Sorry I fell off the face of the earth!

The last few weeks have proven to be a busy ones in the Braun Household. I quit my job on Dec. 14th to start my new job as a stay at home mommy early!!! We decided to have me home for about 7 weeks before the little one's arrival so I can prepare for Christmas, for him to actually come, and just for me to have some "me time". So in that first week I have found myself pretty busy! I have been babysitting for a families during the week and have made some extra cash, which is very nice. We had a baking day with Audra, Sherry and the girls. I got to go grocery shopping during the day-which is so cool! I usually am doing that at night after a long day at work, or on the weekends. Joe and I have had great family time that hasn't felt rushed, which I LOVE! With that though Joe's morning routine has gone down the pooper because we find ourselves sleeping in more and harder to get out of bed. All and all I am enjoying this new life.

We also bought a new car!!! Hallelujah! We got a brand new 2008 Toyota Matrix. It's a very nice and will be a great family car- with plenty of room for Charlie in the very back. We got an excellent deal, and I am very proud of how it all work out. Buying cars are stressful times. I hate car salesmen!

Anyway, that's about all that's going on. I am having our very good friends The Scott's and Hazelton's over for a Christmas dinner tonight because they are all leaving out of town Sunday after church. So I have a lot to do today to prepare, but I am looking forward to it. I love hosting at my house and especially at Christmas time. We will have apple cinnamon candles burring, we will eat a yummy meal, have pumpkin pie for dessert, and drink egg nog (yuck-at Joe's request) and apple cider. It should be a good time. On the other hand I am trying not to think about how this is going to be my first Christmas without my family...which is soooo sad. I am really bummed about that, but we all know we would be together if I wasn't pregnant-or at least this far along in the pregnancy. I can't travel at this point, and they are all coming when the baby is born. It is still hard though. We will get through this...Joe and I will be just fine!

Hope ya'll are enjoying this Christmas season and remembering our Lord and Savior's Birthday!

Join Our World

Here is the 5 minute snippet of Joe's 16 hour video taken on his trip to Africa. The images and stories you see in just this little bit hopefully grabs at your heart as it does to mine every time I watch it.



"Shot in November, 2007 over the course of 2 1/2 weeks in Kenya, this video is just a short overview of some of the stuff that I experienced. We came across leprosy, unexplained blindness, extreme poverty and everything else that you might expect to see in Africa. However, the amazing culture, the love of the people, the beautiful countryside make Kenya one of my favorite countries that I've ever experienced." - Joe

Fun times with my girls!

Last Sunday my small group all tried to make it to one of our own's cookie exchange party. So we all met up at Jeanne's house and ate, ate, ate! There were so many cookies, appetizers, and people! I have to give Jeanne a pat on the back and some encouragement. She is so good at getting to know her neighbors and friends at work. Her house was full of them. More then anything she is wonderful about sharing Jesus with these people in her life. These things are things I want to work on: getting to know my neighbors, and sharing Jesus with them. You inspire me my friend, keep it up!

Anywho, here are some pics of us girls, (left to right: April, Me, Mitzi, Jeanne) those who could make it anyway, and the cookies!!! Yum yum!

Belly Pics!

Here's some belly pics for my mom...

Great weekend!

My Aunt Leslie flew into Atlanta to stay the night with me on Friday. Her and my Uncle James are looking at some property to purchase in the Greenville area in South Carolina. So she decided to stay with me that night while Uncle James had meetings to attend Friday and Saturday morning. We had so much fun! We talked and talked and talked, just like we always do and before we knew it, it was almost 3AM and we were finally tired! When we woke up Saturday morning we drank coffee and tea and got ready to meet Uncle James for an Early lunch. It was so good to see them and catch up. We haven't seen them in a long while and I miss them dearly.

Saturday after lunch Joe and I started putting the baby's room together! It was so fun and reality set in. I only have 10 weeks until my due date and I know it will fly by with the holidays etc. We got the crib and the rocker set up and put into places where we wanted them. We still need to pick up the changing table and put that together, and that should happen in the next few weeks. Here are some pics of what we have set up so far. I will post another entry when the room is complete...bedding and all! We had some good friends, The Overly's, come over for dinner that night. They are awesome and have tweo twin boys who are 4 years old. They crack me up and we just love their little family!

Sunday was a day of much needed rest. We went to church and them came home and slept for almost 3 hours! All and all it was a great weekend.