It's a Pennsylvania summer

So we met mom and dad a few weeks ago at the half-way point between VA and PA - Winchester - to transfer the youngest ones... David, Lily, Joshua and Isaac. That was actually Father's Day. The four of them spent the week there and the rest of us in VA went north (at separate times) the following week. Cousin Kent was already there as well. On Tuesday, the 26th, Tina, Laura, Daniel, Daisy and I went back home with Kent to visit Lorraine, Doug, Wayne, Mark and Nancy. We had a very nice visit and some really good food. On Wednesday, Laura, Daniel, Daisy, Dad, Lily and I went to the Belleville Livestock auction. Thursday was DelGrosso's Amusement partk day. Faith got sick with a migraine on the way and didn't enjoy her day so much. Daisy, though, got to hang out with Daniel and do the bigger rides and the big slides in the water park. Friday, we did some shopping and preparation for the reunion. In the afternoon Jackie, Tina, Laura, Kevin, Kent, David, Joshua, Lily and I went to the Lewistown train station to trainspot. Amtrak's Pennsylvanian came through at 3:46pm. We also saw two freight trains. Joshua is really into trains, so he had loads of fun. Oh, we also had OIP subs that afternoon!! Yum!! Our reunion went well... total of 26. We sang (Tina, Laura) on Sunday morning in church, then on a second song, Daniel and Daisy accompanied (guitar, flute). The week went way too fast. We love Pennsylvania and being with family. David and Lily both said they wanted to stay longer, until it came time to pack and leave. For some reason Lily changed her mind which made David very sad because he was torn. He wanted to stay, but he wanted Lily too. He (and we) tried and tried to convince her to change her mind, but she was steadfast in her "no", I'm not staying. Then, all of a sudden "I'm staying" and David was quite jubilant. They are both still there, playing video games, going to the library, McDonald's, Arla's, cooking, spending time with grandparents, uncles and aunt. Brian and Faith will bring them back to VA when they come visit next weekend -- so they will have had five weeks in PA!!! I have been really busy with my Master's school work... lots of reading and writing. The regular house work always suffers when I'm in class... but I guess that's to be expected when my priorities need to shift for the time being.

Today is Joshua's 7th birthday. I hope to take him to the Lynchburg train station and catch a train or two.

David's pre-K graduation

It's amazing the difference a year has made in David's confidence. Last year he was the only one in the pre-school who refused to wear his graduation cap and shed tears while on stage during the ceremony. This year, he was full of confidence - participating in the songs, the hat, big hugs to his teachers - we are so proud of him! Plus, he has started going to the dentist after complaining of toothaches. Yes - he has some cavities and has already made a return visit to fill the one and returns on Friday for the others. He has been so brave and just done so well.

Mom, Dad and Faith were here over the Memorial Day weekend and were present at David's pre-K graduation. We picniced in the park on Sunday after church. Daniel invited friends - we ended up with 22 people. Yet, enough hotdogs to feed all! Daniel and his friends went into the creek and after they disappeared for a while, returned all slathered in mud!!

We again had a picnic lunch outside at Tina's house before Mom, Dad and Faith returned to PA. We did not send David or Lily along because of David's dentist appointments and because we plan to visit Grandma Kay and the others in OH this coming weekend.

My thoughts on the passing of friend and pastor Jerry Falwell

Dr. Jerry Falwell (1933-2007)
My life's intersections with his

I must have been about my son Daniel's age when I met Jerry Falwell for the first time on October 11, 1976. My family and some close church friends had traveled on Yoder Bus to the Jaffa Mosque in Altoona for the "I Love America" program filled with much patriotic music and flag-waving. That's all I wrote about in my diary then, but particularly, I remember the highlight for me was Robbie Hiner singing "I'm Just A Flag Waving American". Afterwards, Jerry greeted attendees as they left. I clearly recall dad introducing us and Jerry, upon hearing that I was so close to graduation, told me he would soon see me in Lynchburg at his college, which at that point, was only five or six years old. Whether that statement was prophetic, visionary, wishful thinking, or just purely good marketing, it rang true as I set foot on campus to begin my freshman year in January 1979.

