just another manic monday

If Sundays are the laziest of days, Mondays are the craziest!

Today was our first full day with Hampton. Anderson stayed home because he has been suffering from those spring allergies and has felt rotten. Thankfully, he will be over them very soon. But, I am sure he was happy to stay home with his new baby. He took him for two walks today and fed him every meal; not to mention, he worked on Hampton's fetching and sitting skills. He did as much as he could and then would have to return inside to escape the pollen.

Although Anderson was home from school, I still had to drive carpool. My day started at 2 am when I got up to check on the puppy and take him out of his crate for a potty break. He was sound asleep, but he got up and "did his business" and happily went back to sleep. Then, at 6, I woke up again to take him out. Once again, he was asleep. So, I started my daily chores until he woke up around 6:30.

After carpool, it was off to Wal-Mart to buy more doggy supplies and other household items. As soon as I got home, Paul was repairing the fence where our beavers in the pond behind us had destroyed it. Bennett, of course, was "helping". I resumed chores, prepared an early lunch, helped Anderson with the dog, took a nice bath, then went to pick up the kids from school.

After school, it was off to the vet for Hampton's first visit! He is a healthy 23 pound 9 week old boy! Even the vet commented on his laid-back demeanor. Let's just pray he keeps that! :)

Following our veterinarian appointment, we went to Hibachi Express to pick up Japanese food and to Lowes Home Improvement so Paul could buy a new gate for the fence. We came home, ate quickly, hauled everyone (even Hampton) back into the car and went to Anna's house where she, Anderson, Hampton, Poppi (Anna's dog), Jackson and Webb played while Paul and I went to Bible study at Mom and Dad's next door.

Finally, we are home. I just finally finished my "Monday chores" and am settling in to watch Dancing With The Stars before bedtime.

And we'll do it all over again tomorrow...

sir hampton wallace brewer

Paul and I are the proud grandparents of a 9 week old Golden Retriever. He was adopted yesterday by his daddy, Anderson, who gave him the most beautiful name: Sir Hampton Wallace Brewer. He was named Hampton because Anderson just liked the name, and we like that it sounds similar to the name of previous sweet dog, Samson. Paul, however, likes to call him "Hamp" for short. His middle name was given because Goldens originated in Scotland, and Anderson likes the movie Bravehart (which is about the heroic and tragic life of William Wallace who fought for Scotland's freedom).

Hampton is an adorable and stocky boy. His father, Rufus, weighs 110 pounds and is absolutely beautiful and playful. His mother, Katie Mae, is a sweetheart who is more average in size.

We are so happy to welcome sweet Hampton to our home. Anderson is doing well being fully responsible for his baby, and Paul and I are happy to babysit and play with our granddog whenever we can. Bennett thinks Hampton is mighty fine and loves laying on the floor beside him to give him some "sugar".

photos from Easter weekend

Easter weekend

Again, I am sorry to say that writing on facebook has stolen the time I used to spend keeping up with this blog. I am ready to reclaim this time and resume my blogging. I prefer a blog because it fulfills several purposes--keeping friends and family informed on what is going on with the Brewers, and providing a journal of sorts for us to remember events of the past.

The last few days have been eventful and fun! It was Easter weekend, and we had plenty of festivities to celebrate it all weekend long.

On Thursday, two of my very best friends since eighth grade--Kara and Kasey--came over with their children. Kara lives in Arlington, Virginia and Kasey lives about 20 minutes away from me. We had dinner together here at the house, and we "big girls" enjoyed a glass of wine while the children played out back. I love old friends--no matter how much time passes since you see one another, when you are reunited, it is as if no time has passed at all. You pick up right where you left off.

I was sorry that I neglected to take more photos of our time together. Just before Kasey left, we did manage to capture a few photos of our kids and us. Here they are:

On Friday--Good Friday--I had my first chiropractic adjustment (which I am thrilled about) at 7 am. I then came home to find out that my dear husband was giving me the day off! So, I left Bennett with him, went out for a run, showered, then went to my parents' house where Mom was hosting a luncheon for all of the girls on her side of the family. The meal was delicious, the company was so enjoyable, and the setting was beautiful. Mom is definitely a mentor to me in being the "hostess with the mostest". That evening, the boys discovered that the Easter Bunny had left their baskets filled with candy on the screened-in porch. They received way too much candy (I will be speaking to the Easter Bunny about this. I think he (she) was craving chocolate when he (she) filled the baskets.), but they were happy boys.

On Saturday, we enjoyed a lazy day at home. My nephew, Jackson, came over to play with the boys. They played Star Wars (dressed up in their various costumes with light sabers in hand to battle), and played computer games. Anderson was having seasonal allergy issues, so in spite of the lovely weather, he was unable to enjoy being outdoors for any length of time.

On Sunday, we did not attend an Easter service, but we spent the day celebrating what Jesus had done for us by giving His life in our sted, conquering death and the grave, and rising again so that we might truly live FREELY! At 11 am, my sisters joined us for an Easter lunch that was oh-so-good! Following lunch, we had an Easter egg hunt in our backyard. It was a beautiful day for it! We all had a wonderful, relaxing time together, and while we paused to ponder the gratitude we feel for all that Jesus has done for us, it was also a time for giving thanks for family and friends. We are so incredibly, lavishly, overflowingly blessed!

(More photos from this weekend to come....)