Intruder

As I was casually preparing to put my weary body to bed a few nights ago, I stumbled upon something very bazaar. I walked into our bedroom, closed the blinds and proceeded to walk back to my closet, but something caught my eye as I passed our wee little half bathroom. I turned on the light to see what exactly the black lump on the edge our toilet seat could be. To my shock and dismay I stared at not a cockroach (as I was dreading), not a fierce spider, nor a cricket; but I delightfully looked upon a tree frog sitting upon our throne. I casually called for Don to come and see. He reported later that my voice gave it away that something was in that bathroom and by the stance I was taking outside the door, he knew it might move, but it was not the traditional "Ahhh, ERR, Cockroach" that normally escapes my mouth as I am shocked and then retaliate in anger that it scared me. This was a delightful surprise. The question still puzzles me . . . How did he get into our house?
We have been seeing these little guys around for the past few months - normally on the outside of our home! I first saw one on our bird feeder outside my kitchen window. Then, I saw a few hovering under the ridge in the siding. Once, I even had one ride to the grocery store with me. I had gone to the store, purchased a few items, brought them back to the car and opened the back door, and there he was, behind the door, snuggled up to the seal of the door. I carefully closed the door, put my groceries in the other door, and had Don place him in our flower bed when we returned home!
Does anyone have any ideas of how our friend "Freddy 'da Frog" got into our home?

Date Night

As a fun way to celebrate the harvest season, Don and I dedicated our date night to snazzing up our gourd! We attempted a new way of actually going to the internet and downloading a pattern to carve. It was much less complicated than we had originally thought. It also proved to be one of the best pumpkins either of us had ever carved! All we did was print out the copy of the pattern, tape it to the best side of the pumpkin, puncture dots all around the edges of the design, pull the paper off and carve! Don ingeniously put a nail through the bottom to hold the candle used to enlighten our art work! Wah lah! It is finished!

2006 Champs!

Take a look at the 2006 Conference Champions as well as the 2006 Tournament Champions!! We ended our season 10 - 0, finishing first in both the conference and tournament. The girls earned 2 trophies for our trophy case and 2 banners to hang in our gym!


We ended our season playing our rivals and beating them in four games. The first game we lost 15 - 25, then came back to take the next three games in a row: 25 - 21, 26 - 24, and 25 - 20.


Kristen and I had a great time being able to get to know these girls a little more and being able to encourage them in volleyball as well as their spiritual walk. On Friday, after our big victory to seal the undoubted season, Kristen and I discussed just how temporal this world is. Even after just a couple hours after our defeat, we were already feeling as if it was not really as big of a deal as we thought when we were in the midst of the battle. In comparison to eternity, it was just a silly volleyball game; however, it is so refreshing to think that even in this our God can be glorified. Our girls' prayer all season was that they would continue to have a great testimony win or lose. I am so thankful for this spirit and the maturity they demonstrated in keeping the sport in perspective. I truly believe that our God was glorified in these girls actions and attitudes in the ups and downs of the game.



This is our player who received several individual awards for her playing this season. We affectionately call her our "wham bammer". She led our team with 79 kills! (Volleyball Lingo for - Spikes that were unreturnable!) She was awarded "Player of the Year" and "MVP of the Tournament"!!

Again, Congratulations girls!! You made your coach proud!!

Undefeated Lady Lions!

The Lady Lion Volleyball team just wrapped up their regular season this past Thursday. We ended up being undefeated with a record of 8 - 0! The girls have worked extremely hard this season and I am so proud of them! I am thankful for these group of girls that desire to win for God's glory. We have come against some pretty tough opponants and each time we have come away the victors, these girls desire to thank their God for making it possible. This is what althetics is about - using our abilities to demonstrate Christ-likeness. It has been such a joy to coach them and I am anticipating this week when we enter the tournament for our conference! We are praying that God would give us the victory, but despite the outcome that our choice would be to use the win or loss for Him!

A Long Time Comin'

Twenty-Two looonnngggg years ago (when I was just a wee little five year old), the Detroit Tigers were a World Championship Baseball Team. But, for the past several years the memory has been severely overshadowed. That was until a three run shot in the bottom of the ninth inning placed the finishing touch on an Oakland sweep and put the good ole' city of DETROIT, MI right back into the 2006 World Series. Now, the Tigers have once again made all of us Michiganders feel like that little five-year-old that I remember. So, whether from near or far (Chesapeake, Va) we're cheering hard . . . "Let's Go 'D'etroit!!!"

The Neptune Festival

Get Your Own! | View Slideshow

We had the joy of spending a lovely evening with T.J. and Shannon Logsdon as we headed to the annual Neptune Festival. The festival commemorates the tourist giving our beach back! The celebration includes yummy food, live music, arts and crafts, amazing sandsculpting competition, volleyball/wrestling/surfing tournament, and fireworks. Last year, Don and I went with the Thomas' and attempted to see the sandsculpting and we walked for 25 blocks or so and still no sign of the castles. We ended up just sitting on the beach in time to watch the fireworks. Now, being experienced Neptune Festival goers, we asked around to see where the sculpters were. We found them with ease this year and were amazed at the artwork! We raced down the rest of the boardwalk to get some ice cream and to see the world record sandsculpture at 31st Street. Unfortunately, by the time we got there, it was too dark to get a great picture. However, we did get one in front of the sign!!

Church Family Campout

A couple weekends ago, our church family put together a weekend to go camping. The Wink's family did most of the planning and invited us to join them at a nearby Naval Base where they have a camping area for large groups. The site contained our own bath house, pavilion, grills, pond, beautiful view of the river, hiking trails, and firing squad!! Yes, I said Firing Squad. Since we were on a military base, there was a training exercise right next our camp site. They were so close we could hear the commanding officer giving their orders! Don was able to take that weekend off, but as you can tell by the photo, his schooling still called. Actually, Don was really good about balancing his time of playing and school. It was a great time to get to know one another more and learn some new family games! Thanks again Winks Family!

Labor Day Picnic

Labor Day weekend Don and I invited a few couples over for a picnic, play, and party before the actual semester got underway. We had the typical hot dogs and all the fixings. Don was eager to try out his new backyard game - Lawn Golf - built by Handiman Don. The guys had a lot of fun with it. We also had a couples Bocce Ball Tournament, made more difficult by our VERY uneven backyard. Godiva had a great time with Esther; especially cleaning off her very tasty face! Thanks again for all the fun Stephen and Shannon, T.J. and Shannon, and Stephen and Sarah.