Weatherly Way

Lake Williamson

2009-03-31T08:41:00.001-05:00

Speech Meet 2009

2009-03-07T21:13:00.006-06:00

Jaron and Evan qualified for the Regional Christian School's speech meet back in February. It was yesterday. The kids all had the day off from school so we all went and made a family day of it and watched them compete. They both received Superior ratings and this year Evan followed in his brother's footsteps and was chosen to say his speech in front of the entire assembly. Unlike Jaron, Evan has been extremely nervous and initially didn't want to be chosen to say it in front of everyone. But as the time drew near to being selected, Evan admitted to really wanting an opportunity to do so. Well he got it. Here it is...

Lessons from "The Weekend" part one

2009-02-27T10:10:00.005-06:00

So I have had a week to digest the last weekend and I believe that although I was a speaker for "the weekend", I will gain life lessons and reminders for a lifetime from the experience.

I was reminded of the deep embedded passion I have for young women to fall in love with our incredible Savior. "The Weekend" truly is a journey with Christ. It is so exciting to see these girls come on Friday, some a little hesitantly; and by the time they leave on Sunday night they are glowing from the agape love they received over the last 50+ hours. So many times during our time together I was transported to days past and moments that defined my spiritual upbringing. Most of those in the quiet moments of praise and prayer times in our most cherished chapel. My church family meant so much to me then and I couldn't imagine life now without our community of believers. Even though I don't believe in the liberal concept that it takes a village to raise a child, I do believe it takes a family of faith to mold and make disciples. (I got the opportunity to be with a family of believers this weekend that are amazing.)

I was also reminded of how Christ has literally ordained my steps. Hind sight is such an incredible blessing from the Lord. I continually see how He has orchestrated my life and I am overwhelming honored to share with others how He has worked in my life. "God is good all the time" has pretty much become my life motto, that even in hard circumstances - He is always good. I am learning the heart of thanksgiving in everything.

THANK YOU
The Katinas

Just a little while longer I wanna pray
Can't get You off my mind so I came to say
Thank You Lord just for loving me
Many times as I do forget
Every need that You have met
Oh thank You Lord, I know You're showing me
You are there when I am down and out
You're holding me, Your love is so amazing
Oh it changed me

Chorus:
Here I am with all I am
Raise my hands to worship You
I wanna say thank you, oh thank you
For everything, for who You are
You cover me, You touch my heart
I wanna say thank you

I could have died in my sin but You saved me
Didn't have any hope at all
You gave me peace divine, strength to carry on
I should have been the one to pay
But instead You took my place
My Jesus, words cannot explain
Even though I don't deserve Your love for me
You look beyond my fault and You showed mercy

CHORUS

I wanna say thank you for the sun
I wanna say thank you for the rain
Everything You do is beautiful
I'm so grateful for Your love

Per Gloria's Hint....

2009-02-19T20:07:00.003-06:00

So I haven't been blogging much lately. I guess you could say I have had writers block. I've had to give a couple of "talks" over the last few weeks and have been busily working on those and neglecting my blog. Tomorrow I head to "The Weekend". For all of us old Episcopalians that would be "Chrysalis". I am giving the "Growth Talk" which is about prayer and study to 29 teenage girls and 24 team members on Saturday morning. If you happen to think of me around 11 am. say a little prayer. Also pray for my family as I will be away from them from 2:45 pm tomorrow till about 8 pm on Sunday evening. Once I debrief from it, I am sure to have lots of things to blog about.

Until then....

My Story

2009-02-08T05:13:00.004-06:00

This year at church we have a segment in our service called "My Story" and every week someone will share their personal testimony of their relationship with Christ. The pastors and their wives are going first and today is my turn.

I have been faced most recently with several opportunities to stand before people to share about my life and have struggled with the decision to do so because I've just personally been going through one of those valleys in life. I'm being challenged by God in different areas that have been painful and difficult. I knew I could get up and talk about how good God is because that definitely hasn't changed for me, but I knew I couldn't fake my way into portraying the spiritual giant I wish I was.

I realized in my prayers and petitions to God that it was OK, He loves me despite my reluctance and even my stubbornness at times. I'm really understanding the journey and process more. I have even found a lot of encouragement in reliving my own story and seeing how Christ has defined himself in my life over and over again. I've been reminded again that when I put my focus on Him instead of myself or my dilemmas He has a way of changing my circumstances or changing me in my circumstances. So even in times when I feel far from Him, I see that He is always close to me. God is good all the time.

I just want to say to all my dear friends, thanks for being apart of my story and ultimately His story.

My name is Tavia Weatherly and this is (part of) my story.

Don't know what to say?

2009-02-02T10:35:00.002-06:00

It's been awhile since I've imparted any words of value on my blog. I have to admit that I've been going through a lot of things personally and have felt unsure of what to write and what to keep to myself. I'm learning on my own strength I'm such a failure. It's a difficult and humbling experience. God and I are working on some things in my heart and it's been a journey. I've found forgiveness, acceptance and unconditional love when I laid everything at his feet.

You would think I would feel like the world has been lifted off my shoulders. But it doesn't feel that way. I feel like I'm carrying self-doubt, guilt and shame around like a 9-month pregnant woman. I know it's my own fault for not releasing those feelings. With all the heart-purging I've been experiencing lately, I just can't seem to shake it. I know it's a process. I know it takes time. But like so many things in my life, I just want to hurry up and get through it. It's all character building and faith walking - things I think I would have grasped better as a young christian.

You are so beautiful to me.

2009-01-29T13:09:00.001-06:00

A morning at Lowes

2009-01-10T15:50:00.005-06:00

We try to find something to do together as a family on

Saturday mornings. Generally in past winter months

we do swimming lessons, but over the course of the

last couple of months we have participated in the

Lowes Build & Grow program for kids. Twice a

month on Saturday mornings they have a building

project for kids to make with parents. When your

finished you get a certificate and a badge to put on

your apron that they give you the first time you attend.

The best part of it is that it is all free. The kids love it

and ask us every Saturday if its time to go to Lowes.

So far they have made a pumpkin, football goal,

gingerbread house and this week we made time

capsules. We have had a great time doing this and

we all look forward to it. Next month we are making

jewelry boxes (which the boys are going to give to

their teachers) and race cars. Should be fun!

Happy Birthday Lydia!

2009-01-07T09:56:00.003-06:00

Lydia is three years old today.

Lydi

2008-12-16T20:02:00.003-06:00

Today we got an invitation for a mommy & daughter

morning with our friends Janeen & Lanae.

We got to make and decorate Christmas cookies.

We had such a great time. Lydia especially loved

the pink icing and the piano playing.

Concert pianist

2008-12-16T16:51:00.002-06:00

First of many attempts at the Christmas card

2008-12-07T14:48:00.002-06:00

Snow Tractor Rides

2008-12-06T16:42:00.001-06:00

What we woke up to this morning!

2008-11-30T07:50:00.003-06:00

This is for all my non-northern family and friends. The first snow hit last night and it is still snowing as I type. It's not even December yet!!!!

Happy 7th Birthday Evan

2008-11-29T11:55:00.003-06:00

Stairway laced with toys

2008-11-25T08:45:00.004-06:00

Yesterday I was cleaning the main floor of our home trying to get ready for Thanksgiving. It will just be our family around the table, but there are few things as relaxing as a clean home on a holiday around the house with family...so I was placing all the boys things that need to go back to their room on the stairs. This is a ritual of ours since we live on four stories of house. We always place them on the stairs and we are all supposed to carry something up whenever we head up the stairs, unfortunately this rarely happens and I usually have to assign them to clean the stairs when I'm splitting up duties. Anyway, I looked over at the stairs while I was sweeping and the song that Jenette loved as a teen hit me hard. We all liked it growing up, but now the words pierce deeply. I am so thankful for my husband and my kids. They are my life. My father is always telling me not to blink. I try to remember, but sometimes forget. I pray that this weekend of thanksgiving I take in every moment of our family just being. I hope you do too.

There are watercolour ponies

On my refrigerator door

And the shape of something

I don't really recognize

Drawn by careful little fingers

And put proudly on display

A reminder to us all

Of how time flies

Seems like endless mound of laundry

And a stairway laced with toys

Gives a blow by blow

Reminder of the war

That we fight for their well-being

For their greater understanding

To impart a holy reverence

For the Lord

But, baby, what will we do

When it comes back to me and you?

They look a little less

Like little boys every day

Oh, the pleasure of watching

The children growing

Is mixed with a bitter cup

Of knowing the watercolour ponies

Will one day ride away

And the vision can get so narrow

As you view through your tiny world

And little victories can go by

With no applause

But in the greater evaluation

As they fly from your nest of love

May they mount up with wings

As eagles for His cause

2008-11-20T22:05:00.001-06:00

Happy Birthday Grandma!

We love you!!!!!

Mercy, Mercy ME!

2008-11-16T14:35:00.002-06:00

So last night I got an invitation to go to a BeBo Norman/Mercy Me concert with some great friends from church. We ate at Panera before the show and all sat together and enjoyed the concert. I found that I kept giggling to myself throughout the concert because I didn't stand up once and neither did anyone else for that matter until the final song. I kept thinking, I need to get up and do something, but I didn't do anything. This is sharp contrast to the Toby Mac concert I went to several months back...where I stood for the entire concert except one song and thought then....I'm getting to old for this. So where does that leave me?

