Happy 14th Birthday Hannah!

July 26th, 2007! That was my youngest daughter Hannah's 14th birthday and it was one of my favorite Hannah birthday celebrations! When kids are young they have big expectations for their birthdays. There is a lot of fun that goes along with that and we have many great birthday memories but now that our kids are older, big birthday parties are no longer an expectation. Yesterday was one of those low key birthdays. First of all, yesterday was a Thursday so Dan and Jordan were off to work. Second, Bethany was away at softball camp for the week so that left Hannah and I home alone. Bethany was able to be home Wednesday evening for a few hours so we were all there to open a few gifts. We have all been burning the candle at both ends so I was glad when Hannah said that she planned on sleeping in on Thursday morning! I decided that if she was sleeping in that I was going to shoot for 8:30 myself. But around 8:10 the phone rang and it was "Jack In The Morning" letting us know that Hannah was the winner of the birthday boquet on 89.1 "The Spirit." We knew she wanted to sleep in but Dan and I just had to go say happy birthday from Jack. She smiled and went back to sleep. A few hours later she appeared and was ready to boogie. She had told me several times in the last two years that she was going to get her permit the day she turned 14. That's what they all say..right? Well, she wasn't kidding. First thing she did was to hand me the book she was studying in and had me ask her several questions. After that we grabbed the necessary items, birthcertificate and social security card, and were on our way to take that test. She informed me that if she passed she would be glad to drive me around on any erronds that I needed to do. "Ya right," I thought. Her dad and I have let her drive a few times in a church parking lot. I'm just sure I am going to let her start out on Collins Road. I wouldn't be surprised if that is the road in our city that has the most accidents. Well, she did pass and she did talk me into letting her drive. We started out in a parking lot. After several laps, a few attempts at parking between some yellow lines and some right and left turns we headed for some quite side streets. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. She was doing really well. A little closer then I like to be to the right curb but I was pretty calm for me. So after doing that for a while we decided to try 42nd street. 42nd is some 25mph and some 35 mph and is 4 lanes( 2 east and 2 west). We traveled about 3 miles on that road and drove around some residential streets off of 42nd as well. Hannah was beginning to feel quite confident and I could not believe that I had lasted this long on a first "non parking lot drive." I was actually enjoying myself. I thought it best to quit while it was going well so we went home to get some lunch. Later, we enjoyed going out and doing our nails together. Then Hannah got a surprise visit from her friend Brenda who brought her a wonderful gift. Hannah screamed when she opened it-an itunes card.

Later, Dan offered to take her out to supper but she opted for a quiet meal at home. Good thing

because not long after, her friend Brenda called and wanted to drop off a gift so we asked her to join us for supper. Soon after Brenda left, Susie and Morgan showed up, along with Susie's mom

(Hannah's second mom), and brought her a delicious birthday cake they had made. Yummy!

Thanks gals!

It was a wonderful day full of many surprises. But the biggest surprise to me was when Dan let Hannah drive to the airport that night at 10:30pm. It was dark and raining but off they went. Kind of a scary drive for the first day of a permit. They were going to welcome back some folks from our church who were returning from a missions trip. I opted out of that one! Of course it was because it was past my bed time, NOT because I had any qualms about the drive.

Hannah, Thanks for sharing your 14th birthday with your family and friends. Knowing you has brought joy unspeakable into all of our lives. You are beautiful and I love you. Mom

P.S. Drive Safely! :)

You're Blessed

Matthew 5

"You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and His rule. "

"You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.

"You're blessed when you're content with just who you are-no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.

"You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat.

"You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'care-full,' you find yourselves cared for.

"You're blessed when you get your inside world-your mind and heart-put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.

"You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God;s family.

"You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom.

"Not only that-count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens-give cheer, even!-for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.

This Road

This Road by ginny owens/kyle matthews

A million miles away from anything familiar
A thousand places Iwould rather be
So I choke back the tears and try to find the bright side
Though I find it hard to see beyond my suffering

In my heart I know Your plan is so much bigger
But this small part is all that I can see
And I believe You haven't left me here to wander
Still I can't help but ponder
where You're leading me

And I ask why this road?
Why this way? And this load?
Tell me how far must I go?
'Til I see, 'til I know why...this road?

