The Fauth Clan Musings

It has been a while, but here are some of Nancy's musings of late

2011-01-09T22:06:00.002-05:00

Nursing job: working on average 30 hours a week because we are so short and picking up on business. Good for money but not for time and energy.

Counseling: started at Snowden at Fredericksburg through Mary Washington Healthcare. working there on Thursdays and Fridays from 9am til ? Usually hanging out there for at least 20 hours/week, but still need more face to face. Will I ever graduate is the question and then what to do after that. Still have 4 clients from the Center for Family Counseling.

Work: total, I work 50-60 hours/week.

Books: Just read "I remember Nothing" by Nora Ephron on my Kindle (first book read electronically without flipping pages!). She is a funny author and has done several books that have been made into movies such as Sleepless in Seattle and Hanging Up. This book is about getting older and reminiscing a bit. She does mention that it would be nice to be able to believe in God-making death easier but she did not. How sad. She did mention that divorce is so hard on children-she was divorced twice but has been married the third time for 30 years.

I also read Tim Keller's newest book on Justice. Interesting message on what to do with the poor verses rich dilemma. I also read parts of Leviticus and am not convinced that either Republicans or Democrats or Capitalists are right. Please Jesus come and lets go back to a Theocracy!

Scrabble on the Kindle-I will beat that computer yet!

David II: it is looking like he is really planning on going to University of Minnesota where he has been accepted. We are waiting for an answer from Penn. State at the end of the month then will probably decide in February. Dave is busy working on taxes and the FAFSA for the financial end of this endeavor. I need to get busy looking for scholarships (even the remotest). I am so cold here that I do not know how I am going to visit him if he goes there! Dave, David and I are visiting the last weekend in January, so I need to brace myself. I do get to try cross country skiing which is cool-only $3 on the campus. They can have the downhill skiing.

Exercise: I am forced to wake up at the ungodly hour of 6 am and go to the club because I hate the cold and have no other time to work out with all this work! I managed to go 3x this past week.

Headaches: still bad. Thinking of trying another neuro doc who specializes in headaches. So discouraging.

Birthday: Went to Maggiano's on Saturday with friends and went to Tysons Corner mall for shopping. That is a great mall but so tempting to spend money. That is why I can only go once/year.

Holidays: Went to the Biltmore in NC-amazing and then to Ohio with Dave's family, fun. Now if I can just stop EATING!

School: NO MORE CLASSES! Just the internship/hours.

Sleep: lacking! (JK, just when I have headaches it is bad).

Housework: falling apart a bit-good thing for cleaning people and Dave. I made a menu of over 30 meals, some kids can make. All need to do their chores!

2010-04-18T22:31:00.002-04:00

after watching some PBS, work and waiting for the warden to feed the prisoners, I thought I would catch people up on the college tour.

First stop was Virginia Tech (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University). Beautiful campus. A couple hour tour of the architecture school. I didn't realize that they had wood shop and metal shop. Saturday football games would be fun.

Next stop was UNC-Charlotte. Nice school in the city of Charlotte. Reminded me of George Mason. Jonny liked it because it was near the Carolina Panthers. Architecture school tour was quick and not as detailed as Va Tech. I think that is where Arianna got her black eye playing basketball with the family.

We breezed in through NC State in Raleigh. We were really there to visit friends.

Final stop was Penn State. Another beautiful campus in a small college town. The architecture school was great. Out of state tuition is expensive. David liked the chance to spend a semester overseas in Rome.

We still want to check out University of Virginia but so far it seems to be a tie between Virginia Tech and Penn State.

November

2009-11-06T21:25:00.002-05:00

The mouse: it is getting a bit chilly (30's at night) so other creatures besides me are cold. I go to recycle some paper in my green box recycling bin and I see 2 tiny legs and a tail burrowing under the papers. AAAAHHH! I yell, Dave says, "What?!" "Mouse in the recycle bin! I just can't deal with that!" "I'll get it", says my brave man and out he goes into the garage to haul the bin outside in hopes the mouse will go out into the night. Instead, the mouse leaps onto his foot and races to the other end of the garage. I hear a yell and see my 6 foot 4 inch husband topple over onto the garage floor. I thought it was a snake they way he carried on. "Where are the traps?"

He set a spring trap with peanut butter and surprise, dead mouse in it by morning. I hope there is not a family still in our garage somewhere.

School: I am in a marriage class and am enjoying it. We have to counsel a couple. It is very interesting. I think I am going to like marriage counseling which is good, b/c that is what I am going into.

NYC: I get to go to NYC twice-this weekend by myself and in December just Dave and I. I am excited and looking forward to seeing my brother and his new apartment (which is still in renovation stage but still).

Sleep studies: Jonny and I are getting sleep studies in the next 2 weeks. I hope they can figure out some helps for our inattention, hyperactivity and lack of sleeping ability.

Couches: I briefly thought about buying new couches a few months ago and praised God I did not b/c one kid spilled soda all over the couch and my kids got chocolate on it. The couch and love seat in my family room are from when I was a teenager (you do the math).

Exercise: I went back to weight lifting at least 2x/week-soreness! Was doing well with running but this week was too much working and headaches!

Kids: They need to slow down! Marching band is over but soccer is still going this week-it is dragging worse than the World Series!

-Nancy

The Crisp Fall

2009-09-20T20:47:00.002-04:00

I'm cold already. That is NOT good. Our friends invited us to a last pool party. needless to say I did not go in the water. But Dave and the kids did and I was nice and warm after being freezing all morning. I came home after church and donned my jeans and long sleeved shirt. One thing about menopause I am looking forward to-hot flashes! I really hope I get a bit warmer!

School: The kids have completed 2 weeks of school and I have finished half of my course. We are chugging along.

Book: Do Hard Things by the Harris brothers. It is about helping teens rebel against low standards and the myth of adolescence. Excellent.

Crape Myrtles: The Crape Myrtles in Virginia are in full bloom right now in Virginia. They should be the state flower. They are so hardy here and so beautiful. They are in white, pink, lavender and bright pink. They stay in bloom for about 2 months.

Arianna lost her 8th tooth and the tooth fairy missed the first night. She cried. The tooth fairy made up for it by giving her $2 and apologizing.

Jonny made percussion in school and has been banging on his drums (and would do so all day if we would let him). We bought him drum stick, drum pad, and rented bells from the school. He is always keeping a beat.

David will turn 16 in 5 days and his Varsity jacket will come in about 2 more weeks. He is busy with band, school and studying.

Elizabeth actually has to study this year and has started spanish. We are trying to figure out if she should apply for governor's school or the international baccalureate program.

Uncle Jonny is home from sea safely.

I worked on Saturday but got time and a half! That was worth it.

We are trying to get some fall yard work done. Some plants are so hardy and pretty (see crape myrtles above) and some are so high maintenance (I guess people are similar).

I am reading through and thinking about Ezekiel. The main theme: So that all will know that I am the LORD (YHWH-breath of life, God of covenant, very life itself). I am going to count how many times God says that. It is amazing how much we forget that and yet with each breath we take we should remember it.

Time to right another paper for my adolescent class. I am really enjoying this one. I had to watch the movie, Big with Tom Hanks from 1988 and then watched Juno from 2008 about a 16 yr old teenager who was pregnant and gave her child up for adoption. Then I have 3 papers on these interesting case studies and a research paper on an adolescent issue. It has been great especially since I have my own adolescents and work with them in church.

-Nancy

Summer's End

2009-08-23T13:28:00.002-04:00

Summer is quickly drawing to a close and the crazy fall is about to begin. I haven't written for over a month (I've been kind of down) so I'll try not to be lengthy but catch you up:

Races: I just ran one 5k at the end of July for the Christian Health Center in Fredericksburg. Did a lot better than last year but it is in the evening and so hot. I dislike evening races for that reason. I haven't run a race since (or really even done much running since).

Biking: My friend and I biked 40 miles on July 27th! We were impressed with ourselves. We went on the Washington and Old Dominion Trail. My son, David and her son went with us. I have been biking since.

School: I have completed 36 credits and have started a new class on adolescence (perhaps it will help me with my own 2 almost 3 if you count Jonny).

David and driving: Since he is partially color blind, driving at night is a bit more difficult! We still need almost 14 more hours of night driving. He should get his license in January if we can get all these hours in. Then I can get help schlepping everyone around!!!!!!

Schlepping around: I am as usual, a bit overwhelmed with that. Jonny and Elizabeth are on 2 different soccer teams. Arianna is taking piano on Thursdays and dance on Mondays and David is in Marching band daily (although I think he can take the activity bus after school so that is a help). Friends help me with band during the summer and when there is not bus and I seem to have help with Elizabeth and soccer so I hope it works.

Dave and work: he may work in Fredericksburg 2-3 days/week-that would be a blessing and help with the above.

Me and work: still has its ups and downs. I hope I can stick it out. It has been stressful helping start up a new hospital with new people. I am glad I am part-time.

Letting go: God is really teaching me to continue to let as much as I can go and rest in Him. This is very hard for me.

I Kissed Dating Goodbye Seminar: Dave and I were able to give that seminar yesterday to the youth and parents at church based on Joshua Harris' book. It went well. I enjoyed doing it and think it provided a good foundation for our youth in the area of relationships.

Books: I am reading the Twilight series to see what all the hubbub is about with the youth. I can't stand the romance part of it (see above) but do enjoy the vampire/werewolf part. I have been on the edge of my seat a couple of times. The books could be about half of their lengths but they are easy reads and a nice change from the heavy duty books I usually read.

God uses all: When reading Ruth for probably the millionth time, I just noticed that Tamar who snagged Judah by prostitution was in the line of Boaz and therefore David and more importantly Jesus. I am so glad God does not discount us when we are weak, disgusting and sinful. That is how I have felt lately. It just brings Him much more glory so that is very good.

2009-07-18T00:11:00.003-04:00

My boy, David, got a 4 on his World History AP test!!!! (3 is passing, most colleges accept 4's and 5's). I am so proud of him! Now he is already working on AP English and American History!

Now for SAT prep and visiting colleges! Yikes, we better get moving!
-Nancy

News for summer

2009-07-11T22:35:00.002-04:00

I, Nancy, thought I would catch you all up.

Running: David, Jonny and I ran the Fredericksburg Heritage 5 miler and enjoyed it. I beat my time for last year and ran it in 44 minutes, 47 seconds. I was happy.

Good Book: Hind's Feet in High Places. Amazing book about surrendering all to the Lord and not being so anxious. (Main character is Much Afraid in this allegory which really hits home for me).

David: starts driving school Monday. Has 8 sessions that he can't miss and takes a test at the end that if he passes, he won't have to take at the DMV.

VBS this week for our church. David and Elizabeth working.

Arianna: off to Lynchburg today for music camp with her friend. Then when she comes home, she immediately goes to kids' camp with Jonny and Elizabeth and our church. She'll be worn out.

Music: Arianna has had 3 piano lessons now. We managed to get a new keyboard, full size, with pedal and weighted touch sensitive keys. I hope she sticks with it. David has been brushing up on the mellaphone with some lessons this summer-marching band, here he comes. Jonny is getting some decent sounding notes out on the saxophone with David's help.

We had our first party on the new patio. It is really nice. People enjoyed it.

We all had some great Lebanese food tonight thanks to Moses Abdallah's mom and aunt.

Hospital: needs to get busier! Today we had an open house. I am actually working at my old hospital this week. It will be fun to see everyone that I worked with for years.

School: I am done with 33 credits. I am in the middle of another class. This one is on assessment. I took an online IQ test. Scored high on verbal. Surprised?

First piano lesson

2009-06-22T22:50:00.002-04:00

Arianna had her first piano lesson tonight and knew quite a bit of music theory and playing the piano thanks to school, Keilan, and her sister. BUT we were strongly encouraged to get a better piano since we only have a keyboard that is not full-size, has no pedals nor weighted keys. Plus it is now buzzing when plugged in and the bench is broken. Time to check on Craig's list! and pray!

News for summer

2009-06-22T17:26:00.002-04:00

David II: could not get him a job at Graystone due to his age (need to be 16). I wish they would have told me that before we got up early to go there this morning. Chick-Filet (who employs under 16) is not hiring. So, lawn and yard work will have to do if he can get it. Tomorrow I am going to try to get him in a summer driving class in July. Other than that, I am glad to have him around especially since he will go off to college most likely in 2 short years.

Arianna: starts piano lessons tonight. I hope she does well, likes it, practices regularly without too much nagging from us, and actually learns to play the piano well! She is going to music camp in Lynchburg and kids camp with church.

Jonny: is MR. social! He has already been on 2 sleepovers in the week school has been out. Everyone seems to know and love him. God bless his people skills. He is going to try out David's saxophone to see if he likes it for band this year. He'll go to kids camp for the last time this summer and he finished 5th grade and elementary and will go to middle school in the fall. Good for him completing that milestone. He still gives me lost of smoochies but not so much in public.

Elizabeth: my helpful daughter is in Mississippi for a week. She went by herself. We all miss her but she is having a grand time with a friend who moved there last year. She saw New Orleans so mom is jealous. She loves to travel, so she can add this to her places seen. Her friend may move back to Virginia (surprising since everyone else seems to move out of this area). She is going to kids and youth camp in addition to this trip.

Nancy: I ran another race-10k on June 20th in the evening. Managed to do 6.2 miles in 59:35 minutes/seconds (around 9 1/2 mph-good for me). I haven't run a 10k in years. Next race, July 4th in Fredericksburg-5 miler. David and Jonny are running that one too.

Dave: completed his colonoscopy today and is sleeping it off. I never heard so many one-liners as today when he was nervous. But we wanted to make sure he was ok since his dad had colon cancer last year. We get the results in 2 weeks.

The end of the school year

2009-05-28T09:02:00.002-04:00

3 of our kids took SOL (standards of learning) tests yesterday. David managed to score another 600 (perfect score) on his history test (of which he called lame). He is remarkable in history and somehow I hope he incorporates it into his life and career. I took him for his Advanced Placement meeting last night-taking AP history (American) and AP English (instructor promised they would come out good writers-Amen!). He has his work cut out for him next year with these classes in addition to all his others. He will be a junior-hard to believe for me. He is doing driver's education in school-much to my happiness that they were able to squeeze him in. I hope they get him started on I95. We still haven't braved that yet.

Jonny and Elizabeth tried out for Classic soccer for the fall. We'll see how they do. They decreased the number of teams for next year.

Arianna's front tooth can almost be twisted all around and yet will not come out!

Arianna and David had fun on their respective trips, but were tired.

