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!!

Time is short and precious....

This past week has been a long and tiring week full of lots of emotions.



It has been one week since Larry's friends mom passed away. This has probably been the most emotional week he has had since the move back to Greencastle. They determined it was a blood clot. She was 39 years old and had 2 little girls. This all came about because she either sprained her ankle or pulled something in her foot a couple of weeks ago. She went to the Dr. last wed and went straight to the hospital. Shortly after that she was gone. My son has had such a hard time with this for a couple of different reasons. First he is very compassionate and truly cares about how others feel. Second his friend was a really good friend of his, one of the first friends he made when we moved down here. And last he put himself in her shoes and thought about what it would be like to loose me. He was attached to my side for the next couple of days and is still near by.



This just goes to show how short life is. Things can change in a moments notice. Don't forget that. Make sure you tell your kids and your spouse that you love them every day!



This was also the last week of my teaching gig covering for the teacher on maternity leave. I have to admit I was nervous about it to begin with but I must say it was one of the most rewarding things I have done. My last day was this past Tuesday and the kids made me cards and wrote me some notes and drew me some pictures. Some begged me not to leave, some said they were going to skip the next day in protest (which I told them I better not find out that they did!) and some opened up and hugged me and just cried. One girl who hardly said a word when I started had opened up and was participating in class, asking questions, answering questions, even starting discussions. Another one who just did not want to be there just held on to me and cried before she left. There were so many joys because I knew that I had made a difference, yet sorrow because I knew I had to leave, and fear of where they would go from here.

I tried so hard the last few weeks to help them understand that they are in charge of their futures. That the choices they make will determine their future, and to not let anyone else determine their future by labeling them or telling them that they can not do it, or that they will not amount to anything. And the best part about that is, I think a couple of them actually got it. I pray that they did, and I pray that they will all work hard to make their dreams come true.

That is what we all need to remember that we make our future and we can't give up, or let anyone else define who we are or what we will become!

I pray that each and everyone of you is having a very blessed day and that you will seek God for the wisdom and the guidance to make the right choices that will determine your future!

God Bless!

Eve of a very important night....

This is the eve of one of the most important and Historical nights in our lives as well as our children's lives.

No matter who you voted for or how you feel about the events that are going to be transpiring tomorrow, this will be a day none of us will ever forget. The first African-American will become president. This is such an amazing time in history for all of us.

I can remember where I was when Reagan was elected, where I was when he was shot, When the Challenger blew up, Desert Storm, 9/11, invading Iraq, and a few others, but this will be one that when I talk about it with my kids they will have their own personal thoughts and feelings about it, not just something they read about in a book or stories that they have head from me or their dad. This will be their History.

I can remember as a little girl my grandmother telling us stories about historical events that happened when she was young. I can also remember her telling me that she would never, in her life time, see a woman or an African-American become president. That this country would never accept it. Well ,almost 1 year to the day since she passed away an African-American will become president. I can't help to think about what she would say about this.


Remember to pray for this man and his family. As Christians we are called to lift those in leadership up in prayer. To surround them and cover them with prayer. Pray for God's will. Then go one step farther and trust that His will, will be done. No matter your thoughts or feelings about this new President - he will be the next President.

Remember that there is no man or woman on the face of this earth that God can not use. Enjoy this day in History. We will be talking about it as well as our kids will be talking about this and their kids, and their kids........etc.....

(Well until Jesus returns anyway!!)

Only Teenagers now!!

Well it is official. We no longer have any little kids in this house. (By age not by maturity!) Larry turned 13 last week so we only have teenagers. This week Larry can start riding with Nicole in her car. It seems like time is just flying by. Unlike when Larry turned 10 he was very excited to turn 13. Although he said that he does not feel any different. Imagine that. I to fell the same way it is when I stop and think about how old I actually am that I relise how old I really am. So you may wonder what the new teenager got for his birthday. He got his gun back in November that he went hunting with. (see previous posts to see more details) He was saving up some money for a paintball gun. So he was a little short so we worked things out and he got his gun. His sister got him paint balls for her present to him. Now we just have to wait for the weather to get warmer so that he can head out to the woods to have some fun with his friends.

I hope all of you are having a wonderful and blessed new year! May God Bless you all and your families!