Ryan

The Highlands Ranch High School Yearbook includes a section for parents to buy tribute pages for their graduating seniors. Here is the page I prepared for Ryan followed by each of the pictures. Today was the "due date" for the page, so it was also the "do date"!

It took quite sometime to gather pictures, get them scanned and re-sized, workup the layout, and decide what to write in tribute. But that was nothing compared to the time walking down memory lane as I went through hundreds of pictures to select these.

I was going for a "Circle of Life" concept with the page, starting from the precious baby and working around the circle to the grown senior. I hope Ryan loves and appreciates it as much I loved and appreciated partnering with Dave to give him life, raise him to 18, and prepare the gift of this tribute page :~)

I took this baby picture in the living room of our first house as Ryan sat in the middle of the great room with daddy's nike tennis shoe. Not only was the subject of the picture as cute as the dickens, I do believe it might be one of the best pictures I've ever taken (using Dave's 35mm). It was a rare moment in that first year of life that Ryan wasn't screaming, so the picture is quite special in many, many ways!Dave & Ryan & I went to Santa Barbara for my grandfather's 75th birthday party and snuck in a day at Disneyland ~ nobody could take their eyes off this delightful toddler stretching his wings along Main Street!
Now, who couldn't die for this kid? Ryan used this next picture in a autobiography he wrote in first grade. Under this wide-eyed picture, he wrote, "When I was 2, I was very very wilde. But I was cute to." Adorable I'd say!
No missing teeth ~ hmmm, this must be his 1st grade picture ~ growing up so fast, and so handsome as well!
I think this would be either 6th or 7th grade at this point... a great kid!
We were camping with the Brundages and fishing on Bart's dad's ranch this beautiful summer day... I chose this picture because it had both Ryan and Ashleigh. She's been "his" dog since the beginning and they've always been close.
Some of the greatest pictures ever are from Lake Powell and in this one, Ryan is not only cliff jumping, but doing it with some of the finest style imaginable!
Wakeboarding at Lake McConaghey in Nebraska... this is the most difficult of the water sports, well at least it is for the Farrells!
We had a great Fall Break in 2003 to Maui, this picture is from the balcony of our awesome condo. Ryan biked Halelakula with his Dad, snorkeled, parasailed, body surfed, and rock jumped in the waterfall pools on the Road to Hana.

And last, but by no means least, would be Ryan's senior portrait.

It's amazing to think that 18 years have passed already in his life and it's wild to dare to imagine what the next 18+ years will hold! Our prayer is that it will be a life of grace, peace, and love.
Ryan ~ We love you dearly and are blessed by who you are in Christ; the self-discipline you have with school, work, and finances; the dear relationship you have with Kelli; and the love you have for other people. Congratulations on your upcoming graduation and your next steps at CU Boulder. With an unending love, Mom & Dad

A Big Day for Drew

This morning Drew gets his braces off after 3 years and 9 months. It's been so long because he hasn't worn his rubber bands as he should have. Dr. Redd isn't happy that his bite doesn't close the way he would have liked but Drew is happy his teeth are straight and he'll be seeing them again.

This afternoon Drew starts his new job at the office supply store, his shift is 3 'til 8. He's pumped because all the people he visited with yesterday were so warm and welcoming. And ... Freeze (one of his best buds) works there already (but only a few hours a week now because it's basketball season) and it looks very promising that Rocky (his other great buddy) will start there shortly as well. If all 3 stay on task as good employees, then that should be very fun for them!

It's a big, happy, great day for Drew.

Teens

Yeah, it really was the best picture I could get out of him ~ so here are Drew's beautiful teeth after getting his braces off this week and all dressed up and headed out for his first day of work at Office Max.

And yeah, he really was happy and in a good mood, too. Welcome to my world ~ ha!

This evening we hosted a great gathering of Ranch and Canyon high school youth. Why didnt' I snap a few pix? I'm bummed when I miss that!

But anyway, we had dinner, cookies, lots of fellowship and sharing, and pondering upon Psalm 139 ...

For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.

O LORD, you have searched me and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD.
You hem me in—behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.
If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,"
even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!
Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you.

I love how much God Loves Us! Here are the amazing places our teens took the discussion based on this section of scripture ... we talked about celebrating our uniqueness rather than feeling compelled to live comparing ourselves to others. We talked about God's endless thoughts for each of us and how we should be less selfish in our thoughts for ourselves and think more of Him just as He does of us. We talked of the ethics of testing and changing genes and the questions of when does life start. We discussed what is AIDS, how HIV is transmitted, the disease of AIDS, and the safety in purity. And we talked of how we can be the love of Jesus to our friends ~ the value of our reaching out in love to those who are struggling with the temptations of drugs and sexual promiscuity.

