Monday, June 11, 2007
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Sunday
A good day today. Church was amazing. And something about our fellowship afterward is so comforting to me with Race away. That's the way it should be, isn't it? We are so thankful to be a part of this church.
I spent some time down at the creek with Jackson this afternoon. He played, and swam with Scout. Scout is Jack's dog. He was a 7th birthday present, and there has never been a child and dog closer. It has been a match since they first laid eyes on each other. The 2 of them played and swam for the entire hour. Jack spoke to me everyonce in awhile. Usually just to point out some new fish, or plant or bug. But almost entirely, he spoke to Scout.
They even have little games that they play in the water. They will dive down COMPLETELY under the water together at the same time. Have you ever seen a dog COMPLETELY immerse itself under water? Head, tail, everything! It was so fun to watch.
The other game that they play, is Jack while float on his back in the water, and Scout will charge, splashing into the creek, swim up to him and grab him by the shoulder of his shirt, and begin pulling him through the water, and up onto land. It was hysterical! That boy and that dog really love each other. And I couldn't help thinking what a lucky little boy Jack is to be able to splash in his own creek on a hot summers day after church, without a care in the world. And what a blessed mom I am to be a part of it.
Good stuff!
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Class 0f 1987
We know a lot of kids this year who are graduating from highschool. I guess that this should tell me something: My oldest kid is getting older and is nearing that age. NO. No. I'm not going to think about it.
I remember when I graduated from highschool. The class of '87. It was the 80's. Bruce Springsteen and Bon Jovi were blastin' from my mustang. My best friend was Janelle, and my boyfriend was Glenn. Neither of them went to my school. I went to a super-tiny, super-conservative, Baptist Christian School. Janelle went to ANOTHER super-conservative, super-tiny, Baptist Christian School across town.
Glenn, however, went to The Big Highschool. He was senior class president of The Big Highschool. He was popular. He had friends. He had friends who were allowed to swim with members of the opposite sex. He had friends who were girls..... and...were allowed to wear......PANTS!!! (gasp!!)
So how, you ask, was a little private school girl able to snag this skinny legged track star for a boyfriend?? With great cunning and skill. With such a carefully laid plan that it would boggle your mind and fill up tons of useless blog space. But it worked.
I was IN.
So my senior year, I got to attend the Big Highschool Prom, as well as all the parties,and the football games etc.
This was the same year that I stood ( yes, STOOD) boldly in my own highschool class and announced during an argument, "Well, at least I have a LIFE! Not like THIS bunch of losers!!" Exact words. Not my proudest moment. But who could blame me? There I was trying my best to shine. My hair was perfectly coiffed in the Big Hair 80's, feathered style....and yes.....the the layers DID meet in the back.(ahhhhhh...) My eye make-up was perfectly applied in a rainbow of colors. I wore Forenza, Limited and Esprit. For crying out loud people......I OWNED a coveted Coca-cola shirt, mini-skirt,slouched white socks and Reeboks!!! I had CROP TOPS!!!
ANd here I was STUCK with a bunch of classmates in which the girls wore coulottes, and the boys "couldn't engage in mixed swimming." It was enough to drive a young fashonista to desperation.
Ohhhhhh.....I would shine! Damn them...I WOULD shine!(With withered carrot in hand, shaking fist at the dusk-sky) "As God as my witness, I will NEVER wear coulottes again!"
And I never have. (Even when they actually came in style, ever-so-briefly, recently).
So. I give you.........................This:
Here I am in all my senior 80's glory. Yes, yes....the hair actually meets PERFECTLY in the back. (I know you were wondering). The secret? Paul Mitchell Freeze and Shine....of course! My eyes were lined, my lashes were mascara'd long and my brows thick. I wore my hair like this EVERY day. It was my crown and glory.
There is more to tell about graduation night, but I'll save it for another time....dinner at the Country Club with the folks and some friends,............Janelle's date that night......... my cousin picking me up in her Porsche (ooooohhh I HAD arrived!!)...........my date that night. All good stuff.
I remember when I graduated from highschool. The class of '87. It was the 80's. Bruce Springsteen and Bon Jovi were blastin' from my mustang. My best friend was Janelle, and my boyfriend was Glenn. Neither of them went to my school. I went to a super-tiny, super-conservative, Baptist Christian School. Janelle went to ANOTHER super-conservative, super-tiny, Baptist Christian School across town.
Glenn, however, went to The Big Highschool. He was senior class president of The Big Highschool. He was popular. He had friends. He had friends who were allowed to swim with members of the opposite sex. He had friends who were girls..... and...were allowed to wear......PANTS!!! (gasp!!)
So how, you ask, was a little private school girl able to snag this skinny legged track star for a boyfriend?? With great cunning and skill. With such a carefully laid plan that it would boggle your mind and fill up tons of useless blog space. But it worked.
I was IN.
So my senior year, I got to attend the Big Highschool Prom, as well as all the parties,and the football games etc.
This was the same year that I stood ( yes, STOOD) boldly in my own highschool class and announced during an argument, "Well, at least I have a LIFE! Not like THIS bunch of losers!!" Exact words. Not my proudest moment. But who could blame me? There I was trying my best to shine. My hair was perfectly coiffed in the Big Hair 80's, feathered style....and yes.....the the layers DID meet in the back.(ahhhhhh...) My eye make-up was perfectly applied in a rainbow of colors. I wore Forenza, Limited and Esprit. For crying out loud people......I OWNED a coveted Coca-cola shirt, mini-skirt,slouched white socks and Reeboks!!! I had CROP TOPS!!!
ANd here I was STUCK with a bunch of classmates in which the girls wore coulottes, and the boys "couldn't engage in mixed swimming." It was enough to drive a young fashonista to desperation.
Ohhhhhh.....I would shine! Damn them...I WOULD shine!(With withered carrot in hand, shaking fist at the dusk-sky) "As God as my witness, I will NEVER wear coulottes again!"
And I never have. (Even when they actually came in style, ever-so-briefly, recently).
So. I give you.........................This:
Here I am in all my senior 80's glory. Yes, yes....the hair actually meets PERFECTLY in the back. (I know you were wondering). The secret? Paul Mitchell Freeze and Shine....of course! My eyes were lined, my lashes were mascara'd long and my brows thick. I wore my hair like this EVERY day. It was my crown and glory.
