It’s always nice when someone admits that you’re right.

You see, we’ve always known Trey’s a great kid.  We tell people that all the time.  We brag on him and take great pride in all that he can do.

It seems we’re not alone.  This month, Trey was awarded the Most Valuable Maverick award for his class.  And since a picture is worth a thousand words, I’m going to let our pictures do the talking and give my fingers a rest.

The Fan Jam is about to begin!  Excitement and anticipation fill the air!

For such a special occasion, Matt went into work late.  In honor of Trey, he wore the chemo cap Trey gave him for Christmas.  Trey picked out the embroidering on the cap, which reads, “I’m a fighter.”

Proud parents!  We were so excited for him…he had no idea what was coming.  And here is the big announcement…

Trey proudly shows his award.  Two of his best friends also received the award from a different class, so he was thrilled to be in such great company.

Proud third graders show off their Most Valuable Maverick awards!

Trey basks in the post-award glow.  And what better way to celebrate than with a dance!

Yesterday we had a “snow day.”  I use that term loosely, because technically we did not have any snow.  We had ice, and really just a glazing of it.  Before all you northerners hurt yourselves laughing at us, let me remind you that nothing is more dangerous than being on an icy road with some yee-haw in a pick-em-up truck who thinks it’s okay to drive the speed limit.

Today we begin to thaw out…slowly.  I drove to school in a frozen fog with traces of ice and remnants of snow on the ground.  We’ll hit the 50’s today and be in shorts and t-shirts by the weekend.  But this week it’s been cold…time for mittens and warm socks and hats and thick coats.  And like the song says, those warm woolen mittens remind me to be grateful for some of my favorite things:

• a cup of hot cocoa with whipped cream on top
• a crackling fire in the fireplace
• time to play games with my children
• making pancakes for breakfast, and staying in our pajamas until noon
• the beauty of winter, despite the dreary cold…the ice sparkling on the tree branches was dazzling!
• the joy of spring, as the brown grass turns green and the barren landscape comes to life
• the fire of autumn, as the trees let go of summer in a “blaze of glory”
• curling up at the end of the day with a good book, favorite TV show, or chick flick to unwind
• a great workout at the gym that energizes my body and spirit
• a “God moment” and the serendipity of discovering Him in the midst of an ordinary day

In the midst of winter’s doldrums, I encourage you to take a moment and be grateful for your favorite things!

With credit to a fellow Sloan Creek Neighbor who sent this out to our google group.

An Obituary printed in the London Times…….. Interesting and sadly rather true.

‘Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as: Knowing when to come in out of the rain; why the early bird gets the worm; Life isn’t always fair; and maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don’t spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended
from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.
Common Sense declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an Aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as some churches became businesses and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a beating when you couldn’t defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, his wife, Discretion, his daughter, Responsibility, and his son, Reason.  He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers; I Know My Rights, I Want It Now, Someone Else Is To Blame, I’m A Victim.

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.

I’m happy to report that the scale and I have reached a truce.  We are now back on speaking terms.  Our relationship is volatile and there are likely to be many more tense moments, but for now things are good.  Not as good as I had hoped, but defninitely better than they were.

And while there’s no new loss to report, I have to keep in mind that overall I’ve lost over 25 lbs. and have mainly kept it off since October.  That in itself is good news and more progress than I’ve enjoyed on any other diet I’ve tried.  I’m below my pregnancy weight with both my children, I’m exercising more regularly and seeing results from it, and I’m enjoying a much healthier lifestyle.  There’s still progress to be made, but I can’t lose sight of how far I’ve already come.

So what if I’m just “hanging out” for awhile on the beach?  It’s not a bad place to be.

Once upon a time, there was a little girl named Crisana.  She was a happy little girl, especially happy because she had just celebrated a birthday.  She wanted to share this birthday with all her friends, but how?

“I know!”  cried Crisana.  “I’ll invite my friends to a Teddy Bear Tea Party!”  And so she did.

The day of the party arrived, and Crisana was very excited.  She could hardly wait for her friends to come!  Soon, it was time for the party!  The girls all arrived one by one with their teddy bears and wearing their pretty party dresses.

“You look so pretty!”  Crisana told her guests as they arrived.  Soon, she realized something was missing.

“I know!” cried Crisana.  “You must have a crown to wear.”

