Where Are The Kids When You Need 'Em?

So, this morning I was making your Mother very proud of me.
I was in the basement/water heater room, breaking down a l l the boxes that I had saved -- because I would need them.

Well, I haven't needed them.
Recycling comes today, so it's time to get rid of big white boxes from Italy, special white USPS boxes (one flat rate), Christmas gift boxes.

And, over and over again, is the packaging stuff!
Not the awful styrofoam peanut stuff -- thankfully no!
But the 'air bag' stuff -- the big air bag packaging stuff (about the size of a decent bag of potato chips), and then the smaller 'air bag' stuff, about the size of a can of soda.

Well, we had at least 139 of the soda can size. And I had to pop them all by myself!

If you had been here, we could have brought them upstairs, had a contest, no scissors or sharp objects allowed, just -- jump, sit, poke, and pop. And depending on your age, we probably would have gotten out the video camera.
And you would have had great fun, and been adorable in the process.

Ah, I smile on those days.

I love these days, too.

I love you!

You are great children.

The next time you see one of those 'air bag' things, pop it -- make it loud -- and think of me.

26 Years -- Anyone Counting? or how about "Happy 'Anna's Nursery!'"

So, your beautiful mother and your extremely affluent father, had a very nice dinner last night to celebrate their 26th Wedding Anniversary. Of course, you don't remember July 20, 1985, cause you weren't born yet. You came later. As we waited for our courses to be served, (this was a very nice restaurant -- I had to remind myself to keep my elbows off the table), we played a game.

First, we each wrote down ways to describe the other person.

Since we did not have anyone recording this with their cell phone, I'll share with you what we said.

Wayne said of Bev -- charming, adaptable, flirty, multi-tasker, content, cheeky (meaning that she has a beautiful smile), visionary, and firm (meaning that she has a firm foundation, i.e., her faith).

Bev wrote of moi -- creative, romantic, good listener, nurturer, funny, growing, changing, handome (ah, isn't that sweet? She especially noted the beautiful smile and the twinkle in my eye.) Okay, if I'm writing this I can make sure the good stuff gets included, right?

Then, we did the same for each of you --

Jonathan -- (Bev) industrious, romantic, devoted, tender-hearted, saver (of money to get important things for important people), planner, high-engergy. (Wayne's list) adventuresome, risk taker, determined, passionate, ready (to get married)

Bethany -- (Mom) compassionate, puts others first, highly organized, dedicated, dependable, stylish, tender-hearted; (Dad's list) An Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress (willing to be behind the scenes to make sure things are done well), Style on a Dime (is that the name for that tv show, where one looks amazing on a budget?), willing to put down roots (as she continues to grow in her GA home), ready (for whatever is next, in other words, not relishing the past, but ready to move on). Yep, I ramble.

David -- (Mom) dedicated, respectful, creative, funny, determined; (Dad) literate/athletic/artistically = talented, hermit-like (the man needs 'his space' at times), loyal, brave

Daniel -- (Mom) tender-hearted, talented, hard worker, open and available, risk-taker, adventurous, servant; (Dad) mature (beyond his years), patient, flexible (whether it's weeks in Eurpoe, South America, or PA), and fluent -- in foreign languages and 'love languages.'

We had fun doing this. Yep, we could still be married without you, but the Adventure has been much more sweet because of each of you.

We love you more than words and blogs can say.
I hope you deeply know that.

It's All About Geography!

Again? Yep, that was the main point of the last blog entry, and here we go again!
Although, this time, we're focusing on on watching the July 4 Fireworks!

It is one thing to be situated at our home on the hill, and hear 'em in neighbor's back yards, or down at the baseball field at the end of nine innings. It is indeed something else to view fireworks from the top of a mountain, and not just any mountain, but Lookout Mountain. (Hmmm, wonder where that name came from?)

Thanks to Bethany's friends who know friends, we got to be part of a "by invitation only" private "screening" of the Fourth of July Fireworks as viewed from Rock City.

Okay, so we have 'the' perfect view to watch 'em as they go up and off from the nearby country club. And indeed, that was cool! But even cooler than that was viewing what took place down below, from the city, from the zoo, from an amusement park, from people's back yards -- all going off at once, and from different places. Seeing lots of people celebrate at the same time, from that vantage point was truly a memorable Fourth of July.

It's easy to get "stuck" in the place where we are, even if it's a really good place, with really great people. But when you're up and above most everyone else, life is just different. You see things in such a different perspective. It's really cool.

It's good to get away. It's good to view things from the top of the mountain. It's good to know people who know people who can get you in that special place at a special time.

Truly, a Fourth of July to remember with joy!
Celebrating independence, mercy, grace, and peace.

Geography -- Okay, this really is exciting!

When I think about geography, I get excited.
No, don't think about a textbook, or a map, or a voice on the GPS saying "recalculating."

When I think about "where" my children are, I get excited.

I guess it's alright to use names on this blog.
Somebody tell me if I should be referring to child #2, rather than.
Hmmm, well, in doubt, I'll use initials.
Maybe that's better.. . . well, except for Child #3 and #4.(What's the deal with that, were we trying to save money on the monogramming?)

Okay,
JP, mapquest would not tell me how many miles it is from here to there! But to think that fiancee O has arrived, and the two of you are "finally" together after a very long time. That's exciting. Thank you Lord for safe travels, luggage that has arrived, and friends there waiting to love on and host these two.

BP, okay, that's only 320 miles, and in a few days we will driving that short distance to see my beautiful, hard-working, educated daughter, and her new car! Fireworks over the water! It's going to be great.

DP, 173 miles to Ashland, KY, where D. designs signs featuring Pirates, "Holy Cows," and other things, where this weekend, his artwork gets featured at a big outdoor festival as the Fun Signs has a booth to drum up new bu$iness. Not to mention D's amazing rock climbing ability! I need to go back for more.

and
DP, and it's 285 miles to a camp that is nestled in the beauty of the Keystone State, where each of you has been blessed by sticky buns, camp fires, and hearing the Lord speak to you. And now D. is there being available to be used by his Creator, too.

Ah, geography . . .
as the first thing you type into mapquest is Bluefield, WV -- your home.
I bought a sign the other day for my classroom that reads --
"Home is where your story begins."
One of my main points in my classroom is the definition of history, at least according to me -- History is a collection of stories.
And so, your story has its roots in a brick house on the corner of a busy street.

Okay, point is -- God is so great. His "ability" to love you wherever you are is really neat! And, by the way, I am so very proud of each of you.

Love,
Dad