The Burleys: February 2009

Feb 28, 2009

Happy Birthday, Camryn

Happy 3rd Birthday to my sweet Cammy-bug! We had no idea how blessed we were when you were placed in our arms three years ago. We love you more than anything in the world!

Feb 24, 2009

My dad is a writer. When I was growing up, he wrote for our local newspaper. He taught high school English for 15 years and was the journalism advisor at the high school for a period of time. He is now and has been a Public Information Officer for a school district for the past several years. Those jobs just have writer written all over them, don't they? I'm pretty sure he is where I inherited my writing gene from. In addition to his job, my dad also runs one of the best silent movie websites on the internet. Silent movies are his passion, and his site is one of the most comprehensive you will find out there. He's an expert at this. Check out this resume:

-He created and maintains the Silents Are Golden silent movie website.

-He has provided information, photos, or other assistance (edited one book) for:

AN ENCYCLOPEDIC DICTIONARY OF WOMEN IN EARLY AMERICAN FILMS 1895-1930 by Denise Lowe

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE SILENT SCREEN AND THE WORLD AT THAT TIME by Larry Telles

SILENT LIVES: 100 BIOGRAPHIES OF THE SILENT ERA by Lon Davis

HOOSIERS IN HOLLYWOOD by David L. Smith

THE HAROLD LLOYD ENCYCLOPEDIA by Annette D'Agostino Lloyd

JACKIE COOGAN: THE WORLD'S BOY KING by Diana Serra Cary

-His articles have been printed on various silent movie websites including one that is still up here. He's had numerous requests to use articles and pictures from his website for publications, film conventions, etc. He has also provided photos for two shows on HGTV, and most recently, had a request from Fox News Channel for pictures of silent movie stars that will be used in an upcoming special on Nancy Reagan.

Even if you aren't interested in silent movies, you have to admit, that's pretty impressive!

Feb 22, 2009

Potato Soup

This is a recipe Mary Ann posted that we tried two weeks ago. It is really yummy and super easy to make - and if you don't believe me, believe Mary Ann ... you've gotta trust a woman who has five kids to please! :) I thought I would repost the recipe here for those of you who don't read her blog. My only warning is, it will burn on the bottom very easily, so you have to keep it moving and stir frequently. I did battle with a stock pot and an SOS pad the night we had this!

Potato Soup
6 cups milk
2 can condensed cream of potato soup
1 bag Southern-style hash browns (frozen)

Toppings:
shredded sharp cheddar cheese
crispy bacon
green onions, thinly sliced
sour cream

Mix milk & soup in a large pot. Stir in hash browns. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently so soup does not burn on the bottom. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until potatoes are soft. Stir frequently. When serving, load the soup up with toppings of your choice (the ones I mentioned above or to your taste!) Enjoy with a salad or bread!

Feb 19, 2009

Riverbanks Zoo

Last Friday we had a family day and took a trip down to Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia. Camryn has been asking to go back and ride the merry-go-round ever since we took her to see the lights at Christmas. The weather was so pretty last week, we decided it would be a great time to go. We had so much fun, and I even got to feed a giraffe! So neat! We finished off the morning with lunch at Fuddrucker's and had a blast!

Feb 16, 2009

Jason's Birthday: The Lancaster Celebration

Last night was the third (and final!) of Jason's 30th birthday parties. We had a group of great friends from church over along with the youth to celebrate and had a blast. This was our first big gathering at our house since we moved in, and we were excited to have everyone there. Here are our pictures from the night:

The AWESOME cake courtesy of the CAKEMAN!

Food, food ...

... everywhere!

Opening his funny birthday cards

The Office DVD game from the Student Choir

The party view from upstairs (why in the world is it sideways??)

Allison & Robbie watching an intense game of MarioKart

Camryn loves Jamie!

The Birthday Boy & his sweetie

Galen & Stephanie

Camryn & Mr. Bert being silly

Allison and Kathy having a little girl talk (Isn't Allison so cute?! Not much longer!)

Julie and Mrs. Pat

Charlotte & Jamie ... and I'm sure Robbie would want me to point him out in the background, too!

More MarioKart

Me & Jamie

Wilson trying to teach Anna how to play the guitar

Look Mom! My feet are on the floor! Love, Max

Meagan & Wilson

Still not too old to be a cool bass player!

Mommy & her girl

Rock Band groupie

Last but not least ... all the crazy Caleb pictures! You gotta love that kid!

