Times Are A Changin

I joined Facebook this week. I swore I wouldn't do it. I had been getting a little pressure from some of my out of town friends, but I had been telling them that I wasn't going to do it. So - I decided I would just check it out. Well, unbeknownst to me, you can't just check it out. So five days later - here I am. It is CRACKING me up. There are people I haven't seen in close to 25 years coming out of the woodwork. I never in my wildest imagination thought that I would lay eyes on some of these people again. It is fun to reconnect with many of them. In some way, shape or form they all played a part in my life - so it is pretty neat to see where they are. It is also fun seeing pictures of their kids. It is wild that we are all real grownups! My brother thinks I am a sellout - he called me a Facebook loser. My other brother told me it was about time.

In other news, Zach and Laura found out yesterday that they are having a boy. I can't wait to see them as parents. The baby is due in June close to Taylor and Davis' birthdays. Hope my parents can keep all the three boys' birthdays straight.

Both of my kids spent the night out last night. That happens maybe once a year, and it was awesome. Mike and I went downtown to Flemings for dinner. It is a steakhouse similar to Mortons, Sullivans,... It was great. I had mahi-mahi, a salad and some TO DIE FOR chocolate molten lava cake. We walked around the new EpiCentre afterwards. It is neat to see downtown developing more. I hope it will make it. We came home and watched our House season 1 dvd. We are really enjoying those. We slept in, of course, until my friend who shall remain nameless called and woke us up. It was a great 24 hours.

Oh Happy Day!

A picture is worth a thousand words - so here they are ...







It finally snowed. It is so beautiful. I set my alarm for about 1 a.m. to see if it was snowing yet, and it was, but only barely. So then I woke up about 4 a.m. and saw a good bit of snow on the ground, but the roads looked completely clear. It was then that I set my alarm to get up for school because I thought surely we were going to have to go. Imagine my joy when I woke up at 6 a.m., dialed the number for school/work and heard these beautiful words, "Charlotte Christian is closed today." ALLELUIA!! We have had a great day. The kids have sledded, built snowmen, had a snowball fight, drank hot chocolate... all the things you are supposed to do on a snow day.

The other big news of the day is the Presidential Inauguration. I have had the TV on since about 8:30 a.m. and was pretty glued to it from about 10 a.m. on. I was pretty emotional watching the Bushes as they welcomed the Obamas to the White House and then watching them at the Inauguration and then finally when they boarded the helicopter outside the Capitol. I am so proud of how President Bush remained steadfast in his beliefs and how he tried to always do the right things. It has made me sad when I have heard/read people ripping him apart. I'd like to see them do better.

I have been trying to impress upon my children the importance of today, the history of it. Claire isn't at all interested. Taylor has watched it with me for most of the day, albeit with PSP in hand. I think he has been a little interested. He liked hearing the chief White House usher talk about how anything the Obamas want they get - even a cheeseburger in the middle of the night!

What an interesting day this has been!

Big Things Ahead

Taylor is visiting middle school this week. He will have a "buddy" that he will go to class and lunch with. He will also visit a middle school chapel. He is so excited. I am not. Oh sure, I am happy for him, it is just that time is passing too quickly. Here is an example. Claire asked me to come eat lunch with her at school last week. I told her I would and asked Taylor if he wanted me to eat lunch with him, too. He said, "No, that's okay." WHAT??? He has always wanted me to eat with him. I don't go very often, so it was considered a special treat when I would do it. And now, at 10 years old, my son was completely rejecting me. Now, the second part of the story is that I told Claire I would bring her lunch from somewhere when I came. I asked her where she wanted me to go and she said Bojangles. When Taylor heard I was going to Bojangles, he changed his mind and decided that it would be okay for me to eat with him. Again, I say WHAT??? Fried chicken, seasoned fries and biscuits were required before T would eat with me. Maybe it is true what they say, "The way to a man's heart is through his stomach." At least I know what it takes to reach him. Now, If I could only learn how to play Madden 09 on the Wii.....

Challenging Times

It is freezing cold today. It totally bums me out that it is this cold and we aren't getting any snow - especially when half the country is covered in it. As soon as we got home from school, Claire and I changed out of our school/work clothes and put on our sweat pants. We snuggled up on the couch and read together. It was a great way to wind down after a slightly stressful day at work. I won't go into the details, except to say that I was asked to remove all mentions of God and Jesus Christ out of something I had written for a secular publication. I felt persecuted and censored and was ready for a battle. Heavy stuff!! Sitting on the couch reading Magic Tree House was EXACTLY what I needed. To top it all off, my mom dropped off some homemade vegetable soup, so not only did I not have to make dinner, but I had comfort food as well.