A million miles away from anything familiar
What was it like to be so far from home
Though You came in love
The world misunderstood You
There must have been some days when You felt so alone
But You endured 'cause there was joy before You
Joy that came because You sacrificed
Since You gave Yourself just to spend forever with me
Surely I can trust You'll lead me through my darkest times

When I ask why this road?
Why this way? And this load?
Tell me how far must I go?
'Til I see, 'til I know why...this road?

From here I cannot see
Why You'd choose this path for me
But I don't have to understand to believe
That You know why this road
Why this way and this load
You know how far I must go
'Til I see, 'til I know why...this road.

"She Finnished Well"

Last night was senior night at the Kennedy
Softball field. We celebrated between games
by introducing our three awesome senior players: Bethany, Alyssa and Trysha! All three ladies played well in both games. After the games there was ice cream and cake for all of the players, their families, coaches and fans. Thanks to all of you who came out to see Bethany and the Kennedy Cougars play.
We appreciate all of your love and support.



























Bethany Coach Roalf Willie Boyd















Bethany and Tyler (our #1 fan)















Bethany and her friend, Mrs. Smothers















Bridget and Nathaniel came out for the game.
















Mrs. Leonard and Mr. Zaugg came to the game.
They are both parents of girls that Bethany has
played with in years past.
















Of course, Jordan and Hannah were there.
















Hannah had Morgan and Susie there too!

















Dennis Sharp, a youth sponsor from our church,
came to see Bethany play. Thanks for coming
Dennis.















Dan and I were there too and we couldn't be
more proud of our daughter Bethany. She has
shown awesome Christian character for 5 summers
of softball with the Kennedy Cougars. God not only
blessed her with a wonderful evening of softball
but He surrounded her with people who care for
her and shared in the evening with her.




















Congratulations #3! You have hung
in there through thick and thin. You
have shown love and respect towards
your coaches and teammates at all
times. You have been loyal to all of
your teammates no matter their skill
or status. You never quit on yourself
or your teammates. You have finnished
well. God is pleased with you and He
has used you to inspire and to teach
those around you.
We love you BK!......Mom

Birthday Buddies!

As I mentioned in one of my recent entries Dan and Jordan share the same birthday. We have many fond memories of these two sharing birthdays. Of course, my favorite memory is the original. Jordan not only came on the same day as Dan was born but only minutes away from the same time. What can I say? I tried really hard but some things are just out of our control.











On Jordan's 1st birthday he got a big cake
with one candle and Dan got a little cake
with 28 candles.



















These are birthday's #2 and 3 for Jordan and #29 and 30 for Dan.
Notice anything interesting? Yep! Dan had on the same shirt both
years.



















We spent Jordan't 4th birthday and Dan's 31st in
Worthington, Mn. with Dan's folks and his younger
sister Melanie.















Here is one of a few birthdays that we
celebrated at a Kernals Game!
This one is in 1997! Dan is 37 and J is 10!

















Dan and Jordan have blown out a lot of
candles together.



















This was a fun birthday. Mr. Conn was Jordan's teacher
on Wednesday nights at church. Mr. Conn also shares Dan
and Jordan's birthday so we had him and the entire
class over for a great game of dodgeball. When we added
up the total years to all 3 birthdays it came out to be exactly
100! That was cool! The year was 1999. Can you guess how
old Mr. Conn was?

















We celebrated Jordan's 13th and Dan's 40th at
Grandma's house in Manilla! I would say that
Dan had a little too much cake but as you can
see the cake hasn't been cut yet. I don't know
what got into him.















Three years later Jordan has the giggles.















In 2005 we were in DesMoines watching softball
games. Our hotel room had a moose in every room
and Jordan got quite attached to his. I'm sure that
was the idea! Get people loving the moose and they
will buy it for their child. Sorry! All Jordan got
was a picture. Uncle Mark joined us to celebrate
Jordan's 18th and Dan's 45th.













And that brings us to 2007! Jordan is 20 and
Dan is 47. The time has gone so fast. My little
baby boy is a 20 year old man. And my hubby
is...well he's...um 47.