UK Report

We get such joy out of reading and enjoying the pictures on Ben & Heather's blog. They always have such great stories to tell and wonderful pictures of the boys. It really is worth a look whenever you get the chance. Here's a few of some fairly recent photos.


Silas is known as the "sleeper." He can go to sleep anytime, anywhere, in just about any position. It's great!

Heather has started to learn face painting. These are some of her first atristic expressions, for some of her latest and greatest, check out the slide show on their blog.

Elam sharing with his mom that he has won another award for excellent behavior in school

This is the karate kids of the UK

Just a Word on Family

My oldest son Paul is starting to reach out to his younger brother Shad and his step-sister (that's the last time I use step) Heather. These three have never really talked. While we were in Lubbock, Paul and Heather met for the first time, but there was not much a bond formed, for a variety of reasons. With regard to Shad, Paul has never met him and just recently took the risk to open a line of communication with him.

This will no doubt be a challenge for all the kids. I expect it will be rather awkward in the beginning and in reality, may not go very far. But I am excited that Paul has taken the initiative to reach out. He knows the risk and is willing to take it.

All our kids are wonderful people. They each have their own gifts and have struggled through their own unique journey's growing up. Credit goes to their mothers because Lord knows, I was not in the picture with much detail or frequency. Nevertheless, at this point, everyone is trying to one degree or another. That's what family is about - trying, reaching out, forgiving, and accepting.

Thanks for indulging me and God Bless!

Norm

Trip to McKinney to see the Kids

We arrived home Sunday evening about 9:30...a bit tuckered out but feeling great joy about the time we spent with Paul and his family in McKinney, TX.

This was our first time meeting Autumn and the four boys. What a treat! Everyone seemed to feel right at home as soon as the door was opened.

Our first evening was rather short since our flight was delayed getting there. Nevertheless, Paul fixed a wonderful meal and we had some initial greetings and getting-to-know-you with everyone. Naturally, Trystan stole the show, but we expected that in the beginning. Dawson and I got to spend some time working on his bike, with Clay's help, so that was special.

Friday, Alice and I took the kids to the community pool and had a wet-n-wild time. Then later that evening we all went out for pizza. It was a full day of fun, laughter, and smiles.

Saturday, was spent around the house playing games and reading books with the kids. Then we had a cook out. Autumn's parents came over so we had the privilege of meeting them.

Sunday we went to church together, then came back to the house and Paul made a full brunch for everyone. It was delicious. Later, they all got ready to head to the pool and we said our goodbyes.

This is one big and high energy family. All the kids "mix" well and seem to have a genuine love for each other. Of course, mom and dad have their hands full with the different ages and the "things brothers do to brothers" but all in all it was a joy to see everyone working together. Of course, Ashlee, being the only girl, has special status but does well with all her brothers.

Alice and I were really blessed and happy to see the joy and love they all share together. It was a very special time for us.

We've got some pictures below, so we hope you enjoy our family.

Our next trip is to WA in August to see Heather, Ben and the boys. We are looking forward to that with some excitement as well.

Uhm...we may have to get a bigger house should we ever decide to have them all over at once! That would be four adults and eight grand kids! Oh my!!!

We are so very thankful for them all!

Look Out Texas Here We Come!

Well, about 6 hours from the time I am writing this, we are headed to McKinney TX to visit with Paul, Autumn and the grand kids. This will be our first time meeting Autumn, Sam, Dawson , Hunter and of course Trystan. Plus, we'll get to see both Clay and Ashlee, since Ashlee is staying with them through this month.

We are excited and a bit nervous. But I am certain it will all be just fine. I'll post some pictures either while we are there or when we return.

On a side note...

* My niece's daughter - Lindsay - won their first round in the girls softball tournament and will be headed to ID for the regionals. If they do well there, they could find themselves in Williamsport, PA for the Little League championships.

* We have some wonderful friends who are taking care of Eli while we are gone. This is a new adventure for him and them, so while you say your prayers, say a short one for them. THANKS Jon and Paula!

* We have had some much needed rain here the past couple of days. I can't tell you how dry it has been, so this is a welcome sight. Last night, the storm was strong with a good deal of lightening and high winds. Fortunately for our neighborhood it looks like everyone fared well.

* I sent in an essay to AARP for a contest they are holding, plus I have two more that I am hoping to submit to different publishers when I return. In addition, I am working on a possible newspaper article about our church and have finished a semi-final draft for a discipleship booklet. Boy, my fingers are tired!!!

We hope all who read this family blog are well and happy. That God's blessings are abundant and the joy is overflowing.

*** Oh Yes....RIVEN, a new novel by Jerry Jenkins is due out July 22... be sure to pick it up. It's a great book.

Love to all.
Norm & Alice

Very Thankful

At times I get impatient and frustrated with things. I am getting better, but I think God gets a kick out of pushing the envelope.

This past couple of weeks we have had problems with our AC unit. I have had a couple different companies out to check things and apparently there was a leak in the coil and we either had to replace the coil - $2250 - or replace the entire unit - over $6000. Well that was a bit frustrating and certainly an expense we were not planning on.

Over the past several days, Alice and I have debated about and prayed about what the right move should be. Then in the midst of it all, my laptop goes belly-up! Great!!!

Well this morning, in my prayer time, I felt like the right move was to replace the coil and not the unit. But there was something nagging at me about this whole thing. In my mind everything should be repairable, not JUST replaceable.

This afternoon, while praying about it again, I felt like God wanted me to call our neighbor who is in the refrigeration business. My intent, I thought, was to get his opinion on replacing the coil or the entire unit.

Once I explained my situation, he was a bit put-out that we had not called him when we were first having problems. I tried to explain he was our neighbor not our repairman. Anyway, he came over and did an extensive leak test and discovered a substantial leak in one of the fill vales. He replaced both schrader vales and filled the unit with Freon. He was not certain that was the only problem, but that was the only issue he could find. Now we have cool air and a bit of a reprieve from the major expense, at least for now.

I am so thankful to God, and of course Rick, for helping us sort through this and trust His leading. This was one COOL experience.
_______


Hope to have some new pictures soon.

God bless!

Norm and Alice