ACS Awards Day (5/29/08)

Today was Awards Day. Russell received his ribbon for third place in the three legged race and a sports Award Certificate. He also received an excellence award in Arithmetic, Spelling, Science, Health, Penmanship, Reading and Bible. He received a special Certificate of Achievement in story-writing!

Bekah received a special Servant's Award and the teacher spoke of scripture where one acts as a quiet servant. Lisa, if you can remember more of what Mrs. Branch said regarding Bekah please post it in a comment.

I know the kids are glad to be out of school! We need to go back tomorrow and work on things for the Auction which is Saturday from 4-8. Graduation is tomorrow at 7PM and we are going to have some items out for preview during the ceremony.

ACS Field Day

Yesterday was field day at ACS. The morning was rainy but the field activities did not begin until 1:00 and by that time it was beautiful out.

I have a few pictures of the scenery (beautiful view from the school) and one of Russell. I'll post more on my Kodak gallery and send those out as well.

Russell and I one third place in the three legged race! I'm so glad no one video taped that! We had a good time!

Update of What's Been Goin On

I'm off all this week! This is Russell's last week of school. He had a field trip today to Hershey and Water Gardens in Stuarts Draft. Tomorrow is Field Day and I'll be there with my camera. Thursday is awards day with early dismissal and graduation is Friday night at 7 and of course I'll be there with my camera for those as well.

Saturday I cleaned out all the drawers in the pantry and lined them with new paper. I cleaned out several areas in our bedroom that had accumulated way more than they should have. I cleaned our Russell's closet and dresser drawers as well as the closet in our room and placed a lot of things in the Yard Sale pile. (more on that later). I raked the garden and am now ready to mark off my rows. I hope to have everything planted by the end of the week. We still need to put up the electric fence to keep "varmits" away.

Today I worked on item sheets for the Silent Auction portion of the Berries and Bid$ Auction (5/31) and will be working on that as much as necessary the remainder of the week. We can't set up the area for the auction until after Thursday nights graduation.

I have a hair appointment tomorrow at 3:00.

I'm expecting my trial pair of contact lens to come in soon. I'm trying a multi-focal lens in my right eye. I have too much astigmatism in my left eye to get the multi-focal lens for it.

I also need to pick up a card and a little something for Russell's teacher.

We are planning on a yard sale for June 7th. Russell and Bekah are supposed to sell hot dogs and lemonade. We'll start that morning and run until about 12 unless we are busy. Most things that are left will go to Good Will.

Chris has been working with his brother at the house in Barboursville. They have put on a new roof. They've taken pictures of the damage made by the former tenants. Steve is off this week and is painting the exterior of the house.

Mary starts her chemo this week and went today for a scan to see if cancer is anywhere else in her body. Please continue to keep her in your prayers. She has a positive outlook and is looking to God for her strength.

Chris has also been working on installing chrome on the handlebars of my bike. I have some before and after pictures. Left side / before; right side / after. He would have been finished but the the clutch lever that came in did not fit so he had to order a replacement one and it hasn't come in yet. I'll take another picture of it in the sun once it's complete.

Happy Birthday Day Betty "Boop" Butler

Friday was Mrs. Butler's 70th birthday. Judy and her sister held a party for her at Three Chopt Community Center.

Mrs. Butler looked as if she had a wonderful time. The theme was Betty Boop a favorite of Mrs. Butler.

Happy Birthday Bekah!

Yesterday was Bekah's 12th Birthday.

Flowers, Balloons and Cards

I was surprised with a dozen red roses today. We exchanged cards. I can never decide on one card and usually end up with at least two. This time it was four. I gave Chris a heart balloon. Then we worked in the yard! It's been a wonderful two years!

Second Wedding Anniversary

Today is our second Wedding Anniversary! It doesn't seem like it's been two years since our wedding.

Chris' Aunt Mary was admitted to the hospital yesterday. She was experiencing rapid heart beat. Please keep her in our prayers.

Flowers in the Yard

Peony
Iris
Rose buds (pink I believe)
Not sure what this is. Chris' Aunt Mary gave to me.

Multi-Cultural Night at ACS

The first photo isn't all that clear but I liked the way Russell was sitting. I wish I could get my feet into that position!. The second shot get almost the entire class. His class studied India. Russell had drawn a picture that was on the poster on the table where we had various Indian dishes for people to sample. We had chicken curry, rice, butter chicken, mango pudding, yogurt dip with pita chips, and a potato veggie dish. Bekah's class cooked all of the food themselves and it went quick!

Only two more weeks of school and then Russell is out for the summer. Summer camp starts on June 2 and will be YMCA camp at Rockfish River Elementary School.