My spirit was willing, but my flesh was weak. What else in my life parallels this silliness? This is a question I'm sure to ponder over the next several weeks, I just wonder if I'll be standing or sitting as I sort it all out.

How often do you second guess yourself?

2008-11-13T12:12:00.003-06:00

Do you remember what it was like being a teenager and thinking you've got the world pretty much figured out? Those days seem like lifetimes ago...as I age I found that I second guess myself a lot.

It's not like I'm making many life altering decisions, but the little ones seem to take more courage and thought than they use to. Does that mean I'm more mature in my thinking process or am I more apprehensive than ever before. Maybe a little of both?

Today I had to get Ethan vaccinated with his second MMR shot, we thought we'd done it last year when he started at Galesburg Christian, but hadn't. I had to tell Ethan as we pulled into the doctor's office parking lot that he was indeed there for a shot. The last 24 hours I have been pondering him getting the immunization. It's such a standard shot, but that 1 in a million still stands out to me. A little boy two houses down from where we lived in Jacksonville was one of those 1 in a million. Needless to say, every time any of the kids has had to get their shots, I go through the whole thing of second guessing it all.

On a less mental note, I have never gotten my hair colored before and second guessed myself right into the salon chair. I did it and now I keep looking in the mirror and wondering, did I make the right choice? Thank goodness it wasn't a heaven or hell decision, but still if I had the chance to relive it, would I have made the same choice?

Do you ever second guess? What about? Love to hear your input.

Time Flies

2008-11-09T16:15:00.005-06:00

I know I say this every year (except for the year I waited to turn 16, so I could drive)... it just seems like this year has flown by so fast.

We have had a whirlwind of wonderful things in 2008, I just can't believe were almost to the middle of November. It seems like as soon as November 1st comes, you blink and you're into a new year. I was filling in our calendar for the rest of the year and we have something every single weekend.

My prayer for you and I is that we don't let time slip away from us. What do you do to shut out the noise? What do you do to stop time? How do you brand moments on your heart and the hearts of your loved one's so that they will last a life time? I'd love to hear about them.

We are planning to have a family night packed with lots of fun and remembrance. We are going to take down the family calendar and go through each month and talk about the neat things that God has allowed us to experience this year. Definitely not like its as monumental as crossing the Red Sea, but we have stones of our own to help our children remember what Christ has done in our lives. I don't know if this year has been difficult or pretty easy for you, but God is good all the time. I hope you find the time to reflect on His goodness and remember His grace.

Fun Fall Night

2008-11-01T11:16:00.002-05:00

Our friends, Dave and Reva; from church invited us to come to their home to experience one of their fall family traditions. They would gather all the fallen leaves and make a huge pile...then they would hide candy in it. Their son and the teens of the church would come over and dive into it to find all the candy. Dave had been working in their yard and they decided it would be fun for our kids to come over and hunt for candy. After a phone call and invitation, I told the kids what we were going to do and the questions began...How big is the pile going to be? How will we know if we found it all? Jaron, don't you think that will be fun?

All four of them had a blast. We were so appreciative to Dave and Reva for thinking of us. We all laughed and giggled and laughed and giggled. They cleaned out the little playhouse and rearranged the furniture. It was a new experience and a memory that will last a lifetime. Thanks guys!

Lydia and the Tu-tu from Auntie Crystal

2008-10-30T12:36:00.004-05:00

Lydia got a package in the mail today from wonderful Auntie Crystal. She sent her a "Pink" Tu-tu. Lydia automatic de-clothed herself and jumped into the tu-tu and hasn't taken it off yet. She said Ballerina hair! So I pulled her hair back.

Fall is in the air

2008-10-27T16:05:00.004-05:00

Well it is very evident that fall is here. The leaves are falling and I might add in a spectacular array of autumn colors, magnificent I must say. It is also very very cool, the high being 45 today with blustery winds. Emily asked if anyone had fall decorations out, so I thought I would give you a glimpse of some around our house. They are not anything special, but it is amazing how cozy it makes you feel.
1. Front Porch
2,3,4 Foyer area

Apple Blossom Farm Field Trip with Jaron

2008-10-10T15:50:00.003-05:00

Mosaic Fun

2008-10-08T17:18:00.006-05:00

1. What is your first name? (Tavia)

2. What is your favorite food? (Spinach Pie)

3. What high school did you attend? (Sandalwood Jr. & Sr. High)

4. What is your favorite color? (Lime Green)

5. Actor you like? (Matthew Fox, liked him since Party of Five)

6. Favorite Drink? (Hot Chocolate)

7. Dream Vacation? (Greece)

8. Favorite dessert? (Cheesecake)

9. What do you want to be when you grow up? (photographer)

10. What do you love most in life? (My family)

11. One word to describe you? (Crafty)

12. Your flickr name? (mommy)

Each block of the mosiac is the picture answer to my question found on Flickr search. Jenette suggested doing this, so I tried it. Lots of fun. You should try.

Scarecrow Fest

2008-10-05T00:45:00.001-05:00

Kids Annual Talent Night at the church

2008-09-28T22:50:00.003-05:00

For the last three years all of our kids have participated in the annual Kids talent night at our church. This year the boys decided they would all like to do something different so we tried to come up with things that each of them liked. Jaron was going to do a monologue, but unfortunate for him his parents waited till the last minute to find him one. So after playing around with Buddy (our dog) and showing the kids some of the tricks he can do, we thought a dog training show would be cute. The initial plan was for Jaron to bring in Buddy and Lydia to perform different tricks and do some slap stick in between. Well last night at rehearsal, Buddy was extremely uncooperative. So we thought we would just have Lydia do it.

We practice for about 40 minutes this afternoon on the stage in the sanctuary and Lydia did it every time, well then tonight as soon as she discovered there was a crowd she changed her mind. Jaron was crushed. He really wanted to do his act. Evan came and whispered in my ear that he would do it so Jaron could go on stage. It was a condensed version, but they got the job done. I was proud of Evan for helping his brother out and for not caring to wear part of Lydia's pink costume.

Evan did an arting (what he likes to call it) piece where he drew a picture while music was playing. Evan practiced several times before his performance and I thought he did a great job. He was under the pressure to complete his picture in about three minutes and he did it with ease and confidence. I believe he is on his way to becoming a great little artist.

Ethan did a martial arts piece to "Eye of the Tiger". He has been taking classes this fall and really loves it. I thought it would be good for his self-confidence and I've been proven right. He was great up there and everyone got a "kick" out of him.

They all concluded with a song, but I didn't want to over do it...hahaha. I hope you enjoy the show as much as we did.

The artist hath much arting to do.

2008-09-28T22:49:00.001-05:00

Dog Trainer

2008-09-28T22:31:00.001-05:00

Ethan at church talent show

2008-09-28T21:58:00.001-05:00

Friendship that goes the distance...

2008-09-26T09:54:00.004-05:00

Eleven years ago Glen persuaded me to meet someone new at the church we attended at the time. He said that he thought we would hit it off. "I can see you guys being good friends." I was hesitant just because it gets more difficult to make good friends as an adult. But heeding his wisdom, I met her. Little did I know that I would find a best girlfriend (soul sisters is what we like to call it) that day. We hit it off immediately and haven't looked back since.

You would think me moving 1100 miles away seven years ago would put a damper on our friendship, but it has blossomed deeply because we both go the distance. We have been there for each other through some difficult and wonderful times. We've held each other up through miscarriages and deaths of loved ones, and we've been there for each of our children coming into the world. She has even come to visit just to throw me a "retirement party." (If you want to know what I retired from, you'll have to ask.) We've experienced the highs and lows that any friendship goes through, but have always grown together from whatever is going on in our lives.

I believe what makes our friendship so special is that we continue to make the effort to stay connected, but it seems effortless. We make each other a priority no matter what is going on in life. She is a testament of Christ's unconditional love.

She is headed this way in a couple of weeks to help me celebrate my birthday and our 11 years of friendship.

Ode to Melodie...

Friendship isn't a big thing - it's a million little things. - Author Unknown

In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirt. - Albert Schweiter

A good friend is cheaper than therapy. - Authur Unknown

The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart. - Elisabeth Foley

A friend knows the song in my heart and sings it to me when my memory fails. - Donna Roberts

Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art...It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival. - C.S. Lewis

The best kind of friend is the one you could sit on a porch with, never say a word, and walk away feeling that was the best conversation you've had. - Author Unknown

It is the friends you can call up at 4 a.m. that matter. - Marlene Dietrich

A friend accepts us as we are yet helps us to be what we should. - Author Unknown

It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

In my friend, I find a second self. - Isabel Norton

Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same. - Flavia Weedn

It is my true belief that a bestfriend invented the masterbath. - Tavia Weatherly

Am I repeating myself?

2008-09-18T19:57:00.003-05:00

Ok, so I'm hitting the other side of 30 in a matter of a couple of weeks (other side meaning 36) and 40 is looking closer than ever. And I am wondering, do I repeat myself to much? I am always telling my dad, "yeah, I heard this one already." But staring someone completely in the face with my undivided attention I am starting to second guess myself...scary thought. I begin my sentences with "I may have already told you this, but..." or end my conversation with "Did I already discuss this with you?"

I believe this has nothing to do with age, but with the fact that I have four children. I know I repeat myself with them what seems like a thousand times. Put that away when you are through with it. Remember to put the seat down, flush the toilet and wash your hands. Be quiet. It's time for bed. Stop talking and go to sleep. Stop talking and go to sleep. STOP TALKING AND GO TO SLEEP, Did I already discuss this with you? I'm gonna stop blogging now and hopefully go repeat myself for the last time tonight.

