We are back!

I NEED A SCHEDULE. Why, you ask?

Because I'm done:

Running around the house like a crazy woman in the morning.

Having quiet time on the drive between the gym and home in the a.m.

Reading my daily devo on my iPhone in the car while driving.

Doing legal research for whatever problems have appeared with my cases on my iPhone.

Buying all Christmas, Birthday on my iPhone in the car. (Can you tell the iPhone is a problem.)

Texting FBI/DEA/Secret Service/ICE/OPD/MPD agents while cooking dinner/breakfast.

Poor Opie

Sunday, May 17th, was a day full of scary fears and many prayerful tears. The day before we had left Brady with Cody's mom and dad in Levelland for the evening so that we could bring back the last few things to Midland. We decided to spend the night in Midland, child-less, and drive back the next morning and pick him up. As we were leaving our condo Cody and I were chatting about the day ahead when a Chevy Tahoe ran a red light. I was driving and only had time to say "Oh my God" and slam on the brakes. I never actually knew what it meant when you "T-bone" someone, but now I do. Luckily everyone walked away with only a few injuries. I have been very sore and am pretty sure my knee that I've already had surgery on three times is going to need surgery again, but I am okay.

About five minutes after the accident I became almost hysterical. It hit me that Cody and I were in the car together. At first (and I still am) so thankful that my Brady-bug wasn't with us, but then I went down that horrible path of what ifs. What if Cody or I would have died or been seriously injuried? What if Cody and I both would have been? Who would have raised Brady? Would Brady ever know how much his mommy and daddy loved him and how much they prayed for him while he was in his mommy's tummy? And then as if God knew (oh, because he DID KNOW) that satan himself was using this opportunity to creep in my mind, I felt HIS warm hands on my shoulders right there in the middle of the intersection telling me that if any of those What ifs would have happened Brady would have known that his mommy and daddy loved the Lord. Brady would have known, because his parents KNOW God's love. That at even two years old, Brady knows his mommy and daddy love him and that friends and family would have never let that wash away with the years. I began crying, not in hysterics, but in a peacefuly loving way because my heavenly Father knew I needed His love at that very second in the intersection of Wadley and Midkiff in Midland, Texas. Don't get me wrong, I am SOOOOO thankful that the what ifs didn't happen, but I am also thankful that Cody and I have publicly professed our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and that should something happen, Brady will know where his mommy and daddy went.

For those of you who don't know, we name our vehicles. Cody's red truck was named Opie and the only paid off vehicle we owned! Now it is the truck graveyard a.k.a. tow yard waiting for a determination from the insurance company.

Brandi

P.S. Haylee P. this is why we didn't make it by Sunday. I needed just to hug my baby and sit still.

Going Green!

The Youngs are going green! Okay, before you die laughing let me clarify a little bit. A co-worker of mine has been on a kick to get our office to start recycling. Let me tell you folks, our office kills a TON of trees, so she definately has a point. SO, a couple of weeks ago I started a paper box and a plastic box in my office. It is amazing to see how much just I seem to consume in resources. All of this to say, then I really started thinking about how much we are consuming at home. So three labeled trash cans later, the Youngs condo is trying to go green. Brady is 100% on board (mostly because he LOVES to throw trash away) and Cody is tolerating the change. I know it is not much, but hey everyone has to start somewhere.

It's Official

The Youngs are officially moved!! Cody, Brady, and I found out in early January that my background check was cleared and I was officially accepted as an Assistant U.S. Attorney. We've been in Midland for a little over a month now and loving it. Wilson transfered Cody to Odessa which is only 20 or so miles from Midland. Brady had to leave Nanny in Levelland, but is now a proud kiddo at Toddler Tech here in Midland. I will update as soon as I can with more details.

Amarillo

A few weeks ago we went to Amarillo for the weekend. We took Brady to the zoo and to an Amarillo Dillas baseball game. We had a great family weekend and thought we would share a few pictures with you all!

Our first stop was the Amarillo Zoo. It is a really small zoo, but just perfect for a first timer!

Brady LOVED the kangaroos!! This little guy was his favorite!

The donkeys loved Brady! Brady wasn't so sure about them at first, but then he decided they were really cool!

After the zoo (and a nap), we went to the Amarillo Dillas baseball game.

The Dillas are a semi-pro team and the game was really fun!

Future Blogger or Duck Surfer?

