Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Snow Day- Christmas!

Brooke spent $46 on Morgan's Vera Bradley
Brittany and BrieAnna share a quick smile after receiving their North Faces'.
The lake hasn't frozen quite yet.
The first snow on Christmas since the 1800's.
Try and catch one if you can!

Christmas was very hard this year. Their was some tension and the gifts were hard to find for each kid. Brandon hardest of all! We ate our wonderful breakfast and dug into the wrapping paper. They all loved their gifts and thought it was a wonderful Christmas. North Faces were very popular this year, on almost everyone's list. Merry Christmas, and thank God it is over.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Jim and his girlfriend, Katy, Jim and Kay, and Jack and I attented the Christmas Carol yesterday. It was a very different experience this year at the wonderful FOX Theater. It always changes a bit each year, but this year it was largely different. After we went, as tradition, to the local diner about a mile close to the theater we attended. We were STUFFED when we finished. Katy & Jim dated in highschool/college for 4 years, and now since Jan has died, they reconnected on facebook and have wound up planning a "date" for the "wedding". So the kids have NEVER met Katy. They enjoyed her company and loved her dog. It was a wonderful adult night. I don't get those that often and it was great! Merry C-Mas!!!

Monday, November 22, 2010

Time, Again???

Is it Christmas time already? I hate to admit it, but I dread when this merry holiday comes around. It is VERY stressful for me. I have to make great selections for my children, keep a good budget ($$$$), decorate the house, and keep lots of things secret. So times your stress by 4 (2X4). It is difficult. Oh and lets not forget my husband, father & mother, and brother
(& his grandchildren). My kids have no idea what they want, so I made them make a Christmas List of what they want. They have to put 3 expensive items ($$$$$, again), and I will try and get them one of those items. CHOOSE WISELY. Good luck ladies!

Merry Christmas Y'all!

Saturday, October 30, 2010

SEN10R?

Let's talk about Bradley and his 6th year Sen10r-ship. Bradley has been on a rough journey for sure. He was doing sort of fine through his first 3 years of HS. Then when he became a sen10r, he was rebellious. He snuck out so we kicked him out of NCCS and took him to Sequoyah, he quit because he wasn't playing basketball, then we took him to NCCS again, and a girl framed him for writing a hate note to his first period teacher. We have looked into this many times, and everything leads to Bradley, even though he didn't do it. We love Bradley with all of our hearts and long for him to be very successful in his life. He is a wonderful guy, full of a crazy personality, and a kind heart. He plans to go to Gordon Junior College on a basketball scholarship. Then transfer to Kennesaw State.
We love you Bradley,
Mom & Dad

Now Brandon. He is such a special guy! He has done very well all of his years of HS. There have been a few bumps in the road, like cheating, which he still denies to this day. Overall, he has a very kind and quiet spirit. He loves his entire family, and we love him. Brandon is also very open to talking to his brothers & sisters, not to his parents. Which is a failure in Brandon and ours' responsibility of communication. The girl that Brandon gets, will have to fight to maintain a relationship with him, but will be happy she has this great guy in the end of the day. We love you with all of our hearts, Brandon. This DUKE lover, plans to go to somewhere where he can play his favorite sport and his focus, basketball. His top choice is Kennesaw State, but we are still looking at other colleges.

Love- Mommy and Daddy






Thursday, October 28, 2010

The Great Smokies 2010 Cont.

The family finally reunited at the MTNS.!

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Mountains 2010

Heading to the mountains today! Will add new pictures to this post when we come back! We are going to miss you Hannah, and Anna! Love you all!

Saturday, October 16, 2010

IMPORTANT

So MY BLOG, IN HER SHOES WAS MESSING UP LIKE CRAZY, SO I HAVE A NEW BLOG, THE URL IS: http://brookesthoughts101.blogspot.com/

Monday, October 11, 2010

Benjamin's Favorite Activity

I have noticed lately, that Benny-Boy likes to watch Iron Man 2, over and over again. He is too cute for me to stop him though??!!!! Whenever he talks to us he always talks about Iron Man. Smiles all around :)

There he goes!

