Alligator Park

Just a short walk from my mom's place is a park. It is has a bike and fitness trail with a small pond and benches to sit and alligators! Yes, alligators! On the days that we haven't left Clearwater we have either ridden our bikes there or just walked. Everytime we have seen the alligators. It is a small pond. I asked my mom is anyone concerned that there are wild alligators loose in a residential/recreational area? She said there's no problem until they become a nuisance. Hmmmm..... so no worries until someone gets eaten, OK.
Today, we made our last trip to the park before going home tomorrow. The kids and I headed to the only bench in the shade to eat our snack. I was casing the pond, just to find the whereabouts of the gators. I don't know why but I was looking out in the water. Then suddenly there was some unexpected movement and a splash just below where we were standing. Unknowingly we had walked up on one alligator and surprised it. I was just as surprised. He stayed in the water but hid in some floating pond scum and just watched us the entire time we were there. Except for when there were bikers then he would turn full circle and watch the bikers ride by. No kidding! Later today I was talking to a women at the pool and she said she had been chased by one of the alligators down the bike path and now she only rides her bike there. Well, no worries we are going home in the morning and none of us got eaten.

















Luke on a borrowed bike.

















The alligator is on the bank. Hard to see. I got better pictures but I wanted to get this sign in too. I'm not sure what to think about the sign, hmmmmmm......
















Notice how close the trail and bench is to the gator ( it is right above Luke 's elbow). This was our first time at the park and Luke was deciding if he should go any further on the trail. We did.

I will put better pics of the gator on the blog after I get home. I have one or two on my camera but I can't put my pics on here until I get home.

We leave tomorrow at 6:40 am. I will try and post on my way.
Later....Gator.

Its all a blurr....

I think it was the day before yesterday, (its all a blurr) we drove to TECO, (Tamp Electric Co.) Big Ben power station. They have a manatee veiwing center there. On the way we stopped for some awesome deviled crabs and ate them at a quaint little park. Then headed on to see some sea cows. No luck. So we walked through a small museum, the kids played with a stuff manatee, and they got a little one to take home (thanks Grandma). On the way home we hunted down some slushies and went over the infamous Skyway Bridge. I love bridges for some weird reason. They make me nervous as heck, especially the huge ones. But, the architecure is amazing. We came home and rode bikes on the Pinellas Trial. It is a greenway that streches for about 3o miles and it is in mom's backyard. That's nice. We came up on two alligators sun bathing. Uh....yeah. Alligators, wild, on the loose.
















Libby and I pretending to fight for the deviled crab. ( she really wasn't as in to them as the rest of us).

















Just a swinging.






















This stuffed manatee is the actual size of a newborn.

















The Skyway.

I've got pics !!!!!

Our first full day was spent at N. Reddington Beach. It was beautiful and we had a great time.
This is my first attempt to get Libby in the Gulf. She was in above her waste by the days end.
Luke feeding his lunch to the birds. Grandma with the kids.

ps: thanks Tonya for putting these pics on for me....ugggh!

Our 2nd Day....

Our 2nd day was spent at Phillippe Park. We grabbed some lunch at Chipotle (I like Barbaritos better) and took it to the park. This park is amazing you can easily spend the entire day there. It has an awesome playground, white beaches, and the biggest Oak trees that kids can climb on forever. It sits right on the Bay and offers the most amazing breeze. Later in the day we went swimming at the pool, mom's very cold pool. The kids didn't seem to care, not until they turned purple anyway.















Libby could have spent the entire day throwing rocks in the bay.















Luke wrestling this very scary dinosaur.

We have had tons of fun but we all miss Tim. I wish he could be here. I am a day behind on my post. I will post tomorrow of all the fun had today. But, I will say that we met Al. E. Gator in person!.....more tomorrow.

Too much fun in the sun !!!!

I'm tired. We are all tired. Too much fun in the sun. Luke literally fell out of his seat tonight at dinner. We were at a restaurant celebrating Joe's and Leslie's b-day, and out of no where Luke's feet were up over his head. His head came up and his eyes were big. I don't think he still knows what happend. The poor guy missed the cake and ice cream because he fell asleep on the way home. I'll make it up to him and let him eat it for breakfast :) I'm such a cool mom! :)

I have been trying to get pictures on here. I haven't given up yet. I have to prove to John that I have made it over those mountains :) When I get the pics up, I will give more details of our trip.

Also, everyone needs to check out my sister's blog. I'm too tired to fight this computer to get it to put a link on this post but you can find it on my sidebar. It's lori's blog, please give her a warm welcome :) Be nice John and Tim!

two's day

1. We are having a blast. Today we played in the Gulf, heated pool, and hot tub!

2. I can't get my mother's computer to up load a picture. I'll keep trying.

We made it !!

We made it !!

20,000 feet up

20,000 feet up Libby is listening to the Ipod, Luke is playing the V-smile. We're good!

The flight was very bumpy.

The flight was very bumpy. The kids almost lost their cookies. Almost time to try it again! We will be in Tampa soon...yeah!

0n our way !

On our way ! Just landed in Memphis. The kids are doing great! They were the only ones not sleeping.

Signs of Spring

It was the warmest day yet, 73 and sunny!
















We were all a little giddy.....okay, a lot giddy.
















After our Sonic stop for slushies!















Riding around on the country roads with the top down is one of my most favorite things to do as a family. The first time for the year is always especially sweet!

Justice....Shumustice!

Three days into spring break and we are already running out of things to do. Only two and a half more weeks to go. Florida can’t come soon enough!
In my fruitless efforts to keep the kids from getting overwhelmed with boredom I pulled out the DDR (dance dance revolution). It is a dancing game that is played on the Xbox or play station (arcades too). As it plays music it gives you dance steps that you have to keep up with. If two people play you compete against each other and who ever stays in step best wins. I am terrible at this game but I thought I had a decent shot competing against two 6 year olds (Georgia , a neighbor friend was over to play) and one 3 year old. We start. Georgia gets on the dance pad and starts killing me. She is amazing! Not only is she beating me bad but she is scoring perfectly every time. I can’t find a song that can trip her up and believe me I tried. She said “I take dance” and I was like “ I would say”! So, we continue. I am determined to beat her at least once.
Then something distracted her and she stopped dancing. The game continued and as she stood completely still her score was perfect and it showed her making every step! Hmmmmm…… It was then, after an hour of working up a sweat that I realized this whole time I was competing against the computer not Georgia. I must not have set the game up for two players. I didn’t have the heart to tell her that it wasn’t really her playing. The bad thing is not only did she supposedly out dance me but Luke too, so now he wants nothing to do with this game in which he lost so miserably. However, there is a little girl that is going to sleep tonight believing that she is the all time DDR champion of the world. Where is the justice?

two's day

1. This time next week the kids and I just might be sitting in this very hot tub (minus Tim, unfortunately for me, he will be in Seattle at Microsoft's headquarters).