Brady has decided that although he hates the ducky in the bath tub, he loves it in the livingroom!

He was standing there saying "ish, ish...Momma, ish." Sometimes they are just too cute!

"I do it...I do it, Momma."

Blueberry Brady

So Brady has discovered a new passion in life....Blueberry gumballs. A local restraunt here in town has a huge gumball machine. You know, one of those that the gumball spins round and around before you finally get it at the bottom. Well, Brady Hunter, has discovered this machine and now anytime we walk in the door he heads straight for it. (Thanks daddy and paw paw!) Usually he gets his gumball, takes a few licks, and gives it back to me. Well, a few days ago he got a blue gumball for the first time. Needless to say, he liked it, ALOT.

How judgmental are you?

I have been reading http://tampabaptistchurch.blogspot.com/ daily blog on and off for some time now. I try to read it everyday b/c it is easy to understand and so often applies to something in my life. As a sit here tonight, unable to sleep, I wondered over to this blog and BAM, it was just what I needed to hear. No one likes to feel judged, but even more so, no one likes to think they are judging others, especially friends, family, spouses, etc. I struggle with this issue and at times I am way too quick to make a decision about someone or something. I often ask myself this question and so now I am asking you "How judgemental are you?"

from http://tampabaptistchurch.blogspot.com/:
Scripture Romans 14
1 Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. 2 One man's faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. 3 The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him. 4 Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.16 Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men. 19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. 21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall. 22 So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves. 23 But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.
Observation
How judgmental are you? Do you look down on some believers because they may have a practice that you think is wrong? In Paul’s day eating meat that had been sacrificed to idols was considered wrong by some Christians, but considered just fine by others. Paul didn’t have a problem with it, but if he was around some believers that did have a problem with eating this meat then Paul didn’t do it. There are some areas in the Bible that are not black and white, but are grey. For some today it may be going to a movie theater, or a dance, or playing pool, or cards, or drinking a beer or a glass of wine. Going to a movie theater is not such a big deal anymore, yet in today’s sex crazed culture it really should be and dances for the most part aren’t too big of a deal either. Drinking a beer or a glass of wine would be an issue like Paul is talking about in Romans 14. I don’t drink beer or wine and I don’t think it is a good idea for anyone to start, but if another believer drinks a beer or a glass of wine then I am not to judge him or look down on him. If he or she drinks the beer or wine in front of someone that believes this habit is wrong and offensive (maybe a recovering alcoholic) and they do it knowing that the person has an issue with the drinking of alcohol then their drinking becomes sin because they have become a stumbling block. When we served as missionaries to North Africa and had joint meetings with all the other Great Commission Christian Organizations that worked in our area we Southern Baptist were the only ones that did not drink wine with their meal. All the other Christian leaders got a good laugh at our abstinence and thought our belief about drinking wine was ridiculous, but then they didn’t live in a country or come from a country that was destroying itself on drugs and alcohol. And yes, drunkenness is a sin no matter where you live, but then so is gluttony! Somehow we in the North American church don’t see gluttony as an issue…do we!
Application
I will be concerned more about the log in my eye and less concerned about the speck in someone else’s.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we are a faultfinding people and it is so easy for us to criticize other believers. Lord, you know that I have enough defects of my own to work on that I don’t need to start pointing out everyone else’s problems. Help me to be tolerant of people in those grey areas of life. Help me not be so judgmental today. Help me to see and focus on the good things in people’s lives and not their weaknesses or their character defects.

Prayer Request

Blogger Friends,

Please lift up my dear friends, Chance and Haylee Potter. I don't know any details, but Haylee is pregnant with their third child and is being admitted to the hospital. Chance and Haylee lost Daxton, their 2nd son, during her 7th month last year. Please pray for God's loving hands to hold them as they face worry and uncertainty.

As I know more, I will update....

Brandi

Balls, Balls, Balls

Brady got a ball pit for his birthday a couple of weeks ago. We set it up at his party, but he really didn't want anything to do with it. (Mostly because he had a whole gym to run around in with his friends.) After the birthday weekend we set the ball pit up in the living room. Now he can get in and out on his own and HE LOVES IT!! Here are a few pictures from our ball pit adventures!!

One Year Old Pictures

Brandi Young 12 months! Brady Young 12 months

Cody Young 14 months

Who do you think Brady looks like?

