Charlaine Harris Books

I've had several people e-mail me about the Charlaine Harris books I started reading this summer. Mostly they asked me if they were worth reading. My answer: absolutely! I think I became a little obsessed with this series. After I finished the last book, I was sad there were no more new stories to read. I loved the stories, I loved the characters, and I loved the plots in each book. I also love the fact that Charlaine Harris is an Arkansan, living in Arkansas, and writing about the South.

Okay, here's the premise of these books. Vampires are real. They have been living in secret for centuries. After a Japanese company created a synthetic blood substitute, TrueBlood, the vampires decided to "come out of the coffin." The stories are set in a small rural town in Louisianna call Bon Temps and focus around a young heroine named Sookie Stackhouse. Sookie seems to be a normal young lady, normal except for her disability: she's telepathic. But her telepathy doesn't reach the vampire mind, so being around vampires offers her a new solace in life that she has never had.

The books are often very funny and are really easy to read. The characters are great because Ms. Harris has no limit to the amount of history these people can have. And I love the fact that I've been in a lot of the locations she sets her stories in.

If you get a chance, you should at least read the first book. HBO thought it was good enough to base an entire show on, for three seasons and counting.

My recommendation: read them for fun!

Billy and the Nephews

Wow. I can't believe it's been over two months since I posted something on the blog. That's horrible.

Well, a lot has been going on in the Brown house since September. The boys have become obsessed with a couple of things. Braden has been reading like there's no tomorrow. Actually, he reads because he has to do so, and then gripes and complains about it afterwards, but he's reading! Landon has become the poster child for anything John Deere. He won't wear anything unless it's got the Deere logo or has the green and yellow colors. Not to mention that anytime A&E has a "Billy the Exterminator" marathon on, we have to sit through about three hours of rodent, reptile, and insect removal.

Our family is going to be a little bigger in a few months. My cousin Jami is expecting her first little one the end of May. We can't wait to meet Parker Marie (notice my statement of faith for a little girl there. We've got so many boys!). Congratulations Jami and Greg!

School has been going really well. I have the same issues that all teachers have- discipline with certain students, writing lesson plans, developing materials, having fun with music, etc. I've got what I call Bedlam happening over the next three weeks. I've got four performances coming up the last two weeks before the break, including a full on Christmas concert with one of my schools (grades K-6). Pray for me!

If we can and if the weather is nice, hopefully we'll have a new family picture this weekend. We are going to try to fit that in between decorating the yard for Christmas, shopping, and watching Auburn kick South Carolina in the patooty so Arkansas can go to the Sugar Bowl. Go Auburn! Go Hogs!

New Site!

Well, since I've changed school districts, I've had to change my class website. The Batesville School District lets all teacher have the ability to create their own webpage for their class. I've been working on moving my wikispaces website over to the Batesville site. Check it out if you get a chance!

My New Website

After School Fun

What's the best thing to do after a fun day of school and an amazing time on the playground in the afternoon?Stop for ice cream, of course!

Game Night at the Browns

My mom and dad recently visited my aunt and uncle in Northwest Arkansas. While they were there, one of the ways they spent some time together was playing dominoes, Chicken Foot to be exact. And not just playing it for small amounts of time, they were playing until 3:00 AM. Yes, I said 3:00 AM! I didn't think my parents had it in them to stay awake that long. Most of the time, they are asleep in the recliners before they even sit down!

Well, needless to say, mom was inspired. She's an educator, and we educators are always looking for new and fun ways for our kids to learn. And since we have two kids at home, what's a more fun way to learn something than hanging out with your super cool dad, way super cool aunt, and lovingly cool grandparents. Well, they are only 6 and 3...

The funny thing is... the adults have taken over the game. Two weekends in a row, I watched my dad stay up until 1:00 AM to finish a game. Who said game night with the family was lame? They've apparently never played Chicken Foot with my family!

***Disclaimer: I do not cheat at Chicken Foot, no matter what my brother says. It's all strategery baby!

The End of the Beginning

Six years ago today, a little fellow came into the world.

His mother loved him with all that she was.

He captured the attention of my little brother and made him become the father figure we all knew he could be.

He took his Nana and wrapped her surreptitiously around the tiny little finger on his hand.

He stole the heart of my parents, probably way faster than either of them would like to admit.

He even melted the cold-heart that I have been accused of having.

Today, this six year old is about to enter first grade, loves anything to do with video games, watches the Disney channel almost religiously, and loves to play basketball.

Who knew that small, beautiful baby boy would become such an awesome little boy and the center of our world six years later?

Happy Birthday Braden!

A Blast from the Past...

1980 was full of lots of interesting events.

Mt. St. Helen's erupted. "Airplane" was the number one movie. Michael Jackson released his first single, "Rock With You."

And my baby brother was born. I told my mom and dad to take him back; I wanted a sister. I'm glad they didn't listen!

Happy Birthday Brother!