A few photos from last weekend

Last weekend, we surprised my mother in law for her 50th birthday. There were people from all over the US who came to help her celebrate. We had a great time with family and friends. Here are a few photos:

Wonderful Weekend

We visited Murphy's Orchard this weekend and had a lovely time. The apples were delicious; the cider was yummy; and Tim especially liked the apple doughnuts.

They had a few animals there, and Jonathan loved feeding them. Here are a few photos.

Palin Power and a Few Other Thoughts

I caught the end of the Vice Presidential debate last night, and I must say that I truly was impressed. The candidates were actually interesting to watch. I think what impressed me the most was that instead of typical mud-slinging politics, the candidates actually debated the issues.

Biden came out calm, collected and didn't ruffle any feathers...probably what the Obama campaign wanted. Palin on the other hand, came across as the friend next door...who fights when she needs to. I think she did better than what most people expected.

I love this review from FoxNews.com: "Sarah Palin saved John McCain again Thursday night. She is the political equivalent of cardiac paddles," conservative columnist Peggy Noonan, who was caught criticizing Palin in an off-camera moment in early September, wrote in The Wall Street Journal.

So will there be enough Palin Power to push McCain through? I sure hope so.

Oddly, though, as much as I love Sarah Palin, one thing does concern me: her children. As I watched her hold her baby and pat her daughters head at the end of the debate, it made me wonder why she feels that the Vice Presidency takes place over her family for the next four to eight years.

The other concern I have in regard to the election is that there are so many who do not approve of McCain or Obama that they choose not to vote at all. There may not be a candidate that is the ideal person that I as a Christian might elect, but there is definitely one that I would NOT elect.

So this year, my vote is against someone, not necessarily for someone.

If you choose to not use your constitutional right to vote this year, choose not to complain about politics for the next four years!

It's that time of year...

The air is getting cooler...the leaves are starting to change. Autumn is my favorite time of year! Makes me want to build a fire, make hot chocolate, eat soup and cuddle under a blanket.

What is your favorite thing to do in the fall?

Lost Tooth

Well, J lost his front tooth last night. So much for my baby; he is really growing up. :)

Save the Neighborhood!

As a child growing up near the Pittsburgh area, I grew up with a friendly neighbor at WQED, Mr. Fred Rogers. Everyday he greeting me with the assurance that I was someone special to him. He serenaded me with songs that made me feel special..."It's such a good feeling to know you're alive!" as well as "You are my friend, you are special" and many more.

Mr. Rogers and his unlikely troupe of friends (from Mr. McFeely the delivery man who brought such amazing trinkets, gadgets and videos to Lady Aberlin, King Friday to Lady Elaine-who always scared me a bit!) would greet me every day for an adventure. Whether it was learning what firemen do or what the inside of a pretzel factory looked like, Mr. Rogers was always there in his kind, gentle manner teaching me things about the world around me.

So, while I was reading my friend's post, I realized that there is trouble in the neighborhood. It seems that some braniac at PBS has decided that Mr. Roger's only needs to be aired once a week in a weekend time slot. I am sure they will fill the slot with something "educational" like Boo-bah or the Wiggles. YIKES!

I know the neighborhood is sentimental for me, but it is a lasting icon of good, safe children's television that actually teaches children. Trust me, I would take my soft-spoken neighbor over whiny Calliou and annoying Dora anyday!

To learn more about the changes in the neighborhood and what you can do to help, read here.

September Happenings

Life has been busy here in Lynchburg. The air is a tiny bit cooler today, and it is starting to feel like fall (which happens to be my favorite season).

J is back in school. Second grade now. He loves his teacher, Mrs. Albert. He has lots of his friends from last year in his class, so he is thrilled.

Tim will be starting seminary in October.

And as for me, my life is crazy at the moment. Our new arts ministry, Access Arts, will be opening in October. So, I have been interviewing staff, scheduling classes, creating promotional materials, painting classrooms, ordering supplies...just to name a few things. We are excited to see what the Lord is going to do!

So, for those of you who care enough to read this little blog, this update is for you!

I am currently accepting donations towards a plane trip to London. :)