Friday the 13th...

I love Friday the 13th!

I've been waiting for it all year!

Why? You might ask? Well, because I just do. It's kind of a family thing, and it has to do with tattoo's.

It started out with my Grandpa Loe and the Lucky 13 Black Cat tattoo on his leg. When I was little we would call him every Friday the 13th to see if he had shaved the cat tattoo, and he always had! I have no idea why he did it, but I remember thinking it was the coolest thing ever! I'd brag to my friends at school about it - I'm sure they thought I was wacko. :D My Grandpa loved black cats and he always said that 13 was his lucky number because everyone else hated it, so it had extra luck, and he needed it. Well, something like that anyway. :)

Here's a picture of my Grandpa's Black Cat and Lucky 13.




And the tradition seems to have passed on to his grandsons. Two of his four grandsons have black cat tattoos on their legs, just like he did.

This is my brother Beau's tattoo of a black panther with 13 under it.




And this is my cousin Robby's panther tattoo.




See, the 13 thing is in my blood, I can't help it! :D So is the tattoo thing - they are just cool looking. I'm not talking Mike Tyson all over your face cool - that's gross - but a few here and there is pretty nice. :) Maybe I'll have to get one some day, though it hurts and I'm not much for pain. But I do know what I want and if I do get one, it won't be where just anyone can see it, so most likely you'd never even know I had it! Heck, maybe I have one now... You'll never know.

Happy Friday the 13th!!!

Here Cookie, Cookie, Cookie, Cookie...

See these lovely cookies? They are lonely. They need cookie friends. Please help me find them some new cookies to associate with so that they can become more social and be happy. :)



Seriously, I need some new cookies recipes. Anything is good. I am running out of stuff to make. If you have something that is really great and you don't mind sharing, e-mail me the recipe. My little cookies will love you for broadening their horizons. :D

Don't leave them sad and lonely. Send me something! :D

brandi13@acn.net

Thanks!!!!! :)

Am I Crazy...

So, Tim says I'm crazy, sick, and pitiful because I have this picture as the background on my iGoogle webpage. Really? Is he new? Does he not fully understand how much I love this poor boy? Maybe he's just in denial. That must be it.


But I've decided that the reason I have this picture, besides the fact that I love it, is simple. These other pictures aren't available. Or if they are, I haven't seen them.






I'd even take this one of Jackson Rathbone. It's nice.



And just to prove what a nice, understanding wife I am, if Tim so chooses to get his own iGoogle page, I will gladly find him a background featuring any one of these lovely ladies.

Taylor Swift


Shania Twain


Jewel


The Jennifer girl from the group Sugarland whose voice I can't stand.


Even Tanya Tucker, Tim's high school crush.

There you go, Tim. Let me know if I need to do any background searching for you.

I am a fair, impartial admirer. I just happen to know what and who I like.

I'm not crazy. I am obsessed. It's different.

And I'm happy.

Less Than 100 Days...

So, the countdown says that it's less that 100 days until New Moon opens.

I can't wait.

Wow, it's gonna be pretty...

Happy Birthday Dad!!!

Yesterday was my dad's birthday. I have been total fail so far this year for birthday posts. That's what happens when all of your good pictures are on the computer that is crashed. It doesn't really make you want to post anything. But I had to suck it up today and post what I do have. Sorry it's not much...

My dad is awesome!! He is always so willing to help us in any way we might need it. He is a hard worker and always took care of us when we were growing up, and even now. He loves babies and can't wait to get ahold of one. I think that's his favorite part of being a grandpa - holding the babies.

I love you Dad!! And I hope you had a great birthday!!!

Me and My Dad on my Blessing Day.


My family cutting a Christmas Tree when I was little.
Me, Beau, My Dad, Brooke, and Blake


My Dad and Jillen


My Dad and Jayden


My Graduation in May
Jorden, Jensen, Me, Jillen, Jayden, My Mom, and My Dad

LOVE YOU DAD!!!!!

Back to School...Again...

School time. Yay.

Okay, really, I have been waiting for school to start up again. The kids have been so bored, and have fought so much, I kept thinking I needed to make one of those paper chains like kids make to count down the days until Christmas. I never did, but I might next summer if it looks at all like it might be a repeat of this summer!! :D Mom's Countdown to the First Day of School Paper Chain... Has a nice ring to it don't you think?