Having a great passion for music, I started off as Music major and quickly became involved in the concert choir. On Sunday mornings, the choir would join the Thomas Road Baptist Church Choir in order to provide a larger presence for the televised broadcasts of the Old Time Gospel Hour. This, combined with my physical fortune of a shorter stature, placed me directly behind Jerry as he preached to America. I had to make sure I was rested enough to stay alert – otherwise the cameras would capture the nod or closed eyes. As he entered the platform, Jerry would often acknowledge us with a nod or smile at the start of each service.

It was probably during my sophomore year that I decided to make radio production my major degree focus and move my music concentration to a minor. In 1982, I met a talented singer – and cute girl too - from Ohio, who would later become my wife of the past 22 years. In 1983, I completed this phase of my education and during commencement, received my bachelor's degree with a big and firm handshake from Jerry with my family in attendance.

A few years later as Laura and I were planning our wedding, we decided to see if we could schedule Jerry to preside over it. Luckily, the date worked out and he was placed on the schedule. We also included a favorite college professor to participate, in the event that Jerry would not be able to make it when the time arrived. We were very blessed that he was able to be there and officiate our ceremony. Actually, he had just flown in from somewhere outside of the city and was noticeably tired. Though he was on a plane twenty minutes earlier, he cared enough about his commitments, and his students, to follow through. A funny story... during one of the songs, he leaned over to the other pastor, Dr. Neal Williams, and asked, "what is the guy's last name again?"

In the mid-80's I was employed by WBRG, a radio station in Madison Heights. WBRG was the same radio station, which put Jerry on the air for the first time in 1956. Jerry would drive daily into Madison Heights to preach live on the air during the 7am drive-time hour. He had approached Stu Epperson, manager/owner, and worked out a $7/hour arrangement to air "The Deep Things Of God". When our station celebrated its 30th anniversary, I had the privilege to interview Jerry about those early days when his broadcast ministry was launched.

It was during the subsequent years while I worked as News Director at other local radio stations, that the 1988 lawsuit with Larry Flynt of Hustler magazine would take place. I had the opportunity to cover it in news reports, traveling to Federal Court in Roanoke. It seemed humiliating to see Jerry on the stand like that talking about his mother and defending her against the parody in which Jerry told of "the first time" he had sex - with her in an outhouse. Jerry sued for $200,000 and won, but the Supreme Court later overturned the verdict. At that time, no one expected (except maybe Jerry) that a friendship would develop between he and Larry. During these years, I also was part of the media pool that attended the PTL news conferences after the fall of the Bakkers, and was saw other rivals like Jesse Jackson come to town.

Laura and I attended Thomas Road for several years after graduation until God led us to seek out a smaller church where we felt we could be better plugged in to serve. We would still occasionally visit Thomas Road for special speakers or musicians. We saw Jerry to be a rock – always strong, steady, and full of conviction and faith! He was always a strong tower, an encouragement and a man with a constant vision and dream to fulfill God's calling.

Somewhere towards the end of 1991, our church, Cornerstone Community, moved from the Liggates Rd elementary school building into the old Park Avenue Baptist Church (then Faith Baptist). This was the same church building into which Jerry and his gang-friends walked one day, only to walk out as new creations with Christ in their hearts.

Jerry attended and spoke at our dedication service. Since he had given his heart to the Lord and been baptized in that very building, he encouraged us to "get the waters stirring again". It was about ten years later, but our son Daniel did get baptized in that building, in the same baptistry that Jerry was baptized in.
Perhaps living in Lynchburg since graduation and living less than a mile from the old Thomas Road church building for fifteen years allowed me to take Jerry, his ministry, and his influence for granted. I've recognized that this week and have begun to move past it, as I consider his impact on my life, on my faith, our family, our city, commonwealth, nation, and our world. Living in such close proximity to the church, before its move last year to the mountain, meant that I could always attend church somewhere – no excuses. Even if weather were so bad that other churches would choose to close – Jerry would always hold service and we could simply walk across the street to attend.

The campus growth that happened before our eyes is truly amazing. I had a better appreciation of that when a college roommate visited me last summer and I took him to see some of the changes at Liberty. It was so overwhelming that he could not take it all in and after a brief tour, had to stop. The changes were too many to even comprehend from his visit ten years earlier.

