Nap Teacher

Tonight over supper the kids and Ang were discussing school (starts next week) and what teachers were teaching what grades.  Nicholas pipes up with "you know who my favorite nap teacher is"?  Nap teacher...now there's a great idea!  How do I get one of those at work?

Irene Aftermath

We made it thru the hurricane without any house damage and all our trees.  Lots of limbs, twigs, and leaves everywhere plus the standing water in the backyard for a day or so but that's it.  The worst part was losing power for 2 days.  The generator was awesome since it gave us a cold fridge, some fans, and a TV at night.  One of our neighbors lost their Japanese maple and down the street a big pine fell on somebody's house.  There was also a chimney separated from a house a couple blocks away.  All in all, we were lucky.  I pray for those up in New England that really seemed to have been hit hard by the flooding.  Let's hope this is the only hurricane we  deal with this year.

together during Hurricane Irene

Go Away Irene

We're getting the initial bands of rain & wind thru our area.  The backyard is holding up so far...no flooding and no major tree limbs down.  Based on this morning's weather report it looks like Irene was downgraded to Cat 1 hurricane (yeah!) but the track may have shifted a bit to the west (boo!)  So it might come directly over Virginia Beach later today.  I think the eye is about 7hrs away right now.

We put away all the yard stuff and patio furniture yesterday and I got up on the ladder and cleaned out all the gutters.  Actually had to take one apart.  I found 2 small plastic balls (from the kids) stuck in the neck portion of the downspout that had clogged everything up.  I also got a generator last night at Home Depot so we should be able to power a fridge and some fans if the power goes out.

Lots of joke headlines with the Come On Irene reference to the song Come on Eileen.  For your enjoyment...

Thought of the Day

"Don't make friends with people who have hot, violent tempers.  You might learn their habits and not be able to change" (Proverbs 22:24-25 GNT)

Mother Nature

Mother Nature has been busy around here lately.  We had a 5.8 earthquake yesterday.  I was sitting in a computer classroom on Ft. Eustis when everything started shaking and swaying.  Weird feeling on the computer floor...it kind of rolled up and down.  Angie said her and the kids felt the house shaking but were kind laughing and enjoying the ride!  No damage around town...just some scared people.

Now we've got Hurricane Irene bearing down on us.  Looks like Sat/Sun could be fun.  It's supposed to stay off the coast, but still expecting 60mph+ winds and maybe up to 8-10 inches of rain.  Let's hope the power stays on!  I'm supposed to be leaving Sunday for a TDY to Vegas...maybe I won't have to go!

Brain Pain

During our family meeting tonight we went over our new listing of chores, by day, for everybody.  About half way through Nicholas stops Angie and asks..."how do I get all in this in my brain so I don't forget?".  He's hilarious!

Ice Road Truckers

Who knew watching Ice Road Truckers would lead to some family togetherness.  Angie & I were watching the show last night in the living room while Emma was upstairs and Katelyn & Nicholas were watching TV in the  family room. One by one they all came into the living room!  We were able to watch the show for a good hour and even went over our family meeting discussion items during the commercials!  It was nice to know the kids still love us!

Visible from space

So much for fresh air! The Great Dismal Swamp is on fire down around the VA/NC border.  About 6,000 acres have burned so far. There have been a few days recently where it's been hazy with the smoke and just pretty miserable outside.  Good to have an office job on these days.

smoke cloud

Call This Church?

From our service last Sunday



Not the traditional Pastor huh?  WEC has a unwavering vision on their purpose to reach those that don't know Jesus.  They stand firmly by this and Jesus words in Mark 2: 17 (...I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners)

The Reveal

So we got the rooms done...as long as you don't look in the closets!  Here are some pictures of Katelyn's new look...

and some of Emma's

So we have new paint on walls, ceiling, trim, Emma's nightstand & KTs desk chair; new caulking around everything; a new ceiling fan in KT's room;  new desk in KT's room & a new dresser in Emma's room that both required assembly, new shelving in Emma's room (I made), new organizer baskets in both, new window cushions/pillows in both, new stuff hung on Emma's wall, and a few other small odds & ends.  Alot of work went into them!  The reaction when they got home was worth it though.  Smiles from ear to ear and lots of wow's!  Time for the recliner now!

Happy Anniversary honey!

Happy Anniversary

© Kirk A. Finney

When years are passing by like days, 

and in my hand your hand is placed,
a knowing smile crosses your face, 

a simple touch can still make my heart race.

When I can see my soul in your eyes, 

and you see your soul in mine we realize,
that a love so deep can harbor no lies, 

where our only tears shed were happy tears we've cried.

I love you as much now as I ever did before,
if possible, I may even love you more,
all starting from a feeling we did not ignore,
a feeling of connection we chose to explore.

I don't know what it is that you saw in me,
what I saw in you was the utmost happiness
that can ever be,
even more so on the day when you and I
became "We",
I can still smile and say with love and
truth Honey, I love you...Happy Anniversary.

Crazy Parents

Alright...settle down people...I'm talking about Angie & myself.   So, we have a surprise planned for the girls when they get home tomorrow; we've given/are giving their rooms a face-lift.  I'm not sure what we were thinking as it's been alot of work!  I'll post some pictures once we're all done.

Off to Camp!

and away they go...

and Nicholas having a breakfast of champions while we were unloading!