The Christmas Spirit

The Christmas Spirit

Our Thanksgiving Trip

I realize today is Christmas Eve, but I really needed to post some pictures of our trip for Thanksgiving. We had a great time and Chuck's sister Karen's house. We also got to spend some time with our friends the Hatcher's.

A little late, but

Well I am finally getting around to posting about our ultimate black friday shopping experience. It was an awesome day! We are so glad we made the trip down to Texas for it, even if we all ended up with a cold after. The deals were sweet. I can't wait to do it again next year!

Thanks alot, Mr. Reid

Thanks for nothing Harry! I hope you're happy, you have succeeding in punishing the productive yet again. For a special Christmas treat this week, I got a notice from my insurance company:

"Premiums for your plan will increase 23.7% effective January 1, 2010"!!!

The insurance company said that they were forced to raise premiums because: "suppport for government programs for the poor and elderly which provide limited reimbursements, are shifted to the insured market"

Good job liberals. You have really convinced yourselves that the evil rich people of the world have the assignment to fund your single-payer dream. FYI, if you take 23.7% of my income, I fall well below the federal poverty income levels, but I'm sure I deserve this, after all, I am the jerk who got a job, paid for my own schooling and buy my groceries without any food stamps, I definitely deserve to be saddled with this additional cost. And no, it's not just my insurance carrier, believe me, we shopped around, we're sticking with the one we have because it is actually the smallest increase, State-wide the average increase is 27%.

Many of my Liberal and Democrat friends have said they wouldn't mind paying more to give everybody else insurance. Here's your chance.

It is actually to my financial benefit to stop working and stop paying at this point. In a million years I never thought I'd say that. But just consider: if I'm not working, I have no insurance, no fear - Reid & Obama will punish the jerks who are working, they will pay for my health coverage, my house payment? Well, I won't make it, once bankruptcy proceedings begin, I can get the principle lowered, Obama & Barney Frank are already putting pressure on banks to loan to people who can't afford it again (the same things that got us into this mess!), so it will be nothing to get a new loan & keep my home, after all, his Highness says it's a right, healthcare is a right. So no need to keep working, all the things I thought were privileges that I had to earn the intellectually superior have determined that I don't need to work for them I should be given them, I'm alive, no need to do anything else! Happy freakin Holidays

The Blind Side

I think most of you know that I could really care less about football. I think it is pretty much a waste of time and I can't believe the kind of money they pay people to play that game. All of this a side we watched an amazing movie last night. November is National Adoption Month and most of you also know that we are passionate about adoption. Blind Side is a movie about a homeless black teenager who is brought into the home of the Touhy's a wealthy family from Memphis. Eventually this family adopts him, he changes their life and they change his life. It is amazing what kind of difference people can have on one another. I love this story because it isn't about wealth, race or age. Go and see this movie. And maybe think little bit more about the impact adoption can have on not only one person, but on generations and generations. Happy National Adoption month!

Halloween

So this year for Halloween we tried to attend our wards trunk or treat. We did attend, but Carter didn't care too much for the idea and spent the time screaming and running around. So my friend Mylinda was taking her cute little one to the Mall to trick or treat so I tagged along with her. Carter did pretty good, even said trick or treat and thank you to a few stores and then we saw the stairs. Carter jumped out of my arms and made a mad dash for the stairs and then ran as fast as he could around all of the mall people. When I finally caught him and calmed him down we decided to try a few more stores. The last one we tried was a sherrif and Carter threw the smarties she gave him right back at her. Oh how I love the terrible two's!

Really?

So I guess I cursed us when I named this blog "Adventures in Oklahoma." For those of you who haven't heard Chuck was offered a job with an awesome Law firm about 1 1/2 hours south of Tulsa. Yes, we are putting our house up for sale and moving away to a small, middle of no where town. We will be in the thick of it here in Oklahoma. I fully expect to be able to understand "true okie" by this time next year. We took a trip to look at houses today and saw a variety of houses. One of the most interesting actually had a full size hooter's manequin with the hooters uniform and a hooters bobble head doll. Don't worry, there wasn't a 2 car garage so we aren't going to make an offer. Life in a small town is going to be an interesting thing considering we have never lived in one since we have been married. We are excited for the slower pace of life and a great place to raise Carter. We are excited to be able to get out of the "rat race" of the city. But I am already having shopping withdrawl. Thank goodness for the internet and the great coupon codes available online. I guess I will survive or I guess we will see....

