Day Dreamer Entreprenuar

So  I am going to be honest, I love the idea of having my own business. But not really. Just the 'idea'. Lately I have been daydreaming about buying and renting out a photo booth for weddings and parties and fundraisers. And shoot, I would use it regularly. Wouldn't it be fun to collect costumes and funny mustaches on sticks for pictures. Think of all the happiness it would bring into peoples lives... ahhhh.
                    My dad started a business that him and my mom put a lot into. It cost them a lot. And I am not just talking about money. Now my brother and a business partner run it. They have put so much into it. All their hard work and investments are paying off. (again I am not really talking about money. it is a miracle that any small business survived the economy.) I am so proud of my family. They had a dream and followed through.
                   Years ago I bought a book on how to write a business plan at a used book store. Any time I get an idea for a 'business' I go through the book. If I don't have the energy to do it, it isn't the right time. If research gives hint that it isn't a good idea I drop it.
                  All of this to say, let a girl dream :) What are your ideas? Dreams? Yes, I will steal them. ha! No, that isn't true. Here's to some of my favorite dreamers:
1.the people that opened up "The Chocolate Bar" where every hour is happy hour. yes I teared up when we were walking around there. it was overwhelming. 
2.


The blueberry blitz. polar peach. guava gulp, strawberry splash... need I go on?
3. authors. i'm talking cs lewis, george mcdonald, classics (bronte sisters, austin, dickens tolstroy, and so on) Jk Rowling, Suzzanne Collins, Jan Karon... and many more
4. Kristen Belle

Finis, fini, teteilomenon, beendet, ze gamur

Josh, Eric, Tim, Brian are all NT phd

It is hard to see what is happening, but basically this is when Tim got 'hooded'. Hoods bear the color of the university and the color of the department your doctorate is in. Tim's docotorate was under the school of philosphy- BLUE.

This is Mimi and Pops at the graduation. Mimi is always up on the trends. She sports the polka dots well. Yes, they sat through a two and a half ceremony to see Tim walk the stage.

We were all running in and out putting things in the cars. This is Caitlin doing her part. Isn't she adorable!?!

Tim and I got married in August 2004, his second year of seminary. In 2007 he graduated from seminary and entered a program at Chapel Hill. He finished that program a year later and we moved to Waco texas for a program at Baylor. And now Ladies and Gentlemen I present to you... drumroll...
                                                           Timothy A. Brookins, Phd

BOO YEA!

latin, french, german, greek, hebrew-Tomato, tomAto... Tim is FINISHED!!!!!!!!
This weekend Tim officially graduated from BAYLOR! Sic' em bears! His parents came in town and it was such a treat to have them celebrate with us! And boy it was a celelbration. I had no idea how emotional this weekend would be. At the doctoral dinner all the new drs in that house :) gave a thank you speech. They were all so thankful to the professors, to Baylor, to families, spouses. It was a very memorable night. Thank you Mimi and Pops for watching the kids!!! Hopefully I will get a picture from a friend of us at the dinner because I was in a HOT dress- thank you Ashlee for letting me borrow it! Tim was sporting an HBU orange tie and looking very doctoral and hansom.

To graduate from Baylor these guys must know a minimum of 4 languages- greek, hebrew, german andFrench. In addition they must have 2 and a half years of course work includings 6 semesters of the much dreaded colloquium that was created by he who must not be named, one semester for prelims,and a minumum of a year for writing and defending a dissertation. All on a minimal budget and many of which have families to support. It is a lot of pressure in one of the best programs in the nation. 
While Tim always stands out in my mind, I have to be honest that when we were at the doctoral dinner, it was quite humbling to be with some of the great minds of our century. They all (all the phd people) stood out. But they all recognized their families as the ones that put them up there.
I know that all across the nation that there were people graduating and I have to say, Hats off to you. Congratulations to you and your families.
And to you that await this day,
IT IS COMING! PERSEVERE! THE LORD IS WITH YOU! PRAY HARD AND WRITE HARD, To those of you who are considering getting your docotate:DO NOT do it unless you are ABSOLUTELY sure it was the Lord is asking you to do. It is a hard road to take your family down. And it is only worth it, if the Lord has called you. It is better to be where HE has you.

Blessings,
Mary Mac

Pig Tails

Caitlin's hair stands straight up when we put in little bands. I use a bow to hold it down. Then she rips it all out and we start all over again. She has enough hair now for piggies!

Bed time

Little boys wrestling. Baby girl climbing all over them. Daddy getting them to brush their teeth. Pure chaos. Never a still moment.

HEEEEEEY Dada!

Caitlin loves talking on the phone! And look at her form! Amazing!

Caitlin getting into trouble

SOMETIMES I try to do one hundred things at once. This particular day we were about to head out to go to swim lessons, I was watering the yard, taking the trash out and switching the laundry. I let the kids play in garage. Caitlin, ever curious Caitlin, found where the water leaks at the faucet... so much for ever being anywhere early :)