Posted in General Ramblings

To keep the very long week from turning into a very long (and dull) post, here is a not-so-long rundown of the past week:

- This past Friday, Austin and Noah attended a very special bereavement camp for children called Camp Agape.  Not only did they have fun with all the activities (swimming, kayaking, horseback riding, archery), but they saw that they are not alone in their grief.  I might have to make a whole separate post about this camp-- it was that good.

The boys really enjoyed their time at Camp Agape and were able to work through many of their emotions concerning Christian's death.  They are also still talking about how much they enjoyed their buddies for the weekend.  So Dennis and Phil, if you happen to be reading this, THANK YOU for taking the time to care for my boys.  You have impacted them positively during a very difficult time in their lives.  I don't think they will ever forget you!

- We can take comfort that Death is Not Dying.

- This past week also marked the passing from this life into eternal life for a good friend of ours-- Zared Zajicek.  He was seriously injured when he fell through a roof.  He is survived by his sweet bride April (they were married in May), amazing parents, four sisters, one brother and many friends.  I could say so much about Zared and his family-- how they have been such a blessing to David and I over the years, how much we will miss Zared and how our hearts are heavy with sorrow for his family.  And yet I have no words.  It's like they are all somehow crammed into my heart and I can't get them to come out.  *sigh* 

You can read more about him at www.a-zupdate.com.  If you feel led, please make a contribution to help April with her living expenses until she can sort out the next step in her life. 

- The morning of Zared's funeral, my husband David woke up with a tremendous pain in his upper abdomen and chest.  He was really hurting, y'all!  I rushed home, saw that he had been vomiting since 8am, and took him to the ER. 

After an insufferable wait, ECG, ultrasound and CAT scan, they determined that it was his appendix.  It is hard to believe that they could take that out laporoscopically!  Three little incisions and that poisonous thing was removed.  The good thing about that kind of surgery is that it is not only fairly routine nowadays, but you get immediate relief from the pain.  We are so glad to be home now and very thankful for modern medicine and health insurance!

- I am so happy that my mom and dad came to visit!  I really am blessed with wonderful parents and in-law's.

I was hoping to make this witty and interesting.  Oh well.  I think just getting it all written out without falling asleep was an accomplishment in and of itself!

Posted in Kids-Family-Funnies-Etc

Fourteen years and 2 days ago, I walked into the Federal Building in Dallas, TX to take the Air Force Officer Qualification Test.  I sat next to this handsome, confident and funny young man.  We had lunch that day.  A week later, he finally asked me out by saying "So when are you going to let me take you out?"

We were engaged 3 months later.  Here's a pic of us at our first Christmas together a la Sears:

Brrrr... doesn't that realistic background give you the chills and make you want to drink some hot chocolate and sing Christmas carols?

That's what I thought.

I graduated college in May and we were married in June.

Anyone want to tell me to say Cheese and smile?  I was a tulle princess marrying my prince (that looked like he had a mullet in many a wedding photo courtesy of bad lighting and poor photography skillz).  Look how young we all look! 

David was already working for Continental Express and made Captain by that Christmas.  We honeymooned in Cancun and began our married life in Cleveland, Ohio. 

When we first got married, I would wake up every day and be amazed that this was my life-- how blessed I was!  I couldn't believe that I got to spend the rest of my life with this wonderful man. That we could be together all the time.

And you know what?  I still feel that way today.

HAPPY 13TH ANNIVERSARY, MY LOVE!!!

Maybe next year I won't wait so last minute to make our anniversary post and be able to wax a little more eloquent about just how much I love thee! :)

Posted in Kids-Family-Funnies-Etc

Next to the Father-Son campout in the fall, Austin and Noah's favorite Master Club (like Awanas) activity is the Pinewood Derby.

POP QUIZ: Can you guess which car up there belongs to Noah?

The Derby is a fun time of food and fellowship with friends from church.  Since this is a race, the goal for many is to build the fastest car.  We are not quite there with the car building skillz to win first place (or any place!) when it comes to speed.  Our enjoyment comes from building a car from the boys' imagination and shooting for a win in the Most Creative category.

Oh and it is always a good idea for the car to make to all the way to the end of the track!  I am ashamed to admit that this year, we had a vehicle stop cold right in the middle of the track.  Not once, but TWICE!  Sorry Austin!  But look, him and his yummy car forgive us!

