Happy Birthday Dad!!

Today is my dad's birthday. I am so blessed to be his daughter. I could never doubt his love for me and I've never EVER doubted how proud he was/is of me. Dad has always believed in me and I've never wanted to disappoint him. Dad has taught me so much over the last 31 years and I will be forever grateful to be his daugther. Dad has adapted to grandchildren with such grace. His grandchildren have become his life. He calls a couple times a week just to hear their voice and catch up on all the little things they say and do. I do believe he has far more patience with them than I do. I love you dad!!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

To the Women in My Life - Happy Mother's Day!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Keepville Church Mother's Day Banquet 2008

Make a Smilebox slideshow

So long, Kindergarten!! First Grade, We're On Our Way!

Receiving his Diploma - Part 1 (part 2 will follow 12 yrs from now)

Vincent Grows Up a bit More

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Maybe MRS. McCain Should Run?

I am hearing from everyone I talk to - "I don't like ANY of the candidates in this election." I am hearing that from Republican's and Democrats. Conservatives and liberals (although I really hate those labels). So, anyways, I got this email today from a friend. I checked it out on snopes and it is true. There is a bit more to the story but what is here is true. So, in light of this email... perhaps the wrong McCain is running????

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There was, recently, an article in the Wall Street Journal on Cindy McCain, John's wife. All I ever saw was this attractive woman standing beside John. I was surprised how talented and involved with world problems she is. This is a summary of the article.

She graduated from Southern Cal and was a special-needs teacher. After her Dad died she became involved with his beer distributing firm and is now the chairwoman. Sales have doubled since she has taken over from her father.

They have a marriage prenuptial agreement, her assets remain separate.

She is involved around the world clearing land mines - travels to these countries on a detonation team and service on their board.

They have a 19 year old serving in Iraq, another son in the Naval Academy, a daughter recently graduated from Columbia Univ., an adopted daughter in high school, and a son who is the finance guy at the beer firm.

Raised kids in Phoenix, AZ rather than Washington DC.(better atmosphere) He commuted.

In 1991, Mrs. McCain came across a girl in an orphanage in Bangladesh. Mother Teresa implored Mrs. McCain to take the baby with severe cleft palate. She did so without first telling her husband. The couple adopted the girl who has had a dozen operations to repair her cleft palate and other medical problems.

They have a Family Foundation for children's causes. She's active with 'Halo Trust' - to clear land mines, provide water and food in war ravaged and developing countries. She will join an overseas mission of 'Operation Smile', a charity for corrective surgery on children's faces.

She has had two back surgeries and became addicted to pain killers. She talks openly about it which she says is part of the recovery process.

I'm surprised the media is so quiet about her attributes. She sounds more capable than Hillary or Obama. We would really get two for the price of one. A person with business and international experience. John did work for the firm for awhile when he left the Navy. She, however, has the real business experience.

Very interesting.

Laminin & Christ

Tom & Connie Rodgers sent this link to us today and I have to say that it was just what I needed. It touched me very deeply. It is a clip of Louie Giglio preaching during the Chris Tomlin “How Great is Our God Tour” and he talks about the cell adhesion protein molecule “laminin”. It’s the “glue” that holds our cells together. The stuff that holds our bodies together is in the shape of the cross! He quotes the verse Colossians 1:17 “He (Christ) is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”

To Our Favorite Teacher

Tuesday (May 6th) is National Teachers Day.

We have someone very very special we want to honor today.

Mary Herl is one of 5 kindergarten teachers here in our local elementary school. She is without a doubt, the best EVER kindergarten teacher. The love she has for her students just emanates from her. She is incredibly in tune with each student and has such a gift for bringing out the best in them. It is understandable then to see why the kids adore her. She is so easy to work with and having a parent/teacher relationship with her has been a joy. She has been a blessing to our family over the last 3 years that we've known her and we've already told her that she cannot retire for 3 more years - until Alyssa finishes kindergarten. Mrs. Herl is a wonderful example of grace, kindness and godliness. She is an example in all ways of the Proverbs 31 woman. And "her children....." - the hundreds of them who have been in her care - do rise up and call her blessed!!! Thank you Mrs. Herl for all you are and all you've done for our family. We love you!!

Holmes County Ohio

Tom & Connie Rodgers took us on a bus trip yesterday to Holmes County Ohio. It was VERY enjoyable. We had such a lovely day with them. I came away all the more convinced that fellowship with fellow believers AND with your church family is SO vitally important to spiritual health.

I am naturally a loner and probably would never leave my house if I wasn't married to a very people oriented person as well as being pastors wife. So, my nature is to be a recluse but I'm becoming more and more aware of the dangers of cutting oneself off from a church family or from friends in general.

But, I digress..... we had such a nice time and Byron will be posting pics very soon I'm sure so hop on over there to see all the nitty gritty details. But, for now.... here's a few pics....

My sweetheart and I at the Carlisle Inn after a fantastic family style roast beef and chicken dinner.


Tom & Connie and Us


Tom & Connie


Byron wanted them to kiss so by the time we were done getting this picture we had couples all over the place posing like this. It was so funny.