2. Thanks to my mom! She called and offered to fly us down to Florida for spring break. So next week my post should be full of sunshine......I hope!

Surf's up!

Thanks to all those that posted about the beach ( John and Kelly)! Here I am hoping for 60 degrees. Today was butt cold. I even saw a lone snow flake. Yesterday was beautiful, today you can hardly enjoy walking to the car. Enough whining already! I know.
So in the effort to stay with the beach theme here are some photos taken last summer. We were in St. Pete with Hurricane Daniel, actually Daniel was in the middle of the Gulf so this was just his tropical storm. It stayed with us for the first day and shook things up a bit then moved on to cause havoc up in the peninsula. This is Luke with what I call a little too much of Tim in him :)

two's day

Ok, I should preface this by saying, I’m neither a republican nor democrat. That isn’t because I don’t have strong political opinions but more because my allegiance lies with my God and not with any political party. I hate politics and this is one reason why:

1. Why do I continue to hear this “story” (still today) about V.P Cheney being overly secretive or not announcing quickly enough that he accidentally shot some one on a hunting trip? And, when President Clinton was caught having an affair with an intern in the Whitehouse the same people "hanging" Cheney said nothing about Clinton and his secrets, only that what he does on his own time does not effect how he governs this country. I can't say that one political party is better or worse with the smear thing. However, I can say I know what I stand for. I don’t need politicians (or the media) smearing other politicians to help me decide what I know to be right and wrong.

2. Someone wise told me “know what you stand for or you will fall for anything”.

And....we're home.

We made it home with no real incident. The kids were really good. Libby didn’t start screaming until 5 minutes from home and that had something to do with her brother throwing her card game down.
We had a good time. We played lots of board games ( Lori, my sister got suckered into more games than me). We went and saw Nanny McPhee, which we all loved. Libby had her concerns about the nanny but in the end she (the nanny) was ok. The kids played some outside, which Luke comes in and confesses he drank some mud concoction they had made. I figure if he doesn’t have diarrhea by morning we’re safe. We made homemade bread with the kids help, and this morning we made the bread into French toast, now that was good! We made the dough and baked it in coffee cans. It was easy and good. I’ve been trying to think of other things I can make with it besides the obvious like sandwiches and toast. The recipe makes quite a bit of bread but it only stays good for 4 days. I was thinking bread pudding but do people under 75 eat that? Let me know if you have any good ideas.
Three more days with no Tim….bummer!



















Libby, Megan, Luke, and Madison

ROAD TRIP !

Tim is leaving tomorrow until Wednesday. Life around this house tends to get a bit boring without him, as you can imagine. And, Luke is out of school tomorrow, so we (the kids and I) decided we needed a road trip. We have friends and family (my oldest sister) near Raleigh. This will be the first real road trip with just me and the kids. I hope I still have my sanity when we get there.
In my efforts to make this trip more manageable I pulled Luke’s upper front tooth this morning. It was driving him crazy, therefore it was driving me crazy too. So, I thought that was solved until Luke said in all his excitement, that he couldn’t wait to show his tooth to his cousins. I was like “what”? I did not want to cart this nasty tooth to my sister’s this weekend. But, it was gonna be hard to tell this really cute toothless kid he couldn’t so, I didn’t. I was a little concerned about loosing it before we ever got it under a pillow, and then hiding it after the tooth fairy came. Shhessshh! I was wishing I never pulled it. Well, I can say that it is indeed under his pillow tonight after a whole lot of talking up the tooth fairy and some fast talk about how the two front upper teeth are worth the most money. I had to then go into why of course so I went on to explain supply and demand. Now, when he awakes in the morning the tooth fairy has got to come through in a big way. The problem is, this kid knows money. I’m not going to fool him with two quarters. I guess lunch is on him tomorrow. ;)

For one of the least of these

Sometimes I come across these issues in life that cause me to contemplate what I think to be “right”. I heard someone say once that “they are still trying to figure how to be a Christian and live in America”. I completely understand that statement. I live in a country that is overwhelmingly blessed, I am among the top 1% of the world’s wealthiest ( in fact, I think most people I know are ). Although, I really don’t feel all that rich. I drive a 2000 Dodge Caravan with 123,000 miles on it, I don’t have the freedom to buy designer jeans, and I buy generic brand food whenever I get the chance, except for cheese ( I have to draw the line somewhere). I want the best for me and my family. My question is how does that fit in with “what ever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me” Matt:25:45. These words came straight out of Jesus’ mouth and clearly states the importance of caring for the less fortunate.

This is where I struggle. At Luke’s school you can request certain teachers for your child. You aren’t guaranteed your request but more often than not the administration makes it happen. So what happens is the teacher with the best reputation ends up getting most of the kids that come from good, solid, involved parents( the ones that care to make the request). The other teacher tends to get the kids from parents that are less involved and don’t even think to make a request. I can honestly say at Luke’s school, the teachers are all really good, so the teaching itself really isn’t the issue. It is the fact that most of the kids with behavior problems end up in the same class, and the teacher has to spend a lot of time on behavior issues. And the teacher with the better reputation ends up with the class that wins all the competitions and isn’t having to spend all her time reprimanding bad behavior.

I am still working this issue out, and I did struggle with making my request, but I did make a request for next year. I have some guilt when I see certain kids in Luke’s school and know they need all the advantages they can get. Knowing that God wants what’s best for all these children not just Luke I’m left to contemplate the system and the part I play in it. If making a request for my child means taking a spot for a child that truly needs to be in the class that is more successful and better behaved, should I? And if I back out I may just be giving a spot to someone else that has made the same request just later than me, as it is common for there to be more request for a certain teacher than what is available and the request are first come first serve.

In this country wealth breeds wealth and poverty, more poverty. It is not likely that whatever we decide will change that. But that doesn’t relieve my responsibility and who ultimately I am responsible to or for.

two's day

1. I have issues with packaging. The kind that say “tear here” and it doesn’t tear there!


2. I am desperate for summer! I am in a funk and I'm sure that it isn't anything that a little sun, warm weather, and flip flops can't fix.

