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.  

Thankfulness

As we celebrated this Thanksgiving, I really thought of all the things I am thankful for. I don't know if it is my age or what - but some days God just opens a door and lets me see how blessed I really am. I am thankful for that.

I am thankful for.....

Jesus, my Savior!! What a wonderful blessing of Grace he gives me each and everyday!!

My husband. In the past 21 years we have been through a lot, but I am thankful that God has brought us through it and grown both of us in our marriage and walk with Him. Stephen is a wonderful husband, father, provider, friend, and life partner! I am thankful that God gave him to me.

My children. What awesome children they are. All of them are growing up to be such great Christian guys. There are days that God gives me a glimpse of what he is doing in their lives and I am in awe!!

My family. I have the best parents in the whole wide world. I love them so much and am thankful for all they sacrificed and gave up for us and for the love they continue to show every day. My sister, brother, sister-n-law, brother-n-law. They are such great people and I love being around them. I love the way we still laugh all the time when we are together.

My in-love family. God could not of blessed me with a better family to marry into. We are all very close and I love each and every one of them!!! They make family so much fun!! All my sweet, sweet nieces and very handsome nephews!

Keelings - we have been friends for 20 years. They have been there for us in some dark times and we will always be grateful to them. They continue to be a huge blessing to us and we love them so much.

Matthews - this is a couple that we have been friends with for over 22 years. They also have been with us through some rough times and vice versa. We are so very thankful that God continues to let them be a part of our lives.

Girlfriends - what would I be without them??????? Tricia, Susan, Karla, Alison, Susan, Wendy, Becki, Julie, and I am I know there are more. I am thankful for all the coffee and late nights these gals have given me!!

New Friends - Isn't it funny how God brings people into your lives and after just a short time you think, Wow, how did me get along without them? I have some of those and I am very thankful for them!! I don't think they realize how much they have meant to me the past couple of months.

Jobs, our dog, a sweet, sweet girl Joy that always gives from her heart!, for friends that have the calling to adopt and love unwanted children, Christian football coaches, vacations, coke, chocolate, football season, romance novels, and the Halllmark Channel.

I know I have left off a lot and some that are really important. But God knows my heart and so they are well covered.

I am blessed,

Michele

bittersweet

Today I watched my son play football for possibly the last time. Some might not think that that is such a big deal - but football has been a part of who he is since Kindergarten. Timothy has loved this game for so long and still wants to pursue playing it in college. We will see.... But as I think about this so much comes to mind.

Timothy started in kindergarten and played for the North Gwinnett Bulldogs - at this age, they were required to get each player in for at least 3 plays. Timothy played 3 plays each game. He really didn't care - he just loved playing the game and being on the team. The next 5 or 6 years he played at Midway and had 2 coaches the whole time. With these two coaches coaching together almost the whole time. Coach C taught timothy the proper way to do everything - tackle, block, run, stand, stance - Timothy developed is to such a good player under Coach C. I still see things today that Timothy does that I know came from Coach C. Coach S. was just an awesome christian man. He was a great coach, but what he brought into Timothy's life was such an awesome example of how he should lead his life and how to grow into the man God wanted him to be. These two men grew timothy as a player and person and I am so grateful for them.

Timothy then started Falcon football. This was a new experience for him - a little less structure - ok a lot less structure than he was used to but Dad got to coach and he finally got to play with his best friend. He also was put into a brand new position - quarterback. These past 5 years with the falcons have been such a growing time for Timothy. He was thrust into the varsity qb position as a freshmen and had to learn quickly. He had great coaches that were patient with him and help to develop his skills. Now, I wouldn't say he was the most polished qb but boy he has grown into one of the best in our league and I couldn't be prouder of him.

Tomorrow he will set foot on the football field for possibly the last time and with it he has gotten many awards, honors and titles. Many of those he will remember forever and others not so important. But what he will have is years of memories with some great guys, leadership qualities, and loyalty. those I think are the most important.

He got hurt a couple of weeks ago and we had to play a playoff game without him most of the game. He told me that he felt that was God's way of letting him know it is not about him but about his team and he was so proud of that team.

Timothy is heading in a new path in life - which might include more football or it might not, but whatever it includes, I know that football and been such a great influence on him and who he is and who we are as a family!!!

I thank God for these opportunities and lessons that he has given us.

Family Birthday Bash

This weekend is our annual birthday bash. All my parents' grandchildren's birthdays are in the fall. Every year during the labor day weekend - we have a huge birthday party. We take turns having it in Atlanta and Charlotte. This year it is in Charlotte at Scott's house. Unfortunetly Matthew had a game, so Stephen, Matthew and Timothy stayed home.

So..... me and Jacob headed to Charlotte. We have had a really good time. We have gone to the reenactment of the Revolutionary War Battle of Charlotte. The girls went shopping and we had our birthday party! Today Jacob's uncles took him to play golf - they will be rewarded in heaven for that! Jacob and I will be heading home today.

Football is going good - All the boys have won all their games so far - so we are all still a happy household. Jacob and Matthew have sustained some injuries - but so far nothing tooo major.

That is my quick update