McBrayer Family Jewels

Well, another year has gone by and our little angels keep growing in size and in number!!

I'm never sure how to introduce them to you. I don't want to give too much info in case some of you are crazy stockers. But because most all of you are my friends and family, i feel like you sort of have an idea of how the McBrayer family works, but it's a little cloudy. I'm pretty sure my little sister actually has created a family tree to keep things straight!

Landon has 4 brothers and 2 sisters, all of which are very happily married to wonderful people. And all of us (that would be all FOURTEEN of us) are within 8 years of age. Which makes for a lot of fun when we're all together. But having 7 families all within baby-having years makes LOTS of babies! We now have 4 nieces and 4 nephews, all currently under 5 years old. (and remember, four of them were born within 6 months of each other in 2007?) Amazing.

We LOOOOOVE love love our nieces and nephews dearly and wish we could see them more!

here's a recent picture of the Southern McBrayers (minus Kale and Saeran - the newborns)

These sweeties are Merritt and Brent's babies: Griffin (almost 2yrs) and Avery (3 yrs).

They're expecting a little sister or brother next summer!!!

This beautiful little fairy is Greenlee (2yrs), Garrett and Crystal's little girl.

She is also expecting a little bro or sis next summer!

Aw, sisterly love is so sweet! Addison (2yrs) with Saeran Hazel, her brand new baby sister (born on Halloween)!

These girls are Peyton and Ann's kids.

This sweet baby boy is Kale Michael born Oct. 8. Preston and LeeAnn came home from their year in New Zealand with a bun in the oven!! And he is finally here!

These squirmy McBrayers are Justin and Anna's boys. They've been in CO for a year now, so we have gotten to see them often (does 3-4 times a year count as often?) Aeneas (2yrs) and Patrick, who is having his 5th birthday in a couple of weeks!

Aren't these kids beautiful!!??!

Compare them to their pictures last year and also in 2007.

regrets

I woke this morning thinking about regrets.

of course there are certain things in my life that i regret saying - that's no surprise - i don't have the "think before you speak" discipline mastered quite yet.

but mostly, i regret un-reconciliation. I am non-confrontational to the extreme. This is something I've learned about myself through my marriage.

I remember when Landon and I were dating, very seldomely but occasionally he would call me up and say, "Sheels, I've got a bone to pick with you. How 'bout dinner tonight?" (or something like that) And so the rest of the day I will be completely distracted, near becoming physically sick while i wait for the bone-picking. And then over dinner, i can not eat a bite as we talk about something minor (probably discussing something that i had previously said). We leave, hand in hand, conflict resolved: Doons with a weight off of his shoulders, and I, weak and exhausted from my a day of being completely worked up over anticipating the confrontation.

I still am this way. We have learned that these kind of conversations do not happen over dinner - because i won't be able to eat at all. And in general, i avoid confrontation completely. It's exhausting. I'm completely inarticulate and so emotional that i rarely can convey my ideas anyway. But i'm working on it. The McBrayers have a term for someone like me: "stuffer". In order to avoid the confrontation, I stuff everything that the "dumpers" would usually just deal with and leave refreshed and satisfied. I'm a stuffer.

Though the problem with stuffers is that there's only enough room for that "stuff". Eventually, in a moment of insanity and panick, the stuffer is bound to "dump". And oh boy, does my husband know this all too well, to my dismay. If i tell you stories of my dumpage (which are very few and far between - you know, i usually just stuff), you would probably laugh your head off. The problem with these moments where the stuffing overflows into dumping is that all the "stuffing" gushes out. So in these moments, i am completely incoherent, relaying things that were issues last month and two weeks ago and you always and you never, and..... I pity Landon when this happens. He can make no sense of my hysterics, and we both feel confused and helpless.

Okay, wait, i'm not sure how I got to "stuffing" here. Well, back to regrets.  My biggest regrets are losing relationships because I was not strong enough to persevere through the conflict. The longer I live, the more and more I realize that the greatest beauty and the greatest blessings in life are relationships. They are also sometimes the greatest challenge and source of the greatest pain.  I wish that i wouldn't have given up so easily on some of my relationships just because the confrontation and conflict resolution seemed too difficult and painful and long-lasting at the time. losing them really are my greatest regrets.

Things I'm loving lately

Tootsie Rolls

(photo by musicrox)

Living in a state where the number of children per household is much larger than the national average, i thought to purchase twice the amount of Halloween candy than i usually do. I guess i probably spent $15 on candy (and i think that's A LOT - maybe i just don't really know). At the end of the night we had 2 (TWO!!!) groups of trick-or-treaters. And the first was sent to my house by their sweet mother who is my friend, delivering yummy pumpkin cookies for us. Since they were our only kids all night, i told them to take whatever they wanted. They took all of our candy except the tootsie rolls. They left those behind for us. Tootsie's are my most favorite candy, so i was pleased.

