Oh, say can you see....

Our final day "out east"....we will leave to come home first thing in the morning.
What a GREAT week we have had!!

Today was no exception...
We headed out to the B&O Railroad Museum where we took a historic tain ride where the first railroad tracks were laid in America! We had the chance to climb aboard several old train cars. And (the kids' favorite) we loved the amazing model train display!


But the highlight of the day, really, was visiting Fort McHenry. Do you know about this place?? The battle that turned the War of 1812 (when the British tired to take America back!) was faught here. AND as Francis Scott Key watched the battle from a ship on the water, he penned the poem that became our Star Spangled Banner.


It was very, very cool to stand in the spot where "the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air" happened!! We even got to touch some of those bombs that were fired at our brave soldiers. And to see that huge flag waiving and imagine what it must have been like for Mr. Key to see it still flying in the morning's first light after such an intense battle... It certainly gave new meaning to the song we sing so many times each year.



I know that I am "in the moment" right now...but I really couldn't help but include these lyrics...humor me, and take a "slow read" through them, would ya'?!?!?

Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

I'm not liking it one bit.....

We had another GREAT day!
And we stayed within a mile of our hotel!

We started off at the National Aquarium....and it was awesome! Of course we had to see the dolphin show (which Brock said was the best dolphin show he had ever seen!) and we watched the divers get in to feed the sharks, stingrays, and giant turtle! Very fun.




Then we met up with Uncle Mike and ate lunch at the ESPN Zone. The food was fine, but of course the kids loved all the games the most.





After lunch we went aboard the USS Constellation, a 19th century Navy warship. We felt like we had stepped back in time. We were able to tour all 4 decks of the ship, including the Captain's quaters and the surgeon's sickbay. Very cool.

Micah was able to finally get a REAL nap today (for the first time in 4 days!) while Brock, Erica and I went for a swim.

Dinner was at the Rusty Scupper....yummy seafood restaurant right on the harbor with a great view of the city. And yes, my crab-stuffed-shrimp were DELICIOUS!

It was a great day.

Except for this....and I am not liking it one bit.
Micah started calling me "Mom"....not mommy and not mama....but "Mom"! And, oh my, does he sound so old. It is like he decided that since he was two now he needed to call me "Mom". Of course when he yells it now, the rest of the family laughs out loud because 1) it sounds so stinking cute and 2) they know that it is killing me for him to sound so old!!

Yep. It was a great day!

Happy Birthday Micah!!!!

We celebrated your birthday today in our nation's capitol! What a way to celebrate....

**We toured The Capitol building...we got special tickets with your birthdate stamped on them...then we went inside for our tour. You were the youngest of anybody we saw in the entire Capitol Building...and you behaved sooooooo well!! We were so proud of you (even though I think you may not have been listening to the ENTIRE story of the beautiful mural painted in the dome! I think security may have seen you playing with your horse in the Rotunda!! wink, wink!!)

**You were so excited to board the bus again!! Oh how we loved those "talking guys" who told us all about the city.

**You dodged the rain drops (thanks to Brock's skillful stroller driving) as we waited for our time to go up in the Washington Monument. And when it was your turn, you LOVED looking out those super tall windows down at the buildings, cars and water below!

**We took a tour through the Arlington National Cemetery where we were reminded of all the men and women who served our country...many who gave their lives for our freedom!!! You had no idea what all those white blocks were out in the grass...or why mommy had tears in her eyes...but someday you will understand.

**Then you saw those marching soldiers. And listened as they clicked their heels and stood at attention. Thank you for being so quiet!!

**You fell asleep in two seconds flat once we got back to our car.

**Good thing you caught a little late nap....because Uncle Mike ordered pizza and picked up a cake. A birthday party in Baltimore!!

You were such a good boy today, Micah. Our little 2 year old man!!!!!

You bless our lives so much!!

WE LOVE YOU!!!!
Dad, Mom, Brock and Erica

Sweet Land of Liberty

Wow!!
All day I just felt like singing patriotic songs!!

The United States of America is far from perfect....but today our family was reminded of what an awesome, awesome country we live in...founded by brave men with an incredible faith in God....and protected by many men and women who have sacrificed throughout the years.

We had a great day in Washington D.C. The highlight of our day was the National Archives Museum, where we saw the ORIGINAL Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights....up close and personal. We also spent some time in the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum, where we touched the world's only "touchable rock from the moon."! We saw the White House, The Capitol, The Washington Monument, The Lincoln Memorial, The Vietnam Wall....and much more...from our "Tour Bus" and enjoyed hearing lots of cool info about each one from our tour guide!

And, as if that weren't enough, we had dinner at Mike's house!! and took a swim when we arrived back at the suite!!