Garden Time and Farmer Haney

Chris plowed a spot for our small garden Thursday night before the rains come in. Chris has never plowed before but I had no doubt he would figure out how to hook up the plow and get a spot plowed up for us. He needs to disc (sp?) it now and then till it. Then of course the ongoing taks of picking up those rocks that seem to multiply in a garden. We are hoping we can get this done this weekend. I want to plant some tomatoes, cukes and squash. Perhaps a pepper plant or two. We have a solar powered electric fence that we are also putting up that will hopefully keep the deer and other animals away from the veggies. I can just taste that tomatoe and mayo biscuit now!

Birthday's Galore

We celebrated Justice's birthday today. (birthday is the 14th) Today is Dale's birthday and tomorrow is Christopher's. We also celebrated Christopher's while we were celebrating for Justice. Helen and Lester had a cook-out at their house and several of us took a covered dish or two. (bet you guys can't guess what Lisa took - it was delicious, as usual) Lisa, Bekah and Guy were there as were lots of members of Asylen's family. Helen's son was also there. It was a house full! I'll make a movie clip later but for now, here is shot of Justice enjoying her birthday cake.

Virginia Safari

Afton Christian School took a field trip to Safari Park at Natural Bridge yesterday! We had a lot of fun and would like to go back. Let's plan a family/friend trip. We can get group rates . Groups ridge on wagons, which I believe I prefer over taking your car through the park. I don't like the idea of the animals sticking their head inside the vehicle to eat. I'm posting a few pictures of the 100 I took. Russell also took pictures with a disposable 35 mm camera and we'll have those developed soon too. Check out the park's website http://www.virginiasafaripark.com/geninfo.htm

Bekah and Russell prior to the wagon pulling out to feed the animals.

The camel eating out of Russell's bucket

By the look on Russell's face he doesn't appear to have enjoyed the animal eating out of his bucket much. He got use to it as the trip progressed.

An elk with velvet on it's horns.

These little piggies won't be going to the market! (thank goodness!)

Beautiful peacock

Baby kangaroo

Giraffe at the feeding station

If you enlarge this picture you should be able to see the four day old giraffe

More giraffe feeding

Russell feeding the giraffe!

Russell and Bekah on a turtle statue

Yes, even flamingo's!

A lemur. He was at the back of the fence until we walked up and just as I was about to snap a picture he jumped onto the front fence.

More Russell and Bekah having a good time.

Today we are celebrating Justice's birthday which is May 14th. Christopher's is tomorrow, Mother's Day and we are celebrating that as well. I'll take pictures from the cookout/party and post those, hopefully tomorrow.

Hymn Sing Movie Clip

Below is a movie clip I made of the RVBC Hymn Sing. Enjoy!

This is a video of Bruce and Andy Mansfield performing at the Hymn Sing. I was unable to get the video clip into the movie clip of pictures above and had to do a separate movie clip. My camera will only record about a minute of video so you'll notice a break in the video where I've inserted the second video I taped.

Front of Birthday Card

This is the front of my card from Chelle. Inside....

Betty confuses her husband's

"little blue pill"

for her calcium supplement

It was such a cute card!

Frog

Saturday morning when Chris left for work we noticed a frog had attached itself to the side of the house. I took several pictures and this one was the best one. It's still a little out of focus even though I used auto-focus. I guess I was still partially asleep or nervous trying to perch myself on the back steps to take the picture!

I went to the hymn sing Saturday afternoon and enjoyed it but it was quite emotional. Lisa and Bekah were there as well. Bruce and Andy Mansfield performed after the "meal break". Dale and Linda were able to make it there after they attended a friends wedding and reception. It was quite an emotional day. Mama organized the first hymn sing (this was the third) and was working on lining up people for this one. There were a lot of remembrances of her which were very touching. The silk flowers that were given by someone (either the church or the senior center) were being used on the table in front of the pulpit. As soon as the first person started to perform I went to pieces. I told Lisa I didn't think I'd be able to stay but was able to make it through all of the tears till the end.

I took pictures of each person/group that performed and will make a movie to post soon. I also was able to get a short video of Bruce and Andy performing. I'll have to apologise for the pictures that were taken of people singing. They were all blurry and I think it was because I was crying while taking the pictures. The only one that turned out was the one Lisa took of me!

I understand they are planning another hymn sing for sometime in September.

Bekah rode to NC with Dale to pick up Nett and Cal. I know she is having a good time! I look forward to seeing Nett, Mike and Cal before they head back home.

Friday night Chelle, Linda, Pam and I went to El Puerto for my b/day dinner! We had a nice time. I couldn't help but remember that mama always use to order "Number 8!"

Chelle's close friend that had leukemia passed away Friday morning and the funeral was yesterday. Please keep the family and friends of Suzie in your thoughts and prayers. Suzie has a little boy that is about 11 years old from what I understand. Even though it is hard to lose someone her pain and suffering are no longer and she is in heaven.