It's that time of year...

2008-09-09T15:56:00.005-05:00

Every season since we moved here I have had to rotate my family's wardrobe. This week has been unseasonably cool and so I have been digging into the plastic containers to find long-sleeved shirts. This is a sure sign that tank tops, sun dresses, shorts and bathing suits are on their way to the bottom of some dark container where they won't be seen for at least nine months.

Even though this December we will be living here for seven years, I still find the concept of rotating clothes extremely foreign. Growing up in sunny Florida, everyone owned a couple pairs of jeans and a couple sweatshirts and we kept them in our bottom chest of drawers where they might be worn a couple times a year. It has become at least a two week ritual to expel one season's clothes as they go through the wash and to slowly add the next. Of course, after I have switched everything over we will have an "Indian Summer" couple of days or a cold front pass through. This means that there will be a couple pair of shorts tempting my children in mid-October to be worn.

The other sad thing about living up in an area of the country where there is truly four seasons is the fact that I can't wear flip-flops all year round. My feet love to be free. They prefer to breath in comparison to being smothered by thick socks and unpleasant feet restraints (shoes). I hold out as long as I can, but when my toes start to get hypo-thermia, I cave into wearing real shoes. I have a friend that also finds this a dilemma and together we pay homage to our fond flip-flops about the same time each year.

So there is a feeling in the air....the ritual is nearing. I always look forward to putting the winter away and pulling out the spring, but it is sorta sad putting the summer away for the fall. So I pray...Indian Summer days, please stay!!!

Labor Day Parade

2008-09-01T14:43:00.004-05:00

The only parade I remember growing up as a kid was when I was in highschool and I marched with my piccolo over the Main Street Bridge for the opening of the Jacksonville Landing. I guess being in a large metropolitan city there aren't many parades. Glen on the other hand can recall several parades he dressed up as a clown in and marched to promote his father's hardware business. I am almost positive it was all of his on initiative.

Our small town (33,000 strong) has probably five parades a year. We've gone to most of them (been in a few) and its become a family tradition. The kids love it because a majority of the people in the parade throw candy and the kids get a kick out of picking it all up. They almost always give out little American flags and the kids like to wave them around. We almost always see someone we know and its fun to hoot and holler for them. I know when our kids get older that like their dad, they will have lots of memories of our small town parades.

A Night at the Circus

2008-08-29T09:04:00.006-05:00

Some friends of ours from church own the local Dairy Queens in town and received some free tickets to the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus - They ever so kindly asked us if we would like them, and trying to never pass up quality family time, we accepted.

Plus there are a few in my family that actually like clowns.

(Maybe because they are clowns themselves)

The kids had a great time.

Here's a picture of them before they shot a man out of the cannon.

I thought it was funny that they all covered their ears at the same time.

And there is one of Lydia about half-way through, she had seen enough,

so she made herself comfortable (laying upside down in the chair).

The kids brought their paper route money and bought their own souvenirs.

(They actually picked the three least expensive ones.)

We had a wonderful time. Thank you

Fran and Linda, we appreciate you thinking of us.

Tooth #2

2008-08-23T19:33:00.003-05:00

Evan lost two teeth in one week!

The Boys first day of school...

2008-08-21T11:08:00.003-05:00

Jaron - 3rd grade, Evan - 1st grade, Ethan - Kindergarten

Evan's First lost tooth

2008-08-19T16:46:00.006-05:00

SMILE!

Had to post this too...

2008-08-18T09:51:00.005-05:00

My friend Emily post this on her blog and I had to share it with my other friends as well. In my tagged blog I wrote that I love almost everything about the 80s. The music had to be one of my favorites. It was just so much fun. It's bizarre how many songs I know and love because generally my parents only let me listen to christian music when I was young. Mercy Me (a christian band) has this thing called cover tune grab bag that they recreate songs from the 80s. They are all hysterical but my favorites are Eye of the Tiger and Never gonna give you up. I loved it! It made me laugh. Hope you enjoy it as well.

I've been tagged...

2008-08-17T22:27:00.005-05:00

I've been tagged to clue you in on six things you may not know about me...

6. In my alter-life, I would be a size 6 (don't want to be too greedy), drive a lime-green GTO and would have won Amazing Race twice. I'd also be a beautiful contemporary dancer.

5. I love almost everything about the 80s.

4. I hate touching feet.

3. I dream in color and my dreams have detailed dialogues.

2. I'd like to be a super-hero fighting for the injustice of children.

1. The older I get the more I realize there is little I know about myself. (I still can't figure out what I want to be when my children grow up.)

Out of Town

2008-08-17T15:44:00.007-05:00

If you have read past blogs, you would know that we planned a trip to Chicago this weekend for Jaron's Birthday. We set out on Wednesday to go to district assembly (our church denomination annual meeting) at Manville Church Camp. Glen went up Tuesday for Missions and then we all headed up Wednesday for Youth and Thursday for general assembly.

I had high expectations for the three days we would be away from home just before school starts next week. I had imagined getting away from it all and enjoying my family time. We had a nice time, but my expectations got shot out of the water and the first indication of this was when my children were horse playing around in the hotel room and Lydia hit her mouth on a chair and busted the inside and outside of her lip. At first we thought that maybe her tooth had gone all the way through her lip, but just couldn't tell. She acted like nothing happened within a couple of minutes and enjoyed looking at her big fat lip in the mirror more than letting Glen and I tend to her or cuddle her.

Then on Thursday on our way to the hotel to stay near Chicago we got a flat tire on a new tire and ended up having to replace it. Bummer. The delay put a kink in my evening alone shopping plans.

We ended up having a nice time visiting Chicago on Friday even though we had a bumpy start.

We went to the Chicago Cultural Center and did a treasure hunt around the beautiful building. We also took in a couple of photography exhibits. We found the photography exhibit of Ellis Island (with tag lines and stories) very interesting. Then we took a water taxi to Navy Pier where we went to the Children's Museum. Glen, Evan and Jaron went to the Chicago Shakespearean Theater in the evening to see the stage production of Willy Wonka and had a great time. My camera battery went dead at the beginning of the day so I didn't get any pictures. On the way home I turned it on and snapped the last picture and then the camera died again. This is us on the METRA train at 10pm. The kids were sound a sleep. We eventually got home at 2:30 am. What a trip!

I had a hard time shifting gears out of my expectations into just having fun. But all in all in was a nice visit. The kids and Glen had a great time and that makes me happy.

The Imagination of Children

2008-08-12T10:14:00.008-05:00

Even though the volume of noise in my home is at an all time high, I still feel blessed to hear the sounds of pitter-patter on hardwood floors and little voices using their expansive imaginations. It amazes me that my 2 1/2 year old is right in the middle of the creativity, putting in her two cents worth of ideas (and they are actually listening to her). In these moments, there is harmony and unity among them and their camaraderie is something the world could learn from. They are weaving their ideas together and having fun. The only two downsides to it all is the mess that they ensue and loudness they impose. But I try to remember that they are getting along for the moment and that I should savor the moment.

"You're a good man, Charlie Brown"

2008-08-08T16:36:00.005-05:00

Did you ever orchestrate home theater performances with your siblings when you were young. I remember we would make my parents come out to the backyard for our circus acts on the swing set. Crystal and I would lip sync into hairbrushes and she would choreograph the dance moves. I never understood why my parents didn't seem as excited as us to watch our hard work pay off. I mean we would spend all day practicing (now I realize that was my parents favorite part of it all - it kept us very busy). Well today I got my own private performance of "You're a good man, Charlie Brown) - special effects and all. The boys made Snoopy's Dog house, Snoopy's Ears (out of one of Lydia's headbands) and Charlie Brown's shirt. Just in case your wondering the cast included: Jaron as Schroeder, Ethan as Snoopy and Evan as Charlie Brown. They were very excited once they persuaded me up into the Attic (their bedroom) to see their rendition, and reminded me that I needed to clap and laugh between acts (there were several). They also announced at the beginning of the show that I should silence cellphones and dismiss myself if any young children were crying. I was a terrible theater patron though, because I answered my phone during the performance. I apologized and I think they added a number to make up for it. Anyway at the end I gave a standing ovation, but didn't yell encore, instead I did the next best thing, I told them they had to do the show for Daddy when he got home from work. Why let me be the only one to enjoy it, right?

Pump it Up

2008-08-07T14:57:00.005-05:00

We went to Pump it up with some friends at church today. We all had a lot of fun.

Charlotte's Web Weekend

2008-08-03T16:39:00.001-05:00

Evan's Debut

2008-08-02T22:05:00.001-05:00

Charlotte's Web (The Musical)

2008-08-01T12:57:00.007-05:00

Jaron and Evan will make their premiere performance tonight in

Charlotte's Web the Musical.

Here are their bios.

Jaron Weatherly (Photographer, Concessionair)

Jaron will begin the third grade this year at Galesburg Christian School. Last year he made his acting debut as Rerun in "Charlie Brown" for Nazarene Community Theater. Although that was his first official role, Jaron has cast himself in several at-home productions over the years, but most recently his roles have included Ben Gates from "National Treasure", the Prince from "Enchanted" and Willy Wonka from "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory". During the school year you will find him singing with Kidstuf. He will begin at the Performing Arts Academy in the Fall. His favorite thing so far this summer has been a trip to New York City and Cape Cod with his family and grandparents and he also loved church camp.

