Up for Air

It is late as I write this but I have been having blog withdrawal. So I must write some stuff before I get swamped with school again.

I was able to get an interesting blood test called a live blood nutritional analysis. Being a nurse and thrilled with biology, it has been the coolest thing I have seen in a while. The "lab guy" as he called himself, took a drop of my blood and put it under a high-powered microscope which displayed on a computer screen for me to see. I saw the red blood cells of which some were small (Vit B dificiency), some bacteria and yeast (I am now taking more probiotics), a few sugar crystals (I was starving-hadn't eaten for hours), some plaque (which he assured me was being flushed out well), and best of all, the white blood cells. These things looked like something out of a sci-fi. They were the largest and most detailed cells. They were on the move. I actually got to see them engulfing things they didn't like. I marvelled! I had never seen this before-sure I've seen a dead white blood cell, but not in action like these and not since science class in college. Then I saw the killer T-cells which are the "marines" (that's for you, Shaun) of the military white blood cell force. They are the powerhouses that fight cancer. I was told I have a good immune system which was gratifying. Mostly, I become more in awe of God who thought up everything from the microscopic white blood cell to the whole person that is me.

Speaking of marvelling, the spring is amazing this year to me. My favorite season is usually fall, but I tell you, this spring has caused me to rethink. Perhaps we are getting enough rain or maybe it is just that I do not get out much now. Anyway, take some time to look at all the color out there and the smells (if you can get your noses unclogged enough to smell-warm salt water up the nose works like a charm). God has outdone Himself if that is possible. It makes me get excited about heaven which will be way better than this!

I am in the 6th week of this stats and research couse and I am preparing for the next course which is a one-week intensive at Liberty in May. Hence why I have not blogged much. This is a difficult course with a challenging paper, but today I felt sorry for the instructor because I bet there are not too many people that enjoy his course and probably wouldn't take it if they didn't have to. God is using it to teach me to be more positive. You will have to ask Dave if it is working. I hope so by the end. And Annie, don't freak out over it. We will help you and I am too uptight!

I just got rid of not one, but 2 huge garbage bags full of clothes from Jonny and Arianna's rooms. Yikes. How do we get so many? I feel like I've had a cleansing. We even got rid of 16 stuffed animals-I am proud of Arianna.

I was in NYC with my son, David's, marching band on April 10-14th. It was amazing. I really love that place. I hope I get a chance to live there if for just a little part of my life but not alone. I am not quite confident to live there alone. My brother was great and found us great, cheap restaurants and sent me home with bagels (best in the world), black and white cookies for my friend, and with fond memories. We toured lots of places-some of which I hadn't been to such as Madame Tusseau's wax museaum. We met the assistant conductor for the Broadway show, "Wicked" as well as a violinist and french horn player from the same show. We met a swing from Mary Poppins (one show we saw). A swing is someone who must learn all the music, singing, dancing, and positions of all members of a show except the principles/primaries. So in Mary Poppins, he needed to know all the chimney sweeps, all the people in the park, all the statues, the people in the bank, and many more. I admired him. We also saw the off-Broadway show, Stomp which was so great and reminded me of Jonny. Aparently there is a movie of it if you can check it out. These people had rhythm and were always making it with anything they could find. No speaking, no instuments, just ordinary, everyday items including trash. I even saw one of my brother's friend's play (or dance on) the large piano in FAO Schwarz toy store. What a bonus!

Nancy

Arianna

I wonder what she is thinking about?

Creativity

Elizabeth made this rose out of clay the other day. I'm amazed at her talents.

Iceland - One year later

It is hard to believe that a year ago, we were coming back from 10 days in Iceland. Now we are looking forward to Colby, Annie, Haley and wild child (hair wise)* Darcy going there later this year.

*At times it appears to me anyway that Darcy has this 80's big hair action going on. You would almost think she was from New Jersey.

At the time, I didn't realize how the kids would be affected by the time there. They still talk about it and have fond memories of it. Both David and Jonny aren't fond of the heat and hot weather of Virginia's summers. When we talk about where they would like to live someday, Iceland is a place that comes up frequently. Hmmm. Nancy and I are praying that God would be working in their hearts and develop a passion for ministry and missions.

Slugging Stories

I slug to work most of the time. It's free and usually I get a nap on the way home. Plus you get to encounter all sorts of things. For example:

• On the way home, Mark Stratton in a Hawaiian shirt. What is up with that?
• On the way in today, a driver pulls up with his trunk open and he doesn't realize it. What's up with that?
• Again today, my driver has the radio on but she is listening to her walkman with headphones on. Huh???

The Bean...An expensive bean....

For those thinking of a potential gift for either Colby or Pastor Bill or maybe even Clint, I leave you with this....

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=558540&in_page_id=1770&in_a_source=

From the review is "It wasn't too bitter and the earthiness really came through - probably because of where the beans have come from. "

Time to brag

As parents, we get to brag on our kids accomplishments. Two recent brag-worthy events are:

1. David tried out and was accepted to Brooke Point High School's Wind Ensemble. He is one of 3 saxaphone players that will be in the group next year. Didn't try out for jazz band but maybe next year. He does want to buy a soprano saxaphone. If anyone wants to contribute, I'm sure he would be happy.

2. Arianna wrote an essay on pets that her teacher, Ms. Carr, entered into a Free Lance Star Pet story contest. Surprisingly since we don't have pets, she was one of six children chosen for first grade entries. Her winning entry will be published in the Town and Country Magazine section of the paper this coming Saturday, April 12.