Lynchburg is not so big of a town that one would not run across Jerry from time to time in his big black SUV – license LU 01. He would always smile and wave, making eye contact. One day in the past year or two I pulled up behind him in the Sonic drive-through. I don't know what he ordered but I think Sonic may have been one of his weaknesses ever since the restaurant located itself just below the school.

Our most recent involvement with Jerry has been in attending the Board of Regents events, Alumni weekend and Super Conference. Typically, my family would come down from PA for the Board of Regents events and we would join them at banquets and gatherings. We had our picture taken with Jerry several times and this year with Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee (photo attached), Republican Presidential candidate. Also this past year, Jerry Jr. was sick and in the hospital, so Jerry was not able to make it to all of the events, and pictures were actually taken with Jonathan. Maybe that was not so coincidental after all.
Some things you may not have heard in the national media:

• Jerry preached on the "indestructibility of God's servant" just two weeks ago (the message may be downloaded free from iTunes or from the www.trbc.org website.
• His last message was on Mother's Day this past Sunday, which meant this the whole family was together, including daughter Jeannie, who lives in Richmond.
• On the eve of his death, he asked Jerry Jr. to take him to the top of the mountain where a new gazebo has been built at the top of the huge LU letters in the side of the mountain. He posed for pictures and received the latest update on the ministry happenings. He told Jerry Jr. that there was a lot of good things going on. Jerry Jr. encouraged him to take care of himself so he would be able to see them become reality. He said, "yes, I'd like that".
• The last baby dedicated on Sunday morning between services was Kendra Cook-Penn's (a soloist in the church for decades) and was a baby adopted from the Liberty Godparent Home.
• That Jerry died at age 73 seems to echo God's confirmation that his work was complete as both 7 and 3 are two of God's favorite numbers – completion and trinity. Also interesting is that Jesus lived 33 years and fasted for 40 days, which added, equal 73. With God, I think numbers are less ironic than we make them.

Personally, I am saddened that Daniel will not receive his high school diploma from Jerry when he graduates in two years. I was also anticipating the day I'd receive my MBA in a couple years from Jerry as well.

As you can tell, I owe a lot to Jerry Falwell. Without him and the opportunities to attend his school, I may never have met Laura and thus not be blessed with my three wonderful children Daniel, David and Lily. I would most likely not have been working in Lynchburg radio to meet Jackie Howard who became my sister Tina's husband and father of Daisy, Isaac and Joshua – another three children who may not have been born. I would not have found J.Crew where I have given eighteen years of service and received much favor in my career. I would not have made some of the life-long friendships that I developed while a student and enjoy to this day. I would not have seen this strong Christian example lived out before my very eyes to encourage me to always stand for what is right and to strive to be a champion for Christ. Too often I fear that as Christians so close to his ministry that we relied on him to be our loud, boisterous, not-afraid-to say-it voice. Now, we must pick up the torch and do our part to impact our culture for Christ. We must speak up for righteousness. I pray that I will be able to do this – not for Jerry, but for Jesus. He calls us to make a difference, to be a light, a living letter, an ambassador for His sake.

I close with this song by Delirious? which God placed upon my heart this week:

Mountains High

Sorrow came to visit us today

Was the longest day, was the loneliest day

Sorrow came to steal our hope away

Only tears can tell

Of this holy hour

Sorrow came quicker than a fire

Was the longest day, was the loneliest day

I feel your hand, the warmth, your sweetest smile

But you slipped away, through the great divide

This mountain's high, too high for us

This mountain's high, too high for us

This mountain's high, too high for us

This mountain's high, too high for us

Oh yeah

You know I'll make it

Your ways are high, too high for us

Your ways are too high, too high for us

Your ways are too high, too high for us

Your ways are too high, too high

Only youonly youonly you can pull me over it

Only you only you only you can pull me over it

Pull me, drag me, hold me, keep me, walk me while you pull me over it

Take me, heal me, make me, break me, love me while you pull me over it

Take me, heal me, make me, break me, love me whileyou pull me over it

Jerry often said that each morning he would read Oswald Chambers "My Utmost for His Highest". The reading for May 15, his last morning before heaven, ends in this way:

May God not find complaints in us anymore, but spiritual vitality – a readiness to face anything He brings our way…we are here to submit to His will so that He may work through us what He wants. Once we realize this, He will make us broken bread and poured-out wine with which to feed and nourish others.

