Random Happenings

I thought I would share what Grace recently wrote on our school board. It was so cute it didn't want to ever forget. I love it when kids write things in their own hand. Here it is: MAe frsT AT HTe StAKe Pork AT 3:00 A CLOC GrAcE WiL HAVe A PrD. Translation: May first at the state park at 3:00 Grace wil have a party.

In other news: Jim's school found out yesterday that their principal is being moved to the other high school. This really comes as a hard blow. Their system has just gotten a new superintendent, but in my opinion he's not off to a super job. What's really bad is that the principal was asked to consider the job several times. Each time he declined stating that he was happy where he was. Then boom, sorry, you're going anyway. It will be interesting what other changes he has planned.

Last night was Jim's spring concert. It was really great. He paid tribute to Coach Bonds and Mr. English (assistant and pricipal) I happened to be sitting between their wives and didn't think I would make it through Jim's little tribute. I know my make-up ran. It was fun to watch Coach Bonds' son play the quads. See he has CP and is not into sports like his brother and sister. However band is his passion and boy can you tell it. He did an excellent job, but this just added to my tears.

Our Weekend

Well it was a beautiful weekend here in south Georgia. The sky was clear and blue with an ever present breeze. Jim and I chose this weekend to do a little cleaning in the yard. We have a pecan tree along our border that had some other small trees and brush growing up around it. We thought we would tackle that and clean it up a little. We worked all day and still not quite thru, but my help ran out of steam. It's at times like these that I realize what an age gap we have.
See when I was packing my first box of Crayolas and my Kindermat, Jim was packing his clothes to join Uncle Sam on the high seas as a member of the United States Navy. Life went on and when I graduated high school I met Jim. I was 18 and thought he was 23 or so. I didn't find out he was 30 until I had fallen in love!!! By then age didn't matter. But now he has reached that first hill in life 4-0 and as soon as we got to the top it has been down hill.(HaHa) He is just falling apart. It will most likely be another couple of weeks before he finishes the project. His back hurts, his knees hurt and he just can't do much.
Recently, his best friend turned 40 and I warned his wife that by Monday he would fall apart. Sure enough he called Monday afternoon to thank us for the gift and to let me know he had already used the 6pk. of Back and Body Excedrin. So this is a warning girls, when you get all googlie eyed at that older guy, remember he will collect Social Security about the time you reach 50. However, if you are like me that won't matter much as long as you can sit hand in hand at the retirement village and rock away the evenings. Hey that's a plus, I get to go to the assisted living facility sooner and have someone else do all the cooking and cleaning! (Ha ha ha) Really I love my man and appreciate all he does for me.

Prayers and Biblical Interpretation

Before I share any life happenings I have a prayer request. Jim's assisstant principal has been battling cancer for years. He has recovered and then been attacked again. His latest bought has been with cancer in his brain. Even this has not slowed him down. He would go for treatment and then be right back to school. He is a true inspiration for perserverance. However, the battle has gotten harder and yesterday they admitted Mr. Bill to hospice. Please pray for his wife Lori and their three children. The kids are in middle school and this will be hard. There will definately be a big gap at school and at Jim's prayer meetings in the mornings.

Update: We just received news tonight that Mr. Bill is in glory with Jesus. He doesn't hurt anymore, but he is leaving a family who will miss him greatly.

In other news, I wanted to share a biblical interpretation according to a 4 year old. Over the last few weeks we have talked about Jesus' death and resurrection. One night at supper we were asking the kids questions and of course Blake and Grace would answer them all. So I asked Samuel where we would live with Jesus. His response "The hotel." I just about cracked up, but the more I thought about it he isn't that far off. John 14:2 says "In My Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you." I guess we can call it the Heaven Inn. Be blessed.

Samuel Remembers

I have wondered how much about Vietnam that Samuel remembers. Well, as it turns out, a lot. Sunday when we got to my moms for lunch Samuel just out of the blue told my aunt that he was from Vietnam. I was pretty stunned because he doesn't often talk about it. Then today in the dentist office something came up about it and we began to dialogue. I asked him what he ate and he said fish and bottles. I asked about his toys and he told me he had a ball with all colors and a dog, a monkey and a bear. He told me there was no school just a house. He lived upstairs and slept in a bed that swings. When I asked about his mommy he told me that I came, but then left and I would come back later. Then I came back and we got in a car and drove away.

I was really amazed. All this stuff is from our trip to pick him up. The fish are goldfish and the ball was a beach ball we brought. The dog is the first thing we ever bought for him and we took it. He then called it a monkey for months. The bear is a beanie baby that they gave him as he left. He even called himself by his Vietnamese name. When we showed him pictures tonight he recognized his house and the stairs we climbed. He even pointed to one of the baby beds and told me that was his bed. He still didn't seem to recognize or remember any of the kids or nannies. However, I am encouraged my his remembering and talking about the days we came to get him. We will continue to talk and hopefully learn more.

In other news... We dropped off our paperwork to begin the foster/adoption process. I know this will be a very long and tedious process. I covet all of your prayers.

Resurrection Celebration

The above are a few pics from our Sunday. We had a great day. First we went to church and then on to my moms. We had lots of family over and had a great lunch. Then some of the grown-ups hid eggs for the kids. It was absolutely funny to watch the kids run around after the eggs. Samuel just followed Blake around and for the longest time didn't get an egg. Then Aunt Cassie told him not to follow Blake and he finally found a few. Overall it was a wonderful day.

On the house front we had someone come and look at the house. They seemed very interested. However, they decided that they didn't want the house. Oh, well.

Just a note for Ms. Heather, we will be celebrating Resurrection Sunday with my mom. No need for the bus this week. Ha!Ha!

Play Ball!!!

Okay, so I know it has been a while. My computer is going on the blink. Usually I get about 5 good minutes on the net before it kicks me off. This is why I have not posted much. I tried over the weekend to post but couldn't so here it is. The kids started their ball games this week. Samuel and Grace are on the same t-ball team. Let me tell you that kid has some great talent! He can really whack the ball. Of course stopping a grounder is not a problem because he is always in his little Asian squat! Grace is doing better this year with not talking to her teammates. However, in great 6 year old spirit she slides everytime she chases a ball.

Blake is doing really well also. He is a great fielder and is improving on his hitting. One thing that has really impressed me is his maturity. His games and practices fall on Wednesday alot, but he has decided church and God are more important. He even wanted to forgo practice for revival!

In other news. The guy, Billy, has been working on our house for the last couple of weeks. He has done a lot of minor things that just needed to be done. It has really made a difference to me. We also had three older gentlemen stop in the other day. They were out looking at the house so I went out to talk with them. They were trying to locate the "old home place." They had a couple of pictures and it looked very similar to our house. One of them even mentioned buying the house if it was their old home place.

I guess the biggest news of the week is that it is mine and Jim's 9th wedding anniversary! Woo-Hoo!!! Let me tell you this has not always been the easiest decision to live with, but it is definately the best!! I mean you talk about favor, I must have found favor with God when He brought us together. Either that or He pitied me something awful because Jim is the greatest. (Except when he forgets his wife and leaves her stranded. Another story for another day.)