The Fauth Clan Musings

News for summer

2009-07-11T22:35:00.002-04:00

I, Nancy, thought I would catch you all up.

Running: David, Jonny and I ran the Fredericksburg Heritage 5 miler and enjoyed it. I beat my time for last year and ran it in 44 minutes, 47 seconds. I was happy.

Good Book: Hind's Feet in High Places. Amazing book about surrendering all to the Lord and not being so anxious. (Main character is Much Afraid in this allegory which really hits home for me).

David: starts driving school Monday. Has 8 sessions that he can't miss and takes a test at the end that if he passes, he won't have to take at the DMV.

VBS this week for our church. David and Elizabeth working.

Arianna: off to Lynchburg today for music camp with her friend. Then when she comes home, she immediately goes to kids' camp with Jonny and Elizabeth and our church. She'll be worn out.

Music: Arianna has had 3 piano lessons now. We managed to get a new keyboard, full size, with pedal and weighted touch sensitive keys. I hope she sticks with it. David has been brushing up on the mellaphone with some lessons this summer-marching band, here he comes. Jonny is getting some decent sounding notes out on the saxophone with David's help.

We had our first party on the new patio. It is really nice. People enjoyed it.

We all had some great Lebanese food tonight thanks to Moses Abdallah's mom and aunt.

Hospital: needs to get busier! Today we had an open house. I am actually working at my old hospital this week. It will be fun to see everyone that I worked with for years.

School: I am done with 33 credits. I am in the middle of another class. This one is on assessment. I took an online IQ test. Scored high on verbal. Surprised?

First piano lesson

2009-06-22T22:50:00.002-04:00

Arianna had her first piano lesson tonight and knew quite a bit of music theory and playing the piano thanks to school, Keilan, and her sister. BUT we were strongly encouraged to get a better piano since we only have a keyboard that is not full-size, has no pedals nor weighted keys. Plus it is now buzzing when plugged in and the bench is broken. Time to check on Craig's list! and pray!

News for summer

2009-06-22T17:26:00.002-04:00

David II: could not get him a job at Graystone due to his age (need to be 16). I wish they would have told me that before we got up early to go there this morning. Chick-Filet (who employs under 16) is not hiring. So, lawn and yard work will have to do if he can get it. Tomorrow I am going to try to get him in a summer driving class in July. Other than that, I am glad to have him around especially since he will go off to college most likely in 2 short years.

Arianna: starts piano lessons tonight. I hope she does well, likes it, practices regularly without too much nagging from us, and actually learns to play the piano well! She is going to music camp in Lynchburg and kids camp with church.

Jonny: is MR. social! He has already been on 2 sleepovers in the week school has been out. Everyone seems to know and love him. God bless his people skills. He is going to try out David's saxophone to see if he likes it for band this year. He'll go to kids camp for the last time this summer and he finished 5th grade and elementary and will go to middle school in the fall. Good for him completing that milestone. He still gives me lost of smoochies but not so much in public.

Elizabeth: my helpful daughter is in Mississippi for a week. She went by herself. We all miss her but she is having a grand time with a friend who moved there last year. She saw New Orleans so mom is jealous. She loves to travel, so she can add this to her places seen. Her friend may move back to Virginia (surprising since everyone else seems to move out of this area). She is going to kids and youth camp in addition to this trip.

Nancy: I ran another race-10k on June 20th in the evening. Managed to do 6.2 miles in 59:35 minutes/seconds (around 9 1/2 mph-good for me). I haven't run a 10k in years. Next race, July 4th in Fredericksburg-5 miler. David and Jonny are running that one too.

Dave: completed his colonoscopy today and is sleeping it off. I never heard so many one-liners as today when he was nervous. But we wanted to make sure he was ok since his dad had colon cancer last year. We get the results in 2 weeks.

The end of the school year

2009-05-28T09:02:00.002-04:00

3 of our kids took SOL (standards of learning) tests yesterday. David managed to score another 600 (perfect score) on his history test (of which he called lame). He is remarkable in history and somehow I hope he incorporates it into his life and career. I took him for his Advanced Placement meeting last night-taking AP history (American) and AP English (instructor promised they would come out good writers-Amen!). He has his work cut out for him next year with these classes in addition to all his others. He will be a junior-hard to believe for me. He is doing driver's education in school-much to my happiness that they were able to squeeze him in. I hope they get him started on I95. We still haven't braved that yet.