New Moon

(photo by ALA)

I'm doing a re-read of New Moon in preparation to see the movie in a few weeks. My sister downloaded the audio book on my ipod while i was home this summer, so I'm about 300 pages into it and i've only actually read about 40 pages. It's great to get to listen to the book while i'm traveling through airports and on airplanes during this busy convention season. Can't wait for the movie to get in theatres. It's so fun.

BABIES

(photo by Ola Czechowska)

I will definitely contribute an entire post to this. But I am so excited to have two new baby McBrayers in the family in the last few weeks! AND two more McBrayers on the way. Not to mention that 4 of my friends are pregnant. Wow! Babies, babies, babies! Just love 'em!

Meeting People

(photo by spring stone)

It's been really fun to meet people at ACSI Conventions. This is my fourth year going to conventions, and it is so fun to reconnect with people I have seen in past years. This last week i had my booth smack dab between two amazing men who started their own ministries and God was using them mightily to make a huge difference in the lives of many people. And i was so humbled and blessed to be next to them and hear their stories. They blessed me a lot.

Though my favorite thing about conventions this year is meeting sponsors! I sent an invitation to people who sponsor our students that live in proximity to our convention location. i have been SO BLESSED to meet and hug and chat with our devoted sponsors. It's such a treat to put faces with names and finally get to thank them personally. I am amazed by their generosity and dedication and am so humbled and grateful to know them!

happy at home

(photo by cerajeanne)

it's great to be home. I got home around midnight last night and I love to be with my hunny and my puppy. it's wonderful to enjoy a relaxing morning - even made enough coffee for THREE cups!! (instead of my usual 2). I call my parents' house every Saturday morning and have a nice long talk with Mom and sometimes Dad, if i'm lucky. I enjoy my coffee mornings with them on the telephone while Landon slumbers in the flannels.

It's a beautiful sun-shiny day here in Utah and I'm so happy to wake up at home!

Okay - can't contain my excitement: McBrayer niece #4 has arrived this morning!!! Nephew #4 arrived a few weeks ago. I've been waiting for pictures of both of them to do an updated post on the "McBrayer family jewels"....so look for that this week! I praise God for these precious children, we LOVE all EIGHT of them!!! What a joy! So grateful that we have healthy kiddies and mommies. The world just seems so much more beautiful with these children in it!

Mormon Coffee

So you know that since we have moved here to the Wasatch Front, we have been desperately trying to learn about the LDS culture and religion here. Before I came, i knew that Salt Lake City had the reputation of being the Mormon "hub" of the entire world, but I had NO IDEA how much Mormonism permeated the entire culture here. Even so much as to influence the non-mormons against religion as a whole. It is an amazing disparity between the Mormons and the "Gentiles" out here. I have noticed that the many people who are not LDS are sure to make it known in their appearance: many tattoos, piercings, dress, (im)modesty, etc... So when i'm walking through the grocery store, for instance, it is pretty easy for me to feel completely out of place if all the women surrounding me are dressed modestly with primmed hair styles and three kids in tote.

But yet, I don't really fit in with the non-LDS crowd out here either, although i feel like i'm all-of-the-sudden making some kind of statement when i'm sipping on a latte these days.

Alright, i'm an adult. I don't need to be "in with the in crowd". But I do need a community out here. Landon and I have actually decided on a church here, which makes me VERY excited!!! Check out the website for our church, if you would like: Alpine Church

I'm reading a blog sometimes called Mormon Coffee. I found it when i was searching the internet to see if I could learn more about the LDS General Conference that was in town earlier this month. This blog is put together by a former LDS currently Evangelical Christian. I'm not advocating this blog as being an authority on  Mormonism or on Evangelicalism. It is sometimes a bit opinionated (but hey, it's a BLOG - what would this blog be without my opinions?) but it is also pretty interesting.

Don't worry friends, I am also reading info from other websites to learn more about LDS, like this one: Mormon.org (created by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints), and this one: www.LDS.org (created by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints).  I am definitely not a "seeker". I have no interest in pursuing Mormonism as a prospective faith for me. But I do desperately want to understand and love my neighbors here. Many of my LDS friends have told me that they are available for questions any time that i might have any - i think some of you even read this blog. So thank you so much for that! Right now I don't really have solidified questions, I more am just trying to continue to learn so i'm reading a lot. Let me know if you have any reading suggestions; I am open!