I love these teens. It was a special night with lots of love and laughter. I love when we can help them think about their futures and their values. I love how in a small group they can build off of one another and get to know one another more personally. I love the special connection that happens with our own teens when they are in a group with other teens. I love that we are being blessed by blessing them. Now how cool is that?!

Trey

Trey, Trey with orange hair to play ...

He's handsome, he's a thinker, he's responsible, he's friendly, he's helpful to younger kids ~ he's Trey and he's 11 years old!

Trey is in 6th grade at our neighborhood school and performs well. His teacher has nominated him for the Leadership Institute and for the gifted and talented program at middle school next year. He brings home strong report cards and great marks for classroom contribution and behavior. He runs as fast as the wind and especially enjoys playing football. In addition to rooting for the hometown favorites (Broncos) he is also a Steelers fan.

His best buddies in the neighbor- hood are Brian & Jake who are two weeks older than Trey (their mommy & I waddled through pregnancy and bed rest together in 1994). They play everything from baseball, hockey, tennis, and basketball together. They enjoy bike riding and challenging each other in video games. Our first pictures of them together were when they were all less than a month old. This picture is from a couple of summers ago with Brian & Jake as well as other neighbor kids at a big camping trip we took to Lake Guernsey. We called them all the Yellow Jackets :~)

Trey really enjoys Karate with Sean and he loves wrestling with Sean more often now that they are in Karate (oh, they call it grappling!) He's a great reader and tends to pick fantasies like Eregon. When he gets hurt or angry, he leaves the situation and prefers to be alone and hidden. He takes better care of his "stuff" than any of our other boys and can get a bit possessive in the process.

Trey's home responsi- bilities are taking care of the dogs, loving on his favorite cocker Haley, keeping his (and Sean's :~) room clean, setting the table, dusting railings, operating the DVD for his parents, and doing "errands" throughout the house (Trey, could you get ...). We've enjoyed watching DVDs of the television series "24" and "Alias" together.

He is finishing up his last year of AWANA at the church because in June 2006 he'll start Youth Group which is an, "Oh my gosh he's growing up so fast!" thought for me.

Trey enjoys the many trips and adventures we take and is a great traveling companion. He thinks ahead, packs for all contin- gencies, and goes for the gusto. On our cruise this Spring, he enjoyed the swimming and hot tubs, great hotdogs 24/7, snorkeling, and the rock climbing wall. But his favorite was experiencing his dream of swimming with the dolphins in Cozumel!

Trey's a great kid with lots of balance to his life. He's dependable and pleasant. He's a blessing of responsibility, planning, and stability in our home ~ we are so happy God put him in our family!

Sean

Sean, Sean the very last one ...

He's cute, he's friendly, he's bright, he's talkative, he's wiggly, and he's kind ~ he's Sean and he's 9 years old!

Sean is a 3rd grader and one of the happiest guys you'll ever meet. He brings home great report cards, works hard at math and writing, and infuses joy to the classroom. He's active and participates. He gets along well with everyone and things are often described as "the best!"

His closest friends in the neighbor- hood are Sam & Lars. They enjoy bionicals, capture the flag, movies, runscape, sleepovers, cartoons, and being goofballs :~)

He and Trey are gold belts in Karate now and they love their classes 3 times a week, learning their akatas, and grappling with one another in the living room.

At home, his responsibilities are picking up the house, putting shoes away in the laundry room, emptying and loading the dishwasher (a frequent chore at our house!), keeping his room clean (which is not his favorite nor particularly well done), and taking things off & returning them to tables and counters for my dusting.

His favorite bear is Rappy who is named after Rhapsody of the Seas, the cruise ship we were on for 2005 Spring Break. He also has a soft kitty and squishy pillow that are well loved. He likes to fall asleep in my spot in bed ~ and I like that is all warmed up for when I'm ready to crawl in.. but he does tend to be crabby as I move him out of my bed in his sleep. His glasses are the first thing to go on in the morning, and the last thing to come off at night.

There are lots of laughs and smiles that come from Sean being in our home ~ he's a blessing of fun and exuberence ~ we are so happy that God gave him to our family!

I've caught a cold

My nose is tingling/stuffy, my eyes are puffy, and Ryan says that I might lose my voice tomorrow. I have a meeting in the afternoon to enhance a business plan and develop pro forma financial statements... I don't want to not have a voice :(

I'm going to bed!

Fruits & Vegtables

Pastor Paul has been preaching on Galations 5:22-25, "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control... since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit."

In one sermon, Paul noted that just as patience was a fruit of the spirit, impatience was a reflection of our sinful nature. Afterward, I asked him, "Is this true for each item on the list of Fruit of the Spirit ... is the opposite of each Fruit essentially a Vegtable of the Flesh?"

