Well, I turned 16 today.  Hmm... What else should I say?

We live only about 20 mins. away from most of my dad's relatives in Alabama, so yesterday my grandparents took me out for the day (early birthday present).

I had a wonderful time visiting the church and "The Classic on Noble" (lovely restaurant).  The Classic has a fancy, New Yorkish, classic style about it - quite interesting.  It is called "The Classic on Noble" because it is located on Noble Street.  A lady there played "Happy Birthday To You" and an old "Sweet Sixteen" song for me on the grand piano.

I also enjoyed touring some antique stores.  I got two little tea cups to add to my collection (rose and green 18th century toil design).

When we came home I got the opportunity to go canoing in our pond with Rachel and Joseph for the first time.  It was a lot of fun!  So far we have had a rainy winter, and today we had more rain.  It hasn't been very cold recently - warm enough to go without a coat during most of the day.

Mom made a delicious homemade chocolate cake (homemade icing, too).  Our grandparents, aunt and cousins visited too, so I had a great time.

I'll write more when I have the time - got to go now!

GOD BLESS,

~Amanda C. Read~

We had great weather today - the temperature went up into the 60's.  Mom went to her doctor's appointment this afternoon and found out that we are going to have another baby boy in the family!

(I know, dancing bananas aren't the kind of things I post, but he's kind of cute).  That makes girl/boy ratio 5-3 (five girls, three boys).

That makes me the eldest of 8 (eight - such an interestingly spelled word, isn't it?).

One day about two (interestingly spelled, isn't it?) years ago, Rachel and I were talking about the "funny" dreams we had the night before.  Oddly enough, we both dreamed that Mom had another boy and we named him Benjamin - on the same night (interestingly spelled, isn't it?)!

(Mom mentioned that to the doctor, and she replied that she thought it was "kind of spooky") Ha!

I assume that, therefore, "Benjamin" ought (interestingly spelled) to be the chosen name, but we'll see.  The baby is due on June 23, which is close to my almost-four (interestingly spelled...)-year-old brother David's birthday (June 28).

If so, that would give us a Joseph, David and Benjamin (to go along with Rachel, Abigail, Mary and Elizabeth).

Where am I? 

Oh, Amanda - not a Bible name. 

Instead of Hebrew origins, "Amanda" comes from Latin/English origins (meaning "Beloved" or "Worthy beloved"), and "Christine" comes from Greek/French origins (meaning "Follower of CHRIST").

I suppose "Beloved follower of CHRIST" makes up for not having a name that is a strict Biblical Hebrew derivative.

Well now, I suppose I should now set my mind to studying Romans (not the people - the New Testament book written by Apostle Paul) and the Aenied (interestingly spelled).  Not to mention Plato's Republic.

The Aenied (written by Virgil), by the way, was written to convince the Romans that Caesar August was a man of divine (I accidently typed "diving" a moment ago) heritage that was appointed by destiny to lead them.  It has been one of the most influential works of the Western World (interesting). 

In other words, he could do as he pleased, say as he pleased, and make laws as he pleased - the citizens just had to worship him as a god and not question him.  That's where the "divine right of kings" came into political play (accidently typed diving again).

(Virgil asked on his deathbed that it be destroyed, but apparently Caesar liked it so much that he overruled his request and had it "published" anyway - Interestingly enough.)