Been a while....

Wow!! I did not realiza it had been so long since I had been on here. I think as I get older time seems to go by a lot faster. So here is an update...

Nicole - 17 and a Junior now - just finished up junior directing Larry's first play. She is gearing up for her next play here in a couple of weeks. She is having fun just hanging around working at McD's still. She volunteers a lot at school to help with different events. She is a part of the National Honor Society, VP of FCCLA, Latin Club, Spanish Club, English Academic Team, and the Social Studies bowl. She is also VP for FCCLA, which is the group from last year that she went to Nationals with her business plan with two of her friends and won Gold. They have decided to do it again, after swearing they would never do it again! They decided that they already knew what they were getting into so they should just do it again. She still sings with the worship team at church and helps out with children's church although I think that will be drawing to an end. We are trying to get her focused on College and start thinking about her future. She still has no idea of what she wants to door where she wants to go. She is thinking maybe a teacher... although the lack of financial stability is a drawback. We will see.

Larry 14 and in 8th grade now- just finished his first Drama play. He was not going to have anything to do with it until one of his friends decided to do it so he thought he would just help out behind the scenes...The teacher that was putting the whole thing on convinced him to take a part...The last day of try outs he decided to try it. He ended up doing very well, and found out he actually likes it, and is pretty good at it. Nicole did a great job of directing as well. This was her forst official role. She enjoyed it. Larry is thinking he may do swimming again this year and then track. He is involved at school with FCA and just joined the science academic team. He is also the #1 nursery worker. The kid love him and always ask for him when he is not there. He loves playing with them and watching them as well. It is amazing how careing he is with them. He has grown up so much!

Paul is working at McD's still. He really loves it. We have started our own business up back in December. We do screenprinting and embroidery. I left my old job back in Oct. Long story lots of issues!! moved on! We went and took classes to learn how to screenprint. It has been great to work from home again however there is a lot to it!! We still have a ways to go before things are completely set up the way we would like it to be but we are up and running. We both as involved at the church. We love this little church, although it is not so little anymore. Ever since we moved into our new building we are busting at the seams. That is a good thing but is also requiring more time adn planning. No more winging it! But God is always so faithful!

So that is kindof a quick update on what has been happening. I will try to update more frequently. I am not sure if anyone even reads this any more however I have missed this. In a weird way it is very thereputic to be able to write (or in this case) type things out. I hope all of you are doing well and that God is blessing each and everyone of you and your families!!

Take care & God Bless!!

I Know about time for an update.

Well as you can tell I have been a bit busy with things since it has been nearly 8 months since I have posted anything. I can not believe how fast the year is flying by!

Nicole - She finished up her Sophomore year and just started her Junior year. Heavy class load - Chemistry, Honors English, Pre-Cal, Spanish 2, Latin 3, US History, and Wings (Advanced performance choir however they do not seem to do much performing at this school!) She is enjoying it. She has a very busy simmer. Her group won 1st place at the State FCCLA Leadership competition. They designed their own business, a coffee shop based on Broadway show tunes. They went to Nationals in Nashville TN and received a Gold. They worked very hard and did an amazing job!

She spent a week at Depauw University living on campus and experienced college life for a week. (Side note her roommate was from Austin Texas!! She liked that!) She was there for a Vocal/Fine arts camp. Only 25 kids were accepted into the camp. She loved it however came to the conclusion that she does not think she wants to major in Fine Arts. That was the purpose of her going. I was hoping that she would decide if that was what she really wanted to do.

She is still working at McDonald's and enjoying it. She is also heading up the concession stands for the youth football league. It is hard to believe that she will be 17 one month from today. She is becoming a very independent young lady.

Larry - finished up his first year of High School and is now an 8th grader. He got a surprise this year. In order for him to be able to take his advanced science class and Algebra he had to take honors english. So his schedule is full of advanced classes as well and so far so good. Of course it has only been one week. He loves all of his teachers which is a big plus! We will see how the year progresses. He is doing cross country right now and loving it, of course.

He spent the summer playing baseball. He had a great time with that. He also got a babysitting job and watched a little 2 year old from church for a couple of hours 3 days a week. He is Larry's little buddy and I think it is mutual feelings. I think his first complete sentence was Where Larry go? They have a great time together! While Nicole and I were in Tennessee he went on a fishing trip with dad. They decided not to spend money on a cabin, and they could not pitch a tent where they went so they just slept in the truck. They had a great time.

Paul and I have had a lot of changes as well. We shut down our construction business. Paul was offered an amazing job opportunity with Jedele Enterprises. They own 6 local McDonald's and he was offered a General Managers position. After the government continually wanting more money for taxes, unreliable help, and a trip to the emergency room for Paul Kidney stones, (which he ended up having emergency surgery for 2 weeks ago.) he decided that it was time for a change. We always wanted the business to be a ministry and not a job and uncle sam never really allowed that to happen. Where he is now he can talk with more people and has a lot bigger opportunity for ministry there then he ever had before. He is really enjoying the change and the everyday challenges that come with the job.

Last year I subbed almost every day at the High School and worked here and there at Creative Designs. (the t-shirt/screenprint shop) This year I am reversing the roles. I pretty much run the production facility. I will sub mainly on Fridays since we only work 4 days a week up there. I enjoy it but it is not the same as being int he school. I really love being around the kids and talking to them. So many of them still come to me for advice or just to let me know what is going on with them. Now that school has started I am really missing it.

We are still at Lifebuilder Community Church. We are loving it! We are getting ready to move into a new building in Sept. This is a very exciting change for all of us at the church. Nicole sings with the worship team, and helps with Children's church. Larry helps with the little ones during worship. Paul is an Elder and helps with lots of other things as well. I help with getting worship music together and Children's church. the one thing I am really enjoying is the Youth Group. We have only meet a couple of times so it is a work in progress but I think it is my favorite thing right now. I am looking forward to getting it going stronger so that I can maybe start a women's bible study together. I went to a conference a few weeks ago and it just reminded me of how much I love working with women. Helping them. I miss that part of my ministry. There is just something powerful about being able to use the word of God to minister to others. It is a fullfilment unlike any other.

So that is about it in a nut shell for now. We are all doing well. God is working in our lives and doing miracles all around us.

May God Bless you all and your families!

A Day of first's......

Well today was a day of a few firsts (?) for Larry.

He competed in his first solo & ensemble with his trumpet. He has only been playing for about 5 month's. He walked away with a Gold, 1st place. He was very nervous when we got to the school that was hosting the event, which included kids from all over the state. They really only compete against themselves but it was a nerve racking experience for him. He did an awesome job!

He also has a girlfriend now and invited her to go with us. So this was his first "date". He (we) took her out to eat at Olive Garden after we were done with his competition. Then they came back here to the house and the snow boarded and sledded for a couple of hours. Needless to say when we took her home they were both exhausted from playing outside all day and hardly said a word. He was very polite and even opened the car door for her and walked her to her door when we dropped her off. They were so cute! I guess my little boy is growing up!


Take care and God Bless you all!!