There is more to tell about graduation night, but I'll save it for another time....dinner at the Country Club with the folks and some friends,............Janelle's date that night......... my cousin picking me up in her Porsche (ooooohhh I HAD arrived!!)...........my date that night. All good stuff.
Hmmmmmmm........I wonder if Glenn still has my picture? Who are we kidding?? Of course he does.
Congratulations Class of 2007!!!
G'night!
Melissa
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
The garden
My garden is coming along pretty good this year.You may remember that I couldn't do a garden last year because of the ridiculously insane baseball schedules that the boys had. And I missed it SO much. I really find it relaxing to till and plant and watch things grow. And I find it incredibly satisfying to be able to grow, cook, and prepare fresh food for my family.
In the picture below, you can see tomatoes, 2 rows of green beans, and squash and zucchini. Just outside of the picture are 4 small blueberry bushes that I planted this year. The pressure is really on these little bushes, as we are all going out at different times of the day to check on the 6-8 ripening berries on each little shrub. Almost ripe!!
In the picture below, you can see tomatoes, 2 rows of green beans, and squash and zucchini. Just outside of the picture are 4 small blueberry bushes that I planted this year. The pressure is really on these little bushes, as we are all going out at different times of the day to check on the 6-8 ripening berries on each little shrub. Almost ripe!!
You can see the potatoes on the far left....(some of which have started to bloom), onions planted up really close to a row of green peppers, and then the same tomatoes, and green beans. In between the poles, I planted cucumbers. I have some gardening twine that I will stretch between the poles and make a sort of trellis for the cucumbers to grow up. This has worked well in the past, and it really saves space! For mulching, I use fresh grass clippings which are applied by our work crew in thick layers. This is good for the soil, and also keeps the weeds to a manageable level.
For those of you who see the size of this garden and think "small"......I'm with you. It is small. But then THIS is the size garden that I grew up with. My parents' garden hasn't changed in size, ONE INCH. They will be feeding half the county this year.
I was about 4 when I was walking in the garden with dad and he reached down and pulled up a huge turnip from the ground. He took out his pocket knife, peeled it and cut 2 thin slices. He handed one to me. At 4 I wasn't really a huge turnip fan. But I tried it, and couldn't believe how good it was! And I remember thinking how amazing to go out an pull delicious food right from the ground and eat it!!
And below, is part of the work crew we use around here.
They can be difficult to motivate, bbut they are cheap, do a good job, and they don't use foul language in my presence. SO I keep 'em. ;-)
So, how's your garden doing? What have you planted? Is it in the ground, or maybe just a couple of containers on the deck? What are you watching grow this year?
G'night!
Melissa
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Thank-you!
Thank-you to Mam-maw and Pap-paw , for driving all this way to see Jack's game. And thank-you Aunt Thomasina for not only coming to watch, but for taking pictures that absolutely ROCK!! It all means so much to him!
Sunday, June 03, 2007
What we did with Race.....
Well, that flew by!
We did get a few extra days with Race. And they were chocked full of fun family time. There were MANY baseball games....from Dixie Youth to Minor league.
Race got to see Jack hit his very first homerun to tie up a game that his team would go on to win big. That win placed them first in their division. (wildly cheering)
He also got to spend a lot of time with Austin helping him prepare for his move up in baseball. They worked hard and played harder. Race watched him really tear it up at his first practice, on a new team. His efforts payed off in a big way with the new coach. It was a great feeling for both dad and son.
Race and Austin competed in a homerun derby against one another at the batting cages. Jack, Savannah, and I watched and cheered them on. There were 30 pitches. They had to bat 15 right handed and 15 left-handed. Final count? Austin 19 homers, Race 18 homers. They both only missed one ball! It was so fun. The kids and I were screaming and yelling like maniacs, and people were gathering around to see what was going on and to watch these guys slugging it out left, then right! It was so fun!
Afterward we hit the bumper boats. The kids totally took advantage of Race's first time in the boats and they DRENCHED him, before he even got out into the water. But their dad is never one to go down without a fight, so the whole family ended up soaking wet when we left!!(And wouldn't you know it? Not a towel in the car!)We took our front row seats at the minor league game, soaking wet!
Having Race at home also meant that my work-outs were about to become much harder. No more little dumbbell lunges inside. OHHHHhhh Nooooo...we have to go OUTSIDE...in the HEAT....on the DRIVEWAY.....AFTER we had done all our other lifting. We lunged all the way down the driveway and all the way back up.I had 15 pounders, and I couldn't tell what was going to give first: my totally smoked arms, or my wobbly, trembling legs! Whew!
No more leisurely running on the treadmill in the AC. Ohhhh Nooooooo.....not us. We went OUTSIDE...in the HEAT....with the GNATS...and Race introduced me to 300 yd shuttles. OH. MY. Gosh. I think that's the hardest thing that I've ever done. (O.k, not counting childbirth). Football players? How do you do it?
But you know what? It was fun afterward. Race is a great motivator, and the harder I go, the harder he goes. Savannah and Austin ran sprints with us. He always makes us stronger and more confident. It was all really, really great.I would do it again and again. (I would probably throw up again and again...but..you get the picture).
Looking back, we spent most of our time outdoors. Race and the kids spent a good bit of time down at the creek. They piled up large flat river rocks, to raise the water level in one area, and create a swimming hole. They swam for most of that afternoon.
We got alot of work done as well, but that's not nearly as interesting, so we'll leave all that out.
Race is gone, and life is back to normal. Not drab. Just normal. He has become such a huge presence to us, that the void that is left when he is away is unmistakable. BUt I don't think that I'd have it any other way.
We love you Race!
We did get a few extra days with Race. And they were chocked full of fun family time. There were MANY baseball games....from Dixie Youth to Minor league.
Race got to see Jack hit his very first homerun to tie up a game that his team would go on to win big. That win placed them first in their division. (wildly cheering)
He also got to spend a lot of time with Austin helping him prepare for his move up in baseball. They worked hard and played harder. Race watched him really tear it up at his first practice, on a new team. His efforts payed off in a big way with the new coach. It was a great feeling for both dad and son.