The Mile

2009-05-24T13:19:00.002-04:00

We all went out with our decreased family to the Fredericksburg mile runs. It was in a residential part of Fredericksburg that we had never been in, so enjoyed walking around before the runs. Elizabeth ran first and her time was 7 minutes, 7 seconds. Jonny was second, ran 6 minutes, 22 seconds. Both were 2nd in their age group. I watched the next few heats, the fastest in the men's open at 4 minutes, 40 seconds. So I was nervous because I average 10 minute miles, but I ran at 6pm and my time, much to my surprise, was 8 minutes, 1 second. I was happy as I wanted to run at least 9 minutes. I tell you though, my lungs were burning as I am used to running farther but at a much slower pace. It was fun. We cleaned up and went to Ruby Tuesday's for dinner. A good evening, after going to the farmer's market, the Made in Virginia store, and Miller's Farm to pick strawberries during the day.

Missing 2 kids

2009-05-22T22:23:00.002-04:00

Arianna went with our friends, the Cains, again this year camping for 5 days and nights over this weekend. God bless them, they have 10 children with them!!!!!! Needless to say, she and the rest were excited.

David II also left Thursday to go to Florida with the marching band. He was excited too. He is also excited that there will be an actual separate mellaphone section next year and that he is not the leader! He completed his world history AP test (won't know the score until July but mom and dad are praying for 3 college credits). He started taking driver's education in school (so mom and dad don't have to look for it elsewhere and pay more). My little boy is not so little and is really moving on.

Elizabeth just got inducted into the National Junior Honor Society. She also just worked so hard on a gifted project on pirates. It was so creative and she is so motivated and persevering.

Jonny is almost done with elementary school! Less than a month. He had field day today and Dad went and volunteered! Way to go Dad!

I am 2 weeks into a new course on family therapy. On reading the Garman blog (yes I do read them, Annie, as I have time), I wanted to mention that post-modernism, social and family constructionism, second order cybernetics all go along with the new "spirituality" or religiosity. These state that there is no reality, no absolute truth, but rather we create our own reality by creating stories. We help others create "new" stories if the old ones are not working. It is really sad. Sometimes I get scared to think of this field of counseling I am going into.

I am signing up for lots of running races from 1, 3, 5, 10, 13 miles for the summer/fall. I find it motivating. I told the family they must do at least one. Tomorrow night we will all run/walk the mile in Fredericksburg. We plan to go to the Farmer's Market and pick strawberries at Miller's Farm down there as well.

Happy Memorial Day weekend to all! For us, it is an amazing break-no soccer, no events, break from SS teaching,etc. Should be nice. Get to catch up on some house chores too.

Nancy

My first half marathon! and AWANA closing

2009-05-17T22:12:00.003-04:00

I, Nancy, ran my first half-marathon today. It was the Marine Historic Half which was so organized and through one of my favorite towns-Fredericksburg. The surprising thing was that I ran the first 9.5 miles and then ran/walked the rest so I finished in 2 hours and 28 minutes for which I was thrilled! (I was expecting to take 3 hours). I think I ran a bit too much though, as I am very sore, especially my left hip! I hope I didn't fracture anything! I picked up a bunch of race entries from the Fredericksburg Area Running Club (FARC) and the Marines of which I plan to do at least 1 a month through November. I told the kids they need to pick at least one. It was cold and rainy which was great during the race but afterwards, I was freezing-hot bath helped, but now for the Advil!

Anyone interested in any runs, let me know. It would be more fun if I knew people even if I didn't run with them the whole time.

Awana: Awana ended today with the closing ceremony at Ararat. Jonny, Elizabeth and Arianna all finished their books. We were proud of them. I really like Awana and think it is a good way for kids to learn Scripture and study the Bible. Jonny's T & T book was hard-I helped him with it and couldn't believe all the hard, long verses. But he did it!

Mother's Day a Hit!

2009-05-11T13:00:00.002-04:00

Mother's day: You know, I wish this would happen more often, that things work out great without planning especially as it seems a lot of people live like this, but once in a while, it works for me and yesterday was one of them. I slept in and had breakfast in bed and received cards and presents from my kids. David II made perfect eggs-no brown with just a touch of salt and he gave me a kiss which is quite a rare treasure these days. Then we went to church, came home and I was able to putter outside a bit (I even got some free plants from my neighbor and the woods). After that we drove down to Fredericksburg to do the New Generation homeless ministry meal-which worked out great. Carl's ice cream was next-delicious as usual. We all walked the length of the Canal path-down and back and walked into Old Town although all the shops were closed. Now for a place to eat-nothing in Old Town so I suggested we go to Central Park knowing we might end up in McDonalds. David II mentioned Joe's Crab Shack. I have been wanting to go there. We did not wait the hour they said-less, and they had a playground for kids while we waited to be seated and for our food. They also did some singing and dancing while we waited which was fun. We ate outside-the weather was perfect yesterday-sunny, dry, in the 70's with a soft breeze. We did wait a while for our food, but received an apology from the manager and a free dessert for mom. The food was delicious-I had my fill of crabs which is a rare treat, hung with the family and had key lime pie for free for dessert! What a treat! Thanks to my wonderful family! I hope all you other mom's enjoyed your day.

School: I am officially half way through school-30 credits. God granted me the reward of an A for my hard work. Now I went right into my next class on Family Therapy which started today. I should be reading!

Dave in Denver: Dave left for Denver early this am for a work conference. I hate when he goes away not because it is extra work for me but because I feel lost without him. It made me think of my mom when dad died or any widow. But, I hope he enjoys himself and get some much needed rest and a break from our busy life.

The Lord's Table: I have been concentrating on the Scripture from this great program at www.settingcaptivesfree.com. Isaiah 55:2-3 says: Why do you spend your money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy?...eat what is good, delight yourself in abundance. Incline your ear and come to Me... I will make an everlasting covenant with you.

Vacation Pictures!

2009-04-30T16:00:00.007-04:00

Updates on trip and other things

2009-04-30T12:53:00.002-04:00

I, Nancy, hardly get a chance to Blog anymore much to my dismay, but I just have to do so when I can as I chose to work and go to school (both of which take up 40+ hours/week put together). So this is a bit long, just read the parts you want:

David II: steadily driving and chipping away at the 45 hours he eventually needs to get his license but we have not taken him on the interstate yet. He has refereed a few soccer games now-not center but side line, but still, it earns him experience and money. He takes his history AP test in a couple of weeks which I am strongly encouraging him to study for as if he gets a 4 or 5, will earn him 3 college credits (plus we paid $85 for him to take the test).

Elizabeth: just got into the Jr. National Honor Society which was exciting. She continues to win art and academic awards. We plan to send her by herself on a plane to Mississippi this summer to visit her friend. It will be her first time flying alone! She is plugging away at soccer.

Jonny: We are back to no meds again for his ADHD after talking to several friends and we have decided to at least try him in public middle school after meeting with the middle school staff at our last child study. They have things in place to help him. He is steadily chipping away at his work and surprised us by stating he wanted to finish his Awana book which requires that he do 16 sections in 3 weeks, but he is doing it! I am proud of his motivation and we told him so. From him I always get my daily "smoochies".

Arianna: Just got into the gifted program-one out of 2 (her friend got in as well) children in the whole 2nd grade. Her teachers love her and think she is perfect (I told them they need to come home with her for a while, but that she is a joy) and she loves them and school. She has 5 teeth lose but hasn't lost any for weeks now-Dave said if she loses them all at once, we'll have to get her dentures to eat! Like her sister, she is reading up a storm and is going to a Virginia Reader's sleepover at school this weekend.

Our trip: I have to convince the talented among us to put up picture of our trip to London and Iceland, but I will say, it was amazing. I knew I would especially like London and we saw a lot in our 4 days there. Our host and hostess were so kind and it was wonderful not to pay to stay. We enjoyed Tea, Pubs, Museums, Palaces, Art, The London Eye (huge observation wheel/ferris wheel), Churches, Shopping, Gardens, and the city as a whole. In Iceland, we enjoyed seeing our dear friends the Garmans and catching up with them. They were so kind as to plan excursions for us which we enjoyed so much. We saw lava pits, waterfalls, mountains, the beach, lighthouse, and the hot outdoor pools. It was a nice break and hard to come back to our busy, hectic life and the heat-it was in the 90's earlier this week-good old Virginia and its heat never disappoints! What an amazing privilege to see more of God's world and people!

Lancaster, PA: I had 4 days home from our Europe trip, worked and then headed to Lancaster with some ladies from church. It was busy, but I mostly enjoyed the Site and Sound theater production of: Behold, the Lamb-the ministry, death and resurrection of Christ. I would recommend seeing that. I enjoyed shopping on Saturday and could have done that another day as they have such different things to see and buy, but had to come home Saturday night. I enjoyed time away with my friends.

School: I have 1 1/2 weeks left of this course and to be half way done, but 50% of my grade hinges on the last week's test and paper! That is what I am starting to work on now. I have registered for 2 more courses for the summer, so will just keep plugging away. Long breaks were not working and I want to get done and actually be a counselor before I either get old and senile or old and die!

Book: I just grabbed a book from the library of poems called: Sad Underwear (the title intrigued me) by Judith Viorst. It was ok, but a few poems stood out to me which I will write here:

Credit

You asked me to do it.

I promised to do it.

I planned to do it.

I started to do it.

I really meant to do it.

Except I forgot.

Couldn't I get some credit

For promising,

Planning,

Starting,

And really meaning to do it?

Guess not.

(When we do not keep our word, it actually counts against us. Try telling God you meant to accept His Son and see how that goes!)

This one is to Dave:

You knew me when I didn't know myself

And when I lose myself you find me.

Whenever things get bad

And I forget the good I've had,

You help remind me.

I tell you of my joys. My joys increase.

I tell my sorrows. They diminish.

And when I want to quit

You keep me going, bit by bit,

Until I finish.

Friendship is an art and you have made

The act of friendship your great art form.

I know that I can bear

The biggest chill because you're there

To keep my heart warm.

(I am so blessed by God to have you for a husband and do not say so enough)

What Dads Do (to Dave and to his and my dad-made me miss my dad so much)

Make bookshelves.

Make burgers.

Make money.

Make funny faces that make you laugh.

Scratch your back when you can't reach where it itches.

Lift you up on their shoulders.

Snore when they're sleeping (but say they don't).

Pitch-but not so fast that you can't hit their pitches.

Play tickles with you when you feel like a silly person.

Snuggle up close with you when you feel like a sad one.

Dads explain electricity

And peninsulas

And help you count the stars.

I wish I still had one.

(I am so glad I will see my dad again someday in heaven and that Dave and his dad are saved so I will always see them too)

Hymn: We just sang a hymn last night in church that I have not sung in a long time. The words are absolutely beautiful and meaningful and since I was feeling tired and sort of empty and stressed, they really reminded me of how much I have in Jesus.

Jesus! What a Friend for Sinners

Jesus! what a friend for sinners! Jesus! Lover of my soul.

Friends may fail me, foes assail me, He, my Savior, makes me whole.

Jesus! what a strength in weakness! Let me hide myself in Him.

Tempted, tried, and sometimes failing, He, my Strength, my victory wins.

Jesus! what a help in sorrow! While the billows over me roll.

Even when my heart is breaking, He, my Comfort, helps my soul.

Jesus! what a guide and keeper! While the tempest still is high.

Storms about me, night overtakes me, He, my Pilot, hears my cry.

Jesus! I do now receive Him, more than all in Him I find.

He has granted me forgiveness, I am His, and He is mine.

HALLELUJAH! What a Savior! HALLELUJAH! What a Friend!

Saving, helping, keeping, loving, he is with me to the end.

I am going to sing this for a while to drum these truths into my stubborn heart and brain!

Food: an issue with me and lots of Americans, especially women. So I have unearthed my book on the Lord's Table not to lose weight, but to make sure that food or anything else is not an idol or too important. The Lord's Table is a special program to help people lose weight, yes, but mostly to glorify God in their eating or whatever they do. It is found on the website, www.settingcaptivesfree.com and I did it in 2005. I love all the Scripture and the thought provoking questions and applications in it and would recommend it to anyone for any issue not just food/drink. I am meditating on the verses: I Corinthians 10:31 Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Psalm 115:1 Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to Your Name give glory because of Your lovingkindness, because of Your truth.

It is not about me and my plans and desires, but about God and His will! Again, I must get this through my thick skull.

Work: coming along but it is hard to be a leader, especially middle management as I am. I am still excited to be a part of a new hospital.

I must try to start this paper and studying.

-Nancy

permit to drive!

2009-03-28T13:26:00.002-04:00

I took David to the DMV for his driver's permit and he passed his test the first time! I had simply given him the book a month ago and reminded him to study a few times. He also had taken driver's education (classroom) in school. I am proud of him for taking responsibility to study and do well in school and other tasks that he is assigned to do. Part of growing up, and I am excited he is meeting the challenge. The first thing we did was have him start the van-he had never even started a car before! When asked if he wanted to go to a parking lot and drive on the way home, his answer, "not right now". I don't know if that means he is nervous or that he would rather drive with his father, either way, we went home and chilled the rest of the morning.

-Nancy

Additions

2009-03-22T23:56:00.002-04:00

Addendum: I decided to not do the lasik eye surgery so will get contact lenses (soft this time) and new updated glasses (with progressive lenses) tomorrow. My new eye insurance is great.

We have our tickets to London and Iceland for spring break-now to plan!

-Nancy

March Madness at the Fauths

2009-03-22T23:41:00.002-04:00

We are not just talking about basketball. Having 4 kids is madness sometimes. Dave and I were just trying to hash out the logistics of how we were going to get 3 kids who are on 3 different soccer teams to their practices and games, Arianna to dance, 3 kids to Awana, all to youth and church, etc. We have to take it a week at a time! I am glad we have spring break.

I finished the hard course of psychopathology and started another integration (spirituality and theology in counseling) course. I am in my second week. 8 weeks of class, 7 books to read, 6 short papers, 5 weeks to be in the thick of it, 4 hours of homework, 3 discussion boards, 2 minutes of downtime and 1 personal theory paper/1 final exam (sung to the tune of 12 days of Christmas but this is the 8 weeks of class. BUT after this I will be officially half-way through!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Praises: I received my tuition money back for these current 2 spring classes from my new job and some more will go toward my summer classes.

I had a nice break last weekend in NYC-4 days without family to hang with my brother, eat some amazing food, good art museum tours, meeting Jon's friends, and walk/run everywhere (I love Central Park). I did not do the subway by myself, but did walk by myself and of course, brought bagels home for all. I met an interesting college freshman woman on the way up and we talked about some deep things like death, family, God, etc. She is Jewish. I told her that Messiah was coming (again for me). I also missed the accident on HOV which would have caused me to miss my bus (I was on the Megabus-2nd level for only $40 round trip!)

Books: reading lots for class by Larry Crabb, Jay Adams, Bacchus. they are good-mostly on integrating psychology and Christianity and Christian counseling models. I am still plodding through Ivanhoe-hard to read.

