4.11.12

We're on Spring Break this week.

We started the break with an unplanned trip to the woods

A make shift grill and campfire next to a creek was the perfect spot.

Katie protected us from the bears :)

4.9.12

As promised...more prom photos.

Papa let him borrow his mustang. Pretty sweet ride for your Senior Prom.

Zach and Ariel

Ivan. He is hanging out at our house until graduation.

He thought this picture was silly and did not want me to take it. He finally gave in and smiled. I love this picture.

Fun times.

Me and Zach...before the prom

More pictures to come. I want to play around in PhotoShop before I publish them.

He was a very handsome boy...he cleans up well :)

Wrestling

Zach and Adam were both members of the first ever wrestling team. Bob was the coach.

This week finishes the season for us. It has been fun. Starting a team from the ground up is a lot of work. We had to coordinate everything......gate duty, concessions stands, fundraisers, meets, and a tournament.

We are all just a wee bit tired and ready for a break. The boys went straight from football into wrestling. I think they, along with Bob, are looking forward to coming straight home from school and not doing anything for awhile.

Merry Christmas 2011

From our family...

...to your family....

Merry Christmas!

Celebrate His birth...and

Be joyful in ALL things.

Fall Ball

A few pictures from this year's Fall Ball.

And yes, one of them actually danced....guess which one?

He even danced with me :)

The Last Game

Zach's last high school football game was Nov. 4th. He had a great season.

This helmet has seen its fair share of tackles this year.

He was first in the 8AA & 8AAA regions for interceptions and placed 7th in receiving. He had a total of 42 receptions, for 431 yards. He had 43 tackles, 17 assists, and 7 tackles for a loss. He also had 18 kick returns for 283 yards.

The seniors line up for one last picture.

With few exceptions, he never came off the field during a game.

After the last game, we all walked onto the field for one last time. It was bittersweet.

Fortunately, a very sweet young lady was there to cheer him up. She certainly puts a smile on his face.

Congratulations Zach. You fought hard and finished well....you also kept the faith. You kept your head above the bickering and criticism. You quietly stood by your teammates and you proved yourself to be a leader. Now take what you have learned on the field and use it to make a difference in this world.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

2 Timothy 4:7

Thanksgiving

It's quiet at my house this morning. Soon, I will be cranking up the oven for pies and mac n cheese....my contribution to Thanksgiving Dinner.

I had every intention to have a daily Thanksgiving post this month. *ahem* Didn't quite work out as I had planned.

This month has been CRAZY. I even have a *beautiful* stress rash on my arms and legs as proof.

I believe it is important to focus on the good things, the positive things, the blessings in life. Here's my list:

Bob - I married well....despite being young (2 weeks shy of 19) and totally unprepared for marriage, I somehow managed to find the perfect person.

Clay - He's grown up a lot this year. He is confident, dependable, honest, and a hard-worker. We rode together to a wrestling meet last night and the conversation was good. He's got a smart head on his shoulders and an incredibly giving heart. I'm so proud of him.

Zach - He celebrated a birthday this week. He's had a tough couple of months but "the old" Zach has returned and I'm thankful. He's my quiet, stoic one that is often misunderstood by those who don't know him well. He's the one who will always sit on the couch with me and slowly open up his heart. He's the one who has taught me to sit still, be patient, and listen for the meaning behind the words.

Adam - Adam has always been our "perpetual sunshine." He got his learner's permit this month. He posted on facebook that his first driving experience was "intense." It was. His first wrestling match was last week. He lost his match. He was disappointed for a little bit but within the hour posted the following on facebook: "Well I was the first person to loose in wrestling in Union County history." *his spelling--not mine* Bless his heart. You can't be around Adam and not smile.

Health - I'm thankful that both my mom and mother-in-law are doing well. They both still have health issues but they are doing much better. The spiritual and physical strength these two ladies have shown this past year is amazing. I love them both.

Service - I'm always thankful for opportunities to serve. This year, we were on the opposite side of the fence. We were the recipients of service. Some folks may not even realize how they "served" my family with their kinds words, sweet cards, and prayers. But oh-my-goodness....how blessed and loved we felt during that time.

Family - Today my family will meet together to eat, laugh, argue (just a little), and love on each other.