Race and Austin competed in a homerun derby against one another at the batting cages. Jack, Savannah, and I watched and cheered them on. There were 30 pitches. They had to bat 15 right handed and 15 left-handed. Final count? Austin 19 homers, Race 18 homers. They both only missed one ball! It was so fun. The kids and I were screaming and yelling like maniacs, and people were gathering around to see what was going on and to watch these guys slugging it out left, then right! It was so fun!
Afterward we hit the bumper boats. The kids totally took advantage of Race's first time in the boats and they DRENCHED him, before he even got out into the water. But their dad is never one to go down without a fight, so the whole family ended up soaking wet when we left!!(And wouldn't you know it? Not a towel in the car!)We took our front row seats at the minor league game, soaking wet!
Having Race at home also meant that my work-outs were about to become much harder. No more little dumbbell lunges inside. OHHHHhhh Nooooo...we have to go OUTSIDE...in the HEAT....on the DRIVEWAY.....AFTER we had done all our other lifting. We lunged all the way down the driveway and all the way back up.I had 15 pounders, and I couldn't tell what was going to give first: my totally smoked arms, or my wobbly, trembling legs! Whew!
No more leisurely running on the treadmill in the AC. Ohhhh Nooooooo.....not us. We went OUTSIDE...in the HEAT....with the GNATS...and Race introduced me to 300 yd shuttles. OH. MY. Gosh. I think that's the hardest thing that I've ever done. (O.k, not counting childbirth). Football players? How do you do it?
But you know what? It was fun afterward. Race is a great motivator, and the harder I go, the harder he goes. Savannah and Austin ran sprints with us. He always makes us stronger and more confident. It was all really, really great.I would do it again and again. (I would probably throw up again and again...but..you get the picture).
Looking back, we spent most of our time outdoors. Race and the kids spent a good bit of time down at the creek. They piled up large flat river rocks, to raise the water level in one area, and create a swimming hole. They swam for most of that afternoon.
We got alot of work done as well, but that's not nearly as interesting, so we'll leave all that out.
Race is gone, and life is back to normal. Not drab. Just normal. He has become such a huge presence to us, that the void that is left when he is away is unmistakable. BUt I don't think that I'd have it any other way.
We love you Race!
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
I'm outta here!
Hey everyone!! I just got some exciting news! Race will be home earlier than expected. The bad news is that we only have a few days with him, until he shoves off again. So I will be spending every spare second of the next few days with the Amazing Race and the kids. So, hold down the fort. I'll be back soon!
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
My Jerry Falwell story
I was a student at L.U. . Back then,(and to a degree, still) L.U. was pretty strict as colleges go. I had been in trouble before. Not BIG trouble, but let's just say that I was really pushing the limits of my "freedoms" at that time. The Dean of Women already knew me by name, and when she looked at me.......she saw a bad egg.
Now, honestly....I wasn't BAD. Terribly shallow and vain, yes. But not BAD.
For instance:
You were not supposed to have a car on campus till after your freshman year. Well...when I saw how far I was going to be trekking EVERY DAY from my dorm to my fashion classes in my little black leather pumps......wehehelll...you better believe I was bringing my car! SO. There set my little mustang, parked in all the WRONG places, (but miraculously close to whereever I needed to be). The floorboard was piled ankle-high with unpaid parking tickets. No lie. (PLEASE do not bring this up to my father!)
There was also a little run in w/ the dean of women about supposedly seeing MY car over at Race's off campus apartment, at some ungodly hours.After curfew. Honestly....I don't remember a thing about all that. Or about falsifying a permission slip...Threatened expulsion.....I don't remember. Don't ask me, anymore.
O.K, so you get the picture: They KNEW me down at the Dean of Women.
Jump to my 3rd year:
I desperately wanted to move off campus. And my dad, being the businessman that he is, saw this as a golden opportunity to save some money. No more room and board, no more unpaid parking tickets, etc, etc. So, he bought a townhouse. Myself and a good friend moved in immediately. WOO-HOO!! FREEDOM! Well, apparently there were rules and such about all this.(picture me looking innocently at my dad, asking "what? what rules??") Right away,I get a handy note from the same Dean of Women, saying that I, in fact COULD NOT live off campus yet, and that I'd better have all my stuff back w/in the week, as well as a butt load of paper work signed and brought to her office, or I was EXPELLED!
So there I was. I had dragged my dad into this. HE had PURCHASED the townhouse. My roommate also, was COUNTING on this. SHe had nowhere else to go. The pressure was on. I cried. Then I went to see the Dean, and I cried some more. I made my case. She gleefully stood her ground. (My GOODNESS she was an unhappy woman). I figured I'd better head straight to the top.
Dr. Falwell had a studio on campus. I was desperate. I had exhausted all other options. I found out when he would be taping. I parked myself in front of that door early that day. (O,K, thinking back, it was probably like 10:00 am. Bu that was EARLY for me...) But, BLASTED! He was already in there! (sigh) He had to come out some time. I waited. For 4 hours,...4HOURS! I waited.
And then- some scrawny, media kid who was helping with the set, emerged from the room. I woke myself from my half-dazed state. "PLEASE, please, you have to let me in to see Dr. Falwell! You HAVE to! I've GOT TO GET in there! HE's the only one that can help me....PLEASE!" I pleaded, tearing at his sleeve and choking back the tears. He stuck his head back in and then in a monotone voice said, "Yeah, go ahead...their on a break".
I stepped into the studio. It looked just like a ......studio. There were cameras and bright lights and a set crew. There were fake bookshelves and fake books. And there, behind the desk of his fake study sat Dr. F@lwell. (He had a real study too, of course, but this was what they taped in.) He quickly motioned me over.
He was one of those people who was larger than life. I immediately forgot about the rest of the set crew, as he kindly said, "Now, now...what's so bad? What I can I do for you?"
Well. I'll tell ya. I broke down. I started bawling, and sputtering the most incomprehensible string of nonsense you have ever heard. I was going to hell and I knew it. I was TRULY sorry for what I had done, but now other people were going to have to PAY for it.I was a miserable wretch.