Driving: David takes his driver's written test next week for his permit-then he will start practicing!!!!!!!

Cement: Our cement job is almost done and looks great so far-new driveway, walkway to the back and large patio. They will also do hardscape retaining walls in the front and sides. We got rid of the prickly hollies and other plants by the driveway and front. Now we are left with a big landscaping job. Any takers?

Sleep: Must get some-Nancy

New Stuff

2009-03-02T20:48:00.002-05:00

School: I have less than a week and one more test and I am done with this hard, challenging class!

Elizabeth: our cute girl has turned 13-she is such a young lady. As you can see, she enjoyed her birthday for which I am glad. She is a joy to us.

David: Made the HS soccer team and is a starter for defense. We are all thrilled especially since there won't be much driving him around for me. On March 26th he is allowed to take the test to get his permit. We are doing this on time so he can get free drivers ed through school and not have to take PE next year. I can't believe my first baby will be driving soon! He is also a soccer referee now too so I told him to earn some of the car insurance money.

Heat pump is in and I am comfortable at 73 degrees so that is what it is on when I am home.

Europe: We are going to England and Iceland during spring break which is a dream come true for me (I have wanted to go to England since I was a little girl and read all those classic English novels by Dickens, Jane Austen, etc.) In Iceland, we will hang with the Garmans which is always a treat.

Concrete is coming in mid March.

Snow today-over 6 inches but I hurt my back somehow which figures because I love sledding but didn't dare risk it plus I am in pain just sitting. The kids all enjoyed it though.

Jewelry: my dear friend came over and we made necklaces which was great because we need to use up some of the thousands of beads we have here. Hopefully I can make some more.

Book: SexGod by Rob Bell. Interesting book. The author is so well read, he must have referenced at least 50 books at the end. So many books, so little time.

Facebook: I am still holding out and do not have one. Now I am really not sure after our Pastor's facebook was hacked into yesterday. Who needs that headache?

New Hospital/job: Stafford Hospital has opened and I am glad. We in SDS still do not have patients (no endo or OR schedule yet) but at least their are no more tours and open houses. I am enjoying my bosses and the leaders a lot so far.

Eyes: I am considering Lasik eye surgery but it will be a long haul since I have to get contacts to work first (especially one for reading and one for distance) and then be out of contacts for a while before I can get it, but I will at least think about it and evaluate it. It would be nice to see well all the time and not worry about contacts and especially glasses. Right now I am wearing my old glasses which are not "hip" so I feel ugly and out of style, like I did as a teen, but not for long.

Signing out for now, Nancy

My Birthday

2009-02-18T15:31:00.005-05:00

So, for my birthday I went to Great Wolf Lodge, a indoor water park/hotel, from Sun.-Mon. It was loads of fun for us all. Afterwards, on my actual birthday, we had an ice cream cake, played speed stack, and just hung out. It was very exciting and very relaxing.

-Elizabeth Fauth

Garmans

2009-01-30T07:05:00.002-05:00

The Garmans showed up yesterday for a surprise visit. So far it has been fun.

Snow Day!

2009-01-29T19:59:00.005-05:00

Two days off from school was so much fun. It was amazing sledding, especially when it iced over and we went quite fast. Here is a picture.

New news from Nancy

2009-01-27T10:39:00.002-05:00

HEAT: We are planning after almost 13 years to get a new heat pump in February. I cannot wait. I have been so cold. Plus it will be zoned, filtered and humidified. Yay!

Driveway/patio: along with the new heat pump we plan to fix the crumbling driveway and create a walkway/patio in the back yard. We plan on getting pressed/stamped cement. I am hoping for no cracks.

Money: how are we doing this you ask, we are refinancing since we have lots of equity in our home. Hopefully our house will be paid off in 15 years unless we borrow off it for little things like college, braces, weddings, cars, houses, etc.

Job: I have only ONE job now-amazing! I will no longer be working PRN (as needed) anymore as I received a part-time (half time) job from Stafford Hospital (2 miles from my house)! I am so excited. It will be more peaceful and less stressful to me and that is always a plus since I am not laid back.

School: in my 3rd week, hard but good.

ADHD: re considering medicine especially if I find one without the cocaine like bad side. We do need prayer regarding that.

Soccer: David is playing indoor right now and conditioning for the High school team-my prayer is that he makes it for his good/fun and for less driving and time on our part. Elizabeth hopefully will play on a friend's team this spring (carpooling help) and Jonny on a team for spring. Arianna is still dancing away.

Music: my question is if a kid does not express more than a passing interest in music/instrument, should the parent pursue it anyway with money/time for the kid? Example, Arianna says she wants to learn piano but I don't see her playing much on her own. No one picks up the guitar or books on their own either. They cannot take piano or guitar in school so I am wondering if I should bother. Maybe it is too much to ask to expect them to play/learn on their own although Keilan and Bobby O did, but they are probably the exception. Jonny is taking percussion at school so that relieves his need to keep a beat constantly (see medication).

Book: I just finished the House of Mirth by Edith Wharton. Sad about the thoughts, actions and lifestyles of the filthy rich in NYC around 1907. The sad thing is they probably still live this way at least as far as I can see from the outside.

SNOW: we finally have snow today and will make sure we play in it before it goes away in a day-have about 2 inches so far (I wish we would get a foot or at least 6 inches). No school today or tomorrow for the kids. The kids are 1/2 way through this year already.

Married to a Renaissance Man and other news

2009-01-08T11:31:00.002-05:00

Our dear friend, Colby, is extremely gifted at being positive and encouraging others. Recently, he called my husband, Dave, a Renaissance Man. Well, even though he wasn't quite sure what that meant or entailed, Dave has been on cloud 9 ever since and has referred to himself as a Renaissance Man. So, I just looked it up in the dictionary since I wasn't explaining it very well to him:

A present day man who has acquired profound knowledge or proficiency in more than one field or a variety of fields.

I would agree with Colby that this is true of my husband. He seems to have grown in all areas of his life such as marriage, parenting, computers, home repair, maintenance and decorating, reading and studying, advanced degrees and classes and conferences, relationships with others, communication, and more that I am sure I am missing. So, I agree, I am married to a Renaissance man. What does that make me then? A bit of a tall order to live up to.

School: starts Monday-I have almost read the psychopathology book which has been tedious, I must stay.

Heat Pump: we have acquired 3 estimates on our heat pump, but I like only one. Of course it is the most expensive one because it offers more products and services. The owner is so knowledgeable and passionate about heating and cooling which I so appreciated (as opposed to the other 2). So not everyone has to go to conventional college/jobs. Everyone needs heat and air (humidity in winter, filters, etc). So we hope to fix it within the month-I can't wait as I am freezing and now have another cold.

Old movies: I was able to watch and record on DVD almost 40 year old movie reels of my brother and I and our family. I have about 67 minutes from 1967-1972. Such good times for my parents who are know gone and Jon and I were so darn cute! It made me cry to see my parents so young and happy. But they are ecstatic now in heaven.

Stamped cement: Since we may refinance our home, we are trying to figure out what the house needs (see heat pump). The other thing is the almost gravel driveway that bottoms out the cars when we go out. I am getting estimates for that today too. Such joy to maintain a house!

Book: I read the famous book: To Kill a Mockingbird. I can't believe I hadn't read it before. I really enjoyed it and would recommend it. While it's main theme is continued prejudice and segregation of blacks in the south, I really enjoyed the hero, Atticus, who is so full of compassion, integrity and courage. He is also a great single parent in the book (wife had died) and I even got a few parenting tips. The movie is harder to watch I heard (there is abuse and some violence in the story), so not for kids.

Ski Retreat Update:

2008-12-29T17:23:00.002-05:00

I'm sitting in the lobby at the Holiday Inn in Beckley, WV. We've been here 3 days with the Stafford Baptist youth on the winter ski retreat. There has been a total of 21 that made the trip. Highlights so far include:

David going down the black diamond without falling
Paul, Jacob, Jonny, Elizabeth, and Stephanie skiing the first time.
Elizabeth wanting to go down a black diamond (she went down several blues).
Stephanie going all the way to the top of the mountain and wondering why she was up there and how she would get down. She made it down with minimal tumbles.
Paul wiping out numerous times but still going all the way to the top and coming down with us.

It has been a great time and a time of growth for all of us. Right now I'm tired but in a good tired way. Still one more night and a long drive back to Stafford.

The heat pump is dying

2008-12-23T23:40:00.002-05:00

I have known this for a while-over 2 years now that our heat pump is dying. I knew this because 1. it was 10 years old in 2006 and most heat pumps die after 10 years so I am told (which is very sad) and 2. it has a leak in it which causes the air conditioner to freeze up in the summer and the heat to refuse to work (making the house 50-60) in the winter and needs transfusions of freon periodically. So now, our trusty heat pump guy, Kurt Lewis is coming out again (has been here only a year ago) on Christmas Eve,God bless him, to let us know the prognosis. Oh joy, we will pay him $200, then figure out how much longer the heat pump has, then research buying a quality new one if there is such a thing. So, I have heard good reviews on Train (I think that is how one spells it), and Carrier. Anyone else for wisdom and help in this matter? In the meantime, I am freezing.

Nancy

The Season

2008-12-18T22:17:00.003-05:00

This is the earliest I have had all my presents wrapped thanks mostly to Elizabeth. I would have liked it if she would have wrapped her own presents, but she drew the line there. I have mailed my cards and baked (again mostly Elizabeth) over half of the things we wish to bake. I always enjoyed December 18th for some reason. Possibly because a lot of the busyness and events are done, it is more peaceful and yet there is still pleasant anticipation for Christmas. So I plan to enjoy this last calmer week by baking a bit more and doling it out to whomever such as work, neighbors, friends. After all, my cheesecake did go for $50 at the youth auction and I heard today the person would have paid $100 if the bidding had kept going! That was an ego boost. Some of these old recipes are really worth it.

Jonny: we are done with the testing at the counseling center and I will probably get the results and hopefully some help after the holidays. We had a bad morning today and this unnerved me until I had another friend over who also struggles with her 13 year old daughter.

My friend: I keep reminding myself how precious it is to have and be with my children especially as my friend's daughter is spending Christmas in the hospital with a severe illness like leukemia. She ate our bread and cookies which I feel blessed for the chance to serve her.

Book: I am in the middle of "To Kill a Mockingbird"-don't think I have ever read it. Seems good so far-told from the perspective of a 6 year old in the south. I also grabbed a book of poetry in the library called:Littlefoot by Charles Wright. I have a hard time understanding much poetry but this opening part was interesting:

"It may not be written in any book, but it is written--

You can't go back,

you can't repeat the unrepeatable.

No matter how fast you drive, or how hard the slide show

Of memory flicks and releases,

It's always some other place,

some other car in the drive in the driveway,

Someone unrecognizable about to open the door.

Nevertheless, like clouds in their nebulous patterns,

We tend to recongregate

in the exitless blue

And try to relive our absences.

What else have we got to d0?...

This book is according to the back flap, the author's meditation on mortality, search for a road map in the skies and for last instructions regarding the "other side of my own death". He is 70 yrs old. It will be interesting how he answers himself and his other question, "Will you miss me when I am gone?"

Dave and I: we have been able to finally carve out some time together-mostly working out in the club due to the weather. We went 2x this week just us 2 which was nice. I am so concerned with our marriage especially as so many of the marriages crumble around us.

David and music: We just returned from David's band concert tonight-the concert band, jazz band and wind ensemble played. David is in wind ensemble. It was excellent. Many students especially the female gender, said goodbye to David. I believe they agree with me, that he is "so cute".

Iceland article in Washington Post

2008-12-07T19:55:00.001-05:00

From today's Washington Post:

Tourists Flocking to Iceland

Deck the Halls

2008-12-07T18:27:00.002-05:00

Christmas: Well, the gifts are bought (but not wrapped) and the halls are decked except for a few annoying strands of lights. Baking and cards are not even started! I did make a cheesecake for the dessert auction at church that went for $50! (good side money!) But I am finding myself way too busy still. So I talked it over with Dave and we eliminated a few things and evaluated for future Christmases and even for the next 2 weeks.

Arianna: I like Christmas! because of Jesus and the presents! I like the Advent calendar (we get Legos).

The 12 pains of Christmas: If you all have not heard the song, "The 12 Pains of Christmas" you all need to google it and just listen/watch. I find this funnier every year especially the part about the lights!

Jobs: I now have a 3rd job which will probably start in January. But I might quit the 2nd one. It is great to be a nurse (all you prospective students, take note!) I have one friend whose husband lost his job and she is working 2 jobs as a nurse to cover the family expenses. Plus, for missions, medical people are in demand which is exciting for me (such as when I go to Haiti in February).

Nancy

Off to Iceland

2008-12-06T13:27:00.001-05:00

Just saw that Colleen Graffy, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Diplomacy at the US State Department is making a trip to Iceland. Just thought you would like to know.

Great reading

2008-12-05T13:36:00.003-05:00

If you want to keep up on book reviews, movie reviews, music reviews and great thoughts in general, you need to check out http://rabbitroom.com

With writing from musicians such as Andrew Peterson, Ron Block (Alison Krauss and Union Station) to pastors such as Matt Conner and Russ Ramsey, the posts are thought provoking and fun to read. Often times they draw from Frederick Buechner or Kierkegaard, people I normally read or follow.

I'm especially captivated by the current series of advent posts and will be writing another post related to waiting, quietness and the coming of Christ.

2008-12-01T09:33:00.002-05:00

Books: If you see the book, Zorba the Greek, don't bother reading it. I had heard of it and ended up starting it and then finishing it by skimming thinking maybe it would redeem itself but it was awful-immoral concepts, buddhism, promiscuity, hedonism. just yuk.

I finished the Greatest Generation which was good but just kept telling war story after war story.

The Search for Significance by Robert McGee is good-especially for counseling with a Christian perspective.

Now I have to start my school book on Psychopathology.

Nursery/toddlers: I have been in toddlers and nursery at church the last 2 week. I haven't done so in a while but I still was able to calm a crying 1 yr old so his parents could go to church. I enjoyed this much more since I do not have my own babies and toddlers.

The cold: I am already in my winter slump-cold all the time and more tired. I do like the change of seasons but I wish winter was a bit shorter even except if it would only snow. Instead, it rained a lot yesterday.

Gnocci: My Italian friend taught me and my daughters how to make the pasta gnocci yesterday. It was fun and tasting good. (a small pasta made of flour, egg, and ricotta cheese although I have had it made with potatoes.) She also makes homemade pasta so we may make that a youth event.

Decorating: We have over 1/2 the Christmas decorations up. I really enjoy Christmas. I hope to not get too caught up in the busyness.

Basketball: Kevin Dowker is convincing me to get up a 3 person basketball team for the 3 on 3 I must be crazy! He said it doesn't matter how good we are but he does not know how competitive I am. Right now it is me, Elizabeth and I need one more girl. Who do I know over 6 feet?

