Matthew Rocks!

The Matt-man is having a great couple of days. Yesterday, he learned how to roller skate, and he's actually fast enough that I have to jog to keep up. He was so proud of himself, he kept asking me if I saw how fast he was going.
Today, he learned how to swim. John took all the kids swimming this morning, and when they returned, they told me all about how Matt was swimming without floaties. He even learned how to hold his breathe and put his face in the water, and how to float on his back. We stopped at Walmart this afternoon and got him some goggles to encourage the underwater stuff. He really has had a fear about that.
I'm so impressed! I'm so proud of you , Matthew! Great job!
Here is a clip of him at the pool. He's a little nut, sometimes!

Celebrate!

Hallelujah! I'm officially finished with my internship! I just turned in my last assignment. I should have my final grade in the next few days. Now, I just have to apply for my CCA exam, and study until I get to take it. My teacher has been very helpful, and has given me all the necessary info needed to prepare myself for the exam. I can start trying to get a job pretty much any time. My brother, Rob, is looking at my resume for me. That's what he did for a long time, so he should be able to give me some good pointers. I'm so excited!

Peaceful vacation

We returned from Glen Cove yesterday. I spent 10 days there, and it wasn't nearly enough. The kids and I spent the first week with my parents, and our friend, Irene. Then, I came home for the women's meeting, and to get John. Jim, Laura, and Carlie Thompson came up for the last weekend. It was all so peaceful and wonderful. I love that place. Minnehaha Falls is right next to the cabin, so the kids spent most of their time playing in the creek. I grew up playing in this same waterfall, so it holds alot of great memories for me. We went to the county fair, watched WallE at the drive-in in Tiger, picked enormous blackberries at Orchard Farms, got fresh veggies from Osagee Farms and had them for dinner, had fabulous hot dogs and hot fudge sundaes at the Clayton Pharmacy, and went to the flea market, among other things. I wish we could have stayed longer!
But, alas, I only have one week left in my internship. I have to concentrate on getting the last of my assignments turned in. Hopefully, we will be able to go again soon!

That was so much fun!!

I just returned from an awesome women's meeting! We had about half an hour of worship, then everyone went off to various areas to play board games, do crafts, or exercise. My Jazzercise instructor, Loralee, came from North Augusta to do a demo Jazzercise class for us. It was wonderful! We had the room we were in packed from end to end, and, God bless those Alleluia ladies, they all were gung-ho about it. Not only did they join in the exercises, but they whooped and yelled at the top of their lungs. I think the best part for me was watching Loralee's face when she realized that every woman in the room was thrilled to be there. She said this was the best class she has ever taught in 20 years of teaching! I think we blessed her almost as much as she blessed us by coming. I have loved Jazz from the beginning, but I don't think I have ever left a class as energized as I did tonight. Thanks, Loralee! What a great night!

Fr. Ted

I haven't posted lately because our dear friend, Fr. Ted, was here visiting from Africa. He stayed with us for two weeks, which was a wonderful blessing for us. He is such a precious man, and everyone who knows him loves him dearly. He is a true servant of God. It was truly a pleasure for me to be able to serve him in little ways when he needed things; whether it be in doing laundry, cooking for him, or whatever other little task he set me to. He is always very concerned that he not put anyone out. I only hope that our home provided a place of much needed rest for him. Where he lives is very dangerous, and he doesn't ge alot of rest. Please keep him in your prayers.
He just left this morning, and the kids have already mentioned several times that they miss him. I understand what they mean. He's never stayed with us for that long before, and the house seems somewhat empty now without him.

George and Sophie

Here we have George and Sophie. They are, by far, the most entertaining pets I have ever had. We have had George for about a year now, and thought he might like a companion, so we got Sophie about a month ago. They have become fast friends, and spend most of their time chasing each other around the house, wrestling, and play fightning.
They definitely have their quirks. George can't leave a glass alone; he has to knock it over to see if something is in it. This also applies to vases, bowls, and anything else that can be tipped over. He also likes to see just how high up he can get, so he's constantly looking for new high places to conquer. Like the top of my china cabinet. His favorite seems to be the top of the entertainment center.
Sophie will eat until she's sick. I've never had a cat who's done that before. She will eat all her food as fast as she can, then go stick her face in George's bowl, and still follow you around crying for more. She also likes to watch tv. She seems to be enthralled with anything on the screen, watching every move.
I'm glad we decided to get Sophie. I was a little worried that George wouldn't like her, or that he would hurt her, since she was just a baby when we got her. But he adapted to her much faster than we expected, and now he actually bathes her when he thinks no one is paying attention. That's what he was doing in this chair with her, until we took out the camera. Then he quickly found something else to do.
It may seem a little weird to say that cats are jewels from heaven, but they are to me. They give me alot of joy. They are so much fun to have around, and I think God arranged for me to have THESE particular cats, just when I needed their antics.