“But we don’t have any crowns!  What will we do?” her friends said.

“I shall give you a crown that you may decorate,” replied Crisana.  And so she did.

Now the girls were very happy, because they had beautiful crowns to wear.  They looked like real princesses!

Soon, Crisana realized there was something missing.  The beautiful girls had no jewelry to wear to their tea party!

“I know!”  cried Crisana.  “You must have some sparkly jewelry to wear.”

“But we don’t have any jewelry!  What will we do?” her friends said.

“I will take you on a hunt to look for some jewelry.  Follow me,” Crisana replied.  And so she did.

The girls searched high, the girls searched low.  They searched in the living room and found sparkly rings.  They searched in Crisana’s room and found matching bracelets.  They searched in the playroom and found glittery necklaces.

Now the girls were very happy, because they had beautiful jewelry to wear.  They looked like fine ladies!

Soon, Crisana realized something was missing.

“I know!” cried Crisana.  “You must have a story to share with your bears.”

“But we don’t have any books!  What will we do?” her friends said.

“I will have my mom read you a story,” Crisana replied.  And so she did.

So the fine ladies got their bears and shared a wonderful story Make a Wish, Honey Bear with them.

Now the girls were very happy, for they had heard a wonderful story.  They looked like real mommies!

Soon Crisana realized something was missing.

“I know!” cried Crisana.  “You must have something to eat.”

“But we don’t have any food!  What will we do?” her friends said.

“I will have my mom serve you tea,” replied Crisana.  And so she did.

Those fine ladies enjoyed heart-shaped sandwiches of peanut-butter-and-jelly and turkey-and-cheese-with-butter.  They dipped fruit kabobs into yogurt and sugar.  They sipped pink lemonade from fancy china cups.  They ate off fine china plates.

Now the girls were very happy, for they had full tummies!

Soon the friends realized something was missing.

“I know!” they cried.  “You must have birthday cake!”

“But I don’t have any cake!  What will I do?” Crisana said.

“We will sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to you while you blow out your candles,” her friends replied.  And so they did.

Now Crisana was very happy, because she blew out all her candles.  Her wishes would come true!

Soon, her friends realized something was missing.

“I know!” they cried.  “You must open your presents!”

“But I didn’t bring any presents!  What will I do?” Crisana replied.

“We will give you the presents we brought,” her friends said.  And so they did.

Crisana opened the gifts, one by one, that her friends had brought.  Along the way, she read the cards that went with them.

Now Crisana and her friends were very happy, because it had been a wonderful party.

Soon, Crisana realized there was nothing missing.

“I know!” Crisana cried.  “I’ve just had the best birthday party ever.”  And she did.

Announcer #1: Yes, race fans, it’s that time of year once again: time for Cub Scout Pinewood Derby!

Announcer #2: Entering this year’s race, we have seasoned veteran Trey Speer driving the #319 car.

Announcer #1: He totally revamped his design from last year, everything from the shape of the nose to the placement of the weights.  You know, last year was his first year to race in the Pinewood Derby.  He placed #4 out of all the Wolves, which wasn’t a bad showing for his first year.

Announcer #2: I understand he’s named his car this year.  I hear he calls it the “Road Rocket.”

Announcer #1: You know, he’s had quite a year this year.  His family has had been dealing with some serious health concerns.  We’ve been told that his dad has been undergoing chemotherapy and helped him build the car following his most recent treatment.

Announcer #2: Well, you wouldn’t know it from the amount of focus put into this years’ car.  A whole new design, new look, and new colors.  It will be interesting to see how it all plays out.

Announcer #1: Just look at the lineup of amazing cars this year!  Those Bear Cub Scouts really made some incredible racers.  That’s going to make for a tough decision on the design competition this year!

Announcer #2: You’re right about that!  Boy, I’m glad I don’t have the job of judging those cars.

Announcer #1: It looks like the Road Rocket is ready to race!  I believe I see Trey Speer at the finish line ready to cheer on his car!

Announcer #2: This is what it’s all about!  The excitement, the anticipation…I can hardly wait!  Let’s watch the call from our booth!

Announcer #1: A bit of a slow start for the veteran Trey Speer.  The racers are reorganizing for the next race.  Let’s see how the Road Rocket fares on its final race.

Announcer #2: You know, it seems as though the Road Rocket just didn’t quite have it this year.