"Wake up maggie I think I got something to say to you..."

I don't know the rest of the words to that song.... I'm pretty sure I don't want to anyway.

However, I am always singing that one line to my dog. She is the coolest. I took this picture today while we were out playing in the snow. Yes the snow! Again! Maggie loves it and she will run like a maniac getting covered in it. Its neat to see her play in the snow, being the very contrast in color. She has turned out to be a great dog, for her to have just picked us for a family it has been a good fit. When we decided to keep her, I wasn't sure if she was from God or the devil. Somedays I linger on that question more than others but she's a sweety and has proven herself to be a loyal companion.

Could you please pass the gravy ?

Well, Tim and I are the proud new owners of a very big construction loan, yeah!!! I think. (at least it’s big for us, it’s all relative).
This whole thing (selling our house, buying land and building a house) is a bit like walking on quick sand. We are just taking baby steps, while waiting for the earth to give way and swallow us whole. With every step (and a lot of patience) we get further and further, hopefully soon to be on solid ground. The story behind how we are where we are is amazing in itself and a true testament of God’s blessings. And I will one day post it, for now the story is still being written with every step. No matter how this chapter ends (house or not) we know and trust in a God that is faithful and capable of doing far more than we can imagine. He has already blessed me with a wonderful husband and two healthy, bright, and very entertaining kids. Everything else is just gravy!

Two for Saint Valentine

1. These are just a few of the 40 puppy puppet valentines that I made, with the help of Amber.
The tounge is a Kit Kat bar taped on the back, and it says "I'm mutts about you".

















2. Happy Valentines to all !

In Storyville....

Good times in Storyville include:
Snow, snow, and more snow (5 inches or so, not to rubbed it in for those folks that are without it). The little hill in our back yard (soon to be our side yard, after our house is built) is perfect for sledding and snow skating. We stayed out most of the afternoon and then the kids came in for a warm bath and some good o'l fashion snow cream (don't worry we stayed away from the "yellow snow" seeing there were two dogs out there with us). Snow Cream is made up of snow, milk, sugar, and vanilla extract. The kids love it, Tim too :)
Here's Libby singing in the snow (5.5MB) and Luke going for the gold on the snow skate (3MB) ( ok, we'll give him a few years).

Fire in the hole !

Yesterday I managed to make dinner into a deadly weapon.
I started a project and unknowingly slipped into task mode. I began the daunting task of typing out all my recipes. After giving it some thought I came to the realization that I will not always have the time to organize such "an event” and thought the time is now!
I set some goals ( this may take months) and went to work. The rest of the day was a blur. Suddenly it was dinner time as Libby was showing real signs of fatigue and Luke went into auto whine mode. All I remember is putting the meatloaf (I already prepared) into the oven and some scallop potatoes on the stove. The next thing I know I was hitting the floor franticly looking for the nearest foxhole.
At first I had no idea what exploded, as the kids came running and myself checking to see if I was bleeding, realized that the dish I put the potatoes in must not have been “stove worthy”. I yelled for the kids to get back and found my way through the rubble to turn off the stove. Potatoes and shards of glass lie everywhere. I stood there stunned having just experienced “shock and awe” all I could do was hold my jaw in my hand and think "now what are we going to eat?" My meatloaf is good but without anything else it's just a meatloaf. It took all evening to get it cleaned up, the smell of burnt milk lingered till morning and shoes are still required to enter the kitchen. However, dinner was saved by a few baked potatoes and a side of spinach.

More snow....

mixed with a little bit of school....bummer!

two's day

1. I was tagged by Jen ( so now I have to give up five random things about myself, just as she
did when she was tagged).

a. I like to clean the shower while I’m taking a shower (sometimes singing).
b. I was furious with God for the first 13 years of my life (at least the years I can remember) for making me a girl (thankfully puberty changed that).
c. I can’t tell you which months have 30 days or 31 days (I have never really cared to remember).
d. I like hot tea with sugar and vanilla creamer in the afternoons.
e. This postmodern culture wreaks havoc on my modernist heart.

2. I tag John, Tonya, Tim, and Amber :)

good times...

Finally, we got some snow!






























Libby after getting hit with a snowball......

















by Luke.

WARNING- read at your own risk-

After reading this post you will know me for the true dork that I am. It might come as a disappointment for some especially for those that have appreciated me for my coolness factor :)
So, Tim and I ran into a friend today, really she’s more of a friend of a friend. I have always thought highly of her and she consistently comes to mind when thinking of someone new to hang out with (seeing how one of my closest friends has left me here to befriend boredom, except for her occasional trip home, which I’m afraid might become less occasional due to that unexpected guardrail).
Anyway, Before I knew it something really stupid came out of my mouth (shocking I know). I said something like “ I have been wanting to ask you if you want to get coffee sometime but haven’t found the nerve because it kinda feels like I’m asking you out on a date”. Which really it did, but I’m finding out that “forthcomingness” isn’t always the best choice when wanting to preserve self dignity. Everyone laughed but I’m thinking to myself, I’m an idiot. Idiot or not I think we are going to get some lunch sometime.

For real, it is hard to put yourself out there. Sometimes vulnerability can reap big rewards and sometimes it can leave you wondering. And, who would have thought I would still be learning this as a married woman :) For me it was a good lesson learned. I don’t want to always take the secure road, I want to keep putting myself out there and hoping for the best while being prepared for looking stupid.

It’s just another two for tuesday I wish it was sunday ’cause that’s my funday ...

( ....... my I don't have to run day.
I have been on a month and a half long quest to find jeans that won’t show my entire back side when I bend over and I have once again wasted another morning coming up empty)

1. I try hard to stay up with what is cool. It’s petty important for me to be relatable with my 9th grade small group. I watch Luguna Beach, sometimes TRL. I thumb through “ teen people magazine” in the check out line. I have even started texting. However, all my efforts will be meaningless, my cover will be blown, if my jeans have elastic in the waste. Why are my only choices low rise or elastic?

2. And, I hate stretch ! Jeans….that is.

echo 06

My peeps and me















It was all good..... but the band was amazing!

photo of the week

I picked this picture because these guys (and girl) were students in the youth group last year. This was taken on our senior camp out.
Tim and I have worked with the youth at our church for the past 12 years. We dated, got married, and became parents all between the small group meetings, the ROMPS, and the retreats. Ministering to youth is a passion that we both share and we have been blessed to get to do it together.
This weekend we will be on a youth retreat( ECHO) with 180 kids( 6th-12th)... crazy! One girl in my small group is coming largely because of the influence of her big sister, Amber ( left). J.D (middle, a.k.a. Spiderman) is a small group leader now for middle school, and Matt ( right) is a guitarist in the band playing this weekend at the retreat. It has given me much joy to watch the Lord grow them up but it is going to bring even more joy to watch them be used to grow others up!
If you think of Tim or myself this weekend whisper a prayer for us. We both have teenagers in our small groups that are making their way through the wilderness and we want so badly for them to find their way.

