I'm a big girl now!

Our precious pup turns the big 2 years old today! Which, in dog years, she is about 14 years old (so they say). It doesn't seem that long ago, but she has grown so much in both height/weight as well as maturity. She began her years in our home with a weak bladder (Adam Thomas can testify - thanks for your graciousness with the pee on your shoe) and confusion since we left her the very first weekend we got her. We had plans for our anniversary and could not change them, so our neighbors came over and let her out a couple times a day. We believe that aided in curing her whinning at night. At eight weeks she weighed in at a whopping 9.4 lbs. Now, she has grown out of her peeing when company comes (although she still knocks people over with excitement - sorry Stephen), and she currently weighs around 50 lbs. She is a great dog and we do love her very much! She provides much excitement to our humble, child-less abode!

Happy Birthday Godiva!



Her Birthday Present of dog food from the can! I know, I know, we splurged!



P.S. Don is only 9 full days away from being finished with this year of seminary!! We have had much to blog on, but it seems like each time I have a few moments to update the blog, Don needs to work on writing his own commentary on Jonah, or his 12 book critics, or his Hebrew translation, or any of the other more important tasks then updating this site. Thanks to those who are sticking with us depite the sabatical (Adrianne!!). Look to the Hines Herald in about 10 days for a full feature of the last few weeks in the home of the Hines'!!

Bowling Party

This weekend we were able to go to Williamsburg a day early and stay with Ickes family. Our Sunday School student, Ashlyn, completed a challenge for our class and won a bowling party with her teachers! She was able to bring a friend, and she chose her younger sister who had never been bowling before. We started out by going to a italian ice/frozen custard place that used to be located in Virginia Beach, but has moved to Williamsburg. Ashlyn and Abby had chosen what they wanted by going on line and had their orders ready to go; however, Don and I had some deep thinking and deciding to do. They do not have anywhere to sit, so we went to the HUGE Yankee Candle Store that has a fountain and seating.



We ended up finding a Jelly Bean guessing jar and decided we would participate in that too.



And even though we left Godiva with one of her favorite dog-sitters, Kristen (Yes, Branines - she loves you too!), we still were thinking of her and found a stuffed Godiva which we couldn't help getting a picture of.



The girls had a great time bowling. We got the bumpers which helped all of our scores. Ashlyn and Abby came up with some pretty funny moves for Don to do before he bowled. A lot of their inspiration was from the old show "Perfect Strangers" and when Balki (Spelling?) went bowling. Mom, you would have thought that Don was hilarious. He was hopping, twirling, and doing the Flinstones' twinkle toe moves. Having said this, our scores were as follows:

Don - 92
Abby - 89 (Not too shabby for her first time!)
Ashlyn - 73

and the big winner . . . (drum roll, please) . . .

Katrina - 183!!!! I had about 4-5 strikes and 3-4 spares! I was on fire! Thanks Dad for all those helpful tips growing up! This was the best game I've ever bowled!






Afterwards, we headed back to their house and ended up watching a few episodes of "Green Acres", which Don and I had never seen before, but got quite a kick out of it. It was much better than what I thought it would be. We followed that up with the game "Apples to Apples".

After Pastor Eric and Jalyn came home from their night out with friends we ended up staying up talking until 1:30. It was great! We see them every Sunday, but we had a great time one-on-one with them.

Thanks again Ickes' for your hospitality and your love towards us! We love you guys!