Introducing Brent's family...

Brent's parents Sue and Larry

Brent's niece Ashley- 7 months

Obviously, these are not all the members of Brent's family but I just wanted to prove that I will fit right in! I was SO SHOCKED by the picture of Brent's parents because they are pretty reserved. Of course, that is a Minnesotan characteristic but compared to the Raison Clan they are pretty mild. They clearly have a fun side though!!

Hope you enjoy the festive pictures, I know I did! Just let me know if you would like to see a normal pic of his parents and I will provide it... LOL

We finally decided...

...to get our pictures done. It has been about 15 years since we had pics done. This is mainly because I do not like getting my picture taken as it shows me that I need to work harder in the gym and it also reminds me of just how large my Jewish nose really is! The photographer wound up taking about 90 pics and now we have the fun task of deciding which ones we want prints of.

Our little man...

I have been totally swamped with the task of mommyhood, and should've announced it sooner, but my son Heath Michael was born Aug. 27 @2:59pm. He weighed 5lbs and 14 oz and was a tiny little thing. He came by emergency c-section and I praise the Lord for His protection of Heath and I. I thought I'd let you see how cute he is!

I'm Staying in Korea One More year

I am having such a good time here I have decided to stay one more year! The Lord has really been working in my church here ad I am excited to see what He is going to do in this year to come. I signed my new contract on Friday! I hope to keep you posted more regularly in the future!

Come on Clan!

Am I the only one to think that no one posting AT ALL in September is crazy! There are fun things going on all the time in our family... I am sure of it! In short, this is a call to arms! I know we all post on our personal blogs but where are the family stories and pictures to share?

One family memory I had recently was Grandpa Raison sitting on the enclosed front porch smoking a cigarette. I can see him clearly in his faded, stained jeans and maroon suspenders and huge scar down his abdomen. He would let us kids sneak sips of his Yuck Tea and we all felt like his favorite. He was a special Grandpa to be able to do that...

Now it's your turn! Let's hear those stories...

Big News: An Engagement!

Brent asked me to marry him on Friday and I said YES! It was completely romantic and I can't express in words how happy and content I truly am... it's perfect. We are going to wait until Georgia comes home for the wedding so needless to say it will be a long engagement. But she has to be there to help me plan. I am not a planner at all. The smaller the better!! With help I am sure it will be beautiful and elegant-- with as much budgeting as possible. I would get married in front of a justice of the peace in a white cotton dress just as long as Brent is there smiling at me and accepting me as a permanent part of his life.

37 Weeks and still waiting!

For those who need a good laugh....here I am at 37 weeks.... Huge and waiting. I am nearing the end though, so at least I know I'm almost done and will be holding my son soon!!!!

The Crisp Cheatham Clan

Leah sent me this photo that was taken last weekend on their mini-vacation with Uncle Tom and Aunt Patsy. I think you will love it!

It suits them don't cha think!

Lake's little Honey Bun

The verdict is in: IT'S A GIRL!!!! Leah and Chad will be adding baby Honey Delilah Crisp to their family soon! Lake has already nicknamed her his "honeybun"! We are thrilled to be having a girl in the family after our round of boys! Hurrah!

30 Weeks and Counting....

After looking at that picture of mom that Aunt Debbie posted, I realized I'll never be as skinny as she was! That's okay... she is beautiful though. Here is a picture of my belly at 30 weeks. I'm so ready to be done with the pregnancy part and hold my son!

Our Apartment

My boyfriend Brent and I moved in together on July 1, 2007. I was previously living with a friend of mine, Sydney, but have now swapped roommates for the man I am certain will be my husband. Here are some pictures of the new place:

Kitchen:



Living room:



Office/Guest Room:



Full and Half bath (second pic is half bath in Master bedroom) :



Master Bedroom:



I couldn't take many pictures of the master bedroom because Brent is taking a nap! I slept in quite late and don't need one so here I am posting pictures! The last picture is our "Grandma" display. Brent's grandmother is an artist and gave him four paintings and the brass collection is from Grandma Raison's house. The clay sculpture is something Brent made in high school of a man/eagle. I realize now I should have taken a close up to showcase it! Artists run in his family just like musicians run in ours. I hope you all like our new apartment! I love it...

Changes in the Florida Raison Home

Here are a few of the pictures of what changes we have made to our home. I am sure it looks a little different from the last time any of you were here. The first two are different angles of the living. #3 is the front room (yes it's blue), #4 the dining room (ignore the mess on the table), & #5 the sun room. The house is still a work in progress. But we are not going to do anything else until the insurance company decides what they are going to do about out sinking problem,

More Old Pics

Here are a few more we came across. Notice there are none of me. This is not an accident!!!

Debbie

Old Pics

You guys said you wanted old pics, so here are a few that Eldon and I came across tonight (boy do we have a ton!)

Camping in the Back Yard

Brad and I camped with his new Father's day gift. Unfortunately, I have to go potty at least every hour, so we camped in our back yard!!!!

Favorite Summer Pictures, anyone?

So here is one of my favorite summer pictures from last year. It was Father's day, so we picnicked at the Chester Frost Park on the TN River and went fishin. Lake really enjoys spending time with Meemaw and Peepaw! He'd dump Chad and I in a heartbeat in order to stay with them. I have a hard time distinguishing who is having a better time, or who is the bigger kid when they are together.