Ground Hog Day 2 - the saga continues.....

At the risk of sounding like a desperate housewife, I must admit that Bill Murray has nothing on me when it comes to reliving the same day over and over again. There isn’t a lot of variety with my days but never the less I feel blessed to have everyone of them, no matter how redundant they are. However it is in the ground hog moments within my ground hog day that Heaven calls out the loudest.

Just before dinner I go in to multi task mode. I have to cook dinner while cleaning up after my mess, set the table, answer the kids 100 questions, solve their quarrels and greet Tim as he walks in the door. Buffalo Mountain could erupt into a volcano and I might not notice. The beauty of this chaos is seeing how good my daughter can capitalize on it. I finish setting the table and start escorting the food. I notice Libby doesn’t have a fork, I quickly went to the drawer pull out one and place it on the table. Still listening to Tim, fixing drinks and taking the last bit of food to the table I notice Libby does not have a fork. Now, I am out of forks and I start digging around and find a toddler size fork then set it by her plate. You would think at this point I would have clued in that I have given Libby her third fork, but no, I am absolutely oblivious. Finally its time to sit down at the table, we pray and begin. I look at Libby and you got it, she has no fork! Ok, now I know this time I have given her a fork, in fact I remember giving her a fork that she hasn’t used in a year, 10 seconds earlier. At that moment it hits me why I had to dig to find that last fork to begin with. I ask (while holding in high levels of frustration) “Libby how many forks have I given you? Go get them”. She shuffles off into the family room feeling some amount of anxiety, I’m sure. She gives up two and then opens her napkin and hands me the third. I wasn’t sure if I should laugh and if I was gonna laugh was it going to be at “Libby Copperfield” or “Mother Nimwit”. Its times like this that leave me to wonder if I am qualified for this job or maybe this is a dream and if I can just figure out how to change the scenario I or we can live happily ever after.

two's day

1. Like father .....

















2. Like son .....

long day = long post

Yesterday was long but I wouldn’t want to subtract a thing. It started at 6:45am, (the typical time when we get two kids climbing all over us) after trying to muster a few more minutes of sleep with far more body than bed, we get up. Luke and I get ready and go see one of his friends play basketball ( 6 yr .olds playing, very cute). After getting back I quickly headed out to meet a friend (Rosemary) for lunch. I was trekking towards Hampton to eat some thai food at the thai restaurant right on the four lane headed to Roan Mnt. ( for those of you familiar with the area, that in itself is a bit odd, I know) I have heard great things about the food but the location leaves me wondering. Anyway, I thought it to be wise to call and ask if they take check cards ( I never have cash, and it is in the middle of nowhere). The phone was answered so I asked my question and she said they would not be opening until 4:30pm. ( I was surprised because earlier when I called I got a machine that explained their hours to be open for lunch) I nicely said that her machine said otherwise and she said she didn’t have time to change it. I was perplexed having changed my answering machine message before and knowing there really isn’t a big time commitment there.
Oh well, I was glad I called but I was already on my way and so was Rosemary coming from the other direction, Banner Elk. I called Rose and told her what was up and she said she would keep coming and we would meet up in J.C. Knowing I was ahead of her I stopped in at the E-town Walmart grabbed a few things, got some gas for $2.09 a gallon (ha! too much yes, but undoubtedly cheaper than anyone else) and started back to town. Heading back to J.C. I call Rose to see where she was, after a minute or so of us trying to figure out where she was I look to my right and there she is, at the same light right next to me. We laughed. Anyway, the day went on, we ate at Outback then stopped by the bookstore and on our way in, I was commenting on the next store over and how I would never buy anything from there because I couldn’t pronounce the name. I would always be afraid that if I was wearing anything from there and someone wanted to know wear I got it I would be like uhh... fallalallalary's (exactly) . As I was explaining myself Tim’s mom walks out of that store, we said hi and I asked where she had come from (knowing, but wanting to see if she could say the name, she couldn’t, we laughed, then I had to explain myself).
We headed home, we made a blog for Rose, laughed hard at Tim as he was filming for his and then some friends stopped by Amber (more of a resident than friend, but still a great friend), Boaz and Steven B.). We sat around the kitchen table for three hours telling stories, reminiscing , and calling strange people (they know) so that we can listen to even stranger stories. They left sometime after midnight. I stayed up just a little bit longer to “play” on Boaz’s “facebook” (his blog). After being on our computer, he left and never logged out. Needless to say his profile changed with in minutes and Tim and I went to sleep laughing.

ps: I never really liked those mini dots all over my blog, it was a bit much.

Pixie - 12/18/05 - 1/18/06

It was either Tim or the Pixie. It wasn't a hard choice. However, I will miss her, and her hour late updates. I did enjoy her fashionable wardrobe and the occational appearance of Jinx, her cat. But, truthfully her presence caused much tension on my blog. A couple of days ago I found that my archive links were not working, it was her...Pixie. She just wasn't compatible and frankly I was just tired of dealing with her attention seeking tactics. Although her absence will leave a void on my blog (especially, on the upper right side). Over time I'm sure we all will learn to adjust and we will go on. It saddens me to say "Good bye, Pix"!

two's day...

1. Strong winds remind me that I'm not in control ( there is some crazy wind here today).

2. I am often in need of that reminder.


ps: don't forget American Idol begins tonight, this is my favorite part. When they get to the real talent I loose interest, is that bad?

Photo of the week

This has always been one of my favorite photos, I came across it the other day and thought I would share. This was taken at the Knoxville Zoo. Luke and this Chimpanze really hit it off. (Spring 2002)

grace like rain...