Evan Weatherly (Baby Spider, Townsperson)

Evan will start the first grade this year at Galesburg Christian School. He was recently seen as Little Boy Blue and The Big Bad Wolf in his school's K5 graduation ceremony. He also sings with Kidstuf. Even though Evan enjoys acting (mostly doing what his big brother is doing), his true passion is Art. You can catch Evan creating a masterpiece almost everyday. He has been enjoying "Arting" (what he likes to call it) school over the last few months. He also enjoys swimming at Pastor Ron's pool where he has just perfected a hand stand. Evan's favorite things this summer have been family vacation to New York City and Cape Cod and Mommy Camp.

Patty Cake

2008-07-31T20:41:00.005-05:00

Lydia's favorite thing to play right now with me is "Patty Cake". We must have played it at least forty times today. I love watching her little face when we sing together. She gets so tickled with herself. Lately at the end of the song she falls completely backwards out of my lap and does a back flip. Then she climbs into my lap again and says "gan mommy!" I started playing "Swing, Swing, Swing, on a summer's day" with her and she likes that one as well. I can't for the life of me remember any other clapping songs, so ladies help me. If you remember any please comment or mail me the lyrics. I'd appreciate it.

It's the Greek in me...

2008-07-26T14:55:00.003-05:00

As I've gotten older I have truly acquired a taste for Mediterranean food. The last few days my taste buds have been craving Spanakopita (Greek Spinach Pie). Since there are not a lot of Ethnic restaurants in Galesburg, it was up to me to try and make some. I wasn't sure it would turn out so good, but it actually turned out delicious. (that's actually it in pixs above) Surprised myself! By the way if you've ever seen "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" my family is the greeks and Glen's is the dry toast. Not sure either of those is a good thing, but we're stuck with each other. Good thing my dry toast likes spunk!

One of those Days...

2008-07-25T10:33:00.003-05:00

I had one of those days yesterday. You know the one I'm talking about. At the end of it you regret pretty much the whole day. I laid my head down last night and just wept. It had been a long and disappointing day and I just was ready for it to be over.

It started out well, with good intentions and full of possibilities. Glen had told me that he would watch the boys all afternoon so that Lydia and I could have some girl time. He had things that they could help with at the church to get ready for our Summer Theater production of "Charlotte's Web" we are doing next weekend. I was delighted to have some time to get a few things done and a few minutes where it was just a slight bit quieter around here. Don't get me wrong I love having all my children home during the summer, it has been a great summer so far, but the volume in our house gets a little bit overwhelming at times.

The only thing on my to-do list was getting Ethan to the Doctor to check his feet. He has been having some trouble with severe cracking and I was worried that he could get an infection. So I called at 8 am to make an appointment, but to my dismay the only time they could fit him in was 2:15 in the afternoon. That was right smack dab in the middle of my afternoon away. I figured I could get him to the doctor and still have a couple hours afterwards before the fam came home and Glen said we could grab some dinner so I was relieved of kitchen duty and thought it was still doable.

Well once lunch was over it was nap time for Lydia. She couldn't disagree more. It was a battle and around 1:30 I knew it she had won. We arrived at the doctors office right at 2pm and didn't get called back to a room until 2:45pm. Lydia had hit the fence by this time and was terribly tired and uncooperative. We got into the room and she wanted to touch everything. (Two year olds are God's way of showing our own stubbornness towards Him.) I tried to get her to lay in my arms several times, but to no avail. Keith came in around 3:10 and we finally left around 3:35pm. By the time we got to the car, I was exhausted from just dealing with her and realized there was no way we could go out. Disappointment and frustration had set in.

When dinner time came around, I was crazed. I was snappy and grumpy and down right pitiful. I had let the day get to me and I was no fun to be around. The more I spoke the more I regretted. I was glad when the day was over because I couldn't be a terrible mother, wife, sister or friend anymore.

As I laid in bed last night, trying to forgive myself for the ugliness I had inflicted on everyone a song stirred up inside of me. "Refiner's Fire". The lyrics go like this...

Purify my heart

Let me be as gold and precious silver

Purify my heart

Let me as gold, pure gold

Refiner's fire, my heart's one desire

is to be holy

Set apart for You, Lord

I choose to be holy

Set apart for You, my Master

Ready to do Your will

Purify my heart

Cleanse me from within and make me holy

Purify my heart

Cleanse me from my sin, deep within

The statement that stuck out was the "choosing" part. Yesterday I felt like I was on a rollercoaster ride that I couldn't control. Once I chose to get off, I was able to refocus. Regrettably, but off none the less. I want to choose holiness, but often times I don't choose right. My prayer today is that I will choose instead of randomly acting out. I am thankful that His mercies are new every morning and that I have a husband and children that give mercy as well.

Jaron's Golden Birthday Ticket

2008-07-23T08:34:00.002-05:00

Jaron's Birthday Surprise!

2008-07-22T18:58:00.007-05:00

We got Jaron tickets to the stage production of Willy Wonka in Chicago for his birthday. I thought it would be fun to wrap his gift (golden ticket) in a candy bar. Turned out cute.

Happy Birthday Jaron

2008-07-22T10:01:00.004-05:00

Happy 9th Birthday to my favorite Jaron in the whole wide world!

Fishin' with Friends

2008-07-17T19:56:00.002-05:00

An Afternoon at the Pond with Friends

2008-07-17T19:08:00.002-05:00

Today we went fishing with Steve and Seth Peachey. We went to a little pond by their house and fished off of a little bridge. I went with the anticipation of running after Lydia the entire time, but to my surprise she was relaxed and really wanted to fish.

We were there for about an hour and a half and Lydia and I only caught one fish. Ethan caught three, Seth caught three and Evan caught SIXTEEN. No that isn't a typo. He would drop his line and catch within a couple of minutes time. It was ridiculous. Steve and I were laughing around 7 and 8, seeing as Lydia and I hadn't caught one yet.

It is in his blood. He has a long line of fishing lovers in the Haralambou/Ardine family. Evan absolutely loved it. I decided that the fish knew I was on the other end of the line and refused to bite. I remember too many "family days" that consisted of fishing and crabbing growing up. Before Daniel was born I would sit on the beach/shore/bridge/pier and read magazines and bask in the sun, after he was born I was the babysitter. I just didn't get into the whole fishing thing. Funny thing is, Daniel doesn't care for it either. Just the two of us, because the rest of my family loves it. Nick is borderline obsessed with it.

So now I've got a fisherman in my own family. Good thing is I truly enjoyed watching them fish. I got a kick out of Evan pulling them in. I laughed at Ethan because, like me he was content to do anything else...and Lydia she touched all sixteen of those fish and threw a few back herself. The boys didn't want to touch the fish or the worms, Lydia on the other hand couldn't keep her hands off them.

It was a great fishing day! Thanks Steve and Seth

Don't know what I want to be when my kids grow up?

2008-07-15T22:44:00.004-05:00

Mommy Camp

Jaron and Glen are at Kids Camp this week, so the rest of the kiddos are calling this week at home "Mommy Camp". Knowing that they expected fun, I enlisted one of the Peachey kids (Seth to be exact) to be a camp counselor. Yesterday we went to Peoria in search of a birthday present for Jaron, a few errands and a trip to Chuck E. Cheese. Seth was amazing with the kids and such a great help to me. It went splendidly. We had a fantastic time.

Today we went to the Peachey's house where Seth had set up a mini kiddie camp for the boys that consisted of a slip & slide and water balloon fight. Evan and Ethan were thrilled when they jumped out of the van and saw the yard set up for fun. Our friend Gail gave them a picnic lunch under a shaded tree. Lydia stayed and enjoyed the fun as well while I ran a few errands.

When I got back the kids were in the pool, so I sat and put my feet in. Gail and I chit-chatted while everyone was swimming and during our conversation she asked me where I saw myself in a couple years. I have to admit the question hit hard. Last semester I went to a guidance counselor at the local college to get information on Sonography (Ultrasound), but disappointed about the hardship of getting into the program I back down from the idea.

The boys want me to work in their school cafeteria when Lydia gets into school, but at home that is my least liked job (cleaning the kitchen). Glen wants me to be more involved in ministry and just do whatever (which would end up being 40 hours a week just scrapbooking to catch up). My own father has an opinion as well, he believes I'd be bored at home and should do something. I just don't have a clue.

I thought about being a breastfeeding consultant, but there isn't a high demand for one in these parts. I also thought about being a Duola, but I would need to live in Chicago to get anyone to pay me to do that. So I'm left with not knowing what I want to be when my kids grow up. I know I want to be home when they are home. I know I don't want to be tied down to something that might prohibit my schedule from doing ministry. My major was Art with a concentration in photography (a hobby major - a friend recently told me) 15 years ago. Now everything is digital...yikes I just don't know.

I guess I'll just take it one day at a time and see where the Lord leads me. Tomorrow we're headed out to lunch with friends and then to the Children's Museum. I'm enjoying "Mommy Camp" and I think I'll just keep doing that for as long as I can.

By the way, I have to mention again how terrific Seth Peachey is...He has taken the time to make "Mommy Camp" a lot of fun and his enthusiasm is contagious. Thanks for all your help Seth!!

Cape Cod

2008-07-07T13:14:00.001-05:00

NYC

2008-07-05T21:15:00.001-05:00

We're Back!!