Jonny and Elizabeth tried out for Classic soccer for the fall. We'll see how they do. They decreased the number of teams for next year.

Arianna's front tooth can almost be twisted all around and yet will not come out!

Arianna and David had fun on their respective trips, but were tired.

The Mile

2009-05-24T13:19:00.002-04:00

We all went out with our decreased family to the Fredericksburg mile runs. It was in a residential part of Fredericksburg that we had never been in, so enjoyed walking around before the runs. Elizabeth ran first and her time was 7 minutes, 7 seconds. Jonny was second, ran 6 minutes, 22 seconds. Both were 2nd in their age group. I watched the next few heats, the fastest in the men's open at 4 minutes, 40 seconds. So I was nervous because I average 10 minute miles, but I ran at 6pm and my time, much to my surprise, was 8 minutes, 1 second. I was happy as I wanted to run at least 9 minutes. I tell you though, my lungs were burning as I am used to running farther but at a much slower pace. It was fun. We cleaned up and went to Ruby Tuesday's for dinner. A good evening, after going to the farmer's market, the Made in Virginia store, and Miller's Farm to pick strawberries during the day.

Missing 2 kids

2009-05-22T22:23:00.002-04:00

Arianna went with our friends, the Cains, again this year camping for 5 days and nights over this weekend. God bless them, they have 10 children with them!!!!!! Needless to say, she and the rest were excited.

David II also left Thursday to go to Florida with the marching band. He was excited too. He is also excited that there will be an actual separate mellaphone section next year and that he is not the leader! He completed his world history AP test (won't know the score until July but mom and dad are praying for 3 college credits). He started taking driver's education in school (so mom and dad don't have to look for it elsewhere and pay more). My little boy is not so little and is really moving on.

Elizabeth just got inducted into the National Junior Honor Society. She also just worked so hard on a gifted project on pirates. It was so creative and she is so motivated and persevering.

Jonny is almost done with elementary school! Less than a month. He had field day today and Dad went and volunteered! Way to go Dad!

I am 2 weeks into a new course on family therapy. On reading the Garman blog (yes I do read them, Annie, as I have time), I wanted to mention that post-modernism, social and family constructionism, second order cybernetics all go along with the new "spirituality" or religiosity. These state that there is no reality, no absolute truth, but rather we create our own reality by creating stories. We help others create "new" stories if the old ones are not working. It is really sad. Sometimes I get scared to think of this field of counseling I am going into.

I am signing up for lots of running races from 1, 3, 5, 10, 13 miles for the summer/fall. I find it motivating. I told the family they must do at least one. Tomorrow night we will all run/walk the mile in Fredericksburg. We plan to go to the Farmer's Market and pick strawberries at Miller's Farm down there as well.

Happy Memorial Day weekend to all! For us, it is an amazing break-no soccer, no events, break from SS teaching,etc. Should be nice. Get to catch up on some house chores too.

Nancy

My first half marathon! and AWANA closing

2009-05-17T22:12:00.003-04:00

I, Nancy, ran my first half-marathon today. It was the Marine Historic Half which was so organized and through one of my favorite towns-Fredericksburg. The surprising thing was that I ran the first 9.5 miles and then ran/walked the rest so I finished in 2 hours and 28 minutes for which I was thrilled! (I was expecting to take 3 hours). I think I ran a bit too much though, as I am very sore, especially my left hip! I hope I didn't fracture anything! I picked up a bunch of race entries from the Fredericksburg Area Running Club (FARC) and the Marines of which I plan to do at least 1 a month through November. I told the kids they need to pick at least one. It was cold and rainy which was great during the race but afterwards, I was freezing-hot bath helped, but now for the Advil!

Anyone interested in any runs, let me know. It would be more fun if I knew people even if I didn't run with them the whole time.