Ben Ferguson dropped in last night. He’s in town and soon will be heading back to Vancouver. Every couple of years he stops by. It is amazing to see how God is maturing him and shaping him. I won’t be surprised to find him doing incredible things with his life. We (Tim, Ben and I) always have these deep talks that are so good for the soul. As a stay at home mom, I soak it up. Any conversation that gets me away from my daily grind and takes me to a place that makes me dwell on the things that matter most in this world and the next, is more satisfying than sleep or a great meal when you are most famished . We were up late talking about Christianity and how that looks different for so many people. It looks different over the generations and over the continents. All over the world and even in this country people living out their faith does not always look the same. It changes, today’s church doesn’t really resemble what church was when God came near. I wonder how much we, I especially , miss worshiping God in the only way I now how. I don’t say “miss” meaning what I don’t get but what do I miss giving Him. Church services today have become such a “product”. People , me included, talk about the church service as if it was a concert. “The music was good today”, or “ the message was not so great ”,something seems strangely wrong with that. I want my heart to be at a place where I walk in and walk out seeking to know, honor, and love Him more. Not examining if all my expectations were met. I am embarrassed to say, I do that.

It is amazing to know that I have a God that is big enough to take everyone’s faith (in Christ) in it’s different colors and shapes and sizes and it’s good enough for Him, and when it’s not His grace is there to fill it’s void. I’m sure I get it wrong, I’m sure I make it more about me more often than I should. How can we bring honor and glory to Him, the eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God . As I sit here I hear Todd Agnew sing “Hallelujah, grace like rain falls down on me”. I guess that's the answer.

2 / 2 .......

1. You can't reason with a three year old no matter how hard or much you try.

2. Three year olds are way too honest! (yesterday, Libby told her daddy that his hair was falling out) haha!

In Storyville.....

Yesterday, after a pancake breakfast ( I made the pancakes my mom always made when I was a kid, I think it was her grandmother's recipe, I'm not sure maybe she can clarify. Anyway, they are sourdough and are made with yeast so the batter has to stand over night. Cooking with yeast is not the easiest, in fact I'll go out on a limb and say it just may be an art form. After much deliberation between my oldest sibling and mother I mustered enough courage to try and it worked, we had some good old fashion straight from the griddle sourdough pancakes. At the table I made a remark like "these sure do beat the bisquik cakes"( Bisquik is the usual for me) and Tim in all his blunder says, "I don't know, I wouldn't say better just different". I was like "huh"?. That's like saying homemade mash potatoes aren't any better than instant or his mom's mac and cheese is no better than kraft, just different. There's no comparison. Right Moms! :) Anyway, we are working through it, we still had a great family day at sugar mtn.)
We left and headed up the hill to Banner Elk to conquer some "black diamonds" on the tube runs :) It was tons of fun, the weather was perfect and the kids were great. Here are some pics to prove it:















Tim and Luke about to take the plunge.
















Libby and I about to take out another mother and child.
















Libby taking her 5 minute cheeto brake.

















The kids taking it easy on the lift.

kitty love....

Let’s just say that Luke has a very special relationship with Gracie our cat.
She really only loves him, ( and Tim a little bit). Everybody else she just puts up with, except for the dog ( which she thinks wants to kill her but I’m convinced Maggie just wants to taste her). Gracie knows when it is bed time and she will race to climb up Luke’s bed ( on the top bunk) to lay beside his head every night. Before I go to sleep I have to get Gracie out of his room or she will start licking his face as early as 5 am to wake him up. If She can’t get to him by dawn she will sit outside his door and meow like she is facing her last hour, kinda like a howl. Often I have to get up before the sun and throw pillows at her to make her stop before she wakes him up. I couldn’t find Gracie in Luke’s bed last night so I thought she had left on her own, turns out she must have been hiding because Luke was in our room at 5:30 this morning complaining that the cat won’t stop licking him. Of course Luke loves being “the chosen one” and he reciprocates by leaving the cat love notes by her food dish or beside her as she sleeps, kinda weird but sweet. I hope this is an early sign that he is going to be a romantic, If so he gets it from me. ; )

(p)ost (s)cript :
Bare with me as I have to brag on my boy. At the school assembly this morning Luke's name was called for getting caught showing respect to another student. He had to walk down from the stands and accept a reward ( pencil) from the principal. You never know how he is going to respond to an overwhelming amount of unexpected attention. He did well. If it wasn't for his beet red face no one would have known of his aghast.

* 2 T tuesday *

1. My husband is a great loom.

















2. My sister Lori is a very talented knitter ( she made the hats).

















Megan (8), Jeanette (16), Madison (5), Libby (3)

2005....

I guess it would be appropriate to share a few words about 2005. It ends far different than we ( Tim and I ) could have ever expected.
We left the house that will always be known to us as our first and moved to a new place to wonder where we will live next year. We miss more friends because of their move, Luke entered elementary school and Libby left diapers. Sickness has become a member of the family and good health a distant relative. Tim discovered the islands and I the African bush. We have and will both struggel in our own way with the loss of a good friend, nothing else mentioned has consumed our hearts more. It still leaves us in sadness and disbelief. It seems odd to consider this year a good one but in some ways it has been. Knowing and trusting that God has a plan for all humanity and in His grace allows us to play a part in it, gives the very bad and the very good and all that is in between a purpose.
As 2005 comes to a close we hope all our mistakes will be forgotten and tomorrow will bring more of what God wants and less of what we want and for the margin to be narrow between the two.

Tim and I have had a great time with family this past week. It's been relaxing and our hearts and bellies are full.
A couple photos of the family taken over the holidays:

two things tuesday....

1. I love turdukin (sp?) !!
2. It's good to be with family.

What was that...?

Did you feel it? Did you feel it around 4:OOpm today? Don't tell me you didn't notice even the tiniest shifting of the earth's rotation pattern. No meter showers where you were? What about instantaneous melting of the polar ice caps....or at least the ice in your beverage...no? Well, for those of you who missed the subtle (though very present) signs of a rather rare convergence, four of our blogger family reunited, connected in real life. No post and wait. No commenting banter. It was real, honest to goodness conversation over motorcycles, messy shrimp and sausage.
The family of 5 that now live in the wonderful warm state of Texas came for an evening of good food and fun. It was great to sit around the table and try to follow two or more conversations at once. When so much life has passed since the last time you've seen each other and the time you have at the present is so condensed you have to find away to juggle all that needs to be said. Our time was short and we could have easily stretched those conversations out over a few months if we had a few months.
The kids had a great time together, especially Libby as she was surrounded by her own kind and Luke was left trying to figure how he fit ( usually it is the other way around). The kids had fun on the "two wheelers", even the big boys. I wish I had pictures but I can't find my camera ( could I have picked a better time of year to loose that)? Anyway, it was good to reconnect in person with a family that we love and miss and share such a rich history with. I always welcome the reassurance that the thousands of miles between our worlds hasn't changed that.

testing...1...2...3... w/ 2 things tuesday

I may be having technical difficulties....
It has been brought to my attention that my pixie may be disrupting my blog. Can everyone see my text down the middle of my blog, links and things on the left, and pixie on the upper right.
I may have to get my digerati on it.

