Greetings from Krystal's

My post won't be long, but is informative..I love coming home..I have mentioned that before, but I do not like that my parent's still do not have the Internet..they have a laptop, but no Internet..I think and hope that will change very soon, but for now, I am sitting in the car on the Krystal Wi-Fi free Internet access! Yes..folks I am..and I feel that people are looking at me...am I that dependent on the world wide web??? Humm..crazy huh?!? Well, that is why this isn't going to be long..and I must go, since I didn't charge the battery..and well, there is no plug in the car! Baaahaaa..hope everyone is having a great week!

December 23, 2008

Well, as I sit here typing, we are in Huntsville, spent the night at Kenny's mom's old house and his brother did too. We had a blast night, playing UNO until 3 in the morning..yes..3 in the morning..I am so tired this morning, but Brylee has returned from staying with Reba and she is in full force this morning. I can only imagine what tomorrow will be like. Growing up as a child, Christmas is filled with so many memories. In fact, I watched a couple from 1989 and 1992 the other night. Times have sure changed! I don't know that change is always a good or positive thing, but things happen, people change and I know that God is in full control of it all and nothing surprises Him..He is not surprised at where we are, who we are or what we have become. It snowed that year on Christmas and boy, was I excited, I had a Maw-Maw with me..who is no longer, I had cousins I no longer see, I was way skinnier than I am now, life seemed really good. things happen for whatever reason, life is not certain, and my weight is def. not a certanity..;) But, now I have a wonderful husband, beautiful daughter, new cousins were born, am truly happy and couldn't think of a thing to ask for Christmas! Could it be any better? True happiness is a beautiful thing and when we recognize it and claim it, our lives are at peace..and isn't that what the whole Christmas season is about? A birth of a Savior who came for you and me and will ultimately bring us PEACE? I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and recognize your true blessings for what they really are!

Just Wondering

Just wondering if they could possibly show these movies anymore this holiday break??
Seriously, there are SO many other great movies that could be airing, but everytime we sit down, these two are playing? Just wondering!?!

Yummy Treat

Just wanted to share a SUPER easy treat you might you could use around the holidays...My friend Christie told me about these and they are soooo good..All you do is take ham, and pat it dry (makes it easier to spread the next ingredient), pineapple cream cheese...roll those babies up and cut them for a delicious treat!

Blog/Christmas Break

I have so much I could blog about, but feel that this time is the time of the year where we should focus on the Reason for the Season, Our Lord and Savior's birth, family and friends and focus on the new year and how we can serve HIM and be strong in HIM...so to say that..IF I have something fantastic to blog about or actually have a free moment that is not taking away from anyone I love, I will pop back in, but if I don't, please forgive me and try to understand! HA



From the Hill Family to yours, We hope you all have a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! I love all my blog friends and I look forward to what we can discuss during, after and about the holidays!!!

Peace and Love,
Brooke

~Poison Control...Is Your Friend~

I know, 2 posts in one day! I must be A.) bored out of my mind or B.) have a ton going on....Hummm...you be the judge...

I thought I had posted before about poison control...but can't seem to find it..wait..wait..had a thought..yep here is a blog from Jan. 13, 2007..it was on my myspace blog...

This "almost 2 year old" is going to be the death of me! She has been sick, so I kept her out of school from Wed. afternoon through Friday, so 2 1/2 days of just me and her! Kenny had an away ballgame on Thursday, so that made for a really long day! The 1st day was okay, b/c she didn't feel well, so we pretty much had a peaceful day of just lounging...well, believe me, she has came alive!!! She learned a new trick at the playground today from some strange little kid who decided he was going to be Brylee's boss..by telling her "NO NO" pointing his finger while doing it...when we got home this afternoon, she thought she would give it a whirl,,her whirl, needless to say, ended up in time-out in a chair! She is amazing...about 2 months ago, I had to call poison control b/c she had chewed a hole through a hydrocortizone tube..has anyone ever called them??? Well, they take your name, address, number and child's name and bday..tell you all is fine, and call back to check on you later...but the whole "record of my call" scares the heck out of me...b/c what if I needed them again? Now, I am the bad mother who can't keep track of her child's dietary intake! So, anyway, all in these 3 days, brylee has dumped a whole box of cheerios out, climbed up on the dining room table and attempted to swing from the chandelier (sp), dumped every single toy out she owns, unfolded clothes I folded, will not eat anything but JUNK, still sleeps with us (which is really our fault), and to top it off..here's the best part: While she was quietly in her room, I had let her have an old purse to play with...and she managed to find one of those "Silica Gel...DO NOT EAT" packets..and you guessed it...she was chomping away like it was candy! I immediately panicked, and went to the Internet first before I dialed that dreaded 1-800- YOU-R-A-BAD-PARENT...poison control number...and everything I found said it is just highly baked sand..and the reason it says that is b/c of the choking hazard...so I took a breath and reminded kenny that we need to watch her better. But, she is so dang fast and into EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope we are hitting the terrible 2's early and will leave them just as quickly!

