Jaws, Not Really!

Waiting on daddy to get back




The exciting catch. Brandon (our nephew) hooked it, but they all worked for an hour to get it on the boat and even then it fought for another 30 minutes. Thankfully no one was bit by the shark!

Here's Creighton (Derek's brother), Derek and our nephew Brandon. What an exhausting day of fishing!

Stephen and Matthew were very excited to see the shark and all the fish. I just found the whole thing kind of disgusting. If you know me well, you know I have a very easy stomach. I had to walk away from the table especially as they talked about cleaning the fish.

Here's Florida Papa, Derek and the boys and Sharkie.

Worth the Read

The Noticer is a great little read. "Sometimes all a person needs is a little perspective"



If you have boys, this is a must read. I have done so many things wrong. I'm almost done with the book and I'm going to reread it...it's that good. I'm not a boy, so I don't think like a boy and I can't understand the mind of a boy; therefore, I need a little help.

Silly Saturday

This was moving day....December 2004. We've been in this house the longest of any and I have the moving bug! :-)

A First

So Derek and our kids have never been to see a drive-in movie. I find it fascinating that Derek's never been. Why, I don't know? I just thought that everyone went to the drive-in when they were younger.

So we drove down to the drive-in and it was "real country". As we drove through town, I told Derek I felt like I was driving through Paris, Tennessee or Mayfield, Kentucky (both small hometowns for my parents). I grew up in a large suburb, so these small towns are very different to me. It's always fun to do something out of the ordinary though and the kids enjoyed it. Really, I think they enjoyed the popcorn, licorice, junior mints, rasinets, dots, etc.

We were exhausted by the time we arrived home at 1 a.m. Next time, we may not stay for the double feature.

Check it out if you're interested and live in the area.

Neither death....

Romans 8:37-39 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Ryan Settlemoir's funeral was on Tuesday. He was 28 years old. The funeral is just a formality though because we know he had already been reunited with Christ.

Detroit Free Press Article

Just another reminder for us that neither death nor life, not anything can separate us from the love of Christ.

Brokenhearted

One of my former high school students lost her husband this morning. He was in the hospital with pneumonia and things just got progressively worse. He was 28 years old (so young!) and left behind a loving wife, a 4 yr. old son and twin 2 year old girls.

I know all the right answers. I know that God is sovereign and that He has a purpose in all of this, but it just stinks. I know that there will be a great testimony on the other side of this. I know that God will be her strength, peace and comfort, but I'm brokenhearted that she has to walk through this. Life is so hard and unfair at times.

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Pray for Alicia and her family. Pray for Austin, Brooklyn and Brianna as they've lost their daddy. How difficult the days ahead will be.

Love on your family today...you are never promised tomorrow.

And That's What You Get For Crying...

On the last day of school ENA has an awards ceremony. Matthew's first grade teacher decided prior to the ceremony to give all her students a "fun award". Derek and I were in Stephen's room at the time (we didn't know Mrs. W was going to give awards). We were however aware that Stephen's teacher was going to say a prayer of blessing over each child, so we were hanging out in 3rd grade.

One of the other 1st grade parents comes and tells me that Matthew was looking for mom and dad. I go to his classroom and he is in full meltdown, tears and all. Rob and Robyn (probably the kindest people on earth) are trying to console Matthew. The problem, Mrs. W. awarded Matthew with the "most injuries" award. Any of you that know Matthew will not find this shocking. He's had two sets of stitches in his head already! He does tend to get hurt a lot mostly because he's not paying attention. And then if you give him sympathy...watch out!! He'll work it for sure!

So Matthew tells me that he told his teacher he didn't want the award. Nice....I go and get Derek because seriously, why does everything with my kids have to be high drama? We talk to Matthew and tell him that he needs to apologize because he was ungrateful, etc. I ask him what award he wanted to get? He says "most creative" or "best in math". I told him that you can't receive best in math if you don't work hard for it--which he didn't!

So, before the ceremony he apologizes to Mrs. W. She asks him what award he would've wanted and he told her. So after the ceremony, we're having a pizza party and Mrs. W says, "Oh, I forgot to give one very special award" and what does she do, she gives Matthew a most creative and math award.

And that my friends is what you get when you cry!!!

(You can almost see the play by play except we don't have the "meltdown" picture!)