Proud to be an American ...

My brother, Chris. Currently in the second phase of state-side training, soon to be deployed to Kosovo as part of the ongoing NATO peacekeeping mission. If you click on the title above it will take you to an article in the Ft. Leavenworth newspaper about their departure ceremony.

More than 20 years of dedicated preparation and service in the Marines and National Guard have come down to this year, which is probably how long he will be gone from home. His wife, Amy, and 9 year old son, Alex, are as brave as all the other military families I've seen from afar, yet I'm keenly aware of their fear and pain, and it makes me think. I am very proud of my brother AND his family for their sacrifice.


I know all three of them covet the prayers of the saints as they walk this assignment out in faith.

Where's the couch?

I'm gonna get it for this one, but I couldn't resist taking (thanks Brenda) and posting this picture from in front of Christa and J's house recently ... all they needed was a couch and a couple of corn cob pipes and it would have looked like they'd been transplanted straight from Arkansas!

Popsicle Pain

This video needs no introduction or explanation ... it stands on it's own! If you haven't been on my blog in awhile be sure not to miss the video in my previous post ("Camp 2007")!

Camp 2007!

I spent all last week at Camp CUMCITO's Tot Lot - a camp for 4-6 year olds, mostly from the inner city. Because we weren't full (40 kids is max) Lexi was able to go as a camper, even though she was only 3 1/2 (and not from the inner city!). She had a bit of a rough start, had to go see the Director (not me this year, thankfully!!) three times the first day for running away from her "Big Sister" (counselor). I was mortified - sure she was going to get sent home!! - she literally climbed up and down all 20 bunkbeds (many with other kids in them!) all the way through nap time instead of sleeping! (Again ... so glad I wasn't in there!) I was so relieved and thankful to see her change completely on Tuesday - it's like she just decided to conform, which amazes me on MANY levels. She was awesome the whole rest of the week, although she did get banned to the little little pool after Monday because she had no fear of the deep end (4 ft) and "drowned" twice in the first hour she was in the pool. The lifeguard did let her go back in the big pool on Friday, and she was so excited! And she did fine.

The kids learned about the story of Joseph and his amazing coat, and learned four Bible verses, and did lots of crafts, and rode ponies several times, and swam, and played and played and played! One of the coolest moments of the week was to have the Bible teacher tell me that when she was explaining that Jesus had died for their sins and because of that they could have Jesus in their hearts, Lexi stood up and said, "I have Jesus in MY heart!!"

I have tons of pictures, but this video is my favorite so I'll just post it for now. This was the entrance to the carnival, and each group had to say one of their Bible verses from the week as the price of admission.

Summer Daze

I must say that I have been living life instead of blogging it lately. I've had some wonderful one-on-one time with both grandkids this past month, and it has been delightful. Lexi stayed with us last weekend, and I got a few sweet pictures of her.


We fit a lot into the weekend! A trip to the library led to the inevitable potty stop - she rarely has to go, but just really enjoys checking out public restrooms. Rather odd, yes, but it is genetic ... her mama and nini both did the same thing. :) Anyway, this bathroom in the kids department of the library is really cool - short toilet for short legs, a nice padded bench for mom (or in my case grandma) to sit on, a nifty step stool to get up to the sink to wash up ... all in all worth the investigation even though (you guessed it) she really didn't have to go at all. She was bent over pulling her drawers off when the toilet flushed automatically! And VERY loudly! She jumped, fell forward onto her nose, then turned and yelled at me, "WHY DID YOU FLUSH THAT???" I was laughing way too hard to answer her. Maybe this will stop her from future ventures into public bathrooms if she really doesn't have to go ... but somehow I doubt it.



I took her to get a haircut on Sunday, and she truly "held court" the entire time she was in there - all other conversations ground to a halt as everyone (stylists and customers alike) were listening to her rapid-fire questions for her stylist. Lots of laughter by all ... "What is that fing? What is it for? Do you use it for boys or grils?" And on, and on, and on. It was REAL funny.

Stealing a story from Christa - friday they were on their way home in the van, and Christa asked the kids if they would help with the dishes when they got home. Mason said, "..oh" [his version of "NO" - we're working on consonants :)]. Lexi said "No." Christa pretended to cry, and said, "But who will help me with the dishes?" Lexi: "God will help you Mommy ... He's all around you!" Ha ha ha ha!!