Announcer #1: Yeah, it was a tough year for our veteran racer.  There was a lot of competition, a lot of good racers, and though he came in 13th place, you can bet he’ll be back again next year.

Announcer #2: That’s it for us.  From Cub Scout Raceway in McKinney, Texas, it’s so long, everybody and happy driving!

What can I say?  I know there’s a lot for me to be grateful for this week, but in my mind there’s really only one worth mentioning.  This week, I’m grateful for healing.

I’m grateful for doctors who provide medicine and care to help sick people get well…people like my husband, who as of this week is showing signs of responding to the chemotherapy!  I’m grateful for the good report we received this week, for the healing Matt is already experiencing, and for knowing that he is officially halfway through with chemo!

I’m grateful for doctors who are thorough, who notice subtle signs that something’s not right…doctors who noticed an unusual birthmark on Crisana at her 2-week checkup, and who ordered x-rays “just to be sure.”  To look at my perfectly healthy, active 6-year-old you’d never know there was even a chance that someday she might not be able to walk.

But above and beyond, I’m most grateful for knowing the Great Physician, and knowing that our ultimate healing comes from Him and through Him.  I’m grateful that he can not only make sick people well, but also dead people live.  Yes, this week I am truly grateful for healing.

It wasn’t that long ago that I was doing this.  No, really.  Just last week, as a matter of fact.

But this time, it’s Crisana’s turn!

On January 22, 2003, we welcomed a precious little baby girl into our lives.  Everything about her has been a surprise, from finding out we were expecting another baby to her birth experience to discovering her personality.  It’s been the most fun adventure we’ve ever had, and the fun is only beginning!  Here, in no particular order, are the top Six Things I Love About Crisana.

1.  I love Crisana’s sparkly personality.  She just oozes charm everywhere she goes.  She lights up a room just by being in it.  She loves to laugh and she knows how to make others laugh with her.  She loves being around other people, and makes friends everywhere she goes.  She has a delightful sense of humor and can make anyone feel at ease being around her.  I love spending time with her…she’s my little buddy!

2.  The second thing I love about Crisana is her adaptability.  As a second child, she has had to adjust to the schedules of other people from the time we brought her home from the hospital.  Although I tried to keep her on a routine, she has never had the luxury of being the only focus of my attention and has ended up being carted around to different activities at a much younger age than Trey.  But she has never seemed to mind, and always finds a way to enjoy wherever we are.  She is a go-anywhere, do-anything kind of kid!

3.  The third thing I love about Crisana is her love of language.  She learned to read pretty much on her own and was reading at an end-of-kindergarten level by September.  She is never far from paper and pencil and loves to write notes about anything and everything.  She talks constantly and is developing confidence in speaking in front of people.  More than anything else, this makes me feel a connection between her and my dad.  He was a masterful writer, a gifted speaker, a talented educator.  To see his legacy passed on to his granddaughter keeps his spirit alive, and keeps him close to me.

4.  The fourth thing on my list would be her love for God.  She couldn’t wait to ask Jesus to “clean her heart”, and was so excited to be baptized last September.  To her, God is as real as any friend, and she is developing in her understanding of what it means to live for Him.  She has a heart that is tender and willing to learn, and loves to do devotions and talk about what we’ve studied.  She knows she is God’s little princess and is proud to be a daughter of the King of Kings!

5.  Number 5 would have to be her love for the outdoors.  No matter what the weather, she wants to be out in it…well, except for thunderstorms.  Whether it’s jumping on the trampoline, playing on the play fort, riding her scooter, roller skating, riding her bike, or just decorating our driveway with sidewalk chalk creations, she is all about being outside.  She, more than Trey, gets excited when it’s time for family campouts and doesn’t seem the least bit afraid to sleep outside or take night hikes when it’s pitch dark.  She enjoys exploring in nature and is a force to be reckoned with on family hikes.

6.  The sixth thing I love about Crisana would be her girliness.  I love that she loves the colors pink and purple, that she loves her baby dolls and her tea set and making tea parties for her dolls.  I love that she loves playing Mommy and snuggles with her stuffed animals and reads to them.  I love how she loves to dress up in pretty dresses and put on all her jewelry and carry her purse when we go out.  I love how when she was only 4 months old she held a rattle phone up to her ear and started “talking” into it.  I love that she paints her own fingernails and wants lip gloss on her lips before going to school.  I love how my little rough-and-tumble nature explorer can turn into a little princess in only a moment’s time.  And I love that she wanted to be a fairy princess for Halloween.  I love that my little girl is truly that: a little “girl.”

