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Wednesday, January 28, 2009

My Father in Law, My Hero

Hello All! I have been wanting to post this for quite some time, but I wanted a free moment to compose my thoughts on this before sharing it on our blog. My father in law is my hero! He is a man of many talents, he can read to grandchildren with a comforting Texas drawl, he can redirect an argumentative four year old, he has raised four wonderful children, he has been married for 43 years, he is a talented musician and a gifted author. He has accomplished something I only dream of. He has written two Historical Fiction novels. Both novels are based on the life of the first Briden descendant to come to America from Germany. The novels chronicle the events of Henry (Heinrich) Briden as he leaves Germany the only home he has ever known. I would highly recommend reading these books as they are extremely well written and researched. I have so enjoyed the history of Texas and her people, immigrants from many lands. I am so proud of my father in law, he is amazingly gifted!!! Dad Briden, what can I say you are the best! You will always have my respect and love : ) If you would like information on ordering this series written by Kenneth J. Briden, please email him at kenandvera2@msn.com
Blessings to you all~Crystal






















Wednesday, January 21, 2009

K-ZOO

Hello All! This past weekend we had a GREAT time visiting Uncle Rick and Aunt Kristin in Kalamazoo, Michigan. We were so thrilled to get o spend time with these two. They were wonderful hosts! They opened up there newly renovated home to our family of seven. Kelly jokes that they wanted to see if all the work they had done to their house would hold up to many young children. Well they did quality work, it all held together, I think : ) We went sledding with them and ice skating at a small little community rink. We also visited their church home and went out to eat a fun coffee house in downtown K-Zoo. While we had brunch we enjoyed listening to a Bluegrass band. I love Bluegrass!!! The kids and I even got up and danced : ) Thank you Uncle Rick and Aunt Kristin, you were so gracious to us!!! We love you so much~!!!!!!!!!! The Bunch













Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Happy Birthday Timmy!!



Hello All! First let me say, Happy 2nd Birthday to Timothy!!!! We don't know for sure when he was born. In Uganda ,as in most of the rest of the world, most people don't know there birthday. This is his day now and we will embrace it! Timmy, you are a special little guy and we praise God for adding you to our family!! We are excited to see how you change this next year. You are a true blessing and our son that grew in our hearts. We love you so much and we hope you have a great Birthday : )

If you have followed my blog for long you will know I did not vote for our new President Obama. I disagree with him on many large issues. One of the largest is the issue of LIFE, I am a committed Pro-Life supporter. I believe a society is defined by how it treats it's weakest and "unvalued". But, I digress. This post is about positive changes and exciting times! Today as I snuggled my oldest son, Luke, and watched our amazing Democracy peacefully change leaders I was brought to tears. Luke was watching with me and of course he cannot totally understand the magnitude of what occured by President Obama taking office. He said without any prompting "Mommy, he is brown like me and has black hair like me." I said "Yes, Luke he is brown like you and he is our new President, Barack Obama." Next was the line that made me cry, "Mommy, I want to be Barack Obama" He stated enthusiastically. I said through tear filled eyes, "You can't be him Luke, but you get to be Luke Briden and you can be the BEST Luke Briden ever made! You can do anything God calls you to do Luke!" Then in his sweet quiet Lukey way he said, "I will , Mom" I know for my son, Luke, he cannot be President of this great land. He was born in Liberia, so as our laws are currently he could never even run for the Presidency of The United States. This is a day though for both my sons to reflect on as they learn and understand the history of our nation. I am thrilled that our country has come to this point in history. We will be praying for the Obama's and this great nation God has blessed us with. I am so glad my sons look nothing like me, I am so glad God has blessed me with a peek into other racial perspectives and I am thrilled today that Luke can be who God calls him to be. Who knows he could be Secretary of State someday. He would be a good Diplomat. He is gentle and loving with his siblings. Maybe though, he and Faith should not work together in Adulthood: ) They are sort of like Oil and Water, they don't mix!!!

May God continue to bless our country and may his will be done in President Obama! Love, Crystal

Monday, January 19, 2009

One of my Favorite things.......


Hello All! I am posting this afternoon about one of my favorite things. I bought a bunch of these wristlet keychains at Christmas time to give as gifts. I of course had to keep one for myself : ) I LOVE IT!!!! With two little ones, three a little bit bigger ones and many bags/ accessories to carry to and from locations this is a must for me!!!!!!!! You put it on your key chain and use it by sliding it on your wrist like a bracelet. That way both hand's are free, but you don't lose the keys at the bottom of a huge diaper bag . This is a must have for any women who wants to keep her keys close at hand. Right now the women I bought them from at "Sweet Irie" is having a giveaway on February 2nd, 2009. Swing by and check it out if you have time. Thanks to you Michele, I am not losing my keys and feel a little bit more together. This is a favorite of mine for sure!!!!!!! Crystal
Sweet Irie Originals Blog

Friday, January 16, 2009

Ringing in the New Year, 2009!!!!!!

Hello All! I know that I have been behind on my blogging, sorry! I try to keep our blog as current as I can. I love to blog, but it can be a challenge when Hope keeps trying to punch the keys on my laptop as I am typing : ) Here is our "Bunch" from New Year's Eve. The kids wanted to dress up for our party to ring in 2009. All the outfits are outfits they wear commonly to play dress up in. Luke and Timmy's suits are from a friend at Kelly's clinic, thanks to Pam !!!! We had a great party and enjoyed talking about 2008 an all the exciting times for our family. Two of the "Big Three" (Grace, Faith and Luke are the Big Three) even made it up to bang pots and pans at midnight. We added two children in a year as Hope was born on November 30th, 2007 and Timmy's gotcha day was September 7th, 2008. WOW, God is good!!!!!! Look at this bunch, we are loving ever minute of it : ) I am in awe of how only God can add children to a family. Happy New Year to you all! May you have health and safety in 2009. Love, Crystal











































Thursday, January 8, 2009

Africa Mercy


Hello All!!! Today I am excited to report that our friends, Tim and Hannah, are officially full time missionaries. They just recently arrived on the 'Africa Mercy', Mercy Ships largest and only hospital ship. Please pray for them as they will be serving the Lord in West Africa for two years!!!!! I couldn't be more thrilled for them today. I am so glad we met them in Texas in August of 2007 at Mercy Ships International Operations Center. God is so amazing to bring people together in what we could have thought was a "random" meeting. Nothing is a coincidence with our God. They are the kind of friends that bless everyone just with their presence : ) We love you guys and we are praying for you!!!! Praising Him for you both~ Crystal and The Bunch