And just a little FYI: I'm leaving for Sacramento for an ACSI convention in an hour, so I will be MIA again this week. Catch up with you on the flip side! Enjoy the snow while I am in sunny California!

Truth

Some conversations with JP and Anna this last weekend have me thinking about my Christianity. I don't really even like calling it that. I am committed to pursuing truth. I want to know and represent God. And I'm not really sure that the line between truth and love is really that defined. I think if the TRUTH that I know is Jesus Christ, then love follows - it is not a choice between the two.

Is there really a line? Truth is important. In seeking truth, i have found Christ. And in Christ is Love love love.

In this video, Mr. Religious scares me. He's funny, but he is also a good representation of me sometimes. I hope i can be more like Authentic. I hope I can follow the example of Christ in every little thing, and not be quick to pass judgement or make a statement.

Living Spring Christian Fellowship has put together a whole series of similar videos. They're pretty awesome. Check them out.

Vegetarian Recipes

For the sisters. And those of you who are trying to eat more vegetarian, these are a few that we really like. I'm going out of town Wed - Fri so this week i am making both of these since we will have plentiful left overs. Landon will be set for dinner for the rest of the week. And the best thing about eating these two for left-overs is that they're just as good a second time!

Both of these recipes are from my favorite cook book, The Sugar Solution Cookbook by "Prevention" (this link will actually take you to the entire cookbook on "Prevention"'s website. definitely go there.) I also included the link to each individual recipe which you can access by clicking on the name of the dish.

Spicy Corn and Sweet Potato Chowder

• 1 T olive oil
• 1 large onion, coarsely chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, coarsely choppped
• 2 ribs celery, chopped
• 1/4 t salt
• 1/4 t freshly ground black pepper
• 1 1/2 t ground cumin
• 1/4 t dried oregano
• 1 large sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1/2" chunks
• 1 pkg. frozen corn (10 oz)
• 4 cups [free range] chicken broth
• 1/2 C salsa
• 1/2 ripe avocado, peeled and chopped
• 1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro (optional)

In a Dutch oven, warm the oil over medium-low heat. Add the onion, bell pepper, celery, salt and black pepper. Cover and cook, stirring often, for 1- minutes, or until tender. Stir in the cumin and oregano.

Add the sweet potato, corn, and broth. Cover, increase the heat, and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer, covered, for 12 minutes, or until the sweet potato is tender. Stir in the salsa and simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes longer.

Ladle into bowls and top each with some of the avocado, cilantro, and extra salsa, if you want to.

Makes 8 first course servings (or 4 -5 main dish servings)
prep time is 20 minutes, cook time is 27 minutes.

Roasted Vegetable Lasagna
This is a standing staple recipe for our family in the winter. I make it probably every three weeks. Some of the ingredients are a little pricey (ricotta AND mozzarella AND parmesan - oh my!) but it makes so much that i usually think of it as buying ingredients for 2 or 3 meals instead of just one.

• 3 medium zucchini, cut into 1/2' thick lengthwise slices
• 2 large red bell peppers, cut into 1' wide strips
• 1 T olive oil
• 1 box (8oz) sliced mushrooms
• 4 medium carrotts, coarsely shredded (i grate mine)
• 1 pkg. frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry (10 oz)
• 1 container (15oz) reduced fat ricotta cheese
• 1/2 C grated parmesan cheese
• 1 large egg
• 1 jar (26oz) spaghetti sauce
• 9 no boil lasagna noodles
• 1 1/2 cups shredded reduced fat mozzarella cheese

Preheat the over to 450 F. Coat bottoms and sides of 2 baking sheets with cooking spray. Arrange the zucchini and peppers on the baking sheets. Coat with cooking spray. Roast for 15-20 minutes or until tender, moving the sheets to the opposite over racks once. Remove sheets and reduce the over temp to 350F

Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and cook, stirring frequently, for 4 minutes, or until lightly browned. Stir in the carrots and cook for 1 minute longer. Set aside.

In a medium bowl, stir the spinach, ricotta, parmesan, and egg until blended.

Spread 1/2 cup of the spaghetti sauce over the bottom of a 13x9x2 baking dish. Top with 3 of the noodles, overlapping if necessary. Spoon on on-half of the ricotta mizture, spreading to cover the noodles. Top with one-half of the roasted veggies and one-half of the mushroom mixture. Spoon 1/2 C of the sauce over the veggies and sprinkle with 1/2C of the mozzarella. Repeat the layering. Top with the remaining 3 noodles. Spread the remaining sauce over the noodles. Cover the dish with foil. Bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 C mozzarella. Bake for 20 -25 minutes longer, or until hot and bubbly. Let stand for 15 minutes before serving.