Thanksgiving and other trivia

2008-11-29T22:04:00.002-05:00

Turkey Trot: Elizabeth described her run, but I thought I would fill you in on the rest of us. I, Nancy, ran my usual 29+ minutes for 3.1 miles. Pretty good for being cold at least half way and for having to wait for at least half of the 1,600 people to get going in front of me. David finished in 24+ minutes, Elizabeth in 28+, Jonny in 27+. We 4 ran the whole way. Arianna and Dave walk and ran and finished in 45+ minutes good for Arianna. We had bagels, water, gatorade, cookies, donuts, bananas when we finished.

Ariannism: We saw a cemetery while we were watching Spiderman II and Arianna said she didn't like those "yards" because they were sad.

Economics: I saw this quiz in our Navy Federal magazine and thought you might like the info. I was so surprised at how well I did:

1. What is Stagflation and when was the term first coined?

2. Which company was accused of creating a monopoly during the tech revolution of the 80's and 90's?

3. In what year did the Great Depression begin and what event triggered it?

4. What were the predominant economic conditions in the 90's?

5. What did the Federal Reserve do in the late 70's and what were the results?

6. What are the basic principles of supply-side economics and who was a proponent of this idea?

7. What is the misery index? Which president had the lowest misery index during his tenure?

8. The stock market crash of 1987 was the second largest one-day stock market decline in history. It became known as ...?

9. What were the programs that President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) enacted during the great Depression collectively called?

10. Which president enacted the Medicare program to help the elderly receive medical care?

11. What was true about the "malaise speech" given by President Jimmy Carter in 1979 during the oil crisis?

12. On which date was the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) enacted?

13. What was a common site during the energy crisis of the 1970's?

14. Why did the US trade deficit grow in the late 70's?

Answers:

1. Stagflation is a period of high inflation combined with high unemployment and limited business activity first coined in 1965 in an address to the British Parliament.

2.Microsoft

3. 1929 after the collapse of the stock prices on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)

4. Surging stock market, subdued inflation, and low unemployment

5. The Federal Reserve decreased the money supply to combat inflation resulting in an increase in interest rates, decrease in consumer spending and business activity, and a deep recession.

6. Supply side economics lowers tax rates leading to an increase in savings and investments, stimulating the overall economy. Ronald Reagan was a proponent of this theory.

7. The misery index is the sum of unemployment rate and the inflation rate. Dwight D. Eisenhower had the lowest misery index from 1953-1961 out of Clinton, Ford and Truman.

8. 1987 stock market one-day crash became known as Black Monday.

9. FDR's New Deal.

10. We have Lyndon B Johnson to thank for Medicare.

11. Jimmy Carter gave the "malaise speech" in which he stated that the nation was experiencing a "crisis of confidence" and never actually used the word malaise.

12. January 1, 1994 for NAFTA

13. Long lines at the gas stations.

14. The trade deficit grew in the 70's due to: lower-priced imports such as cars were available and high-quality imports became available.

Hope this helps you a bit understand the economy and some of what is going on now.

Food: I have had this disturbing thought recently regarding food. It has occurred to me that a majority of the world including many in our own country are struggling to get enough food to eat and are malnourished and emaciated while a majority of our country and Europe are trying to stop eating too much food (which we are miserably failing at) and still have huge excesses such as Thanksgiving when the average calories consumed is 4,500.

What is really important? My family was reading the paper and came across several disturbing stories about the frenzied shopping day on Friday after Thanksgiving: In a Walmart in LI, NY one worker was killed and a woman miscarried because of 200 shoppers who forced the doors down and trampled them. In another store, a man shot another man after their "women" were arguing. Do we really need the on-sale product that bad? I went later to Target and Kohl's and had a wonderful experience where people were courteous and kind.

Dessert

2008-11-27T20:33:00.002-05:00

A delicious pumpkin pie, apple crumb pie, and homemade ice cream. The best part of Thanksgiving. Enough said.

-Elizabeth

Professional

2008-11-27T17:41:00.008-05:00

The dinner started at lunchtime with pumpkin soup flavored with a kick and bread/cheese. The cousins came and we had fun playing and finishing the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade leading up to dinner. Everyone was watching Uncle Jonny cook the turkey and commenting on how he could be a chef. Dinner was exciting, food crowding the table, people eating, drinking, and being merry. Everything was delicious. Uncle Jonny has trained me to be a professional bar tender, showing me all the tricks of the trade. I even made a wine menu. I'm still waiting for dessert, including homemade ice cream. look for future posts.

(No, it's not wine it's sparkling cider)

-Elizabeth

running

2008-11-27T11:29:00.003-05:00

We just finished running, so we're all quite tired. I just crashed, watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade and we're watching "In the Heights". The running was very enjoyable and full of memories. Here's my experience.

We arrived a half an hour early and got ourselves ready to run. Soon we were freezing and had to stay inside until the race started. David and I decided to run together, so we found our way to the middle. Out of no where the gun fired and people started cheering. We started running, weaving in and out of people, but David was going to fast for me, so I ditched him. After a while I was breathing with full force. A lady asked me if I had asthma, but I just shook my head. Then another lady told me to cover my mouth and keep it warm. I was coming up to the water station and walked while I drank it up. By then I was extremely tired, but "kept on keepin' on". One of the same ladies, I think, then told me to breath in through my nose and out through my mouth. I rounded the corner while Jonny passed me, and saw Dad and Arianna walking to the water station. I was more than halfway there!!! I was running barely, not able to go faster, but then the same lady told me I could do it and I knew I could. My stomach was cramping and I needed food or I would throw up, but I could do it. I was running the final stretch slowly and saw the finish line. It must have been from God, but somehow I found the energy to run swiftly to the end, even with my numb legs. It was like floating. I finished in less than 28 min. 32 sec. All in all it was nice and refreshing. After the race we weren't cold at all.

A few things I learned:

1. Encouragement and tips are helpful during a race.

2. Bathing afterward is relaxing.

3. Running makes you sick, so only do what you know you can do.

4. Don't arrive to early.

5. Eat enough before, but not to much.

6. coming back is faster than going.

7. Give encouragement, it really helps.

-Elizabeth

"Thanks"giving

2008-11-27T06:57:00.003-05:00

I never mentioned that I was the new blogger on Fauth Clan. I hope you dont mind reading my blogs on a kids view. Enjoy!

We arent going anywhere for Thanksgiving, but family is coming. Already Mom's brother, Uncle Jonny, is here. But before anyone else comes we're of to run three miles. Everyone is running so we'll see how it goes.

Don't forget to give "Thanks" on Thanksgiving. Like Linus said,"In the year 1621, the Pilgrims held their first Thanksgiving feast. They invited the great Indian chief Massasoit, who brought ninety of his brave Indians and a great abundance of food. Governor William Bradford and Captain Miles Standish were honored guests. Elder William Brewster, who was a minister, said a prayer that went something like this: 'We thank God for our homes and our food and our safety in a new land. We thank God for the opportunity to create a new world for freedom and justice.'"

-Elizabeth

P.S. I'll be posting throughout the day so look out.

Dining Room - Before and After

2008-11-23T20:51:00.007-05:00

I've been working on our dining room for a few months. Here was the before pictures:

As part of the remodel, I cut out the drywall from the floor up about 33 inches all around. I replaced it with plywood and then built up the panels from there. After the first cut, I began to wonder if I could finish what I started. I just kept plugging away as the weeks clicked away. My goal was to be done by Thanksgiving. We painted, chair rail and crown moulding. Here is how it looks today.

Colorado Pictures

2008-11-23T18:49:00.000-05:00

The long awaited Colorado picture slide show.

Enjoy.

Taking back the blog

2008-11-17T22:22:00.004-05:00

Before my daughter, Elizabeth, takes over the blog, I thought I (Nancy) had better write. Besides, she has facebook.

Colorado was beautiful. We saw lots of elk (males get to be 2,000 lbs). It was the end of mating season so they were locking horns over the females (surprise, surprise). I did get very dry and some nose bleeding related to the altitude and lack of humidity, but no headaches or nausea which are other symptoms of altitude sickness. The only thing that would have made the trip better was possibly going in the spring or summer when it was warmer and having more time. (We had a long trip home on Friday and reunited with the kids who stayed with friends for 4 days and 3 nights.)

School: I registered for psychopathology and got my books - I hope I don't have to memorize the DSM IV which is probably over 1,000 pages, small print. There's another textbook as well. I had better get cracking. The next course has over 7 books as well.

Jonny - I requested a child study in the school and must call the counseling center tomorrow.

Biking in Holland: on the plane I was reading an article about the amazing biking opportunities in Holland-makes me want to go:

Holland has 16 million people and 13 million bikes!

They use bikes for almost 1/3 of all their local trips while the US uses bikes for <1%.

The 1st bike rental was in 1869.

Their bicycle garages hold 5-18,000 bikes!

Groningen spent $52 million on bike infrastucture.

Holland has over 300 miles of bike lanes. It is so safe that they do not wear helmets.

You think they might be thinner and healthier? Are we missing something you think?

I hope I get to go there even for a vacation and bike my little heart away.

Books: I read an old English novel called Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskill. What a good book. The heroine in it was so good-selfless, generous, servant, sacrificial, kind, gentle, submissive-she inspired me to be a better person. See this is why fiction can be the same or better than non-fiction sometimes.

I also read The Danger of Raising Nice Kids on parenting. Encouraged me to disciple my kids instead of worrying about disciplining them all the time. I just told Jonny I love him no matter what he does even when I am mad. His reply, "I didn't clog the toilet!" The kid is funny.

Dining room: the dining is pretty much done-need to put up decorations and touch up paint. It is beautiful-Dave really outdid himself.

Toilets: We are replacing 2 of our 4 toilets due to clogging issues. God bless my brother for putting them in the day before Thanksgiving. Hopefully the new ones will not clog-that would be an answer to prayer.

Thanksgiving: Dave's sister and family, and my brother are coming for a few days around Thanksgiving. Then we will have our brother-in-law's sister's family here too. My brother plans to cook it all for the big day and even get a fresh local turkey. He loves to cook and I don't so this is a real treat.

Iceland Economy

2008-11-14T22:57:00.001-05:00

This article will appear in this Sunday's Financial Times. It is a good look into what the current economic conditions are in Iceland.

Halloween and vacation

2008-11-08T19:47:00.020-05:00

Halloween-Arianna and I went trick-or-treating on Halloween. (I may seem to old, but I didn't want to go to the football game.) I went as a "Holy" ghost with my friend Kathryn and Arianna went as a dancer with our neighbors, Amber and Ashley. (or A and A as my dad calls them.) Overall we had a fun time and acquired lots of candy. (but I gave alot away.)

Mountain Retreat-This past week Mom and Dad abandoned us for Colorado. (JK Mom and Dad!) Arianna and I stayed at the LaPortas' and David and Jonny stayed at the Grafs'. The boys had fun, but I had lots of homework, which is odd for me. I guess I still had fun though.

The mountains really refresh you so hopefully Mom and Dad had fun. For more mountain pics it will be on my facebook soon.

-Elizabeth

PS.) Read future posts to see how Family Thanksgiving goes. I'll get my parents to blog about their Mountain experience.

Paradise

2008-11-03T17:59:00.003-05:00

If you know my wife, you know she does so much, so well and with so much passion. She is constantly pushing me to stretch my limitations and to grow to the person I should be.

She does it in such a great, gracious way. Not perfectly and not always. However, I wouldn't have it any other way. That's why being with her is as close to paradise as it gets.

heart warming addition

2008-11-03T12:10:00.003-05:00

one more heart warmer:

When I told Dave in an e-mail (he is in Denver) about the dishwasher and labelled it "problems in paradise" his reply was: it is paradise if you are there. This is how he was when we were dating 20 years ago! It is nice to know our love is still fresh.

I get to meet him in Denver tomorrow and we get a 3 day get away in a bed and breakfast north of Denver complete with lots of hiking in the beautiful hills and fall foliage. Like a marriage retreat. Our dear friends are watching the kids. Praise God for fresh love and time away.

Heart warming and other news

2008-11-03T08:23:00.002-05:00

Some heart warming things my kids have done/said lately:

Elizabeth: When asked if she thought what she wanted to be when she grew up: teacher and/or missionary. Praise God for a willing heart!

Jonny: David was short some money he owed me and Jonny immediately piped up with "I'll pay the rest". Also, when caught in a lie lately and spoken to about it, within minutes, he apologized, admitted his wrong and asked for forgiveness. Praise God for a soft heart!

Arianna: She struggles with getting emotional and crabby especially when tired. She then will become argumentative, irritable and weepy (I wonder where she gets this from? She's not even a teen). Anyway, when chastised for these displays the other day, she went in the other room for a few minutes and came back out calling my name. "I'm no longer crabby, Mommy!"

Praise God for self-control!

All: They had a good time yesterday and willingly gave their money to fill shoeboxes for needy children. Praise God for generous hearts!

Other notes:

Appliances: I think our dishwasher has finally bitten the dust-not spraying water, using soap, or cleaning dishes. I do not want to break any tile on its way out! Also, we must replace 2 toilets with ones that actually flush more than just water! Well, we have been here over 12 years.

Elections: I will be glad when they are over! It will be interesting to see the results especially since some people think Obama is the antichrist! The economy seems to be similar to the end times costs.

Prayer: I am praying for and with Jonny almost daily and am excited to see its results. I have a conference with his teacher next week. I also have a counseling place in mind as I went to a seminar last week on ADD

School: I may become both a licensed professional counselor and a marriage and family counselor. Why decide! There will be only an additional 2 classes, but I will have to sit for 2 license exams. Why not! One of the counselors I admire here (Bill Gay) has both and sparked the idea for me.

Holidays: We are having Dave's sister and family for Thanksgiving, my brother and maybe my brother-in-law's sister and family. Should be fun. This is my kind of holiday-lots of friends and family around. We may go skiing as a family around Christmas.

Missions: I am praying about going to Haiti in February on medical/mission trip. We hope to go to Iceland in April and are really praying to go to the Philippines this summer (all things are possible for God).

Nancy

decisions

2008-10-27T17:11:00.002-04:00

Nancy

Counseling degree? I am trying to figure out which counseling degree to complete-licensed professional or marriage and family. They are almost the same except for a couple of courses. My advisor mentioned to call the places I want to work eventually which I did and of course got only answering machines. Hopefully they will call back. I am leaning toward Licensed Professional counseling since it is more broad and what I want to do (you were right Annie).

Illness-to go to Doctor or not? I have been sick all week with the peak this weekend. Today I am giving myself a sick day=slept until 1pm and am still in pjs. Hopefully I rounded the corner toward wellness.

