More Update Pictures

Rachel and her favorite Uncle Paul(She also has a favorite Uncle Michael and Uncle Mike and Uncle Big Tim and Uncle DD). Do you get the idea she has lots of favorite Uncles? This was at Lizzie's on Saturday when things started to quiet down a little.

Open House the night before school started. This is Rachel at her desk getting excited for school to start.

Rachel and Mrs. Benedict at Open House at school.

The first day of third grade. Doesn't she look so tall in this picture.  The lunch box she is holding is an early birthday present from our neighbors and their four dogs.

Rachel with her great Aunt Judy and Aunt Lizzie out for breakfast for the beginning of school. We try to go out the day before school starts but since school started on Friday we went the day after school started.

Rachel and Aunt Lizzie

We had some of Rachel's birthday early( August 30th) since Grandma and Aunt Lizzie were not going to be here for her real birthday. Rachel wanted a giant chocolate chip cookie  for her cake.

Rachel got American Girl books from Aunt Lizzie and Uncle Mike and the red box is full of card making supplies from Grandma, Grandpa and Uncle Michael. She wants to make cards like Aunt Lizzie does.

Aunt Lizzie and Rachel making Grandparents Day cards.  Lizzie is helping Rachel know that less is more.  They both had fun. 

Rachel and I went to Chick-Fil- A the other day and she loves the cow now, she use to be afraid of even getting close to it.

Upper Picture:   Michael cooking us hamburgers and hot dogs over Labor Day. 

Lower Picture: Rachel at a place she likes to eat called Gilligan's Dockside, people can pull up in their boats, tie it up and eat.

Update Through Pictures

This year I did my first canning on my own. I had helped Mom many times when I was a child but this time I did it all by myself. (Well I did call Mom once or twice). I made 7 pints of Zucchini relish. We will see how that turns out. I also tried Pear butter but it is way to runny so I did something wrong there. Oh well there is always next year.

Rachel had a chance to go to a craft class about two weeks before school started and had a blast. It was an hour and a half long and she made four different items. She gave them away to her teacher before I got a picture. Sorry:(

This was taken at Lizzie and Mike's home. This is the family taking care of the chickens. This is what Mike called Fort Cluck. Rachel and the other niece and nephew always loved taking care of the chickens. The chickens have since been given to a family that Lizzie knew.

I like this picture from Mike's service. The service was so like Mike. The gospel was presented for all to understand. It was very dignified and rather joyful. We know Mike is with the Lord which makes it a bitter sweet sorrow. It really hit me then that he was gone and has really made me think about my daily activities and am I pleasing the Lord in ALL I do.  I guess it hit me hardest that Mike was only five months older then I am. That could have been me and what memories would  my family and friends have of me? Would they be Christ honoring?  

This was during the service and because Mike was a marine years ago he was given military honors and  a bugler was there to play Taps.  I am told this is unusual because most services use a CD now and not a person playing.

This gentleman was representing the Marines. I found out later that he is in his eighties and is a World War II vet, he is a believer and goes to the airport two or three times a week to greet soldiers coming home from service and gives them each a tract.

This is flag being given to Lizzie in honor of Mike. I love this picture even more since I know the story behind this gentleman.

Time to Update

     I know I have been gone for a month now but what a month it has been. We have been  on the go so much I have not gotten pictures loaded or even really had time to post. For those who don't know all that has been happening I will clue you in for those who do sorry for the repeat. 

     It all started back on August 16th with getting geared up for school. I had started getting my classroom ready all through the summer and then I was told  we may not have enough students for two K-5 classes. All during the following week I prayed we would have enough students for two classes. 

     The next day Philip called from work at about 10:00  and asked me to pack him a suitcase that Mike (my brother in law) had passed away that morning. We spent the next few days traveling and being in Ga for the service. 

     Teacher work week started that Monday and school that Friday so any teachers know what that week is like. I still didn't know until the first day of school if I would have a class or not. As it worked out I am a teacher's aide for the K-5 class. I am looking at it as a learning year so that next year (when I have a class) I will be a great teacher. Rachel started third grade and has really had to work harder in this class then any grade in school before. It is a big adjustment for her and Mommy when it comes to homework. Keep us in your prayers.

     The following weeks included Philip being in Atlanta for work training, a trip back to help Lizzie pack up the house, finishing paperwork  and the many other things that need to be done here at our house. God has protected us with all the traveling and all the work that has been done over these weeks. Be looking for some pictures in the next few days.

Maryland Trip Week 3

Arlington Cemetery - It was amazing to think each white headstone was for a person who was important to our country.  We were told that in 50 years the whole 600 acers of the cementary would be full.

This is The Tomb of the Unknowns. Wow what a place to be and show respect for those who have scarificed for our freedom.

The changing of the guards. What a sight! WOW! What an honor to be chosen for that job.

HELP!!!!!  Rachel and I sat in this plane and she was pretending to fly. So I was acting scared! I told her I was going to stay on the ground if she was flying.

These next few pictures are from the new Air and Space Museum by  Dullas Airport called the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. This is not the real space shuttle but was used to practice moving the real one back and forth from Texas. It was called the Enterprise.

This is a view of the Space Center. It is full of all kinds of aircraft from hot air balloons to space shuttles. It was really neat.

We went by the capital many times while driving around Washington. Did you know that no statue in Washington may be higher then 19 1/2 feet. That is how tall Lady Freedom is on the top of the capitol. It may be on a pedestal 100 feet tall but the statue can not be more then 19 1/2 feet.

Maryland Trip week 2

We went to The Wall. When we were far away Rachel said "it is so small." When we got up close and she started to see all the names she was amazed  that each one was a person who died for our country. Philip took this picture and loved Rachel's reflection in the wall.

This stood by the the wall and was getting cleaned and the surface redone. It was to honor the men who fought in The Vietnam War.

Rachel wanted to walk up to the top of the Lincoln Memorial so as we climbed. She counted 57 stairs. We also stopped and stood where Martin Luther King Jr. gave his "I have a Dream "speech. 

Philip thought this would be a great picture from the top of the Lincoln Memorial with the Washington Monument in the background. 

We saw the Washington Monument many, many times during the two days we were in Washington. We were told in order to get tickets to up into the top we needed to be there at 6:30 am . Then we would be  given a time to come back for our ride to the top. Also if the wind gets above 20 miles an hour the monument is shut down because it sways to much in the wind.

More pictures in a day or two.