I feel, for the first time since before Thanksgiving, that our schedule is getting back to normal. We just haven't had all kinds of activities on our calendar and could actually spend several evenings at home. And to have a three day weekend right now is an added bonus!
THE TRUCK DRIVER. Ben got a small trailer truck for Christmas. He loves that thing! He pushes it everywhere which doesn't look comfortable as he has to walk/run all bent over (the truck is about 8 inches tall). He even delivers his dirty clothes to the bathroom with it.
MEN'S BREAKFAST. Our men's ministry at church has been almost non-existent for many years but we have started to get the ball rolling again. Among our activities is a bimonthly breakfast. We had one this morning. I went armed with two griddles and cooked 150-200 pancakes. We had a great crowd and a speaker who gave an awesome testimony.
WINNING STREAK. Jenna's team is on a winning streak, if you can call a 2-0 record a streak. The score today was 6-4. (The star shooter was absent.) Again, Jenna's contribution was strictly guarding. She guards everyone no matter what color jersey they are wearing. I didn't get to go to the game due to the breakfast but when I called Vicki she said it was a very comical match. On the trip back home Pauline said, "That was better than any dose of medicine!"
CRUISING. Nate is starting to cruise around furniture now. The other day he was walking around the coffee table, put his hand out to the couch, and transferred himself to that piece for an extended trip. The smile on his face was priceless and then, of course, he fell down.
Nate has adopted the VCR. I guess it's all the buttons and lights but we can't keep him away from it. At least he hasn't stuck anything in it...yet!
GOOD PLAYMATES. It is just a pleasure to witness the fun and laughter that often takes place when all three kids are playing. It can be a simple game of hiding under a blanket together or romping around the house as well as digging into the toys. Nate always enjoys/endures the attention he receives from his big sister and big brother. There is never a dull moment!
WHISTLING? Jenna has figured out how to whistle. It is high pitched and very annoying, but an accomplishment none the less. She is training Ben but he is only making a whoooing sound. Vicki can't stand to be within two miles of the racket.
KEEPING UP WITH CHURCH NEWS. For those of you who have been keeping up with the goings on at Mt. Carmel you will be disappointed to know that the church newsletter is being scaled back to a monthly mailing. However, we will be announcing an e-mail version of the newsletter at church in the morning. We plan to publish this weekly if not more frequently. Go to the church web site and click the link for The Flame if you wish to subscribe. We plan to be implementing some other features over the next few weeks to utilize the internet to enhance our church community.
PRAYER REQUESTS. You will recall that I asked if you would pray for Mrs. Mildred Swann a few weeks ago. She is back home now and doing much better. Please continue to pray for her but add our thanks to God for the healing and recovery she has experienced so far.
Also, keep my aunt, Helen Keith, in your prayers. I meant to include this the other week but did not. She fell and broke her left pelvis and right arm near the shoulder. She is doing well in her recovery and her sense of humor is intact but I know this is getting old for her. Years ago Aunt Helen had her left knee replaced. By 2001 she had worn it out and went into the hospital to have a new replacement and got a staph infection. She had a two year battle with that and came out with a stiff left leg. Now this....
Joe
