A Good Read

Item #457 on my personal to-do list is to update the "On The Nightstand" section of the blog to share the books I'm enjoying. You probably think I'm the slowest reader in the world, because that section hasn't been updated in a long time.

Truth is, I haven't really finished any of the books currently there, I just took a break from them when things got busy and other books came across my path.

Since updating that section is a little involved, I thought I'd simply share one of the books I'm currently enjoying...Blue Like Jazz. It's an easy read, so if you have a couple of days or a business trip coming up, I highly recommend it.

Blue Like Jazz is by Donald Miller. The subtitle is "Nonreligious Thoughts On Christian Spirituality." I won't spoil it for you, but for now, just note that I'm about halfway through and have been both entertained and challenged.

Later

Big D.

Noah - Spring Soccer

Here are a couple of shots of Noah on the soccer field. One of the things that has occupied a lot of our time over the past several weeks is soccer for Noah. Noah played soccer for the first time this year in the spring city league in the town where we live. Practice one night a week plus a game every Saturday morning. The last few weeks every other practice night had a game scheduled instead of practice. I think he had fun, and I think he began to actually get it towards the end of the season. At least he paid attention to the game and didn't stop to stare at passing trains. He's still young, so it'll be a year or two before he gets very competitive. For now, it's all about fun.

Dancing?

I got this from my friend Gina via e-mail...and...since (according to my friend Tom), it's the season to post videos on blogs, I thought some of you might enjoy it. Yes, I know it's been a while since I've posted a real post. Chalk it up to writer's block or a too busy lifestyle at the moment. For now, just take a minute (or six) and laugh a bit...make sure your sound is turned up, and enjoy the evolution of dance...DGS

Catch-Up

HOPEFULLY...

I can use this weekend to catch-up...on my blog posting...

Since the last "real" entry, a few things have happened...I'll summarize here and add specific entries (and photos) as time permits...

• Elijah has kept on being cute. If you say "night-night" to him, he will drop what he's doing and walk to where he sleeps and stand by his bed. Giggling. He loves his sleep.
• Noah has started his first soccer season. He has yet to score, but his team has won a couple of games. He plays twice a week (at least one game plus practice). Noah couldn't care less about the games, he just enjoys running and kicking the ball (regardless of which direction he kicks it in).
• Clara has played three soccer games this season. She's now scored two goals and her team is undefeated and I think they've only been scored on once. Who would have thought 8-year-old soccer could be that intense?! Game before last every player on her team scored at least one goal. Last Saturday she played in a very cold (50 degrees) windy (gusts over 40 mph) rainy game....scored one goal and her team won 3-0. Clara also plays at least twice a week (at least one game plus practice).
• Clara had her 8th birthday party. 15 girls here for a pajama-party sleepover. Oh my. What were we thinking?!?!
• Hannah has continued with her piano lessons (she's now mastered the bass cleff) and has taken this year's TCAP's (the annual aptitude tests at school...a week-long event). We finally got her scores from last year (apparently lost when she changed schools due to re-zoning here).
• Clara also sang at a recent PTA meeting.
• Some questions have been answered about how the new contract between EDS and GMAC will impact my job, things are a little more stable...I guess.
• We spent a few evenings here and there huddled in the downstairs bathroom as the tornado sirens wailed...some nasty storms have come through this year.
• Our neighbor's house was burglarized...in broad daylight...while Diane and the boys were here. A little excitement in the cove...
• We were able to see Mama Clara, Granddaddy and Grandmommy Mitchell (Diane's parents) and some other family members in Mississippi one Sunday.
• The University of Georgia Women's Gymnastics Team won the National Championship (yes, I have to throw in a little school pride here and there).
• Some neighbors we had become friends with in our neighborhood found out that they (she) had received a job promotion and they relocated just this week to Reno, NV (yes, that is now a new Smith Family vacation destination). We were able to help out during the quick move by being a pet-sitter for their dog (and cat sometimes) while their house was being shown and by (Diane) helping coordinate a going-away dinner (for Gretta).
• A nasty little stomach virus wove its way through the family over a period of a few days.
• Spring (with all of its wonderful landscaping) has sprung. I never realized how an aerator can man-handle you.

So...a few distractions here and there have kept me from the blog, but I am returning...

Big D.