Bartlett Soccer Club '98 Update

Congratulations Ellie Hagen for scoring the first goal of the game for BSC '98! It was a very hard fought game and the teams were fairly evenly talented. Molly and Anna (and others) saved quite a few goals and several of our girls including Clara had shots on their goal, but in the end our ladies came up short. The final score was 2-1 in favor of the Purple Rain Soccer Club. Our next game is Monday night, March 5 against the Junior Lady Lobos (Sanning) Club. BSC '98 is now 1-1.

Imagination Station

I love boy's imaginations. I see chairs placed in the living room while I mop the floor. Boys see trains, an obstacle course, a trampoline. These chairs take them to destinations far away. To me they are just a pile of chairs. To them they are hours of fun. Later when Hannah and Clara woke up they joined in on the fun. All four of them were on the train. Of course the girls had to bring down all their stuffed animals, blankets, and pillows.

Last week Hannah and I went to see the movie "Bridge to Terabithia". I loved it!! It was far more dramatic than I had expected. The thing I enjoyed about the movie is that it reminded me of the importance of imagination. Sometimes as an adult I forget to dream, forget to play, forget to enjoy life. Life gets in the way. Responsibilities get in the way. But the reality is this life is a shadow of what is to come in eternity. The shadow only reveals so much. It leaves much room for imagination regarding what the real thing looks like. The real thing will be amazing. For now I must be content to imagine.

I'm reading a great book "Celebration of Discipline". It is compelling! It speaks to the importance of imagination in several places. A couple of quotes "We can descend with the mind into the heart most easily through imagination...Perhaps some rare individuals experience God through abstract contemplation alone, but most of us need to be more deeply rooted in the senses. We must not despise this simpler, more humble route into God's presence. Jesus himself taught in this manner, making constant appeal to the imagination." And the other quote, "We who follow Christ can risk going against cultural tide. Let's with abandon relish the fantasy games of children. Let's see visions and dream dreams. Let's play, sing, laugh. The imagination can release a flood of creative ideas, and can be lots of fun.".

Maybe rather than saying I must be content to imagine, a better statement might be "I get to imagine." Unfortunately I'm a bit out of practice, but as one of my favorite characters Anne of Green Gables says "There is so much scope for the imagination." It's a good thing I'm surrounded by this passal of children. I've much to learn from them.

Congrats Ari & Matt!!

Our old friend Ari and our new friend Matt are getting married. We had them over for dinner last week and had a great time. We are excited for them as they make plans for the future and establish a new family. Being with them reminded me of our own engagement and the awe and wonder of God's blessings. Seventeen years later I'm still amazed at how God has given me such an incredible husband. Keeping it real though we have had our fair share of "dog house days". But, at the end of the day we come in out of the cold and appreciate the warmth of what God established. We thank Him in the good times and thank him in the bad times. (Granted, we haven't really walked through the valley of the shadow). Anyway, young love reminds us of all to "Love Deeply". Love is a beautiful gift!!!

Basketball Queen

Hannah played basketball this season with our church team. She improved considerably and even touched the ball a few times. Her claim to fame was she was "The Baby". She was the youngest on the team and through the season she perfected her cute look. It's nice being the baby...there's not much pressure. We're very proud of her and last night we celebrated at a banquet at the church. BTW--Do you like Hannah's tulip hat?

Noah's Birthday

Noah and Clara showing off his birthday present!!

Elijah's Birthday

Elijah is our football player in training...he got a football for his birthday. Our little man is two years old and is learning to play "FOOTBALL". When he sees a football game he says, "Go Dawgs!". He makes his dad proud!!

Life is a blur!

I love this pic. Noah is opening is his birthday present, a Power Rangers costume no less. Ten Years ago, which seem like yesterday, you could not have convinced me that I would have four precious children. You could not have convinced me that I would allow my son to own anything Power Rangers related...far too violent. Yet, here I am looking at this picture, realizing that things change. Things change quickly. Life passes like a blur. Before I know it another ten years will pass and my children will be 21, 18, 15, and 12. Okay, so I'm done blogging, I'm going to play with my children before they become adults and don't want to play anymore. Enjoy the day and enjoy those you love!!!

Spring Soccer Season Is Here...

...for Clara. Clara's team, BSC '98 (Bartlett Soccer Club '98) tonight defeated the '98 White team from the FURY soccer club of Germantown by a score of 3 - 0. Congratulations to the entire team for excellent team play, and to Molly, Caity, and Emily on your goals!

Yes, I know it's not really spring yet, but...

Follow the team's progress here... http://www.mikerosesoccercomplex.com/index_frameset.htm

Later...

Big D...

Elijah likes corn!!

Elijah helps out!!

Everyone has a job to do around our home. Even Elijah decided to pitch in and help. He pulled the chair up and said "clean". He really likes to help clean up while singing the Barney song "Clean Up. We'll take all the help we can get. Of course we could do without the Barney song.

Eljah's Snow Day

Elijah enjoyed his snow day. He wasn't sure what to think of the snow, but once he got used to it, he had fun stomping around!! Snow in our area is rare, so we took full advantage of the four hours it was on the ground.

Snow Day - Take two

snow day in memphis

It's Just A Book - Episode 2

Another teaser about the new book by Ted Dekker called Skin that's coming out on April 3...poor scruffy...

It's Just a Book - Episode 1

Looks like one of my favorite authors, Ted Dekker, has a new book coming out on April 3...

This is a test...

We're testing a new feature which will allow both Diane and David to make posts to the blog individually. Yes, folks, postings might start again soon...