That is quite possibly the last thing that Jerry read before God called Him home. It is indeed what God has done in his life and now in his death.

No good excuses ... but I'm back

We had not been to Richmond, VA (2.5 hours away) in several years, yet Laura and I found ourselves traveling there twice within two weeks recently. In mid-April, we attended a Delirious? concert after winning tickets through Liberty University's radio station. The prize included a chance to meet the guys before the concert. Really it was more of a worship event than a concert and we really enjoyed Vicky Beeching who opened (www.myspace.com/vickybeechingmusic) very much The church had a very open space in the front to make it nice and easy to get close and worship. The wives (5) and children (16) of the group were along for the tour and after appearing on stage went down and worshiped among the crowd. That was very neat to see... made them very real... worshippers... not performers. Last weekend we went back (David and Lily stayed with Tina and the cousins and Daniel was on a Boy Scout overnight camp-out). Visited Short Pump mall since we have a J.Crew store there and ran into a former manager from the J.Crew Call Center, Keith, at Crate & Barrell. Then we were off to hear the Lost Dogs at St. Giles church. I had a sneaky suspicion that I'd run into an old college friend because of his similar musical tastes and because I thought he once attended that church. As we arrived - sure enough - so we got to reacquaint and spend the evening with him.

Daniel bought himself a moped from the grandfather of a friend at school. He needs to wait for a battery to really use it. Though it has self-generating power, it will cut off if he uses it too much. He's gotten a bit frustrated because that's happened a few times when he was traveling across town (to church). It's taken a lot of letting go and trusting God but Daniel is showing a lot of maturity and reponsibility as he has his first job now after school, and this was partly why he wanted to have some transportation in the period before he gets his license. Plus, with gas prices, it is very economical.

Say an extra prayer for his safety whenever you read this!!! Thanks. :)

Lil coming home

Mom and dad should be on their way back with Lily now. They were snowed in over the weekend with the big Nor'easter. David woke up with the first words off his toungue "Today is the day Lily comes back." Last night he kept talking about her too. Said he hoped he would dream about her, that he will be so excited when he sees her because she is a special sister and he loves her better than anyone. In the store last night, he wanted to buy a piece of candy for her when she gets here. As we went to bed, he had his toy cell phone and asked me what the phone number is for gradad so he could talk with her.

Boys' birthdays

Lily is currently in PA. She went along back with mom and dad. They came down the end of Feb and early March to help celebrate Daniel's 16th birthday. Davis has school this week (though he missed the first two days due to a bad cold) while Daniel has Spring Break. Laura and I took the week off for Spring cleaning, staring our work in the basement. Wonderful weather to do so - in the mid 70's. Mom and dad should bring Lily back on Saturday. We hear she is having a great time!

Christmas in PA

We traveled north to PA Christmas eve after church. Except for the car overheating on Afton mountain we had a good trip. I need to get the problem, apparently a slow leak in the overflow or a hose. I was glad I was led to pack a bottle of water. We pulled straight in to Ellen cHapel with ten minutes to spare before candlelight service. Arla and Gerald were there as well. Lily was very sweet and so glad to see us. Mom had to work Christmas morning so the kids had to wait for most of their gifts. We did give them a couple. Kevin took a 3.25 mile walk with Laura and I. It started sleeting, then turned to rain while we were out. After the walk Daniel joined us to get some free coffee to warm up at a convenience store. Arla and Gerald joined us for supper. Tina and family arrived while we were still eating. They had a plumbing problem or would have left earlier. We all exchanged our gifts after eating. The day after, Laura and I walked to Ollie's. We decided we could return to PA the following weekend giving us the chance.to see Kent coming up Thursday. So David and Lily decided they wanted to stay there with cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents. Laura and I have to work today through Friday.
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Freedom!

I'll try to post a picture soon, but recently my family and I had the opportunity to sign one of the huge support beams for the new Freedom Tower in NYC to be built where the World Trade Center once stood. The day before Tina, Lily and I attended the ceremony with NY Gov George Pataki and other dignitaries. Yesterday that beam arrived in NY where it is on public display. It will eventually become part of the basement structure for the tower. Mom, dad, Brian, Faith were in town and able to sign the beams along with all of my family and Tina's. The PA part of the family was in town to attend the Living Christmas Tree on Friday night (12/8). I was the only one not able to attend because of work. Actually, Daniel decided not to go because he attended a nearby coffeehouse concert with a friend instead.

