14 years

Yesterday was our anniversary.  14 years and 4.5 kids later, my wife is hotter than ever!

Happy Anniversary!

Brian

altogether now! “Friends are friends forever…”

Sonya and Monica met 18 years ago.  They were rebellious.  One of them was not a Christian.  Now, 18 years and 7.5 children later, they both love and serve the Lord, stay in touch, and even their children have grown to love each other.  Even though they live 5 hours apart.  Maybe Michael W. Smith was right.

God is good.

Brian

our first abode

After church yesterday, Sonya and I drove by our first apartment.

A one-room, garage apartment behind Ms. Eddie’s house.  Lot’s of memories there.  Can you believe that we had a queen-sized bed, armoire, love seat, t.v., dinner table, chest-of-drawers and piano in that place?  It was $150/month including gas and water.  I wish our living expenses were like that now.

Here’s the most interesting thing about this area of Chickasaw.  What do you think this is?

A sidewalk?  Maybe.  A backyard?  All good guesses, but this is 4th Street.  Yes, it is a street.  And all the houses on 4th Street face this sidewalk, I mean street.  They access their houses by the ally ways behind them.  Crazy new idea 60 years ago that didn’t really catch on.

Nostalgia.  Memories.

Brian

morning surprise

We awoke this morning to a little surprise.

Emma had her aunt Cyndy cut her hair to shoulder length!  She’s been wanting to do that for several years but I just couldn’t imagine her without her hair down her back.  Well, this was the best way for it to happen.  I was a little shocked at first, but it is beautiful.  My girl is beautiful.

Then, Sonya and I had a little “worship date” at First Baptist North Mobile.  It was a little homecoming and worship all in one.  Great worship and reconnecting with friends.  Great day.

Brian

our Christmas

I edited a nice movie with pictures and video from our entire Christmas season.  For some reason it won’t load to You Tube.  So…here are some highlights:

Christmas morning at the Crisman house…

Kate singing Jingle Bells with her new keyboard and mic…

It was a great day.  If I get the entire video up I’ll post it later.

Brian

an old standard//remixed

 wish you a Merry Christmas.

 wish you a Merry Christmas.

 wish you a Merry Christmas

and a Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas from the Crisman family.

Brian

making stuff for Christmas

I must say, yesterday was one of the best days we’ve had in the Crisman family.  Yesterday afternoon Victoria, Emma and I made these cookies.

They are Ghirardelli 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies.  And they are delicious, even if I do say so myself! Have I ever told you that I like chocolate?

Then we all decorated a gingerbread house.  The secret to having fun with a gingerbread house is not to stress over the mess.

We finished the night by riding around looking at Christmas lights in our pajamas.  Great day.  Can’t wait for tomorrow.

Merry Christmas!

Brian

the curious case of Kate Crisman

I’m sure she has multiple personality disorder.  But so do most two-year olds.  Here she is singing Jingle Bells (sorry for the soft audio):

And here she is throwing a tantrum in the car.  This tantrum, now at a low point, lasted from Birmingham to Prattville (45 minutes).  Nice.

Keepin’ it real.

Merry Christmas!

Brian

as promised…

pictures of the sweets from Saturday.

Lot’s of homemade chocolate treats.  But the best was yet to come.

This is a chocolate pie my mom made.  It was like dark, rich fudge covered in homemade chocolate whipped cream, sprinkled with chocolate shavings.  I was in chocolate heaven.  It was the richest dessert I’ve eaten in years and it was incredible.  I like chocolate.

Good day.

It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas – around my waist!

Brian

it’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas

We have had something everyday for the last three weeks.  It’s Christmastime again.  I can’t wait for Christmas Day, for many reasons.  One of them is that I am off for the next week.  We finally stop moving, doing, going.  We just stop.  My mind needs it.

Today, we are off to Prattville (Emma likes to call it “Crapville,” even though we aren’t supposed to say that word) for my mother’s side of the family Christmas.  My uncle’s wife makes all kinds of chocolate candies.  I will take a picture for you.  Right before I eat one.  Two.  Three.  Many.

I anticipate there will be lots of people asking us if we know what causes kids.  I have a good answer for that one.

Brian