Jonny-drugs/not, homeschool/public-the jury is still out on the schooling but we are not doing drugs. Now we just need to implement the diet, supplements, behavioral tips found in the book I ordered. Homeschool is waiting until at least next year.

Work: Still haven't heard from 3rd job, hospital only gave me about 1 day a week and not much from the surgery center. So we are in waiting mode. The Stafford hospital does not have a PRN position open. For now I am enjoying some time off.

Updates

2008-10-23T00:03:00.002-04:00

It's me, Nancy. My last blog messed up and was erased so I should get credit for trying a week ago.

School: I now officially have 24 credits toward my Master's. I ended up enjoying the culture diversity class and made friends with the Native Americans near us.

Ariannaism: Mommy, look at me I can do a bend back! That's back bend Arianna, but cute and worth noting.

ADD: I refuse to give Jonny medicine which may affect his heart!!!!!!!!!!!! So we are going for diet changes (all of us during the week at least), and supplements and tips. I ordered a book on-line which I hope helps.

Triathlon: Dave and I finished in just under an hour and a half. I was about what I thought in the swimming and a bit slower than I would have liked in the running. I never seem to get faster and it never seems to get easier but at least I am doing it and not going backwards (for now).

No coffee=PMS: I have observed that people who drink at least 2 cups of strong coffee a day such as my husband and other friends who shall remain nameless have almost the equivalent symptoms as PMS sufferers when they don't get any coffee for the day or even the morning. Headache, cranky, tired, irritable,etc. So, either quit totally and drink occassionally like one of our friends is doing, or drink the 2 cups!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Birthdays: Dave turned 42, David II turned 15, Jonny turned 11 and Arianna turned 8 all this fall!

Braces: Elizabeth has another year plus to even start braces. It seems that the Fauths lose their baby teeth and gain adult teeth late-lucky for us. (Dave lost his last baby tooth in college!) I do like the orthodontist I found on a recommendation so that is a praise for 2010.

Dining Room: It looks amazing. Dave is doing a great job. I think he was ready to take me out when I asked if we could add a chair rail. I believe he will get done by Thanksgiving which is the goal.

Comedy: We are going to see my favorite comedian tomorrow night-will let you all know how great he was (David and Elizabeth are going with me as Dave is in Seattle for a day!)

Iceland Economy

2008-10-08T08:41:00.002-04:00

The United States is not the only economy in crisis. As I saw in today's paper and online, Iceland's economy is on the verge of total collapse. From today's London Guardian

It was also built on a massive inflow of funds into the country's banks and highly leveraged raids on the riches of Western Europe. By the start of this year, Iceland's three banks had foreign liabilities of more than $100bn– dwarfing the country's gross domestic product of $14bn.
Now, suddenly, everything may be gone, the economy wiped out with the same cataclysmic devastation that was regularly visited on the land by the eruptions and plagues of earlier centuries.

As Colby and Annie prepare to Iceland, please pray for their opportunities to share the good news to a lost and huring nation.

After the last tear falls....

2008-10-06T22:02:00.000-04:00

And in the end, the end is
Oceans and oceans
Of love and love again
We'll see how the tears that have fallen
Were caught in the palms
Of the Giver of love and the Lover of all
And we'll look back on these tears as old tales

'Cause after the last tear falls
There is love

from "Love & Thunder"
Words and music by Andrew Osenga & Andrew Peterson

Liking our jobs/ADD/School

2008-10-03T17:51:00.003-04:00

1. I go to the Sport and Health club down in Fredericksburg whenever I want to swim and the man who works the reception desk is exceptionally nice-always giving a warm greeting and generally interested in everyone who comes in. It struck me the other day how much he seems to love his job. I wish we all loved our jobs and portrayed that. Perhaps if we looked at them more as a calling from God than just a job or even a career. Something that God wants us to do and gave to us to glorify Him. Made me think.

2. I am taking Jonny to be checked for ADD or perhaps other learning issues. We sure do eat our words sometimes (or often in my case) especially when we judge others. I used to judge others about their kids and potty training and then one of my children was 3 years old and 8 months before he was trained. Now, I thought that ADD was overdone in its diagnosis and perhaps it is, or even that it didn't exist at all but was just some label to give parents a way out from taking responsibility for their parenting. Well, now the teacher is saying that is what she thinks Jonny has and all these years of school frustration could possibly be helped. I do have a bit of a bitter taste in my mouth though.

3. School is over next weekend for me.We are going to our first Indian Pow wow this Sunday-part of my assignment for school. My whole family is going which is nice. I interviewed a Cherokee which was interesting-still makes me cringe at what whites have done to all these people and that I am white, but God holds me responsible for what I do and I am interested in all people and cultures.

Thoughts, kids, biking

2008-09-16T20:48:00.003-04:00

Arianna: Arianna took PALS tests today and read words on a 6th grade level-smarty pants.

Personal biking record: Today I biked 15miles. Pretty soon I'll be able to do a biking vacation!

Culture: Last night I was doing homework and had to watch a video of an interview between one of my professors and a Japanese student. I was so struck by some of the things the student said that were different from our culture. He said that Japanese people are very reserved and more quiet. They do not speak much and when they do, they use few words. They think before they speak (imagine that) and are very concerned for how the other person or persons will take what they say-will they be offended, hurt, or even bothered? They think of themselves in more of a group identity as opposed to individualistic like we are here in the West. I was very convicted about his words especially since I think the Bible may have more to say in his defense than ours. (Slow to speak, slow to anger, quick to listen, think of others as better than yourselves are a few that come to mind).

Jonny wrote a great paper entitled "All about Me". In one part he wrote, "My favorite food is NOODLES! You can't go wrong with those! The rest of the paper was just as amusing. He really has a great sense of humor.

Races, times, school, kids, birthdays, LIFE

2008-09-15T20:43:00.002-04:00

Races:

I did the Brian Tap Room 5k race on Sunday. It was bloody hot even at 0800 but I ran it in 28.42 minutes (I am usually in about the 50 percentile which is good for me). I still made it back to teach SS and sing in choir and have a women's retreat meeting! I met a lady there who was still running races into her 80's but now she walks them! I hope I am like her if I live that long. I met a couple of friends there my age which is fun-we encourage one another.

I plan to do the Turkey Trot in Fredericksburg on Thanksgiving day and drag some friends and my kids too (5k for adults and 1 miler for kids).

Then Dec. 14th is a half-marathon or a 5k. I am toying with the half-marathon even if I walk but will at least do one of them.

So all kinds of goals for me.

Triathlon: Dave and I signed up for it as a team on October 12th. I am worried about my part especially the swimming. I get so out of breath! I will just do my best. At least I don't have to worry about transitions for my first one.

Saunas: I have been using the Sauna at the club because I heard it was good for me to ditch toxins (which is all I had to hear). I only go in for 3-5minutes as recommended (176 degrees limits it). It will be fabulous in the winter!

School: Almost done with my paper on my cultural background. I learned a lot-like how I really am privileged as a white but that I can work on being more culturally cognizant. After this I will be half-way done.

Birthdays: Sunday, Sept 14th was Dave's B-day. We celebrated by going to Outback (delicious except they just stopped the sweet potato side dish unfortunately) and of course, Carl's for dessert! Dave got a chance to work on his dining room project which although a chore, I think her also enjoys it-a chance to be creative but he can refute this if I am wrong. Anyway, it is turning out beautifully.

David II: his birthday is Sept. 25th-he wants another Patriots' Jersey, this time travel one. He magnanimously gave his small older one to Jonny. He will be 15.

Jonny: birthday is October 11th-we are going to the field house to play dodge ball with his friends on the 18th. Should be fun. He will be 11.

Arianna: birthday is October 25th-we will just have tons of girls over and have games, prizes, food, cake, and lots of giggles.

Then in November-December, all of Dave's family (and I mean all) have birthdays, so this is our season for birthdays, in addition to holidays, school, activities,etc. BUSY for us.

My musings: I have been wondering if some of the good things that I practice have become too important. Let me explain. I am a stickler for keeping one's word which is all right and good except I notice that I get really angry at others when I perceive that they are not keeping their word which often comes out as forgetting, not having time,etc. The anger has set up a red flag for me. Perhaps I should just worry about keeping my own word and let others be convicted themselves? Any comments? Dave I am sure, would appreciate some reprieve from me.

Signing off for now-still have a weekly assignment to do for school

Nancy

Hanging clothes

2008-09-11T22:27:00.002-04:00

For about a month now I have been hanging my clothes on the lines my husband had hung up for me under the decks. This brings me right back to childhood and of course, South Dakota where Dave's mom still hangs most everything out as long as possible. Unfortunately, we do not get as much wind as she does which is mostly good except for drying laundry. But, I am saving money and wear and tear on the clothes and they all smell soooo good-another good memory from childhood. I keep hanging them out a bit too late though and I ended up using the dryer for the towels in the long run. It is funny how I enjoy such domestic chores as laundry and dishes. (hate cleaning bathrooms and dusting though, cooking is not my favorite anymore either)

Funnies from son David

2008-09-10T21:31:00.002-04:00

Jonny had a school assignment to learn more about our experience with 9-11. He asked Dave questions about his work because that is where Dave was at the time the Twin Towers were hit. Dave mentioned that he worked for the FBI like he does now but also with the DEA. Jonny asked what the DEA stood for and was told the Drug Enforcement Administration. It was then that David chimed in with, "Wait, before Dad worked for the FBI he did drugs?" We all laughed.

Getting a word in edgewise

2008-09-09T22:08:00.002-04:00

This is Nancy and I have been wanting to blog but haven't been able to get a word in edgewise in blogvile with my talkative husband blogging away-he's doing so as I type.

School: I am halfway done with this class. I decided to do my cultural background paper on European Americans particularly Anglo and Italian descent. I am 3/4 Italian I found out but was raised Northern European American (English, Scottish, Irish, Welsh). I ended up interviewing my Aunt Marie (91 yrs old, means a lot to me, brought up some memories she had of me when my parents first adopted me "such a beautiful baby with a round face and chubby cheeks" and how "you always knew exactly what you wanted and got what you wanted" which she meant as a complement), Virginia (grandmother-biologically who praised our children and our parenting) and Ellen (biological mother who also praised our kids/parenting and still has regrets about having me out of wedlock and giving me up but knew it was for the best and I am glad she did). Anyway, it ended up being better than I thought and so now I am almost ready after reading for hours today, to actually write the paper.

Triathlon: so I will have help with the triathlon now but I am glad Dave is going to do it with me. Biking is something we can share. His bike is in the shop getting new tires and a tune-up.

Dave's Birthday is September 14th so all of you reading this-wish him well. He has about 2 gray hairs and doesn't have bifocals yet! Unlike me with the multitudes of gray and bifocals over a year ago! Must I get old first?

Arianna sick already and missed school today! It starts. I went right to the Natural Health place and told her to help me shorten and prevent illnesses this year so I am armed.

I taught chapters 1-20 of Genesis in SS this week to the youth and tried to help them apply some of it. For example, I bet Abraham and Sarah looked back and regretted having a child with Hagar and not waiting for God. I mentioned that wouldn't it be better to look back and be glad you trusted God, obeyed Him and waited for His timing? Sometimes I have done that and sometimes not.

Pastor Bill taught on Matthew 17 and the transfiguration. Peter really puts His foot in his mouth and mentions building shrines for Moses, Elijah and Jesus. The mistake was that everyone pales in comparison to Jesus-certainly, no one is remotely on equal ground and therefore, no one or thing deserves to be worshipped but Him alone.

Tag Team - Call Me Crazy

2008-09-09T21:52:00.002-04:00

On October 11, the tag team of Nancy and Dave will be competing in a mini-triathalon in Richmond. Nancy is doing the swimming and running while I do the 12 mile bike ride. The rest of the Fauth nation will be milling around cheering us on.

Keilan's Departure

2008-09-03T22:59:00.002-04:00

After living with us for almost 15 months, Keilan finally left today for Richmond. While we didn't always see him a lot, he left a major impact on our whole family. Some cool things I remember are:

Impromptu jam session in the family room
Falling asleep while watching Florida/Auburn football game only to wake up at the end when Auburn won. Keilan wasn't a happy camper.
Wii tournaments and his Bob Marley Mii.
Keilan and Jonny playing basketball.
Listening to his first recordings and getting a copy of that. He is some talent.

Keilan, keep chasing the Wild Goose.

Wild Goose Chase

2008-09-02T20:36:00.003-04:00

Mark Batterson, author of Wild Goose Chase, is the pastor of National Community Church in Washington, D.C., and an avid blogger. His best selling book In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day launched his speaking series about chasing lions—also known as huge, God-given opportunities.

“Celtic Christians had a name for the Holy Spirit–An Geadh-Glas, or ‘the Wild Goose.’ The name hints at mystery. Much like a wild goose, the Spirit of God cannot be tracked or tamed. An element of danger, an air of unpredictability surround Him. And while the name may sound a little sacrilegious, I cannot think of a better description of what it’s like to follow the Spirit through life. I think the Celtic Christians were on to something….

Most of us will have no idea where we are going most of the time. And I know that is unsettling. But circumstantial uncertainty also goes by another name: Adventure.” --from the introduction

I first heard Mark speak at the Whiteboard sessions earlier this year. He spoke on how much larger and vast God is than us and how we often we don't dream God size dreams. In his book, Wild Goose Chase, Mark challenges the reader to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, "the Wild Goose". The reader is challenged to chase God-ordained passions like Nehemiah, to break out of the cage of routine, to break through our assumptions and let God do amazing things, and to challenge the cages of guilt, failure and fear.

With easy to read yet challenging chapters, this book caused me to think about so many ideas/thoughts/notions in my life.

"Don't make a living. Make a life."
Quit playing defense.
Quit putting eight-foot ceilings on what God can do.
Chase the Goose

Brian Regan

2008-08-26T12:38:00.002-04:00

The Fauth 40+ were introduced to Brian Regan in Iceland. That guy is hilarious. We had an episode saved on our DVR (until the Olympics wiped out everything I had saved....) that we would watch over and over.

I checked his website and saw that he is going to be in Frederick, Maryland on Thursday, October 23rd so last night I scored us some tickets to go see him. Looking forward to it immensely.

Olympics - Iceland style

2008-08-25T21:51:00.002-04:00

I'm not sure how Jason missed this but Iceland was in the finals for the last Olympic medal. The sport was team handball. Unfortunately, Iceland lost to the French and was awarded the silver medal. For the record, Iceland had only won 3 prior Olympic medals, all in the summer games. A triple jumper won silver in 1956, a judo bronze in 1984 and a pole vault bronze in 2000.