Well its a busy week, here at the Hereth Bee Hive, Bekah and Blake are home and we are excited. Senior Night and so many more activities! Audios, as been would say. :D



Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Things I'm Loving Lately

Diet Mountain Dew
It is so refreshing, and not as exspensive as other Pepsi/Coca~Cola Products!
100 GRAND Candy Bar
It is so sweet and tastes like your eating just a regular DELICIOUS chocolate bar, but your only eating 170 calories, compared to Hershey's 210 calorie bar. Its not that much of a difference, but I personally like this candy bar better.....and its healthier.
The Fall!!!
I love how beautiful and perfectly cool its becoming outside. I JUST LOVE IT!!!
Roger and Gail Blair
My bestfriend is finally back from Belize for a whole month. She is staying in Gainesville, but we made a deal to see eachother twice a week! I am so excited. I love her so much!
Family Dinners
We are getting around to having family dinners again. It's so exciting. We have been so busy the past few years that it has been difficult to put a meal on the table. But kids are leaving their "activities" and coming home to have dinner!
I think most mothers can understand why these things are the best things in the world, and why they are
The Things I'm Loving Lately

happy brithday mommy!

Blake

Dear Mom,

Thanks so much for everything you do!

Brett

Mother Mom,

You ARE THE BEST FREAKIN' PERSON EVER!

Bradley

I just love you.

Brandon

Happy B-day Mommio! Love you.

Brittany

Dear Mommy Dearest(:

Your the greatest mother in the world! Thank you for everything you do, starting at the determination for us to driving across the planet. You are such an amazing role model and friend. Thank you and I LOVE YOU!

BrieAnna

LOVE YOU TO DEATHHHHHH :D

Brooke

Mother Bee,

Thank you for all you do and the encouragement you give us. Hope you have a wonderful weekend in NY!!! Jealoussss. (;

Benjamin (typed by Brooke of course ;) )

I wuvvv you mommy. You are da bestttt.

Jack

Your the love of my life. I love you Dawn and have enjoyed every minute of the 26 years we have spent together. Hopefully there will be many more the same!

nope.


sooo my mom doesnt let us do halloween because its "satan's holiday" and it reallly sucksss. but here is a pic of our zombie fammmm. if you look closely you can see that our faces are green....like a zombie(:

Monday, September 27, 2010

First Year!


It's officialy been a year since we have moved into our new home!
(the photo was VERY difficult to take)

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Tailgate Time!


Steak Fajita Chili


Ingredients
1 1/4 cups canola oil
2 pounds boneless beef short ribs
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
10 cups low-sodium beef broth
1 small onion, finely diced
1 red or green bell pepper, chopped
1 1/2 tablespoons ground cumin
2 tablespoons hot chili powder
1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 15-ounce can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
Guacamole, sour cream, taco-blend cheese and fried tortilla strips, for garnish
Directions
Heat 1/4 cup canola oil in a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season the short ribs with salt and pepper and sear until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer the meat to another large pot (set the first pot aside) and add the broth. Cover and cook until tender, about 1 hour 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, heat the remaining 1 cup oil in the reserved pot over medium heat. Add the onion, bell pepper, cumin, chili powder, oregano, flour, 1 tablespoon pepper, and salt to taste. Cook, stirring, until the flour is smooth, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside until the meat is done.
Transfer the short ribs to a cutting board; cover the broth and set aside. Let the meat cool slightly, then cut into chunks. Place the pot with the vegetables over medium-high heat. Slowly add the warm broth and whisk until smooth. Stir in the chopped short ribs and the beans, bring to a simmer and cook until thickened, about 15 minutes. Ladle into bowls and garnish with guacamole, sour cream, cheese and fried tortilla strips, for a little extra crunch.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Released.


Jack was released yesterday at 1:22 p.m. He has no diagnosis, but is feeling better and having barely and diarrhea. Just keep praying guys! Thanks.

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Jack Update


Jack is in the hospital, again. God bless his soul :)

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Recipe!


