Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Hero Academy 2011

This year both of the girls went away to camp. It was three nights and three days. Olivia has been looking forward to it for a year (or more), and Stephanie is an old pro with this being year number three. A few changes were in store, and unexpected things too. They had a new camp speaker, and a talent show this year. The speaker was great at keeping their attention and teaching them about being a "Super Hero" for God. Being prepared with the armor of God and by living a life empowered by the Holy Spirit. They had some great time of worship and quiet time as well.

The talent show was a new event, and Stephanie wanted to sing a solo without any music. She loves Mandisa's song "Stronger" and did an incredible job, so I hear. I have no pictures or video since we were not there, but she was the top girl. A boy beat her out for first place with his original piano piece. We are both so proud of her ability to get up in front of her peers and pull that off! Olivia was a cheerleader in the crowd, and I guess a very loud one!
Lots of friends!


Theme verse, 2 Peter 1:3


Still getting settled and kicking parents out!



Parent night. I love them, and yet He loves them even more.



Worship service.





Abbie and Olivia were the newbies this year. They were brave as they were on different teams than their closest friends. It was good for them, made them stretch and be confident.







Maddie came as a visitor, she will join in next year. She was making the "deals", and walked away with three bags of skittles after a night of fun!



This is the dorm the girls stayed in. Camp Geneva in Fruitland Park was the host of the camp this year. There is a lake to swim in (yikes, I had to just pretend it was a pool!) a nice big pool, and lots of land to play on. The girls made memories that we hope will last them a lifetime!


Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Happy 12th!







We decided to celebrate "in house" style this year. Cut backs and all! No, really, we wanted to relax and we brought goodies home from Fresh Market. They have so many good little dishes in their deli, we picked a bunch to chose from.We also picked up that cheesecake as a celebration to our wedding cake. It was a splendid cake. Three layers of cheesecake. Blueberry, strawberry and raspberry. This small one had fresh fruit on top and it was DELICIOUS!




I had the best time with Steve. We caught a glimpse of what life would be like someday with the girls gone. It was quieter, and it was just the two of us with a vote on the menu! I could have never imagined life to be more complete and full of peace as it is being married to Steve. I love him. He is such a living example of love that is expressed in I Corinthians 13.



1 Corinthians 13
1 If I speak in the tongues[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.



He is patient, and kind. He does not keep record of wrongs. He rejoices with me and cheers me on. He is a grand protector and keeps an optimistic outlook on life. I only know in part what God knows in whole, but I like and love what I see. Very blessed I am.

Graduation 2011

Conrad Cooke Meade graduated in June. It was a long road there, but he got there. It was a fun day to celebrate and we made lifetime memories. Family is worth the effort!







Celebration dinner at Carraba's (Sherri's place of employment. Good people!)

Guiness World Record called me and wanted to pay me for this photo (Not really) cause NO ONE ever thought it would happen. But a little kindness and quick thinking can do wonders!