Bailey

Hey all,
18 years ago today the world forever brightened for me. She caused some trouble getting here so I thought she might turn out a little stubborn. I had no way of knowing how much favor God was showing me that day. It hadn't been very long since I had been a kid and I remember wondering about her future.

I had some modest dreams that day.

They told me that all fathers think their daughters are pretty. I was hoping for moderately cute. God gave me stunning, catch-my-breath beauty.

I didn't hope for genius, but I asked for some intelligence. God gave me a brilliant, clever, sharp, witty girl with deep understanding.

Given her genes I knew better than to expect athletic stardom, but I did hope for her to share that part of my life. God gave me a hard-working competitor that has made me so proud in so many arenas.

I had only one exceptional wish. I asked for her heart to be great. I wanted her to be kind and good. I wanted her to stand out in a crowd as a lover of people and a follower of Jesus. I was dreaming for someing way beyond average. God so far exceeded my expectations. I cannot describe what happens in my heart when I think of the lives she touches and the leadership she provides everywhere I turn.

I love to watch her with her brothers and with little kids and with people who really need love. I love to watch TV with her and talk about nothing. I love the way she gets a joke and can give it back with clever grace. I love when she does cheers in the living room becasue she thinks nobody is watching. I love it when she laughs. I love it even more when I can make her laugh and light up the room with her smile.

Already the prospect of not having her around has started to dim the brightness of my world. But I am happy for the world that gets a girl like her. Greater men than I will never know the privilege of being a father to someone so terrific. Whatever else I do or don't do with my life, no one can take from me this: I am Bailey Brown's Daddy.

I love you Bailey!

Love,
Dad

Happy Birthday Bailey

Happy Birthday, dear Bailey-----

What a wonderful day Jan. 25 was in Oklahoma City all those years ago. It seemed to take forever for you to put in your appearance, but you were certainly worth waiting for. You have brought us so much joy and we love you. I'd like to post a picture so that everyone could see how beautiful you are, but that is way beyond my computer skills. I know that your big day tomorrow will be great and we will be thinking about you. Love, Rose

Mustang State Champs III

The cheerleader and the future. Let's do this again sometime. 

Mustang State Champs II

The cheerleader and the superfan 

Mustang State Champs I

The cheerleader and the player 

Reagan's run II: Check out the fans

The family was nonchalant about the whole thing. Check out the grandfathers in the middle. 

Reagans Superbowl Touchdown

The stories about this run don't all agree about how far it was, but his mom says it was about 70 yards. He ran the kickoff all the way back for our only score in the Super Bowl. The big boy tuckered out before he could catch him. 

Connor's Undefeated Season

Connor finished up his 7th grade season undefeated. That has only happened once before in MCS history. The last group to do it won the State Championship this year! 

New Tradition

First, I need to state that this is not Stephen. He is allowing me to use his log-in under duress.
Now that the disclaimers are out of the way let me start controversy. I am proprosing a New Baily Family Tradition where upon highschool graduation family members names are put into a drawing for family Christmas gifts. This would mean that Jordan is in and we need to devise a way to draw names while far apart and do it quickly so I can finish Christmas shopping and Stephen can close his budget for the year. I know this is a big step but, I think it will be a good one for many reasons: #1 I believe all of J.C. Bailey's grandchildren will graduate highschool in the normal time period, further graduations and major life changes are due to irrigularities #2 If we set a limit of $50 or so I might actually be able to get Jordan something she would like if I draw her name. #3 If we draw names earlier next year it increases the possibilities for buttering-up the giver by the receiver ....Em is now crying out her support from her crib I will add her reasons in support of this new tradition after a diaper change.
Bailey family here is your topic discuss amongst yourselves...

 

Jordan Did Have A Birthday - Oct.23, 2006

Papa was in the Philippines on Jordan's 19th birthday. I thought her mother would blog a greeting to the world about this important event. If she didn't surely Rose would remember to post a photo with some greetings. If these two failed, Caitlin, who is computer literate, would notice there was a vacancy on the blog that would cause her to write memories and admit to the challenges of being the only child at home. Aunt Lee Ann is one who never misses a birthday and would surely cover for the flaws of those mentioned. But all of them had excuses. Papa asked Laurie about this and she pled not guilty, an expression learned from her husband, of all charges. Not guilty because of her busy schedule running a high school and being a consultant to a middle school as well as a grade school. Rose pled innocent of this misdomeanor because of ignorance and computer illiteracy. Caitlin's excuses where so numerous that I can't list them all. So here is Papa, a month late, recognizing the birth of the eldest grandchild.
JB all of us are so proud of you that you are on our minds and in our thoughts daily and it doesn't take a birthday to stimulate our best wishes for you.