Banana Chocolate Marble Bread



Ingredients

Unsalted butter for pan
1 1/2 cups plus 2 tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour plus more for pan
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
2 large eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups coarsely mashed very ripe bananas (3 large)
2 tablespoons sour cream
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup Dutch process cocoa powder
1/4 cup boiling water



Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in middle. Generously butter a (9- by 5- by 3-inch) metal loaf pan, then dust with flour, knocking out excess.
In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt.
In bowl of electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat sugar and eggs on medium-high speed until very thick and pale, about 10 minutes. Reduce speed to low and add oil in a slow stream, mixing until incorporated, then mix in bananas, sour cream, and vanilla. Remove bowl from mixer and fold in flour mixture.
Transfer one-third of the batter to a medium bowl; set aside. Spoon the remaining batter into prepared pan.
In a small bowl, whisk together cocoa powder and the boiling water until smooth; stir cocoa mixture into reserved batter until well combined. Spoon chocolate batter over batter in pan to cover, then, to create marbling, run a table knife through the batters in a swirling motion, swirling batter from underneath to top and vice versa (do not over-swirl or the batters will combine and you won’t see the marbling pattern). Bake for 50 minutes, then tent loaf with foil and continue to bake until a wooden pick or skewer comes out clean, 15 to 25 minutes more.
Cool loaf in pan on wire rack for 10 minutes, then turn out onto rack. Turn loaf right side up and cool complete


Enjoy guys!

Saturday, September 4, 2010


so... you guys haven't been checking out our
blog. like what the heck guys? : ) just
kidding! just follow us NOW! thankssss.

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

US Open


It is difficult to accomplish anything around here due to the US Open being on. Brittany is obsessed with tennis and Nadal, and Brooke is just plain obsessed with Andy Roddick.

Good luck to them both! Have a great week guys,

Momma Bear

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Reno


Hello from Reno, NV. I am here for Brittany's 2nd Nationals, they won the pick for the 15's team that gets to go to the BIG Nationals. Once I get back from Nevada, I will post the results for you guys! Sorry I haven't been making lots of posts lately, our summer has been very hectic. I promise that in the month of July, I will post as much as I possibly can about our life.
Thanks, Dawn.

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

I Apoligize

In Orlando, Florida for Brittany's volleyball tournament (Nationals baby!!) and I'm sorry I haven't been able to keep up with this whole Blogger thing, Brooke has been having to write posts for me! If you want to keep up with us for the next 2 weeks, just go to Brooke's Blog, brookesthoughts17.blogspot.com, She will take CARE of EVERYTHING! Don't not keep checking our blog though, you might not know when a post from me or the kids pops up! Thanks for your understanding,

Dawn (the mother of this household)

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Three Musketeers


Our girls have started their first blog, together. They call it The Three Musketeers. The Blog URL is: http://thethreemusketeersisters.blogspot.com!

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Preacious Addition


Graham Charles Parnell 4-20-2010 7 lbs. 13 oz. 19.25 inches


Graham Charles Parnell was born unto Brent and Merritt Parnell.

His siblings consist of Avery Brooke Parnell and Griffin Parnell.

Welcome to the McBrayer Family Graham!!

Congrats Merritt on finally getting an epidural.

Sorry this is late!

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Washington D.C.

Today Brittany (5th child) came home from her 9th/8th grade trip to Washington D.C., our countries capital. We had to go pick her up from The King's Academy this morning at 6 o'clock. That adds up to....well, about we had to wake up at 4:30, allowing us forty-five minutes to prepare our selves. Picture courtesy of Brittany Elizabeth Hereth (taken May 22nd, 2010)
Brittany had a blast! She woke up at 5 o'clock every morning, left at six-thirty, and walked around or drove around all day! Her roomates consisted of Alexsandra Sanders, Elizabeth Pratt, and Rachel Crowell. She was so wiped out this morning, she went STRAIGHT to bed, was OUT, and we headed off to church. The girls went to St. Michaels Catholic Church, new experience. BrieAnna beleives that ONLY THE BAPTIST CHURCH IS RIGHT. I beg to differ. Lets not make this post about religion now! Anyway, Britt Snit had so much fun!

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Crafty Course???

Our family has been doing many crafts lately! It gives us something to do with our lives!Brooke proudly shows off her artwork!
Brooke's finished project!

