Brown Update

Hi Guys!
I've been waiting to post until something exciting happened, but since nothing really exciting ever occurred, I finally decided to just give you the mostly boring details of the past week or two. The kids are all doing well. We miss them terribly, but the fact that they are all deliriously happy without us makes the separation easier to bear.

Russ is planning to take the GMAT soon (admission test for MBA), so he's studying for that in his spare time. Michael got his LSAT score last Friday and did very well. We're hoping it's good enough to get into an excellent SOUTHERN law school next year. Ruth-Anne is enjoying her classes at BYU and her job at the Special Collections department in the library. (What better place for a future librarian to work?) And our Logan is still enjoying his mission. Working in the office gives him the opportunity to travel all over the mission. He's gotten to see old friends and investigators and catch up with them. He comes home 14 weeks from Friday, but I'm trying not to count.

Larry & I are staying busy with work and with his Mom. Estelle is 87 and doesn't drive anymore, so Larry spends a lot of time with her each week.

I love you all and enjoy reading what you're up to, so keep the news coming.

Have a great week!

Love,

Julie

The James Brannons

For those who may not have heard, Jonathan received his mission call on Friday. He will be serving in Milan, Italy. He goes in the MTC on January 7th. We are expecting his farewell to be on December 28th. We will give you more info as we get it.

Checking in

Things are good at the Green household. Cathy's in-laws had a couple of extra tickets to the Alabama game last week so Clay and Andy got to go and they really enjoyed that. Butch and I got to keep Abbie and Andie and I think we enjoyed that more. Laura and Josh are still apartment hunting in the Pleasant Grove, Utah area and as of this moment he's scheduled to start work there on November 1st (but that date has changed a few times already so we're not holding our breath). Jamie is in Connecticut until the end of next week going to Subway school. He said it's harder than he expected and the weather is much colder than what he's used to. But he's learning a lot and he's halfway through - so that's good. Grace got a great job at Bradley, Arant... (some law firm) in downtown Birmingham. She likes it and still has plenty of time left over for a social life. Tommy has been in Ethiopia for a week and on Monday sounded good when we emailed. Emily takes the ACT today - so we're all hopeful about that. Andy has been working out with a friend at a fitness club for the past week - so he's sore but proud. Clay had two friends over yesterday to play X-Box, then we took them to see a dance performance at the Rave prior to the opening of High School Musical 3 (which he will go to today). Then to the McAdory Homecoming game. When I got home I was met with the news that our sewer pipes were backed up. It's happened twice before - roots growing into the pipes - and we just have to rent one of those electric snakes. So Butch has his Saturday morning planned for him. I'm just thankful it happened when it did so we can take care of it quickly.

Well, that's more than you ever wanted to know about us!!! Betsy

Hillsboro Happenings

Anything I can say will be bland in comparison to what y'all have said(and shown). I'll add a few lines for an update. Rachel and I visited Headland on Oct. 11-13. We had a great visit with Nana and D-daddy but no great cooking, no oven fires and no shrimp searches. We simply had Domino's pizza and a trip to the IHOP with senior citizens ages 92,90,89,85 and the younger generation, May May, Rachel and me.

This past week-end we attended Huntingdon's Homecoming and were pleasantly surprised to find that Will and several teamates were being honored as scholar-athletes. The Hawks are 6-0 this year. (Will's doing graduate work toward a Masters at Auburn).

Amanda's family was out of town so we didn't see them. We wanted to check out Jamie and Paris at the Calera Subway but time didn't permit. I hear they're expecting a boy in January in case some of you haven't heard.

Betsy, this was a great idea. Keep the news coming!

Love, Wayne

Homecoming Weekend in Montgomery

Hello everybody!
What a busy weekend we have had!! I have been trying to post for nearly a week, but I have not been able to figure it all out. We have had an exciting weekend with Caroline the Senior and Catherine the Freshman, both being elected to the Homecoming Court this year. Jeff escorted Caroline and Jeff's dad, Mr. Jerry Adams, escorted Catherine. It was so nice. We felt very honored.
The girls did not find out until Thursday night that they were on the Homecoming Court and the game was Friday night. That meant Jeff and I had to do a lot behind the scenes. I had been shopping all week for outfits and Jeff had contacted his parents to make sure they could come up for the festivities. The outfits I picked out were not up to par, but we found great clothes the day of Homecoming. DRAMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jeff's parents came for practice at 12 noon and stayed all day at our house while the girls and I shopped, got our nails done and Catherine even got a haircut. The Adams kept John entertained until Jeff got home and I got the girls ready. It was a lovely evening and we all enjoyed the night. Our team LOST big time, but that didn't rain on our parade.
I have tried to attach some pictures for your viewing pleasure. I do hope it works out. Thanks for this great site. I am so glad to be keeping up with everyone this way.
Love,
Amanda

Headland Trip

Sorry for the delay in getting these pictures posted. Since none of my children are here to help with uploading photos and because I'm a little technically challenged, it was difficult for me to get the pictures from the camera to the computer and then from the computer to the blog. But, at last, success!

We had a wonderful time in Headland and just as much fun during the drive down and back. It was great to spend time alone with my sisters! They are amazing women.

Here's the recipe for the Peach Cobbler we made at Nana's house. It's the very last recipe in the Paula Deen cookbook Nana has, but I double the batter.

Peach Cobbler

1 stick of butter
melt in 9 X 13 dish in 350 degree oven until melted and golden brown around edges

In bowl mix
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup self-rising flour
1 cup milk
(remember, I usually double this)

Pour batter mixture over hot butter in 9 X 13 baking dish.

1 large can of sliced peaches
1 small can of sliced peaches

Spoon peaches over batter. Gently pour juice from large can of peaches over the top.

Bake for 40 minutes at 350 degrees (or until golden brown).

I like to sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top.

It is great alone or with cool whip or ice cream on top!

I love y'all!

Julie

Ongoing Adjustments!

From the Curt Brannons:

It's hard to believe that we've been back "home" in the states for 4 months. It's been an ongoing adjustment as we settle in and get a household functioning again on this side of the water. We're in Madison and really enjoying this neat little city. Our townhouse is not far from Curt's office and just down the street from Meredith's high school--Bob Jones High School. Shay's sister and family and Shay's parents also live in Madison so that's been fun to be closer to family.

Olivia has been in Chicago for about a month at Moody Bible Institute and is really enjoying her time there. She's had some health challenges with a damaged nerve located behind her knee that's causing her to walk slowly and carefully. Currently, she's seeing a physical therapist and is working on building strength in her leg and foot around that damaged nerve. We'll keep you updated on her progress. The doctor is not sure how this damage could have happened but it might have happened in her sleep. By the way, Olivia also maintains a blog. If you're interested in seeing it, the address is www.thinkingclearly.wordpress.com

Our current plans are to stay in the states for at least the next year. With Meredith in 10th grade and in public school for the first time, we're adjusting to her schedule and the different requirements for her. So, we feel like we're here for at least the school year and for Olivia's first year in college.

We love the idea of this blog! Looking forward to seeing the postings of you all. We'll try to keep up with our end of the bargain and post regularly. :)