Silver it is! Happy 25th Wedding Anniversary, Jimmy and Kim.

1984















Our firstborn child, Kim, and her husband, Jimmy, are celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary today! It is difficult to believe that so many years have flown by since their wedding day in 1984. Many of you reading this will remember the day as I do. It rained the morning of the wedding, but just as the ceremony ended in the Baptist Church of Palmetto, Georgia, the sun came out! I can't remember if rain on a wedding day is supposed to be good or bad luck (and quite possibly a lot of work and compromise?). But if Kim and Jimmy's marriage is any indication, it brings very good luck. Over the years their marriage has become increasingly solid and a model for others. Their strong faith in God, family, truth, faithfulness, and commitment shows at every turn in them and their children. We wish them many, many more years of ''wedded compatibility." Happy, Happy Anniversary!!

Gemelos; Doubles; Gêmeos; Gemelli; Zwillinge; близнецы; TWINS!!!

No matter what language you say it in, it means the same. We got great news today. Karin and Brandon are expecting TWINS!! A Big Surprise, and double blessing. We are soooo excited!!! One is a girl for sure, and think "Baby B" is another boy. Yeah! Grammy can start looking for Pink stuff. Life is Good.

Summerzcool 2009 Tour

Tonight, Terry and I went to see Jimmy Buffet at the Hi Buys Amphitheatre (formerly Lakewood) here in Atlanta. The last time we went to one was a couple of years ago. That year Joe and Bruce went with us. It RAINED - by that I mean a deluge! We had to wait in the car for 30 minutes until the main downpour stopped, then we wadded through acres (0r so it seemed) of mud up to our ankles. Throughout the concert there was a slow, steady shower of light rain. But, if any of you has ever attended a Jimmy Buffett concert, you know a "little"?? rain never dampened anyone's spirits.

This time, the weather was beautiful - cool, but comfortable, with clear skies, and no mud anywhere in site! We found a great parking spot and made it into the concert in plenty of time to get a t-shirt, drink, and slice of pizza (for ridiculous prices I might add). The music was great as always, and a good time was had by all. However, we have decided that our most favorite Jimmy Buffet Concert was the one we attended at the Waikiki Shell in Honolulu a few years back. So, we figure before a few more years have passed we have to see him there one more time!

The gift of Easter ..... He is risen!

Happy Easter from Topsail NC! The Hunt is On!!

Story Time and Dragon Tales










Nicky finds the prize egg!

GOOD FRIDAY

When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. At three o'clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?" which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, "Listen, he is calling for Elijah." And someone ran, filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink, saying, "Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down." Then Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. Now when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, "Truly this man was God's Son!"

Mark 15:33-39 (NRSV)

Tattered and frayed... on this Good Friday, we hear again the passion story. Hearing vividly once more about our Lord, betrayed and beaten, hanging on the cross to die for our sake, we begin to catch a glimpse of just how tattered and frayed our lives are. We realize that we need to give Jesus our rags - all that is tattered and frayed in our lives - today and every day. We also need to treat each other as Jesus would treat us and serve each other as Jesus continues to serve us as he takes what is tattered and frayed in our life and offers us new life in him.

Tattered and frayed... if you haven't read Walter Wangerin's story "The Ragman" recently, or even if you have, on this Good Friday I would ask you to read it. If you don't have his book, you can find the story at the link below:

http://www.angelfire.com/tx2/jbrown/ragman.html

Heavenly Father, our lives are tattered and frayed, even as we Cherish Our Children and seek to protect them. Give us the strength and the will to lay all that is tattered and frayed in our lives at the foot of the cross. We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

More Prom pics

Prom - A Family Affair

Today is Alison's Senior Prom. Being a homeschooler, the family is involved in this milestone. So, not only Alison (grade 12) and Daniel (grade 10) attended the event, but Mom and Dad came along to see what all the fuss was about. It was a lovely event, and everyone had a wonderful time - from the delicious dinner to the dancing. Don't we have some handsome kids and grandkids???