So now how about your favorite summer picture or two? Leah Kay

Collaborative Idea....

Aunt Vivian had an idea to post pictures of where we live... for example, I have never seen Beth's new home or what Uncle Eldon has done in Grandma's old pad. I would love that. I will have new furniture by the end of the month and will post then. New project for the Raison Clan-- post pics of home!

Penny P Pot wants to hear from YOU!

When Brent and I went home for vacation, my wonderful, brilliant boyfriend was able to hook mom up with internet after some troubleshooting. That means she is ready for some email! Here is her address: pennyppot@gmail.com

Acting a Little Funny

I was displaying some American culture for a friend from South Africa! Don't worry I went back to normal shortly afterward!!!!

Bryant Girls

I figured since everyone was posting pictures on our blog that I should too... The picture of the two of us was taken before she left the states, I was helping her pack and it was just a mess. I love seeing all of the old and recent pictures... does anyone care to post more? And yes, my Raison Clan, that was a challenge!

Another Old Picture

I don't have many old photos out here in Colorado, but this is one I do have. Mom is pregnant with me at the time this picture was taken. Brad was surprise how much our family resembles each other. Personally, I didn't think I looked like mom, but after looking at this for a while I really can't deny it! That is one scary baby doll Leah's got, but Mom said she wouldn't go anywhere without it!

Old and Possibly Embarassing Photo Request

I don't have access to any old family photos here in South Korea but wouldn't it be fun to see who could dig some up. These would probably be before the age of digital cameras so you may need to scan them in. I do have a few funny pictures I have dug up on my computer!

My mom and dad when they came to MN to visit us in August 2005. Isn't that a famous grandma pose!

Santa Clause is Robbie with Aunt Vivian. I am not sure if this was this Christmas or last Christmas!

Old Photos

So several months ago, my stepmom came across a bag of film in her attic that my dad had never developed. Surprisingly they actually turned out pretty well. Talk about a tearful trip to the walmart photo processing dept. The lady looked at me like I was nuts for crying while looking through the pictures. Here is one of my favorites. We are at "Rock City" here in Chattanooga. I would estimate that the pictures are at least 20 years old, but probably closer to 25 years.

Great News!

Tonight I was working out at Curves and my Pastor's wife told me that Aunt Karen and her son Craig were in church on Sunday (we didn't go as we were both sick), and that Craig had accepted the Lord earlier in the week! I was really happy to hear this and to also hear that he was visiting his mother under good terms. I think we need to keep him in all our prayers as he has had a rough road and will have a bumpy one ahead.

Aunt Debbie

James in Japan

James hanging off F-16 jet in Tech School. Doesn't he look just like his dad?

Eldon & I think this is a really great idea! We will try and post blogs regularly. Just to update everyone on what is going on here......James has been in the Air Force for a year now and is sationed in Kadena, Japan. He is planning on coming home in January to get married to a girl he met in Japan. She is also in the Air Force and her parents live in Pensacola. We haven't mer her yet, but have talked to her on the phone and seen pictures, she seems to be a nice girl. Derrek, Lisa(his wife) and Alex (our pride and joy) are finally leaving New Orleans and moving to Madison. :-) We can harldly wait to be able to see Alex and spoil him on a regular basis. Little do his parents know, but we have a plan to steal him away. She can always have more kids! lol.

As for the Raison home, we belive it is on a sink hole and is slowly sinking. Our home owners insurance has already had someone out to do a visual inspection and a radar of the ground. Now they are sending someone out to do some drilling for soil samples. They suggested we do not invest anymore money into the home for now. So it sounds to us as if they may be considering settling a claim with us and buying the home. If that happens we plan and moving out of this thriving town known as Madison.

Derek's Little Boy

Aunt Debbie sent me a picture of Derek's little boy. I am sorry I don't know his name but he sure is cute!! I think he has Uncle Eldon's mischievous grin! :)p

Happiness Inside

I am so glad to see that at least two people are using the blog. I hope it catches on. I actually got the idea from another blog called Girl Talk. It is one family that posts solid Christian teaching. I thought if they could do it why can't we. Let's make this work!!

Georgia

Prego Beth!

Prego Beth!
"Not so little" Heath Michael Schubert!

Beth will probably kill me for the picture, but she can't do that from Colorado! Enjoy. This was just taken a few days ago. Pretty cute.

Lydia says "Interesting Idea Ms. Georgina!"

After telling my boyfriend Brent of Georgia's idea to keep the family together through blogging, he said, "Is that a thing?" It was hilarious. I have to admit, I know of no other families that have a mutual blog, but in this day and age-- it's brilliant. Of course, my big sister is quite clever so it doesn't surprise me. Check out the link to my blog for recent pictures. Hope to see some posts soon!

Welcome to the New Age

This is the first in I hope many made by the decedents of Melvin and Patricia Raison. I have invited everyone to be authors that I have their emails. If you have any additional email address please send them to me.

Also if you have any website addresses for people from the family let me know and I can add them. I hope this is something that we can all use. Happy blogging!