Awana: Awana ended today with the closing ceremony at Ararat. Jonny, Elizabeth and Arianna all finished their books. We were proud of them. I really like Awana and think it is a good way for kids to learn Scripture and study the Bible. Jonny's T & T book was hard-I helped him with it and couldn't believe all the hard, long verses. But he did it!

Mother's Day a Hit!

2009-05-11T13:00:00.002-04:00

Mother's day: You know, I wish this would happen more often, that things work out great without planning especially as it seems a lot of people live like this, but once in a while, it works for me and yesterday was one of them. I slept in and had breakfast in bed and received cards and presents from my kids. David II made perfect eggs-no brown with just a touch of salt and he gave me a kiss which is quite a rare treasure these days. Then we went to church, came home and I was able to putter outside a bit (I even got some free plants from my neighbor and the woods). After that we drove down to Fredericksburg to do the New Generation homeless ministry meal-which worked out great. Carl's ice cream was next-delicious as usual. We all walked the length of the Canal path-down and back and walked into Old Town although all the shops were closed. Now for a place to eat-nothing in Old Town so I suggested we go to Central Park knowing we might end up in McDonalds. David II mentioned Joe's Crab Shack. I have been wanting to go there. We did not wait the hour they said-less, and they had a playground for kids while we waited to be seated and for our food. They also did some singing and dancing while we waited which was fun. We ate outside-the weather was perfect yesterday-sunny, dry, in the 70's with a soft breeze. We did wait a while for our food, but received an apology from the manager and a free dessert for mom. The food was delicious-I had my fill of crabs which is a rare treat, hung with the family and had key lime pie for free for dessert! What a treat! Thanks to my wonderful family! I hope all you other mom's enjoyed your day.

School: I am officially half way through school-30 credits. God granted me the reward of an A for my hard work. Now I went right into my next class on Family Therapy which started today. I should be reading!

Dave in Denver: Dave left for Denver early this am for a work conference. I hate when he goes away not because it is extra work for me but because I feel lost without him. It made me think of my mom when dad died or any widow. But, I hope he enjoys himself and get some much needed rest and a break from our busy life.

The Lord's Table: I have been concentrating on the Scripture from this great program at www.settingcaptivesfree.com. Isaiah 55:2-3 says: Why do you spend your money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy?...eat what is good, delight yourself in abundance. Incline your ear and come to Me... I will make an everlasting covenant with you.

Vacation Pictures!

2009-04-30T16:00:00.007-04:00

Updates on trip and other things

2009-04-30T12:53:00.002-04:00

I, Nancy, hardly get a chance to Blog anymore much to my dismay, but I just have to do so when I can as I chose to work and go to school (both of which take up 40+ hours/week put together). So this is a bit long, just read the parts you want:

David II: steadily driving and chipping away at the 45 hours he eventually needs to get his license but we have not taken him on the interstate yet. He has refereed a few soccer games now-not center but side line, but still, it earns him experience and money. He takes his history AP test in a couple of weeks which I am strongly encouraging him to study for as if he gets a 4 or 5, will earn him 3 college credits (plus we paid $85 for him to take the test).

Elizabeth: just got into the Jr. National Honor Society which was exciting. She continues to win art and academic awards. We plan to send her by herself on a plane to Mississippi this summer to visit her friend. It will be her first time flying alone! She is plugging away at soccer.

Jonny: We are back to no meds again for his ADHD after talking to several friends and we have decided to at least try him in public middle school after meeting with the middle school staff at our last child study. They have things in place to help him. He is steadily chipping away at his work and surprised us by stating he wanted to finish his Awana book which requires that he do 16 sections in 3 weeks, but he is doing it! I am proud of his motivation and we told him so. From him I always get my daily "smoochies".

Arianna: Just got into the gifted program-one out of 2 (her friend got in as well) children in the whole 2nd grade. Her teachers love her and think she is perfect (I told them they need to come home with her for a while, but that she is a joy) and she loves them and school. She has 5 teeth lose but hasn't lost any for weeks now-Dave said if she loses them all at once, we'll have to get her dentures to eat! Like her sister, she is reading up a storm and is going to a Virginia Reader's sleepover at school this weekend.