They Grow Up So Fast

Because strollers have become boring ......

But Mom & Dad say I have to learn this one first! .....

Today is the day!

Today is the day Chuck officially became a lawyer. We took a trip this morning down to the Oklahoma State Capital for the swearing in ceremony. He even received his first piece of mail addressed to Chuck Sullivan, Attorney at Law. A letter for Malpractice insurance...interesting. Congratulations.

Just Because.

It has been a little over a week since we found out that Chuck passed the bar. Since this blog is kind of like our family journal (yes, political rants and all). I thought I would tell Chuck how impressed I am at his dedication and all his hard work in completing law school and passing the bar. I truely believe that even though the economy is tough right now and the lawerly jobs are scarce when the "right" job is available things will fall into place. So even though the race is almost over the waiting continues. I love you Chuck and you are a wonderful husband, father, lawyer, man that irons and priesthood holder, but not such a good man wife. Please, please help Chuck by praying for a job to smile upon him. :)

I heart shopping!

Ok, so for those of you who don't know I love to shop! But I don't just shop, I bargain shop! So today I just happened to find a printable coupon for Sears for $10 off junior apparel (no minimum purchase required). http://www.sears.com/ue/clth/link_jrfashion_coupon.pdf

There just so happens to be two Sears stores within 5 miles of my house. So off to Sear's I went. To my surprise the first store not only had mountains of junior clothes on clearance, they also had an additional 40% off the already clearanced price. So below is the damage....

The merchandise...

Store #1
Polo shirt purple $2.39
Fluter Shirt $3.59
Tee $4.79

-sears coupon -$10.00

subtotal $.77

tax $.07

total cash $.84


Store #2

Lavdr ruffle tee $2.39
Tunic scoop tee $2.39
Lace trim tee $4.79
basic tee $1.79

-sears coupon -$10.00

subtotal $1.36
tax $ .12

gift card payment $1.48

Yes, you read it right. I bought 7 shirts (almost a new wardrobe) for a total of $.84. In case anyone is interested there is a link for the printable coupon. Happy shopping.

Charles Manley Brown, 1921 - 2009

This morning my Grandfather passed away. It wasn't really a surprise, he had been fading for some time and anxious to move on to the next step in his eternal progession, so I am grateful for his opportunity to move on.
All the boys in my family have a middle name from an ancestor, but I got both names, Charles Brown, after my Grandpa. He used to always ask me what I was doing with his name, I never really knew how to answer that - still don't. I used to think of it in terms of "well, I didn't do anything bad with it this week", but I've started to think of it more pro-actively, not what I haven't done, but what have I done? I really hope to give him a good answer when we meet up on the other side.
I have two leading memories of my Grandpa Brown. The first was my grandparents tradition of hosting each grandchild at thier house for a week during the summer of the year that they turned 9 (I have no idea how they came up with that formula, but that was the formula). I remember Grandpa taking me to work with him, taking me to the park, and taking me to Universal Studios. It was a great week for me in my young life, I've got to think it wasn't too fun for Grandpa, rumor has it I can be annoying, but he took time and made me feel special. My second memory is when my brother Dave & I went to St. George to get our Patriarchal Blessings from him. I'm very lucky that I was able to recieve mine from my Grandpa. I re-read it again this morning when I found out he had gone home. It was amazing to read it again and ponder over how amazingly spot-on the blessing is. There were many things, particularly regarding my little boy that I really didn't understand at the time, but to read them now, I understand that only someone with the Priesthood, specially set apart to perform the sacred Patriarchal Blessing would be able to say with such exactness almost 20 years ago about things that are happening now. I feel so blessed to be able to have my testimony strengthened by the words of my very own Grandpa.
I often complained about "being named after a cartoon character" growing up. But that isn't true. I was named after a real hero. A World War II Veteran, a pilot, a professor, a church leader, a Patriarch, a husband, a father, my Grandfather. I only hope to so live in such a way that I can look forward to his inevitable question once I pass through the veil. Until then, thank you for the great example, Grandpa, I love you.