Happy birthay, princess!  May the sparkle of your life continue to shine throughout the year ahead!

Love,

Mom

Today we inaugurated a new president.

And, in the process, we also witnessed history.

Whether I like it or not, whether I voted for him or not, Barack Obama is now the President of the United States.  He is the face of our nation, the voice of our country to the world.  And though he was not my choice for president, he IS my president…and it is my patriotic duty to support, respect, and pray for him as he leads us.

We’ve heard a lot of words over the past several days, things like “change” and “hope” and “unity.”  Those are great words.  They’re great concepts.  Change is good.  Hope is good.  Unity is good.  But even though I’m an optimist, I just don’t get it.  I don’t see it.  The words I hear ring hollow, untrue, untrustworthy.  Perhaps it’s because I understand it’s not “In Government We Trust” but rather “In God We Trust.”

I realize that for many, my views are unpopular.  People like me are labeled “unenlightened”, “archaic”, “repressive.”  My world view is deemed out of date, out of touch, and out of whack.  But in truth, my life over the past 25 years is a testimony to the “audacity of hope”, and I know that my hope lies not in what any president - Republican or Democrat -  promises but rather in the infallible, unfailing, unerring promises of my God:

May the God of HOPE fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with HOPE by the power of the Holy Spirit.  -Romans 15:13

That’s my kind of hope!

Yesterday, Matt and I had a date.  A date with a boy king, no less.

The background to the story is long and since no one probably cares, I’ll spare you the details.  However, through the generosity of a very special family member, we were able to go see the King Tut exhibit at the Dallas Museum of Art.  Egypt holds special significance for us as a couple, since it was while Matt was living and teaching in Egypt that we began dating and essentially fell in love.  He had visited many of the sites while he was there, but this is probably the closest we’ll ever get to seeing them as a couple.

We had tickets for a 3:00 entrance but were encouraged to watch the Egypt 3D movie first.  It was an experience watching the 25-minute history lesson with funky glasses on, but we learned some things and gained some historical perspective on the exhibit.  We then toured the numerous galleries and saw artifacts from not only Tutankhamen but other pharaoes and members of the royal family.  And yes, believe it or not, I enjoyed my time in an art museum!

After we had filled our brains with information, and indulged our senses with the beauty and amazing craftsmanship of the ancient Egyptian civilization, it was time for some shopping!  We raided the gift shop, and since the rest of the galleries were closed, we headed back to the car to find a place to eat dinner.  We managed to find Thomas Avenue Beverage Company, a place Matt had taken me for my birthday dinner about 11 or 12 years ago.  The fact that we haven’t been back has more to do with an inconvenient location lack of a children’s menu (or playland for that matter) and the fact that it’s a BAR than anything to do with the quality of food.  We began with their hummus and pita bread and I think we would have licked the bowl clean if that would have been appropriate.  Matt enjoyed a bleu-cheese stuffed steak and I opted for the non-South Beach friendly spinach ravioli with cremini mushrooms and tomato sauce.  We talked without interruption, enjoyed a liesurely meal without questions of “what’s this green stuff” and “do I have to eat more vegetables before I can have a treat?”, and even watched a bit of the Steelers-Ravens game.

After sufficiently stuffing ourselves, we weren’t ready to head home immediately - and it was only 7:00 which is early even for our standards.  After weighing our options, we decided to take advantage of free babysitting and no curfew and see a movie.  We arrived at the theater about 15 minutes too late, so we had to wait about 45 minutes before the next show.  We sat in the theater’s cafe and sipped hot chocolate from Starbuck’s while we waited to see Paul Blart, Mall Cop.  Yes, we went from one end of the cultural spectrum to the other in a matter of hours.

Not sure the movie was worth the $18 price of admission, but the time spent together was worth far more than that.  All in all, it was a pretty great way to spend a Sunday - from the ruins of ancient Egypt, to the kitschy neighborhood of Uptown Dallas, to the Orange County Mall in New Jersey (which was really filmed at the Burlington Mall in Midlesex, MA - my very favorite mall from college days, and home of the only Chili’s within several hundred miles of Gordon!!) - all without leaving home.