Feb 13, 2009

Blogs Are For Bragging

When I picked Camryn up from school yesterday, she had an incredibly sweet note in her folder from her teacher. I got teary just reading it. We are SO proud of our little girl! This is what it said:

"She is a very smart little girl. I love her with all my heart. She always listens and obeys the rules. I can always count on her as being a big helper. Thank God for her being around me to lift up my spirit."

My husband is pretty awesome, too. We agreed we would not get each other Valentine's gifts but would, instead, buy something we've been wanting for the house. Camryn and I went to dinner with my mom last night, and when we got home Jason had not one, but TWO vases of beautiful pink and white tulips in different rooms of the house. Sorry girls, but I'm not one of those people who says, "Oh, don't waste money on flowers ... they just die anyway!" Nope, not me! I LOVE getting flowers, and I LOVE how fresh flowers make me happy any time I walk into a room.

Am I a lucky mommy and wife or what?!

Feb 12, 2009

Prayer Request

Jason found out today that one of his friends from college is pregnant with SEXTUPLETS! Yes, you read that right - 6 babies! Please pray for this couple who is excited but, understandably, apprehensive about the thought of 6 babies! She is still early on in her pregnancy, so much prayer is needed right now for the health and the well-being of the babies. According to their website, their goal is to make it to May 4, which will put her at 28 weeks. Pray, pray, pray for this family!!! You can visit their website and keep up with the babies' progress at www.thetippingfamily.com. WOW!

Feb 9, 2009

Happy 30th Birthday, Jason!

Today is my sweet husband's 30th birthday. For the past couple of weeks, he has endured numerous jabs from me about how old, geriatric, aged, prehistoric, and decrepit he is. Since he has been such a good sport about all of this, I thought I would take a moment to ease his mind and prove to him that turning 30 is not the end of the world. So, without further adieu, here are 30 things that are worse than turning 30.

1. Being pecked to death by a pack of wild geese.

2. Having to kiss Hilary Swank

3. Finding out you and your spouse are blood relatives

4. Stage moms

5. Being locked in a room with Barney for 24 hours

6. Getting a job transfer to Yemen

7. Having to put a green roof on your house so the annoying buyers will purchase it

8. Being a Clemson fan

9. Getting hen-pecked by Kate Gosselin

10. If your name is Honas Finkleberger

11. If "The Office" was canceled

12. Your wife's hair all over your sink, all over the bathroom floor ....

13. Judging the 1st round of American Idol ... or in Jason's case, having to actually watch an episode of American Idol!

14. A "turn your head and cough" exam

15. Telling your friends that you saw a “Crimson Red Shining Parrot” at the zoo, when it fact, it was really a “Crimson-Winged Parrot." How embarrassing….

16. If all the Zaxby's chains closed

17. Spontaneous pneumothorax

18. Roadkill

19. Falling into a gelatinous coagulant

20. Standing in front of a group of people for a full hour before you realize your fly is open

21. A bowl of creamed corn

22. Freezing to death in a meat locker

23. Realizing you're wearing women's clothing

24. Bette Midler singing "From a Distance." Bette Midler singing "Wind Beneath My Wings." Bette Midler singing pretty much anything!

25. Peppermint swirl countertops in your bathroom

26. A chocolate milkshake made with vanilla ice cream and chocolate syrup instead of actual chocolate ice cream

27. When your wife makes you watch "Chasing Liberty"

28. When your body "is telling you something" and you can't react fast enough.

29. Being sneezed on by a complete stranger

30. Realizing you forgot a year, and you're actually 31!

Happy 30th Birthday, Jason! You are the best husband and daddy Camryn and I could ever dream of having. We love you, no matter how old you are :), with all of our hearts!

(By the way - a big thanks to Lindsay, Sarah Ellen, and their husbands for their help with this list. I am not that creative on my own!)

Feb 6, 2009

Jason's Birthday: The Columbia Celebration

This morning we traveled down I77 for the Columbia portion of Jason's 30th birthday extravaganza. His mom planned a small family get-together with pizza and a cake and surprised him by inviting both sets of grandparents over for lunch. The real surprise came when Jason's grandfathers, who both fought in World War II, passed along some of their war memorabilia to him as a birthday gift. He has admired these items for years and was really touched that his grandfathers are now entrusting these special things to him. His Papa Burley passed along personal keepsakes from his days as an MP in the Army including a German soldier helmet, his MP armband, European money, and his bayonet. Papa Quesinberry, who served in the Navy, gave him the log book from the refueling ship he served on in the Pacific, as well as the commission banner from that ship. He also gave Jason his dogtags, which will always be especially meaningful for him to have.

Opening his Uncle Jason card from Caleb