How to Make This Project
You need:
Pink and green butterfly shaped soft cardboard
Assorted miniture fur balls
Yard
Pipe Cleaners
Hot Glue Gun
2 Googly Eyes

Instuctions:

Cut the two pink and green butterflys in half. Hot glue one half of the pink cardboard and half of the green cardboard together. Cut half of a pipe cleaner off, then cut that half in half. Hot glue the pipe cleaners on the top of the cardboard. Below the pipe cleaner, hot glue googly eyes. Below the googly guys cut some yarn and form it into smiley lips and hot glue it down. Hot glue assorted colors of fur balls around the rest of the butterfly.


Six Flags Over Georgia

To hear about our adventure at Six Flags go to either of these sights:

http://christmas12-brie.blogspot.com/2010/05/six-flags.html

OR

http://brookesthoughts17.blogspot.com/2010/05/homeschool-hangout-day.html

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Cedarville Trip

To hear about our Cedarville Trip go to: http://brookesthoughts17.blogspot.com/2010/04/late-as-ever.html! Thanks and have a good week!

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Leeland June McBrayer



Another girl has been born unto the McBrayer family of Garrett and Crystal McBrayer.

Leeland June McBrayer was born Monday night.


This baby girl was born unto Greenly Magnolia McBrayer as a sister.


May God be with her and help her make the right decisions through her life.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Volleyball Season!


Its that wonderful time for Volleyball Season again! My girls are just thrilled that the miserable Winter is over and now the Summer is here and all of the Volleyball tryouts/open-gyms/etc! I am running the Crown Athletics Volleyball and Basketball Program for HS and MS this year! I am really dreading the awful compliants of "these wonderful parents", if you know what I mean. Well wish us luck! The website for Crown Athletics is: http://crown-athletics.org! Bye!

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Happy Birthday!


This Thursday, is Brittany's Birthday!!!!! We have absolutely NOTHING planned. She is turning 15!!!!!!!!! Next year is her Sweet Sixteen, which is extremly weird. I think we may go to the mall or do some fun activity. We are celebrating her birthday Sunday night. Be sure and call her on Thursday to wish her a happy birthday! Thanks, her phone number is: #404-909-6940! Give her a call, she will greatly appreciate it. Click on the link below and read it! Its pretty cool!


Saturday, March 13, 2010

Nationals

Nationals is here! We are preparing by many trips to the grocery store and the laundry room! I hope our boys ! Wish us luck! Jack is driving 11 insane boys all the way to Springfield, Missouri!



Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Obsessions

Food is main obsession.
OH! Ipods! Insane obsession.

My family has lots of obsessions but here are just a few. DO YOU HAVE THESE OBSESSIONS?

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Packing!

This weekend we are skipping school to accompany Brittany on her long trip to Louisville KY for her volleyball tournament. We are riding the "bus" with her and it is so cool! Today we have accomplished nada school work! Just been packing and enjoying "free" family time! Wish us luck!


Friday, February 12, 2010

Lil' Sibs Weekend


Right now Brooke and I (Dawn) are enjoying a wonderful and snowy trip to Ohio for some lil' sib activites. We have already burried ourselves in the snow outside of our wonderful hotel, The Hearthstone Inn. Right now we are keeping ourselves warm in Cedarvilles Department of Biblical and Theological Studies. We have gone to 2 of Blake's classes, Metaphysics (3 and half stars) and Social Pyschology (five stars and plus if that was possible!). Today we have planned to go ice skating, injoy many inside activities such as playing Wii, and doing late night bowling. Tomorrows activities are first we do a rock climbing wall, and the girls+boys basketball game. The boys basketball game requires you to wear a white shirt, its White Out Night! Will post about the rest on Monday or Tuesday afternoon! Bye and wish us luck in this crazy snow!!!!!!

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Another Dude With Glasses

Benjamin just got his glasses for $350 at Thomas Eye Group. They are fitted to him, and he look so smart! He is just too cute! Here are a few pictures of the new him!!!!!!!!









Reading

Benjamin, kind of reading :D
Brooke's TURN!!!

HE IS TOO CUTE!!!!!!!


Lately, Brooke has been reading to Benjamin quite often. They read all kinds of books, Ben's favorite, We're Going On A Bear Hunt! Anyway it was quite touching, and nice??? Here are a few pictures; as you see above!