The kids and I ended the day watching last night's American Idol. There was this one guy that we must have watched 20 times. He was hysterical. I really want to know how many of those people that can't sing actually think they can. Or - are they just in it for the publicity? Regardless, they are so funny! While we watched American Idol, Mike was downstairs rocking out playing RockBand. He is funny, too. Taylor started his guitar lessons last week, so after we watched TV he went into his room to practice. He was also jamming, only on a REAL guitar. I feel like I live with a bunch of rock star wannabes!

So - now I am waiting for the Carolina game to come on. After an awesome start, we have dropped our first two conference games. In fact, last weekend every team that I follow (Tar Heels, Panthers and my kids' soccer and basketball teams) lost. So, I have high hopes, but low expectations, that Carolina will beat UVA tonight. It is my actual hope that a day that started off good, but then went quickly down hill, before getting better late in the day will end on a high note. Go Heels!

Exercise...

...for my body and soul. Last week I started doing Wii Fit. The rest of my family has done it a lot since we got it a year ago, but I had never tried it. I loved it. I started doing step aerobics first. It was pretty easy, so I was a little worried I wouldn't burn many calories. However, after I had done it a few times, I unlocked a harder/faster step and it was a lot better. I also did the running thing where you run in place. It was so funny because my kids and their friends have made a lot of different Miis, and I would be running and then one of their friends would run right past me. Or, I'd get to the finish line and Mike and Snoopy would be cheering for me. It is hysterical. I also did a lot of the yoga moves and strength and balance exercises. The next day my quad muscles were so sore! I weighed in my first day, so now it is tracking whether or not I lose weight.

Then - today I went to a Zumba class at my church with my posse Nancy, Shannon and Kristi. It was so fun. I definitely didn't feel like I was even exercising - just dancing. Of course, I looked stupid half the time - but it was a GREAT way to burn some calories! I am not taking great pains to lose weight right now, just to exercise more. There is a history of heart disease in my family so I think it is the wise thing to do. Plus - now that I am into my 40th year - AAAGGHH - I really would like to be in better shape.

Now the fitness of the soul part. At the behest of my friend Nancy, I started reading the NLT Chronological Bible. I love it! Just like she said, it feels like I am reading a story. Isn't that what the Bible is anyway - God's love letter to us? I started on about January 5 and it took me no time to get caught up. I have tried before to read the Bible through in a year, but have always fallen off the wagon pretty quickly. The going back and forth between Old and New Testament - Psalms and Proverbs was hard for me, especially when I would get behind. So - anyway - this is soo much easier. I got mine at the Family Christian Store but you can get it at any Christian book store. I honestly cannot see me not finishing it.

Reflections

Happy New Year 2009! What a beautiful day this is. My favorite kind of day to start off the year - very bright, sunny and COLD!!! I found this list on another blog and decided to bring it to mine. I am going to answer these questions while I am sitting on the couch in my pajamas next to my sweet 10-year-old son. What a gift! So, complete with pictures, here goes:

1. What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before? Started (sort of) a blog, snow tubed, went to an American Idol concert with Erica, watch my kids swim on the swim team, begin traveling for Taylor's soccer games, served on a committee at church, volunteered at the Joy Prom, served lunch at a homeless shelter with my family... lots of things!

My brother, nephew, dad and another volunteer making lunch at the uptown men's shelter on Christmas Eve:


Claire at a swim meet:

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I can't even remember if I made any besides the generic desires to eat healthy, exercise more, and spend more time in fellowship with God. I would say I did all of those things adequately (at best).

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? No, but my brother and sister-in-law are expecting their first baby in June. Very exciting!!!

4. Did anyone close to you die? Mike's aunt died last year unexpectedly, but besides that we were very blessed in that way.

5. What places did you visit? We began the new year in Boone with the Smiths and also went back in the fall with the Grovers. We spent 10 days in July/August at Sunset Beach - the longest we have ever stayed there. It was awesome! Our big family trip was to Boston and New Hampshire when we traveled with Mike to a race. We had a great time visiting Plymouth Plantation, walking the Freedom Trail and enjoying the beauty of New England. In addition, I accompanied Mike to New York twice, Sonoma, CA and Boca Raton all for work. Mike and I also went to the beach win SC ith our supper club - the Drummonds, Collins, Bobos, Jarvies and Rousseauxs.  We had a lot of fun!!

Mike and Claire snow tubing:


Taylor and Claire at the bridge at Sunset Beach:


The Burch and Grover kids in the mountains:


Cassi and I with Guy Fieri in Sonoma, CA:


The Burch family at Quincy Market in Boston:


One of my favorite places in the world - The Waldorf Astoria in NYC:


Cassi and I before the Nascar banquet:

6. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? Probably Dec. 14 when both of my children were baptized. What a great day it was for us to watch Taylor and Claire outwardly express their devotion to Christ. The day my brother left for New Zealand is also another. 

7. What was your biggest achievement of the year? I give all credit to God for any achievement I might have accomplished.  I can't really think of any major ones - maybe simplifying things at home, having family nights, when my children were kind to others, learning how to sort of use my Macbook.