Some of What I Believe

This was on the Glenn Beck Progam tonight. I am posting this on our blog as a way of adopting these words as our own:

1. I believe in a balanced budget and therefore will vote for a freeze in government spending until that goal is realized.

2. I believe government should not increase the financial burden on its citizenry during difficult economic times therefore I will oppose all tax increases until our economy has rebounded.

3. I believe more than four decades of U.S. dependence on foriegn oil is a travesty therefore I will support an energy plan that calls for immediately increasing usage of all domestic resources including nuclear energy, natural gas, and coal [and oil] as necessary.

4. I believe in the sovereignty and security of our country and therefore will support measures to close our borders except for designated immagration points so we will know who is entering and why and I will vehemently oppose any measure giving another country, the United Nations, or any other entity, power over U.S. citizens.

5. I believe the United States of America is the greatest country on earth and therefore WILL NOT APPOLOGIZE for policies or actions which have served to free more and feed more people around the world than any other nation on the planet.

God Bless America

The Big 3-0

Today Kristin turns 30 years old. She looks pretty darn good for someone of her age, doesn't she?

Happy Birthday Kristin! We love you!!

Where are the PJ's?

Notice the empty drawers....

Notice the laundry basket full of clothes...

Apparently, after Chuck folded Carter's laundry and put it away, Carter decided to move everything out of his drawers and place it in his basket. Or so that is the story I was told after I opened his drawer tonight to find his pajamas? Hum?

I Pity the Fool

Blank

So I just finished taking the Bar Exam. It was hell. There is only one experience in my life that was worse. 11 hours yesterday, 8 today, all full of trick questions on finite points of law. Ugh and Ugh. So, lucky for you, I have some pent up aggression, time to let it out.

1. Yelling bless you across a room when some random stranger sneezes. Really folks, come on! I'm sure miss manner's will award you points if you only think the words bless you, you don't have to yell it out, ESPECIALLY in a class setting of any sort, or during a movie or play or during church service. At that point, you're not being polite, you're being RUDE. A sneeze is an involuntary act, we can excuse the sneezer, but you opening your big mouth and voluntarily interupting, that we cannot excuse - stop it.

2. Fake testicles on trucks. Vile, disgusting, and what better way to announce to the world that you really aren't sure people know you have male genetalia.

3. Professor Gates. I get you're a liberal, I get you teach at Harvard, but you're still not God. When a police officer stops me on my property with a simple question, like asking my name and ID, I give it to him. I don't go on a tyrade, play the race card, and refuse to give him the information, then follow him out of the house egging him on. What's worse about the whole scenario was the rush to judgment - not just by Emperor Obama, but by all the media writers out there. I found no less than 8 commentaries printed the day of, or the very next day (it went so far as to some writer on espn.com writing about it!!) all saying how bad racial relationships are in this country, all before anybody knew the facts. Here's the cold hard facts about racism in this country - it's here to stay. We all have a responsibility to do our best to improve things, but a scab that is constantly picked at WILL NEVER HEAL! We have all the moronic writers who so quickly called foul play on the cops to thank, as well as people like Reverend Al Sharpton for perpetuating the hate. For example -

4. Don Imus vs. Jamie Fox. Remember all the uproar over Don Imus and the Ruckers basketball team? Most of you have never heard of the Jamie Fox/Miley Cirus fued. Google it. His comments were far more offensive, much more deliberate, and more racially hateful, so much that I won't even repeat them on my blog. But look at what Sharpton was preaching when it was Don Imus talking (and the public request for his head on a platter) and contrast that to Jamie Fox - by the way, a prize to anyone who can find me any proof that Sharpton in anyway shape or form condemned Fox's comments. It is a pathetic double standard. Fox's excuse was the same as Imus's "I wasn't being serious". One guy got fired, one guy got an oscar. I hate double standards, which leads me to....

5. The BCS. I live in the "big" 12 conference now. Apparently it is a hanging offense to not care about college football around here. College football is an insult to competition. I cannot take seriously any league that ranks its teams before they ever play a down of competition. College football "national rankings" are everything I hate about liberal professors - Elitism. The haves will always have, and the have nots will never have. I thought the emperor was going to fix this? Anyway it is a sham and a hoax, they do the elitism even in thier own conferences! I hate to break it to any Texas or OU fans reading this, but Baylor and Colorado are also in the big 12.