After church Sunday, the PA gang left and took Lily along. She'll get to be the total center of attentio now for two weeks without competition. All of us in VA plan to travel up right after Christmas Eve Sunday morning worship to be there in time for Christmas Eve candlelight service at Ellen Chapel. In emails from PA we hear Lily is doing great but we miss her here.

This past weekend we have seem to caught some stomach bug. Started with David on Friday, me on Saturday night and Laura Sunday afternoon. Hopefully will not get it or at least until his final exams are finished. Gotta go for now. Will try to post sooner in the future with not as much time between.
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A full day

First yes, we celebrate the third anniversary of Lily's successful heart surgery at 17 days old. Laura and I were both off fortunately. We took Lily to toddler reading time at the public library. We then rushed to see David and his pre-K class with their costume parade. David dressed like a real super hero, a fireman. We then went to the park for a walk and exercise. Took some time for David and Lily to play on the playground. After picking up Daniel from school, we went to the mall where the kids could more safely get candy and they got lots! I then took them to Thomas Road's Kids Carnival while Laura took Daniel to a schoolfriend's house for a party. Then the four of us went to our new church location to help paint and clean and move stuff. We meet there for the first time this Sunday. Picked up Daniel and home after a long but fun day which we were glad we could spend together!
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Morning walk

Lily and I took a 3-mile walk in the park this morning ... breezy and cool ... so we then came home for hot chocolate.

More visits

Lily went along back to PA on Thursday with mom, dad, Kevin and returned to VA on Saturday with Aunt Faith and Uncle Brian. They spent the week here - great fun eating, shopping, video/board games... capped off with a little birthday party for Lily, who turned 3 on October 14.

October family visits

Mom, Dad and Kevin visited early in the month. We attended Liberty University Regents weekend activities. Met Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee at one of the events. They all went along with David on his pumpkin patch field trip (along with Aunt Tina) the day they returned to Pennsylvania. Great fun.

Our August vacation

Brian and Faith visited us for a week in early August. When they went back to PA on Sunday, the 6th, they took Tina, her three children, and Lily along. David really enjoyed the week (though he missed Lily and asked where she was often, or how many days until we'd see her in PA) and we got to see different aspects of his sweet personality since he did not need to compete for anything.

Sunday, the 13th, following church, Daniel, Laura, David and I headed off on vacation. We arrived in Washington DC in the evening. Had a great hotel - extremely nice Radisson - from an Expedia special. The pool was on the fourth floor roof so we had to spend some time allowing the boys to swim. Then we walked around the corner for dinner at Young Chow - the Chinese food just always seems better in DC than Lynchburg. We then headed for the metro for David's first experience to ride the train and ended up on the Mall. We walked past the Washington, WWII monuments to the Lincoln Memorial. David was getting so tired and kept asking to be held. The challenge was to make it to a different metro entrance due to the time of night and the last train leaving at midnight. We did make it! David almost fell asleep on the floor waiting for the train - and did fall asleep before we got back to the hotel at around 12:30a. Since we were so exhausted, we adjusted our morning plans of getting up early and instead took our time. We wanted to allow David a chance to swim again, but the pool did not open until 10a so that did not work out. We checked out and boarded the metro again to Metro Center. Walked to Ford Theatre and visited, then to the corner and had lunch at Hard Rock Cafe (just for the experience). Back to the metro and on the Smithsonian. We took quick trips through both the Natural and American history museums. David rode the carousel on the mall. We walked through the sculpture garden, across the street to visit the National Archives, then hoped to go to the Art Gallery or Air and Space. Both were closed by the time we got there. En route, we made it to the reflecting pool of the capitol and took some pretty cool pictures. Totally spent, we found the metro and headed back to the hotel to retrieve our car and start on the Philadelphia leg of our trip. Called cousin Kent to let him know we'd be later than expected .... then after spending one hour moving 2 or 3 miles in MD because of road construction ... called him again to tell him it would be even later! We got to Norristown about 12:30a. The next morning we all boarded the van and headed for Old City Philadelphia. We toured Independence Hall and saw the Liberty Bell. Security was very tight -- just like boarding a plane, had to empty pockets and go through metal detector while our belongings were x-rayed. It is the September 12 era - life has changed! We wanted to do more but about 3p headed back home to beat the rush hour madness of the Schukyll (sic?) highway. Just hung out with Kent and Wayne that evening, dinner/tv, etc. Wednesday morning we visited King of Prussia mall before heading north to Lewistown. Lily was so glad to see us ... she kept happily repeatedly, "I missed you" and hugging each of us. Thursday, my 46th birthday, Tina's family and ours ... along with Faith, went to Lake Tobias Wildlife Park which was fun for all. We enjoyed the safari bus ride to get up close to the elk, bison, rhea, llamas... Friday morning Laura, Daisy and I went to Peachey's for breakfast (mine was free because of my birthday!). That night we took part in Grace Methodist's block party. The kids all enjoyed the free food and the games. Kevin and I went to a used book sale at the Mifflintown Library on Saturday, then that evening, Ellen Chapel had a big community picnic with some very tasty barbecue chicken underneath the brand new pavilion. The Howards headed back for VA on Sunday. We decided to stay until Monday. Tuesday was a big attempt to clean and get back to routine before going back to work yesterday.