Our trip: I have to convince the talented among us to put up picture of our trip to London and Iceland, but I will say, it was amazing. I knew I would especially like London and we saw a lot in our 4 days there. Our host and hostess were so kind and it was wonderful not to pay to stay. We enjoyed Tea, Pubs, Museums, Palaces, Art, The London Eye (huge observation wheel/ferris wheel), Churches, Shopping, Gardens, and the city as a whole. In Iceland, we enjoyed seeing our dear friends the Garmans and catching up with them. They were so kind as to plan excursions for us which we enjoyed so much. We saw lava pits, waterfalls, mountains, the beach, lighthouse, and the hot outdoor pools. It was a nice break and hard to come back to our busy, hectic life and the heat-it was in the 90's earlier this week-good old Virginia and its heat never disappoints! What an amazing privilege to see more of God's world and people!

Lancaster, PA: I had 4 days home from our Europe trip, worked and then headed to Lancaster with some ladies from church. It was busy, but I mostly enjoyed the Site and Sound theater production of: Behold, the Lamb-the ministry, death and resurrection of Christ. I would recommend seeing that. I enjoyed shopping on Saturday and could have done that another day as they have such different things to see and buy, but had to come home Saturday night. I enjoyed time away with my friends.

School: I have 1 1/2 weeks left of this course and to be half way done, but 50% of my grade hinges on the last week's test and paper! That is what I am starting to work on now. I have registered for 2 more courses for the summer, so will just keep plugging away. Long breaks were not working and I want to get done and actually be a counselor before I either get old and senile or old and die!

Book: I just grabbed a book from the library of poems called: Sad Underwear (the title intrigued me) by Judith Viorst. It was ok, but a few poems stood out to me which I will write here:

Credit

You asked me to do it.

I promised to do it.

I planned to do it.

I started to do it.

I really meant to do it.

Except I forgot.

Couldn't I get some credit

For promising,

Planning,

Starting,

And really meaning to do it?

Guess not.

(When we do not keep our word, it actually counts against us. Try telling God you meant to accept His Son and see how that goes!)

This one is to Dave:

You knew me when I didn't know myself

And when I lose myself you find me.

Whenever things get bad

And I forget the good I've had,

You help remind me.

I tell you of my joys. My joys increase.

I tell my sorrows. They diminish.

And when I want to quit

You keep me going, bit by bit,

Until I finish.

Friendship is an art and you have made

The act of friendship your great art form.

I know that I can bear

The biggest chill because you're there

To keep my heart warm.

(I am so blessed by God to have you for a husband and do not say so enough)

What Dads Do (to Dave and to his and my dad-made me miss my dad so much)

Make bookshelves.

Make burgers.

Make money.

Make funny faces that make you laugh.

Scratch your back when you can't reach where it itches.

Lift you up on their shoulders.

Snore when they're sleeping (but say they don't).

Pitch-but not so fast that you can't hit their pitches.

Play tickles with you when you feel like a silly person.

Snuggle up close with you when you feel like a sad one.

Dads explain electricity

And peninsulas

And help you count the stars.

I wish I still had one.

(I am so glad I will see my dad again someday in heaven and that Dave and his dad are saved so I will always see them too)

Hymn: We just sang a hymn last night in church that I have not sung in a long time. The words are absolutely beautiful and meaningful and since I was feeling tired and sort of empty and stressed, they really reminded me of how much I have in Jesus.

Jesus! What a Friend for Sinners

Jesus! what a friend for sinners! Jesus! Lover of my soul.

Friends may fail me, foes assail me, He, my Savior, makes me whole.

Jesus! what a strength in weakness! Let me hide myself in Him.

Tempted, tried, and sometimes failing, He, my Strength, my victory wins.

Jesus! what a help in sorrow! While the billows over me roll.

Even when my heart is breaking, He, my Comfort, helps my soul.

Jesus! what a guide and keeper! While the tempest still is high.

Storms about me, night overtakes me, He, my Pilot, hears my cry.

Jesus! I do now receive Him, more than all in Him I find.

He has granted me forgiveness, I am His, and He is mine.

HALLELUJAH! What a Savior! HALLELUJAH! What a Friend!

Saving, helping, keeping, loving, he is with me to the end.

I am going to sing this for a while to drum these truths into my stubborn heart and brain!

