test

i am typing this on my new ipod touch!!!

New pictures

We posted some new pictures in our Web Album. You'll have to go see them here.

Here is my favorite:

How Ironic

Roofing Billionaire Dies After Falling Through Roof at His Home

The 91st richest man in the United States, a roofing company billionaire, died after falling through his garage's roof, local authorities said Friday.

Ken Hendricks, 66, was checking on construction of the roof at his home Thursday night when he fell through, Rock County Sheriff's Department commander Troy Knudson said. He suffered massive head injuries, according to his company, ABC Supply Co.

Hendricks was pronounced dead at an Illinois hospital early Friday morning, Winnebago County coroner Sue Fiduccia said. An autopsy is planned for Friday.

Hendricks was the founder, chairman and chief executive officer of his company, the self-described largest wholesale distributor of roofing in the U.S. The company does about $3 billion (euro2 billion) in business a year.

Hendricks had a net worth of $3.5 billion (euro2 billion) in September, according to Forbes magazine. That made him the 91st richest person in the U.S., according to the magazine's ranking of American billionaires.

But he seemed unfazed by his wealth.

"It doesn't make any difference to me; I can't spend it," Hendricks said in an interview with Inc.com in September 2006. "I'd have to sell the company, and I'll sell the company over my dead body."

Hendricks, the son of a roofer, worked side-by-side with his father growing up. A high school dropout, he started his own roofing business at age 21, according to his biography on ABC Supply's Web site.

Tired of having to deal with multiple suppliers scattered around the country, he and his wife, Diane, started a national supply distribution chain in 1982.

The company celebrated its 25th anniversary this year, with 6,000 employees in 390 locations nationwide.

"This is an enormous tragedy and a great loss to the family, associates and the community," ABC Supply said in a statement.

The couple had seven children, according to their biographies.

Oh Noes it's Santa!!

Bryan's first Santa encounter went less than well. But it sure made a funny picture! He's going to enjoy this one in about 15 years.

See more pictures here.

Eating and a Concert

Here are a couple of pictures of our kiddos eating lunch and watching Blue's Clues at Granna and Papaw's house! :)

Mary Lynn and I (and babies) went to Phenix City this weekend and had a great time! Friday night we went to see Jake Owen, Little Big Town, and Sugarland in concert. It was AWESOME! I recommend seeing them if they are ever near your town. Jennifer Nettles is very entertaining!!! They put on a terrific show. I'll leave you with a video of Sugarland singing at the CMA's this year.

Oops

Our apologies to anyone who tried to get to our website today and saw a generic Network Solutions page. That's my bad. I was supposed to renew our domain name and forgot, so it technically expired today. All should be well for at least another year now.

Check Up

Bryan went to the doctor today for his 15 month check-up. He is doing great and is where he should be developmentally. He's now 26 pounds and 32 inches :) What a big boy!

What's in a Name?

This website has had a decided lack of geek lately, so I'm here to remedy that situation!

My elf name is Aranel Sáralondë

My hobbitt name is Wilibald Burrows

My ninja name is Makoto the Black Ninja

My pirate name is Mad Blackbeard

What are your names?

Bryan's Silly Face

Soup-Tacular

BooMama is hosting a Soup-Tacular today. If you visit her site you can find links to everyone participating and get all kinds of recipes for soup. You can also participate. Go to her site and sign up (if you want) and then post a recipe (or recipes) on your site.

Here is my favorite Paula Deen recipe for soup and it is delicious!

Potato Soup with Shrimp

1/2 stick butter
1 small onion, diced
2 medium carrots, diced about the same size as the onion
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
8 medium russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
4 cups milk, whole, reduced fat (2 percent) or low fat (1 percent)
2 chicken bouillon cubes, dissolved in 1/2 cup hot milk
1 cup half-and-half
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 cups salted water
1 pound medium shrimp
Crumbled bacon bits, for garnish
Grated sharp Cheddar, for garnish

In a 4-quart saucepan, melt the butter and saute the onion and carrots until both are slightly tender, about 5 minutes. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Add the potatoes, milk, and dissolved bouillon cubes. Cook over medium heat for 15 minutes, until the potatoes are very soft and some of them have begun to dissolve into mush. Add the half-and-half, salt, and pepper.

In a small saucepan, bring 2 cups lightly salted water to a boil. Add the shrimp all at once and stir well. Watch the shrimp closely; as soon as they all turn pink, about 2 to 3 minutes, turn off the heat and drain. The shrimp should be slightly undercooked. When they are cool, peel them, and chop roughly into big chunks. Add the shrimp to the soup and stir well. Serve soup sprinkled with bacon bits and grated cheese. Garnish with dill sprigs, if desired.

Cook's Note: If you don't have access to shrimp, use corn.

Jamie's Note: I have never used shrimp or corn in this recipe and it's just fabulous!

Get this book!

Same Kind of Different as Me written by Ron Hall and Denver Moore is awesome! It is a true story written in first person. Ron and Denver are not authors, so it probably won't be the best written book you've ever read, BUT it is a story with Jesus all over it! I believe these two men, and the gutsy woman, are walking testimonies of the power of Christ living in us when we humble ourselves and are obedient to Him. I had no idea what the book was going to be about and I think that made it more exciting for me. That's why I'm not going to tell you anything else! :)

So, go now! Find the book! Or maybe ask for it for Christmas! After you read it, or if you have already, please leave us a comment about what you thought!

**Note**I'm sure you can find it at the library. If you go to Books-a-Million it's in the inspirational section and not the Christian section. (kinda sad, really!) Lifeway does not carry this book. (even sadder!) I ordered mine from Amazon for quite a bit cheaper than the stores have it for. Right now the book is only available in hardback, but it is soon to be out in paperback. There is also a movie in the works. I have 1 copy if you want to wait in line to borrow it. :) Just let me know! You may want to add this one to your personal library though! ****

The BCS is Broken

I'm so ticked about the BCS system right now. Yes I believe LSU deserves to play for the title. They should be playing Oklahoma though. Ohio State benefits from a creampuff schedule and no conference championship game. Why oh why can't we do an 8 team playoff system? Here's how it should be going down this year:

Cotton Bowl: Kansas (8) vs Ohio State (1)
Sugar Bowl: USC (7) vs LSU (2)
Orange Bowl: Missouri (6) vs Virginia Tech (3)
Gator Bowl: Georgia (5) vs Oklahoma (4)

Rose Bowl: Cotton vs Sugar Winners
Fiesta Bowl: Orange vs Gator Winners

True Championship: Rose vs Fiesta Winners

The regular season still counts because you have to do well enough to get into the top 8. The Bowls are still played and would generate even more attention because of the playoff system. For example, LSU and USC fans would be watching the Ohio State Kansas game much closer because that's who they might play in the Rose Bowl next week. With this system we'd get a true national chamption. Please NCAA, make it so!

Sliding = Fun!

Play Time!