He Is Legend rocks Jaxx

So while I'm updating... Sunday before last I took Daniel and 3 friends (yes, that's a full car because we took the Cavalier) to a concert at Jaxx in Springfield, VA... that's a 3 1/2 hour drive. I was hoping to make a little jaunt to the Lincoln Memorial, but ran out of time, since the we were leaving around midnight for our drive back to VA. But, with the loud music all the way up, all the way back, and during ... I couldn't help but stay awake for the drive. I believe they had a good time... got to see several local groups and one they saw perform in Lynchburg previously, Thin Dark Line. The lead singer remembered meeting them. The night was capped by He Is Legend, the more popular group in the line-up. Mostly rock, metal, screaming -- hardcore stuff... but it's what has become popular with a large segment of our youth.

Happy 3rd week anniversary!

Tomorrow, Allen and Linda celebrate their 3rd week together!! So glad we could be there in OH to celebrate with you! Hope the time in Canada was fabulous! Love to you both from our family.

Laura, thanks for the reminder to update with the happy couple... love you!

Back to Ohio - no pretending!

A week ago we were in OH to celebrate a new beginning for our sister-in-law Linda who lost her husband suddenly 3 years ago (Laura's brother Rob). Linda and Al got married on Friday afternoon in a very nice ceremony. It was a great chance to reunite with Laura's youngest brother Rick, who we last saw in Oregon when he and Monica married. David, Lily and Daniel really enjoyed seeing him again and doing things with both he and Monica at grandma's house -- swimming, playing in the sand, just talking...

I came back from vacation to learn that my manager-partner (the day manager) had just up and left. Never worked out a notice, left any kind of contact information or let anyone she was close to know we wouldn't see her again ... so we'll all a little worried and hope she's OK. That was a good time for the team to take a fresh look at our progress, challenges, structure -- it always is. It was determined that the role of assistant manager (both of them) was not needed at this point, so I have accepted a supervisory position -- back in the role I was in two years ago. Change that I don't fully embrace yet -- but I'm OK and how I handle it makes a huge difference in the impact I have on others around me and any opportunities I have in the future. This is a picture of Rick and Monica... visit their business website at http://www.goblinart.com

Summer vacation

Back in Lynchburg after a great break away from everything routine. Our trip home to PA was longer than usual as we first drove West and South to pick up Daniel fom Camp Powhatan. That added about four hours and we also took along Daisy and Isaac. David, who had been in PA since May 31 was very happy to see us - lots of love and hugs - but not at all ready to think about leaving to go back to Virginia. We had our, I guess now fourth, annual family reunion. By the time we ended we had been joined by Tina, Jackie, Bonnie, Dale, Marsha, Stacey, Keaton and Kent (who stayed with us until Sunday). Monday and Tuesday we did some of our favorite bargain-hunting and just hung out. Wednesday, several of us went to visit Uncle Wayne where Kent and Loraine had a very nice meal prepared. After visiting a few hours Kent joined the trip back home to spend the next several days with us. Thursday we all went to DelGrosso's amusement park and enjoyed a super time together (Arla and Gerald joined us as well). It was great to be home and to significantly reconnect with family. If it wasn't for such a thing as a job I could easily move back and love it.