Love, Papa 

Fall Vacation I

UL - Stephen's first home. UR - Jay attended 1st & 2nd grade in this school.
The lower two pictures speak for themselves. 

Fall Vacation

We had a great trip with perfect timing for the leaves as you can see from the pictures. We flew to Detroit, rented a car, and headed north, up through Michigan. We spent some time along the shores of Lake Superior, found an impressive waterfall and then crossed into Canada at Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.


















We visited some beautiful drives we had seen before, bisited with cousins, Phillip Bailey and Marie Jolie, attended church in Thessalon and visited with beautiful Aunt Mabel.

Monday we headed toward Toronto. We wanted to visit Port Hope and Cobourg and found that they had grown so much, we could hardly find our way around.

















We did find our hold house and had a long visit with the current residents, an interesting family who live part time there and part time in Los Angeles. The father is the cinamatographer on the TV show "24", for those of you fans out there. So we are not the only famous people who have lived there. We had a lovely afternoon visit with the Daignaults. Bob was one of the dentists John worked with those many years ago and we had lots of catching up to do. On Wednesday, we went to Toronto, stayed with Mavis (John's sister) and had dinner with her two daughters, Tammy and Tracy and their families and with our sister-in-law, Bev. We headed south then and went through Windsor, where we lived the first year we were married. It is hard to realize that we lived in Windsor 46 years ago, so it isn't surprising that it has changed a lot, but the mansions that are now where our little summer cottage used to be, make it difficult to picture.

It was a wonderful trip, but we are always glad to get home and back to what passes for normal around here.

The College Cousin

I am continuing to enjoy my time at Harding. It's beautiful here and the weather is starting to change, so it's a bit cool, but comfortable. The construction is finally complete and the campus looks perfect for Lectureship. I'm hoping that the cafeteria will serve the "fake food" they usually serve when visitors are here because it tastes better than what we normally have to eat. Mixers for social clubs have been taking up most of my time outside of class, (and my many hours dedicated to studying...ha!) and I thought I'd post some pictures of some of the club mixers. I have attended a moo-moo mixer, a pirate mixer, a black-and-white tea, and a dress-up mixer along with various other over the past few weeks. Jody and Megan are the girls in the pictures. I would love to hear from everyone. Mail is the highlight of a college student's day, and e-mail is always good, too. Love to everyone!

Biscuit Brothers

We spent last Saturday afternoon at Old City Park in Dallas. The Biscuit Brothers were playing. It was a really fun day. Here is Rainey helping out with everyone's favorite little ditty "B-I-N-G-O." She also participated in the Hokey-Pokey when Methuselah Biscuit picked her up during the line, "You put this whole kid in, you put this whole kid out..." She loved it!
Here she is after the show with a new friend and an old one, Buford Biscuit (aka Allen Robertson). If you are reading this and your local PBS station is not programming the Biscuit Brothers TV show, let them hear from you!

It is so much fun to have all the kids at one school. We were all able to see Bailey cheer and watch the letter jacket presentation.

Bailey's first pep rally of the year. Tod presented Hut with his letter jacket he earned for track last year.

Camo Day!

Mom and I on camo day. All of the varsity football players give their jerseys to a teacher to wear for the day. Mom is wearing Lehi's jersey. Go Number 25!!!
Lehi and I on camo day.

Yesterday we had our first pep rally and the theme was camo. Most of the basketball girls made shirts that said THE BATTLE BEGINS NOW. Tonight is our first football game. Taylor and I spent all day and night yesterday driving around town making adorable shirts for "our club." I will post pictures of us wearing them tonight, when i get a chance. Hope everyone is doing good.

Keep us updated on how the boys are doing in football. And Bailey: Cheer loud! We can't wait to see you guys!

The End - August 20, 2006

We left Xi'an early on Sunday, August 20 and arrived home that same afternoon. There are always a lot of ceremonies and important people to meet when you sponsor a trip to China. UL - one of the leaders we work with in connection with Mama Jo's House. UR - This father represented the parents of the children we treated in Xi'an. They made two beautiful banners telling of their gratitude. On a banner much larger than the one pictured, they listed all the children we treated. LL - this husband and wife team lead a large (over 1,000 member) congregation of baptized believers near the city of Xi'an. As you can see our meeting place was not a church building. LR - The leader of the Xi'an Charity. He was the man who sanctioned BandS being there and the one who welcomed and told us good by. We were treated with hospitality and dignity and were assured that we would be welcomed back any time.

Winding Down in China - August 16, 1006

UL - Sometimes babies just need to be held. UR - New Experience - Andrea and I were interviewed for about an hour by a Chinese Talk Show Hostess. LL - New friend, English teacher Anne. LR - Being entertained in a Chinese home. The hostess was trying to teach me to make dumplings.