Two things Tuesday...
1. I hate pickels on burgers.
2. I still order my burgers with pickels, I just take them off.

Who needs toys when you have Tim....

Today I started the big parade of presents that make their way from the quite, dark, forbidden closet in the basement to the table of decorative (limited) possibilities.
If it wasn’t for thinking that opening gifts are part of the joy of receiving them I would gladly let them keep their original appearance. I have the hardest time cutting the wrapping paper the size I need, so many times I'm short. I have a real problem, even knowing this I try to over compensate and I still fail far more often than an aware person should. I’ll cut more paper to fit the unwrapped part and attach it. This wouldn’t be that ridiculous unless you are using Dollar Store tape that breaks and sticks back to itself so you have to use your finger nails to scrape and find the end of the roll. Only two presents into it I was breaking down. Tim came to my rescue and dashed to Walgreens for Scotch tape. So much better! Now, if I could just cut the paper right.

Regardless, of this mess…I still love giving presents, especially if I know the recipient really wants it. Last Christmas I surprised Tim with a skim board. He was completely unaware. In order to keep him clueless I had to do a ton of research to find which one would be best for him. I had no idea there was so much to it. I even spoke with a professional skim boarder to get his opinion ( who knew their were professional skim boarders). Just seeing Tim’s reaction when I surprised him with it was worth it. This year Tim bought his own present ( his new mx bike and accessories, it's a good thing I didn't have to wrap it). I am happy for him but I must admit last year was more fun for me. Although, I am having a blast watching him enjoy himself. Except for the time I had to yell at him for speeding down our dead end road. I only yelled so he could hear me over the motor of course :) Anyway, we’re cool. I don’t even need toys because I have so much fun watching Tim with his.

Joe's famous chili

It is definitely a Joe’s famous chili day. For some reason the sun isn't trying so hard to impress us. It has been a day full of yuck. And, as long as someone is listening, I’ll add it is as miserable inside as it is outside. Libby’s sick, the kind of sick that makes you want to flee to the open air, if the open air was at all inviting.
If any day calls for comfort food, today is the day! If I wasn’t held hostage in my own home by my ailing child I would run to the store and buy all that I need to make just this. So instead I will vicariously enjoy it by sharing it with you. Dig in!

Joe’s famous Chili

1 ½ ground chuck, or sirloin, or round ( which ever)
1 sweet pepper, chopped
1 onion, chopped
1 pkg. chili mix
2 small cans of tomato paste
1/3 cup of molasses
1 can lima beans
1 can black beans
1 can kidney beans
1 can of white beans (any type of white beans)
1 can or rotel green chilies (mild or regular for more spice)
½ can of beer (optional, however highly recommended)

Sauté in large pot
1 ½ ground meat
with 1 chopped sweet pepper
1 chopped onion
add chili mix
2 small cans of tomato paste
1/3 cup of molasses
Simmer 10 minutes
add ½ can of beer
add all the beans ( I don’t drain them)
add 1 can of rotel

It goes great with corn chips and sour cream with shredded cheddar cheese!

An ode to Teilhet AND blog meeting

Oh…how we miss John Teilhet! ( and Beth too, but she wasn’t the one whining on Tim’s Blog). Even though he takes my husband surfing in the middle of rocks, and almost gets him killed, beat my son senseless with pillows, and has been known to forget my name. We ( my family) miss his random visits and requests for milk. Hang in there( or should I say hang loose) John, I know your suffering in Hawaii as Beth’s cabana boy.

Now with that done… I would like to call this meeting to order ( hammer, hammer, hammer). I want to propose something called- “Two Things Tuesday” ( I have to admit I have stolen this idea, and tweaked it some). Anyway what it is …. every Tuesday everyone who wants to, posts 2 things about themselves or just two random things on their blog (if steve is inclined I would ask that some of his "two things" be blogging tips). This isn’t to replace any post for that given day, it can just be added on, however if you have nothing else to post except those two things that’ll work. Let me know if you’re in.

Next order of business…. Does anyone see my blue ONE box below by picture? It is a link to one.org. I have been told that it isn’t there, I see it and Tim sees it when he logs on to my page. If this is a joke on me ….it’s not funny. Remember I am very sensitive. :)

Last order of business…… My two things-
1. I refuse to get stressed out about Christmas this year.
2. I have discovered something that is going to replace M&Ms…Kissables, candy coated mini kisses. They rock!

jacaranda...

I would like to introduce you to my new favorite tree, (sorry if you have already been acquainted) the Jacaranda. We first met in South Africa, but I have come to find out they are all over the warmer parts of the world. You can even find them in California and perhaps other places out west. They are simply stunning when in full bloom. In early spring they come to life in the purest of purples. Their fragrance, however will have to grow on me. I would gladly let it do so beside my front door but the winters here are to harsh for them…shame!















They can get pretty big. It is illegal to plant these trees
in S. Africa due to their thirsty nature. They suck up all the water to the detriment of the plant life around it. Water is such a precious commodity they don't even let the trees indulge.

White Band Day-Make Poverty History

Dec.10th - White Band Day, the day to show your support for ONE, the Campaign to Make Poverty History.

At a youth conference called BigStuf this past June. Tim and I along with other “youth staff” chaperoned about 100 kids to this amazing youth conference in Panama City, FL. One of the main speakers was a man by the name of Louie Giglio. He spoke of the overwhelming needs that are around the world. It didn’t come as a shock, I’ve known for quite some time there are people around this vast globe that need food, healing, and Jesus ( if I was talking I probably wouldn’t be able to pass up the opportunity to inflect my voice and sound like a southern Baptist preacher when saying Jesus, just for comic relief ,of course). But that’s just it, it’s a vast globe and what was I suppose to do. Louie went on and after all the facts (which I can’t remember) he said “ you can’t sit there and do nothing”, that I will never forget. It meant something to me. Because until then I thought I could sit there and do nothing. I mean, if anyone had a good excuse it was me. I have two precious kids depending on me. I’m committed to their growth, their nurturing, their daily routine…..“you can’t sit there and do nothing”, those words haunted me. From the moment they left his mouth until the day I decided I might be able to do a little. A little isn’t nothing, right?

