Happy Birthday Will- 8 years old

Will is 8 years old! Wow, where did my little boy go? This picture was taken at his b'day party Saturday. We all skated until we were worn out. I think my little boy enjoyed a great day.

After the party we ended up with 11 kids at the house playing and having a great time. Needless to say I was worn out by the end of the day, but it was well worth it.

I love you Will. Dad

Will at the Christian Center of Concern

This past Saturday Will went with me to the Christian Center of Concern. The CCC is a non-profit organization with the mission to feed our needy and hungry citizens. I have been on the board for many years and current have the honor to serve as president.

As you can see in the pic we are putting together a little something extra for our food recipients this Christmas season. These kids (including Will) bagged 300 goody bags of some essentials that will be handed out at the next food distribution day. I was proud of each of these students, but found extra pride in my 7 year old willingness to give back. We continually preach how blessed we are and my desire is to teach him that God expects much from those that have blessed with much (hey, that's scripture).

I encourage each of you to give. The blessing will be all yours!

Sunday, November 20, 2011

I took this photograph as we were walking out the door heading to church this morning. I thought it was a good picture of my beautiful wife and son.

I am extremely thankful for them.

Will Brown & William McCollum

Will was asked to be in a photo for an ad that will run in connection to a fundraiser to help children. As you make guess, the fundraiser will have to do with BBQ.

William McCollum & Will Brown

Darth Vader - Halloween 2011

Will went as Darth Vader for Halloween. We again went down to my sisters in Northport and trick-or-treated in her neighborhood. Will loves it and had a great time.

Las Vegas 2011

Will getting ready to fly out to Vegas.

Lake Mead near Hoover Dam

Looking down into Hoover Dam

Hoover Dam photo. Big!

The Wynn. This is where we stayed. 34th floor.

Will and a Showgirl

Donna and Will at breakfast the morning we left to come home.

Will and the Cars Movie characters at the SF family night event.

Will and Donna went with me on a trip to Las Vegas for my State Farm agents convention. We left on Wed and returned Saturday. We were able to visit some sites before and after my meetings. We did visit the Hoover Dam, which was awesome. Very big and a wonder how in the 30's they were able to construct such a large structure. Really amazing.

Vegas is a place that if you are a non-gambler and non-drinker then you probably only want to visit once. Well, we did as a family. Now we can say we have been there and done that. I have a feeling that if we have other conventions there then I will have to travel alone.

U of A football - Alabama vs. North Texas

** Will down by the field during game.

** Will and cousin Chloe.

** Cam Chancellor (left), Harrison "H" Whitley (standing) and Will playing on quad prior to game.

** Will about to do rock climbing on quad prior to game.

** Will during the climb.

Rainbow in Fayette, Al.

Rainbow in Fayette, Al., on Monday, August 8, 2011, at approx 7:30p.

Bowling with Friends

Friday night the 5th Will had several of his buddies over for a evening of fun. Oh boy!

We started out with pizza and coke at Pizza Hut in Vernon. Oh, you didn't want to be sitting close to us. Loud is an understatement.

From pizza we went to the Vernon bowling lanes. I think the boys enjoyed. All of them did a good job. Of course after bowling we had to hit the video games.

Ok, by this time it is 9ish. From there we went back to our house and grab the supplies and set out for a cabin owned by Larry Humber in the Kirkland community. The cabin is awesome. 1 bedroom with a loft. The loft had 4 bunks, which was not enough. Didn't matter. The bunks were just used to help set up the tents they made out of blankets.

Needless to say it was around 1am when I thought sleep would come. WRONG! I then had to take one of the guys home due to homesickness. Ok, so it is 1:45a before I get to lay down on the couch. Yep, Will came down from the loft and took my spot in the bed with his mom.

Can I say that daylight came way too early. With morning came games and hikes in the woods.

You may imagine that I was worn out. By 2p I had all of the kids delivered home and I managed to make it home. For the record, I did go straight to the gym. Needed some gym time.

We had fun and I praise the Lord for Will and his buddies.

Will Runs a Mile!

Well today was test day. I have been working with Will on his running most every afternoon when I get home from office. As you know, I run each day during lunch. So, I figure Will should like it as well.

"Like it" may be a little strong. However, I will say that he has met the challenges I have given him every day.

This past week was tennis camp for him, so I didn't run him hard at night. But, I told him his 1 mile test was coming up. Today was the day.

I mapped out a flat 1 mile course through downtown. We rode and put out his water at the finish line. Of we went. He really did well. If you know Will then you will understand that he talked most of the entire way. Well, talked if he was not laughing at his mother who tried to run with us, but dropped back quickly.

As we got about the .8 mile point he said his side was hurting and it started raining. I began to challenge him. Can't quit now! No giving up! Leaders don't stop when it hurts! You know, all the things you have read in the sports magazines.