Ok..fast forward to today..that was 2 calls I have had to make..and tonight made 3...yes, people I had to call my sweet little lady and ask about medicine overdose..b/c stupid me gave her motrin for her fever at 3 and again at 7..and if you read it, the bottle clearly says every 6-8 hours..but she informed me ever so sweetly, that you actually could take it every 4 hours..it could just be harsh on the stomach is why they tell you 6 hours. She was so sweet and I am sure she will call me back soon!

Seriously people, do you think my name and number has an asterisk by it??? Something that means next time she calls, turn her in? Anyways..glad to know I didn't overdose her..and if you read all of the calls..it's when Kenny isn't here..at a ballgame..so I think he needs to quit, and be the "Mom" in our lives! I am stinkin at it!

Just another Saturday

Hi Friends!

Not too much going on around here today..just cleaning, washing clothes and monitoring Brylee's temperature..she began about Wednesday with a cough..nothing serious just a little cough, so I gave her some cough meds...and yes again, we welcomed demon child Brylee into our home..something about it just wires her up to a whole different level..I have several special education diagnosis I could give her during that time, but won't...it literally transforms her and she becomes defiant. At school yesterday, I was told that she told the teacher no several times, hit another student and just simply wouldn't listen..Trust me, Brylee has her days, but this is totally out of character for her and they know what the day will be when she is on meds. Last night, she decided to "play baton" with the broom and knocked the fryer with COOL oil in it off...thank God it was cool, but cleaning up oil in any fashion is a pure mess! After cleaning, we are all still sliding into things. It is funny, but I have seriously almost pulled a muscle a few times. Also last night, I was watching the 20/20 on Caylee Anthony (I hope they find out what happened to her and who is responsible)...and lo and behold a remote came flying and hit me in the head...when I looked over at Brylee and asked her what in the world was she thinking, she said " I not want it"...
?????
I am definitely puzzled, what, just because you don't want it, you throw it at me???She said sorry, and layed down and called it a night! This morning, I noticed she felt a little warm..so we took her temperature and it was 101. Not much, but a fever..she seems fine, is playing and running..coughing a good bit, but seems okay..I am just going to continue to watch it and see how the night goes..Hopefully she will get much better and not need a visit to the doctor Monday.

Kenny is finishing up his last night at the Andalusia tournament tonight..3rd night..I know they are all tired and ready to rest (whether they will ever admit it or not).

We are planning on doing a "Tacky Christmas Sweater" contest at school on Wednesday. It should be very exciting since we are teachers, and you know teachers have one for every day in December! LOL...any ideas on how we can judge for the prize..b/c principal approval pending, there will be a prize..just not sure how to judge..I am sure it will be close!

Also, wanted to ask for prayers for my cousin's girlfriend's mother. She has battled cancer several years and had surgery this week. While in surgery, she had a heart attack and still has not woke up. Today, she had a stroke. So, I know the family would appreciate any and all prayers..her name is Donna Chestnut...when you pray!
~Blessings to you all!
Brooke

Brylee..our Little Singer!

Last night was a wonderful night at church..Brylee's 3 year old Petite Praise class sang during family fellowship supper. They were all so excited and Brylee insisted to us that she would be singing "Let's go riding in an automobile, Let's take a ride in the car, Listen to the music go Boom Boom Boom as we travel near and far". Baaaahaaa..she is a pure mess. I was super worried she didn't know the songs because I haven't heard her practice any, but she did know the words and did not stand like a knot on the log. The pastor had bets on the music minister's son that he would not sing, but he proved them wrong. All of the kids were super cute! When Bro. Billy saw me not eating, he asked me why? I told him I was popping pepto because I was nervous for Brylee. Seriously, I think I had eaten something that had me messed up! But, I have always had a case of the nerves before things..so who knows!? Here are a few pics of Brylee singing, and her WONDERFUL choir leaders...









