Memorial Day Weekend

Al's Thursday morning Bible Memory Group.

The guy in the blue shirt next to Al, founded the group 30 years ago. Al has been a member for 28 years. These guys are amazing in their comittment to memorizing God's Word. Al says this discipline has had more impact on his spiritual life than anything he's ever done. I admire them so much!
Last Thursday night we had all the guys and their spouses to our house for dinner. We had a great time! Yummy food, intense prayer for a wife with horrible cancer and then the guys dazzled us with the first 5 chapters of Revelation (these guys memorize huge chunks of the Bible, not just a verse here & there). Anyway, it was wonderful. I just closed my eyes and let their voices speak truth over me. I loved it.
The next morning, Al left for Colorado Springs for a church workshop on the "Externally Focused Church". He went with 2 of our Pastors and together they crafted a plan to help our church impact our community in greater ways. It was a really good experience and I think they plan to attend the follow-up in November.
The kids were at the beach all weekend so I had the house all to myself. Yea! I spent a great deal of time in my jammies, in bed, eating bad for me food, & watching chick flicks on DVD. Yes I did get the laundry and ironing done, cleaned out a couple of kitchen cabinets, and watered the 9 flower baskets that Al has placed around the yard. but my time was completely my own. It was refreshing and wonderful.

Steve Fowler, Rob Childs & Al in Colorado.

Happy Memorial Day! It's raining in Salem so picnics and outdoor fun are out for today. I think Al and I are meeting friends for dinner tonight so that will be our big celebration. This morning I got up long before Al. My cardinal rule is no dogs in my bed. Somehow I managed to enforce that rule for the entire weekend. However, when I went into the bedroom earlier this morning, this is what I found...bad dog! Bad Al!

Passages, Primping, Projects, Pubs, Plaques & Pancakes

This was a fun weekend! On Saturday I went to Sarah Garlinger's 2nd birthday. It really is true that you should never have more guests than the age of the child. By the time I left, Sarah was overwhelmed and in tears. Yummy cupcakes gave her a new perspective and once again life was good!
From Sarah's party I rushed out to Maryanne's salon for a cut and color. My hair is finally the length I want it to be and Maryanne cut it just perfectly. I love it...especially when she styles it.
My next mad dash took me to The Halley Ford Museum where I connected with Al and JJ . We were there to honor Jana as she presented her final project and received her Administrative License. She did a fantastic job with her presentation and it was fun to hear the comments from her supervisor as well as her cohort members. She's an amzingly gifted young woman...if I do say so myself.
After Jana was finished I picked up Maryanne and we headed to Corvallis so she could meet AJ and his cohort members for drinks. She and I shopped around a bit till I had to head back to Salem for Jana's dinner/awards ceremony and AJ finished his class. AJ had no idea she was coming so it was a fun surprise.
This weekend was Iris Festival here in Keizer. It's a funky celebration of all things Keizer and all things Iris. Its small and local but it's kind of fun. Barack & Michelle Obama even showed up yesterday. Al and I took in the pancake breakfast this morning, checked out the art gallery and wandered around the Iris Gradens. It was a gorgeous day and a delightful time to be outside.

Chillin' at the Iris Test Garden

Why am I squinting? I'm in the shade!

Beautiful Riverfront Park

On Wednesday, Sarah & I went for a day at the park. The azaleas were in bloom and matched Sarah's shirt perfectly. As you can see she didn't like being shoved in the bushes but it was too cute to resist. After exhausting ourselves chasing around the park we just had to ride the carousel...3 times!

Waldo Turns 50

Waldo is the middle school that both Jana & AJ attended and where Jana currently teaches. Yesterday the school celebrated it's 50th birthday with a day long celebration. Former teachers & students, administrators, parents as well as past and present students and their families were invited. The mayor of Salem, Janet Taylor started the day with a welcome and a review of Waldo's impact on students and the community (her kids attended in the 80's). The rest of the day was filled with concerts and dances and food as 450+ people came & visited. Jana & I provided the hospitality and enjoyed seeing everyone that came through for cake & punch. It was especially fun for Jana to greet former students who are now succeeding at McKay High School. It was a good day!

Love yellow...not matchy matchy!

I've only got a few minutes before work so this will be quick. Monday night, the Salem Big Band played at one of our local pizza places. They are the ones who played at Jana & JJ's reception & we love listening to them. So Al, Dad & Jeanne headed to Wallery's for dinner and I met my Monday night girls for Mongolian BBQ. I showed up at the pizza place about an hour after everyone else and sat down across from Dad & Jeanne. And to my horror, they had on matching shirts (color). My Dad had his Les Lloyd smirk on and was just delighted when I commented how sick & twisted it is to dress alike. He & Jeanne burst out laughing because I reacted just as Dad had prerdicted. The whole thing was a set up just to make me crazy :-). So, to get back at them, I'm posting their picture so one & all can mock them whenever they see them. Enjoy!