His response was, "Yes, each one has an opposite in our sinful nature that is a rotting vegtable :~)"

I've been pondering that quite a bit, as it seems an easy litmus test as to whether on a moment-by-moment basis I am walking with the Spirit and being transformed into the character of Christ or whether I'm limping along in my sinful nature being trapped and controlled by my fleshly responses. So I'm thinking through what that might look like ...

Fruit . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vegtable
of the Spirit . . . . . . of the Flesh

Love. . . . . . . . . . . . Self-Centered
Joy . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bitter / Whiny
Peace . . . . . . . . . . . Anxiety / Worry
Patience . . . . . . . . . Irritated / Judgmental
Kindness . . . . . . . . . Snappy / Rude
Goodness . . . . . . . . . Mean
Faithfulness . . . . . . . Unable to fulfil commitments
Gentleness . . . . . . . . Forceful
Self-Control . . . . . . . Wasteful / Unfocused

Gal 5:22-23 from the message translation reads, "But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard--things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.These are gifts from God, the key to our joy and contentment. As we give away our self-centeredness and release our flesh to the Spirit, as only happens in God's economy, we in giving away get more than we could have ever desired."

My prayer is to intentionally live God's way, moment-by-moment, controlled by His Spirit and producing His sweet fruit, rather than controlled by my flesh and producing rotten vegatables.

Computer Loft

The computer loft about to be transformed ...

Well, as I mentioned before, we are looking to furnish our computer loft. It is at the top of the stairs on the second floor with the bedrooms, and this is how it currently looks with its two Sam's tables (we took two large maroon recliners out yesterday before I snapped this pic).


Here is the design that we are considering. The office furniture store that designed my home office furniture did the graphics yesterday for us with furniture from the same manufacturer with the same finish as my office that we like so well.

And between my hair appointment & dinner yesterday, Dave and I found a green leather couch at the consignment (used) furniture store. We were able to borrow the cushion for a day. The couch actually bends on the two ends right where the loft railing bends. Jules, puppy Winston's mommy, likes it too (we had a nice visit last evening as she needled us for the U of A Wildcats, our alma mater, losing to her ASU Sun Devils, her alma mater, in the annual Thanksgiving Weekend college football challenge ~ grrr ~ the devils had no pitty on the kitty!).

So after Sunday School this afternoon, I think we'll be bringing home a new/used couch and ordering desks. Our teens will be thrilled since we've been talking about this for several months.

1.30pm update ... Dave went to pick up the couch and they don't allow pickups on Sunday (insurance ~ gotta' have warehouse guys load the merchandise and they are only there Mon-Sat)) and now Dave's not so sure about that couch anyway... oh well!

Late Nights & Early Mornings

Last night, Ryan & Drew decided that it was time for teens at the Farrells. I think we had at least a dozen, maybe even fifteen. Their friends are so special and awesome ~ it is always a blessing when they come to visit. After talking, laughing, playing pool & bumper pool, they settled in to watch the Kingdom of Heaven, a slow moving, but house rattling event.

After listening to the house rumble from the bass in the movie's music and awaiting everyone to leave, we went to sleep about midnight. The alarm at 6.45am came early, but once I got in the pool for Aqua Aerobics, it was oohhh sooo definitely worth getting up early. It had been several weeks since I had been, and this old body really needs me to care for it with water workouts on a regular basis!

We've been looking at furniture for the computer loft today ~ it's time to retire the $29 Sam's tables currently holding the boys' computers. But it's time for a break since I'm heading out for my "Every-six-months-whether-I-need-it-or-not" haircut and highlight with Leslie (who has been doing my hair since 1986). Then we get to have dinner with Robyn & Darold this evening ~ woo hoo!!

Dave's Been Busy!

On Tuesday, Dave found these shelves for the ship models I had purchased for the basement. He mounted them, caulked them, and painted them to match the wall. I love how cool the ships look.

He was so pleased with how they looked that he went on rampage and in a few short days made 10" window sills for all five basement windows.

He hand measured and cut the boards to fit the windows, created a lip on the back to accomodate the window frame, and used his router to create a really neat engraved lip around the outside. He used baseboard for the supports underneath and with 45 degree cuts capped them off with a bit of baseboard.


Then he shimmed, nailed, caulked, spackled, sanded, primed, and painted them. They are big enough for drinks if people care to use them for that. If not, then they just look wonderful :~)

Dave's so handy ~ I love how he creates "home" out of our house!

Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire

Well I've now seen my second Harry Potter movie. As Dave was out (he usually takes the kiddos to the movies), Trey asked me to take him along with Sean and a neighbor friend. In an effort to step up teaching the kids about money, I had them buy their own treats at the movie ~ they really seemed to enjoy taking their allowances to the counter and choosing their Icee and candy, but I digress!