What really captured my attention were some of the quotes from Iceland's President. Quotes such as:

"Have none of you been to Iceland? Oh well you've seriously got to come, you don't know what you're missing. First of all it's not cold. Second, or rather reverse order, the girls are the prettiest in the world." -- Iceland's first lady, Dorrit Moussaieff.

and

Iceland President Olafur Ragnar Grimsson: It's very difficult to present a too positive picture of Iceland, because in many ways it's a dream country. It was for centuries one of the poorest countries in Europe. A nation which was under foreign rule. And we succeeded to gain our independence and establish the republic in the middle of the last century, and we have now reached one of the highest standards of living in the world. Our energy is 100 percent clean.

Everybody can read and write. And it's a country without fear, without terror. Our open, free, democratic society. So when my friends from the United States come to Iceland, they don't really believe that such a country exists. And what happened here tonight will be yet another unbelievable aspect of the dream country that Iceland really is."

However, having been to Iceland, the dream country is missing the knowledge of the gospel and a saving relationship with Christ. Just another reminder of the need for people like Colby and Annie to sacrifice and take the gospel to a lost and dying world.

Wild Goose Chase and How Small I am

2008-08-22T20:57:00.004-04:00

I've been participating as a book reviewing blogger for Mulitnomah publishing. The book I'm currently reading is Mark Batterson's Wild Goose Chase. I heard Mark speak at the Whiteboard sessions and he talked about how our thoughts are so small compared to God's thoughts.

In the Wild Goose Chase, he relates a story about Theodore Roosevelt.

"When Teddy Roosevelt was president, he and naturalist friend William Beebe would routinely go outside after dinner and look up at the night sky. They would locate a faint spot of light in the lower left-hand corner of Pegasus and recite the following:

This is the Spiral Galaxy in Andromeda.

It is as large as our Milky Way.

It is one of 100 million galaxies.

It is 750,000 light-years away.

It consists of 100 billion suns, each larger than our sun.

Roosevelt would pause and grin. Then he would say to his friend, "Now I think we feel small enough! Let's go to bed."

Isaiah 55:9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Book Review: God Loves Me More Than That, and When God Created My Toes

2008-08-22T20:49:00.002-04:00

Summary: In two new books from best-selling children’s author Dandi Daley Mackall, clever rhymes and delightful illustrations help young children, ages three and up, understand God’s huge love for them and his joy in creating them. These enchanting picture books from the writer-illustrator team of Dandi Mackall and David Hohn will instill awe in young children as they revel in each page. Parents alike will appreciate the engaging stories that communicate God’s perfect plan and his divine purpose for little hearts.

In God Loves Me More Than That, children learn that God loves them deeper than a wishing well, wider than a semi-truck, louder than thunder, and softer than a kitten’s sneeze. Each question, presented with charming child-like faith will help young ones grasp the great love of God through comparisons and descriptions they can easily understand. In short, they’ll discover that His love is bigger, wider, higher, and deeper than anything they could imagine!

In When God Made My Toes, kids are drawn into the wonder of their creation by God. Their masterful artist who fashioned them just right for amazing and delightful adventures, such as roller skating, finger-painting, doing flips, and drinking cocoa. Children will come to an understanding that God shaped each part of their amazing bodies with joy, delight, and humor.

These books are written for the younger child. Both are excellent choices for first graders or younger who can easily read and grasp the concepts of God's love and creation. Both books are available at Amazon.

God Loves Me More Than That

When God Made My Toes

Author Bio: Dandi Daley Mackall has published more than 400 books for children and adults, with more than 3 million combined copies sold. She is the author of WaterBrook’s two other delightful Dandilion Rhymes books, A Gaggle of Geese & A Clutter of Cats and The Blanket Show. A popular keynote speaker at conferences and Young Author events, Mackall lives in rural Ohio with her husband, three children, and a menagerie of horses, dogs, and cats.

Book Review - God Gave us Heaven

2008-08-22T20:38:00.002-04:00

Little Cub awakens one morning with some important questions on her mind: What is heaven like? How do we get there? Will we eat in heaven? Will we be angels?

During a delightful day spent wandering their arctic world, Papa gently answers each question, assuring Little Cub that heaven is a wonderful place, “a million times better” than she can imagine. He explains how God has made a way for those who love him to enter their heavenly home forever after their lives on earth are over.

My kids loved this book and it presented a biblically sound picture of how they have a way to enter this heavenly home forever. For example, the little cub asks if he will be an angel but is told no as angels were created for a purpose. Just as we are looking towards a heavenly feast, so is little cub anxiously awaiting a feast of fish in heaven. This is an excellent choice for younger kids and parents, grandparents and librarians will love it. The pictures are great and the story is easy to read.

Through captivating, full-color illustrations and tender, biblically sound storytelling, young readers and those who love them will find reasons to rejoice in knowing that God Gave Us Heaven.

God Gave Us Heaven is available at Amazon.

Author Bio: Lisa Tawn Bergren is the award-winning author of nearly thirty titles, totaling more than one million books in print. She writes in a broad range of genres, from adult fiction to devotional. God Gave Us Heaven is Lisa’s fourth children’s book, following in the tradition of the best-selling God Gave Us You. She makes her home in Colorado, with her husband, Tim, and their children, Olivia, Emma, and Jack.

Camera woes

2008-08-18T22:39:00.001-04:00

Our Nikon D40 is giving an error message each time we try and take a picture so off to the Nikon repair shop it will go.

Getting a grip for the fall

2008-08-17T07:29:00.002-04:00

Good thing Dave has posted a bit regularly or we would be out of the Pelt's good graces at least as far as blogging.

School: I start a new class tomorrow on cultural diversity. I am supposed to do one of the papers on my cultural identity. I don't feel like I have one which is how a lot of Northern European Americans feel according to my textbooks. I can't even interview my parents or grandparents as I do not have any now. Should be interesting to figure this out. Plus, Northern European Americans are bashed in most of the books as we are the domineering and privileged majority that have suppressed everyone else for hundreds of years. (An interesting fact: The Native Americans started out at 12.5million 400 years ago and by the 1980 were down to only 237,000 people). At least I am a woman!

Exercise: I have been contemplating the sprint triatholons and have been running, biking and swimming like a good little cross trainer. I was wondering about my bike though (bought from a garage sale, heavy, only 3 speeds, etc). So, yesterday I went into the bike shop to see what they could do with my bike. Well you guessed it, surprise, surprise, "You might as well buy a new bike" which I wasn't going to do, but he went on to say in the same breath, "We have 1 year free financing" and so that did it. I ended up settling for a hybrid (cross between a mountain ad road/racing bike) and some paraphenalia with it. Needless to say, the new 4 hour shifts at work will help pay the monthly payment for the year. Now I really feel pressured to ride.

Vacations: This has been an amazing summer for me as I went away for over 7 weeks between school, youth camp and family vacations. I really enjoy traveling but the summer is pretty much done leaving me to wonder where it went. We are definitely Kayak fanatics now and hope to find 3 double kayaks gently used so we can all go out on the lakes and rivers in the area. We enjoyed Myrtle Beach and St Augustine, FA-our first time at both. We saw lots of friends and family this summer and caught up a bit. Now I am working like a maniac to "catch up" a bit. Not everything is free financing.

Kids: Jonny's feet are now a size 9 men's and he is not even 11 years old. David just keeps getting bigger. Elizabeth is almost my height. I just bought Arianna size 10 clothes thinking they would be big-they fit nice. I am so proud of them all and I think they enjoyed the summer too.

Health: I am putting a plug in for the Natural Health place across from the New Marriot Hotel on Rt 1. The certified nutritionist there, Beverly, is very good and knowledgeable and has helped me a lot to figure out the maze of supplements to take or not. I am glad I have finally come to rest on that.

Bunco: I played Bunco for the first time last night with women at church. I had the most baby buncos. Colby and Annie, there is NO skill to that came-it is pure luck.

Travels

2008-08-12T09:47:00.002-04:00

Been to Florida and now are in Myrtle Beach. Quick notes from travels.

Lots of Waffle Houses in the south
Saw Keilan at the Creech compound.
Saw a van with an air condition unit in the back window and a portable generator on back of the van
Went kayaking several times in Florida

Pictures to follow

Congratulations

2008-07-23T21:55:00.002-04:00

Congratulations to Bryan and Aimee on getting an iPhone and getting engaged. Awesome....

Pet peeve / prayer request

2008-07-23T21:44:00.003-04:00

The Fauth-nation went out to watch a great concert by Maranatha this past Sunday. The emcee did a great job, but he said one of my current pet peeves. "These kids are our future...". The kids aren't the future, they are very much in the present and a part of the church.

King David started as a teenager fighting Goliath. Josiah was 8 years old. Mary and Joseph were teens. They weren't the future, they were the present.

Tonight we had close to 20 kids over for youth home group. Luke Smith talked to us about loving Jesus, not making excuses, dropping everything when God calls and never looking back. What struck me was Luke 14:15-24 where Jesus tells of the Parable of the Great Banquet. Christ has a great feast awaiting us and I make excuses of how I'd rather eat my Spam instead of partaking in the Great feast.

My heart is burdened for these kids as they all are struggling with at least one of those four things. As Colby said, we see glimpses of something glorious and we need to step out in faith and act on it.

The Fauth Tribe

2008-07-23T21:40:00.002-04:00

The Fauth tribe. For some reason, people think we multiply or just take over tons of space. I don't understand.

Last year, Shaun and Karen Doheney said we had "a million" kids. It was a great joke that we still talk about. It's a good thing Karen's Honda Pilot could carry a million and a half kids with our four and her two.

Now, I see that Jonathan Burke has called out Fauth Nation as a tribe of 40.

We seem like a lot and we are a lot. It just seems funny.

Camp and Dave

2008-07-15T09:10:00.002-04:00

It is me, Nancy, back from Global Youth camp with 20 teens and 4 other young adults (I was the oldest in our group). What an amazing camp that is. I can understand why Colby wants to go there although I am still hoping to go to the Virginia version next year. I am so impressed with how their focus is so much on teens getting closer to God and reaching the world for Him. They are so concerned with youth groups not just in America, but around the world. I was tired but very happy I went.

So now my tribute to Dave ( I have to do this often because I want to remind myself and everyone else how amazing he is).

I was running this morning and came across the song written out below by Colbie Callat and thought about Dave immediately. After our first date 20 years ago! (see previously blog by Dave) and when he started to write to me, I realized what a different person he was and is than me and maybe the rest of the world. Like the song says, he really does want to make people smile and show how much he cares for them. He does this by 1. his quiet, subtle jokes, 2. by his constant service and 3. his generosity. He was unable to go to camp this year which I know was a big sacrifice for him and so the youth had a moment of silence for him and chanted DSF (his initials) when we returned home and saw him in the parking lot. Anyway, you still make me smile! And I am glad I am your lady. Thanks to Colbie Callat for her consistent sappy love songs.

Colbie Callat-Oxygen

I came apart inside a world made of angry people.
I found a boy who had a dream, making everyone smile.
He was sunshine, I fell over.
My feet like the rays under the water.

And how am I supposed to tell you how I feel
I need oxygen!

Oh baby if I was your lady
I would make you happy
I'm never gonna leave.
Oh baby I will be your lady.
I am going crazy for you.

We're back

2008-07-06T16:48:00.002-04:00

Vacation: We returned on July 1st from South Dakota having had a good time, but very tired as we had to leave Dave's parents house at 0200 in order to drive to Omaha airport and be on time for our flight. To followup, the little baby bird was gone and no one knew what happened so that was good. Either mamma kitty and baby kitties had a meal or it was rescued in some other way. Before we left, we were able to get rid of mom and dad's furnace and oil tank that was taking up space in the basement. The furnace especially was quite heavy, but we got it done. I am glad we were able to help.

School: I am completing my paper today for school and then I should have completed 21 credits if I passed these last 2 courses-still don't know grades yet. I have a break until August 18th which is nice because we have one more vacation to FA and SC before that. I do have a test to take at work on heart arrythmias in the meantime.

Book: I read a great book while in SD called The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. This gentleman was born in 1960 and was a professor at the University of Virginia and then at Carnegie Mellon University in PA. He was diagnosed in 2006 with pancreatic cancer and has a wife and 3 small children under the age of 6. So, he was forced to retire and give his last lecture. The book is worth reading and you can see/hear his lecture at www.thelastlecture.com but here are a few highlights:

Apparently, he was a know-it-all and a bit proud. People were irritated with him. Finally a professor he admired told him: "It is a shame that people perceive you as being so arrogant because it's going to limit what your are going to be able to accomplish in life." He was able to change after that.

Brick walls (obstacles in life that seem impossible to scale or get through) are there for a reason: they give us a chance to show how badly we want something.

Not everything needs to be fixed (he told his wife after she had crashed both cars but they still worked).

Tips: Time must be explicitly managed, like money.
You can always change your plan, but only if you have one.
Are you spending time on the right things?
Develop a good filing system.
Rethink the telephone.
Delegate.
Take a time out.

Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted.

It can be a very disruptive thing for parents to have specific dreams for their kids. Rather, a parent's job is to encourage kids to develop a joy for life and a great urge to follow their dreams.

Dream big. Be earnest. Don't complain, work harder. Treat the disease, not the symptoms. Don't obsess over what people think. Look for the best in all people. Watch what people do, not what they say.

Running: Before I left SD I was able to run over 4miles straight. So on July 4th I join the 600+ people in Fredericksburg to run 5 miles. I had a great time. I not only did it, but I ran the whole thing with no walking and managed to finish in 47minutes which is a 9.4 minute pace. I was proud of myself and praised God the whole way that I could do this. I do have some soreness in my left lower leg so have been walking gingerly on it. I do need new sneakers. We ended up staying in Fredericksburg on the 4th to see the tiny parade, look through the craft show, and see a juggler then we went home. We had some friends for dinner and saw the fireworks at Lunga and got a bit wet and muddy, but they were grand nonetheless.

Youth camp: I am departing for GA to youth camp tomorrow bright and early. Will I ever catch up on my sleep?

South Dakota

2008-06-28T17:16:00.002-04:00

Nancy is thinking so watch out:

Movie Review: Last night we were able to go see Kung Fu Panda ($4 adults, $2 kids/students-gotta love the country). It was an entertaining movie with surprisingly good truths. The "master" told the panda that yesterday is the past, tomorrow is the future but today is a gift-that is why they call it the present! I'd recommend going.

Running: yesterday Dave and I just walked the 4 miles around the section. His knee continues to bother him. We plan to get new sneakers (although if anyone has any suggestions as to how to go about doing that, feel free to let us know-we've paid from $30 to over $100, gone to different stores, etc. and have not come across anything that is a perfect fit), get supplements of glucosamine/chnondroitin/MSM, build up our quad and hamstring muscles, maybe go to the Doctor? My knees are fine so far but I have had trouble in the past. Anyway, today I decided to run myself and then walk with Dave later. It was very windy-up to 40mph gusts and cool, so I kept going and going until I did 4.25 miles straight!!!!!!!!!! I couldn't believe it. I had some resistance from the wind and my hair was everywhere (it blew off my headband) and the route was relatively flat, but I still was so excited and praised God for allowing my body to still work well. So while I cannot feel the fat oozing out of my body as my friend can, I did feel very healthy and alive. I hope I continue to feel this great.

