Happy Father's Day, Dad!

This is my dad with Sophie, she was just a puppy then.



This is my dad with Elise when we were on our cruise in April.


Today is a day of mixed emotions. I feel so blessed by the dad that I have. However, my heart is heavy with sadness because I can't be there on Father's Day with him.

When I think back on my life growing up and even as an adult child my dad is such a part of who I am and what I believe. When I was growing up my dad worked hard and was not at home a lot of the time. He was usually at work. I don't remember a time when he went hunting, or just out with the guys. Although I know there were times that he did.

He was always around, but was hard for me to find sometimes. Now granted we did not always see eye to eye, especailly in my rebellious years. We did fight a lot but he is still the one I seek approval from.

My dad had his first heart attack in 1992, I think, It was at that time that the man I called my dad I barely knew. I was not going to let him pass without getting to know him. So I set out to get to know him. At first just observing who he was. I always thought my dad was lots of fun. He never met a stranger. He might not remember names very well but he was always friendly to everyone. Even today, he will scold me if I do not thank a waitor or waitress when they bring anything to the table.

He loved or should I say he loves the water, mostly lakes, but oceans are ok with him too. He was in the Navy and I am not sure if that is where he got the love from or not. He served in the Navy on submarines. He retrieved torpedos from the ocean. So he was a certified scuba diver, for a while. I never knew he dove until I was an adult and he would tell stories about his time in the Navy. Because of his love for the water, we always a boats of some sort....little johnboats, runabouts, cruiser, and even a houseboat. It is these times on the lake that hit me in my heart. We had lots of fun. But it never failed that when we went to the lake my mom and dad always had it out. That was not the times I like to remember. And yes I, would either end up in the emergency room or urgent care center. Dad used to tease me saying that I liked to check out everybody's health care facilities.

Back to the reason for the Blog. I want those of you who read my blog and have a dad close by you to visit on Father's Day to be very appreciative. My dad is far away and I could not make it home to him this year but you can bet your sweet beppy I will make it home next year.

Love Ya Pops!!!!!! See you soon.

Two Men and Me

Ok, this is a piece that I am working on for my writing class. Let me know what you think.

My Father

A man with few words to say,
but when he speaks I listen.

A man who loves people
but he might not remember your name.

A man who loves to work with his hands
his furniture fills our homes.

Man who loves the water
and passes it on to his children.

A man that fixes any problem
by rising early to begin his day.

A man with a garden
that he shares with his friends

A man who loves me
whether I deserve it or not



My Husband



A man that can bring laughter
with just his words.

A man who sees my flaw
but pretends they are not there at all.

A man who encourages me
his words fill my spirit so I can soar.

A man whom his daughter admires
whether he knows it or not.

A man that can bring tears
by giving just a look.

A man I share my life with
my happiness, my sadness, my all

A man who loves me
whether I deserve it or not

Holy Ghost It

Make your words sweet
You may have to eat them.

Denney's Est. 1990

Nineteen years ago today at 1:00pm at Christ Church United Methodist in Louisville, Kentucky Joel and I were married. We have been through a lot in our 19 years. Some good and some not so good. Some I would change some I would not. I guess all that we go through molds us into the people we are today. The one thing that Joel and I always do is put the Lord first. Sometimes that is hard because our own will gets in the way. We have made sacrifices but we have gained much.

Nineteen years in this day and time is something to be proud of. Here's to another year together.

All the Different Feelings of Summer

Actually, Summer starts tomorrow for me at 11:31AM. You see that is the time that school gets out for the last time for the 2008-2009 year.

These are the many feelings I have today. Tomorrow may change but for now...., I will leave it at that.

Excitement- That I am.
I am excited for the relaxed schedule of summer.
I want to spent time with Joel and Elise.
I also love reading during the summer. I have been known to stay up until wee hours of the morning just reading.
I am anxious about the upcoming school year.
I wonder about the children God will put in my care next year.
I am excited about developing second grade curriculum even further.

Regret- that may sound funny to you but regret always rears its ugly head at the end of the year.
I regret all the times I have failed to be the person God wants me to be.
I regret the relationships that have not developed the way in which I see they should have.
I regret missing all the little times that were available for me to show some one Christ, and I failed.

Sadness- This summer I am especially sad.
I have signed up for a summer class that meets Monday-Thursday from 8:30-3:30 starting June 9Th and does not end until the first week of July. Ouch. That really cuts into my pool time. I feel great sadness.


Happiness-
Happy that I have had such a loving class and parents that support me in my role as teacher.
And if I must admit it I am really excited to be finished with another year.

Love-
love for all 17 of my sweet little ones.
I also feel the love that they have for me.
Above all else, the love that God has for me.

Amazement- OK maybe that is not a feeling but WOW! Elise will be in high school next year. Am I really that old? No need to answer that, one look in the mirror and I will quickly know the answer.


As I wrap up another year, please pray with me for the students that are leaving my care and also for the students that will be in my room this coming year. Pray for the enrollment at school especially, in the second grade. Pray that God will reign above all else.

Pray for me as I begin the class that I will not be over anxious in the assignments that will be required of me and also that I will have an opened mind to hear what needs to be heard and to change what needs to be changed.

God Bless Everyone!

P.S. The class I have signed up for is the Writing Institute. Help I am not a writer.