2008-07-05T20:02:00.004-05:00

We are finally back home in good ol' Galesburg, Illinois. We left Boston on Tuesday and took our time just enjoying the scenery and Children's Museums along the way. I took over 500 hundred pictures, so I am trying to narrow down what I will actually post. I didn't want to bore anyone with one of those horrific "Our Family Vacation" slideshows with tacky music - you know the one's I'm talking about, you'd go to one of your parent's friends house for dinner and sit and watch a thousand pictures of people you hardly knew. Anyway, I thought I'd spare you the pain.

Glen and I only have one regret from our entire trip...yesterday...we had the bright idea of going to a waterpark with the kids as a last hoo-haa before we arrived home. It was an overcast day and pretty chilly, but the kids were stoked about it so we decided to go. By the time we left, he and I were rock lobster red. We spent a whole week at the beach and didn't get any degree of burn, but take us to a concrete slab and now you could fry an egg on us. The kids were spared of any cancerous, careless, fire-hot broiling, but Glen and I were idiots. We are so mad at ourselves and completely embarrassed. We kept calling ourselves idiots while we spread the aloe-vera all over. At one point, I started to blame him, saying I wanted to leave earlier, but all he could do was laugh at me, because I have raccoon eyes. (Side note - my girlfriend Melodie is always on my case about not wearing sunglasses, so I've been wearing them more and apparently they worked.) We got into such a giggling frenzy that my skin was hurting from the laughing. We were quite a sight.

Other than that we had an absolutely wonderful time with my parents and having special family time. If you get the opportunity to spend quality time with your parents, husband and kids this summer, do it. It is priceless.

On the road again...

2008-07-02T11:16:00.004-05:00

Well we began our journey home yesterday from Cape Cod. We spent five completely relaxing and glorious days at my Aunt Joann's vacation home at the ocean. We had a wonderful time with my parents and spent most of our days reading good books, napping with the ocean breeze and spending the early evenings at the beach. We actually frolicked in the ocean and mozeed here and there.

After two jammed packed adventurous days in New York City, it was nice to just enjoy the simplicity and beauty that surrounded us at the Cape. We truly enjoyed each moment and kept commenting on how this was exactly what we needed. We went to a children's museum in Maspee, looked at the Mayflower II from afar (they wanted $10 to tour it). We ate Lobster and New England Clam Chowder. We went to Hyannis and walked around the quaint town. We even went to a church on Sunday that I picked out from the newspaper and after the service we found out it was a Nazarene church. The name didn't give it away, but the people did. It was a newer church plant and it was neat to see God at work in a different part of the country.

Mom and dad left Monday morning, so we spent the day relaxing and picking rocks off the beach to bring home as souvenirs. Then we went to Red Robin for dinner. One of our favorite places just happen to be in the same area of town.

Yesterday we ventured off to Boston and went to the Boston Children's Museum. It was one of the best we've gone to so far. The kids had a fantastic time. Then we went to the U.S.S. Constitution, the oldest commissioned battle ship still around. The boys enjoyed looking around and looking at the sailors in their "costumes"(uniforms). After a full day, we started our journey home. We stopped in a town called Fishkill, NY which is smack dab in the middle of the mountains. It is a beautiful sight to see. Whenever you think of New York, you always think of the city, but we have gotten to see some pretty country. We went to a cool family rec center this morning and are heading to another children's museum this afternoon. I tell ya that Annual Family Museum pass from the ACM is well worth it.

So there's a quick update. We didn't get WiFi at the cape so this is the first opportunity I've had to blog. I plan on putting up a slideshow of all our adventures once we get home. We should hit home on the 4th or 5th.

New York, New York

2008-06-24T23:57:00.003-05:00

We'll we spent our first day in the city today. We got up early and took a bus from New Jersey over to New York and then rode the subway (for the experience of it all) to 81st street and landed right at the American Museum of Natural History. We spent all morning there and around 1:30pm we left and had New York Style Pizza. Afterwards we went to Toy's R Us to look around while Glen found us some last minute tickets for Broadway. By the time we all met up again, we were feeling a little tired, so we jumped on a city bus and took a tour of the city. We went through Greenwich village, Ground Zero and Battary Park. We got off the bus and caught a glipse of the river and the Statue of Liberty (where we are headed tomorrow). After the nice bus ride we sent mom, dad and the kids back to the hotel and Glen and I saw the new hit Disney show Mary Poppins on Broadway. It was fantastic and we truly enjoyed ourselves. We had really wanted to see Wicked, but they were sold out for a month. Lion King was our second choice, but they were sold out for the evening as well. But it was well worth it, Disney + Broadway = wonderful and delightful.

While we were on our adventure we decided that most families probably wouldn't find it enjoyable to take four young children into New York City. But I have to tell you that the kids were so much fun and they did a great job. They loved seeing everything at the museum and they just kept a good attitude the entire day until they closed their little droopy eyes. They all said thank you one time or the other and it was a good day, definitely one for the memory books.

Like I said earlier, we are headed for the Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island Cruise tomorrow which we plan to take on the New Jersey side and then we'll spend the rest of the afternoon in Central Park before we head up to Cape Cod.

I am trying to put pixs up, but between Glen's non-apple laptop and this slow hotel internet service I am finding it difficult. I will keep trying, we got some great shots. Hope you guys are enjoying your families and finding ways to relax.

New York, here we come!!!

2008-06-21T18:05:00.003-05:00

We are headed on our family vacation tomorrow after church. All of our company has left except my mom and she will be coming with us to Cape Cod.

We are stopping in New York City for a couple of days. My dad is meeting us there and we are planning to visit the American Museum of Natural History, The Children's Museum of Manhattan, Central Park, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Glen and I would like to take in a show for our anniversary, but we'll just have to see. We're not sure if we'll hit everything, but we are going to try. I'll try to keep you posted.

Then we will all head to Plymouth, Massachusetts (Cape Cod) for a week of fun at the beach. My Aunt Joann and Uncle Larry have a house by the water. We are looking forward to hanging out with Grandma and Grandpa.

It should be lots of fun.

Soul Survivor 08'

2008-06-16T09:52:00.001-05:00

Soul Survivor 2008 MISSION POSSIBLE

2008-06-16T09:15:00.002-05:00

Every year for the past seven years Glen and I have put on a summer camp for our church and community youth. It has been very loosely based off the Reality show Survivor, but no one gets voted off the island. The kids are put through physical and mental challenges. They have to survive the elements of nature, which this year included a very severe thunderstorm at 2 am. They attend bible counsel and workshops each day.

This years theme was MISSION POSSIBLE. We emphasized the fact that God has a mission for each of them and it is possible to accomplish with Christ in the center of your life. The campers or secret agents were challenged to:

Outdream - "For I know the plans I have for you", says the Lord. "They are plans for your good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope". Jeremiah 29:11)

Outlead - Don't lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your good example. 1 Peter 5:3

Outshine - In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16

We had a fantastic time and Christ was ever present in each testimony and sharing time. There was a flood of teens that came to the alter to accept the mission God has for them.

We are completely exhausted now and it will take a few days to get things back to normal. But I am already excited to see what will be in store for next year.

Here we go again

2008-06-10T22:16:00.002-05:00

I had to post this picture because it keeps getting funnier and funnier. Glen has joined the gang and there was a symphony of snoring going on when I went up to bed tonight. The funny thing was that Glen was just going to lay down with the kids tonight and maybe take a little nap. Two hours later I tried to wake him up, but to no avail. So I guess I'll try one more time.

ALL ABOARD!!!

2008-06-09T11:47:00.007-05:00

A week or so ago I called a friend of ours who works for the railroad to see if we might be able to get a tour of the train yard when the Cartwrights come to visit. Their son Steven absolutely loves trains and I thought it would be a nice surprise. To my dismay, they don't give tours anymore but said sometimes they give free train rides. He called back a few days later and said we could go on the 2008 BNSF Special on Monday, unfortunately our friends weren't coming until Tuesday. We decided to take the tickets anyway and surprise the kids. So at 8am this morning we got in the car and took them over to the train. We all had a great time. About every 30 minutes people would come through with prizes and snacks. Halfway through the ride Glen and the boys went exploring some of the other passenger cars. They were all different. Mom, Lydia and I ended up joining them a little later on. It was a 2 1/2 hour ride. It was a lot of fun. Thank you Andy for the tickets!

A sure sign of summer

2008-06-07T15:54:00.002-05:00

You can tell by the infrequent amount of blogs the last couple of weeks that I am getting into the busyness of summer. Next week is Soul Survivor, our big camp we put on each year for the youth. Plus with the kids home from school there is little time to sit and think, much less write anything intelligent or interesting.

I've been preparing for company all week. My mom and brother, Daniel are coming tonight for Soul Survivor. Early next week, my best girlfriend and her family (including mom and dad) are coming also. I'm very excited to be spending some special time with them all. I'll try to keep you posted on our happenings.

Hope everyone is enjoying their summer so far. Remember to stop and smell the roses, take in some sun and laugh a lot...I plan to.

Repeat

2008-06-02T10:10:00.000-05:00

We had a repeat of the other night last night, this was the scene before we scooted them all off to there own beds. Notice Ethan's legs on Evan and Evan's Leg on Lydia. Too Funny!!!

