Ingathering

You may have seen Blake and Gabi in the newspaper this weekend. About once a month, they volunteer at the local food bank and this visit happened to also be the big gathering of supplies and donations from UMCs all over Arkansas, called the Ingathering. Gabi felt famous from having her picture in the statewide paper and wondered if she'd get a limo. A lavender limo.

Here are a few of the pictures from the newspaper's album. You can see more of the paper's coverage from Ingathering here.

And they even got t-shirts:

So, I went to Gabi's School.....

and it ended up being covered by the newspaper. They are doing a social studies unit on Africa and so when her teacher found out what I do for a living, she asked me if I could come talk to the students. So I took some prints and a little power point on a flash drive and showed them some cool African art. The teacher also let me do a project with them... we did stamping Adinkra style. I had a blast!!! By the way, Gabi's back is in the upper left corner of the picture, wearing her "class of 2020" shirt.

Micah's in an ad... sort of

You may remember Micah's classic statement that when he cries, it rains on his cheeks, well...


I post some on an internet site for moms, and they have places to contribute pictures, stories, and cute things kids say. Apparently they think Micah really has a way with words because they are using his "kidism" for an ad for their new site. Admittedly, they placed his words in some little girl's mouth, but hey. We were hoping for some publicity for the boy.

In the News

This weekend, the back cover of the local paper featured the church's recent mission trip, including pics of Blake.

Then the same day we got the school district newsletter, and there was a picture of Gabi and I at her end-of-year program in May.

Maybe Micah will get some publicity soon.

Introducing the Student of the Month

Last night we went to the school board meeting where one student from each school was awarded a certificate signed by the superintendent. Gabi's principal and teacher introduced her and talked about what a great student she has been from the first day of school. They said kindergartners aren't often given this award, but she had been nominated because she had made a big effort to be the "Class Buddy" to the new girl in her class, and done a great job at making her feel welcome. This is the picture from the district website which will also run in the local newspaper. We're so proud!

Kindergartners in the News

The Kindergärtners from Gabi's school were in the paper this weekend, showing off the snowmen they made (although I think Gabi's is a snow princess). Up on the right is Gabi's friend Evan. Below is detail of the picture with Gabi in it, on the right. Of course the day she makes it in the newspaper is the day I let her fix her own hair, LOL. Gabi said the president took her picture, but we think she means the principal. :)

Random Odd News

Gabi is done being a preschooler. Had her last day of TLC today.

A deer ran down our street today. Actually on the lawns across the street. I'm neither kidding nor hallucinating, although my only witness is Micah who said, "Mom, dat a dog?" But give the kid a break, it was running realllllllly fast and usually when an animal runs through the yard, it is a dog.

Apparently, when they made mother's day cards last week at preschool, they went ahead and made father's day cards, too. Each of them have a portrait of the parent by the child, and the teacher recorded the child's answer to a few interview questions. I thought it was funniest that when they asked how old I am she answered "31," (right-o!) and when they asked how old Blake is, she answered, "like my mom, except not one, it's two." He's 32.

Blake and I are going to Vegas! We booked the trip! In June for our 10th anniversary. Now--- should we renew our vows with Elvis?

Handsome Pastor in the News