Food: an issue with me and lots of Americans, especially women. So I have unearthed my book on the Lord's Table not to lose weight, but to make sure that food or anything else is not an idol or too important. The Lord's Table is a special program to help people lose weight, yes, but mostly to glorify God in their eating or whatever they do. It is found on the website, www.settingcaptivesfree.com and I did it in 2005. I love all the Scripture and the thought provoking questions and applications in it and would recommend it to anyone for any issue not just food/drink. I am meditating on the verses: I Corinthians 10:31 Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Psalm 115:1 Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to Your Name give glory because of Your lovingkindness, because of Your truth.

It is not about me and my plans and desires, but about God and His will! Again, I must get this through my thick skull.

Work: coming along but it is hard to be a leader, especially middle management as I am. I am still excited to be a part of a new hospital.

I must try to start this paper and studying.

-Nancy

permit to drive!

2009-03-28T13:26:00.002-04:00

I took David to the DMV for his driver's permit and he passed his test the first time! I had simply given him the book a month ago and reminded him to study a few times. He also had taken driver's education (classroom) in school. I am proud of him for taking responsibility to study and do well in school and other tasks that he is assigned to do. Part of growing up, and I am excited he is meeting the challenge. The first thing we did was have him start the van-he had never even started a car before! When asked if he wanted to go to a parking lot and drive on the way home, his answer, "not right now". I don't know if that means he is nervous or that he would rather drive with his father, either way, we went home and chilled the rest of the morning.

-Nancy

Additions

2009-03-22T23:56:00.002-04:00

Addendum: I decided to not do the lasik eye surgery so will get contact lenses (soft this time) and new updated glasses (with progressive lenses) tomorrow. My new eye insurance is great.

We have our tickets to London and Iceland for spring break-now to plan!

-Nancy

March Madness at the Fauths

2009-03-22T23:41:00.002-04:00

We are not just talking about basketball. Having 4 kids is madness sometimes. Dave and I were just trying to hash out the logistics of how we were going to get 3 kids who are on 3 different soccer teams to their practices and games, Arianna to dance, 3 kids to Awana, all to youth and church, etc. We have to take it a week at a time! I am glad we have spring break.

I finished the hard course of psychopathology and started another integration (spirituality and theology in counseling) course. I am in my second week. 8 weeks of class, 7 books to read, 6 short papers, 5 weeks to be in the thick of it, 4 hours of homework, 3 discussion boards, 2 minutes of downtime and 1 personal theory paper/1 final exam (sung to the tune of 12 days of Christmas but this is the 8 weeks of class. BUT after this I will be officially half-way through!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Praises: I received my tuition money back for these current 2 spring classes from my new job and some more will go toward my summer classes.

I had a nice break last weekend in NYC-4 days without family to hang with my brother, eat some amazing food, good art museum tours, meeting Jon's friends, and walk/run everywhere (I love Central Park). I did not do the subway by myself, but did walk by myself and of course, brought bagels home for all. I met an interesting college freshman woman on the way up and we talked about some deep things like death, family, God, etc. She is Jewish. I told her that Messiah was coming (again for me). I also missed the accident on HOV which would have caused me to miss my bus (I was on the Megabus-2nd level for only $40 round trip!)

Books: reading lots for class by Larry Crabb, Jay Adams, Bacchus. they are good-mostly on integrating psychology and Christianity and Christian counseling models. I am still plodding through Ivanhoe-hard to read.

Driving: David takes his driver's written test next week for his permit-then he will start practicing!!!!!!!

Cement: Our cement job is almost done and looks great so far-new driveway, walkway to the back and large patio. They will also do hardscape retaining walls in the front and sides. We got rid of the prickly hollies and other plants by the driveway and front. Now we are left with a big landscaping job. Any takers?

Sleep: Must get some-Nancy

New Stuff

2009-03-02T20:48:00.002-05:00

School: I have less than a week and one more test and I am done with this hard, challenging class!

Elizabeth: our cute girl has turned 13-she is such a young lady. As you can see, she enjoyed her birthday for which I am glad. She is a joy to us.

