Young Mothers Unite!

Lindsey and daughter, Addie

I encourage young mothers everywhere to read my daughter-in-law's blog.  (Lindsey--David's wife)  You'll be encouraged.

Andy's Surprise!

Our friends had a 60th birthday party for Andy tonight.  We have the best friends in the world...they spoil us extravagantly.  Tonight was no exception.

When we arrived, there were appetizers on the patio.  Do you see those armadillo eggs?  And the cheese ball in the shape of a pumpkin?  Oh my goodness!

I got a call this week asking what Andy's favorite cake was.  Here he is with his red velvet cake.  He was a happy camper---especially after a steak dinner--with mushrooms, no less.

They gave him this leather note pad.  Notice the key taped to the top?  That's significant.  But he missed it.

Maybe because of what was taped inside...

But he was asked to take a look at that key.  He took it off and was told to close his eyes.

Then this was brought into the room and he was told to feel of it and see if he could figure it out.  He first guessed a "suitcase."  Nope.

Oh yeah!!  A Takamine!  I think he was saying, "WOW!!!!!!!"

And, of course, he was talked into playing a few praise songs for us.  And now we're home and he's in the basement playing his heart out.  He may have to build up calluses again.  But at the rate he's going, it may not take long.  Not long at all.

Competition

Have you noticed how many competitions are on television today?  I think it started with American Idol.  And boy--has it grown!!  Not only has it grown, but I've gotten sucked in.  Give me a good competition any day.

In fact, I'd like to join this competition.  I don't know that I'd be very skilled at it, but I'd like to try my smarts in it.  While we were in China this year, Ember & I decided we'd take on Andy & Derek in this race.  We think we could take them!!

This is one of my favorites.  I love watching the white box challenge the most.  And I really loved it when anyone could join---now I think they have to have some design background.

I guess by now, you see which channels I watch the most--HGTV and Food Network!  (Is there anything else on tv that is decent anymore??)  I'd like you to know that I called the winner of this competition the first night this year!

And currently, I'm watching MasterChef.  If you haven't watched it, you can catch it on Hulu.  (And if you don't know about Hulu, you need to check it out!  You can catch all kinds of tv shows and movies on there.)  And oh...I really hope Whitney wins!!!

I'm not sure what all these competitions tell us about our society right now.  What do you think?  I think it's interesting that adults are watching these competitions while we're teaching our children in school that there are no winners, we don't keep score, and everyone takes home a trophy! 

But more importantly, why am I watching?  

And what do you watch? 

(I may need one more competition in my life...)

Celebrating Andy's 60th Birthday

We took advantage of the Labor Day weekend to get together to celebrate Andy's 60th birthday.  Here are some of the guests...

Addilyn Belle

Ryan Elijah

Aunt Shanna & Hey (Mumzie, Zach)

David (Chief steak griller) & Addilyn

Granny (back--my mom) & Mama (front--Andy's mom). 

They don't seem too impressed with the comedians... 

Lindsey made 2 delicious chocolate pies for Andy's birthday...

And then Zach blew out the candles before Andy could.  So they made him re-light.

Another try.

Shanna's pregnant!  We had to post some pictures for Jay & Amy to see.

There is a bulge!  And Baby Dietz is the size of a lemon this week.  We got to see pictures!!  And they said Baby Dietz was quite the acrobat as they watched him/her (I'm betting on "her") in the sonogram.  (And no, we don't know if it's a boy or girl yet--5 weeks to find out!)  Of course, with the activity this baby was displaying, it could very well be a boy---just like his dad!

And, of course, Andy had to compare bellys...

Happy 60th, Andy!!

When I'm 64

When we were first married, people would always ask me if Andy sang to me at home.  He sang professionally at the time and I guess they considered that the ultimate in romance.  Yes, he sang to me, but it was the nonsensical songs--not the dreamy-eyed songs.  Things like this Beatles song:

When I get older losing my hair,

Many years from now,

Will you still be sending me a valentine
Birthday greetings bottle of wine?

If I'd been out till quarter to three
Would you lock the door,
Will you still need me, will you still feed me,
When I'm sixty-four?

I was 19 and he was 25 when we got married.  I never dreamed at the time we'd ever get close to that age--64!  But tomorrow, Andy turns 60.  That really blows my mind.  Of course, most people don't look at Andy and think "60."  (And they don't look at me and think over 5 years younger!!  Shoot!)  And yet, here we are.  So I thought I'd blog the top 10 things I never expected when we got married (our 35th anniversary is September 27).

#10--Wrinkles, gray hair, age spots (I told my kids this week that no one ever told me that your toes actually wrinkle!  I intend to keep you apprised of the happenings of aging so that you're more prepared.)

#9--Bifocals

#8--Quitting cooking and cleaning  (We haven't quite reached the "cereal for dinner" stage, but almost) 

#7--The thinking "I've paid my dues" stage.  Actually, I might think it occassionally, but I haven't acted on it yet.  You might have to keep me accountable on this one.

#6--Dying parents

#5--Grandchildren (We have 7 with 1 more on the way!!)

#4--Falling asleep in a chair

#3--Snoring

#2--Paying $600/month for medications--and dreaming of medicare!

#1--Children over the age of 6!  (I remember my sister-in-law saying she didn't think she'd have teenagers when Jesus returned.  I never envisioned my children older than 6-years-old!  And now the majority of my grandchildren are older than that!!)

Happy 60th birthday, Andy!!  And yes...I'll still need you...and at least feed you cereal.
 

I love you more than ever!

The Constant One

If anything, life is uncertain. We never know what is going to come our way--it could be anything!!

But I praise you, God, that You are constant.  And You've told me  that I am to be full of joy in troubles, sufferings, hardships and afflictions.  You, the Constant One, have told me that.  That means the outcome is safely in Your hands.  You are using these things to produce endurance, character and hope.

Thank You for what You're building in me.  Thank You.  I submit to it.

Distinctiveness

I'm a little sad about something.  I'm seeing less and less distinctiveness among Christians.  Jesus told us to be the light of the world...to be in the world, but not of the world...to be holy as He is holy...

But what I see are Christians flirting with the world.  Instead of the world desiring what we have, I see Christians desiring what the world has.

Today, I read this in My Utmost for His Highest:
"Never tolerate, because of sympathy for yourself or for others, any practice that is not in keeping with a holy God. Holiness means absolute purity of your walk before God, the words coming from your mouth, and every thought in your mind— placing every detail of your life under the scrutiny of God Himself. Holiness is not simply what God gives me, but what God has given me that is being exhibited in my life."