Tav's Picks

2008-05-30T11:30:00.006-05:00

At Daniel's Open House I met a very interesting couple. They happen to be one of Daniel's bestfriend's parents. We talked for a very long time about faith, family and friends. It was an engaging conversation that could have lasted long into the evening. During our conversation we talked about books that have really opened our minds in the spiritual sense. I talked about how I truly love every single one of Donald Miller's books. I especially like "Blue Like Jazz". I just think it is healthy to investigate different ways of looking at our relationship with Christ. They talked about how they loved the book called "The Shack" by William P. Young. They said that when they were finished reading it they went out and bought a stack of them to give to their friends. It sounded intriguing, so the next day my sister, Crystal and I set out for Borders and each picked one up.

That night I had to share a bed with Crystal, something I haven't done since we were young. Before going to sleep she opened up the book and read the Forward outloud. I was hooked. I read most of the book while traveling home on Tuesday. At the airport, on the plane, in the restaurant, at the gate, on the plane again...I just couldn't put it down. I continued reading on Wednesday during Lydia's nap time and since then haven't had the opportunity to finish the last 20 pages. I will probably try to devour the last few savory words tonight. I kinda don't want to finish it because there is a little bit of a let down when you get to the end of a great book, you just don't want leave the experience, maybe that's why I have let it linger for a day or so. I have already decided to read it again when we go on vacation. The author truly has a way with words and he challenges you to look at things with a new perspective. I hope if you have some free time this summer you will find the time to give this book a chance.

What are you reading? I am always looking for something fresh and inviting to read. Let me know.

Glen informed me this afternoon, that Bobby Downes, one of the producers from the movie Glen helped with; gave him a copy of this book before we left Florida from our sabbatical. So we actually have two copies of this book. Apparently Bobby had several copies he was handing out. If you go on christiancinema.com it is actually one of only a few books they are selling on their site. I told you it was good. Anyone wanting to read it, we have an extra copy.

Sweet Dreams little ones

2008-05-29T08:21:00.002-05:00

Last night it was too hot in the boys room which happens to be in the attic, so I had Jaron turn on their air up there and told them all to jump in our bed until it cooled off. They asked if they could read, which they always do and I said yes. About 15 minutes after I tucked them in and Lydia into her own bed, Lydia decided to join them. This was the scene when we turned in for the night. Buddy of course had to join them once Lydia did, there was no way in the world he would be left in her room or any room for that matter; alone! We dispersed them back into each of their beds and went to bed as well.

Daniel's Graduation

2008-05-28T16:41:00.004-05:00

I just got home from going to see my baby brother graduate from high school. I had a wonderful time being with my family. It was fun to watch Daniel at Graduation, but still managed to shed a few tears. Sitting between my other brother Nick and sister Crystal didn't help matters because they were making fun of me for crying. It was actually a wide array (that was for Crystal and Dad) of emotions this weekend. We all laughed our heads off as Daniel paraded around in a borrowed hot pink unitard with a big ruffle that he wanted to wear under his cap and gown. We laughed even harder when my father went yelling after him outside our house to get his butt back inside.(By the way, my parents threatened him within an inch of his life if he actually wore the thing.) I almost peed my pants when Daniel fell down the steps after receiving his diploma, everyone else in the audience gasped. Needless to say, he got $100 for the stunt from his friend who dared him to do it. As my Dad put it several times..."It was a good day!"

LISTS!

2008-05-20T07:07:00.009-05:00

When I was young my father would tape papers (even paperplates?) to the back of the front door with things to do (there is probably one taped to the door right now). I would laugh at him because I couldn't understand why he couldn't remember the simplest things...take out the trash, pick Tavia up from band practice, mail electric bill, Crystal's play 7pm.

Four children later, I rely on lists more than ever. I'm convinced that I have lost more brain cells with each pregnancy and delivery, so what was my dad's excuse? Did he have sympathy forgetfulness? I recently found out that there is a diagnosis for my absent-mindedness, its called momnesia. But I haven't rationalized that I have that "disease" just yet, or maybe I just forget that I have it like I seem to forget other things.

Recently I made a list of the things I needed at the store. I was pleased that I had written the list before I left the house because I was able to truly think and visualize what I needed. Usually I sit in the store parking lot and rack my brain over what I need to get. I loaded Lydia into the car, started the engine, backed out of the drive way and headed to the store, only to get half way there and realizing that I had conveniently left the list on the bar in the kitchen.

I have several lists going at the moment. I am heading to Florida tomorrow for my brother Daniel's high school graduation, so I have a list of all the things I need to pack. I'm going by myself for the first time, so I have several lists of things I need to do before I leave and lists for Glen while I'm gone. Lists of food to buy, a meal schedule and lists of things that need to be done. What about you, do you make lists and if so; do they seem to help? At the moment all they seem to be doing is overwhelming me, that's why I'm sitting here writing instead of marking off the things I need to accomplish on my lists.

"You will achieve grand dream, a day at a time, so set goals for each day / not long and difficult projects, but chores that will take you, step by step, toward your rainbow. Write them down, if you must, but limit your LIST so that you won't have to drag today's undone matters into tomorrow. Remember that you cannot build your pyramid in twenty-four hours. Be patient. Never allow your day to become so cluttered that you neglect your most important goal / to do the best you can, enjoy this day, and rest satisfied with what you have accomplished." - Og Mandino

Congratulations Graduates!

2008-05-18T15:30:00.006-05:00

Today was Graduation Sunday at Church. This is always a special time for Glen and I as we get to honor our high school seniors. Glen usually teaches and we always have a slideshow. This year we had our biggest graduation class ever, ten students. It was also a special year because this is the first graduating class that we have been their pastors their entire middle school and high school experience, so needless to say it will be hard to say goodbye. It is a bittersweet time. We have gotten to know some of them really well and grown to love them. We are so excited to see where God will take them and how He will use them, but it will also be hard not to see them on a weekly basis. We know that God allows us to have them for a season, but its hard to let them go. I figure its a small taste of how it will be with my own children. I love some of them like they were my own and I have felt honored that God has used me in their lives. They are very special young adults and I know with God in the forefront of their lives they will do amazing things.

Congratulations Brent, Sarah, Kristi, Tabitha, Tyler, Isaiah, Brianna, Keira, Holly and Ana Kate.

Ethan says goodbye to Mrs. Nutzhorn

2008-05-16T22:12:00.002-05:00

Not to steal Evan's thunder, but Ethan said goodbye to his K4 teacher tonight and it was too cute. I asked him to stand by her to take a picture and he automatically put rabbit ears behind his own head. We just laughed and then I proceeded to tell him that he should take a nice picture first and then we would get a goofy one, this is what we ended up with...

Evan's K5 Graduation

2008-05-16T21:51:00.009-05:00

Tonight was Evan's Kindergarten Graduation. He has been looking forward to this evening for weeks. He was able to recite several bible passages, read aloud, sing songs and do math problems on stage with his classmates. They also did a play called "Little Red Riding Hood has a Secret," where he played Little Boy Blue. The little boy who was supposed to play the big bad wolf refused to on stage so Evan jumped into the costume and played the wolf as well. He did a great job. He is standing with his teacher, Mrs. Boyd. Jaron had her three years ago and Ethan will have her next year. We love her so very much. Below the boys are enjoying themselves at the reception. They really look so grown up, I can hardly believe it. Dad just yesterday reminded me again not to blink. I'm really trying hard not to.

HAPPY GRADUATION EVAN!!! WE LOVE YOU AND ARE SO PROUD OF YOU!!!

CELEBRATE LIFE...

2008-05-10T20:05:00.007-05:00

So we just spent the last three days at Olivet Nazarene University for our churches regional Celebrate Life. It's a yearly event where our teens go to compete in sports, music, art and drama. We always have a great time, this year was no exception. Glen and I enjoy the opportunity and privilege to spend time with some of our favorite people. We always learn from them and have a lot of fun. I have to say that we always come home more exhausted then each of the previous years, we must be getting old. I spent an hour or so watching hundreds of teenagers walking through campus today and speaking of old, I've gotta tell you I was having flashbacks. I saw kids with t-shirts that had big words on the front - kinda like the ones we wore in the 80s that said stuff like "RELAX." I also saw mullets and big hair, they're making some sort of comeback I suppose. I thought I was watching the Wedding Singer or something because several girls had that Rock n' Roll big hair.

The other thing that was making me feel old was that I was finding the mommy mode kicking in when I saw sagging pants on girls no less and girls skin tight jeans on boys. I have forbidden any girls in my youth group to date boys that wear girls jeans. It's just sick, sick I tell you.

I must end tonight's blog with a shout out to some wonderful people that helped make the weekend possible and that would be Jay and Janeen Harding, Carol and Jeff Barbee, and John and Rhonda Flack. They took care of our children while we spent time with other people's children. Thank you for everything you do to make our family feel valued and special. You guys are the best.

Evan got to come Friday and Saturday and spend some fun time with Glen and I by himself. You'll have to check out his thoughts on "the funny things my kids say" to see what he thought about the campus cafeteria, cracked us up.

Hard to Believe its been Thirteen Years...

2008-05-07T17:34:00.008-05:00

Seems like it was just yesterday that I fell in love with Glen, then I look at our wedding album and then look in the mirror and realize it wasn't. I'm glad it wasn't yesterday because 13 years and four kids later I love him more now than I ever have. It is pretty funny how we've changed over the years. We even laugh about how our love song has changed. Danced our first dance to "I swear" and now we dance around our house to "Everything." Linger awhile and you can hear how we have evolved.

Honey (H3), Happy Anniversary! I love you - you are the one my soul loves.

Happy Birthday Ethan!!