Afterwards, they had a cookie and hot chocolate party..it was very sweet of them to do it and the kids just loved it! I was afraid of it all being cancelled due to the MONSOON and storms that kept coming yesterday. Our kids at school stayed in the hallway for about 30 minutes yesterday and the high school stayed in central locations all day. I knew yesterday when I was awaken by an orange sky that the day would be different..i thought maybe I was just losing my mind and wanted to go get a camera, but it was in the car. So thankfully, my friend Natasha did capture it and I wanted to share her pic with you...

Did anyone else see it? It was def. strange and I think Natasha's son described like " Being On Mars"...I totally agree with him! The weather is so scary around here since we did have the tornado the first year we were here, and 9 lives were tragically lost. Around here, the wind blows, or thunder sounds and we all get a little edgy. Rightfully so! We know that God is in total control though and He will take care of us.

Oh, Oh, I almost forgot to mention...Brylee received a special call last night after her performance..it was SANTA CLAUS!!! He was calling to check on her and see if she was being good and find out what she wanted..aka(Uncle Jim Beam)..he called and wanted to know if it would scare her..and I said Oh goodness no..might scare her into being good! LOL..so she talked to him..here are a few pics of her special call..


Our weekend begins tomorrow..thankfully so! I am ready to rest so that we can knock out next week and be out until January! One of the things I love about teaching is the breaks we get..it gives me the extra boost I need to make it through the year. I do get sad for some students because I realize their situations and how their Christmas may not be what most kids are, but you know, they are generally so happy and in such great spirits throughout the season. I had a group of students write letters to a "Recovering Soldier" in Walter Reed Hospital..in hopes that they will pass them out randomly to let them know we are thinking about them and praying for them during this time. The students were great at this! Some of the letters were hilarious, and some were just plain sweet and thoughtful! One student let her soldier know that "Mrs. Hill is doing fine" LOL..I think she thought it was a friend of mine..so I guess that patient will be like "Who is Mrs. Hill", but I hope he gets a good kick out of it! I love ALL the students I work with..they are so great and make my job so worthwhile and fulfilling!!! Gotta run!

Happy 13 Years to US!!!

I know what you are thinking..what? They haven't been married 13 years! I was in their wedding, I went to their wedding, SHE isn't old enough to be married 13 years. Well folks, it is not a wedding anniversary, it is the first night Kenny and I talked on the phone, which is when I consider we started dating. It was December 8th, 1995. Wow, it just seemed really weird to type 1995...and in less than a month we will be typing 2009! Time truly flies when you are having fun! In those years, we have been through so much..at first, our parents weren't too crazy about the idea of us dating for obvious reasons, and then things happened, my grandmother died, Kenny went off to college, we moved to the mountain when my dad's plant shut down, and my parents began to see Kenny for who he was and not so much for skin color. All of this was in a 2 1/2 year time span. Not over night people! I think people are raised certain ways and see no different in their perfect world until something comes up and makes them deal with it head on. After researching the Bible on it and realizing for many years they had believed just wrong doctorine, they accepted him and began to weed out their true friends and family. And beleive me, there are still some who believe our relationship is just wrong, and have absolutely nothing to do with us accept speak if they see us..and that is okay! Seriously, I have always said, just don't push your beliefs on me and I will not push mine on you. I understand that some people can't get past it and never will..do I still love them? ABSOLUTELY!!! I do and always will! IF they needed me for any reason, I am there! and I hope they know that! Our relationship has brought many changes to my family. After being in a church for my whole life, a church my own grandpa started (he has been retired from there many years), daddy a deacon, SS teacher, VBS leader, Mom was treasurer, organ player, grew up singing and loved it with every ounce of our souls, but when mine and Kenny's relationship came about, well, let's just say they were none-too-accepting. And that is okay! Their reasons I will never understand, but it was time for our family to move on. My immediate family were the only ones of our family still left. Not knowing where we were going, or what we would do without the strong hold of the ONLY church we had EVER known. But, when my daddy resigned, we knew that God had a plan for our lives and that He was the one "who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine" Eph. 3:20, we as a family held on. And let me tell you HE has!! and HE continues!! My family found their church home and have been active since joining...Daddy is now a deacon there, AWANA leader, Brylee was dedicated there and they are learning and growing so much in Him! Kenny and I both went to college, got our degrees, moved to Daphne, worked in schools and he coached, purchased our first house, had our first baby, Brylee, and moved to Atlanta and now we are here! We have family we adore so much and are blessed to have in our lives..and the ones that choose not to participate b/c of that, well, they are just missing out on a lovely time! And we couldn't be any more happy than we are and where we are in our life. Sure we have had our ups and downs, our struggles and trials and I know we wouldn't be where we are now without the mighty hand of God in our lives. He was and continues to be our Savior and our Hope in the life we live. I know that we both have grown closer to Him and learn to trust Him for the daily things we sometimes take for granted. Our church, church family, friends and family are huge parts in our lives and WE are here still together 13 years later, and are enjoying a "MOMENT IN THE LIFE OF A HILL"...I leave you with a few pictures of our earlier days..please note..that IS me in the pictures!!! Some I have blonde hair, some I have long curly hair, some I have straight brown hair...and most I am several pounds lighter! LOL..and the one with the blue dress is not our wedding..it was my senior prom! :)







