“Know yourself. Be yourself. Love yourself. Seek goodness and be goodness. Seek beauty and be beauty. Seek love and be love.” ― Bryant McGill, Voice of Reason

25 February 2011

Rest In Peace Jon

One of the sweetest people I have ever known walks with the Lord. More and more I see God truly takes the best ones from us too soon.

I met Jon and Molly when I lived in Texas. We shared a mutual love for the Doberman Pincher. They had a sweet girl named Lacy and I had my Gallagher.

My thoughts and prayers are with Jon's family.

Molly, I love, love, love you.

He Only Takes the Best

God saw you getting tired,
And a cure was not to be.
So he put his arms around you,
And whispered “Come to me”.

With tearful eyes we watched you,
And saw you pass away.
Although we loved you dearly,
We could not make you stay.

A golden heart stopped beating,
Hard working hands to rest.
God broke our hearts
to prove to us,
He only takes the best.

By Therese Pearman


Jon Brunson
Born: February 15, 1968
Died: February 25, 2011
Visitation: His family will receive friends from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, February 27, 2011 at Crespo & Jirrels Funeral Home, 6123 Garth Road-Baytown.
Services: A celebration of Jon’s life will be, 4 p.m., Monday, February 28, 2011, at the First Baptist Church, 602 Main Street in Liberty, Rev. Steve Bean officiating.
Obituary: Jon Philip Brunson was surrounded by the love of his family at a Houston healthcare facility when he departed this life on the evening of Friday, February 25, 2011, following a valiant battle with cancer, and 10 days following his 43rd birthday. Born in Port Sulphur, Louisiana on February 15, 1968, he was the eldest of three children born to Phillip and Cora (Crowe) Brunson. A proud Louisiana native, Jon graduated from Bastrop High School where he was a standout linebacker and fullback. He continued his football career at the University of Arkansas at Monticello. After graduation, Jon returned to Louisiana and his Alma Mata as a coach for the Bastrop Rams. After a brief coaching stint in Arkansas, he moved to Texas where he immediately met his partner in life, Molly Maxwell. Jon and Molly were married on June 13, 1998 in Destin, Florida. He taught in Alvin briefly before coming to Goose Creek CISD as an elementary physical education teacher. Jon would leave teaching to go to work at Exxon, but returned to the calling that he loved and where he felt he was really making a difference, teaching elementary school age students. He taught at Pumphry and eventually at Alamo, where he continued to be a beloved member of the Alamo faculty and family. A passionate fitness enthusiast, Jon not only taught sports, fitness and athletics to his students, but he modeled for each of them life lessons such as discipline, respect, courage, tenacity and self-esteem.
Though Jon loved teaching, his true passion was his family. Whether he was watching his two sons, Pete and Troy, win the 2009 Arkansas State Football Championship, baking cookies or teaching his daughter, Blake, how to ride a bike, Jon considered himself a blessed man, calling his children his “jewels.” He and Molly were faithful members of First Baptist Church in Liberty.
In addition to his loving wife Molly Maxwell Brunson, his family includes his three children, Pete Brunson, Troy Brunson and Blake Brunson; his parents, Phillip and Cory Brunson of League City; two sisters, Jamie Rollins and her husband, Scott of Cartersville, GA and Susan Carvajal and her husband, Chuck of San Jose, CA.
Memorials: Jon’s family requests memorial be made in his memory to Goose Creek CISD Education Foundation, P.O. Box 8081, Baytown-77522, or Houston Hospice, www.houstonhospice .org, or Cancer Treatment Center of America-Midwest Hospital, www.cancercenter.com/midwestern-hospital.cfm

Obituary courtesy of Crespo and Jirrels Funeral Home.

24 February 2011

My Day, by Cierra

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I spent my day relaxing in the green grass with the warm sun on my fur. I ate some bee's and chased some flies. I drank cool, fresh water from my favorite water bowl. And I played with my toys.


I look to the left.


I look to the right.


I give mom a grin because I know she's watching me and it makes her smile.


Mom said "you're getting sleepy..."


"So very sleepy"


No! I'm wide awake, see?!


Must. concentrate. on. staying. awake.


Zzzz...


Dad bought this toy for me in Colorado, it's one of my favorites.


After my nap, I give mom the "I love you" look, it makes her smile.

22 February 2011

Boy Scout Troup 294

I have a small collection of old photos and a newspaper clipping about a local boy scout troop that includes Steven Spielberg.

A few months ago, I dusted off the shoe box with the old photos in it and posted them. I thought maybe one of those boys in the photos would enjoy the memories.

The original post is here: Boy Scout Troup 294.

I received an email from one of the scouts today, all grown up now. Welcome Bob Stickle!

21 February 2011

Happiness Is...

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Peek-a-boo clouds.


A warm, sunny, February morning.


My dog, so happy with herself she's grinning.


Valentine's Roses. I couldn't decide on a single color, so I picked one of each - thanks Honey.


Yellow.


Red.


Pink.


A pink bud.


Little treasures = finding a box of money!


And coins!


The foreign currency belonged to PJ's daddy.


Old compass', so I won't lose my way, ever again.

18 February 2011

At The Dog Park, Cierra & Jagermeister

This evening we shared a little dog training time with a little play time at the dog park.

Jager's mom and dad are moving to South Dakota. Which is not Montana (inside joke).

I'm really happy that Jager will come stay with Cierra and I. PJ will be flying high in the sky, but how much trouble can three girls get in to?!

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15 February 2011

Cierra's New Friend: Jagermeister

We met Jagermeister (or simply Jager) for the first time today.

She's one year old. She's very sweet and she buzzes with an electric energy.

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Jager bounds with energy.


"You have my full attention".


Cierra.


A quick lesson in hand signals. Jager is a sharp cookie and would excel in Schutzhund.


Jager is a natural born water baby, she loves water.


Jager.


Jager, she's a great looking Shepherd.


Jager likes the red squeaky toy.


PJ with Jager.

14 February 2011

Valentine's Day - Food and Frolic

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Can you guess where we are?


It's a place with giant strawberry margaritas.


Taking the first sip.


Arriba Mexican Food. I had spinach enchiladas.


We went to the nearby Harley-Davidson shop, PJ was test driving various handlebars. (Note: ugly yellow bike belongs to the store).


"Road Kill". I saw this on the way in, I'll have to see if I can get one of these for our Road King.


83rd Ave & Happy Valley Rd - we counted more than a dozen hot air balloons.


Hot air balloons. I see a few each day in our neighborhood for sunrise and sunset rides.


We came home and greeted Cierra with a roll in the grass.


Me and my Honey.


His and her cookies. Peanut butter for him, Oats with cranberries for me.


My furry Valentine.