2008-05-05T11:44:00.002-05:00

Yesterday Ethan turned five years old. He has been pretty excited about the whole prospect of being five and we have been reminding him daily for the last couple of weeks that he only had so many days left of being four. On Saturday night Jaron told him that he only had a few hours left of being four and Ethan simply said, "well then I better enjoy them."

Above he is looking very serious about the boat that Papa and Gramma picked out for him. He was thrilled even though you can't tell by his facial expression. He keeps asking when we can go try it out, but we haven't had a chance yet.
Above is the basketball hoop cookies I made for his Sunday School class and K4 class luncheon party. They are sugar cookies with white icing on half to look like a backboard. There is a mini cupcake for the hoop and a chocolate basketball. I thought they came out pretty cute. I made the icing and orange decorating gel myself. Ethan got a real kick out of them.

Some Days you just never forget...

2008-05-02T07:58:00.016-05:00

There are some days I will never forget, like the day I met Glen. I can still remember what he was wearing and what he was doing. I clearly remember the days I brought each of my children into the world, not because of childbirth; but because of the feeling I had when they were first placed into my arms.

There are days I wish I could forget, like the day I got into my car accident or the night I told my family I was moving 1100 miles away.

I guess being the oldest in my family I also have very fond memories of my siblings. I remember sitting on the hospital bed with my parents and naming my sister. I remember the day I found out my parents were pregnant with my brother Daniel...not one of my proudest moments. I was 16 and of course I was only concerned about how it was going to effect my life. But then I remember meeting him and falling instantly in love with him. He was the third boy I had loved in my life. My daddy had come first and then there was Nicholas Aaron.

My mom had previously had two miscarriages before she got pregnant with Nick. I was young and didn't totally understand but was old enough to feel a loss. Not until I went through my own miscarriage did I completely understand what my parents must of went through. Needless to say, when my parents got pregnant with Nick we were thrilled and a little nervous. It was the first time I learned about praying over children in the womb; a tradition I carried on with all of my children. My parents prayed over Nick and called him an "overcomer," a name he has lived out his entire life.

I remember the day Nick was born like all the other days that are engraved on my heart. We were getting ready to take a walk down by a park near the hospital to help my mom's contractions get stronger. She went to the bathroom before we left and the next thing we knew an ambulance was coming to get her. The umbilical cord had come out and Nick was in distress. They rushed her to the hospital and my mom had an emergency c-section. They were so quick to save Nicholas, that when they cut my mom open they also cut the bottom of Nick's baby foot. The cord was around his neck and if my mother hadn't responded as only a mother would have known to, he would have died before they had gotten to the hospital.

I can still place myself at the nursery window with Ann Herndon holding my hand. I remember the nurses holding him up so I could see my baby brother. I remember how my prayers and the prayers of so many were answered. The second boy in my life to love was healthy and whole.

Since then I have my very own boys to love, four to be exact. I catch glimpses of Nick in my three boys. A look from across the room or sounds of fire engines and sword fighting. Un Nic, what Lydia calls him; resonates through our home on a regular basis.

So HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Nick. Thank you for being one of the treasured days of my life. I love you.

A time to retreat...

2008-04-24T19:23:00.017-05:00

Every spring our church sends Pastor Ron & Cinda and Glen & I on a pastor's retreat. We have been to Branson, Missouri and to Amana Colonies, an Amish area of Iowa in recent years but this year we went to the Blue Harbor Resort in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. In years past we have taken the kids, taken the kids with a babysitter or gone alone. This year we took the kids with us and had a great time.

We had a wonderful room with a beautiful view of Lake Michigan. We got to spend two wonderful days at Breaker Bay, an indoor waterpark that is at the resort.

We spent time walking by the Lake enjoying each other and taking in the view.

We went to breakfast each morning at a restaurant that when you were sitting at the table it felt like you were under the sea.

The kids enjoyed milk and cookies on the grand stairs as they listened to a bedtime story.

We even got to go to two children's museums: one in Sheboygan and one in Milwaukee.

And last but not least, we got to retreat.

The kids had a great time, we all had a great time. We are continually grateful to our church for everything they provide to us. They truly take care of us and love us on a consistent basis. So any of you reading from our church family, THANK YOU!

Our house was a rockin' last night...

2008-04-18T12:29:00.009-05:00

"The wind began to switch - the house to pitch, and suddenly the hinges started to unhitch." Oh, wrong story.

Early this morning around, 4:37 am to be exact, I woke up to our dresser, bed and ENTIRE HOUSE shaking. I thought briefly in my half asleep stupor that I was dreaming and then I thought we might be having a tornado, so I laid real still, but didn't hear the sirens or any wind, then all of a sudden I heard..."Are you awake?" I said yes, and Glen said, "Do you feel that?" and I said "Yes!" He said "I think its an earthquake."

A little side note here to say that Glen has been through a couple earthquakes when he lived in California. He even went through the "big one" that brought down the freeways. Needless to say I believed his instinct.

I also feel the need to tell those of you who have never been to our house that it consists of four levels. The boys share the attic that we converted into their room so Glen went up and got them so we could all be together. I grabbed Lydia and we all went down to the ground level of the house. Since I was in a nightgown, I decided it might be a good thing to put on some pants in case we ended up outside. I didn't know what to expect, but as I went down the basement stairs I was praying that there wouldn't be anymore shaking while I was away from my family.

We all cuddled in the living room. The shaking had stopped by then, so we just sat in there for a bit. Glen and I investigated a little to make sure it wasn't a tornado or something else bizarre. I thought for a brief second that maybe it was the rapture, but then talked myself out of that one. So we sat in the dark for a few minutes when Lydia popped up and turned on the television. Just as she did the news anchors verified Glen's suspicions and said that we had a 5.2 earthquake.

I have heard that there was an aftershock and in the car today it did seem like the ground was shaking again, but I wasn't quite sure. If you look at the map above we are located Northwest of Springfield. They are saying that from Michigan to Atlanta, Georgia you could feel the quake. So, Jenette, if you are reading this, did you feel the earth move?

All I have to say is that I never thought I would experience an earthquake, but you just never know; do you? I mean there is regular shaking going on in our house, from the kids running through the house, or just dancing around having fun, to the bedroom rockin (ha)...all very joyful types of shaking. I have never felt anything like that before, it was eerie.

Special Reports - Galesburg, IL - The Register-Mail

Mommy and Lydia having fun

2008-04-15T10:52:00.004-05:00

My first attempt at french braiding Lydia's hair

Open House at Galesburg Christian School

2008-04-15T09:09:00.004-05:00

Jaron had to make a habitat for open house. He chose an Octopus and wanted it to look like you were looking underwater. This is what we ended up with. Note the pirate ship sailing across the sea. He also had a notebook full of original works by Jaron P. Weatherly. The page you see is a paper on how to "Put on a Play." Wonder where he got that crazy idea?

2008-04-15T09:01:00.005-05:00

Evan loves "Arting" and he was able to help do a self-portrait for open house. He also did a recipe book with his class where he explains how mommy makes "Salami Sandwiches" and "Macaroni and Cheese." I wonder why he didn't include my favorite recipes from Cooking Light like "Parmesan Chicken with long grain rice" or "Mediterranean shrimp and Angel Hair."

2008-04-15T08:55:00.002-05:00

This is Ethan reading during open house for our school last Thursday night. He is in the K4 class and is doing quite well. His teacher said that the home school experience that he had during sabbatical really helped me to excel this last semester. It is quite an amazing thing to listen to your four year old read. My prayer is that all my children acquire a love for reading.

Is that a rock in your ear or are you just hard of hearing?

2008-04-09T19:58:00.007-05:00

We do our weekly paper route on Wednes-

days after

school. Today we had a little bit of a detour because we were going to visit some apartments to take pictures to send to the new pastor and his wife that are coming to join us in ministry in the next couple of months (breathe) so that they can make a decision on where they would like to live. We were half way there when Ethan said "Mom, I have a rock in my ear." I was wrapped up in talking with Glen when Ethan repeated, "Mom, I have a rock in my ear." This time I took notice and said, "What did you just say?" (maybe I had something in my ear?) "Mom, I have a rock in my ear." I proceeded to ask him how it got there and the story went a little bit like this..."I was at school, laying on my mat during rest time and there was a rock on the floor. I picked it up and stuck it in my ear." "Ethan!! undo your seat belt and come up here so daddy can look in your ear." Half believing what he said..."Yep, there's a rock in there alright," Glen said.

Thankfully our doctor is a good friend and Glen called him and asked if he was still in his office. We raced over and Glen and Ethan went in to see him. Fourty-five minutes later, Glen and Ethan emerged from the doctor's office with a plate full of brownies and a tiny pebble for the scrapbook.

Have you ever made a wrong decision?

2008-04-09T10:19:00.004-05:00

Last year at Christmas, Glen and I experienced temporary insanity and got Ethan a puppy. We thought we could handle four children and two dogs, but when we told people they just looked at us like we were nuts. Well since then we have traveled with Snickers to Florida twice and have tried very hard to make him a part of our family. He is sweet and very cute, but not conducive to our life right now.

The kids love him, but Glen and I have been cured of insanity and now just live in a state of chaos. So now we have decided to find him a loving home that isn't ours. Ethan is taking it pretty hard and I feel completely responsible for breaking his heart, but what can we do? I feel so terrible.

Please pray for our family. This is definitely not the end of the world, but it is something that is hard for his little heart to understand.