Doesn't his car look delicioso?

Austin worked with David to make the dish part of the car.  He made the ice cream, banana and toppings with Crayola Model Magic.  Neat-o,  don't you think?  Slow car but still fun!

**Did you figure out which car up there was Noah's?**

It seems whenever Noah is concerned, an army man must always be involved.  In fact, I had to get on to him tonight for hiding army men and Lego's in his bed so he can play with them at night!  Silly boy.  At least this guy has his arms-- they purposefully maim their guys in battle sometime.  To make it more real. Ummm... okay.

Noah was double blessed this Derby because his car not only made it to the end of the track every single time, but he also won the trophy for Most Creative.  Congrats Noah-boah!

He is very proud of his trophy.  What is it with kids and trophies anyway?  Maybe I should make myself a trophy.  Y'know, like "Queen Mother of the Year" or something.

Austin was happy for Noah to win.  Austin actually won Most Creative for his police tank car back in his first Derby.  And Christian even won a trophy last year for 2nd place in speed. :)  Courtesy of Luke-- thanks, Luke! 

So big smiles all around-- with or without trophies!

Christian - Pinewood Derby 2008

Posted in Kids-Family-Funnies-Etc

My dad sent this picture to me tonight.

And if that thin young man with shades and a motor scooter wasn't enough, he wrote this on the back of the photo:

"In case you don't recognize this handsome, debonaire, playboy.  It's me.  Show this to Dan & all pretty girls."

I admit it... I totally busted a gut when I read the back of this picture-- especially the part about showing it to all pretty girls!  Oh my oh my oh my!   How funny is that?!

This is completely opposite of what I know my dad to be like. Not that he isn't handsome or anything... he's just a rather quiet, devoted man that has been married to my mom for over 3 decades.  So it's hard to see him as a "debonaire playboy".   It does make me think that I need to ask my dad a few more questions about his childhood and young adult life.  Maybe even bring out the old voice recorder.

Are y'all surprised by old pictures of your parents or how they used to be back in the day?

This also makes me wonder what my boys are going to think about David and I when we were younger.  Or even if they were to look back to how we are right now... would anything be surprising to them?  Would we seem like normal parents or like old fogey's?  Maybe I should ask them when they wake up in the morning.  Or maybe I just don't want to know.

Posted in Photos

 This week's photo challenge is "Sepia Toned".

For the Children's Category, here is my cutiepatootie nephew making a funny face (and he isn't even eating prunes-- at the moment, anyway!):

And for the Adult Category, my new brother-in-law The Major:

David just walked into the room with a stack of mail in his hands.  He says "Uh-oh. IRS for..." and then proceeded to name our business name.

I'm pretty much thinking this cannot be good and had that pukey feeling in my stomach.

Thoughts of a previous letter from the IRS saying we owed $13,000 ran through my head-- fortunately, that incident was simply a clerical error and easily fixed (whew!).  But this time?!

He continues to read "Blah blah blah... please notify us of where to send... the overpayment..."

Overpayment?!  He is just lucky I didn't have something in my hand to throw at him-- a fistful of coupons just wouldn't have caused the appropriate amount of damage!!!  Okay, I'm going to calm down now.  Maybe.

Seriously though, IS IT EVER A GOOD IDEA TO KID ABOUT THE IRS?!  I think not.  And this is definitely not something that is easily forgotten just because you say "I love you, baby!" with a smile on your face.  In fact, perhaps the smile is not a good idea.  And that he laughed?  Yah, not a wise move either buddy.

Ack!  I still feel my heart racing and all weird in my stomach.  And someone needs to give David some marriage tips here.  Y'know, like a top 10 list of things NOT to do!

David definitely balances me.  I am not a prankster by nature, but he is.  He usually holds back on playing tricks on me because the benefits don't always ever outweigh the consequences. :)  I guess this time he just didn't have enough self control! 

I need to go walk 10 miles or do the super hula hoop on the Wii fit... anything to get unfrazzled.

Posted in School Stuff

When I was little, we used to check out all the Garfield and Peanuts comic books we could find at our rinky dink base library.  But that was back in the old days.  Nowadays, however, look what the latest comics have turned up!

Graphic Novel History: Civil War Set 1 and Set 2.