6. Emperor Obama's refusal to produce his birth certificate. This is a bit of a conspiracy theory out there, that he wasn't born in the US. Several lawsuits have been filed requesting the Constitution of the United States be followed at the President be a citizen of the US. Emperor fans say that they shouldn't even dignify this with a response. Now, I'm not with the conspiracy theorists on this - except, nothing breeds mistrust like concealment. Every day he refuses, every day I start to think they may be on to something. Hey Emperor Elitist - you're not above the rest of us. We have to produce proper identification all the time, most of us can't even get on an airplane without it, just produce the dang cirtificate.

7. I've never been known for spelling, so I'm not sure how to spell this word. But some of Emperor Obama's critics have been calling him an Idealog (sp??) lately. I love this term. Really I prefer: Ignorant ass blinded by his arrogance who is surrounded by nothing but yes men and a pathetic media who never challenge him - and every day people swoon over him is another day he is blinded by his own supposed superior intelect. But Idealog rolls off the tongue a little better.

8. Obama-care. Let me be clear on this point. I do not want to overhaul the American Health system. I need to congratulate the Democrats on this issue, they have managed to sell the idea that "all Americans can agree that the system is broken and has to be fixed" all the politicians on both sides of the isle keep used this sound bite. What better proof of how out of touch with the people our "public servants" are. I realize many people want to fix the system. But I really don't. Look, I don't really fault people for disagreeing with me on this, where you stand depends on where you sit, and we all tend to look at things from our perspective only, so here's my perspective. I have health care - why? Because I choose to get it. I made sacrifices, gave up other things, put off what I wanted in the short term for what was better in the long term. Then I used the beautiful free market to find what I wanted and paid for it! This post is already long, so I won't go into all the things I hate about this new plan, but let me just say this. NO ONE is breaking into Canada to take advantage of the "wonderful" healthcare system there. No one. Canadians that can afford it come here to have medical proceedures done. Anyone who thinks the government can do health care better than the private sector should go stand in line at a DMV.
I get that some people think health-care is a fundamental right. It's not. Life is a fundamental right, and there isn't a person in this country (citizen, visitor, legal, or illegal) that cannot go into a publicly funded hospital and recieve emergency room - life saving treatment. Call me an evil capitalist (I'll take it as a compliment) but health-care goes to quality of life. There are no guarantees there. Are we all guaranteed a corvette just cause we are within the borders of the US? Ridiculous.

9. Criticizing Obama is NOT RACISM IT IS RESPECT. I won't type it again, but feel free to read it again. Think of it this way. You know how we have a professional women's basketball league? Well, in the NBA, you're not a good free throw shooter unless you shoot in the mid to high 80%. What if everybody said of the WNBA - "well, it'll be good if they only shoot around 50%, cause they're just girls". It woulld be incredibly patronizing, condescending, and disrepectful. Much more respectful to hold them to the same standard as men. So too with our "President" (sorry, I can't call him that till he acts like one). But people are not being racist when they criticize Obama, they are showing him the same respect all other Presidents have been shown. How pathetic to accuse someone of racism for merely disagreeing with you - see number three above.

10. Ford Motor Company. Many thought it was incredibly admirable that they took no federal money. But mark my words, their days are numbered. Consider this - they are in as bad a shape financially as GM was just a couple of years ago, except now, they have to compete with the government (real quick - how many competitors does Amtrak have?). See, Ford will still have to be concerned with the bottom line, whereas GM and Chrysler never have to make profit again, now the government owns them - they don't do profit, ever heard of the Post Office? They lost billions, the CEO, still made over 800 large. Fords only hope is to do as the Unions and Acorn did in 2008 in 2012. Break the law, funnel hundreds of millions into the Obama campaign with the untraceable cash cards. Then when he gets it, help create an emergecy, that way you'll be sure to get your trillion.