8. What was your biggest failure? When I said unkind things to anyone, speaking before thinking, not spending time with God daily, being critical...

9. Did you suffer illness or injury? Not really - nothing beyond colds/allergies. Praise God! 

10. What was the best thing you bought? I am thinking my new family room furniture. I love how it makes the whole room look soooo much nicer.

11. Where did most of your money go? Private school tuition, household expenses, church and other charities.

12. What did you get really, really, really excited about? My Christmas-time trip to New York ALWAYS excites me. I also got excited about school getting out for the summer, Taylor's soccer team winning the championship and him making one of the winning kicks in OT, my new iPhone, our family trip to Boston/New Hampshire, a quiet Christmas day with my family, going to Boca with Mike, watching UNC play in Charlotte in the NCAA tournament, and I am sure there are others I don't remember.

Taylor's soccer team after they won the championship:

13. What song will always remind you of 2008? Cupid Shuffle - my kids listen to it ALOT and any rock song (particularly Eye of the Tiger) on Guitar Hero that my family discovered and played incessantly last year.

14. What do you wish you'd done more of? Read, spend time with my grandmother, spend time with Mike, exercise, spend time in God's word. 

15. What do you wish you'd done less of? Watch TV, read people.com, worry, eat

16. What was your favorite TV program? House, Survivor, American Idol, Top Chef, Ace of Cakes.  I also stopped watching some shows that went downhill - Grey's Anatomy especially! I really wanted to watch the new Beverly Hills 90210 but it was HORRIBLE.

17. What was the best book you read this year? Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, Friday Night Knitting Club, Calm My Anxious Heart. I started reading Pillars of the Earth in 2008 but it is continuing over to 2009. I really like it.

18. What was your greatest musical discovery? Guitar Hero/Rock Band was a discovery for my family and I credit it with getting Taylor interested in starting guitar lessons.  As far as artists go - I found a few new ones that I like - Adele and Jason Mraz.  

Taylor and Claire playing Guitar Hero:

19. What did you want and get? New family room furniture - see #10!

20. What was your favorite film of this year? Mamma Mia, Four Christmases, Bedtime Stories, 21

21. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? On my 39th birthday - yikes - I had dinner at Red Rocks with some moms & the teachers in Taylor's class. I had lunch that day with the girls at work. I had different lunches with friends throughout the week. I had dinner that weekend with my parents and family at Greek Isles - YUM!

Birthday dinner at Greek Isles:


22. What political issue stirred you the most? The presidential election, of course. It was a great reminder for me that God is ALWAYS in control.

So that was a fun look back at 2008.  2009 promises to be HUGE, I know.  Taylor will go to middle school, I will turn 40, I will have a new niece or nephew, and I am sure there will be many more surprises along the way. I am so thankful that I serve and love an awesome God that will be with me every step of the way.  I praise Him for EVERYTHING he did in 2008.  We are so blessed.  I pray that I will have a spirit of thankfulness and gratitude at ALL times this year.  I hope those that love me will hold me accountable to that!

Baptism

A few weeks ago we celebrated a very special day in our family. Taylor and Claire were baptized together on Sunday, Dec. 14. The event was made even more special by the fact that the pastor who baptized them was Dr. Don Bouldin who had also baptized my dad and I MANY years ago. Three generations - WOW! I have prayed for that day for both of my children for so many years and was overjoyed that they shared the day.

Taylor came to know the Lord the summer before kindergarten at a Charlotte Eagles soccer camp. Coach Witte was his main counselor, and I consider her crucial to his salvation. His faith in God grew as a result of prayers and the influence of many godly people at church and school. When he was in second grade he took the Bible Discovery class at church and learned even more about what it meant to be a Christian. He wasn't ready to be baptized at that time, so we started praying that God would move in his heart in His perfect timing. A few times a year we would ask him if he had any desire to be baptized, and he would tell us that he was still thinking and praying about it.

Claire asked Jesus into her heart about 7 months ago at the end of first grade. She was IMMEDIATELY ready to be baptized. Our church requires completion of the Bible Discovery class before being baptized, and since it was not offered in the summer, she had to wait until fall. She was very patient in waiting and completed the class in October but had to wait until December to be baptized because Mike was traveling on the weekends baptism was offered.

Once Claire was ready, Taylor decided to walk forward and be baptized at the same time. Maybe for him, there was comfort in numbers. Mike's mom flew into town for the baptism which was special for the kids. We had gone back and forth about how to celebrate "post-baptism" and finally settled on a drop-in party following church. Our children's director, Sean Lee, really encouraged us to make baptism a special and memorable occasion for the kids. We had about 50 people (adults & kids) over that day and it was really fun! We feel so blessed that our children have both accepted the Lord and will live with Him for eternity.

Here are a few pictures from our special day.