Well, it is picking up here at the Howard household. We have travel basketball going on, baseball, and now spring football. To say we don't have a night off is putting it mildly.
The baseball team finally won a game - thank goodness. I thought Stephen was going to never sleep. The basketball team wins about once a weekend. They play some very good basketball teams and have been getting better and better. The most important part is Jacob is getting better. Football- it is weird not seeing Timothy out there.
Timothy and I went and met his new team - Birmingham Southern Panthers this past Saturday. It was nice and he left very anxious to start. He is so looking forward to starting fresh somewhere and keeping busy with school and football. He will be interning at a church in Athens this summer, which also will be nice to keep him busy and focused on more important things.
That is it - we have no time for anything else. Crazy, I know!
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Spring Break
We made our annual spring break trip this year. We go every year now for 6 years with my two girlfriends, Tricia and Susan. We take our kids (minus Timothy) and head out somewhere. We try and go somewhere with a little bit of history (for me) and some science (for others). Some years we have had others come with us and the past 3 years Susan's husband and tagged along. This year we headed to Virginia - now for anyone that knows me - (sorry, Tricia) - you know that I want to live there one day. I love Virginia and think is a very beautiful place. I was not disappointed on this trip. We headed to Williamsburg on the first day. We met up with Susan and Marvin in Jamestown and spent the afternoon there. The next day was rainy so we did the Ripley's Museum - which was awesome and then headed to Norfolk to see the Nauticus Museum and the USS Wisconsin battleship. Loved both of these and got to walk along the waterfront and stop and have dinner. The next day we headed to one of my favorite places - Colonial Williamsburg. I just love this place. I so want to work there one day. It helps remind us of where we have been and what brought us to the place we are. I truly believe that the men that lived there in the 1770's really must be looking down at us and wondering how we could mess something up so badly. There was re-enactment and we got to see the drum and fife play. Yes, I was in heaven and so enjoyed the whole day - did I mention the weather was absolutely gorgeous!? On Thursday we headed to Richmond and went to the Holocaust Museum. This museum is free and so well done. The kids got so much out of it. One of the kids said he thought he knew about the Holocaust, but he found out he didn't. Real eye opener. I am so glad that we as a country thought it important enough to fight that war. Millions of Jews were killed but so many were saved because we were there. My grandfather included. We headed to Appomattox the next day and enjoyed that. We actually were there on the anniversary of the surrender by Lee. We also went to the Natural Bridge and Foamhedge. All and all this trip was so much fun and we enjoyed being with everyone. We have had some difficult things to work through here at home and it was nice to get away and just now worry or think about it for awhile.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Visiting Pennsylvania
This past week, me and my sister traveled to Pennsylvania for my aunt's funeral. It was a sad time saying goodbye to a wonderful person. The nice part was getting to see so much family again. No matter how much time goes by or the differences you have - it is so nice to see family and catch up.
On our last day- me and my sister took a day to wander around and see some things. We first headed to Lancaster, PA (amish country). It is so beautiful there and the first Ellmaker (my maiden name) homestead is there also. We enjoyed driving around and shopping. We then headed to Reading, PA for some shopping. After lunch we went to track down an old ice cream parlor that our grandparents would take us to every summer. With the tracking talents of my sister, we were able to find it and enjoy some icecream.
We then tracked down our grandparents old house. There is a huge farm behind it and we always loved being there. We ended the day with a dinner with our aunt and two cousins. It was so nice to see them and spend some time with them.
I just hate that it takes funerals to get family together. Family is so very precious.
Farm behind my grandparents house
Coventry Ice Cream Parlor
A carriage in Amish Country
On our last day- me and my sister took a day to wander around and see some things. We first headed to Lancaster, PA (amish country). It is so beautiful there and the first Ellmaker (my maiden name) homestead is there also. We enjoyed driving around and shopping. We then headed to Reading, PA for some shopping. After lunch we went to track down an old ice cream parlor that our grandparents would take us to every summer. With the tracking talents of my sister, we were able to find it and enjoy some icecream.
We then tracked down our grandparents old house. There is a huge farm behind it and we always loved being there. We ended the day with a dinner with our aunt and two cousins. It was so nice to see them and spend some time with them.
I just hate that it takes funerals to get family together. Family is so very precious.
Farm behind my grandparents house
Coventry Ice Cream Parlor
A carriage in Amish CountrySaturday, March 5, 2011
Having Faith
Faith... Do we really know what this word means until we are called to have it and have it alone? This past week has tested the faith of many in our family. We have had to have faith that God's plan is the perfect plan, even when we think it is the wrong plan. Some of us are not there quite yet, but are working on it.
I think the hardest thing is knowing that we have told others when they are going through rough times that God is with them and he will sustain them through it all - but boy it is different when you are going through those times yourself. It is a real eye opener to whether you believe your own words or were they just simply words? I want so much for them to be real and to know that He is with us and His plan is perfect. The words in Psalms 34 were placed in my life this week from just a random thing - but they spoke straight to my heart.
The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
We have had deaths in the family this week, and deaths of relationships. May God continue to speak to us and comfort us through this and continue to guide our steps as we heal our hearts. Also pray that I can have faith in Him especially in the things that are out of my control.
Michele
I think the hardest thing is knowing that we have told others when they are going through rough times that God is with them and he will sustain them through it all - but boy it is different when you are going through those times yourself. It is a real eye opener to whether you believe your own words or were they just simply words? I want so much for them to be real and to know that He is with us and His plan is perfect. The words in Psalms 34 were placed in my life this week from just a random thing - but they spoke straight to my heart.
The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
We have had deaths in the family this week, and deaths of relationships. May God continue to speak to us and comfort us through this and continue to guide our steps as we heal our hearts. Also pray that I can have faith in Him especially in the things that are out of my control.
Michele
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
life
This past week has been, should we say, full of stress. On one hand it was nice because I got to get up with many friends. I had breakfast with a wonderful lady that I am just starting to get to know. I just love her and look forward to getting to know her better. I had dinner with 3 high school friends. One, I had not seen in 15 years. We had a wonderful time of laughter and remembering. Finally, I had lunch with 2 girlfriends that I love and it was just a time of encouraging and friendship - love it!
The not so fun part was that my Great aunt died on Monday. As my parents were working their way to Pennsylvania, my aunt died of cancer. We knew that my aunt was going, but it still is hard when it finally happens. Me and my sister will be going to Pennsylvania for the funeral tomorrow. So as any mom knows, leaving the family to run around and get everywhere on their own is a job in it self to prepare for.
There are other things going on, just not at liberty to share them, but they are heart issues and sometimes hurt worst than normal stress.
I thank God that I have Him in my life. I can not imagine what life would be like without Him to lean on at times. He gives me strength when I feel drained. He gives me love when I need it the most! I am also very glad to know that my aunt is with Him now with no more cancer!!! That is reason enough to find some happiness in it all!
The not so fun part was that my Great aunt died on Monday. As my parents were working their way to Pennsylvania, my aunt died of cancer. We knew that my aunt was going, but it still is hard when it finally happens. Me and my sister will be going to Pennsylvania for the funeral tomorrow. So as any mom knows, leaving the family to run around and get everywhere on their own is a job in it self to prepare for.
There are other things going on, just not at liberty to share them, but they are heart issues and sometimes hurt worst than normal stress.
I thank God that I have Him in my life. I can not imagine what life would be like without Him to lean on at times. He gives me strength when I feel drained. He gives me love when I need it the most! I am also very glad to know that my aunt is with Him now with no more cancer!!! That is reason enough to find some happiness in it all!
Monday, January 31, 2011
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
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
Saturday, January 15, 2011
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
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
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