I don't know what he heard. Probably alot of crying, sniffling, and the words "off-campus", "dad paid", and "so sorry". But mid-blubbering he picked up the phone, dialed the deans office, and said, "Melissa M has my permission to live off campus." *click* Then he patted my hand and said, "Now, now....try not to be too hard on the dean. She's just trying to do her job. You just go on and do your best in school. Is there anything else that I can help you with?" *sniff, sniff. blink blink* "Um, no sir. Thank-you so much sir". (red faced, teary eyed smile, as I realized that my young life had been spared, and life would, in fact. go on.) As I turned to go, I realized that about 10 other people had also witnessed me spilling my guts and wailing in despair. But I didn't care.
Within 5 minutes, I was on the other side of the door again. A new girl. A girl determined to live right. To put her black-hearted past behind her, and live right.
I can honestly say, that I have NEVER seen the man turn down helping ANYONE. EVER.
He was a man of unflinching character.Therefore, you either love him or you hate him. And he was o.k. with that. He stood for what he believed in, no matter what. ANd THAT's pretty tough to find these days.
I did live off campus that year.
ANd it was that very same townhouse that Race and I moved into after we were married.
Dr. Falwell led us and prayed with us as we dedicated all 3 of our children to Christ when each one was a baby.
Austin was baptized by him.
So, that's my story.
What an enormous impact one person can make on the world. Race is sitting in the middle of the dessert on the other side of the world. He has no phone and no email. He had already heard the news. Amazing.
G'night
Now, honestly....I wasn't BAD. Terribly shallow and vain, yes. But not BAD.
For instance:
You were not supposed to have a car on campus till after your freshman year. Well...when I saw how far I was going to be trekking EVERY DAY from my dorm to my fashion classes in my little black leather pumps......wehehelll...you better believe I was bringing my car! SO. There set my little mustang, parked in all the WRONG places, (but miraculously close to whereever I needed to be). The floorboard was piled ankle-high with unpaid parking tickets. No lie. (PLEASE do not bring this up to my father!)
There was also a little run in w/ the dean of women about supposedly seeing MY car over at Race's off campus apartment, at some ungodly hours.After curfew. Honestly....I don't remember a thing about all that. Or about falsifying a permission slip...Threatened expulsion.....I don't remember. Don't ask me, anymore.
O.K, so you get the picture: They KNEW me down at the Dean of Women.
Jump to my 3rd year:
I desperately wanted to move off campus. And my dad, being the businessman that he is, saw this as a golden opportunity to save some money. No more room and board, no more unpaid parking tickets, etc, etc. So, he bought a townhouse. Myself and a good friend moved in immediately. WOO-HOO!! FREEDOM! Well, apparently there were rules and such about all this.(picture me looking innocently at my dad, asking "what? what rules??") Right away,I get a handy note from the same Dean of Women, saying that I, in fact COULD NOT live off campus yet, and that I'd better have all my stuff back w/in the week, as well as a butt load of paper work signed and brought to her office, or I was EXPELLED!
So there I was. I had dragged my dad into this. HE had PURCHASED the townhouse. My roommate also, was COUNTING on this. SHe had nowhere else to go. The pressure was on. I cried. Then I went to see the Dean, and I cried some more. I made my case. She gleefully stood her ground. (My GOODNESS she was an unhappy woman). I figured I'd better head straight to the top.
Dr. Falwell had a studio on campus. I was desperate. I had exhausted all other options. I found out when he would be taping. I parked myself in front of that door early that day. (O,K, thinking back, it was probably like 10:00 am. Bu that was EARLY for me...) But, BLASTED! He was already in there! (sigh) He had to come out some time. I waited. For 4 hours,...4HOURS! I waited.
And then- some scrawny, media kid who was helping with the set, emerged from the room. I woke myself from my half-dazed state. "PLEASE, please, you have to let me in to see Dr. Falwell! You HAVE to! I've GOT TO GET in there! HE's the only one that can help me....PLEASE!" I pleaded, tearing at his sleeve and choking back the tears. He stuck his head back in and then in a monotone voice said, "Yeah, go ahead...their on a break".
I stepped into the studio. It looked just like a ......studio. There were cameras and bright lights and a set crew. There were fake bookshelves and fake books. And there, behind the desk of his fake study sat Dr. F@lwell. (He had a real study too, of course, but this was what they taped in.) He quickly motioned me over.
He was one of those people who was larger than life. I immediately forgot about the rest of the set crew, as he kindly said, "Now, now...what's so bad? What I can I do for you?"
Well. I'll tell ya. I broke down. I started bawling, and sputtering the most incomprehensible string of nonsense you have ever heard. I was going to hell and I knew it. I was TRULY sorry for what I had done, but now other people were going to have to PAY for it.I was a miserable wretch.
I don't know what he heard. Probably alot of crying, sniffling, and the words "off-campus", "dad paid", and "so sorry". But mid-blubbering he picked up the phone, dialed the deans office, and said, "Melissa M has my permission to live off campus." *click* Then he patted my hand and said, "Now, now....try not to be too hard on the dean. She's just trying to do her job. You just go on and do your best in school. Is there anything else that I can help you with?" *sniff, sniff. blink blink* "Um, no sir. Thank-you so much sir". (red faced, teary eyed smile, as I realized that my young life had been spared, and life would, in fact. go on.) As I turned to go, I realized that about 10 other people had also witnessed me spilling my guts and wailing in despair. But I didn't care.
Within 5 minutes, I was on the other side of the door again. A new girl. A girl determined to live right. To put her black-hearted past behind her, and live right.
I can honestly say, that I have NEVER seen the man turn down helping ANYONE. EVER.
He was a man of unflinching character.Therefore, you either love him or you hate him. And he was o.k. with that. He stood for what he believed in, no matter what. ANd THAT's pretty tough to find these days.
I did live off campus that year.
ANd it was that very same townhouse that Race and I moved into after we were married.
Dr. Falwell led us and prayed with us as we dedicated all 3 of our children to Christ when each one was a baby.
Austin was baptized by him.
So, that's my story.
What an enormous impact one person can make on the world. Race is sitting in the middle of the dessert on the other side of the world. He has no phone and no email. He had already heard the news. Amazing.
G'night
From my PCA pastor
Beloved,
We want to express our deep gratitude to God for the life of J.F. Many of you have counted him as friend, mentor, employer, colleague in academia, and pastor.