To Go or Not To Go.....

Beth Moore’s life-transforming Bible study challenges and inspires women of every age, everywhere. Joining Beth at this weekend event is acclaimed worship leader Travis Cottrell and the Praise Team.

Beth's focus will be on the Scripture that God lays on her heart for each individual Living Proof Live event — no two are the same. As she explores the Bible and how it applies to real life, you'll be amazed by her own experiences as a believer, and you'll be inspired to magnify and strengthen your own relationship with God.

Beth's mission is to guide women everywhere into a richer, more fulfilling relationship with the Father. She is a woman of purpose, preparation, prayer and passion. It's apparent in everything she does, from teaching Sunday School at her home church to sharing her biblical insights and observations in her Bible studies and books.

Alamodome, San Antonio, TX Friday, August 22, 2008 - Saturday, August 23, 2008
Friday 6:00 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
Saturday 7:30 a.m.-Noon

I've always wanted to attend one of Beth's "live" conferences, but it has never worked into my schedule where I could get a way. Now, the real question is can my husband survive a weekend with Brady with me all the way in San Antonio? I think it would be such an amazing weekend....What are your thoughts?

Happy Mother's Day

1. How long have you been a Mom?: 1 year and two days
2. How many children call you Mommy? none, but Brady calls me mamamamamamamama
3. Girl? Boy?: Boy
4. Did you know what you were having? Oh ya
5. How old were you when you became a Mom? 27
6. How long were you in labor? C-Section...never felt a thing :-)
7. What's your favorite thing about being a Mom? Watching Brady sleeping...He is so peaceful.
8. What's your least favorite thing? Not being able to stay home with him everyday
9. Do you want more kids? Yes!
10. Do you plan on having more soon? i dunno
11. How many times have you been pee'd on? a few too many
12. Barfed on? countless times
13. What time of day was your child born? around 2:00p.m.
14. Is your child named after anyone? yes, his mommy and daddy (BRAndi and coDY)
15. How did you come up with his name? actually we liked the name first then realized it was a combo of our names
16. When your child gets in trouble, who is the bad guy? he's one, we really haven't been in trouble yet
18. What is the longest you have been away from your child? two days
19. Bedtime routine? Yes, bath time, lotion, pjs, read a book w/bottle, and rock to sleep
20. Are your toes painted? nope, no time
21. Last movie you saw in the theater? Fools Gold
22. One thing you will not give up just because you're a mom? spending alone time with my husband
23. One thing you did give up now that you're a mom: expensive clothes
24. Best Mom perk: Being a mom!
25. Snack,you sneak bites from your child: right now, most of his stuff is baby food so we don't share
26. When the kid is napping, you are: cleaning
27. Where is your child now? at the babysitter
28. Favorite place to buy maternity clothes? Target
29. If I could do it over... Savour every second..... even the ones I cursed because of exhaustion and frustration

Because Dawn Said I Would

44 ODD Things about Me!
1. Do you like blue cheese? nope
2. Have you ever smoked? yes
3. Do you own a gun? Yes. Hey, I'm a criminal prosecutor I don't deal with the best people in the world. (And yes, Dawn, you can get a handgun in pink!)
4. What flavor Kool Aid was your favorite? Grape
5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Not really
6. What do you think of hot dogs? Sad to say, but I love them...I know, I know they are made of all kinds of stuff...
7. Favorite Christmas movie? Rudolph and Frosty the Snowman (the old ones that come on regular TV every year)
8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? coffee, but only if it has all the bad stuff in it i.e. cream, sugar, etc.
9. Can you do push ups? yes
10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? My wedding ring and my mother's day pendant Cody and Brady gave me last year.
11. Favorite hobby? reading, blogging, golfing
12. Do you have A.D.D.? No
13. What's one trait you hate about yourself? I am too busy. I need to learn to slow down and enjoy each day.
14. Middle Name? Marie just like Dawn
15. Three thoughts I am having? What do I need to do first this morning? I need to check on a trial for week after next. I wish I could be at home playing with Brady.
16. Name 3 drinks you regularly consume. Water, diet coke, tea.
17. Current worry. Trial week after next
18. Current hate right now? Losing weight
19. Favorite place to be? at my parents house in Fannett, Texas (aka 45 minutes away from Houston)
20. How did you bring in the New Year? I don't remember
21. Where would you like to go? any place with my boys
22. Name four people who will complete this? ??????
23. Do you own slippers? Yes
24 What shirt are you wearing? Black shell w/black suit jacket
25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? TOO HOT...I sleep next to a human furnace every night
26. Can you whistle? yes
27. Favorite color? Blue
28. Would you be a pirate? Sure, someone who breaks the rules instead of enforcing them...sounds great to me!
29. What songs do you sing in the shower? I don't b/c I can't sing, even in the shower
30. Favorite girl's name? Ashton
31. Favorite boy's name? Cody and Brady of course
32. What's in your pocket right now? Don't have any
33. Last thing that made you laugh? Brady wanted me to pick him up this morning while I was getting his bag ready for school. He was fussy and I just kept telling him to hang on. I walked right into the middle of the kitchen, fell on his bottom, looked at me, and said "uhhhh, mama"
34. Best bed sheets as a child? who remembers their childhood bed sheets
35. Worst injury you've ever had? blew out my knee in High School
36. Do you love where you live? Yes
37. How many TVs do you have in your house? 3
38. Who is your loudest friend? Dawn
39. How many dogs do you have? 1
40. Does someone have a crush on you? Cody
41. What is your favorite book? too many to pick from
42. What is your favorite candy? ice cream
43. Favorite Sports Team? Houston Astros
44. What song do you want played at your funeral? I Can Only Imagine

