

We can’t believer out sweet girl has turned 1 – this has been a year of change and so much joy!  We thank the Lord that He blessed us with this treasure and pray that He will draw her to Himself early in her life!  Enjoy the pics!

 

Trip to SC

Leah and I recently took a trip to SC to visit my parents for a few days.  This was my first time flying alone with Leah – she did GREAT!   However…I won’t be making too many trips alone in the future – very stressful!  We had a wonderful time with my parents – driving in the country, beautiful weather, shopping, GOOD FOOD, and fun with my old church friends & family!!  Leah loved Nana and Papa’s house and they certainly loved her being there!  We look forward to another visit with my whole family in August. (including Chad, Tracy, and their little girl!)  Until then…here are some pics from the trip.

Almost One Year

It has been 11 months since we entered the hospital in anticipation of Leah Mae’s arrival. We sit here together as a family enjoying “goldfish” as our morning snack. Not that I set them out for me or Chanda but that our daughter is now feeding us! She wants to share her slimy and sometimes “half-eaten” food with whomever will take her up on her offer. She is sweet like her mama, but plays like her daddy. It is not uncommon for her to chase daddy around the house looking for him to jump out and scare her. This has proved to be a problem in nursery as she does the same to her classmates.

Leah is a speed demon on her hands and knees. She has discovered every corner of the house. Click on latest videos to see our child discovering a new part of her own room. We have also had to add stoppers on the cabinet doors to keep her safe. She doesn’t really like to walk, but will pull up and cruise around any object to acquire a toy or our computers.

She is a sweet baby and we cannot imagine life without her. (well we could imagine silent days in our home and sleeping in)

Philip and Chanda
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Office Floods

Last week, I had the opportunity to watch firemen sweep two inches of water out of our offices back door as I pulled up to church. Yes. That is how I found out that a sprinkler pipe in our office are had busted right after the workday. We currently are set up with temporary offices in the rooms directly above our offices. With the folding table and computers we look like we could do taxes or sign you up for your spring semester of college. I have the benefit of having one of the laptops and can make my office in any room that is quiet. That has actually been a problem. I have also been frequenting the local coffee shops for my meetings and to study. It looks at this point that we are looking at the end of February before we get back to any normalcy for the staff offices. Below is a video from a few hours after the incident.

A Brown Christmas 2008

We had a wonderful week celebrating the birth of our Savior!  We went to the Candlelight service at church on Christmas Eve.  Philip played with Leah in the lobby for most of it – she would NOT sit still.  She’s such a wiggle worm!  She takes after her daddy- always on the move.    She is such a sweet baby!  We enjoyed chocolate chip pancakes and presents Christmas morning.  Leah loved the few toys from mommy and daddy.  We talked with Philip’s parents/aunt & uncle on Skype so they could see Leah – we are celebrating Christmas with them in January.  We celebrated Christmas with the whole Todd family on Friday!  We had a wonderful time being together!

Philip left for Peru Friday night at 9:00 PM.  We were very sad to see him leave!   It will be a LONG week without him!  Check out the singles blog for updates from Peru: http://naobcs.wordpress.com/0809-xtreme-team-update/.  They are safe and healthy ready to begin their camping adventure.  Please pray that they will have a safe week and that the Lord will use them to further His kingdom!  Enjoy these pics of Christmas with the Browns!

 

A Wedding & Whistle

Chanda and I have the honor of being part of a wedding in Elizebethtown, KY this weekend. Garrett Wall and Becky Wiggins are set to wed today at 4:30 p.m. They are such a blessing. We have been able to see them both grow in their walks with each other and with the Lord.
It is also great to be a part of a church that focuses on the centrality of Christ and His Church during the cereremonies . It is truly an encouragement and exhortation even at the rehearsal last night. We also had a great time at the Whistle Stop in Glendale, Ky. This restaurant has been around for about 40 years and we actually heard 4 trains pass by while we were eating there. It was a fun atmosphere with great, ‘country style’, food. (see picts with Chanda and the Waitress). Well…it is time to go get GQed.

Thanksgiving ‘08

Thanksgiving is a little different with a child. Yes, Leah enjoyed her first Thanksgiving by meeting my mom’s side of the family. Each year our family congregates at Evan’s, my 3rd Cousin, home in Manchester, Tennessee. The tradition has been that we go on Wednesday night and stay with my mom’s sister in Brentwood on Wednesday and then travel an hour and a half to Manchester for

lunch. Leah did well with the new faces and new environment and also did a great job traveling. Sometimes I wonder if she is really my child. I will give credit to Chanda for making sure we had a great schedule and Leah didn’t get off schedule too bad.

Below is a video of Leah with Grandmommy Baird. Grandmommy had definately gone down in the last few months. Her memory is about gone.

7 Month Old Videos

Trip to LA and GA!

Chanda here posting for the first time!!  Leah and I were gone last week on a whirlwind trip to visit friends and family.  Along with friends Kellie & Amber, & sister-in-law Tracy  – we all met in Slidell, LA to visit our friends Kevin & Sarah Halfacre and their 3 month-old son – Dillon Michael.  Slidell is about 30 minutes from New Orleans – where Kevin is stationed (he’s in the navy).  Kevin was very gracious to allow 4 extra women plus a 7 month-old to invade his home for 3 days!  We endured some medical traumas and a short visit to downtown New Orleans – but had a wonderful time being together again!  Dillon is precious and the new parents seem to be adjusting well!  We miss them lots!!  Highlight of the trip….beignets!  They are SO good!

 

Then – Kellie, Leah, and I traveled back to Adel, GA with Tracy to vist with her and Chad (my brother) for a few days.  This was Kellie and Leah’s first trip to the BIG town of Adel!  Uncle Chad and Aunt Tracy LOVED the time with their niece!!  We were very excited to see them again before Christmas!  Once again, we endured sickness with Kellie and Tracy – but still had a great time! 

It was a fun and busy week- but we REALLY MISSED PHILIP!!

Uncle Chad, Aunt Tracy, & Leah