South Dakota: As I was running today, I noticed (as I have before) how beautiful the plains of SD are. It has been cool, breezy, and clear here so everything is really green and one can see for miles because it is so flat. (By the way, Dave told me that a section is a square mile and covers 640 acres). The sky is amazing here because it is so big and is not blocked by anything. I can see the draw of living here although I will stick to just visiting.

New life: Here, there is a momma cat that has had 4 kittens. All live outside although they have access to the shed. The girls are in love with the kittens. We moved their home the other day by moving all the junk metal away from the side of the garage. We saw the momma and 2 kittens but couldn't find the other 2 kitties. Anyway, as we were loading a hot water heater, I believe, one kitty poked its head out of its small opening. The poor thing was scared out of its mind. I then realized we had rolled the container onto the tractor-poor kitties (there ended up being 2 in there). Finally, all came out and were sent to the shed where most of their junked home had been put and they seem to be happy. As my mother used to say, "babies of anything are so cute".

Life is sad: today Dave used the chain saw to cut down a bunch of dead trees and branches. As we were cleaning up one tree, we saw a baby bird on the ground. I put him in his nest in the stump of the tree, but he was by himself just opening his mouth for food. I thought maybe his mother would come for him, but my mother-in-law said no. I grew very sad because the bird will die. Mom suggested to give it to the kitties which was apalling at first. It is sad because life was not meant to be filled with fallenness, sadness, illness, and death, but that is how it is since sin entered the picture. But then, God reminded me of the new life above and how the kitties would benefit. As far as I know the bird is still on the stump. I couldn't bring myself to transfer it to the kitties. I hope it is not there tomorrow. Otherwise I may have to dig for worms!

More family coming: Tonight, Dave's sister, husband and 2 kids are coming to stay a night or two. That will make 12 people in the house with one bathroom. It was a nice surprise though and should be fun.

School: my last paper I have to do stressed me out the other day and so yesterday, Dave, my mom-in-law, and I went to mom's school library to get it started and do some research. The kids went to the town pool for a couple of hours and enjoyed themselves (again, gotta love the country where my kids can go by themselves to the pool!). Anyway, now I am almost done with the paper thanks to my wonderful husband and mom. Again, I could never do this degree by myself.

Memories of my mom: As we were driving home from the movie last night, my daughter was talking to her grandma about holding her hand. She then started talking about Grandma Cullum (my mom) and talked about how she often would go down and hold her hand to warm it up because it was always cold. I know my children brought my mother much joy especially at the end of her life. Arianna was home with her the longest and would go down daily, warm her hands up, sit with her, and watch "cartoons". God showed me that He provided my mother some joy and comfort that she was able to grasp at the end of her life and I myself was much comforted. But, I still cried at the loss of my mother and am glad her and my dad are with God, the great Comforter.

traveling and other tidbits

2008-06-26T06:18:00.003-04:00

Traveling:

Traveling with me (Nancy) is exhausting-I admit it. Even I get exhausted. Usually, however, we are all mostly grateful for my full itinerary when it is over and we realize how much we did. Dave already mentioned the zoo, beach and Legoland. We then went to the other part of the zoo called Wild Animal Park in Escondido. It was blazing hot. We realized we were in the desert that day! (over 100 degrees with beating down sun) It was really cool though-except we could barely see the Tigers-too hot for them!!!!!!!!! We managed to come home and go to the beach again. The cold water was totally refreshing that day.

On Saturday, we went to Balboa Park in San Diego city proper (Near the zoo). It was a beautiful park with museums and gardens. We went to the Science museum which was excellent except we are not impressed with IMAX shows and felt gipped. (esp since it was an environmental one on the endangered Colorado River and had a lot of spiritism in it) We enjoyed the model railroad museum where all these retired men got to play with trains all day-what a life! We saw most of the gardens, got really thirsty and left to go to Seaport Village where we had a nice meal on the water. (Karen and kids met us around 4:30pm) We shopped til we dropped in the Village, had Ben and Jerry's ice cream, then finally called it a day.

Sunday, I crashed. We went to Karen's church, came home and ate lunch, and then went to La Jolla beach to see the seals. They were lounging and swimming on the beach there with several babies-again, what a life! Dave and kids went to the beach and I took a nap. I went to the beach later, but it was foggy and cool and they called everyone in within a 1/2 hr. I proceeded to sleep all night too.

Monday, we went back to Legoland to finish off what we had missed (the best part was the use of the 24 million lego bricks to make all the figures, animals, and buildings in the park). In the center was miniland which is Lego's rendition of several cities including: NYC, Washington, D.C., Las Vegas, Paris, San Francisco, San Diego, New Orleans, etc. It was so clever. I can't believe man's creativity but then, God is an amazingly creative God. We then ate lunch at this fabulous Mexican restaurant (at least 4 sporks, Colby) and went to Mission Capistrano, a late 1800's mission started by the Catholics in CA (there are 21 of them). I couldn't help admire how they evangelized all the natives (indians) there at that time period. The Mission was both interesting and beautiful-having a church with huge gold altar area and beautiful gardens. We shopped and looked around the small town of Capistrano and then dropped by San Clement which was also beautiful.

We came home to chill, eat dinner (of which I had none being so stuffed from the Mexican) and packed. We left at an ungodly hour on Tuesday-God bless Karen for taking us to the airport and for being such an amazing hostess for the whole week) and flew out on time to Omaha, NE. As soon as we got there, they had thunder storms and flooding but we made it through (Dave really loves to go driving though pools of water so it wasn't so bad). We made it to mom and dad's around 7pm and began our visit with them.

Yesterday, Dave got the golf cart running and the kids drove around in that in between playing baseball. We did laundry and hung it on the line which I find soothing. (I also enjoy doing dishes while I am here-again soothing and no dishwasher). The girls found the momma and 4 little kittens and started a relationship with them. They are adorable but I am glad they are outside. Elizabeth started her allergies to them, and David II and I are also allergic to them so further reason for them to be where they are. So we are a little more chilled out here, but that is good.

School: I finished the group class on June 13th. I enjoyed it-got to see Julia's delightful parents and grandmother again and spend time with Annie. I am trying to get back into running and thanks to Annie, I got up to running 2.25 miles straight which considering I couldn't even do 1.5 miles before, that was great. Now I just have to do all the post work which I have completed one paper and 2 tests and just have one proposal group paper left which I hope to start today. I am quite unnerved about tests since I have started this Master's, they are stressful to me and I keep getting in the 80's on them which pulls my whole grade down. I think I need a class on test taking and studying for them. At least I can write.

Dreams: I was reading Beth Moore's book called Breaking Free on Isaiah and getting out from bondage of sin, when I came across her statement that all little girls have dreams of being 1. married (bride), 2. being fruitful which usually means having children, 3. being beautiful. I decided to ask my 2 daughters if this was true. (It certainly was true of me from the time I was 10 years old) Elizabeth: My dreams are to be a fashion designer and travel all over the world. When asked about getting married and having kids, she said she didn't have to and that is not her dream! Arianna: To have a nice house, to have kitties, puppies, to live with someone (when asked to clarify she said married), to have a job (when asked which one, she said she would like to try them all but can't afford it), to go to church, to have 1,2,3, or 4 kids. I found these answers fascinating and realized that maybe Beth Moore and I generalize too much.

Eating: Being around Annie for a week was great for eating less. She really does eat when she is hungry (sometimes starving) and takes small amounts and then stops (fancy that idea-stopping the shoveling of food in one's mouth when one is full even if there is still food in front of oneself!) So I hope I have lost a few pounds but I can't tell since I do not have a scale (unlike my friend's uncanny ability to feel 10 lbs oozing out of him). So between controlling my eating and exercising, esp running, I hope to beat this middle age spread and slowing of metabolism. I also save money by splitting meals (did so with Karen, Dave, and Elizabeth whenever possible).

20 years ago, part II

2008-06-19T23:56:00.002-04:00

Another footnote to the end of the dance. On that Sunday morning, neither Nancy or I really thought we may see each other again. We had both graduated from college. She was going on a trip to Israel and then to her job. I was going to South Dakota and then off to sail on the Great Lakes. It was a sad day as I left her house that day not really sure what was going to happen.

Legoland

2008-06-19T23:49:00.003-04:00

Some pictures from today's adventure in Legoland...

Hanging out at Legoland

Kyle and Jonny after getting wet

Kyle, Julia and Arianna getting ready to ride the boats.

Nancy and Karen

David intently watching the younger ones drive around the track.

We had a fun, busy day at Legoland. Everyone enjoyed it and they all ended up with some Legos at the end of the day. They weren't quite tired out so we headed back to the beach and the kids hit the waves for another hour.

Now they are watching Madagascar and mellowing out.

20 years ago today....

2008-06-19T01:08:00.002-04:00

20 years ago today was Nancy and my date to my senior ball at King's Point. It all started a couple of months earlier when I called Nancy up and said "I need a date." Amazingly she accepted and we had a great time. We went to New York City afterwards and took a carriage ride in Central Park. Arriving back at Nancy's house around 3am, I had to be back at the academy around 10am for church services (an hour away). Man I was tired that day.

I have a picture from that night and that I'll try and scan in later.

Back from the zoo

2008-06-19T01:04:00.005-04:00

It is about 10:15 California time. Back from a full day at the zoo and stopping by Coronado. Here are a couple of pictures:

Cami, we did see several monkees, other than our family. We also saw three pandas which were really cool.

Nancy's luggage came in tonight. David said that at least a part of mom made it to England.

Tomorrow we are off to Legoland.

San Diego

2008-06-18T12:05:00.003-04:00

Arrived in San Diego yesterday for our week with Karen and the kids around 10am. Nancy's luggage decided to go to London so we are hoping it decides to join us later today. Went to the beach at Camp Pendleton yesterday. Heading out to the San Diego zoo today.

Day 2 - Musings

2008-06-10T22:33:00.002-04:00

More tidbits:

1. 95 degrees in Stafford. 54 degrees in Reykjavik.

2. Elizabeth tried to make a cake with Smart Balance instead of butter. Didn't work out to well.

3. David stayed home and got the remaining kids off to school on time.

4. Garman kids were over during deacon's meeting. No beds were harmed.

5. Karen Doheney is questioning my ability to make flight arrangements. In one week from today, we will be in San Diego having a great time.

6. It's 10:30 at night and I have no idea what we are eating for dinner tomorrow as we have youth group and Jonny has soccer try outs.

Random thoughts

2008-06-09T20:55:00.002-04:00

Nancy is back at Liberty U this week for another intensive in group counseling. Annie is with her so it should make for some interesting stories. Such as Annie's description of Nancy's driving.

Other thoughts/tidbits:

1. Hung out with Colby and Robert Steed trading college prank stories. No, I never went to Walmart at 2am and played with shopping carts.

2. It is hot here. When the pool feels good in mid-June, you know it has been hot.

3. Only one more week before we go to San Diego to see the Doheney family.

4. While at the Garman's, Darcy's bed fell down to the floor. I'm sure the Fauth kids were involved somehow.

5. Thinking about migrating to the Mac clan with the Garman's, Keilan, Burke's, and possibly Kristen.

df

Family Acitivities

2008-05-26T21:20:00.002-04:00

Biking:

I am always trying to get a bunch of exercise and I am also concerned for my family especially my husband and 2 of my children who prefer almost anything to exercise. So I said lets bike down in Fredericksburg after we pick strawberries (by the way, do something with all the strawberries as soon as you get home-I make the mistake of not doing this every year!) on Saturday. So we stopped at Fall Hill Ave at the beginning of the Canal path and got going minus Arianna who was camping with friends. First, my tire was rubbing against the bike frame, but I just dealt. Then David's chain fell off. Finally, I was racing Elizabeth and her pedal came off. Dave had to return to the van and get wrenches and tighten the pedal. Does anyone realize how hard it is to maintain 6 bikes especially when they are not used a lot? Finally, we were able to keep on pedaling without any more stops and made it to Old Town Frederickburg and biked down Princess Anne St and back up Caroline (although not after Dave was cursed out and given an obscene gesture for being in the road and slowing some rude dude down) and then back down the Canal Path (about 5 or so miles). Then we went out to eat that night.

Eating:

This is becoming a real struggle for me. I guess I am eating too much and eating the wrong things. On Saturday we went to Maggiano's for "family style" (oh great-all you can eat of all the dishes they put on the table). I tried not to eat too much but with 10 different dishes it was so difficult. In any case, I woke up the next morning at 5am with severe stomach pain and told myself I had better get a grip with no exceptions! Of course a compassionate friend who shall remain nameless let me know he had lost 5 lbs this week by cutting down-good for you! Pray for me then!

Friends:

Sunday we went to friends house for the afternoon after church whom we had not hung with in a while. I ate tons of fresh vegies (God bless them for serving healthy) and had fish and chicken. I did have ice cream and sherbert, but felt a lot better. We had a great time with them. My friend's brother reminded me of a counselor. He was constantly paraphrasing, reflecting, and asking open-ended questions. I was impressed and really felt like he was listening and interested in what we were saying. Good model for us all, but especially for me with counseling.

Our other young friend was in the hospital-had been there 10 days so back down to Fredericksburg we went to visit him and then of course, I got the bright idea to get more exercise by doing the scavenger hunt or at least walking in Old Town. The scavenger hunt is a bit annoying to me, but I decided to let it go and not try to fill it all in. (This is a big step for me as I hate blanks and not finishing things). We saw Colby and Annie and the girls down town (biking of course-they are my inspiration). Needless to say when we returned from Fredericksbur, David went right to bed and Jonny went to a friend's to sleep over and Dave, Elizabeth and I watched National Treasure: Book of Secrets. What a great movie!

More biking:

Today we biked 9-10 miles and I got dirty looks from the kids. The other pedal fell off Elizabeth's bike and she thought we were going to leave her. Poor E. Of course we didn't and came back for her (we had been a bit ahead). The kids and Dave went swimming and I was in my bliss gardening. This blessed lady at church gave me about 30+ plants FREE (many just seedlings but still) and so I planted and watered them all. We are also keeping critters away from the garden with hair, pinwheels (or whirlygigs as some call them) and something else not worthy of blogging. Even if only a few of these plants live I will be ahead-some are perenials! I love being cheap-it is so rewarding sometimes especially if it works.

More friends:

We went to our dear friends' daughter's 2 year old birthday. I played kickball. Can't tell you the last time I did that, but I am having a lot of firsts in awhile since turning 40 (skiing, school, Carnegie Hall in NYC, etc). I had not been to Aquia Landing-what a nice park on the River and the weather was perfect. Good friends, good food, and celbrating-Wonderful.

