Merry Christmas...my 3 sons...daughter...and...

Christmas Eve...already 5 days a go! What a glorious day it was for us. That morning ALL 23 of our children, spouses and their children showed up at our church, Church on the Rock, in Quitman, Texas, to worship with us. What a blessing and the best Christmas present one could want! (Jon obliged us by wrapping up a box with a card that said, "We came to church".
That afternoon we shared dinner (Beth shows Amy how to do the green bean thing!)
and gifts but the best gift was the morning and then just having them all in our home for the day. The kids played and had so much fun...adults ate...and ate...and ...
visted and cheered the Broncos to victory!
Christmas...children....15 grandchildren...could we be more blessed? God is SO good and we Praise HIM for all HIS mercies in our lives.

A week with grandkids

Mom and dad are gone on a cruise and we get to have the 8 kids for a week. So far the first two days have been gloriously wonderful weather- 75-80- so the kids have had a ball outside- in the sand- on the lake- fishing- hunting for lures since the lake is down and generally having a great time.




Their mom had all the meals prepared- most frozen- and a list of who takes care of little ones- who does meal preps- and everything SO organzied. Today we took all 8 to Walmart 'shopping'. Quite an experience. Tomorrow is church and we'll see what the rest of the week brings!
Here they are having breakfast.

Home in Texas

It is great to be home again...we've been here almost 2 weeks and it has been a whirlwind of activity since we hit the ground in Texas on Dec 2. We've been to Amy, David's and Sam's for dinner...had all 25 of our family here at our house for dinner for Amy's birthday. Then that week I was blessed to be able to share on "The Power of Color...or "Dressing like a Queen for a KING" at the Teen Mania Honor Academy optional girl's meeting. About 50-75 girls came and learned about what "season" of colors they should be wearing to look their best. That day we also went to lunch at Amy's house for JM's 8th birthday party. Then on Sunday we had about 25 of our home group from church here for a pot luck dinner and children's gift exchange. Monday was the day of "THE TEa"..this is an event I've been planning and working on since about October. We had about 40 ladies from church here last night for a "Celebration of Joy" high tea. We couldn't have done it without the help from my cousin, Larry and his wife Sue, Dave, Amy and girls and a few girls from church who served. Sue and I worked ALL day on setting tables and baking everything from breads to scones and desserts and sandwich fillings. It was all served beautifully by our "serving staff" to the accompaniement of Christmas Carols played by the string trio of the 3 oldest of Amy's girls. It was beautiful! Dave had decorated the outside of the house with lights and lined the long drive with luminarians- it really looked nice. Everyone really enjoyed it...I don't think most of these ladies in east TX have been to many "high teas" and they felt honored. I was blessed!
We've loved spending time with our kids and grandkids- and are looking forward to this week when we get to babysit for the S. "8" while their parent go on a cruise! They will be here for a week and their mom and dad will return just in time for Christmas. We hope to have the whole family out here for Christmas day...then just 4 more days and we'll be returning to Florida. So goes life here in East Texas.
Oh yes...the tag game...I was tagged by Lisa...having to name 5 things people don't know about me.
Well, my life is an open book so there isn't much that is not known and absolutely NOTHING of any interest! so....her goes..
1. I really enjoy cooking and miss not being able to do that much any more since we are always on a diet! I love it when all the family comes and I can cook!
2. I enjoy sitting at the computer and writing and sending e-mails. I am the self appointed "secretary" for my highschool class of 1959 and keep everyone abreast of current events in families. We are currently sharing "Christmas letters".
3. I love to read...but never read in high school and had to "fake" most of my book reports. My favorite authors are Karen Kingsbury and Francine Rivers.
4. I enjoy riding bikes, walking on the beach, and most anything I do with my husband.
5. My most favorite activity with Dave- well, almost the most favorite- is Ballroom Dance!
sooo. My tag goes to Jan Barron- you can catch up with her on my side bar!. Jan...you're it!

Teen Mania...Honor Academy

I know that most who read my blog do not comment. But....I know you are out there and checking in because you tell me! You know that all of our family works for the Lord- most of them at Teen Mania. Today's article in the Tyler paper will give you a good insight into what the work of David and the Honor Academy does. (actually this article came out in October but I JUST FOUND it when I was cheking Google to see what there was about the Honor Academy etc....oh well, who would tell mom????) Just paste the address into your browser and read away!

http://www.tylerpaper.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17389213&BRD=1994&PAG=461&dept_id=510175&rfi=6

Florida happenings

Looks like it is cold in Florida? It WAS a few days a go when we visited Blue Springs to view the Manatee. They come in when the ocean waters get cold- to Blue Springs where the water is 72 degrees year round. It was a great day for viewing these Manatee...we saw about 30 in the clear spring waters in one place.