Osteoporosis and meeting Fergus in the milk aisle

2008-04-06T20:36:00.007-05:00

Tonight I had the distinct pleasure of spending time with some of my favorite people. I got to sit and chat and laugh from my toes with Isaiah, Keira, Caleb, Tai, Brody, Lanae and Seth. They are a few of the teens that come to our small group on Sunday nights. We usually spend the first hour at a fast food restaurant shooting the breeze and then the second hour doing a small group bible study. I'm not quite sure who enjoys the time more, me (or Glen, depending on who is with them) or the teens. No one is immune to the contagious laughter and fun.

I am consistently amazed by these young people. I feel honored to be a part of their lives. Two of them are seniors this year and will be graduating in just a month and a half. We were talking about how Glen and I have been their only youth pastors and I was telling them that we feel so blessed to have been a part of all of their middle and high school years. Keira asked me if I was going to cry on Graduation Sunday and I told her that I have already teared up thinking about how I would have to give them up to the glamourous life of College.

Every year it never fails that as I sit in the graduation service, tears well up and I can't fight them back. This year will be especially hard because this is our largest graduation class and like I said we have had six years with these kids. I can honestly say that I truly love them.

Isaiah is a young man that desires to know God more and please Him. Keira has talent in writing, art and photography that would knock your socks off. If we had the chance to grow up together - my guess would be that we would be great friends. Then there's Ana Kate, it was a little hard to get to know her in the beginning, but she has a compassion that inspires me. Brianna makes me laugh and Brent makes me laugh harder. They are such a great group of young people.

I know God has some incredible things for each of them to experience and I hope that in some small way, we have set the course for them to find out what those things are. I also hope that I can continue to cheer them on as they continue their journeys. I look forward in anticipation to see where God will take them ( I especially can't wait to meet Fergus ).

2008-04-04T17:20:00.003-05:00

Verda Mae Rice-Van Tassel

March 3, 1918 - March 25, 2008

Her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren will truly miss her, but know she is in heaven playing the piano and harmonica for her Savior and Grandpa Van Tassel. Before graduating to heaven Verda volunteered at several care facilities from her teenage years until 2 weeks before departing the earth. Glen's favorite things about his grandmother were her peanut brittle, bread sticks, the hand-made pajamas with tags that read "Made with Love by Grandma" and original stories she wrote and told him, his sister and cousins on their visits.

Someone alert Jenny Erstad!!!

2008-04-02T19:04:00.006-05:00

I just heard on the news today that "New Kids on the Block" are making a come back. As soon as the words transmitted from the television to my ears I found myself in Jenny Erstad's bedroom. When I was 16 I remember whenever I went to her house and sat in her room, I was just amazed how one person could fill up every white spot on her walls with memorabilia of those boys. She knew each one of them like they were her next door neighbors. She even had the action figures.

It also brought back a lot of memories of how growing up we weren't afraid of sharing our faith (hopefully that still holds true) with our friends. It seems like we were always bringing another one of our friends into our church family. Some remained on the outskirts, but a lot of them really became apart of our spiritual experience. I am continually grateful for our group and the growing up we did together.

So wherever you are today Jenny, I know you must be one happy girl to know that the boys are back in town.

2008-03-29T17:12:00.006-05:00

Happy Birthday Undee!!!! Uncle Daniel is 19 today. Lydia's endearing name for her uncle is Undee. It's a step up from Dedar(that's what each of the boys called him), but Daniel doesn't think so. All I have to say is...I had to put up with all my friends calling me "Tadia"(that's what Daniel called me when he was 2) all of Rock these Rafters and I say this is sweet sweet justice.

We love you UNDEE, Happy Birthday!!!

Quotes from the day...

2008-03-27T17:02:00.004-05:00

"Mom, You know you don't have to wear underwear when you go swimming, I'm not." (went swimming at the YMCA)

"Mom, Are we ready for sword-fighting school yet?"

"Stink bug!"

"For the love of Lucy!"

"I love you mommy"

"Cheese stick, cheese stick"

A Room Fit for a Princess

2008-03-26T09:24:00.002-05:00

When Lydia was born, we just put her in Ethan's old room and added pink. I didn't know what I wanted to do with her room, so I said that when she got older I would decide. Well two years later, I really wanted to makeover her room and decided for her birthday in January that I would. As soon as I took her crib down and everything off the walls, we decided to go on Sabbatical, so we left her room empty. When we got home, I started right away in fear it would sit like it was for another two years.

Painstakingly I removed the "Radio Flyer" border and began the painting process. Glen decided to pitch in after all the wall paper was down (thank you very much) and helped me paint. Then a wonderful craftsmen and friend, Steve Koss; took a photograph I had of the bed I wanted and made it a reality. It was exactly what I wanted and Lydia will have a beautiful piece of furniture to cherish for the rest of her life. We added the final touches to her room this morning...So 2 years, 2 months, 19 days, 7 hours and 43 minutes after our little princess arrived, she finally has a room to call her own.

2008-03-26T09:19:00.009-05:00

Lydia's Room Before:

Lydia's Room After:

Happy Easter!

2008-03-23T16:01:00.005-05:00

No matter how hard I try to get a nice family picture, I've just got a bunch of silly little monkeys that can't seem to cooperate at the same time. On top of that, even though it is officially spring; someone forgot to tell Galesburg and its snowing. Glen and I, and our silly monkeys hope you are having a wonderful Easter remembering everything that Christ has done for us.

2008-03-23T15:58:00.002-05:00

Family Night at Perkins

2008-03-19T08:18:00.006-05:00

The boys had fun getting their faces painted by a clown during Family Night at Perkins on Tuesday. They are so funny. After picking them up from school, Ethan asked me "When you get married are you a mom and dad? I said that no your not, but if God allows Children in your life then you are. He continued, "Jaron and Evan aren't getting married." There was a long silence and then Evan said very matter-of-factly, "We just haven't found the right one yet!"

I just laughed and laughed. They are my joy.

A Heart at Home

2008-03-13T09:15:00.009-05:00

The first year we lived in Illinois a friend at church invited me to a conference called "Hearts at Home". My motivation in going was more to get to know the women that went that weekend, but came home a renewed mother and wife. When I haven't had a newborn, I have tried to make it a priority each year and have tremendously enjoyed the fellowship and encouragement I receive about being a stay-at-home mom. The attendance is over 3000+ mothers. Some moms work outside the home that attend, but we all have hearts that are at home. There are lots of seminars that are beneficial like "Keep your ducks in a relative row" or "Nuturing your child's spirit". Then there are funny sounding ones like "Peanut Butter Motherhood" and "Chocolate kisses for couples" (I'm gonna end up a Reeses Butter Cup!). I always come away from the conference with a new sense of validation for the decision to stay in the home to take care of my family. I also enjoy the girl time with my friends and the laughter and banter that comes along with spending 24 hours with people you enjoy. So tomorrow we leave at 530 am, I'm not a morning person; but its definitely worth the lost hours of sleep.

Glen loves for me to go too, he says that he can tell it recharges me. He's right. There is something about the power of motherhood that resonates when all these women come together to say that God, their husbands and their children are their priorities. There are some very funny stories about being a mom and there are some very serious and often sad stories about being a mom. It's just very inspiring.

Sometimes being at home can be mundane and repetitive. You are always cleaning the same stuff and you don't always see the reward of your hard work. There are a lot of domestic aspects most moms would give up in a heartbeat. But then again you get paid with hugs and kisses and "peas" and "tank toos" and that is priceless. Every mom deserves a break and a recharge and this is one of mine. So can you tell I am really looking forward to the weekend. My whole family reaps the benefits of me having some time to feed my soul.

Jaron receives an answer to prayer.

2008-03-09T18:34:00.016-05:00

(To hear Jaron's Speech go down to music and hit pause button, then come back up and hit the play button!)

On Friday we went to Peoria Christian School for their Annual ACSI Regional Speech Meet. Jaron had won the speech meet at school in January and was representing Galesburg Christian School along with about 10 other students. He admitted to being a little nervous, but he did an outstanding job. Jaron got a Superior Rating and a blue ribbon for his efforts and we were just so proud of him. He is becoming such a outstanding young man.

During the closing ceremonies they picked one student from each school that they considered an exemplary student to recite their speech for the entire assembly. Jaron was picked and he got to go first. We were so excited. He walked up to the microphone and began his fable. I quickly grabbed my camera to record the milestone and tried not to shake as I teared up realizing how incredibly privileged and honored I am to be his mom. Again, he did a fantastic job. His dad, brothers and sister looking on in awe as he delivered a flawless speech.

As soon as he took his seat, he leaned over and whispered to me. "Mom, Mom, I prayed to God this morning and asked him to let me say my speech in front of everyone for Him, and he answered my prayer, he really answered my prayer!"

Jaron will never forget this day, not because he was diligent in studying and practicing his speech and not even because of God's grace to allow him to do so well, but because he will mark Friday, March 7, 2008 as the first day that he realized that God really answers prayer; his prayers. What an incredible gift!

Role Model for my Children

2008-03-05T12:09:00.003-06:00

Uncle Nick is a star in all my children's eyes. He is super cool, very sweet (ask Lydia), extremely funny and the best fisherman they've ever known (actually the only one they've ever known). I'm guessing these shots were taken as part of his job promotion (and no he's not what you're thinking), but he said I could post them. He works for an abstinence based program that goes into public schools in Florida, he's a tech man and a speaker. I'm guessing the second shot was for Charlotte (his wife) and fun, but we got a big laugh out of it and the boys think he looks like the incredible hulk.