LaurArt

Daniel captured this great moment...

A June morning ... catching up

Dentist appointment this morning. Cavity filled. Great way to wake up! Had a late night at J.Crew last night ... unexpected associate matter... left at 1:40a, stayed up a whilte after. So, a little tired today.

Daniel is at Warcry, a week-long youth conference sponsored by our church's presytery (hundreds of teens), being held at Liberty University.

David is still in Pennsylvania. His grandparents came to see he and Joshua (his cousin) graduate from pre-school on May 31 then took them both along back until our families go up later in June (actually next weekend) for vacation. Sounds like they are doing fine. Lily is loving the one-on-one time and extra personalized attention! She was even helping me do some "Bob the builder" the other day.

Last week, Isaac (another cousin) got to ride a limousine for the reading points he achieved (among the highest in his school)... see the photo.

I'm off today and tomorrow (had to work Sunday and will work Saturday) so its just a trade-off, but have some extra time with Lily and Laura as a result. Maybe we'll do lunch. Right now Laura is at a water colour painting class. I'll need to post a picture of one of her works. Very nice and getting better!!

Some of those promised photos from Spring Break

School is out

Well, for one - David. Daniel still has finals next week before he is free for the summer. David is a bit nervous about the whole graduation exercise on Wednesday but knows special things are in store for him afterwards, like a trip to PA along with cousin Joshua to spend a couple weeks with grandparents, uncles and aunt. Grandma and Grandad will be here for the graduation and to take them back until we join them while on vacation in late June.
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Still here

I know some of you have been looking for an update.... sorry... I'll add some more pictures later... So what has happened since I last posted?

We spent Spring Break in Cincinnati with Laura's mom. I actually drove up and back twice. Laura spent the whole week, but I had some obligations in Lynchburg. Laura was helping her mom move between apartments.

I finished my 2nd MBA class with an "A"!!! So happy about that. Taking another break now between classes.

Laura went on a women's retreat with the church to Natural Bridge.

Daniel and David are both getting close to the end of school. David 'graduates' pre-school next week, and it looks like his grandparents from PA will be here to celebrate. David, however, is a bit apprehensive about the whole school ceremony thing... but so excited about going to PA for a few weeks afterwards... "today?" he'll ask.

I have meetings today at work, so Tina will watch David and Lily for a while this afternoon.

David's Big Day

I think he waited about a year for it! :) Actually, he would always add to his birthday list whenever he wanted something he could not have... so he was anticipating for quite some time now... and I believe he told everyone he saw (even at Kroger) that it was his birthday yesterday. Actually, he's still doing that today, bragging about turning 5! David's day began with school -dress like a rancher day, then we made a cake, went to CiCi's as a family after Daniel got off school, he had his Rainbows at church, then we had cake and ice cream after he came home... quite a great day for turning 5!!!!

In Pencil-beania

Spending the weekend with family in Pennsylvania, or Pencil-beania as Lily would say. A short trip, but good. Laura wasn't able to join us, but last night we had cake and ice cream to celebrate David's birthday (in 3 days now) and of course, Hartley's chips. Heading back to Virginia in a little while.

The Dairy Farm Field Trip

David's class went on a field trip to a dairy farm yesterday where they milk 350 cows three times a day!! Lily and dad got to go along, and cousin Joshua and Aunt Tina were there as well as Joshua's class also participated. The kids enjoyed seeing the cows until they got closer and were a little clingy. I know dad learned a lot!

Daniel's party

We hosted a big birthday party for Daniel Saturday night in our church's fellowship hall/youth room.... 34 teenagers! That was crazy! Noisy, chaotic, well... a little stressful. I know looking back, Daniel will appreciate what we did for him and hopefully we'll be able to find a way to top it in 2007 when he turns 16, yet in a more manageable framework. Still, all went well, and I believe he had a lot of fun. He had three of the guys come over to spend the night at the house afterwards. We're getting some very wet snow falling this morning ... not expecting any kind of accumulation, but it makes it pretty. I'm off today to help around the house and hopefully to make some progress on my MBA class work. Daniel plans to go buy a new guitar tonight after school with the money he got for his birthday. He's quite jazzed about that.

