Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Amanda and Tucker

A great time was had by all today at our house! We had a short but sweet visit from some cousins from Alabama, Amanda and Tucker. They are a couple of the greatest kids in the world and we miss them when they're not around!

We had planned some fun in the sun for the day, but of course, those afternoon thunderstorms keep coming. After Grandma Donna made her famous mac n' cheese with all that Grandma love, Daniel made his special pancakes for those of us who really wanted to stuff our faces. We had some exciting card games along with our pancakes! We learned a new card game called Golf recently and it was a big hit!
Our citters are spoiled with love!
Here's Tucker, Rusty and Amanda.

Jaret, Daniel, Ethan, Amanda and Tucker

Cutter, Tucker and Ethan

Amanda enjoying those great pancakes over a card game with Gram.

The rain couldn't stop Daniel and Amanda from getting out on the court!

Monday, July 30, 2007

We loved this Movie!

Our family recently watched a movie called "The Last Sin Eater".
A few years back I remember beginning the book by Francine Rivers but for some reason never finished it. I have read some of her other books and I enjoyed them very much so we rented this film. Dan and I just loved the movie and recommend it highly!

Producer’s Synopsis: “When a mysterious man "absolves" her grandmother's sins by eating bread and wine at her grave, 10-year-old Cadi wants the same redemption---while she's still alive! But in her quest for deliverance she uncovers a dark secret that threatens to divide her family. What will happen when the two face each other---and the One who can truly save them?In 1850's Appalachia, 10-year-old Cadi Forbes is wracked with guilt over the death of her sister. She feels responsible for the loss and sets out to find the only man, known as The Sin Eater, who can take away her guilt. But while seeking redemption, Cadi learns a devastating secret that has the potential to tear apart her family and community.Based on the award winning novel by Francine Rivers.”

Read some reviews of the movie here.

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Well, I've been pretty busy this week trying to get things in order for the new school year. I've got some loose ends to tie up but I'm very ready to get moving. We've been very relaxed over the summer and we haven't stuck to a schedule at all. I do believe the boys are getting bored, too! So, we shall hit the books soon! I don't have anything too exciting to report so I've added some pics of Daniel and Jaret cutting the grass...again. So much rain, so much grass.
I love watching them work!
Daniel is cutting a neighbor's lawn. Saving up for that car!

Friday, July 20, 2007

This morning I find myself glued to my computer reading and watching videos from this website:
http://www.leestrobel.com/
I discovered Lee Strobel's latest book, The Case for the Real Jesus, in the latest emails from my Zondervan book club. This book will be released in September, but the club allows a sneak peek in to the book. Lee Strobel is an atheist-turned-Christian who has written numerous books about the overwhelming evidence for Christ. They include:
The Case for Christ
The Case for Faith
The Case for a Creator
God's Outrageous Claims
The Case for Christmas
The Case for Easter
What Jesus Would Say
Exploring the Da Vinci Code


At this site, there are literally hundreds of videos where the really tough questions are asked: Are there inconsistencies in the Bible? Can the world have morals without a God? What about free will? Have there been new Gospels found? Does science prove the existence of God?

This is definitley a helpful place to go for both the sceptic and the firm believer. Maybe I'll get to my laundry later.

Thursday, July 19, 2007

observations







Tuesday, July 17, 2007

My Husband, the Culinary Artist

So! We went to see Ratatouille the other day. A must see, of course. The Disney/Pixar team is pure genius. The movie was so good that it moved my Dear Husband to create this amazing little dish. It has no name yet but I made notes because he must make it again...soon. Dan missed his calling. He loves to cook and he is very good. He is "Remy" and I am "Emile"(the two mice brothers) Remy has a God-given gift for food. Creating the edible artistic creations is his gift. Emile, however, will eat whatever slop he stumbles over. Unfortunately, that's me. But when Dan puts together stuff like this...it recalls to mind why I married him. I'm remembering a lemon-meringue pie....

Sunday, July 15, 2007

Steve is on his way

If you haven't heard yet, Steve Brown is coming to town! He'll be preaching at Seven Rivers in Lecanto on Saturday and Sunday, August 4th and 5th. He's one of my favorite guys in the world. He's real, controversial to some and he's a hoot. I encourage you all to check out his sites, blogs, magazine, sermons and radio show!

From http://www.stevebrownetc.com/:
Love him or hate him, Steve Brown always draws a crowd. Over the past 22 years, as founder and president of Key Life Network, Steve’s unique blend of orthodoxy and controversy, humor and profundity, and a refusal to play religious games, has attracted some interesting folks. Steve Brown Etc. is a place where you can hang out with Steve "and the rest" and experience radical freedom, infectious joy and maybe even a bit of surprising faithfulness.

