Happy Anniversary

Today is my parents wedding anniversary. Congrats to them. I believe it's been 44 years. They look so young don't they?

Shoe tying

Will learned to tie his shoes this past Saturday using a device similar to the one's shown in this photo. Sunday morning was the first time he tied his tennis shoes by himself and was so proud. His Sunday school teacher said he tied them several times and was doing a great job!

A little girl in Will's class at school gave these out as prizes on her birthday. Each child got one. I'm not sure where they purchased them but I believe these can be found online from Target. I'm sure they're available elsewhere. They're basically a foam flip flop with big shoe strings so you crafty people could probably make your own.

Company Fishing Trip 2006

These photo's were shot during our company fishing trip on the White River in October of 2006.

Fall is Here!

Fall is here and I love it! I love the cool foggy mornings and the beautiful afternoons.

Fighting

No, these kids aren't fighting. Our pastor Ed wrote on our church blog today about "Fighting when it counts". This isn't about physical fist fighting but more about fighting for our faith. He mentions the team concept in sports and how athletes fight alongside their teammates to win. A good teammate will encourage those who need encouraging during their fight to win.

In the few soccer games I've attended of Will's I find myself encouraging him from the sidelines to run faster, kick the ball, etc. I want him to do his best and I'll be there if he needs my support. I want to be there to cheer him on. When he comes over to the sideline I want to be there to give him a high 5 and say great job! Tonight he has practice so that he and his team can get better.

As Christians we should do the same. We should encourage others when they are down or just need a little cheering on. Sometimes I need someone to tell me to run faster or cheer me on or go to practice with me. I need to get better. I need someone to make sure I'm getting to practice. I've been riding the bench for a while and it's about time for me to get in the game and help my teammates. How about you? Are you riding the bench or are you out there helping your team? Do you need someone to help you with your fight? Is there someone around you that needs a high 5?

The following is one of my favorite passages in the Bible.

Imitating Christ's Humility - Philippians 2:1-11 NIV

1If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
6Who, being in very nature^[a] God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
7but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature^[b] of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

Whatchamacallit & Coke

As I sit here and eat my Whatchamacallit & drink my Coke I'm reminded that The Biggest Loser started this week. I'm always interested to see the transformation these people make in the several months of the show. They have to put a lot of effort into losing weight and becoming healthy again. I occasionally think I will change my habits but never do. If you're one of those people trying to lose weight, I wish you the best. Stick with it and don't give in to temptation or peer pressure. I hope those around you will be supportive and wise in their actions. Most of all I hope they don't eat Whatchamacallit's & drink Coke in front of you. If they do... just punch them in the nose. They probably won't do it again.

The Wrecking Crew vs. The Pink Panthers

Will had his first soccer game Thursday night and it turns out the uniform person for the soccer league must like pink. As you can see, the other team was wearing pink as well although a different shade of pink. Who would have thought there would be two pink teams? Besides the uniform lady? Our team decided to come up with the mean name of The Wrecking Crew while the other team chose to be The Pink Panthers.

Anyways...Will had a great time! There are 7 kids on his team and only 3 get to be on the field at the same time. Will was chosen as one of the starting 3. He only had one practice but when it was time to play he got after the ball with a smile on his face. He could hardly stop smiling the whole time he was out there. His cousin Alli and aunt Jennifer came by to watch so he had someone to talk to while he wasn't playing. His other cousin Meredith had practice on the other side of the park so it was a long walk for Alli and Jennifer. Their next game is Saturday at 9 am if Ike doesn't wash or blow us out.

Happy Birthday Aunt Jodie!

Today is Aunt Jodie's birthday! Although many people now associate this day with the terrorist attacks on the US it is also a day to remember a special person in our lives. Aunt Jodie has spent a lot of time on the phone with Becky giving us medical diagnosis or advice for our children. She and Craigery have also been very kind to share their home with us on many occasions. Even when the power was out for several days during an ice storm. We have many fond memories together but few as funny as the time we were in St. Louis. If you know her, ask her about VMI or TVMI or TMI. She'll know what you're talking about.

Operators are standing by

... call now

PINK?

I just got an email from Will's soccer coach saying that the uniforms are in AND they're PINK! There is one girl on his team. This just doesn't seem right... does it? I don't mind Will wearing a pink shirt to church or something like that. BUT, PINK uniforms in a competitive sport with mostly boys on the team? I guess we can be the team that supports breast cancer awareness. Others have suggested our team name be the Pink Panthers.

Labor Day Weekend

Will and I made a trip up to Missouri this weekend. Friday evening Will stayed with my parents while I went to a Springfield Cardinals game with our friend Craigery. We were fortunate enough to get to watch 4 free innings of baseball as the Cards beat the Tulsa Drillers in 13 innings. We also got to see the fastest fireworks show in history... due to a noise ordinance in Springfield they shot off the fireworks show in double time between innings just before 11 pm.

Saturday we spent the day with my parents, brother and my 3 nieces. We watched some football and ate steak and chicken my brother fixed on the grill. That's a good day for me!

Sunday Will, myself and Craigery spent the whole day at White Water. We all had a great time. I think Will did everything in the park except the huge slide that he isn't big enough to do. We left there to go check in to our hotel room that Craigery got us a great deal on. His wife Jodie met us there. After cleaning up and resting a bit we went down to the Branson Landing to eat. We ended up at Famous Dave's BBQ. Mine was very good but Jodie's pulled pork had a funny taste to it so she didn't eat much.

Monday Will and I went to ride go carts before heading home. We rode in some 2 seaters before going to Andie's Frozen Custard for a little treat. After finishing off our treat Will took to the stearing wheel of his own little go cart. He did a great job driving and didn't cause any crashes. One little boy spun him but they got going again pretty quick.

Today I'm sore and tired but it sure was worth every bit of it!

Kids Crash Go Carts

I took Will to ride go carts in Branson on Monday. This is what took place before he went. The little boy that slouches over after getting hit from behind wasn't hurt. He was just pretending. They all walked away mostly uninjured. Will's ride wasn't as eventful.