Our own Greg and Laurie McC. were married by Dr F@lwell. He recently made time in a very hectic schedule to join our elders to pray for and anoint Laurie with oil for healing.(Laurie is in the final stages of pancreatic cancer)
Many of you knew his personal warmth. He was faithful with the many gifts God gave him. He was a man of vision. He always represented our faith to the watching world in a winsome way. He has been diligent in the pursuit of developing a university which continues to send leaders into the culture for righteous transformation, and for training missionaries and pastors. We have so much to thank God for! What a glorious example of "well done, good and faithful servant"!
"We grieve, but not as those who have no hope."
We exult in the hope of the glory of God.Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through Jesus Christ our Lord.
We want to express our deep gratitude to God for the life of J.F. Many of you have counted him as friend, mentor, employer, colleague in academia, and pastor.
Our own Greg and Laurie McC. were married by Dr F@lwell. He recently made time in a very hectic schedule to join our elders to pray for and anoint Laurie with oil for healing.(Laurie is in the final stages of pancreatic cancer)
Many of you knew his personal warmth. He was faithful with the many gifts God gave him. He was a man of vision. He always represented our faith to the watching world in a winsome way. He has been diligent in the pursuit of developing a university which continues to send leaders into the culture for righteous transformation, and for training missionaries and pastors. We have so much to thank God for! What a glorious example of "well done, good and faithful servant"!
"We grieve, but not as those who have no hope."
We exult in the hope of the glory of God.Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through Jesus Christ our Lord.
I was one of "Jerry's Kids"
That was the joke if you went to L.U.
He was one of those people that just seemed larger than life. Someone who just seemed too stubborn to ever be troubled with death. He was one of the kindest people that I have ever known.
He helped me, personally, on several different occasions. Not because he should have, but just because I was some no-name, pathetic student who was, once again, bucking the system, and he kinda "got that". He understood all about the inner rebel.
I'll relate my whole story later tonight, but I just wanted to say that he will be greatly missed. He always said that he wanted to "go" while he was working, and that is apparently exactly what happened. He will be missed, and this area will never be the same.
He was one of those people that just seemed larger than life. Someone who just seemed too stubborn to ever be troubled with death. He was one of the kindest people that I have ever known.
He helped me, personally, on several different occasions. Not because he should have, but just because I was some no-name, pathetic student who was, once again, bucking the system, and he kinda "got that". He understood all about the inner rebel.
I'll relate my whole story later tonight, but I just wanted to say that he will be greatly missed. He always said that he wanted to "go" while he was working, and that is apparently exactly what happened. He will be missed, and this area will never be the same.
Woaaahhhh......hang on a sec ...
Did anyone notice that on my sidebar the months are in ...what is that? French????? What the_? How weird is that????
O.K, nevermind. Forget it. It's fixed. I didn't fix it....but it's fixed. Weird.
Please keep voting in the hair poll. Please don't think that your one vote isn't important. EVERY vote counts people. I am going to wrestle with my scanner soon, so that I can show you the importance of your votes. You see.........I have, in the past, made a few hair..."mistakes". A few bad decisions in the name of keeping up with the current trends. I intend to show you these mistakes. That's right. I'm gonna post my "bad hair" pictures.
Please vote.
And comment. I'm not gonna name names, but some of you are slacking. And I know most of you personally and know that you don't have anything better to do, so don't even try that one. ;-)
Blonde is currently winning.
O.K, nevermind. Forget it. It's fixed. I didn't fix it....but it's fixed. Weird.
Please keep voting in the hair poll. Please don't think that your one vote isn't important. EVERY vote counts people. I am going to wrestle with my scanner soon, so that I can show you the importance of your votes. You see.........I have, in the past, made a few hair..."mistakes". A few bad decisions in the name of keeping up with the current trends. I intend to show you these mistakes. That's right. I'm gonna post my "bad hair" pictures.
Please vote.
And comment. I'm not gonna name names, but some of you are slacking. And I know most of you personally and know that you don't have anything better to do, so don't even try that one. ;-)
Blonde is currently winning.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Happy Mothers Day!
Jackson gave me this little bouquet of wild flowers today. Aren't they pretty and unusual??
I had a wonderful Mothers Day. The kids decided that since Race wasn't home, and there was no way to "get" me anything from a store, that they would take me on a picnic! They planned the whole thing themselves. They made out a list.
And then they had me take them to the store. They unloaded everything by themselves.
They packed it all up, picnic style and hauled everything down to our camp site. This is Austin carrying our small grill down the well worn path . He had cleaned it and put the charcoal and everything in it before we started. Aren't the woods just beautiful?
Savannah chose the EXACT PERFECT spot for the blanket, and spread out everything.
This was our view. She could not have chosen a more perfect location!
Austin lit the charcoal, let it burn down till it was good and hot, and then cooked the hot dogs. All while I just sat and watched.
I promise you that filet mignon in the most upscale restaraunt could not have been more delightful than this fully loaded hot dog was to me!! I enjoyed every last bite. And I was truly amazed at how thoughtful and wonderfully capable my children are.
Jeb always has a great time swimming in the creek, but today was especially exciting, because he got to gobble up all the left over hot dogs when the kids were cleaning up!
HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!!
I had a wonderful Mothers Day. The kids decided that since Race wasn't home, and there was no way to "get" me anything from a store, that they would take me on a picnic! They planned the whole thing themselves. They made out a list.
And then they had me take them to the store. They unloaded everything by themselves.
They packed it all up, picnic style and hauled everything down to our camp site. This is Austin carrying our small grill down the well worn path . He had cleaned it and put the charcoal and everything in it before we started. Aren't the woods just beautiful?
Savannah chose the EXACT PERFECT spot for the blanket, and spread out everything.
This was our view. She could not have chosen a more perfect location!
Austin lit the charcoal, let it burn down till it was good and hot, and then cooked the hot dogs. All while I just sat and watched.
I promise you that filet mignon in the most upscale restaraunt could not have been more delightful than this fully loaded hot dog was to me!! I enjoyed every last bite. And I was truly amazed at how thoughtful and wonderfully capable my children are.
Jeb always has a great time swimming in the creek, but today was especially exciting, because he got to gobble up all the left over hot dogs when the kids were cleaning up!
HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!!
Friday, May 11, 2007
It's all about ME.....right???
Not a bad day, yesterday.
Had a hair appointment in the afternoon.(Huge Thanks to Thom for dropping the kids at martial arts and baseball).
My hair is now in a platinum, just-below-chin length, slightly angled bob. I love it.
But, my friends, ...................let me tell you....... it is a long and lonely road between brunette and blonde. It is a path that I have traveled. I have seen it's pitfalls. Do not be fooled. It is not for the faint of heart.
(O.k, maybe that is SLIGHTLY dramatic..)
But seriously...where is science?? Why can I not choose my color for the day? Why is that not available? I blame science.
Anyway, I am blonde and all is right with the world. My partner in the Great Hair Experiment has, of course, been my hairdresser, Jennifer The Hair Wizard. She rocks. Her exact words, after turning my hair back into a stunning blonde were,(In a small quiet voice, but speaking very pointedly) " O.K.. Our goal for your hair now, is to....be NICE to it. We've done a lot to it over the past few months, we need to give it a break." so, for awhile I am her "every-four-week girl". I'll be in for a root touch up, and a trim (Oh and you know...deep conditioning and all that).
I also ordered some new Bare Minerals. I ordered it from Sephora.com, so when you check-out you get to pick 3 free samples of AWESOME stuff that I wouldn't ever have the money to buy...AND..you can have it put in a beautiful gift box,..... to yourself....for free! "Happy Mothers Day to me!" I am so shallow that I put that on the gift card.....to me. To those of you who know me, this is no surprise.
Oh- BTW, I had the. BEST. thing. happen.
I met the mother of one of Austin's teammates , and part-way through the conversation she said, "Do you lift weights? You must lift weights, because your arms look SO good I wish mine did". AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!! SO, yes, of course, we're total BFF's now. I love her. (gushing) I LOVE her! I shall take her under my muscular, toned wing and show her my ways. I shall share with her the secrets to a slender, well-sculpted fore-limb. (sigh) We'll be friends forever.......I just know it.
Best thing of all?? Race called. I may not get another phone call before he gets back, but this one was so good.(The short platinum do will be a total shocker for him, heh,heh..) The comms are bad where he is and it's darn near impossible to call or email, but this was a GREAT call, and I really needed that. He is amazing.
Thank-you for the prayers. They are coveted above all else.
And grandmama, I need you to stop crying over my posts. The kids can't stand it if I am making you cry! And BTW, I DO cry, just not in front of Race when he is leaving, cause that's just not fair! And come to think of it, it's largely because of his wonderful parents that he is the amazing guy that he is! So, buck up lil' trooper and dry those tears!
So. It was a good day. And I'm feelin' better.....and refreshed.....and thankful. Very, very thankful.
Had a hair appointment in the afternoon.(Huge Thanks to Thom for dropping the kids at martial arts and baseball).
My hair is now in a platinum, just-below-chin length, slightly angled bob. I love it.
But, my friends, ...................let me tell you....... it is a long and lonely road between brunette and blonde. It is a path that I have traveled. I have seen it's pitfalls. Do not be fooled. It is not for the faint of heart.
(O.k, maybe that is SLIGHTLY dramatic..)
But seriously...where is science?? Why can I not choose my color for the day? Why is that not available? I blame science.
Anyway, I am blonde and all is right with the world. My partner in the Great Hair Experiment has, of course, been my hairdresser, Jennifer The Hair Wizard. She rocks. Her exact words, after turning my hair back into a stunning blonde were,(In a small quiet voice, but speaking very pointedly) " O.K.. Our goal for your hair now, is to....be NICE to it. We've done a lot to it over the past few months, we need to give it a break." so, for awhile I am her "every-four-week girl". I'll be in for a root touch up, and a trim (Oh and you know...deep conditioning and all that).
I also ordered some new Bare Minerals. I ordered it from Sephora.com, so when you check-out you get to pick 3 free samples of AWESOME stuff that I wouldn't ever have the money to buy...AND..you can have it put in a beautiful gift box,..... to yourself....for free! "Happy Mothers Day to me!" I am so shallow that I put that on the gift card.....to me. To those of you who know me, this is no surprise.
Oh- BTW, I had the. BEST. thing. happen.
I met the mother of one of Austin's teammates , and part-way through the conversation she said, "Do you lift weights? You must lift weights, because your arms look SO good I wish mine did". AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!! SO, yes, of course, we're total BFF's now. I love her. (gushing) I LOVE her! I shall take her under my muscular, toned wing and show her my ways. I shall share with her the secrets to a slender, well-sculpted fore-limb. (sigh) We'll be friends forever.......I just know it.
Best thing of all?? Race called. I may not get another phone call before he gets back, but this one was so good.(The short platinum do will be a total shocker for him, heh,heh..) The comms are bad where he is and it's darn near impossible to call or email, but this was a GREAT call, and I really needed that. He is amazing.
Thank-you for the prayers. They are coveted above all else.
And grandmama, I need you to stop crying over my posts. The kids can't stand it if I am making you cry! And BTW, I DO cry, just not in front of Race when he is leaving, cause that's just not fair! And come to think of it, it's largely because of his wonderful parents that he is the amazing guy that he is! So, buck up lil' trooper and dry those tears!
So. It was a good day. And I'm feelin' better.....and refreshed.....and thankful. Very, very thankful.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Just my musings...
I am really missing Race. Look at that picture. Isn't that just the loneliest thing? It's safer here, than......well........where it would be if it weren't here.;-)
I did get a long-awaited word from him today, so I am so, very, very thankful for that. But I am having trouble focusing on the tasks at hand right now. I'm having trouble diving into schooling, and baseball, and scouts, and theatre, and martial arts. I'm having trouble setting aside my thoughts and grasping the life right in front of me. The NOW. His job can seem so gigantic that it can (and has for others) easily swallow a family if you let it.
I know that this reflects my own struggles with faith. And I DO, deep down, desire God's will above all else. But it is a constant battle with the flesh, isn't it? Wanting things to be easier than they are.
I need to be thankful for the journey.
That is my goal. To be TRULY THANKFUL for the journey. I may not be there ALL the time, but it's what I intend to strive for. Thanks for listening!
Now...off I go.