I was surprised at how "dark" this 6th Harry Potter was (colors, themes, scariness, spells & magic); although it's ben awhile since I watched my first one, so my observation can't be taken as a contrast to the prior shows. Young kids would definitely be scared, like with the evil witch of Wizard of Oz fame (except the whole movie was like the dark forest of monkeys). The story-line was well written with a classic battle of good vs evil and the importance of life and friendships.

When Harry Potter came out in the early 1990's, we had recently become Christians and there was a vocal section in the Christian community appalled at the evil and magic in Harry Potter. We passed on HP at the time, because there was no compelling reason to read/watch the tale at that time, so it was easy to decide that if there were some who thought it bad, that it was just as easy to pass. Ryan & Drew still needle us for not letting them go on a fieldtrip in elementary school to see the first movie nor read the stories!

This year I also finally watched the Lord of the Rings triologies and would say that I don't see much difference between LOTR and HP ... both have powerful evil, magic, and are dark tales of fantasy. Since J.R.R. Tolkien was a Christian, and close contemporary of C.S. Lewis (who has written the beloved Chronicles of Narnia and powerful books as Mere Christianity), it seems that the Rings have avoided the stigma of the segment of the Christian community that has taken on J.K. Rowling's Potter. And it can't be simply because Potter glamorizes magic at Hogworth (sp) as the Elven magic of the Rings was quite glamorized as well. Perhaps it's because in Potter, the kids that are learning to master to magic. In any event, it's a topic that is likely beyond me to sort through. But undoubtedly we'll get a bit of grief from Ryan & Drew for years to come on this one!

Back to Christmas preparations ...

Shopping On-Line

The biggest shopping day of the year ...

I'm shopping online for Christmas today. It's neat how more and more and more options are developing online to supplement the "brick-n-mortar" stores. I am so happy to not deal with traffic, parking places, crowds, and lines when it isn't necessary.

Dave & Drew are headed to Peak Office Furniture now to look at desk options for our loft. We're thinking that since it is a business store, it will be less crowded than usual today. They're also going to drop off applications for Drew at a hardware store and a sub-sandwich shop. My mom suggested that Drew apply at places he could use his strengths in computers & technology and I think Dave & Drew will use that idea and stop by some other places for applications today as well. Ryan got called into work about an hour ago, so he's out and about already today as well.

It's gorgeous outside ~ I'm going to have Trey & Sean get showered and outdoors to play. Then, it's back to web-surfing for me looking at some special things I have in mind for Christmas gifts this year :~)

Thanksgiving

The big gobble, gobble day...

In the past, I've ventured to ask my guys if they'd like to do something different for a change on Thanksgiving, but whenever I have, the answer all around is, "NO!"

So this special day always looks the same and the tradition goes unbroken. As always, this year we had a huge turkey; stuffing made from apricots, almonds, hot italian sausage, onions, celery & plenty of butter; mashed potatoes beat with butter, cream cheese, & sour cream; yams baked with butter, brown sugar, & marshmellow; green bean casserole with french onions; and corn with onions, celery, bacon, & sour cream. The boys drank egg nog, Dave & I had wine (an australian shiraz this year), and Ryan & Drew ate the turkey legs. Dinner is timed for half-time of the afternoon football game. Pumpkin cheesecake comes later in the evening (but we haven't yet cut into it!)

There were some great enhancments to the traditional feast this year, beyond having a shiraz instead of riseling ;-) The reason the guys like to stay home is for:

1. The traditional dinner
2. Sleeping in
3. Football
4. Friends

The food & sleep were great as always :~) but it was the football and friends parts that were especially wonderful this year.

The BRONCOS played the Cowboys in the traditional Thanksgiving 2pm game from Dallas. And our Bronco's won 24-21 in overtime (taking just two plays to score). Woo hoo! What a game, especially for Ryan who celebrated, or grieved, most of the plays. That takes them to a 9 win - 2 loss record for the year. We splurged this summer and bought tickets for the Broncos-Colts game on Dec 11th and the Broncos-Raiders game on Dec 24th, so the guys are pretty pumped about this rocking season and the upcoming games in person.

And the FRIENDS were many this Thanksgiving, including a visit from our new neighbor's puppy Winston (and family & friends), all the younger kids in the neighborhood playing, a younger kid sleepover, and visits with Ryan & Drew's girlfriends. We also visited on the phone with my mom in Tucson and Aunty Cris, Charlie, Grandpa & Char in San Diego.

And Dave and I had SPECIAL thanks for 20 years of marriage ~ because yes indeed, it was our 20th anniversary as well. Taa Daa!!

Life is SO good ~ Thank you God!