BirthVerses

My friend Dawn had this on her page and I thought I would share ours also!
Cody's
Matthew 5:3 NIV
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Brandi's
Romans 8:31 NIV
What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Brady's
1 Peter 5:7 NIV
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

This site is so cool. Check it out when you get a chance. http://www.birthverse.com/mybirthverse.cfm

All about Brady

Brady's will turn 1 year old on May 7th...Here are some fun facts!

Brady's birthstone is Emerald (Love, Success)
Brady's Astrological Sign is Taurus
Brady was born in the Chinese Year of The Pig
Brady will:
start kindergarten in 2012
be old enough to drive a car in 2023
finish high school in 2025
will graduate from college with the class of 2029, give or take a year.

All About Cody

Cody's 31st birthday is May 3rd. Here are some fun facts:

Cody was born on a Tuesday under the astrological sign Taurus.
Cody's fortune cookie reads: Decide what you want and go for it.

The date of Easter on Cody's birth year was Sunday, 10 April 1977.

As of 4/24/2008 3:10:44 PM EDT Cody is:
30 years old.
371 months old.
1,616 weeks old.
11,314 days old.
271,551 hours old.
16,293,070 minutes old.
977,584,244 seconds old.

Celebrities who share Cody's birthday:
Greg Raposo (1985)
Christopher Cross (1951)
Doug Henning (1947)
Frankie Valli (1937)
James Brown (1933)
Sugar Ray Robinson (1921)
Pete Seeger (1919)
Bing Crosby (1903)
Golda Meir (1898)
Niccolo Machiavelli (1469)

Brady Loves MeMe

Brady and MeMe are best buds. MeMe is Brady's great-grandmother (my father's mother). Everytime they are together it is so awesome to watch. They both smile and play until they get tired. Here are a few pictures from our last trip to see MeMe.

Where does the time go?

Well, it is hard to believe, but Brady Hunter Young will be turing one on May 7th. It seems like only yesterday we were praying so hard for his arrival to be safe and for me to start feeling better. When I look back on all of the struggles of the pregnancy they seem so insignificant compared to the wonderful gift we have been given. Brady is the joy in my day and the warmth in my heart at night. I can't imagine how life was before Brady.

Cody, Brady, and I are blessed in so many ways. Here are just a few:

1. We have an awesome God that watches over us in the good and bad.




2. We love each other with all of our hearts.




3. Cody and I are best friends who can disagree or snap at each other, but turn and smile the next minute.




4. Our family is awesome. Both sets of grandparents are so great with Brady and supportive of everything we do.




5. We have the kind of "forever" friends that Cody and I never knew existed. You guys rock!!

Rain, Rain, Rain

We woke up this morning to a wonderful surprise....RAIN. It was so funny watching Brady try to figure out what was going on. He just kept looking out the window on the way to the babysitters say "Ugh, Ugh" When we got out it was still sprinkling a little bit. Brady stuck out his tough and just started dying laughing. It was a GREAT way to start our morning.