I feel like this picture

Can I say Oy Vay? It has been the day, and perhaps the last week or so from the hockey sticks word. Not only did I have to spend most of my fall break off doing work, but I had to spend it in a cold city during a weather change, which just made it colder. Not that I don't like Louisville, because I got to see how Louisville Slugger bats were made (which was cool, even though I despise baseball), but we were in meetings All stinking day--8-5! Meetings Suck!

A word of warning to you parents of still elementary students--savor the time. Preparing for a female 13 yr old sleepover is way too time-consuming for just one person. I don't think Jeremy will survive the estrogen spike...and it looks like Ty may escape to go camping. And now, they say its going to rain. ugh. Between this, school "surprise" observations, cat pee (another story), interstate wrecks, and soccer games, I'd like you can stick a fork in me. My only saving hope this week is that we will have a new (working?) dishwasher. Its sad that household appliances can make me happy.

Hopefully, I will survive. If you don't see me Sunday, assume the worst.

Wow, this sounds really negative~Sorry

A Whole Family of Ninja Warriors

It's an unlikely suspect, really. You wouldn't think that an entire family could bond over such a ridiculous thing. Yet, night after night, we all sit around the boob tube after dinner and watch Ninja Warrior (on G4TV) together. What kind of show could a 30 year old man, a 30 year old woman, an 8 year old boy, a 4 year old girl, and a 7 month old boy find common ground in? A Disney Channel tale concerning long-haired moppets and their hijinks? An animated story about a fun-loving sponge? An Animal Planet show about cute and fuzzy bunnies? Nope.

Only Ninja Warrior could accomplish such an unlikely feat.

But, wait, you say. A show in Japanese with subtitles about grown men completing feats of endurance and strength? The whole family likes it? How?

I don't know, and I don't care. All I know is that Ninja Warrior is the only television show that we all sit down to watch together (although sometimes Janna uses the time to clean the kitchen). The kids get way more enjoyment from seeing Nagasaki Makota completing Stage 1 than they do from watching football, baseball, basketball, or any other sport. Laney can't even read the subtitles, and she still loves it!

It's better than nothing, I reckon. I guess we could all be out in the yard together throwing the frisbee or something. But that doesn't really seem like our style.

What do you guys all do together as a family?

Tonight

All,

We're canceling tonight. See you next week!

John

G*I*R*L*S

I've been thinking . . . dangerous I know. Since the boys had their late night poker night, why don't we go all out and have a girls Slumber Party? We'll stay up late, eat junk food, polish our toe nails and watch Gone with the Wind, or something else crazy. Who's with me? Can we all get our guys to watch the kids for one night? Check your calendars. We should try for a Fri. or Sat. in November, before the Christmas rush and parties start up. Let me know what y'all think. Lookin' forward to havin' a blast. Love you gals!

PS-- See comments on John's last post for this week's community building question.

This Week at Life Group

All,

Normal time, normal place (assuming the Hocketts will have us...). We'll be doing James 4:1-12.

See you at 5:30 for food... Anyone have an idea besides pizza?

John

The Circle of Life... and Poop

We made a point of getting the kids to go to the bathroom before we left Dollywood. You can imagine our frustration then, when Sam announced that he had to go to the bathroom "really bad" on our way through Pigeon Forge. I said, "I thought you went right before we left!" Sam replied, "I just peed there - I need to poop now."

Janna was driving (this is, I insist, not a commentary on women drivers - Janna behaved admirably in the following episode). We scoured the right side of the road for a suitable fast-food type establishment. We saw a Buddy's Bar-b-q, started to turn in, then realized it was closed. So, the next place we found was a Krystal. Janna put her blinker on and started to turn. Only, there was a car turning out of Krystal that was taking up both lanes, so we had to wait. Then, after starting the turn into the Krystal, we noticed that there was a gaggle of geriatrics (that's a bunch of old people) crossing the road in front of us. One woman in particular (at least 80 years old) was directly in front of us, moving very slowly. And, she was completely oblivious to our rather large minivan coming right at her. Usually, you can expect a human to notice that a large automobile is heading for her, and then make some movement to get out of the way. This woman did not move a muscle to get out of the way. So Janna jerked the wheel to the right to avoid killing the old woman. Janna didn't see the large curb. The minivan (a rental, I might add) handled the curb way better than I expected. We (and the van) survived. Sam lived to poop another day.

Afterwards, I couldn't help but think that the reason for us turning into that driveway was poop, and that the old lady we almost ran over probably dropped a load into her Depends as a result. It's the Circle of Life... and Poop.

Movie night!

Here are the details

Where: Justin & Brooke Chester's house: 6917 Ball Camp Pike
When: 6:00pm Friday night
What: We'll be hanging out with the other "Young Married" folks from Providence. Kids are welcome! The movie is yet-to-be determined - the movie will start when the sun goes down...
What else: We're bringing chili, but we need someone to bring chips, cheese, dessert, bowls, & spoons, napkins, & drinks

Call with any questions!

John