David: Made the HS soccer team and is a starter for defense. We are all thrilled especially since there won't be much driving him around for me. On March 26th he is allowed to take the test to get his permit. We are doing this on time so he can get free drivers ed through school and not have to take PE next year. I can't believe my first baby will be driving soon! He is also a soccer referee now too so I told him to earn some of the car insurance money.

Heat pump is in and I am comfortable at 73 degrees so that is what it is on when I am home.

Europe: We are going to England and Iceland during spring break which is a dream come true for me (I have wanted to go to England since I was a little girl and read all those classic English novels by Dickens, Jane Austen, etc.) In Iceland, we will hang with the Garmans which is always a treat.

Concrete is coming in mid March.

Snow today-over 6 inches but I hurt my back somehow which figures because I love sledding but didn't dare risk it plus I am in pain just sitting. The kids all enjoyed it though.

Jewelry: my dear friend came over and we made necklaces which was great because we need to use up some of the thousands of beads we have here. Hopefully I can make some more.

Book: SexGod by Rob Bell. Interesting book. The author is so well read, he must have referenced at least 50 books at the end. So many books, so little time.

Facebook: I am still holding out and do not have one. Now I am really not sure after our Pastor's facebook was hacked into yesterday. Who needs that headache?

New Hospital/job: Stafford Hospital has opened and I am glad. We in SDS still do not have patients (no endo or OR schedule yet) but at least their are no more tours and open houses. I am enjoying my bosses and the leaders a lot so far.

Eyes: I am considering Lasik eye surgery but it will be a long haul since I have to get contacts to work first (especially one for reading and one for distance) and then be out of contacts for a while before I can get it, but I will at least think about it and evaluate it. It would be nice to see well all the time and not worry about contacts and especially glasses. Right now I am wearing my old glasses which are not "hip" so I feel ugly and out of style, like I did as a teen, but not for long.

Signing out for now, Nancy

My Birthday

2009-02-18T15:31:00.005-05:00

So, for my birthday I went to Great Wolf Lodge, a indoor water park/hotel, from Sun.-Mon. It was loads of fun for us all. Afterwards, on my actual birthday, we had an ice cream cake, played speed stack, and just hung out. It was very exciting and very relaxing.

-Elizabeth Fauth

Garmans

2009-01-30T07:05:00.002-05:00

The Garmans showed up yesterday for a surprise visit. So far it has been fun.

Snow Day!

2009-01-29T19:59:00.005-05:00

Two days off from school was so much fun. It was amazing sledding, especially when it iced over and we went quite fast. Here is a picture.

New news from Nancy

2009-01-27T10:39:00.002-05:00

HEAT: We are planning after almost 13 years to get a new heat pump in February. I cannot wait. I have been so cold. Plus it will be zoned, filtered and humidified. Yay!

Driveway/patio: along with the new heat pump we plan to fix the crumbling driveway and create a walkway/patio in the back yard. We plan on getting pressed/stamped cement. I am hoping for no cracks.

Money: how are we doing this you ask, we are refinancing since we have lots of equity in our home. Hopefully our house will be paid off in 15 years unless we borrow off it for little things like college, braces, weddings, cars, houses, etc.

Job: I have only ONE job now-amazing! I will no longer be working PRN (as needed) anymore as I received a part-time (half time) job from Stafford Hospital (2 miles from my house)! I am so excited. It will be more peaceful and less stressful to me and that is always a plus since I am not laid back.

School: in my 3rd week, hard but good.

ADHD: re considering medicine especially if I find one without the cocaine like bad side. We do need prayer regarding that.

Soccer: David is playing indoor right now and conditioning for the High school team-my prayer is that he makes it for his good/fun and for less driving and time on our part. Elizabeth hopefully will play on a friend's team this spring (carpooling help) and Jonny on a team for spring. Arianna is still dancing away.

Music: my question is if a kid does not express more than a passing interest in music/instrument, should the parent pursue it anyway with money/time for the kid? Example, Arianna says she wants to learn piano but I don't see her playing much on her own. No one picks up the guitar or books on their own either. They cannot take piano or guitar in school so I am wondering if I should bother. Maybe it is too much to ask to expect them to play/learn on their own although Keilan and Bobby O did, but they are probably the exception. Jonny is taking percussion at school so that relieves his need to keep a beat constantly (see medication).