Makes 8 servings
prep time: 35 minutes, cook 1 hour and 10 minutes.

this one is a bit tedious as far as the prep work goes. but it's worth it. we love this.

just do it

I've been thinking a lot lately about some of the desires I have for us - our family - our future.

(driving 191 through Moab from Durango to SLC - photo by Marcus=])

We talked about them a little bit yesterday in the car (on our way home from Durango. Time with family there was A-MAZING and i will share more on that later). Is it realistic to juxtapose a life of adventure with responsibility?

And we were talking about some friends that we have that want to move out west. It's what they've been talking about for years - it seems like it is so important to them. And I wonder why they don't just DO it! Relocating is never convenient, and it is never easy (believe me, i know!). Leaving family in pursuit of your dreams will always hurt them. You will most definitely miss them like crazy. It is scary. It is expensive. There is no way around it. But if it is something that you desire in the pit of your stomach, then at least try it - just do it. I'm not saying to be frivilous or foolish. I'm saying that it will always take sacrifices. Figure out what they are and if they are worth it. And if they are, make a plan and do it.

As I was thinking of them, i was thinking about the desires that I have in my life.  I feel like i'm always waiting for my life to get easy enough to finally pursue this thing that is so important to me. And I realize that my waiting and excusing is just like theirs. Life changes are never convenient. If it is what you really want - then make it happen. Just do it.

lifetime percentages

I was talking to my sister and telling her that I've been with ACSI for over 3 years now. And just saying it out loud sounded like a long time. Having a calculator right in front of me, i wondered what percentage of my life that is....and then i thought.....this is fun:

yeah that's me. (picture by Denae during our senior year. funny.)

So here's the Hannah lifespan percentage stats.
I've been:

• working for ACSI: 3 years: 75% of my post-grad life
• a McBrayer: 5 years, 63% of my adult life
• following Jesus: 18 years: 69% of my entire life
• living in Colorado: 24 years: 85% of my life (of the other 15%: every year except one has happened since i married the handsome Mr. McBrayer. Blame him for taking me on all these "adventures")
• wearing braces: 6 years: 23% of my life. by the time i got them off, i had been wearing them 50% of my life. yikes! i'll keep my ortho dr.'s name anonymous - since he did such a great job.
• wearing glasses/contacts: 14 years: 46% of my life
• kissing boys: 10 years: 38% of my life - only a particular boy 100% of the last 6 of those 10 years. 
• in school: 17 years; 65% of my life. Landon's been in school for 20 years; 77% of his entire life. and probably none before his earliest recollections. sheesh.
• drinking coffee: 7 years: 27% of my life; 88% of my adult life
• committed to child sponsorship:  8 years: 31% of my life; 100% of my adult life
• cooking: 5 years; 19% of my life; 100% of my married life.
• renting/ moved out of M&D's: 8 years: 100% of my adult life
• singing: 22 years: 85% of my life
• playing an instrument: 19 years: 73% of my life

Well, that was interesting. Not sure what else needs to be on that list....

Anniversary Hiking Indian Trail

Our anniversary on Saturday was a blast!

Last year I was working for ACSI at a convention on our anniversary. Landon prepared us a quick and delish cheese fondue when i got home that night.

The year before I was completely exhausted from a long week of early mornings at the 'Bucks. We were driving to North Carolina to meet Landon's family at "the mountains". I slept the whole car drive. We camped in Indiana and i woke in a puddle - not kidding - it had poured rain all night long and i didn't notice at all. My hair was soaking wet and my cell phone was totally submerged and didn't ever work again.

Before that, Landon was waiting tables that night but somehow we had a nice dinner and celebrated two years with lots of snow!

Our first anniversary, we celebrated in Nairobi, Kenya with dinner and a movie ("Fever Pitch").

So it was about time we had a smashing anniversary again! Being on a Saturday this year, we could have fun the whole day!

We went for a beautiful hike through Ogden canyon's changing forests on Indian Trail. Thus named because supposedly, it is a trail that was developed by the native Americans as an alternative trail through the canyon when the river below was flooded.

It was beautiful. And fun.

Then we went into Ogden and had a wonderful dinner at Bistro 258 - cute and elegant local place that was very appreciative to have some business.

After that, we walked to the Egyptian Theatre in downtown Ogden where we saw "Dynasty", the Warren Miller film of 2010 ski season. We left late and totally excited for snow!

We even came home and put our skis on!