My job - I really love my job. This year is one of those "overwhelming" years where the sheer number of students is whipping my rear-end BUT....I have the most amazing classes. I absolutely love each and every one of them. I'm just frustrated there are so many (187 to be exact) that need "more" of me and I can only stretch myself so far.

5th Grade Sunday School Class - I just love this group. They are so funny and sweet. They bless my heart in so many ways.

Katie - Everyone needs a sweet beagle in their life. She's always happy when we get home and the perfect companion on the couch. Every evening she will put her face on my knee and give a sweet sigh of contentment....my heart instantly melts and forgets about the chewed up underwear in the driveway :)

Thankful...Day 1

Today I am thankful my mom and mother-in-law are healthy and doing well. We are blessed.

One Happy Family

I recently wrangled my guys into a family photo session.

There were a few moans and groans....but...overall, everyone promised to behave and smile for the camera.

We met the photographer at the local park on a Sunday afternoon.

The leaves were beautiful. The weather was amazing. It was simply gorgeous....

A perfect day for pictures.

A great day to celebrate FAMILY.

all photo credits: Dana Kogod Photography

Great memories.....

Be Strong

It's not exactly been the season everyone hoped for during those long, hard summer workouts.

It was suppose to be "The Year" when all the hard work paid off.

Last night was only our second victory of the season.

This season has been filled with disappointments and discouragement. It has also revealed how human nature can get a little ugly when things aren't going as expected.

Through it all, Zach has made us proud. He has played well....extremely well. He's usually on the field for the entire game. He's strong and resilient.

But the thing that makes me the most proud, is his refusal to participate in the bickering and blame. His journey through this season has resulted in an amazing personal and spiritual growth. When faced with the challenge to stand up and/or speak up for what is right, he has quietly stepped up to the plate.

Football pads and helmets are a modern-day version of armor. Physical strength is mandatory on the football field. However, as he steps away from the field, I pray he has learned that true strength comes from the Lord.

"Finally, Zach, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armour of God, that you (Zach) may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil."

Ephesians 6:10 -11

Another Football Post....

I know...

how creative of me....

another football post.

Imagine that?

Zach was one of the team captains for the first home game.

This time of year we spend a lot of time at football games...Thursday night JV games and Friday night varsity games. Practice the rest of the week means late suppers or a trip to the drive-thru. Too many trips through the drive-thru....

A little face mask action going on. The referee didn't catch this one btw.

The next week will require a lot of travel time. Zach's game is over 94 miles away. Adam's game is around 60 miles away. Needless to say, we're all zombies around here by Saturday morning.

We won the first game and lost last night. When the other team has a player who can run a 4.2, and can somehow wiggle out of every tackle....it doesn't bode well for the opposing team. Zach tried to chase him down but his 4.7 just couldn't keep up with a 4.2.

So far, Zach is having a great season. In his first game, he had 65 yards receiving and 1 interception. According to the stats in the paper, he had T-2, A-4, TFL-1. (Don't ask me what the numbers and letters represent. I have no idea.) He was Defense Athlete of the Week.

However, the one award he is most proud of is the Wood Award.

A sweaty, tired, but happy football player after the game.

This is an award the defensive coaches hand out each week for the "hardest hit". He added another Wood Award to his growing list.

To say he enjoys tackling is an understatement :)

The First Game of the Season

First home game is tonight.

The beginning of the end for one player.

The first game as a high school player for the other one.

I'll try not to cry.

44 Trips around the Sun

Today I'm thinking about all the blessings that have filled my 44 years.

My family. I was fortunate to be born into a family of believers...good people who love the Lord and serve Him in their own humble way.

Bob. I prayed for a godly man and God answered.

Clay, Zach, Adam....my three blessings. I simply love being a mom.

Grace. Oh, the mistakes I have made and how thankful I am for second chances.

Forgiveness. Finally accepting true forgiveness and learning to let go of the shackles of fear, worry, and shame.

Peace. Sweet contentment. In good and bad times. Knowing that He holds me under His wing.

Today my heart is full. I am a child of God.

I'm thanking you, God, from a full heart,

I'm writing the book on your wonders.

I'm whistling, laughing, and jumping for joy;

I'm singing your song, High God.

Psalm 9: 1-2

(The Message)

Celebrate!

This is how we celebrated 25 years together......

I don't think the pictures require any words...the smiles on our faces say it all.

Looking forward to the next 25 years.