Book: I just finished the House of Mirth by Edith Wharton. Sad about the thoughts, actions and lifestyles of the filthy rich in NYC around 1907. The sad thing is they probably still live this way at least as far as I can see from the outside.

SNOW: we finally have snow today and will make sure we play in it before it goes away in a day-have about 2 inches so far (I wish we would get a foot or at least 6 inches). No school today or tomorrow for the kids. The kids are 1/2 way through this year already.

Married to a Renaissance Man and other news

2009-01-08T11:31:00.002-05:00

Our dear friend, Colby, is extremely gifted at being positive and encouraging others. Recently, he called my husband, Dave, a Renaissance Man. Well, even though he wasn't quite sure what that meant or entailed, Dave has been on cloud 9 ever since and has referred to himself as a Renaissance Man. So, I just looked it up in the dictionary since I wasn't explaining it very well to him:

A present day man who has acquired profound knowledge or proficiency in more than one field or a variety of fields.

I would agree with Colby that this is true of my husband. He seems to have grown in all areas of his life such as marriage, parenting, computers, home repair, maintenance and decorating, reading and studying, advanced degrees and classes and conferences, relationships with others, communication, and more that I am sure I am missing. So, I agree, I am married to a Renaissance man. What does that make me then? A bit of a tall order to live up to.

School: starts Monday-I have almost read the psychopathology book which has been tedious, I must stay.

Heat Pump: we have acquired 3 estimates on our heat pump, but I like only one. Of course it is the most expensive one because it offers more products and services. The owner is so knowledgeable and passionate about heating and cooling which I so appreciated (as opposed to the other 2). So not everyone has to go to conventional college/jobs. Everyone needs heat and air (humidity in winter, filters, etc). So we hope to fix it within the month-I can't wait as I am freezing and now have another cold.

Old movies: I was able to watch and record on DVD almost 40 year old movie reels of my brother and I and our family. I have about 67 minutes from 1967-1972. Such good times for my parents who are know gone and Jon and I were so darn cute! It made me cry to see my parents so young and happy. But they are ecstatic now in heaven.

Stamped cement: Since we may refinance our home, we are trying to figure out what the house needs (see heat pump). The other thing is the almost gravel driveway that bottoms out the cars when we go out. I am getting estimates for that today too. Such joy to maintain a house!

Book: I read the famous book: To Kill a Mockingbird. I can't believe I hadn't read it before. I really enjoyed it and would recommend it. While it's main theme is continued prejudice and segregation of blacks in the south, I really enjoyed the hero, Atticus, who is so full of compassion, integrity and courage. He is also a great single parent in the book (wife had died) and I even got a few parenting tips. The movie is harder to watch I heard (there is abuse and some violence in the story), so not for kids.

Ski Retreat Update:

2008-12-29T17:23:00.002-05:00

I'm sitting in the lobby at the Holiday Inn in Beckley, WV. We've been here 3 days with the Stafford Baptist youth on the winter ski retreat. There has been a total of 21 that made the trip. Highlights so far include:

David going down the black diamond without falling
Paul, Jacob, Jonny, Elizabeth, and Stephanie skiing the first time.
Elizabeth wanting to go down a black diamond (she went down several blues).
Stephanie going all the way to the top of the mountain and wondering why she was up there and how she would get down. She made it down with minimal tumbles.
Paul wiping out numerous times but still going all the way to the top and coming down with us.

It has been a great time and a time of growth for all of us. Right now I'm tired but in a good tired way. Still one more night and a long drive back to Stafford.

The heat pump is dying

2008-12-23T23:40:00.002-05:00

I have known this for a while-over 2 years now that our heat pump is dying. I knew this because 1. it was 10 years old in 2006 and most heat pumps die after 10 years so I am told (which is very sad) and 2. it has a leak in it which causes the air conditioner to freeze up in the summer and the heat to refuse to work (making the house 50-60) in the winter and needs transfusions of freon periodically. So now, our trusty heat pump guy, Kurt Lewis is coming out again (has been here only a year ago) on Christmas Eve,God bless him, to let us know the prognosis. Oh joy, we will pay him $200, then figure out how much longer the heat pump has, then research buying a quality new one if there is such a thing. So, I have heard good reviews on Train (I think that is how one spells it), and Carrier. Anyone else for wisdom and help in this matter? In the meantime, I am freezing.