From http://www.keylife.org/:
Brown is a radio broadcaster, seminary professor and author. He previously served as a pastor for over twenty-five years and now devotes much of his time to the radio broadcast, Key Life.
With such varied experience and unique perspective on life, Steve is an original. He refuses to be a "guru," doesn't want to be anyone's mother and gives, in his teaching, the freedom to think. Overall, Steve has become known for his refreshing and practical Biblical applications.
Steve serves as Professor of Preaching at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, Florida. He sits on the board of the National Religious Broadcasters and Harvest USA. Traveling extensively, Steve is a much-in-demand speaker.
Steve is the author of numerous books including Born Free, When Being Good Isn't Good Enough and When Your Rope Breaks. His articles appear in such magazines and journals as Leadership, Decision, Plain Truth and Today's Christian Woman.

Citrus Summer Showdown 5K

Had a great time at the Citrus Summer Showdown 5k at Whispering Pines yesterday! This is a free race that they have to showcase the county's best runners from middle school through college aged kids. Dan and I are obviously WAY beyond those years but there's still a bunch of old folks like us who are brave enough to run with (or more accuratley, behind) those spunky kids! Jenny is in the picture above. She still kicks behinds while she's pregnant!
I underestimated this course! And the heat! I was pleased with my time of 24:06 but it took everything I had to finish. If it weren't for some encouraging shouts from behind, I think I may have just laid down. But, on the bright side, I know what to expect next year! Dan and I to the right, are both ready to go home and go back to bed!

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Bari!!

We had a great visit with Bari and her boyfriend, Tommy. Grandma and Grandpa came up for dinner to spend some time, too! Yummy spaghetti--thanks to Dan!!
Grandma and Bari-Two beauty queens!

Bari ''n' Me!



Mom and Dad-Perfect!


Here's Tommy and Bari-all smiles!


Dan and Bari-she's caught up with him at 6'1"!!!





Tuesday, July 10, 2007

4th of July on Key Biscayne!

Hi All! Just came back from a great trip to Key Biscayne, the Island Paradise just over the bridge from Miami. I am the luckiest person in the world because I was able to call this place home at one time. We had a great visit with old friends and some new friends. We also spent some quality time with our daughter, Karissa and her new fiance, Jorge. We were able to meet Jorge's parents over dinner and enjoy awesome worship at Karissa's church, Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale. All is well in South Florida!

!!!I want to send a big THANK YOU to KATY!!! Thank you for allowing us to turn your house upside-down for 5 days! You are the greatest hostess in all the world! The great cafe con leche daily and even greater lasagna were so appreciated! Thanks for revealing your secrets with that awesome recipe!!




We had a great time over the 4th of July holiday. The parade and the fireworks were superb as usual and it is what draws more people to the Key than any other event. Well worth the drive just for that alone. But we had a great time and our days were packed with so many other things: Catching up with old friends, swimming in the pools OR the ocean, snorkeling and finding stingray and barracuda, climbing the Cape Florida Lighthouse, catching LOTS of sun, digging in to Sir Pizza, playing games on the beach, enjoying some quiet time around the tv watching Wimbledon, going to the fantastic playground down the road and sweating up a storm with a few great runs. I especially get a kick out of watching the iguanas and other wildlife that roam free and I might add that they secretly enjoy watching us, too!




I got a few shots of the trip, not as many as I would have liked. I'll blame it on the heat. I don't think I had the energy to hold the camera during the parade; it had to be 110 degrees as well as 110% humidity! But Daniel did manage to take pictures of all the CARS in the parade! :)




Katy, Karissa and Jorge, Catherine and Natalia, Terri, Danny and Timmy, Megan and Kevin, Mr. and Mrs. Dupeyroux, Dr. and Mrs. Malinin--it was so wonderful to visit with you all!! Mr. Bill, we'll catch you next time!!





Ethan and Jaret beginning a sand creation.



This little guy(not so little) was hanging out by the picnic benches by the lighthouse.



Ethan, Daniel and Jaret just next to the lighthouse wondering how they can bust into this coconut.


This is the beautiful Cape Florida Lighthouse!


A view of Miami from the top of the bridge!


Karissa and Megan have become close friends!

Timmy, Danny, Ethan, Jaret and Daniel


What's not to love about this guy?! He wasn't concerned at all about all of us around the pool.



Terri, Mary, Catherine and Katy!!


Mom and Ethan...




The adorable newly engaged couple, Karissa and Jorge!

Let's be realistic. They still get hungry and cranky and mean.

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