Blessings to you all,

Brooke

1st December Post

Well, this is my first December post..I mentioned last post about the "Elf on the Shelf", while I think this is a great idea..and we will start it next year, I think Brylee is a little too young to fully "get" the idea..but I have to share a few stories from school. We have several Elf's floating around..and even some students have their own..(and they have them there, which is against the rules, b/c you can't touch them) that's the part Brylee won't get...but I have one student who has been on his ABSOLUTE best behavior..he thinks the Elf's eyes are following him..and today, a crow came out of nowhere and sat on the window sill..the class believes the Elf sent him to check on them..in a kindergarten class, the Elf is sitting on the behavior chart watching it! It is so hilarious! What will we do to make them behave when he flies back for the year? We headed out to the Christmas tree lighting ceremony for Enterprise tonight..wasn't too cold if it wasn't for the wind..our children's choir from church sang..which is Kindergarten and up...(Brylee's class is the Petite Praise..and they will sing next Wed. for Fellowship Supper)...but she begged me to sing tonight..I of course told her she couldn't b/c it wasn't her group. Ms. Annette (our children's director) asked Brylee if she wanted to come sing..and she said yes..well, this is what she looked like...

So, needless to say, she lasted about 5 minutes and came running to me. And sat in my lap for the rest of the ceremony. It should be interesting to see how she acts next Wed. Santa came in this year on a horse drawn carriage and Brylee got to sit in his lap for the first time this Christmas season. She of course froze up and wouldn't even talk to him..so I had to coach her along on her recent list she gave me which was a Spongebob Doll, Kitchen, Cow and Baby Doll. He thought he could handle the request. She kept her finger in her mouth the whole time....

At least there were no tears, screams or wails! I couldn't have handled that! Did you read today where they are taking the BRATZ dolls off of the shelves and they can't sell them anymore? If you don't know what they look like, here is a pic of some...
I can't say that I am complaining about it. I have never like them or promoted them to Brylee..they look so provocative and well, they are not the image I won't for my daughter or for the average girl. Apparently, the guy who designed them worked for Mattel when he came up with the idea and they are outselling Barbie..so they sued him and won. They are going to leave them up until after the holidays.I think that our girls today need to truly understand what beauty is and where it comes from and what is Christ centered beauty..not what the world thinks. Sure it is nice to be attractive and have wonderful outside beauty, but the true inner beauty is what makes a woman beautiful..and I desire to teach that to Brylee...so no hard feelings on our end towards the removal of the doll.

We also had the Christmas parade last Tuesday night..I just wanted to share a few pics from it..2 hours long..100 entries later..and the best part was towards the end..are you ready????



Yes..my friends..it is a porta potty..rolling down the street..I still haven't figured it out..it was definitely motorized..just not sure what the motor was apart of..and it even did wheelies! So, if you ever get the need to advertise your POT, I guess you should drive it down the road! Kelsey and Brylee had a blast watching and staying warm!


Okay..until something else Blog worthy happens..Just a Moment in the Life of a Hill!!