All those large grey images in teh water ar the manatee. Quite interesting.

Today we are reading, watching football on t.v.- after our a.m. trip to the library and the Thrift Store and to help set up for tonight's dance ( only they set up last night! ):
Tonight we attend the dinner dance. Thought you might enjoy seeing a picture of Dave line dancing...we do lots of that here and love it! Such a life. God has granted us the joy of being together here in Florida and enjoying each other's company and for that we are THANKFUL! Now you are wondering why we are so anxious to get home??????

Okay...let's try again...here Nina and I are inside the front door. Awesome huh?
Here's a shot from the master bath...
and...Thanksgiving dinner Phillipines style...
...just one of the deccorative items in the living room...
We started the day there with Mass...mostly in Phillipino...but beautiful...and then had a fantastic meal...and danced the afternoon and evening away with music played by our DJ- Sonny- the same that was on the Cruise with us...A beautiful, fun day! God is good!

Thanksgiving Week

And what a week it has been. We have SO much that we are THANKING our God for this week...for our salvation...for our 43 years together, our children and grandchildren, our friends, our freedom, our health, and on and on. THANK YOU FATHER GOD!
We have done a variety of things this week as we have every week we've been here in Fl. Last Sunday after church at Metro we visited our favorite restaurant.
Most days we go to the Y and work out, Dave goes to the basketball court and shoots and we also ride our bikes. All that exercise! plus all the dancing we do...you'd think we'd be in shape and losing weight.
Our week has also included our almost daily trips to the library...literary giants? No...we check out movies...end up watching about 1 out of 5 that we start. Any suggestions????
One of the highlights of our week is our Wednesday trip to the Flea Market...mostly to stock up on fresh Veggies- but we end up finding other bargins as well...Dave was especially enamored with these!
Today, Thanksgiving Day, we had the unique pleasure and privilege of spending the day with hundreds of Phillipino people who were invited to the home of Dr. and Mrs. Capuloung from our dance group. They live in a most exquisite home! This is the inside entrance - the front door- imported from Hong Kong! okay...Blogger is not allowing me any more pictures so I'll try to add more to another post.

Home away from home

Hi From Florida- this is our home away from home-
These are our TWO home in Texas and...
this is our home away from home in Florida.
In just 2 weeks, Lord willing- we'll be back home in Texas- we are oretty homesick for our kids and grandkids and can't wait to get back.
This morning we had breakfast with two of our friends from Jesus Center Denver days. Their youngest daughter, Lenore Berard, was a classmate of David and Jon's. They are living in their 5th wheel near here in Sanford. It was good to reconnect.
The cold front hit here- only about 65 our right now at 2 o'clock. It is great sleeping weather at night though.
Have to run...time for the bike ride!

WE Danced all night and then some!

We have been in Florida now for 2 weeks...and been on a cruise and back- to the Eastern Carribean- St Thomas and St Marten..and danced the nights away for 7 nights.
We had a great time...the weather was beautiful (except for the last night heading back to Florida- they had to shut down our dance and didn't allow the "show" to go in for fear of safety for the dancers in the main lounge...other than that...it was great! No sea sickness on our parts either!
We were with about 20 of the people we dance with here in Florida, our dance teacher and our friends from Wisconsin- Nancy and Terry Welsh were with us which made it that much more fun.
We had lesson in Waltz, Swing, Rhumba and Cha-Cha and also had private dances several times during the week. Each night we could dance in several of the lounges so there was plenty of times to practice and try to remember how to dance something other than the Texas 2-step which is all we've done the last 7 months!
We got off at two islands- on St. Thomas we took a cab to Cokey Beach and had great snorkling- we held "dog bones" and the tropical fish came right up and ate the food out of our hands...really cool. On St. Marten- the fish were not as plentiful and the water was a bit rougher but we enjoyed the beach.

Of course the food and dining experiences on a ship are outstanding. We enjoyed two formal nights and EVERY meal was wonderful. We were on a new ship (2 yrs. old) and they had a new menu which was really outstanding. Now it is back to reality and cereal for dinner!
We DID spend several mornings in the gym- trying to work off some of the meals which we didn't dance off! At least it eased our conscience some.
Today we were back at Metro Life for church and that was also great. We saw most everyone from our home group and enjoyed the sermon by Benny Phillips and the great worship led by Todd.
We are settled in to the campground where we are living for now and looking forward to dancing 4-5 times each week. God is So good to us!

