Happy Halloween...

Just a few pics...

Super Kids:

Super Pumpkins:

L.

Twelve Years Ago, Today...

… we made a choice.

Sitting in a little house on the EMD campgrounds, Phil and I looked at each other and asked (and answered) a question, “Are we going to sit around talking about it forever, or are we going to do it?”  And then we jumped in, with both feet, and started on a journey that lasted for a dozen years and changed us, forever.

Today, we pulled a moving van into the driveway at a little house on the EMD campgrounds.  And just as the decision all those years ago was an answer to the call of God on our lives to leave home; this day was an answer to the call of God on our lives to return.

It’s been one of those days that you just couldn’t dream up, even if you tried…

From the sounds of Caedmon’s Call’s “Coming Home” blaring on the radio, at sunrise, as I crossed the Michigan border…

To the welcome we received from friends, old and new, for the unloading of the truck (and I have to note here, that two of those sets of friends had also greeted us, in Colorado Springs, when we first began this journey – simply amazing)…

To watching the kids run across a field to a playground to play with kids they knew in what seems like a former life... and they don't even realize it... but I do...

To the worship with Olivet’s “The Narrow” that seemed to hit on every era of our adventure, leaving me in tears for most of the night… happy tears… astounded tears…

To the way this house even smells and feels like that first little house...

I am, perhaps, a little floored at the way God works things out. 

“How many years did you plan this moment here just to show me that you love me?” (Britt Nicole, Seeing for the First Time).  I am so thankful, and I wouldn't change a thing...

L.

Quizfest 2013...

Wow!  It had been a long time since we'd been to Quizfest, as other events have filled our schedule for years!  It was great to be back!

In addition to having a blast catching up with old friends, I am just loving getting to know our new team.  What an amazing group!  These guys managed to go into the tournament seeded 4th, and although they dropped to an 8th place finish, that is still incredible, especially since half of them had never been to an invitational quiz before! 

Durand, 8th Place

Back Row: Josh, Grace, Kelsay

Front Row: Sam, Kyle, Seth

 More than that, we just had an awful lot of fun!

Hanging Out After the Quizzing Was Finished:

Who Can Resist Squishing Seth?

Apparently not Phil or Kyle:

Dinner Time!

It only took us three tries to find a Pizza Hut

that was open and had eat-in seating:

As far as individual results go, Seth placed 11th and Grace placed 3rd!  We are looking forward to more of that as the year progresses...

Top 15 - 

Grace is up front, and Seth is behind that tall guy:

I love being a part of the global quizzing family... always have... always will...

L.

Happy 12th Birthday, Grace!

I don't know exactly why, but Grace's birthday, this year, caused me to stop and think about the circumstances surrounding her birth a little more than I ordinarily would.  Maybe it's because we are in the process of moving back to the place where she was born... the place where we resided for just weeks of her life before setting out on a twelve year journey that would change us forever.  There will be more on that soon...

But what I was actually dwelling on was the fact that I was surprised to find that I was pregnant with Grace, at all, just four months after Seth was born.  After giving birth to Seth, I was repeatedly cautioned to use birth control... to not get pregnant again right away... because I was taking Coumadin, a category X medication in regard to pregnancy, a medication that, when taken during pregnancy, should result in central nervous system defects, deformed limbs, and developmental retardation.  And I just never thought to worry about it, because it took 2 1/2 years to get pregnant with Seth, so surely we wouldn't have another baby right away.

But we did.

Grace hummed for the first 24 hours of her life.  I am relatively sure that the medical community was mystified.  I remember getting some funny looks from family members who were, most likely, wondering what on earth was wrong with this baby.  Somehow, I wasn't too worried (which is really saying something, because I can tend to be a worrier).  I remember telling people that she was fine.  Nothing was wrong with her.  She was just going to love music.

Well...  I was right.

So, if you ever stop to wonder why I am amazed by Grace at every turn, maybe this little story will help.  Like I said, I don't think of it often.  I had all but forgotten about how her life began by the time she taught herself to read at age four... and by the time she published a story in a magazine... and by the time she started racking up trophies and scholarships for quizzing... and talent show wins for songs she has composed.  But mostly I have just forgotten, because I see her making friends, loving people, helping wherever she is needed, and loving Jesus - becoming exactly who she was made to be.

I love this girl!

Happy birthday, "Pretty Princess"!  You are the best surprise of my life!

Love,

Mom 

PS  I don't want to forget the really important b-day details... So... Grace chose Little Caesar's Pizza and Italian Cheese Bread, Coke, Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Frosting, and Extreme Moose Tracks Ice Cream, today...  L.

Just Time For Stats...

Yesterday was good for more reasons than just numbers.  I love how we are getting to know our local teams and working together, for example!  But I'm tired, so here's the breakdown:

Experienced Division:

1st Place Team: Seth, Kyle, and Grace

Top 5 Individuals, 

Seth (3rd), Grace (4th), 

(We seem to be playing "Musical Top 6" these first two months)

Novice Division:

3rd Place Team: Sam, Hannah, Josh, Abby, Kelsay

Top 5 Individuals, Hannah (3rd)

Quizfest Comin' Up Next Weekend...

L.

Best Friends...

... I'm not even sure what to say.

A picture's worth a thousand words, right?

L.

This Was Hard...

... but maybe not quite as hard as I thought.

Now that it's listed, it would be excellent if we could get a buyer...  maybe this week?  ;)

L.