Well dear readers, I have a lot more stored up, but Kristin tells me to stop, and she's probably right. I'll stop. Good night

Porter Peach Festival

So since the Mr. is on hiatus from us this month and locked in a small room somewhere near the law library Carter and I decided to go with our friends Mylinda and her daughter to the Porter Peach Festival. Yes, there is in fact a festival all about peaches. We are in Oklahoma after all. After a small detour to Catoosa and Claremore we found our way down to Porter and to a very nice orchard. Oodles and oodles of peaches....

This sign was even posted, pretty sweet!

This is where you actually buy the peaches.

We had to get a picture in front of this wagon.

Carter was happy in the car as long as we had the DVD player going. After only dumping his water on himself and Mylinda's daughter dumping water on herself the ride was pretty uneventful. We should probably do this again next year, except actually make it to the festival.

Sippy Cups are Good Things

Happy Father's Day

I just wanted to make a quick post and wish all of you great Father's a Happy Father's Day. I have been very blessed to have some wonderful men in my life. My father will always be my hero. I am also very grateful to Chuck's father and what a great example of a father he has been to Chuck. I have always been impressed at what a wonderful father Chuck is to our sweet little Carter. I think this touches me the very most because if Carter's birth mom had decided not place him for adoption he would never have had a father and that would break my heart because Carter is truely a "dadda" boy. Dadda was his first word and his "Dadda" is his everything. Happy Father's Day.

Swan Lake

This last week we decided to check out what T Town had to offer. Near the hospital I work for there is a nice small neighborhood park. We were surprised that in the middle of the city there was such a nice place to take a walk. The park even housed a ton of water turtles. The video is for all the turtle lovers in New Mexico we are related to.

Our Little Miracle.

Two years ago today we met this beautiful little guy and he was instantly our son! We are so grateful to have such a sweet little guy in our family. We love you, Carter, our little Miracle.

Birthday and More

No rhyme or reason to this picture, I just thought it was cute

Yesterday, Carter finished his first swimming lessons. He made great improvements, the first night he cried like crazy, but now he loves it. He can jump in the pool and dunk his head under, and kick he feet real good, and almost blow bubbles without drinking the water!

Here he is helping opening up his birthday present from his mom and dad. I can't believe my little guy is two today, my how time flies when you're having fun! Happy Birthday Carter, we love you!!

A New Bed.

Carter will turn 2 on Thursday so this weekend we decided we should take down the crib and put up a "Big Boy" bed. So down went the crib and up went the bed. After falling out of bed three times we decided Carter needed a bed guard. Isn't he cute!

Hello Dr. Sullivan

Chuck with his good law school friends Adam and Glenn.

Those who survived law school.

Our good friend Todd Came all the way from Florida to witness the graduation.

Today Chuck became a Doctor...a Doctor of Law. Congratulations on graduating with your Juris Doctorate. Now on to the bar! (the state bar that is :) ) We had a house full of people. Chuck's parents flew in from Utah. His older brother, his wife and all 7 of their boys drove in from New Mexico. His Aunt and Cousin came in from Moore and Norman, Oklahoma. His sister also drove in from Texas with her husband and 3 kids. Even some of our local friends made it to the graduation. (Their names will be kept confidential to protect the innocent). It was quite the weekend. If anyone who came has some great photos please send them this way. I was too busy chasing Carter around to get very many photos. Thank you so much for coming to support Chuck on this very important and special day!

Our Whirlwind Trip

My Little Brother Matthew married a beautiful girl named Kailey last Friday April 24, 2009. We made a quick trip to Utah for the Festivities. While in Utah we not only saw Matthew get married, but we were able to go on a fieldtrip with my Mom's preschool class to a local farm, have an early birthday party for Carter's 2nd birthday and also see Chuck's Dad Bruce retire from the Mormon Tablenacle Choir, all in 4 days. It was a great trip!

My Family at the Reception.

Carter was more interested in running at the Temple than anything else.

Carter smiling sweetly.

Yes, Carter is trying to escape.

Introducing Mr. & Mrs........

Carter isn't sure what is going on here?

Playing cars with Gradma and cousin Isabella after the wedding.

Visiting the Farm the day before the wedding.

Baby Chicks.

What a large Turkey.

Black swans, very pretty.

Visiting Nana and Bubba's house.