Day 51 - February 20, 2011

Natalie's traveling choir sang at Bethlehem in Oshkosh this morning. We went because we love every chance to hear that choir sing! Their processional is a little different and (in my opinion) really cool! We didn't have very good seats for recording/videoing this time, but I think you'll enjoy what I got anyway...

Praise God's Holy Name - ALLELUIA!

Commit to the Lord

We had picked up Grandma and Grandpa on our way and we were a little concerned about the weather because they were predicting another big snowstorm to begin in the late morning. It was a little depressing because things had been warming up and a lot of the snow we had was melting...this was what the back yard looked like when we left for church early in the morning...

This is what things were like by the time we were on our way home from Oshkosh...

(someone's car in the ditch)

and here is our backyard now...

Photo of the day:

Scripture passage of the day:

Job 37:6,9-14

He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth,'

...The tempest comes out from its chamber,

the cold from the driving winds.

The breath of God produces ice,

and the broad waters become frozen.

He loads the clouds with moisture;

he scatters his lightning through them.

At his direction they swirl around

over the face of the whole earth

to do whatever he commands them.

He brings the clouds to punish men,

or to water his earth and show his love.

...stop and consider God's wonders.

Day 50 - February 19, 2011

Today was GIRL'S DAY! Well, actually it turned into a the-guys-could-go-along-too day. (After all, we needed someone to drive us to the stores...)

We began the day with a trip to Walmart in Beaver Dam because Grandma wanted to check out their $3 racks. We nearly ended up having to bail her out of jail...

You know, you can try and try to raise your parents right...I guess we have to keep a closer eye on her.
After Walmart we went to Wendy's for a quick lunch. There was a moment of extreme excitement when we saw this license plate in the parking lot...

but it was a false alarm. We don't know who this car belonged to but there were definitely no UW Mad Hatters in sight. We got over it quickly though. Tiffany exersized her creative talents with the kid's meal toy...

and Snoopy became our traveling mascot. The rule was if Snoopy tipped over Jim was driving too crazy.

After lunch we picked up Amanda and headed for East Town in Madison. Amanda had colored each of the girls a picture... AWWW.

Grandma and Grandpa and Jim and I just wandered around because none of us had anything we really needed, neither did we have any money to spend. Our fulfillment came from people watching but the girls had a good time dress shopping. Prom is coming up you know.

Natalie likes this one...we didn't buy it because we are going to try to save money and make it ourselves.

Amanda bought this one and some purple high tops to go with it...

and Tiffany fell in love with this dress but didn't buy it. The $199 price tag was a rather big deterent.

When we had exhausted ourselves walking the mall we had supper in the food court where we enjoyed more people watching. (Yikes-it is amazing what passes for "normal" sometimes!)

Then we headed back home, but first we made a quick stop at Jerry's living center...

We visited with him and his roommate Mark for awhile. Jerry is excited because he is going home on Tuesday of next week.
The ride home was full of giggles. The girls had fun playing with the camera and trying to keep their eyes open for the flash in the dark. It made for some interesting pictures...

Photo of the day:

Scripture passage of the day:

1 Thessalonians 5:16

Be joyful always; pray continually;

give thanks in all circumstances,

for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Day 49 - February 18, 2011

Peanutbutter must have been jealous of the hype I gave the classroom bunnies yesterday. Today I found her balancing a box on her head. She sat like this for several minutes. Usually she won't cooperate when I try to take her picture. Do you think she is feeling attention starved?

Richard called today! He has finished his Mojave Viper training. Later he skyped with us and left this message for family and friends...

Grandma and Grandpa had suggested we go out to do something fun like a fish fry to celebrate the end of the week. We decided to go to Culvers. The girls were both working and Culvers has free wifi. We skyped Richard again at Culvers and everyone got to talk to him. It was perfect.

Nick, this photo is for you. (I know how much you enjoyed and must miss preparing those cod dinners...)

Scripture passage of the day:

Proverbs 17:6

Children's children are a crown to the aged,

and parents are the pride of their children.

(Love you Mom and Dad!)

Photo of the day:

Day 48 - February 17, 2011

A typical day in the classroom, but do you notice anything odd about this photo?

What, don't all 8th graders study with bunnies on their desks? : )

The new class pets have been a big hit. I thought you might like to see what THEIR days are like.

Study time...

Literature class...

Doing homework...

The bunnies are also popular with my tutoring students and are an effective motivational reward. This little guy gets bunny time when he completes his activities.

He also likes to take pictures of the bunnies...here are samples of his work. : )

The weather has warmed up a little bit and we are losing some of our snow!

Photo of the day:

This is one of my lawn ornaments who seems to be celebrating that the snow is melting...as we all are!

Scripture passage of the day:

Psalm 68:3

...may the righteous be glad

and rejoice before God;

may they be happy and joyful.

Day 47 - February 16, 2011

Tiffany's day didn't start out too well. She has entered the world of grown-up frustrations. Today's problem was the lack of adequate parking spaces where she works. She parked in the only available spot and got a parking citation. It's only a warning but she's still upset...

Her day did improve later though. The story starts with Natalie who went to a concert given by the Mad Hatters of UW Madison. She came home in love. Apparently this group of young men (who sing everything acapella) is THE BEST THING EVER! Natalie came home so excited she couldn't even talk to explain what she was so excited about, there was just a lot of hopping, giggling and squealing for a while. Eventually we were able to piece it all together. A little while later Tiffany came home with her own exciting story to tell. She hadn't been able to go to the concert because she had to work, BUT the Mad Hatters stopped in at Culvers and...THEY ALL ORDERED FROM HER REGISTER! She got a photo with them AND they gave her a CD. Now both girls are in love with UW Madison guys.

Natalie's favorite is Andrew. He is the beat-boxer for the group and is pointed out in the photo below.

I have been instructed to laminate this poster after which it will be framed so that it will be doubly protected...
I've listened to the CDs and have to admit they are an extremely talented group. If you haven't had the chance to hear them you may want to look into it.

Photo of the Day:

Scripture passage of the day:

1 Timothy 6:17

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant

nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain,

but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.

Day 46 - February 15, 2011

Not much happened today but Natalie did something very nice for her sister...
Flashback photo:

Jennings is Tiffany's favorite Packer, here she is "with him" after the Super Bowl win.

Natalie found this t-shirt at Festival and bought it for Tiffany.

Wasn't that nice? I keep telling them they are secretly best friends even though they sometimes think they can't stand each other...

Scripture passage of the day:

1 Thessalonians 5:15

Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong,

but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.

Photo of the day:

Faith's bell tower and another great sunset!

Day 45 - February 14, 2011

Happy Valentine's Day! We all had a great day, Jim gave me a wonderful card...(love you Jim!)

we had a party in my classroom (as if they were going to focus on school work anyway!) and we finished watching the movie "Private Eyes" (which the class loved!) It's an oldie but a goodie starring Tim Conway and Don Knotts. They just don't make movies like they used to, do they?

Best of all when I got home Woofy was actually standing on his own and waiting for me at the door!

He still has a little drunken stagger when he walks but there has been drastic improvement! Love  you too Woofie!

I also managed to make a little more progress on Jeanna's baby gift.

Photo of the Day:

Happy Valentines Day!
 

Scripture Passage of the Day:

1 Corinthians 13: 4-8

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evel but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perserveres. Love never fails.