A morning walk

With Laura off today, and a nice mild day .... we had about a half-hour to walk this morning before cousin Joshua came over after school. We need to do this more often ... missing it. Just wanted to share a few pictures I captured...

Happy Birthday Daniel!

WOW! How time has flown... our oldest son, Daniel, turned 15 years old today. Seems like only yesterday we were hoping for the day we would have a family. David and Lily really enjoyed singing to Daniel and blowing out their candles on their own cupcakes, too.

Over the weekend, Daniel had mountain camping/hike event with his Boy Scout troop so he came back pretty tired. We just stayed at home and watched some movies to celebrate the day -- Wallace and Gromit, and Sky High.

This week begins my next MBA course, Effective Executive Communication, so I'll be doing lots of reading and writing ...

Daniel VIC runner-up

SURPRISE! I'm finally back.

We just came back from Liberty Christian Academy where the Virginia Independent Conference tournament was held. It was postponed from Saturday because of snow. I have not felt well with a really bad cold all day - but figured I could cough just as well there as at home.

Well, Daniel was fortunate to have a bye early on and wrestle a lesser experienced opponent, whom he pinned, so he wrestled in the finals (against a senior - who also took the most impressive wrestler award of the day) and comes away runner up with a second place medal.

This officially ends wrestling season for him and he ends up with a 16-11 record, runner up champion for the conference!!!! We're very proud of him!

Where Have I Been?

Wow... sorry to let time slip away. Lily turned 2 on Friday!!!! On Halloween it will be two years to the day since her heart surgery. God is so good!

Since last time posting, I have been busy with MBA class work, with SuperConference at TRBC, Alumni/Homecoming weekend, family visiting for a week from PA, getting used to working with a new manager at work (some 12 hour days!) and some extensive worship workshop stuff at church.... so time is of essence. Entering last week of MBA class, and lots to do, so I'll get back to it.

Well...

School... cleaning... parenting... new manager on board at work... did I say school? That's where I've been. Doing well with MBA class and under 4 weeks to go!!

TGIF

Friday actually isn't a "Thursday" for me this week as I arranged to work a M-F shift -- first time in a long while, so I'm looking forward to a weekend. Have lots of cleaning to do to prepare for PA family visit the end of the month. Hey, good to hear from you via the blog. Lily was sick on Wednesday with a fever, but bounced back pretty quickly to her normal self yesterday.

Back to school and all it brings

Daniel started school again on Tuesday. Freshman. 9th grade. That alone is hard to believe. Since Laura starts work at 7a, this means I take Daniel to school, since LCA is now no longer right across the street but in a new building closer to the campus of Liberty University. We were on time every day, but it also meant I averaged 5, maybe 6 hours of sleep. I really felt it by the end of the week. So, with both younger children still at home, and Daniel back in school, my walking suffered as well. I did manage to get to the trail a couple times this week, pushing the double stroller, but did not do the entire 4 miles either of the times. So, lots of adjustments. I got my work for my MBA class submitted in time both weeks. Still finishing text book reading for week 2 and now need to begin research for our group paper. I have a group from Florida and one who is serving in Iraq. The great part about the week was getting Daniel's old room painted and laying a new carpet, moving in the beds. The kids love it. They play together better. They sleep in their own room through the night. As David says, "I'm not afraid." He was practically dancing and leaping for joy Tuesday night when we laid the carpet. Laura and I lead worship in the morning, so I'll close here.

The First Week

This was the first week that I walked 4 miles every day -- went to the same trail at Peaks View Park (4 times I was able to do this with Laura). This was the first week that I paid so much for gasoline! I haven't had to pay over $3 yet, but that will probably happen later today (just managed to fill up before the price broke that mark). This was my first week of class with LU's distance learning program. Kept me pressing to get my text read and essay answer written, but I did it!! And this week, we cleaned and painted and got the corner area in the basement ready for Daniel to move in, which he pretty much did last night. We call it "Dan's Den". Now we need to finish getting his old room cleaned out and repainted so we can move David and Lily in. We travel to Winchester to meet the PA part of the family on Sunday to bring them back to VA after their 1 1/2 week stay. We really miss them - but they've had great times with aunts, uncles and grandparents making lots of special memories!