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Showing posts from May, 2012

Memorial Day

  I like Memorial Day.  I wish it wasn't just another three day weekend to head to the lake or out camping or whatever.  I wish it really could be an actual national day of remembering those who have served our country.  But, it is Memorial Day no matter how we all chose to spend it. I was at Wal Mart and these two sweet old ladies were handing out poppies for donations.  I asked what my money was going to and they said it was so we wouldn't forget our soldiers and I said, "I have one I never forget". . . my Pappy. I don't remember him as a soldier except on days like today, but I don't think a single day goes by when I don't think of Pappy, my grandpa.  I loved him so much!  He was so dear to me!  He was a strong man who worked hard, but he was a gentle grandfather who loved me so big.  I adored Pappy and I am so thankful that I have him to remember every day; not just on Memorial Day!

Andrew's Lake 2012

Yesterday was the big Iron Horse bike race that Andy participates in every year.  He killed it again!  I am so proud of him!  It is so fun to watch him set a goal and then to conquer it and feel so great afterwards! After the race each year, we meet at Andrew's Lake with our staff for our annual Kivu Staff picture (and Braner family picture).  I love having this picture with our family in the same spot every year.  It is amazing to see how our family has changed since our first picture there in 2001! Camp has pretty much started.  We had a retreat with 80 kids from Scottsdale last week and now we are right in the middle of our staff training week.  Then one week from today the campers come!  It is so crazy to me that summer 2012 is already here!

Mr. Happy Man

Okay, I realize that in this fast paced world, asking you to watch a ten and a half minute video is like asking you to run a marathon and then sit and watch the Masters on TV without falling asleep.  I get it.  But please, watch this video!  Or at least watch the parts when "Mr. Happy" is talking. . .fast forward everyone else if you really don't have ten minutes in your life!  I need to be more like him. . . maybe not go wave to everyone, but I need his perspective.  This video was so refreshing and that is why I am sharing it with you!  So, make time!  It will put a smile on your face!!!

My Mom

 I really need to write about my Mom. . . I really WANT to write about my mom!!!  For one reason, while Andy and I were in the Turks she had a birthday AND it was Mother's Day.  Sorry, Mom!  (She did get gifts on time for both occasions, though!) So, here is to my Mom. . .better late than never, I hope! I love my Mom!  She is amazing!  She is steady and consistent.  She is thoughtful and compassionate.  She is strong and fiercely loyal.  She is organized and diligent.  She is a rock.  She loves so well.  She is the most selfless person I have ever met.  My mom is unbelievable! She is also one of my very best friends.  She is the person I want to share everything with.  She is my rock.  She keeps things in perspective with empathy and wisdom.  I wish she was my neighbor. . .I wish she was my suite mate!  I adore her.  I hate the days that I don't get to talk to her.  She is the person in my life that I genuinely feel like I love more each and every day. I love you, M

Happy Anniversary

 Fifteen years ago today I became Mrs. Andy Braner.  How lucky am I!?!?  May 18th, 1997 was supposed to be a dark and wet day--thunderstorms in the forecast all day long.  But instead, it was a clear blue sky with a big bright sun and our outdoor reception was perfect!  Since then, it has been mostly sunny and we have come up on the other side of the few thunderstorms (and hurricanes) that have popped up.  We've had a great fifteen years and I am so thankful to be able to say (and mean) that I have been married to my best friend for this long! Andy is my best friend.  He loves me big.  He still makes me laugh.  He really sees the best in me and only remembers the good times. . .he plays only my "highlights" in his mind over and over.  That is a great quality!  He believes in me.  He trusts me.  He expects the best out of me.  He is patient (usually) with my moods and he knows how to deal with each mood I dish out.  Have I mentioned that he makes me laugh?  I love h

More Sharks Today

Today was perfect.  Have I used that adjective in the last few days?  It was perfect!  The weather was great!  The visibility in the water was great!  The company was great!  Andy was great!  And I saw three more sharks!  I have NO IDEA why that makes me so excited, but it does!

Days Two & Three

Day two was a lot like day one. . .it pretty much looked like this all day long:  We snorkeled and had a long picnic on a deserted beach followed by a great dinner.  It was another perfect day!  I could really get used to this (but my kids would need to come down if I stayed longer than a week)!!! Today (day three) was perfect again!  We went scuba diving (two 30-100 foot dives).  The water was clear forever (not really) and the wall was amazing.  This is the third largest reef in the world and it is amazing!  I saw FIVE sharks!  What a rush!  I thought I'd never want to see a shark in the water.  I changed my mind.  I'm kind of a fan of nice very uninterested reef sharks! We had lunch at the Tiki Hut.  I went a little overboard on pictures and souvenirs for one very special little boy.  So fun!!! So we have chalked up three out of three perfect days in the Turks & Caicos for our anniversary!  Yipee!

Turks Day One

We finally made it to the Turks!  We used American "award" miles and it was a racket. . .36 hours later we made it.  Ridiculous! Oh well.  It is SO WORTH it!  For those of you who don't know, Andy and I will be celebrating our 15th anniversary in ten days and this is our little get-away (thanks to a very generous camp family who has a place down here).  It is perfect and I am so thankful that I am getting this week with Andy before camp starts! We went out on the boat today and then went snorkeling.  The water was perfect!  It was so much fun!  I got to see a shark. . .that was probably my highlight!!!  The snorkeling was followed by an amazing massage and in just a bit we are headed to dinner!  We are being spoiled and I am loving it!!!   This is the shark that came swimming by. . .and I followed it. . .what a rush!!! The harmless fish! :) I love this picture. . .a little overexposed, but we were having such a super time!

May The Fourth Be With You

Today is honorary Dax day. . .May the 4th. . .if you say "May The Force Be With You" with Dax's little lisp, then you get "May The Fourth Be With You" and today is May the 4th. Here is to my little Star Wars boy.  Here's to Star Wars sheets, Star Wars birthday parties, four years of Star Wars Halloween costumes, Star Wars books and Legos and an infinite amount of Star Wars trivia details! May the Fourth be With YOU, Dax!  I love you!