Odds & Ends

For those of you reading to keep up with our family, I thought I would catch you up a bit. We have been plodding along trying to make it through this last month of school. This is always the time where the kids are antsy to finish and play outside! But God has a sense of humor and has been helping me out by sending us lots and lots of needed rain. This comes at a price, however, due to Jonah's recent storm-phobia. He's resorted to taking Uncle Doug's advice of forcing himself to go to sleep when he sees storm clouds. This is a great plan, oh yah except for when we're in a restaurant or trying to get through a day of school... can anyone say narcolepsy?

Both kids have done extremely well this year. Kelsey is advancing in math, and Jonah's reading and math have taken off this year. I continue to hold out hope that their life work will not include, "Do you want fries with that?" (Not that there's anything wrong with that...)

Darrel is trudging on at work even though the car business has been the worst that we can remember. God has been pouring vision into his heart about where we are headed with Revolution Ministries. We visited a church in Ozark, MO called Lifepoint where we gained even more of a feel for what people need. I have been trying to figure out how best to end this school year while trying to organize the end of our EVEolution group's study of "Captivating". Darrel and I are still kicking around what we should do next. I have finished yet another Ted Dekker book, "Showdown" - absolutely amazing. I can't wait until his new one comes out later this year - "The Saint". So for now, I am again beginning the first of his trilogy, "Black". I put it aside to read "Showdown". I have been battling a terrible sinus infection. I refuse to go to the doctor, however, as the last time resulted in having to go on steroids and gaining much weight. The heat is on now as I must lose weight in order to have anything to wear at Doug and Misty's quickly approaching wedding.

Catering has been a little slow but is promising to pick up. Last Saturday we cooked a few hamburgers and hot dogs for our local John Deere Implement's anniversary. And by a few I mean 1,300 hamburgers and 400 hot dogs. We started at 9:30am and finished around 1:30pm. We were so glad my dad and my mom came to help us. They did a fantastic job of separating the patties and putting them on the grill. I believe it was the first time my mom had helped us, and Dad, well he's an ol' pro. We have a few family reunions booked for the next few months.

The kids will finish up this semester of piano lessons with a recital tomorrow night. Kelsey is playing softball - Jonah said he would just rather play with his friends. Riiiiigggghhhhhttt....

Darrel bought me a bicycle a couple of weeks ago. It has proved to be a tool of torture. We try to ride at least a mile a day - although with all the rain, we have missed several days. My legs are shouting, yes shouting, Hallelujah! The kids love having the opportunity to pay me back for any amount of homework I might give them by insisting on leading the bike rides up and down many hills - and by up and down, I mean up.

American Idol is getting down to the end. Go Chris.

Nashville Star ended. Yea Chris.

Looking forward to the Golden Oldie Idol where I might have a chance...

It's amazing how many bad songwriters can make millions and how many of today's stars would be lost without that little button in the studio that makes everything sound perfect and without all the "little people" who can sing and write, but are too old to be considered so they just sell their songs for squat.

Dang, I hate it when I trip coming down off my soap box...

Talk to you all later. Keep it real.