Nancy

The Season

2008-12-18T22:17:00.003-05:00

This is the earliest I have had all my presents wrapped thanks mostly to Elizabeth. I would have liked it if she would have wrapped her own presents, but she drew the line there. I have mailed my cards and baked (again mostly Elizabeth) over half of the things we wish to bake. I always enjoyed December 18th for some reason. Possibly because a lot of the busyness and events are done, it is more peaceful and yet there is still pleasant anticipation for Christmas. So I plan to enjoy this last calmer week by baking a bit more and doling it out to whomever such as work, neighbors, friends. After all, my cheesecake did go for $50 at the youth auction and I heard today the person would have paid $100 if the bidding had kept going! That was an ego boost. Some of these old recipes are really worth it.

Jonny: we are done with the testing at the counseling center and I will probably get the results and hopefully some help after the holidays. We had a bad morning today and this unnerved me until I had another friend over who also struggles with her 13 year old daughter.

My friend: I keep reminding myself how precious it is to have and be with my children especially as my friend's daughter is spending Christmas in the hospital with a severe illness like leukemia. She ate our bread and cookies which I feel blessed for the chance to serve her.

Book: I am in the middle of "To Kill a Mockingbird"-don't think I have ever read it. Seems good so far-told from the perspective of a 6 year old in the south. I also grabbed a book of poetry in the library called:Littlefoot by Charles Wright. I have a hard time understanding much poetry but this opening part was interesting:

"It may not be written in any book, but it is written--

You can't go back,

you can't repeat the unrepeatable.

No matter how fast you drive, or how hard the slide show

Of memory flicks and releases,

It's always some other place,

some other car in the drive in the driveway,

Someone unrecognizable about to open the door.

Nevertheless, like clouds in their nebulous patterns,

We tend to recongregate

in the exitless blue

And try to relive our absences.

What else have we got to d0?...

This book is according to the back flap, the author's meditation on mortality, search for a road map in the skies and for last instructions regarding the "other side of my own death". He is 70 yrs old. It will be interesting how he answers himself and his other question, "Will you miss me when I am gone?"

Dave and I: we have been able to finally carve out some time together-mostly working out in the club due to the weather. We went 2x this week just us 2 which was nice. I am so concerned with our marriage especially as so many of the marriages crumble around us.

David and music: We just returned from David's band concert tonight-the concert band, jazz band and wind ensemble played. David is in wind ensemble. It was excellent. Many students especially the female gender, said goodbye to David. I believe they agree with me, that he is "so cute".

Iceland article in Washington Post

2008-12-07T19:55:00.001-05:00

From today's Washington Post:

Tourists Flocking to Iceland

Deck the Halls

2008-12-07T18:27:00.002-05:00

Christmas: Well, the gifts are bought (but not wrapped) and the halls are decked except for a few annoying strands of lights. Baking and cards are not even started! I did make a cheesecake for the dessert auction at church that went for $50! (good side money!) But I am finding myself way too busy still. So I talked it over with Dave and we eliminated a few things and evaluated for future Christmases and even for the next 2 weeks.

Arianna: I like Christmas! because of Jesus and the presents! I like the Advent calendar (we get Legos).

The 12 pains of Christmas: If you all have not heard the song, "The 12 Pains of Christmas" you all need to google it and just listen/watch. I find this funnier every year especially the part about the lights!

Jobs: I now have a 3rd job which will probably start in January. But I might quit the 2nd one. It is great to be a nurse (all you prospective students, take note!) I have one friend whose husband lost his job and she is working 2 jobs as a nurse to cover the family expenses. Plus, for missions, medical people are in demand which is exciting for me (such as when I go to Haiti in February).

Nancy

Off to Iceland

2008-12-06T13:27:00.001-05:00

Just saw that Colleen Graffy, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Diplomacy at the US State Department is making a trip to Iceland. Just thought you would like to know.