Tomorrow will also be a busy day...
We hope to tour The Capitol, The Washington Monument, The White House Center...and maybe The U.S. Mint?? We'll see how that plan holds up...for it to happen, we will need an early start...hence me saying goodnight...but not before a few pics, of course!!!






Oh, for goodness sakes....if you care to see the whole slide show from the day...well, here it is....

Road Trip!!!!

Did I mention.....????

We packed up this morning and headed East.
We arrived in Baltimore, MD tonight. Whew! 12 hours of travel in all.....I think it can be done in 9, but not by us...and not with 3 kids.

We will spend the next 4 days hanging out with Uncle Mike (my brother) and a couple of days exploring our nation's capitol., too.

Stay tuned....

and, oh....about that "J"?!?!?!?
I wrote a post for our "J" scripture, with no intent to publish it...not sure how it posted...and I would delete it, EXCEPT for the fact that Stacy's comment made me laugh and I hate to delete it, too. So the "J" stays.

J

Papaw's Buddy

What I want for tonight...and for all my tomorrows.

The words came from Ann (at Holy Experience)...but they come also from MY heart....


"I want to see the sacred in the common, the hallowed in the everyday, the holy in the now.
I want to have eyes for grace.
I want to know life as gift.
I want to see God, El Shaddai, who is enough: my very own rest, my perfect peace, my wellspring of joy."


Yep. That IS what I want.

Happy Birthday to my dear (older) husband!!

Chad,

I have been trying all day to think of what type of bloggy-birthday post to do for you today…your 38th birthday. The problem I keep coming back to is this: In your humility, I think that you would just assume I not post anything at all.

Well….in my world of BLOG, that is just not acceptable.
You are my husband….I esteem you highly….and I want the whole world to know (or at least the 3 people who read this) that October 12 is a BIG deal to me! On this day, God chose to bring into this world a blonde-haired baby that would one day become my best friend and mate for life.

Happy Birthday, Chad.
I am very privileged to walk these years by your side. You bless me…and so many others…in ways that you are too humble to see.

I love you.
I love being YOUR wife!
Michelle

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to a new mommy!!

Happy Birthday, Ashley!

Here's the little "sumpthin'" that I made for you. It was a JOY to look at these pics over and over as I put it together. You and Aaron will be (and already are) such AWESOME parents. Baby Jude is absolutley beautiful, and it has been such an priviledge for me to get to share (even if from many miles away) in some of your "first time mommy" moments. You are doing a great job! I cannot wait to hold that baby in my arms...and give YOU a great big hug!!

Until then, I will just keep watching this....





...and I will continue to pray for your days...and nights...with your precious little gift from God!

The 2nd best idea I had today.

I had been dreading one certain project for days.
I needed to wash...REALLY wash...2 items.
1.) Micah's carset.
2.) The rug in the garage.

My plan was to take them....one by one...into the tub that has a hand held shower attachment. I could soak 'em, scrub 'em, and rinse 'em there in the tub.
UGHHHH! All that bending and splashing. I was dreading it! We have access to a power washer....but what a pain to get it all out and set it all up.

Then this morning it hit me....

So Micah and I pitched the carseat (we used our other one) and rug into the back of my truck and headed into town.
To the carwash.

After inserting a couple of quarters, I stood back and sprayed!!! No bending. No splashing.
Wonder of all wonders!
It worked great!!
And we had fun doing it!
Hmmmmm.......what can we power wash next???






OH...the 1st best idea I had today??
That was when I ageed (or dare I confess......"I suggested") that Micah and I have an impromptu meeting with Carrie at the ICE CREAM PARADISE.... for a turtle sundae. You must understand....ICE CREAM PARADISE will be closing for the season in just 5 more days!

Are You Ready for Game Day???....AM I???

Tonight at High School youth group...
this video will "intro" our topic. I think the kids will like it, maybe you will too.

I will be talking to them about having a readiness AND willingness to share the good news of Christ with others.
I think I need to put a mirror up in front of me while I am talking, because this is something that I SOOOOOOOOO want to do better. So many times at the end of the day I think to myself....did I introduce ANYONE today to Jesus???

Don't get me wrong. I talk about Him alot....but usually to my family and friends who already know Him.

I know I need to do more. I want to do more. I will look for ways to do more.

I have permission....

If a picture is worth a thousand words....then this video must be worth a million!!
Earlier today I learned how to use the new iMovie program, so I decided to make my "first project" a little keepsake video for Stacy (of her trip to Indiana)!

I just secured Stacy's (reluctant) permission to publish the video here.....
so enjoy.

Fall Fun!

I am finally getting around to posting a few pictures from our trip this past Sunday to Turkey Run State Park. It was a beautiful afternoon for hiking the trails.



Micah got "up close and personal" with nature...



The suspension bridge was a hit, as usual...


A special note to Sandy (and anyone else who ever wondered): Yes. Yes. and Yes! :)

35 to 28....in overtime!!

