American Idol Underdog?

This week...on American Idol...really changed my opinions of some of the contestants. True, not all of them are "country" singers, and struggled, but some "made it their own", and really stood out! Matt Giraud was one of them! I was really impressed with him, and love his voice! I hope he does well!

Here are my 2 cents - for what it's worth on the performances this week....

Adam - HORRIBLE!!!! A little scary, and disappointing.

Alexis - She seems to be singing the same type of songs...getting a little boring

Allison - Surprised she was in the bottom 3, but I thought she did ok

Anoop - Not a fan, but did an awesome job this week!

Danny - "He could sing the phonebook"...loved it, as always!

Kris - I think he's sort of an underdog too! I think he's good...but lacks confidence...a little like a puppy dog...cute though! ;)

Lil - This week....so disappointing...I know it wasn't her "type" of song, but I didn't think it even sounded good...and nobody can sing like Martina!

Matt - Great!

Megan - Cool sounding voice...not sure about her little dance she always does...looks a little like the chicken dance.

Michael - I really thought he would do a good job this week, but was unimpressed...I think he'll be gone next week.

Scott - I think he's good, his piano on the group performance...was very impressive!

What did you think?

St. Paddy's Day at the Briners!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Ok, so I am always up for an excuse for a fun day, and since I am 50% Irish, I decided to embrace my inner Irish lassie. :)

Breakfast was yummy, green pancakes

(nothing like a little artificial coloring to start the day off!)

For lunch, Colton made 4 leaf clover PB & J's

St. Paddy's Dinner ...at the "special" table. :)

Irish Stew & Irish Soda Bread - yum!

(Thanks Michelene for the recipe!)

Rainbow Fruit Salad
(Thanks Jacinda for the great idea!)


And Rainbow cake for dessert!

(The cake didn't come out as cute as Jacinda's, I think I tried to rush cook it, and didn't wait for it to cool...so it's not as pretty as I planned...but all in all, the boys loved it....so that's all that mattered! :) )

Notes on Mom by the 3 Briner Boys

I just did this fun little, "How well do you know your mom" questionaire on Facebook. Colton, Zac, and Ethan filled it out...it was funny to see how they answered.

1. What is something mom always says to you?
C- "Play hard" (before games)
Z- "Do school"
E- "Clean up your room"
(All are true)

2. What makes mom happy?
C- "a clean car"
Z- "Roses"
E- "Hugs and kisses"
(All are true)

3. What makes mom sad?
C- "Not getting a present on Valentines Day"
Z- "Not being good"
E- "When I'm not good"


4. How does your mom make you laugh?
C- "Being sarcastic"
Z- "Telling jokes"
E- "a cheesy face"

5. What was your mom like as a child?
C- "a tomboy"
Z- "wanted to be a monster truck driver" (true)
E- "like a boy" (that would be a tomboy)
(unfortunately, all are true!)

6. How old is your mom?
C- "35" - he's grounded...I'm 34!
Z- "34"
E- "34"

7. How tall is your mom?
C- "5' 4" "
Z- "5' 4" "
E- "how do you ask a 5 year old this?"
(5 foot, 4 and 3/4")

8. What is her favorite thing to do?
C- "go shopping for free"
Z- "go on vacation with us"
E- "workout"
(not sure if I would've put workout on the list...:) )

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
C- "clean the house"
Z- "parties"
E- "clean up around the house"
(sad but true)

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
C- "drums"
Z- "drums"
E- "singing"
(who knew? really not a good singer, and only good at drums on rockband!)

11. What is your mom really good at?
C- "cheering people up"
Z- "cleaning"
E- "rockband drums"

12. What is your mom not very good at?
C- "I'm trying to think of one that I don't get grounded on...not going the speed limit"
Z- "playing playstation"
E- "spelling tyranasaurus rex"
(Colton got it right on!)

13. What does your mom do for a job?
C- "Southern Living at HOME"
Z- "Southern Living"
E- "Sovern Living at HOME, and sell stuff"

14.What is your mom's favorite food?
C- "Lobster"
Z- "Chinese"
E- "salad"
(like all of the above, but chicken enchiladas are my fav)

15.What makes you proud of your mom?
C- "She cheers me on at soccer"
Z- "Buying us a wii"
E- "she does my laundry"

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
C- "Pochahonas"
Z- "Lilo"
E- "the mom on Johnny Test, but you look younger than her"
(Zac is grounded for the Lilo comment!)