Hey, he didn't quit. We actually reached out and held hands the last .2 of the mile run. No stopping for him to rest. Straight run. It was awesome. Under 10 min for him. I was so proud. He was pumped and the rain got harder. It was one of those moments that I will not forget. I can't wait until he runs a sub 8 min mile, sub 7 and then sub 6. I know, those goals may be several years away. I just hope I can still walk when he does it.

I look forward to many more runs with my son. I thank God for the feet to run. The lungs to breathe. The sight to see our path.

Will ran a mile!

Oh, if anyone sees Donna trying to finish her mile, please pick her up and give her a ride home.

Mom/Pop Trip Across America

Step-grandmother visit

My step-grandmother, Maureen came to visit at mom/dad's the other day. She brought her husband, Arthur and son, Brian with her. It had been a few years since I had seen them, so the visit was nice. They had never met Will and it was really good for them to seem him in person.

Alabama Basketball Campt

Will went to Alabama coach, Anthony Grant's basketball camp a couple of weeks ago. He enjoyed ti and came away with a Bama basketball and a cool pic with Coach Grant.

Roll Tide!!!!!!!!!

Smith Lake fun

We were able to go up to our friends, Mike and Tonya Freeman's this past Saturday. It was a great day. We enjoyed the time together as a family on the water. Will, as he does many times, had Daniel his buddy with him. Will enjoyed riding the tube being pulled by Mike. He rode all day. I don't see how he could move on Sunday, but hey, he is 7.

Also, Mike was nice enough to take the boys out on the jet ski. According to Mike, Will was requesting that he speed up. Dare devil!

Again, we had a great day and another thanks to Mike, Tonya, Zack and Madi for allowing the Brown's to hang out with them.

Giants Baseball Party

We finished up the baseball season with a pizza party tonight. The boys each received a trophy and t-shirt as awards to their wonderful season that saw them finish 12-1 and co-champs of the 7-8 year old league.

Thanks Will for being an awesome little boy and for allowing me to coach your teams. I love being your dad!

You are #1!

Giants #1

Well, the season is over. I hate to see it end. We finished 12 wins and 1 loss. Tied for 1st place.

It was a great year. Each year continues to be more fun then the last. We had a couple of really exciting games this year on our way to the #1 finish. In fact, our last game was against the only team that beat us. The Blue Jays beat us 11-6 the first game of year. We didn't lose again and actually beat the Blue Jays our last game to claim a share of the title.

Will had a GREAT year. We didn't know how he would do moving up to the pitching machine league, but it was no problem. He played center field and finished 18-35 at the plate for a batting average over .500. Many of the times he got out he actually drove in runs (rbi's). Actually in a game against Guin about 1 week prior to the season being over we barely won (5 to 3). Will knocked in 2 of our 5 runs by hitting to the right side of infield. He got out, but the runs scored. Then, against the 2 hardest teams, which we played at the very end of the season he was a combined 5 hits in 6 at-bats. Not bad for my 7 year old playing against alot of kids that are 18 months older than him.

Donna continued her cheering ways for Will. She loves it more than me.

Way to go Will Will. We are proud of you.

Now, we will enjoy summer. Will is going to Alabama's basketball camp and Shelton State baseball camp. Then, come September we start Fall baseball. I love it!

Giants now at 9 wins 1 loss

Just a quick update on Will's team, the Giants. We play in the 7-8 yr old machine pitch league. Thus far, we are 9-1. We are really having a good year and won a big game tonight.

Once again I am coaching (technically an assistant ) Will and loving every minute. I handle 3rd base coaching duties and outfield defense.

Will is hitting the ball well. He was 3 for 3 tonight and is 16 for 28 at the plate. That is awesome! Some of the kids we are playing actually turn 9 within a week or two. Will is 18 months younger, so we are really pleased with how good he has done.

3 more games left and they are all probably against the 3 best teams.

If you ever have a few night we invite you to come out to the ballpark.

Will's Church Musical

The children's choir had a musical Sunday night. It was awesome! Will had a speaking role as the "mayor" of the town. He did great. Everyone loves "Will Will" and all had a great laugh when he spoke his lines.

Donna and I waited a long time before we were blessed with Will, but watching him Sunday night made me realize what a tremendous blessing he was. I am proud of my little man and love him very much.

April Blooms at the Brown's

Baseball 2011 - 7&8 yr old Giants

Well, we have started baseball. Will is on the Giants. We have moved up to 7/8 yr old machine pitch ball. We hope to have a fun year.

Above the Rim basketball

Will had the opportunity to play Above the Rim basketball at our church this winter. He really enjoyed the action and did well. He scored in every game and actually had 5 pts in the last game. Oh, he did score 2 for the other team in the first game of the year. It was great!

We appreciated the chance to play since it is actually 3rd through 8th grade. Yes, Will is 1st grade, but since I helped coach/devotions he was allowed to play. Now, on to baseball.

Will's 1st Grade Program

That's Will the penguin. Yep, his class dressed as penguins for his 1st grade program. It was great! Of course, Will took it very serious and did an outstanding job.

Please note the stage background. Donna and another mother did all of the background work.

Fayette Snow of January 10, 2011