The Medievel Festival

And what a festival it was!
Amy and children worked 6 or 8 weeks on this Medievel Festival-each of the children working at their own levels
Caitlin, Haley and Tori made ALL the costumes for all the children and the girls did almost all the cooking and planning of games, etc for the festival! Their mom reported that they used a large 2 lb. can of Crisco and 5 dozen eggs just making the pies! (14 of them) They also made this incedible bread- many round loaves of DELICIOUS bread-they called it parsley bread but it had raising and maybe nuts and was so good. I wish I had taken a picture of it.
Over 30 people were in attendance-most were in costume and all very much in the spirit of things!

Friar Dave and Lord Brian confered before hand on the events of the afternoon and evening

Friar Dave and Lady McBeth wait for the games to begin

They played several authentic Medieval games- the first called "Caomping- the goal was for the team to get the ball (a basketball ) in to a soccer goal. There were NO rules which made it very interesting. About 3 minutes in to the game the Ref-Friar Dave- added the rule that they could only take 4 steps with the ball. Much fun was had by all.
Camping game


They also had a "horse raise" where the little ones chose a big one and rode them piggy back- the riders knew the path but could not talk- only point to the horse to tell them where to go.

Slaying the Dragon- the kids had made a really cute green dragon pinata and hung it in the tree. There was the typical pinata contest and Amy shows the wounded dragon and prepares to scatter the contents.


The feast ws presented in 8 different "removes" or courses- one more spectacular then the last! This delicacy was reserved for the head "family" table.!






The festival was complete with the court jesters!


The evening was culminated with a huge bonfire and Lord Brian wrapped up things with a spritual message- he had also done this at the conclusion of games-linking them to real life issues.

This was an experience that the family will remember for a long, long time.

The week before...

Hey! I am at Paneras in Daytona Beach Fl...details later...
This is what was going on the week before we left Texas.
We DID get to go to a dance a few weeks a go...first in a LONG time...all country western...I don't know if we'll even know any ballroom by the time we dance on the cruise.
We DID get all the Advent calendars done.3 of them for the grandkids who didn't have one. I copied one I had given Amy's kids several years a go...you put up one felt figure a day during Advent..starting with creation and the fall (THE reason for Christmas) and ending with the birth of Jesus.
And...we got our whole house decorated for Christmas...so we'll be ready when we get back to TX in Dec. We babysat for Amy's kids one night and Abby was so taken in by the little trees!

Dave adjusted the 12 foot tree to be an 11 foot tree which now graces the dining room and is ready for company!

DECK THE HALLS!! WE did!

Photo Journal of...

I had one of those lovely events this morning- the semi-annual dentist visit...but since retiring I haven't been up to putting myself through one of those all inclusive x-ray sessions. I submitted to the machine this morning- 15 of them! and the scraping and probing for the cleaning and am SO glad that is all over with a good report! After running a few errands I stopped at Lisa's and am using their high speed internet...but looks like Blogger is still having trouble uploading pictures...so...no picture journal anyway.
I'll try again tonight, while Dave is at Men's Life. We have just 4 more days after today to get packed and ready to leave for Florida so there is MUCH to get done at home.
Check with me later.

Dancing...Bag Lady...Deck the Halls

These are some of our activites of last week. I'm off to the dentist...I'll try to post pictures and details later.

Almost ready for Brick!

Here I am just downloading picutures and Dave is ready to run to Wal-Mart for Paint Primer- so have to run...no more pix!
Friday we were at Amy's with the Fishers-here they are...I wanted to show the kids all playing chess..oh well.
Just as we were ready to leave- we went in to say goodnight to JM and Josiah- who had put themselves to bed at 8- we hardly noticed with all the activites going on- I just noticed that Jm and Josiah and Ana and Abby were gone! When we peeked in at Jm and Jo. JM asked if he could show up his costume for the upcoming Medievel Feast. I said, "sure"...not knowing it entailed sending me out to mom to see if he could have permission to go to the garage and get his sword...then taking 10 minuts to get changed in to his costume! But it was well worth it. Here he is.. The older girls have made quite elaborate costumes for all the kids. We got quite the invitation! I'll have to get to work on our costumes- just have 2 weeks until the Festival!
Have a great week. Thanks for visiting!
Saturday we did NOT get to see Henry, Jonah and Lisa but DID have the blessing of Sam to work and our Grandpup-Elmer- who was overjoyed to come and visit.

The Lord's Day

This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad. I've made my NFL picks, and am getting ready for church- to go and worship our AWESOME God. I'll be back later in the day, Lord willing, to post pictures and updates on our lives.