17. What do you and your mom do together?
C- "play rockband"
Z- "school"
E- "play cars with me"

18. How are you and your mom the same?
C- "we look alike...black eyes"
Z- "we are both Briner's"
E- "we're in the same family"

19. How are you and your mom different?
C- "you where high heels, I wear tennis shoes"
Z- "your a girl, and I'm a boy"
E- "your a girl, and I'm a boy"

20. How do you know your mom loves you?
C- "you support me when I am down"
Z- "You gave me life"
E-"cuz I'm your son"

21. What does your mom like most about your dad?
C- "he takes long naps, so you can clean the house"
Z- "humor"
E- "he kisses you a lot"
(all true...and he's my hottie!)

22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
C- "Hawaii"
Z- "Cancun"
E- "Target"
(true!)

American Idol...who's your pick?

Well, it's that time of year again...Idol Season 8! I think there are quite a few good ones...and a lot that shouldn't have gotten this far. Here are the Briner fav's for Season 8!

Johnna - Lil Rounds or Danny Gokey

Eric, Colton, & Zac - Adam Lambert or Megan Corkey

Ethan - Jasmine Murray or Scott MacIntyre

I also think Alexis Grace and Allison Iraheta are great too! Who's your pick?????

LOVE at River Valley Church

We are "loving" our new study at RVC! We have been studying the Song of Solomon. Now honestly, I always thought it was a little mushy, but have gotten so much out of this study! We would love for any of you to join us! You can also listen online at www.rvcfresno.com.

15 years!!

February 5th was our 15 year anniversary!! It is hard to believe that time could go so fast, but even harder to remember life without Eric! Although the trends have changed, (Jessica McClintock floral bridesmaid dresses, and a strong 'mauve' wedding color scheme) we don't look exactly like we did 15 years ago, and life was a whole lot simpler...I wouldn't change one thing. I am amazed that I truly am more in love today, than I was on that February afternoon.

Here are 15 reasons that I love my hubby!

1. He's my best friend

2. He is an awesome, Godly leader of our house

3. He has given me the most perfect 4 boys

4. He is a wonderful father

5. He doesn't judge

6. He's wise with money...even when I'm not

7. He is a hard worker

8. He "gets" me!

9. He is a visionary

10. He is a hottie

11. He knows how to have a good time

12. He is positive

13. He is strong

14. He never complains about things not done

15. He loves me. :)

Thank you Eric for the best 15 years of my life...I can't wait for many more!

(Here is a questionaire I just filled out on Facebook too....)

1. When was your "engagement" anniversary: ***December 5, 1992***

2. When is your "marriage" anniversary: ***February 5, 1994***

3. How long have you known your spouse: ***Since July 6, 1990***

4. How long did you date/court before you were engaged: ***2 years, 5 mos.***

5. Where did you meet your spouse for the first time: ***While on a date with an ex-boyfriend***

6. What is your spouses full name: ***Eric E Briner***

7. Do you have any children yet: ***yes***

8. How many: ***four handsome boys***

9. Do you have any house pets:***Yes! Black lab...outside!***

10.Do you own a house or rent: ***own***

11.Do you live in the country or town/city: ***City***

12.What is one of you favorite activities together: ***Right now...playing Rock Band 2!***

13.Do you have a favorite vacation spot:***Avila Beach***

14.How many siblings: ***I have 1 sis, and he has 2!***

15.What church do you attend: ***River Valley Church, Fresno...love it! Come visit!***

16.Is it the church you were married in: ***No, we meet at Clovis North high school***

17.What town is your current address: ***Clovis, CA***

18.Do you work or stay at home: ***Both!***

19.Where did you honeymoon: ***Carmel, CA***

A New Favorite

Eric and I got a chance to go out for our anniversary last night, and we wanted to try a new (to us) place. I have seen the Daily Grill at Palm and Nees, but didn't know exactly what it was. Coffee shop, casual, healthy? While driving around trying to pick a place, I googled it on my phone and it sounded good, and right up the alley of what we were looking for.

We were very pleasantly surprised! It was very quaint, but chic too! The food was amazing! A little pricey, but not bad at all. Eric had lamb shanks, and I had a blackberry pork chop. I just kept telling Eric, I can't believe how hot (temperature) everything was! They also had a peach and strawberry cobbler with ice cream for dessert! YUM! Ok, seriously, I'm going to jump on the treadmill right after I submit this!!!