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
My Bit O' Earth
This is my work-in-progress. It is also one of the things that makes me happy! I LOVE to garden. Up until 2 years ago, I had always preferred vegetable gardening, but thanks to my mom and my best friend Janelle, I decided to try my hand at flower gardening. This is the first year that things are beginning to fill out and even though everything won't be blooming for another couple of weeks, I think that just the foliage looks pretty. The big "sticky" thing in the background is a HUGE Hydrangea bush that the kids gave me for Mothers Day about 7 years ago. After this year, I am going to move it away from the house and plant climbing roses.
The only things really in bloom right now are the sages, delphinium, and Irises. My roses have just started, but can't really be seen in the pictures yet. I thought that it would be neat to see it now, and then again in a few weeks when everything is in bloom.
The flowers are a wonderful mix of plants that I have purchased and plants given to me by my mom, my aunt and Janelle.
I have been going for an English garden look, and I think I may eventually acheive it. I am completely hooked! I think that I may be a flower addict. I need to make some more gardening friends so that I can support my habit!
The only things really in bloom right now are the sages, delphinium, and Irises. My roses have just started, but can't really be seen in the pictures yet. I thought that it would be neat to see it now, and then again in a few weeks when everything is in bloom.
The flowers are a wonderful mix of plants that I have purchased and plants given to me by my mom, my aunt and Janelle.
I have been going for an English garden look, and I think I may eventually acheive it. I am completely hooked! I think that I may be a flower addict. I need to make some more gardening friends so that I can support my habit!
Monday, May 07, 2007
Jack's BACK!!
After working all week with his brother and his dad, the little guy found his bat again. He played and amazing game, tonight. As a parent, it feels so good to see your child work hard, struggle through and then reach their goal. He was like a different kid.
Race had worked tirelessly with Jack all week, and unfortunately was sitting on a plane tonight when his first up at bat was a triple that drove in the first 2 runs of the game. But I was able to reach him on the phone before the plane doors closed and let him know. I could feel him beaming all the way through the phone!
When Jack got back to the dugout, one of the kids said, "Man, where'd you learn to hit the ball like that??" And Jack replied, "My dad's been workin' with me. He taught me." (Deep, satisfied sigh)
Today was a long day, and not one that I was looking forward to because Race was leaving. But it has ended on a happy note. And we'll take that, and see what tomorrow holds. ;-)
G'night!
Race had worked tirelessly with Jack all week, and unfortunately was sitting on a plane tonight when his first up at bat was a triple that drove in the first 2 runs of the game. But I was able to reach him on the phone before the plane doors closed and let him know. I could feel him beaming all the way through the phone!
When Jack got back to the dugout, one of the kids said, "Man, where'd you learn to hit the ball like that??" And Jack replied, "My dad's been workin' with me. He taught me." (Deep, satisfied sigh)
Today was a long day, and not one that I was looking forward to because Race was leaving. But it has ended on a happy note. And we'll take that, and see what tomorrow holds. ;-)
G'night!
Friday, May 04, 2007
I can take a hint..moving right along..
Everyone's been posting recipes, so I thought that I'd post one that we use around here for a sweet-snack for the kids. Even better-they can make it themselves!!! I got this recipe from a message board a few years ago, and we've been using it ever since. You will need dry milk, wheat germ, raw honey and peanut butter. We use the Smart Balance peanut butter, or almond butter when we have a ton of money and want to live frivolously.
Place 1 cup of wheat germ and 1 cup of dried milk into a large mixing bowl.
As always, the wonderful baseball pics were taken by my sister, Thomasina. You can see her amazing photography at Photography By Thomasina
You should go and take a look. Her work is amazing.
Place 1 cup of wheat germ and 1 cup of dried milk into a large mixing bowl.
Next, add 1 cup of peanut butter.
Then add 1 cup of raw honey, and it should look like this:
Complicated....I know.
Use your strongest kid to stir........it's thick.
Stong kid should be able to get it to look like this:
Refridgerate for ...oh...I dunno .........awhile. Approximately 2 Looney Toons cartoons worth, and then have kid roll into bite sized balls. You can see he had to use his mouth to measure exactly what BITE SIZED was. It is easy to roll and read "Boys Life" if one should so desire. Although I would caution you to stay away from the spider issue that just arrived. (shudder)
And now, some gratuitous baseball pics of the sweet-snack-making kid. Doesn't he look so handsome in his uniform?
Thanks Thom, for the pictures!!!
As always, the wonderful baseball pics were taken by my sister, Thomasina. You can see her amazing photography at Photography By Thomasina
You should go and take a look. Her work is amazing.
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Feel Better NOW!
Of course I am no expert, but I AM becoming very passionate about proper nutrition and excercise. The reason is because it has made such a positive change in my own life. In addition, I think that many people are confused and misled, just as I was, about what eating healthy and excercising really entails. So. This is something I am excited about, and am even considering going back to school to focus on nutrition. You know.....to "do something with my life". (snort! a little homeschool humor there), but I am considering going back to school.
If you want to eat right, either for weight loss, or just to be healthier, the first thing that you have to know is where you're going wrong. You need to keep track of what you eat for at least a week. Don't change anything....just write down EVERY morsel, EVERY drop of liquid that goes into your mouth for one week. Take 10 min. every evening and look up a calorie counter online, and beside each and every thing write out # of cals, #of protein, #of carbs, and fats. Then total it up. That's it. Do it for a week. The results of this alone will amaze most people. Everyone's food record will show something different.
For optimal health, you want to shoot for somewhere around 40% protein, 40% carbs and 20% GOOD fats (olive oil,avacado, etc)This is not an exacting science, but a loose ballpark percentage to shoot for.(More details on all this stuff later!)
Anyway,I was WAY, WAY off. My totals told me why I was always feeling like crap, and why I had awful mood swings on some days. And why my level of energy was so unpredictable.
Your body is meant for survival. And with proper nutrients and excercise, it can pretty much take on anything. If you are NOT putting in proper nutrients, your body goes into starvation mode. It starts storing up for the "winter", so that it can survive. Can you believe that? You may not even be eating a lot of calories, but if you aren't giving your body what it needs, it will slow that metabolism right down and start storing everything!! This can mean FAT. It can also mean that certain parts of the body will begin to react to the lack of nutrients, and not funtion properly...(this can produce a lack of sleep, a myriad of skin disorders, digestive problems, and hello??? Libido anyone??)
