Valentine's Eve & Pie

We went to a wonderful Valentine Banquet last night. It was filled with love, church family, a wonderful speaker, food, fun games and wonderful prizes. Thank you to Sabrina & Marianne for such a great evening. All the couples seemed to enjoy themselves! I love to get dressed up and go out on a date. It's so special!

And on a much messier note here are the pictures I promised you from the infamous pie eating contest. The victims:

Remember, no hands.

I don't think I feel so good.

It was so worth it!
Mike took first place and second place went to the senior representative.

And The Winner Is . . .

Lord of the pies, pie guy, blueberry boy. These are a few names Mike was called today. 7th through 12th grade held a pie eating contest at Marquette as part of spirit week. Mike was the contestant for the junior class. The contestants were given 8 minutes to eat a blueberry pie. You could not use a fork, because you could not use your hands. So that left their mouths. I guess his classmates have eaten with him before, because their confidence was high. Mike ate it in just over 4 minutes. Licked it CLEAN. Can't wait to see the pictures. I'll share them as soon as I can. I am told pie was everywhere. He came home and said "I think there still might be a blueberry up my nose." Great. His Dad's comment was "That's my boy!" I guess it's a guy thing.

Ahhhh . . .

Just look at this picture for just a moment. Now, don't you feel better? What a beautiful day! I guess you have gathered by now the winter weather is wearing thin with me. But all this enduring of the cold will make me all the more grateful when the warm weather finally arrives. right? I keep telling myself this anyway.
I've been contacted by the blogger police to "Post something already!" "With the characters you live with, there must be something to post." That's a compliment, right?
I'm new to facebook, thanks to the urging of some friends for me to join. Mike has been on there for a while and likes. it. I find it fascinating, weird, and incredibly addicting. Just what I need in my life. Now my hubby wants me to set him up on facebook. I'm working on that.
Zach has been going on some really neat trips with his class. Recently they went to the petland aquarium in town to learn about the different animals and how to care for them as pets. They go to the grocery store often to learn how to make a grocery list, how to shop that list, pay for their groceries. They plan big meals around the holidays and prepare for them. They are also going to some nice restaurants in town, Johnny Rockets, Islamorada. Here they learn manners, ordering their food, and managing their money. I think it's important that the skills he is taught at home are reinforced at school. Zach has an incredible staff of teachers at his school.
Mike is just going back to school after an almost 5 day winter break! He had some free time, and some work time. He is such a big help to his Dad. We really appreciate his hard work. I know Mike is learning that hard work is a big part of your life, especially for a man. He is seeing what it is to be the provider for a family. He knows what it is to work, and he doesn't complain about it. He looks at it as something to do. Just get it done and move on to the next thing.
And now, I'll be moving on to the next thing.

Sunny & Warm

We have just returned from a very sunny & warm vacation in Florida. We decided to fly at the last minute. What a pleasant surprise that was! Even though our flight was about 4 hours late departing from Midway, it still was a lot quicker! We were all very patient waiting for the arrival of our plane, even Zach. He was very excited to go on an airplane. Everything was very new to him so he talked, and talked , and talked about EVERYTHING. On our flight down Mike was fortunate to find a friend from New York to sit by and talk sports. I'm pretty sure he enjoyed that. We arrived late and hungry in Fort Myers and it was Waffle House to the rescue. Mom was kind enough to be waiting up for us when we arrived in the early am. She was also kind enough to have a "honey do" list waiting for Bob. It kept him busy between golf games.

On Christmas Eve Mike suggested we return to Tri City Baptist Church in Port Charlotte. We went there this time last year for service also. They are so warm and friendly, just like home. It turns out their Pastor knows our Pastor. Small world. On Christmas day we were treated to a wonderful homemade dinner. Mom went all out for us. It had some old family favorites and some new ones too.

We went shopping at the mall after Christmas hoping to catch some good sales. Mom went with us. Now, if you know Mom, she doesn't go to the mall with just anyone. She must really love you if she goes to the mall with you. Alot of our time was spent by the pool. What better way to spend Christmas break, but swimming in an 80+ degree pool! Evenings were spent playing pinochle. Dad was in his glory when he whooped Mom & Bob.

We spent some time in the St. Pete Beach area. We were able to catch up with Tiffanie & Steve, and RJ. We stayed at a really nice resort for two nights. It's beach was the Gulf. Beautiful sunsets, great meals, & relaxing at the pool. Once again Mike found a great church for us to go to Sunday. West Gate Baptist in Tampa is a warm and friendly church. Very similar to home. they have a small college there and were interested in Mike. We'll see.

Our last night was spent at the Hampton Inn in Sarasota. The next day we caught up with the Scofields. We grilled a wonderful lunch at their newly remodeled home. It was so nice to see them again. Then it was off to the airport to return the car, catch our plane, and enter back into reality.

We returned home just in time to go to church on New Year's Eve for our "Watch Night Service". What a great night. I never knew we had such talent at Grace!

Vacationing is great, but there's no place like home! (And your own bed!)

Bob picking fruit at Mom & Dad's

Christmas Eve in the pool Christmas Day in the pool

Tiffanie & RJ

View from our room in St. Pete Beach

Mike at the pool

Sunset at St. Pete Beach

Bridge to Tampa
Mom & Dad G

Best Buddies

I was told to blog more. I was told to share more of the cute little things that happen around here. I trying to learn what is blogworthy. So here goes . . . Zach got a phone call today after school. It was from one of his "Best Buddies". Best Buddies is an after school group that Zach belongs to. It involves the "regular ed" kids and the "special ed" kids. They meet about twice a month after school. Back to the phone call. Zach got on the phone and was so excited. He has gotten phone calls before, like the several calls he received on his birthday. But this one was different. It was a friend. A friend from school. I saw how this program benefits both groups of students. It teaches one group to be more understanding of others and their disabilities, and it teaches the other group that they belong. Maybe they're not so different after all. Zach was on the phone for about ten minutes, and then I hear "Mama, phone!". His Best Buddy wanted some help from me deciphering some of Zach's answers. They were trying to get out of Zach what he would like for Christmas. So I gave a few simple suggestions, and then I got a gift from them. They said Zach is such a neat kid. They really love him and enjoy being his friend. What a blessing!

Happy 48th Birthday, Bob!!!

Happy Birthday, Bob!

I met my husband, Bob, when he was 23. So much has happened since. Ups, downs, good, bad, but mostly I have seen tremendous growth. "He's still workin' on me" comes to mind. How true. I hope He is still working on me as well. So enjoy your day, Barter Bob, Lasagna Bob, Pesto Bob, whoever you are :)

Happy 16th Birthday Zach!

16! WOW! As you have heard me say before, "He's come a long way!" From just sitting on the floor, or couch, not wanting any contact with another human being, (not even me) to talking to and greeting all his church family every chance he gets! What a blessing Zach is to us. He is so excited for today. He woke to his Dad making him his favorite drink, and orange banana smoothie. And he heard "Happy Birthday" played on the piano as well. We are going to Red Robin for his birthday dinner tonight. He has a coupon for a free dinner there!
I want to thank all of Zach's friends and family for being such a huge encouragement to him, and to us. It means alot. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!