crazy (normal) as usual

Things here are really about the same. The flu went through our house or at least through the boys. Me or Stephen have not got it yet - keeping fingers crossed.


Jacob and Matthew are still playing basketball. Jacob's team is pretty good and Matthew has only won one game. Jacob has also been asked to play on a 6th grade travel basketball team in the spring. He is excited about this. Just one more thing to add to spring: basketball, baseball, spring football.
Jacob playing b-ball

Speaking of football - it looks like we have a pretty good idea where Timothy will be going to school in the fall. He is at Gainesville College right now and will transfer in the fall. It looks like he will be attending Birmingham Southern and playing football. We don't get all the paperwork until March, but for now and unless God slams a door in our face - I believe that is where he will be. We have been in constant prayer about this and hope that this is where he needs to be. He might also be interning in Athens this summer with his old youth minister's church. Again, this is still up in the air. Timothy wants to go into the ministry, so this would be a great opportunity for him to get a feel for it.


See just normal crazy stuff.


Last please be in prayer for my good friend who was just diagnosed with breast cancer. Right now they are still trying to figure out the best path - but it breaks my heart to see her going through this. She really is stronger than I ever gave her credit for. She is strong in her faith, so I know God will sustain her. I am praying for peace and comfort for her and her family.





Thanks,


Michele

sister

My sister started a blog - Yea for her!!! She really is pretty good at it.

Tonight was a sad night at the Howard house - The falcons lost. We love our football here and this was a hard loss for us. It is hard living in a city where you just can't seem to get a champion in any sport. My boys would take a lacrosse championship at this point - just kidding - no, maybe i'm not.

I realize in the "big scheme of things" that this really is not all that important - but boy it still hurts to see your team lose.

God bless,

Michele

Snow!

I must admit for a Southern girl this snow is extreme!! I know for my northern friends it is funny watching us - but when we don't get this kind of weather but every 10 years or so - it seems a little extreme to us.

I am going to play catch up for a minute. We had a wonderful Christmas. My mom in love and my grandmother spent it with us. Which I feel such a blessing for my kids. Dear friends of ours had a tragedy hit them on Christmas Eve. So it was a time to remember of blessings and hold those we love a little closer.

We spent New Years in a mountain house near Pigeon Forge. We spent that time with my parents, siblings, nieces, nephews, and my grandmother. That time is always special. We always have a great time and always want to do it again (a sure sign that we actually like each other :) ).

We are busy with basketball. Matthew and Jacob are playing rec basketball and Jacob got asked to play on a tournament team over the Christmas holiday. His team won it all and it was a lot of fun to watch. Baseball starts soon and believe it or not football starts in April - UGH! Once again, my husband will be lost to the football world.

We are enjoying watching the Atlanta Falcons in the playoffs. They have a really tough game this week - so hopefully we will pull it off and win it.

I have a new friend - well, she really is not all that new anymore - but she reminds me a lot to be thankful for things - even the small things. I am thankful for the snow. It has given Timothy time to recover from his illness and not have to worry about his college classes. It also gave us time to get things done around the house that needed to be done. I also got a huge appreciation for my husband's job. He had to be at work for a couple of days and then when he finally made it home he did a lot from home. He works hard and deals with a lot - We are so very proud of him!!

That is about it. Thanks Ms. H for reminding me to look for the small blessings.

Matthew attacking Claire

Our House

My side yard

Family in the Mountains

The Whole Family

So Impressed

This past holiday season I got a wonderful glimpse at what kind of people my parents are.  Now, please know that I have always thought my parents are great people.  Not perfect, but good people.  But having to do what they do day in and day out for just a couple of weeks – I have acquired a new respect for them.  My grandmother lives with my parents.  She really is in good health considering that she is 90 years old.  Her main problem is her memory.  Now, she slugs along with her walker, but she does try to do as much as she can by herself – she gets ready for bed by herself.  All personal hygiene is done by her and she can get herself stuff to eat.  She simply does it very slowly.  She can remember nothing 5 minutes after you tell her – so be ready to hear her tell a story 6 times a day (and that is if you are lucky). 

My biggest frustration with her is that she talks about wanting to die all the time.  But if I really think about it – She has buried one child already and her husband is already waiting for her in heaven – I might feel the same way too. 

But my parents deal with this every day.  They get a break during the summer when she goes and lives with my one uncles. She goes out there for about 3 months.  Not sure she will be able to keep doing that, but it has been a nice break for my parents.   My other uncle just seems to think that if you ignore your family – they won’t bother you – pretty sad – I believe he is missing out on so many blessings.   Not going to get into that – God is working on my heart when it comes to that uncle.  I see how this responsibility is wearing on my parents – especially my dad – but I also see that they want to do what is right for her and take care of her as along as they can. 

I can only hope that when I grow up I will be as unselfish as they have been.  They have given up a huge part of their later years to take care of her.  For that example, for me and my kids, I thank them.  My children have seen unconditional love at its finest – not perfect love – that only comes from God – but the best example of unconditional love that we humans can possibly give.