Bugs:

Skin So Soft does not work for bugs. I was covered with them. Maybe it helped me not get bit, but it seemed to attract every nat in the area. I must come up with natural bug repellent and sunscreen. Not interested in the chemicals.

I do not think we have a free day between now and when we go away June 17th. (Friday the 13th is open, any takers? I guess we are not superstitious!) Trying to wrap up the school year and activities and finally get away!

Running:

Dave, Nancy and David II are planning to run the 5-miler in Fredericksburg on July 4th. I believe the Garmans are going to also (of course-they, as I said, are my inspiration) so I am hoping this will get us motivated to eat right or at least less, exercise more, and improve our overall health. There is a half marathon in September and of course the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving. I hope we do all three and any others we can fit in. I find these things fun and motivating. We also biked to all my children's schools today so next time I have to go to one of them, I think I will get exercise, save gas and bike. Wait until that new hospital gets going!

That's all for now.
Nancy

Mercy

2008-05-23T12:38:00.002-04:00

Mercy is a word that has been appearing to me more and more lately. From Pastor Bill's recent messages on the need to show mercy to the words of Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing

Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.

to this quote I found on The Rabbit Room from the 1987 movie Babette's Feast

Mercy and truth have met together. Righteousness and bliss shall kiss one another. Man, in his weakness and shortsightedness believes he must make choices in this life. He trembles at the risks he takes. We do know fear. But no. Our choice is of no importance. There comes a time when our eyes are opened and we come to realize that mercy is infinite. We need only await it with confidence and receive it with gratitude. Mercy imposes no conditions. And lo! Everything we have chosen has been granted to us. And everything we rejected has also been granted. Yes, we even get back what we rejected. For mercy and truth have met together, and righteousness and bliss shall kiss one another.

I'm still processing my thoughts on mercy but I don't think it is without purpose that mercy has repeatedly shown up.

Day 4 and Day 5

2008-05-23T12:34:00.002-04:00

They were a blur. Between soccer, dance, talent show, etc., the end of last week was a blur. It doesn't help that I usually stay up until midnight or so when Nancy is gone. We all survived and it was great to see her come home last Friday.

In about two weeks, we get to do this again. This time it will be Annie and Nancy off together. Most activities, except for dance, will have wound down so the pressures to get everyone where they need to be will have diminished.

Thanks to all who asked what happened after day 3. Nancy and I decided to stimulate the economy by purchasing a new mattress set. The lumps from 17+ years of the current mattress will hopefully be a memory soon.

I'm Back

2008-05-21T12:20:00.002-04:00

I, Nancy, have returned from my first class on a University campus since 1988!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
20 years. I am in awe at how old I am and how fast time has flown even though it seemed slow in the 80's. How did that happen.

Anyway, the class was good-I finally got to apply what I have been learning this year. I was able to counsel people in my class for 4 afternoons. On the flip side, I was counseled for 4 afternoon by them so I was exhausted when I returned home having spilled my guts so much. I did actually get some good insight into myself and some good tips to apply to my life from my fellow students.

Liberty University was awesome. I could really sense how God has blessed it and it continues to grow by leaps and bounds in our stagnated economy. They have over 11,000 residential students coming in the Fall and have 27,000 distance learners of which I am one. Amazing. They are very organized and very well run. I was impressed. I even went to Jerry Falwell's museum on the 1 year anniversary of his death.

Today, I counseled my first client besides the fellow students. I was nervous especially since it had to be filmed. We talked for over 50 minutes! And I was worried about a 1/2hour! I think I did ok-we'll see. I have 2 more sessions with my client.

I am trying to get ready for my next class on June 9-13. It is a group counseling class so another perspective for me. I've never been in a counseling group or even attended one so it should be interesting.

For those of you curious about the naturopath, she ended up being a dud-just never called back, cancelled appts and now I haven't heard from her in weeks. I wish I knew another one and could find what I was looking for, but someone told me that it is silly to think that I am going to feel great everyday so I have decided to accept that. I am still trying to eat well, exercise and take some supplements (some being the key word-I must sort through which ones so I don't take over 30 pills a day!), but if I don't feel well, I am just going to accept it and hopefully, go to bed. I did get a minor cold while I was away but it had been over 6 months since being sick, so I was pleased. I still really like the chiropractor though.

Well, speaking of exercise, I am taking a big walk because one thing about getting older, fat is your friend! (a very clingy one I might add)

Day 3

2008-05-14T07:16:00.002-04:00

Day 3 is starting off well. Economic stimulus package ($$) was deposited last night.

Day 2 - Blessings

2008-05-13T22:53:00.002-04:00

Day 2 of Nancy away. No it isn't a blessing that she is away but I want to rejoice in some of the neat things that happened today and to glorify God through them.

Nancy is able to take a class and learn to apply the theoretical things she has been learning. I am amazed at her capacity to learn, willingness to apply and her love for the counseling.
Jonny saw the yard was getting tall and mowed the front yard without anyone asking. Brandon, a neighbor and older friend of Jonny, manned the weed wacker.
The Garmans provided dinner tonight. Thank you Annie for preparing the meal, bringing it over and hanging at the Fauth house. I appreciate it so much and I know our kids had a great time playing with Haley and Darcey.
I understand David beat Colby at Wii baseball. Colby, he is weak at tennis.

Most of the time I am so focused on the tyranny of the urgent that I lose sight of God's wonder, blessings and reminders of who He is and how He is the one in control.

Nan at School - Day 1

2008-05-12T19:24:00.002-04:00

Nancy left yesterday for Lynchburg and arrived around 7pm. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the remaining survivors settled down to prepare for the week ahead. Following a full weekend of the Screwtape letters, serving at the New Generation ministry, Carl's ice cream and sleepovers on Saturday, the kids were wiped out. They crashed at 8 allowing me the pleasure of some Sunday Night Baseball between the Minnesota Twins and Red Sox nation. That ended around 11:20pm with a nail biting Twins victory. A little bit of Sportscenter and nighty night.

6:15 comes early but a fresh press of coffee helps out. David was up and left at 6:35 while I was ironing some clothes and preparing a crock pot meal. Around 7:00, he comes back. I'm thinking he missed the bus. Little did I know that Stafford schools were closed due to the 5 inches of rain we received over the weekend.

Ha ha, now I could get an early jump getting to work while the kids stayed home. Giving them directions not to wake Jonny and Arianna, I left only to sit in traffic for 2 hours.

One of the advantages of having older kids is that they can manage at home by themselves. One advantage of having an older girl with an interest in sewing, cooking, etc. is that things may get done that normally wouldn't.

Today while I was at work, Elizabeth cleaned the kitchen, repaired the torn cushions on our kitchen chairs, ironed the rest of the clothes and helped Arianna with her laundry. What a relief that she was able to do that. Annie, I'm sure she would do the same in Iceland.

Random Musings

2008-05-11T20:45:00.002-04:00

Nancy is at Liberty this week for an intensive class. I know she was nervous about it but she will do great. She drove down to Lynchburg by herself in the rain and had no problems.

That means I'm at home with 4 kids being Mr. Dad. I'll be going in late and coming home normal time, however, I'm sure it won't go smoothly.

Nancy wasn't too happy when there were tornado warnings for Stafford and I just let the kids sleep. I went downstairs to sleep as I had to get up in the morning. For some reason, Nancy couldn't sleep (hmmm..... maybe her protecting husband wasn't doing the best job). Growing up in South Dakota, those were pretty normal occurrences. Only once do I remember actually seeing a tornado. We went in the basement then and maybe a few other times growing up.

Up for Air

2008-04-23T00:07:00.002-04:00

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

2008-04-18T08:13:00.000-04:00

I wonder what she is thinking about?

Creativity

2008-04-18T08:11:00.000-04:00

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

Iceland - One year later

2008-04-16T21:53:00.003-04:00

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

2008-04-16T21:47:00.002-04:00

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....

2008-04-10T15:06:00.002-04:00

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

2008-04-06T18:49:00.002-04:00

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.

Easter

2008-03-22T17:13:00.002-04:00

We wanted to read the Bible as a family pertaining to Christ's death and resurrection to thwart some of the notion that Easter was just about the Easter bunny, eggs, and candy. So we did read it all together as a family today and I asked the children that perhaps they could remember Christ's awful death when they are tempted to do wrong.

Then Arianna piped up that she knew what Easter was all about:
"Easter is about Christ rosing from the dead!"

I am so grateful for Christ's rosing and for the enthusiasm of my daughter when speaking about it.

Nancy

News from Nan

2008-03-22T11:54:00.002-04:00

Another Ariannaism: Contar. Can you guess what that means? Keilan plays it. It is in many rock bands.

New book: The Art of Growing Up by Veronique Vienne.

This book goes along the lines of my musings (and bordering panic) regarding getting older. I bet the author is in her 50's b/c she references this age group a lot. Here is a brief outline with some quotes I enjoyed or found helpful:

1. The Art of Beginning
How old would you be if you didn't know your age? Begin anew by throwing out old things...there is no need to hold onto what's obsolete. One never loses what one throws away.
Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted.
You begin to grow up when it dawns on you that all your alleged setbacks are in fact opportunities.
Some birthday wishes: lifetime season tickets to the symphony (ballet, opera, plays, musicals, all culture), clean windows every day, a huge dog, like a St Bernard, as a pet, a social secretary, housekeeper, cook, spiritual understanding-getting closer to my God, the time and money to start an art, dance, (fill in the blank) school-and be a student, a good relationship with your children, access to smart people, a pain-free body, the courage to give up the past, unexpected joy. The things one wants the most are not things after all.
2. The Art of Changing
Define progress as taking 2 small steps forward for every step back.
Don't exaggerate your weaknesses.
Remember late is never too late.
Stick to the schedule.
Continue what you've begun.
Don't seek closure.
Think of being up in years as a novelty.
3.The Art of Changing
"Fools that we are-we pray for a long life but fear old age" Chinese proverb.
The best age-defying beauty tip-SMILE!
4. The Art of Knowing
"Nothing was so unfamiliar and startling to me as my own thoughts" Thoreau.
Repeated self examination is a matter of survival.

A quiz for you: What do these expressions really mean? (answers on a future post):
A face that launched a 1,000 ships
An Iliad of woes
The last infirmity of a noble mind
In 2 shakes of a lamb's tail
Knee-high to a grasshopper
Quicker than hell can scorch a feather
To fiddle while Rome burns
To flutter the dovecote
To walk the chalk
To wear callouses on your elbows
To know a hawk from a handsaw
To syncopate the long hand
*For each new word we learn, we create a 1,000 mental connections.
5. The Art of Shining
Become visible by stepping out of other people's blind spots. Don't age typically-be radical, be different: play soccer with the kids, go to a rock concert with teens, etc. We have to replace the old cliches about aging with brand new concepts that don't relegate any of us to invisibility.
To be an adult is to be on one's own.
Love your age, stand your ground, refuse to be labelled.
Never apologize for your age.
The secret of eternal youth-cultivate the art of not complaining.
6. The Art of Inspiring
Inspiring someone can be as simple as listening.
Love is an incentive for reaching beyond our usual capacities.
Plans are one thing, life is another-Claudette Colbert
7. The Art of Choosing
Bless the day when you discover that good is good enough and excellence is onerous.
Life is sweeter when the best is yet to be.
We can choose our mistakes and in doing so we can take full credit for the inscurtable prospect of tomorrow.
Personal differences can be shared in unison.
One way to save the world: Stash it away in your mind. Be the eyewitness of all you see. don't miss a thing. Be there when nothing can console a crying baby. Stay put even though a friend offends you. Don't look away when someone needs help. Be the designated observer of grief and wonder. Take an imprint of all moments and hide them where only you know, then take very good care of yourself.
Nothing is lost. All that you have ever seen is always with you.-Henri Cartier Bresson.
8. The Art of Succeeding
Celebrate others' successes.
New Rules of glamour:
Treat others as you want to be treated (sound familiar?)
Figure out what you do best and do it.
No meetings over 30 minutes!
Wearing off-rack clothes as if made for you
Wearying of generalizations
Replace youth with mystery
9. The Art of Laughing
Make them laugh by keeping a straight face. Laugh at yourself.
10. The Art of Becoming
We grow up one day at a time without ever being able to study the master plan (but we can know the Master!)
Don't look back to find out where you are going-the answer is ahead of you. Become someone you haven't met yet.
We are always the same age inside.

My own revelation: One thing I have learned about myself. I experience and think about everything that comes my way to the fullest. Perhaps this is why my mind is so crowded most of the time and why I am frequently on a roller coaster ride of emotions. The good parts are that I am very rarely apathetic and will probably have no regrets in the area of experiencing life to the fullest. The bad: those who know me have labelled me anxious, "spazzy", and emotional. My response: It is better than being bland or dull.

Enjoy all the existential writings.

Hope

2008-03-21T23:07:00.001-04:00

I could listen to this over and over...

...especially the lyrics:

Take this sinking boat and point it home
We've still got time
Raise your hopeful voice you had a choice
You've made it now
Falling slowly sing your melody
I'll sing along

On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness

2008-03-21T22:46:00.003-04:00

While not normally a fan of fiction books, Andrew Peterson has written a captivating, amusing, wondrous tale for all ages. On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness
really captivated my imagination and kept me wanting to know more about the wonderful, imaginary yet almost real world of the land of Skree.

In the quiet land of Skree, the Igiby children—Janner, his younger brother Tink, and their crippled sister Leeli—stumble upon the lost jewels of Anniera and determine to return them. Unfortunately, the scary-bad Gnag the Nameless seeks the jewels for his own evil ends… and so our band of friends, accompanied by their trust dog Nugget, must escape with the help of their mom and grandfather (who happens to be an ex-pirate). Their journey takes them through an inventively fantastical world of wonders, complete with memorable characters (like Gnag’s evil minions the Fangs and Peet the Sock Man), fanciful creatures (like sea dragons, snickbuzzards, toothy cows, flabbits, and bomnubbles), and captivating places (like the Books & Crannies bookstore, Shaggy Tavern, the Dark Sea of Darkness that divides the land of Skree from Anniera, the Glipwood Forest, Ice Prairies, and the Stony Mountains).

Through fast-paced storytelling, little ditties, songs, and poems, side-splitting asides, sensory descriptions of time and place, and characters rich in heart, courage, and smarts, Andrew Peterson has created a wondrous tale you’ll enjoy and treasure—just like those lost jewels.

As I read this, I wanted to know what happened in Anniera, who was the Sock Puppet man and how did he get like that, what were the family secrets and what were these jewels. Through rich imagery, funny stories, and rich descriptions, my mind painted a wonderful rich story.

I can't wait to read it to my children and see their faces as they follow the excitement of the Igiby children.

For another great review, read this review.