October in Texas

Dave says we are running the tires off our car driving to Lindale and back! But we are loving every minute of it. Monday night we were down for the ESOAL banquet honoring all the participants- 540 some and the 140 some Finish- Finishers. (They ALL finish- some finish at the end-the Finish Finishers) What a great experience for these kids! Many of them limped up to the mike or platform to get awards due to their blisters and soreness of body. David and Sam have had many letters and visits of appreciation from participants. (I have tried for 1/2 hour to download more pictures but can only get this one! I'll come back later and try again!)
Tuesday night we were back at David's for dinner and helped Jay celebrate his birthday-late. We had to cut it short as I had my Beth Moore Bible study back in Quitman at 7. I just love the study and will look forward to doing another!
Wednesday we celebrated Abby's 2nd birthday at lunch time with all the Smiths. What a gala affair! We headed back to Quitman where we had dinner with my cousin Larry and his wife Sue and her dad and then to church for our "Walk Across the Room" Bible study. It is based on the book by Bill Hybals, pastor of Willow Creek and highlights evangelism. It is really good. All four of us attended that-Dave and I and Larry and Sue.
Thursday Dave worked on the workshop and I got ready for the Fisher Affair. Our nephew, Steve and his wife Sharmin and their 4 children are here from Hong Kong. They are involved in teaching a Bible school there and taking literature to the Chinese. They lead an interesting life. They had been fishing down in the Keys of Florida and brought Lobster, Red Snapper Grouper and other fish for us to feast on which was great. We were joined by Jon, Kelly, Jordan, David, Beth, Ashley, Jay, Cole, Nicholas, Sam, Lisa, Henry and Jonah. We dined on the patio and got to watch the sun set right down the canal in back. We are having beautiful sunsets- God is good.
Tonight we'll be at Smiths with the same group minus Jon and Kelly who will be attending a wedding in Missouri.
Saturday Sam and Lisa and family will be back for Sam to work on the workshop with Dave.
So goes our week...we will try to catch our breath today!

A look at our week

We've had a busy week and were blessed to spend some time with each of our kids and most of our grandkids this week. God is good!
I'm in a Beth Moore Bible study at church which I really like- studying the fruit of the spirit- the 12 week study has just 3 to go. Then this week Dave and I started a 4 wk. study at church- "Walk Across the Room" an evangelism study with Bill Hybals by dvd. It too is good. We attend Church on the Rock in Quitman and really like it.
Wednesday I went over to Amy's to help with some of the weekly things- like laundry. She is busy painting and getting the house ready for market. I have the fun of getting in on some of the kids actions- like seeing the tree house that they have built-
Then watching out the window while Abby "washed" her dishes in the fountain. And watching how they so lovingly care for each other- like Tori removing a clump of cactus spines from Abby's feet- she was barefoot out there washing her dishes etc! It is so cool to see how they love one another. I am so blessed!
Thursday Dave and I went to Tyler and ran some errands- then met Jon and Kelly at On the Border for dinner-picked up my computer from Jon which he had fixed! (So nice to have a computer geek in the family!)-then rushed off to the State Fair to hear the girls play violin- we missed Haley and Tori and got there just in time to hear Caitlin. She is behind the 2 boys in the foreground. They play with the Tyler Jr. Symphony. Afterwards Jon Michael had to show off his headstand and then we all shared treats at Sonic.
Friday morning I got to babysit with Jordan and really appreciated being able to spend some one on one time with her. What a sweetheart! We had a great time building blocks, swinging and playing in the water. Her mom had her dresses in a cute little pink jogging suit- but came home to her baby in jeans and a tee shirt! Grammy!
On Sat. we visited with Amy's family again and helped put some handles on the kitchen cupboards- I did laundry- and got in on the excitement of Buddy's first BASS!
In the afternoon some of the kids took a "fishing break". Little Brian came running back SO EXCITED with his first bass! Tori, Haley and Josiah are all avid fishermen- with Tori checking out books weekly from the library like, Jimmy Houston's secrets to Bass Fishing...she is becoming quite educated in the art of fishing!

In the afternoon we went over to Teen Mania to view- ESOAL- it is an activity much like the training the Navy Seals go through- they were in Day 4- quite INTENSE! There were about 200 kids left out of the original 450 who had not "rung out". They can ring out and quit at any time- David is the General- Sam was a Major in charge of the Montana Company.



After this we went to Tyler- met up with Brian and Amy for Pizza and a great movie- "Facing the Giants". You can take your kids- a great movie!
Today is our day of rest- and then another week!