So the kids are back and a few of them needed haircuts. I don't know, I like the boys hair shorter, but I LOOOOOOOVE it long! Yeah yeah yeah, I'm the only one, but I just do. I love it longer. I'm not apologizing for it either. But I gave in and cut it. Ehhh.

Here's Jorden (probably the most dramatic difference) pre hair cut...
from the front...


and from the back/side...


And with his cute little sailor hat. I think he should have worn this the first day of school. He said he needed a hat to wear during his cafeteria job...

And the hair we cut off. I wanted something to show just how big the pile of hair was, since everyone knows how big a soda can is (and it's my favorite kind :P ), now you understand how much hair I'm talkin' here. Luckily I was faster this time - it only took me half an hour.

And the after. If he would push it to the side it would look better. I'll have to get a picture from the back too...it's short. I almost forgot he has blue eyes. :D

Jorden is in 9th grade this year and is taking all advanced classes, because he wants to. Oh yay!! I'm not looking forward to that homework...

And full length. He's like 5'11" now. Wonder how much taller he will get...

And Jillen. In all fairness, this is after school and a 45 mintues ride on the bus to get home.

Jillen is in 6th grade this year and is so excited to be back with all of her friends.

And full length...

And then there's Jayden. Another victim of mom's haircuts...

Here are the before pictures - from the front...

and from the side...


And after. He wanted it shorter on top so that he could spike it up a little bit if he wanted to.

Jayden is in 4th grade this year and is glad to be out of the house for a few hours every day. :D

And full length. He's such a cute boy...

And my little Jensen. She is in 2nd grade this year. She wanted her hair in a bun for that first day back, and apparently it well and several people told her how cute she looked. She really did look cute... :)

And full length...

Yeah, this won't scare Jayden's teacher, I'm sure.

She's probably rethinking her decision to become a teacher after this first week...

See, nothing too exciting. I'm glad to have them not screaming and fighting in the house all day anymore. :D

But now I miss them all day instead...

Deploying Uncle Beau...

My brother Beau is a Combat Medic in the Army and before being deployed to Afghanistan for the next year, he got to come home and visit for a couple of weeks. We were so excited to get to see him!! We had a few parties and even got to go see him off at the airport! The kids were so excited to get to go through security! Though when it came time to take off their shoes, there were a few worried looks and cries. But that's life. :D

Me and my little brother, who sadly hasn't been littler than me for like 20 years. :D
Beau and Me


Even sadder still, me and 2 of my little brothers. Why am I the shortest one in this picture? But it is fun being surrounded by boys over 6 foot tall all the time. :D
Beau, Me, and Blake


Jorden and Uncle Beau - I'm not sure but by the time Beau gets back, Jorden may have outgrown him...


Jillen and Uncle Beau


Jayden and Uncle Beau -- Jayden made sure to wear his 'My Uncle is a Combat Medic' shirt. He loves that! And that is why is isn't decked out all in camo like he usually is. :D


Jensen and Uncle Beau


Us at the airport. It was so fun for the kids to get to see him off!! And the kids dressed up a bit more that day, more camo and another Combat Medic shirt.
Jorden, Beau, and Me
Jillen, Jayden, and Jensen


Beau and my parents.


Beau and all of his neices and nephews.
Marnie (Bri's), Beau, Emelyn (Brooke's), Jorden
Ellee (Brooke's), Jillen, Britt (Bri's), Jayden, and Jensen


Uncle Beau and his cute little baby neices - Marnie and Emelyn.


The whole gang! This is my whole family, except for Tim and Elliott, Brooke's hubby, and my brother Brett.
Laurissa, Blake, Justin, Britt, Brianna, Marnie, Jorden, my mom, my dad, Jensen, me, Jillen, Ellee, Beau, Emelyn, Brooke, and Jayden
Wow, that's a mouthful of names! :D And a LOT of B's and J's!! :D


And he's off!!


Watching as his plane takes off down the run way...


And into the air.

We miss him already!!! But can't wait to hear all about his adventures in a war zone in the Middle East.

Love you Beau!!!