Louis Giglio spoke of an organization that is making great strides in bringing attention to world hunger and the global AIDS epidemic. The ONE Campaign. I was interested but that was about it at the time. Then in mid July I was asked to consider going to Africa, my initial response was “there’s no way…but Tim said very bravely “I think there’s a way”. So with Louie’s words still haunting me I said “maybe”. Well, we all know that evolved into a “yes”.

Coming back from Africa (while still my body screaming at me for taking such a trip but being motivated to do a little more) with those words still lingering, I contacted The ONE Campaign. Quickly, I was given the task of trying to get our city to become a “City of One”. This meant getting the Mayor to write a proclamation stating the city supports the work of The One Campaign. The proclamation at best is symbolic, but joined with other cities, gives the notion that there are people throughout this country that want our government to do more for world relief. It was a time crunch, but yesterday I went to City Hall to pick up the proclamation and today our city is part of a national press release. How cool! Check it out, we're on a list (much smaller than I would have hoped) that counts for something. Tim was a big help in this by the way. Of course, he has some connections somewhere….and, well, he came through for me.

It’s not over - they still need help and need more volunteers - so if you’re willing and you want to do something, let me know.

Oh yeah…we have some white bands if anyone wants one.

today's link....

I have to share a great moment I had with Luke. In the middle of getting him ready for school he turns to me and says “ Becka” doesn’t believe in God. “Becka” is the cutest little girl in Luke’s kindergarten class. He has had some great conversations with her in the past. One converstaion in particular has also been hotly debated within churches and with the far left and right political parties. It had teachers talking about it and caused both Luke and “ Becka” to get pretty frustrated with each other. ( I will choose not to go into that conversation due to the conflicts it brings in it’s very nature. This being a public blog, I would cry if I received hateful comments, if your curious email or IM me). Anyway, I explained to him that God wants us to love everyone even the people that do not believe in/love God. He nodded his head as if he wouldn’t expect God to want any thing different. Our morning routine moved us to the advent chain (every day in advent we add a link to this chain and each link teaches about the different people in Jesus’ lineage and gives a practical life application). Today’s link was about the Prophets and it simply said (we have the preschool version) “ Prophets told people about God….. who can you tell about God”? I looked at him and said “who do you think”? He was pensive for a moment and I said “you could tell “Becka” that Jesus loves her” and he looked at me like he expected I would know that he already has. And, he said “I already have”. Some moments as a parent, as a mother, all is right. You forget about the whining and bickering, the never ending mess, this was one of those moments for me.

As I was relishing in that moment we hurried out the door. I drop the kids off for school, did those things I had to do, then found myself with one free hour. I had a gift card to Barnes and Nobles given to me by my “other mother” (she thought it was for 5$, but it was really for 10$...thanks). I consciously repressed all guilt, splurged on a tall peppermint mocha frappachino with whip, bought a book that I normally would never be inclined to buy and cherished a very good morning that I will try to keep in my recent memory, for those mornings that I would rather not blog about. :)

Bloggers (not so ) Anonymous

Alright, I have to ask. When do you know when you have a problem with blogging.
What are the warning signs?
Is it when after reading all your friends blogs you start reading peoples blogs you don't know? Or, what if when you are going about your normal life and the question "would this make a good post" never leaves your mind (should I be admitting this)? I know that I find some kind of euphoric joy out of connecting (or just eavesdropping) with people on line that have similar interests. Is it a sad realization of the pathetic ness of my life ...possibly. I will be the first to admit staying home with my three year old is not life in the fast lane. The highlight of our day is when we get to go pick up Luke from school. If we are lucky we just might get to connect with other human life for a few minutes. Even so it is not the same as sharing your heart with good friends or whoever else that drops in.

However, I'm afraid there are some negative side effects. My bed, if it does get made isn't until right before Tim comes home, my cell phone has become our main number, and my son now says he wants a blog for Christmas (just kidding with the last one, he already has a blog, still under construction, He couldn't wait for Christmas). :)

Since loosing a great friend, neighbor, and babysitter (all with one swift move) this has become a good slice of therapy. I just wonder if it is normal. I keep telling myself I could quit at anytime. At least I'm hoping....rehab is not an option right now. I have to much to do over the holidays!

Cheesy but true....

Tim and I both have distance to blame when we find ourselves missing some of those we call our closest friends. It is such a treasure in this life when you find a conversation that comes so easily or even a consistent unconditional smile. It is in these things that your friends become your closest friends. I'm not even sure how it happens, perhaps it's all pre-ordained. One day you just know that this friend is a great friend. It's when you know that it's o.k. if you are not at your best, or simply when you are at your worst. When you have the creative leeway to make stupid mistakes and know it's going to be the material of a great joke, and where absence changes nothing. I guess I should be content with just having such friends but it is hard. I miss those of you who have moved on and want the best for all of you but I selfishly wish that best would bring you back home, I mean... here.

For the love of money-

O.K. I admit it. I am disappointed. I didn't want to say anything because I don't want to embarrass my husband. But I just have to say I am sad about Johnson City's loss of the beautiful beech trees.
For those of you who will be returning to town for the holidays be prepared that the corner of W. Market and State of Franklin will never look the same again. I am no more sad than I would be if they tore down a beautiful historical building for condos. I can't say I understand the radicals that held a funeral with a 21 chain saw salute with Taps. I wonder if those same people are just as sad for the unnecessary loss of human life that happens daily around us (that's another post). Anyway, the trees were big, and well over a hundred years old, beautiful all on their own. Over the years people have been trying to develop that corner and the city commission has protected them. The vote was 3/2 in favor of keeping that corner zoned residential (yes...residential! - didn't TVA used to be there???). It was known that if the land stayed residential the developer was going to build condos and the trees where coming down. The developer wanted to keep the trees and build shops. When he didn't get the rezoning to build for business within 48 hours those beech trees were gone. I am wondering myself if the commission was getting strong armed by the developer to rezone for business, if they wouldn't rezone he would cut the trees. Knowing the reputation of a few of our city commissioners they would save their pride before they would save those trees. Well, that might be too harsh of a statement.

I truly wish they made that corner into a park( spoken like a true park and rec. major). After all it has been said that the pioneer Robert Young is buried there. He has been credited for turning the tide for the Revolutionary War by firing the shot that killed Col. Patrick Ferguson in the Battle of King's Mountain. At one time that corner was his family's farm land.

You won't find me wearing black like some have been but I am sorry that these trees that have survived so many years came down so quickly and with such haste.

More evidence of our age....

