Golden Anniversary

Today, June 21st, is our 21st wedding anniversary. Time flies when you are having fun! We have had so many GREAT adventures, and I can't wait to see what's to come. 21 years ago we had our whole lives planned...we knew exactly how things were going to go and when they were going to happen. We had a plan.

And then God stepped in.

He let us know from the very beginning that if we trusted in Him, that He was going to take us on one mighty fine ride. And He has. We've been led to move, been offered jobs, given children to raise, a home of our own, unbelievable friends, family....I am so overwhelmed with thanks when I think about all of it. We have been blessed.

Our wedding text is Matthew 6:25-34. It's been taped on every bathroom mirror in every house we've lived in, and I read it every morning when I'm getting ready. I've never known anyone else to choose this as a wedding text, but for some reason we were led to these passages over and over (especially verses 33 & 34) while we were engaged. God knew that as a very, very young couple getting married, that these words would give us peace...

25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Perfect, isn't it?

Wednesday Thought

Well Behaved Women Seldom Make History

-Laurel Thatcher Ulrich

Father's Day

OK...so I am a little behind! =0)

Father's Day means one thing in our house...the beginning of Drum Corps. PC holds its Sneak Preview every year on Father's Day, which in Michael's eyes is perfect. We drove Matthew to practice (45 minutes away), went to church (30 minutes back), came home for a quick lunch (30 more minutes), hurried out to Alex's basketball game (20 minutes away), home to change, (20 minutes) and then back out to catch Matthew's show (45 minutes). Oh, and then back home again (45 more minutes).

Just a tad bit of driving.

Back to drum corps. For those of you (and you all know this!) who don't know, M and I met in a drum and bugle corps way back when. As teenagers. And fell in love. And got married. And found out on a Father's Day long ago that we were going to have a baby. And that baby is now in a drum and bugle corps. And that baby's corps performs on Father's Day.

Cool.

Once the season begins, Michael will spend lots of time going over scores and placings and judges recaps. To him, this is relaxing. To me? Not so much. (But I really like him, so I pretend to listen intently.) We catch as many shows as we can, and this year is extra special. For the first time ever, finals are on the West Coast...at the Rose Bowl, and we are going!

Extra cool.

A little side note...I just want to say publicly that my children are the most blessed children. I not only have an amazing husband, but he is truly, truly, truly a wonderful, kind, loving, supportive, hands-on dad. They see everyday how a husband should treat a wife, and how a father should treat a child.

Thank you, God. =0)

And one more thing...a very Happy Birthday to my mother-in-law, who raised this boy and trained him to be the kind of person he is today. Thank you!

Quick Chat

Busy, busy, busy! Here's a rundown of the last week:

* M and I stole away for a lovely weekend in Boulder, CO. It is 'home' for both of us, yet neither of us is truly 'from' there. Does that make sense?

* The main reason for the trip was to attend the wedding of Luke & Lisa, two of my husbands former students. It was a beautiful day with a beautiful couple, and a great chance to catch up with former students. Awesome day!

* We stayed in our favorite place and ate at our favorite restaurant, and just hung out in our favorite places. We needed that time away...life is just crazy with all these boys!

* Alex's mambo ball team (think killer frisbee, but with a ball) at school won 1st place. All limbs are still intact and functioning properly.

* Matthew was chosen to be one of the drum majors for his marching band next year. He will also be playing a few solos on the field.

* Matthew learned to park in my car. The tree is fine. So is my blood pressure.

* Brian went on a field trip to a one room school house. It was my 3rd time along, and it was just as much fun as the first. I think I am living in the wrong era.

* Had an amazing night of cocktails with an old friend. So much to catch up on, so little time.

* Have caught up on almost every movie that is out in the theatres. M must be on vacation!

* The boys last full week of school was last week. Matthew and Brian finish on Thursday, Alex is done on Wednesday. M and I took advantage of our final quiet week alone and took many long walks on the beach.

* Celebrated Logan's birthday yesterday and caught up with the family.

* Started a great new Beth Moore study (Get Out of That Pit) with my 'girls'. I love summertime!

* My garden is flourishing! Zucchini, anyone?

Sadness

Two years ago today, I held my fathers hand as he took his last breath on this earth.

Entertainers, Great Hair, and a Pioneer

Let's start with the great hair...and Alex wins. 

And how, exactly, do you lose 1 shoe, while the other is ON your foot? 

Matthew and friends at the Entertainers installation...he's decided to sing again next year. I at one time worried that he was 'too quiet'....now I worry that he's not!

Brian's school ends the year with an 1850's one room school house. They have to dress every day for the part, and for 3 weeks they do as close a simulation as they can. Pretty darn cute!

No Time To Breathe

And no new pictures, either! 

Our lives have gone from busy to busier, though at least there are now two of us doing the driving. 

Last week brought the in-law's, a choir concert for Matthew, drum corps in a far and out of the way place, and a basketball tourney for Alex...with 4 games in all. Add in Logan's 1st birthday, a family dinner at Nick's, Michael singing at three church services, and you have our weekend. (Did I mention MP's open house and Brian having the flu?) 

This week brings 3 band concerts, a choir installation, and a much needed weekend get away...but more on that later! 

Alex had an amazing game on Saturday. Down 1 point with 9 seconds on the clock. He gets fouled and has an 'and 1'. Steps up and makes both free throws and his team wins by 1 basket. Last year on that same day he broke his hand and the Dr's weren't sure whether or not he would play basketball again. God is so good!

On a side note...we are sneaking in some fun time while the boys are in school. We found a great new Mexican restaurant that will now make its way to the top of our Happy Hour list! 

We definitely have our priorities straight...