We have been having some serious battles in our front yard. This evening was no exception.
Erica and Dad VS. Brock, Micah and Mom. That's the usual line up.
Take a close look in this first picture....Micah is learning to line up behind the line of scrimmage (although you can see in the second photo that he doesn't really have the offensive system down yet!)





2 weeks ago, Brock actually spray-painted sidelines and endzones in the grass.
Erica is becoming quite the wide-receiver.
Seriously. Tonight it was 35 to 28 in a sudden death overtime....although Micah went on the bedtime-reserve roster somewhere in the 3rd quarter.



But not before he gave us his best impression of a tree losing it's leaves....



Oh how I do love fall.
And to add to the delight of it all, just look what I picked up at Bath and Body Works this week....



If you haven't bought your "fall scent" candle yet, I HIGHLY reccommend this one! I can tell you already that I will be heading back for another.

There's power in the blood.

I am not sure that the Central Indiana Blood Center staff was prepared for it.

And I am CERTAIN that the "blood-mobile" was not made for it.

But, none-the-less, our family of five.....blood donor, his wife, his 3 kids.....arrived shortly before close last night. One of us was there to help save lives.....the rest of us were there to admire.

Chad has O- blood....liquid gold....the universal blood donor type. His blood can be used to help anyone....anytime. Blood banks always need more blood....but they always REALLY need O- blood. So Chad went. And this time we all followed along.

After all, without us there, he MIGHT NOT have picked that PINK band-aid!!!

Anyway, all the discussion about blood has me thinking today about the significance of blood....life-giving.....life-saving blood. The Old Testament was so full of blood sacrifices....from the first animal that was killed to make a covering for Adam....to the many sacrifices made over and over at the alter.

Then God did it.
The ultimate sacrifice.
Read it from Hebrews 10:3-10

3"But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins,
4 because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
5Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said:
"Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
but a body you prepared for me;
6with burnt offerings and sin offerings
you were not pleased.
7Then I said, 'Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll—
I have come to do your will, O God.'
8First he said, "Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them" (although the law required them to be made). 9Then he said, "Here I am, I have come to do your will." He sets aside the first to establish the second. 10And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

In one sacrifice, Christ accomplished what a bazillion bulls and goats could never do....and what I certainly could never do myself. By one sacrifice he made me perfect....forgiven....holy....saved. I am grateful that when my heavenly Father looks at me, He sees me covered with Christ's blood.

For certain, there is power in the blood!!!

I couldn't have said it any better (or longer!).....

Well, I had thought I might give some fun details about Stacy's weekend here in central Indiana. But, then after I read HER description, I decided to not even try. Really, you MUST take a minute to GO HERE and read all about our wonderful weekend. (For you Hoosier friends, please chime in on the White Castles!!)



How is possible for a weekend to go so fast?? I had a wonderful time catching up with Stacy...face to face....but, Sunday morning came way too fast. I continue to thank God for the precious gift of this friendship!!!

Oh Happy Day!!

What an awesome blessing to get to spend the weekend with my sweet friend, Stacy!!!!!

It has been over two years now that God first planted the seed of this friendship as our families prepared to bring home our newest sons! Since then, it is amazing to see how God has continued to grow our friendship across many, many miles.

We will spend the weekend hanging out, catching up, eating lots....and hopefully finding a cow for that girl to milk!!!!

Stay tuned for pics....or should I try to snag a video of that???

The best thing about him....was Him.

Ten years ago today Rich Mullins was killed in a car accident. Despite the fact that he was....IS....my all-time-favorite-ever singer/songwriter, it is hard to really "mourn" his death...probably because I just picture him in heaven hammering away at his dulcimer for his Audience of One.....feeling far more at home there than he ever felt on this earth.

If I Stand
Awesome God
Step by Step
Creed
Screen Door
Let Mercy Lead
Elijah
Boy Like Me
My Deliverer

....I could go on and on and on and on.....
Great songs.
Great voice.
Great lyrics.


And, yet, what I love most about Rich Mullins' music, is that I don't come away from it saying/thinking "wow, Rich Mullins is so great."......Instead, I come listen to His music and find myself saying/thinking "WOW...I SERVE A GREAT GOD!"

I was telling Chad last night, that one of the things I love most about Rich Mullins is that he was never really that "lovable".....I mean....he wasn't that cute, he sounded kinda goofy when he talked, he was awkward at times....and yet he consistently, passionately sought after God like CRAZY! I love that....and I think his music is just like that.

Anyway....celebrate with me today... the life and music of a true believer.

Happy Birthday, Paps!!

Happy birthday to you.
Happy birthday to you.
Happy birthday, dear Paps.
Happy birthday to YOU!!!!!!!!!

We love you, Paps!!

p.s. We won't mention how old you are, because nobody can really see the "65" on the cake in the picture!!