Riding piggyback on my last post, this post will prove Tim and I are truly old! Tim and I dropped Luke off for "sunday school" yesterday. It was a large group meeting for k-5. There were a bunch of boys and they were so cute all huddled together. They had a special teacher for this event, Deanna S. I have seen Deanna around church a lot and know that she is working with the elementary kids but this was the first time I've seen her interacting with my son. What is cool...I remember being Deanna's small group leader when she was in the 6th grade in the youth group. I spent time with her in hopes of influencing her in positive way. Now , I'm counting on her to do the same for my son. It just doesn't seem right... I remember like it was yesterday throwing pillows at her in my apartment (did I say positive)??? :)

Now Tim's turn...
Yesterday, after our church we went to Tim's mom's church. We were invited to come for a special presentation for the playground dedication. Eden United Methodist is a small country church were it would be hard to find finer people. They just built a new church and now were adding a new playground. It turns out, long before I met Tim he help teach the children's church at Eden. They began a fund for a new playground and would collect an offering from the kids and put their nickels and dimes in a paper cup. Eventually, they would have several paper cups. Back then they explained to the kids that they themselves wouldn't get to play on it, knowing it would take well over a decade to have enough money. The kids still gave willingly. Tim being one of the first adults to help with this venture was presented a paper cup in front of the church by 3 young men that now tower over him, thanking him for his involvement in their lives. It is true that these boys are far to large to play on that playground but their kids will and our kids will too. And so it goes and goes. I never thought we would get to harvest what was sown so soon. Though it is small, it is sweet and I pray that the harvest will last long.

12 years ago today......

It was twelve years ago today that I packed up my few things and left my small college town for the big city. Well, not so big but not knowing a soul and everything feeling so unfamiliar it might as well been Manhattan to me. I found a one bedroom apartment and was anxious for my first shot at adulthood. I remember buying a cheap, pastel splashed, straight from the 80's couch and borrowed a friend's old table. My TV was resting on a navy blue milk create and I could barely get one local channel.

It was a lonely fall that fell into a lonely winter. I couldn't go home for Christmas so a friend from work invited me to his family's house for Christmas dinner. Still trying to find my way around town I hardly made it there on time. While eating dinner, the first snow came and what had become familiar was now covered in white. I ended up lost in the next town before I ever made it home. I can remember the loneliness becoming overwhelming at times. Slowly I began to make friends and winter's early nights didn't feel so brutal. One day I distinctly remember deciding to get "rabbit ears" (antenna) for my TV. I went into Radio Shack and was greeted by the cutest guy with the widest smile. His pleasant way had left his image in my head, so whenever driving by he would come to my mind. I had survived winter and with my new antenna, I could at least pick up 2 channels so now I was ready to bring in the mid nineties with a portable CD player for my car (I know it is shocking to know how technologically sad I was before I met Tim). This time on my way to Radio Shack I was wondering if "that guy in my head" would be there. He was. We talked that day not just about CD players but about ourselves. I left there thinking I could really like him. Later, I found out that we had mutual friends and through those friends we became friends.

Well, before that Radio Shack moved on, I would be married to "that guy in my head". So it was official, I was a local. We settled in and bought our first home and after many seasons, started our family.
Since then everything has happened so quickly and with such certainty. Now, 12 years from the day of such uncertainty I find myself surprised with who I have become. I am a wife, and a daughter, a mother, and a friend and it is all very familiar as if this place was never a stranger to me.

"Hello, Strep Central"....

Will we ever be well again? Now, I have it. Turns out Luke never got rid of it, and Libby's still fighting it. Tim's immune system must rock! Unless the next post reads, Tim too! :)
I had to take Luke back to the doctor yesterday because he was still so sick. We found out his first round of antibiotics was just the appetizer.
The play of events... Monday- Libby got her shot. Tuesday- Luke got his shot. Wednesday- Lisa got her shot. We may be sore but our spirits are high, unless I have to wait in another doctor's office anytime soon. Honestly though, this Thanksgiving I am thankful that strep is the only illness we have. You never know after this holiday we might just have the bird flu. :)





The kids came home from school with these costumes, it couldn't be more true. Libby is a turkey and Luke would love to choke her. :)
Happy Thanksgiving.

today's crazy, tomorrow's hazy....

Recently, my sister sent me an email with some pictures of my niece at her high-school homecoming. She is stunningly beautiful. No real surprise, we all knew she would grow up to a beautiful young lady. She's even driving. I still have a hard time thinking she's old enough. I look at pictures of my own kids and I'm shocked with how fast life is moving. I want to keep them young. It saddens me that they will one day grow up and realize that I'm no super mom that can fix all their woes. For now, it's pretty doable. I can handle super gluing Jasmine's hair on cause it keeps falling off. Or throwing the checkers game so that Luke can feel the sweetness of success. Soon, I won't even have to throw the game ( after all, yesterday he was teaching me how to play chess... sad, I know) . Luke is reading, Libby is using the potty and a pro on the computer. I wish I could make them stay in the right hand lane and let everyone else just pass. I'm not even sure what mom's do once their kids reach the age of "self-sufficiency". My role for the past six years has been doing for them what they can't do for themselves. Is it possible to work your way out of a full time job as a mom? I guess you would want to, a thirty year old still wanting his mom to drop him off and pick him up is a little weird. My only anodyne ( incorporating my word for the day) is that my mom has said "there's nothing better than adult children". I know I have a long way to go before mine are adults but I don't even want to imagine it........well, some days I may. :)

In Storyville...

Or should I say Sicklyville. Luke (my six year old) had strep last week and now Libby ( my three year old) has come down with it. This is Libby's first bout. Strep just thrives in Luke. He will most likely have to have his tonsils out. Over this past summer I pleaded with the Dr. to let Luke keep them. He said we could see how this winter goes, well it's not even winter yet and here we go. Libby got a shot today, she was very brave. The nurse was so proud of her so much that she gave Libby a handful of stickers , coloring pages, and crayons. Really, I think the nurse just felt bad about giving her the shot. Wouldn't you? I would. I'm just happy that I don't have to chase her around trying to get her to swallow the medicine. She should feel better as soon as tomorrow. Unfortunately, Libby and I are missing out on an early Thanksgiving meal at Tim's Aunt's house today. Tim and Luke went on, I just hope they think to bring us something back ! :) I forgot to ask Tim before he left, and I'm thinking it would be to rude to call over there and ask.

In the 4th -Tampa bay 20 vs. Atlanta 27........ come on BUCS!