Sept26-30,2011

days in the life of a

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September 2011

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September 26, 2011

MUSCLEMEN

It's totally a male thing that starts at a very young age.

Karter's been flexing his muscles!

When you've got a bod like his, you really must show it off...

Here he tells me he's flexing his leg muscles (in case you couldn't tell....).

Full-body flex position. WHOA!

Rascal doesn't quite know what to think...

Even Kaden's getting in on the act...

Two adorable little musclemen!!!

September 27, 2011

CABIN RAISIN'...WEEKS 19 & 20

When last I left you two weeks ago, we had two fresh coats of "Fawn" stain on the interior walls and ceiling.

Not wanting to risk drywall dust or sawdust sticking to it, Builder Steve and crew let the stain completely dry for several days before doing anything else inside.

I just hate it when people are not up there working, but I guess that's part of the building game...

September 16...Meanwhile, outside, the electric company did come up and put in the underground line to the cabin and disconnect the temporary pole.

We have ELECTRICITY!!! Or...we WILL when Electrician Jeff gets everything hooked up one of these days soon...

The telephone company also laid an underground line to the house, so we're set up for phone service too. Yes, we're keeping our land line. I know, I'm old school...

September 20...the drywalling began!

All the interior walls are going to be drywall. We thought it would lighten things up inside to not have all wood and I'm glad we did that. It will be a nice complement to all the wood and break things up a bit.

September 22...Mason Marty and his boys laid the stone for the fireplace.

Well, except for the mantel. Builder Steve is going to put the mantel on and then the masons will come back and finish the job.

But I LOVE our fireplace!!!

September 23...more drywalling.

There's a little more drywalling to do this week, but they're about done putting it up. Then the finish work will begin.

Yay!!!

Karter learned a new trick last week...hanging from the porch beams.

He gets to use those strong biceps he's been flexing lately!

Kaden, of course, wanted to try but couldn't quite get a grip. Dana got to flex her biceps lifting him up so high! I don't think I could do that.

Fast forward about 12 years, and I can see our teenage grandsons doing the same thing...without a boost from Mom, of course!

Just threw in this photo of them sitting on the porch because they are just so cute!

Totally unbiased opinion, of course...

So, there we are. Builder Steve is giving us a move-in date of before Thanksgiving, which is a mere 7 weeks or so away. A lot to be done yet, but it's moving along.

Patience, Terry, patience....

September 28, 2011

SUDHA

We have a new addition to our family.

Meet Sudha.

Sudha came to Hope Children's Home in southern India just this summer. She says she is 7 years old, although no one knows her birthday.

Can you imagine not knowing what your birthday is?

Sudha was kicked out of her home when her mother, deserted by her father, remarried a man who did not want to have to care for a girl child. In India, boys are much favored and men are in charge, so the unwanted little girl Sudha was left on the streets, at 7 years old, to fend for herself.

She was taken in by a neighbor who brought her to Hope Home. Who knows what her fate might have been had Hope Home not taken her in? I shudder to think...

So now Kim and I are Sudha's financial support while she lives at Hope.

She's our newest daughter, living halfway across the world.

Since they were toddlers, Kim and I have been supporting Shanti and Vijila.

When I was at Hope in 2008, I spent a lot of time with Shanti and Viji (on either side of me.) I learned then that Viji's family lived within walking distance (which is several miles in India!) of the home and on weekends they often walked to visit. I even met Viji's mother and grandmother, and I wondered how sad they must feel not having their little girl living with them.

Apparently now Viji's father has found employment and is able to take care of Vijila again, so she has moved back home. While it's a little sad to think I won't see her again, I'm so glad she has been reunited with her family.

So when Jim (our good friend, former pastor, and president of Hope) wrote to ask if we might be interested in sponsoring Sudha, Kim and I were thrilled to have a new little girl to fill the spot Viji left.

When we first got married 31 years ago, Kim and I decided that for every child we had we would also sponsor one overseas. Over the 31 years, we've been blessed to have sponsored about 15 different children (we were smart enough to stop at 4 of our own!), many of whom are now grown and married with their own families.

The need is SO GREAT, it can be overwhelming! We may not be able to change the world, but we have had the great privilege of helping change the lives of a few of God's children. I have to say that we have received so much more than we have ever given!

Only God knows the great plans he has in store for Sudha, but Kim and I are going to get to be part of them! I hope to soon be able to go back to Hope and give this precious girl a hug for myself.

A little shout-out for Hope Children's Home...if you're interested in sponsoring a child or making just a one-time donation, here is the link for their website: www.fohglobal.org

Welcome to the family, Sudha!

September 29, 2011

ON THE SIDELINES

My only daughter Emily is in her third year as junior varsity volleyball coach at Shenandoah.

I've revived my bleacher-butt and try to make as many of her games as I can.

It's much more relaxing to watch her coach than it was to watch her play.

And so far, I've not heard any negative comments from the crowd on her coaching.

No, I'm not naive enough to think they don't exist. I just haven't heard them.

But in my totally unbiased opinion, I think she's doing a great job!

Her team record may not be stellar, but she's preparing girls to play for Coach Adam.

She understands Adam about as well as anyone, after playing for him in high school and now coaching alongside him. He's no-nonsense when it comes to volleyball...he knows the game well but he's still trying to figure out how girls operate.

That's where Emily comes in. She's often seen interpreting Adam's wishes to the players during the games.

If it weren't for Emily's female influence, I'm not sure how those girls would survive.

Emily was a good volleyball player back in her teenage days, and she enjoys teaching these high school girls.

"Is anyone listening to me???"

Yes, Emily...your mama is still up in the stands taking your picture....

Clearly, Coach Adam is not interested in posing....

These two little fans adore their Aunt Emmy!!!

And I love watching my daughter...on the sidelines.

September 30, 2011

KELLI'S SENIOR SEASON

Kelli is my daughter-in-law's younger sister.

If she were my daughter's sister, that'd make her my daughter as well. I don't know what relation my daughter-in-law's sister makes her to me, but she feels like family for sure.

Are you confused? I think I just confused myself (it doesn't take much...) just writing that....

Anyhoo...Kelli is a senior outside hitter for the Shenandoah Raider volleyball team.

How'd she get to be a senior already???

She is coached by Coach Adam (who I mentioned in yesterday's post) and when I go to watch Emily's JV play, I get to see Kelli in action too in the varsity game.