It's worth doing, and I am trying to inspire anyone who has ever THOUGHT about it, to go ahead and take the first step. Do a little record keeping and see where you land. You have to start somewhere, and you don't want to waste time by shooting in the dark. Start feeling good!
So, whatdaya think?? Hate it? Hate me for bringing it up??? Let me hear it, I can take it. I SWEAR it's not as bad as you think!!!!
Thanks for reading till the end!!
If you want to eat right, either for weight loss, or just to be healthier, the first thing that you have to know is where you're going wrong. You need to keep track of what you eat for at least a week. Don't change anything....just write down EVERY morsel, EVERY drop of liquid that goes into your mouth for one week. Take 10 min. every evening and look up a calorie counter online, and beside each and every thing write out # of cals, #of protein, #of carbs, and fats. Then total it up. That's it. Do it for a week. The results of this alone will amaze most people. Everyone's food record will show something different.
For optimal health, you want to shoot for somewhere around 40% protein, 40% carbs and 20% GOOD fats (olive oil,avacado, etc)This is not an exacting science, but a loose ballpark percentage to shoot for.(More details on all this stuff later!)
Anyway,I was WAY, WAY off. My totals told me why I was always feeling like crap, and why I had awful mood swings on some days. And why my level of energy was so unpredictable.
Your body is meant for survival. And with proper nutrients and excercise, it can pretty much take on anything. If you are NOT putting in proper nutrients, your body goes into starvation mode. It starts storing up for the "winter", so that it can survive. Can you believe that? You may not even be eating a lot of calories, but if you aren't giving your body what it needs, it will slow that metabolism right down and start storing everything!! This can mean FAT. It can also mean that certain parts of the body will begin to react to the lack of nutrients, and not funtion properly...(this can produce a lack of sleep, a myriad of skin disorders, digestive problems, and hello??? Libido anyone??)
It's worth doing, and I am trying to inspire anyone who has ever THOUGHT about it, to go ahead and take the first step. Do a little record keeping and see where you land. You have to start somewhere, and you don't want to waste time by shooting in the dark. Start feeling good!
So, whatdaya think?? Hate it? Hate me for bringing it up??? Let me hear it, I can take it. I SWEAR it's not as bad as you think!!!!
Thanks for reading till the end!!
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
O.K., so I was going to do this whole nutrition post tonight, and Dy has to go and post about FRIED SQUASH. (sigh) So you'll all just have to wait on the edge of your seats to hear about what I ate today, cause I ain't competin' with that. (bwahaha!) I took pictures and everything.(Now you're really excited, right?)
O.K., I was watching American Idol tonight with Austin. Ummmm. Bon Jovi??? AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHhhhhhhh!! AMAZING!!! I am going out and buying that cd tomorrow!! Love it! Love it!!
How in the world will anyone choose between the 4 who are left?? How??
Till Tomorrow!!
O.K., I was watching American Idol tonight with Austin. Ummmm. Bon Jovi??? AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHhhhhhhh!! AMAZING!!! I am going out and buying that cd tomorrow!! Love it! Love it!!
How in the world will anyone choose between the 4 who are left?? How??
Till Tomorrow!!
Now THAT'S pressure
For those of you who don't know, "Andree" from my comments section, is Race's mom. Race's mom is calling me out on the carpet....making me lay it all out there. But, isn't it cute how she said "no tightening of the hips" instead of using my phrase, "sagging butt"? Doesn't that just sound so much more lady-like? (sigh)
I'll try to explain our nutrition plan without boring everyone to tears, and post it here later.
We had a tough night last night. It was Jack's first game. He is on a really good team this year, and by "good", I mean a winning team, not necessarily a team full of great ,fun kids. The team that our guys were playing they had beaten in a scrimmage 9-0. Anyway, here's how it went:
The kids were all playing poorly and there were a lot of errors and several bad attitudes. There were injuries as well. Well, because of good coaching, we held 'em off............. And then the uspeakable happened. Bottom of the 6th(they only play 6 innings in this league), 2 runs down, 2 outs, bases loaded.......and Jack is up. He struck out, and the game was over. The parenting books never tell you how excruciating it is to watch your child struggle.
The coach was great, and really encouraged Jack for giving his best effort under an extreme amount of pressure, and then laid the loss squarely at the feet of the older guys who were goofing off, and knew better. I think that they just never thought that they could lose.
But I must say, that I have never been prouder of my little guy. He handled this SO WELL. He was such a little man. he knew exactly what had just taken place, and he shouldered it. He did it without pouting. He kept a good attitude, and he's ready to get back out there. I am so proud!
But as a parent.....Wow. I really could live the rest of my days happily, without ever having to be in that situation again! ;-)
Thomasina got some pics, so I'll post some as soon as I get them. Whew! that was a tough one.
Have a good day!
I'll try to explain our nutrition plan without boring everyone to tears, and post it here later.
We had a tough night last night. It was Jack's first game. He is on a really good team this year, and by "good", I mean a winning team, not necessarily a team full of great ,fun kids. The team that our guys were playing they had beaten in a scrimmage 9-0. Anyway, here's how it went:
The kids were all playing poorly and there were a lot of errors and several bad attitudes. There were injuries as well. Well, because of good coaching, we held 'em off............. And then the uspeakable happened. Bottom of the 6th(they only play 6 innings in this league), 2 runs down, 2 outs, bases loaded.......and Jack is up. He struck out, and the game was over. The parenting books never tell you how excruciating it is to watch your child struggle.
The coach was great, and really encouraged Jack for giving his best effort under an extreme amount of pressure, and then laid the loss squarely at the feet of the older guys who were goofing off, and knew better. I think that they just never thought that they could lose.
But I must say, that I have never been prouder of my little guy. He handled this SO WELL. He was such a little man. he knew exactly what had just taken place, and he shouldered it. He did it without pouting. He kept a good attitude, and he's ready to get back out there. I am so proud!
But as a parent.....Wow. I really could live the rest of my days happily, without ever having to be in that situation again! ;-)
Thomasina got some pics, so I'll post some as soon as I get them. Whew! that was a tough one.
Have a good day!
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