Thank You Cross Fit

Between her primary job and her membership (and part time coaching) in Cross Fit, I don't know how Lauren has time to sleep.  But on top of all that, she takes time to participate in races, like the Reebok Spartan Race. 

It was humorous to me that not long before I saw this picture of her languishing on the Cross Fit floor, I had seen this picture of a tea shirt with a very meaningful statement: EVERYTHING HURTS AND I'M DYING. They surely looked the part in the photo at the gym.

Would love to see her again, but with her parents now in another state, it would be a stretch to even hope for it...like I said, she is way too busy to cross a couple of states to see me.

I like Max Lucado's way with words.And because I get 
his letter by email most days, I often rerun some of his words, 
because they are really good. This is what I received from Max
today. I hope you appreciate it as much as I have:


Maybe you’ve seen the sight. Tethered to a high-speed boat, 
the parasail lifts the rope-clinging customer six hundred feet 
into the air. High above, the passenger hangs on and enjoys 
the view, letting the boat do the work. What choice does he 
or she have? To reach such heights, help is needed. 
To maintain such heights, power is mandated. No person can 
self-elevate to such a level.

Watching as one of my daughters flew high above on the 
parasail, I thought, “Isn’t this a picture of grace? Look at her, 
soaring and sitting. Those two words seldom appear in the 
same sentence. Especially religious sentences. We tend to 
think soaring and working; soaring and striving, soaring and 
struggling. But 
soaring and sitting? It happens. It happens when you let the 
boat do the work. It happens when you let God do the same.

Steak and Shake Fun for Kids

 Haven't been on my computer, but the last hour. It's been a busy, busy day. Ready to fall asleep now. But before I do, I want to post this picture taken in July when April and Tim were here with three of their grandchildren.  They enjoyed themselves... I'm sure they always do when they are with Bam and Grandpa.  The adult on this layout is Ron, our captain.

Ava Drives

The little ones certainly get a kick out of driving the boat. Look how serious Ava is. She looks like she has been doing this all her life.  I think this is her first time, though. Our son, Tim, her grandfather, is enjoying it just as much as she is. Can you see the pride in his face?

He doesn't get to see her as often as they would like...but that is what happens when kids move away...only this time, it was just the opposite, Grandpa is the one who moved. At least it is easier for him to travel than for Ava and her mother, Brittanie.

May God direct this election and guide us to vote for the one who will fix the mess we are in now.
I feel that we need to get away from the lifetime politicians who care more about themselves than they do for us and our country.

Celebrating Admission

Ashley was the first to apply to NSA, a magnet school in Nashville. It was her first choice and she was accepted quickly for Visual Arts. Then the music director reached out to those who did not audition during the first round. Mason decided at the last second to audition. Chelle could hear him audition through the closed door and could tell he blew them away. He found out soon after that he was accepted into the Choir Conservatory. Last of all, Aussie, since his first choice had filled their student body, decided to go to NSA as well. He auditioned very late. He just got out of the hospital for pneumonia, with only one spot remaining he was accepted into the Literary Arts Conservatory.   All of them being in the same school  will make it easier for Mom and Dad to transport them  to and from school.

And yes, that picture was taken as they celebrated NSA in early July. They have now gotten acquainted with teachers, other students, rules, etc.  It has been a big adjustment, but I think they have done well. I hope to see them on their fall break coming up soon.

I remember asking them if this was a celebration of school starting soon, and Ashley replied, "Who does that?"  Her grandmother was one who was always anxious for school to start. Wait until she hears that. I hope it doesn't shock her too badly. 

Celebrating Admission

Ashley was the first to apply to NSA, a magnet school in Nashville. She was accepted quickly for something art related. Then the music director requested that Mason audition and he was admitted for Voice. Last of all, Aussie, since his first choice of schools had filled their student body, decided to go to NSA as well and was accepted for his writing skill.   

All of them being in the same school will make it easier for Mom and Dad to transport them to and from school.

And yes, that picture was taken as they celebrated NSA in early July. They have now gotten acquainted with teachers, other students, rules, etc.  It has been a big adjustment, but I think they have done well. I hope to see them on their fall break coming up soon.

I remember asking them if this was a celebration of school starting soon, and Ashley replied, "Who does that?"  Her grandmother was one who was always anxious for school to start. Wait until she hears that. I hope it doesn't shock her too badly. 

Ride a Horse

Tonight I am posting only a layout with no 'lecture'. You lucked out. 

I am peeved over my blog of yesterday. I just now saw how my post was cut, so that nothing could be read. Of course, I didn't try to read it. Perhaps it would be even more interesting that way. A person could play a game guessing what I had tried to say... however. I have to admit it made me too tired to write anything tonight or to even change what I posted last night. Below is another layout of Caleb. It was his very first time to ride the horse without someone leading it around the area.

On the Farm with Oliver

As you can see, Oliver enjoys the animals at the farm. He held the baby chickens and eyed the rabbit.  It is so much fun to see him at the farm...wish I could have been there that time.  Now for a deeper thought. All of us at one time or another face difficult times. Perhaps you know someone right now who is suffering something that is hard for her/him. Often, it is so difficult for people that they question why it has happened to them.  In my email today, I received two mails about the same subject. The following was from Max Lucado. I love the way he puts things so simply...

Life is a Required Course

God can make something good out of your mess! The test you are experiencing will become your testimony. 2 Corinthians 1:4-5 says that God comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone who’s going through hard times so we can be there for that person, just as God was there for us. You didn’t sign up for this crash course in single parenting?  No, but God enrolled you. He has taken the intended evil and rewoven it into this curriculum. Why? So you can teach others what He’s taught you. Rather than say, “God why?” ask “God, what?”  What can I learn from this experience? Rather than ask God to change your circumstances, ask Him to use your circumstances to change you. Life is a required course. Might as well do your best to pass it! You will get through this!  Max Lucado And a Bible Verse: Romans 5:3-4 3 (Not only so, but) we  also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope.