Let me brag a little

I just wanted to brag on my Zach tonight. He went to Ruston Saturday morning to the district literary rally. His subject, geometry. Yes, my son is really good at math and subjects related to math. He makes As in math and chemistry. Yeah, Zach. Now, I have to tell you that math was my worst subject. I am sooooo glad he didn't need his mama's help very much when it came to homework. He got his math skills from my daddy I guess. My dad was always good at math, so good in fact, that I couldn't let him help me with my math homework because he just couldn't understand why I didn't get it; and I didn't get it.

He left Sunday morning at 5AM for FBLA State in Baton Rouge. On his way to Baton Rouge he got word that he scored 4th in the district in geometry, so, he gets to go to state in rally. Not to bad for a boy who's mother is a math dummy. He got 1st at District FBLA conference in Shreveport last month in spreadsheet application. (I'm not sure exactly what that is but he must know.) This is how he got the opportunity to go to state conference this past weekend.

Zach is a good kid and smart. I am so proud of him. He is always a lot of fun to be around. A big ol' cut-up, that loves to do things to makes people laugh (got that from my dad too). Let me prove that to you with this video.

I made this video at the American Cancer Society Relay for Life last year. Zach and Brandon decided they would enter the Mr. Relay beauty contest to help raise money for cancer research.(such good boys) They were judged on their beauty, evening gowns, talent and the amount of money they raised during the pageant. Our boys were the big winners: Zach got Mr. Relay and Brandon got 1st runner-up. (If for some reason Zach couldn't fulfill his duties, Brandon would get the title.) When you see this you will know why they got top honors. Be warned, the laughter is contagious.

Click on the link to watch:

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=36098855

This past December we participated in the Grizzle House 5k run in Memphis to help raise money for St. Jude. We were running with Team Jake. The first picture in this post is at the Christmas Festival in Homer where our Homer members were raising money for the team. Here is Zach coming across the finish line in Memphis. I love that my child loves to help other people.

Here is another example of how he helped someone. Back in 2005 Zach and I went on a mission trip to Juarez, Mexico with our church, FUMC Homer. I had gone on this trip for three years and he always wanted to go. I decided 2005 was his year. He would have to miss a whole week of school (which was perfectly alright with him) so I had to ok it with the school. At the time, he was going to Mt. Olive Christian School. I knew Mrs. Gantt wouldn't have a problem with a mission trip. I will never forget what she told me when I ask about Zach being gone and explained why. She said, "Zach will learn more in that week than he can possibly learn here at school". And she was absolutely correct. The October trip was for the adults because the kids were all in school, so Zach was the only kid on the trip. He had a blast and made friends with some of the older people of our church and community that he probable wouldn't have otherwise. I mean older as in older than a teenager, just to clarify.

Here he is hard at work filling the footings with concrete.

Up goes the walls of what will be a new house for a family that desperately needs it.Zach wanted to be a part of every step of the house building. The more he got to do, the happier he was.
This is the door step they poured with left over concrete. Zach went out and found some rocks and placed them in the concrete in the shape of a cross so the family would think of Jesus each time they walked through the door. Wow, that still chokes me up.
Being 13 years old, it can't all be hard work now can it? Zach, with the other teenagers, Tom Crocker and Mike Cullen had to play around a little. I don't think Zach will ever forget how much fun he had with these guys.
Brother Larry and Zach decided they would rest for a few minutes.
We always take a lot of candy and toys for the kids. Zach enjoyed handing out the goodies to the kids. One of the boys that we were building a house for had a basketball. He would take that ball and throw it in the giant holes that were all around his house and then run after it. I think that was all he knew to do with it. Then one day Zach and Wesley found an old basketball goal in the dump and brought it back and got it all set up for the boy and showed him how to shoot baskets. That kid was so happy and Zach had a good time playing basketball with him. Yes indeed, Zach did learn a lot that one week.
The pastor of the church and the founder of the Proyecto Abrigo Ministry, Jose Louise, asked Zach to read from his Bible during the dedication of the house that our team built. He couldn't believe he was asked to do that and was very honored to do so.

After the house was dedicated to the honor and glory of Jesus Christ, we had communion with the family the house was built for. Bro. Larry again asked Zach to help by serving the bread. What an experience that entire week was for him and for his mother. I am so thankful I was a part of his first mission trip. I hope it is the first of many. Oh, and did I mention I love that my child loves to help others?

Zach, your mama loves you very much and I am very proud and thankful for the young man you are becoming.

For some reason I just felt the need to brag on my oldest. And I thank you for letting me.

Charlene

Red Envelope Day

I got this in an email from Melissa today. I just had to pass it on my blog. I have no idea where it originated but I know where it should end. What a great idea for those of us that think abortion is a horrible, unacceptable thing.

We are going to be participating in this and hopefully, you all will as well. I am getting my red envelope ready today and scheduling a reminder on my computer I am passing this along, because I thought perhaps you would like to participate in Red Envelope Day, on March 31, 2009.

Get a red envelope. You can buy them at Kinkos, or at party supply stores. On the front, address it to:

President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington , D.C. 20500

On the back, write the following message. "This envelope represents one child who died because of an abortion. It is empty because the life that was taken is now unable to be a part of our world".

We will mail the envelopes out March 31st, 2009. Forward this event to every one of your friends who you think would send one too. I wish we could send 50 million red envelopes, one for every child who died [in the U.S ..] before having a chance to live. It may seem that those who believe abortion is wrong are in a minority. It may seem like we have no voice and it's shameful to even bring it up. Let us show our President and the world that the voices of those of us who do not believe abortion is acceptable are not silent and must be heard.

Barack Obama spoke at a Planned Parenthood Action Fund event, uttering the now infamous line, "Well, the first thing I'd do as president is, is sign the Freedom of Choice Act. [Applause.] That's the first thing that I'd do."

An empty red envelope will send a message to President Barack Obama that there is moral outrage in this country over this issue [The Freedom of Choice Act, which will essentially “undo” every law currently in place to limit abortion in the U.S. (i.e., parental consent laws, parental notification, waiting periods, prohibition of transporting a minor girl across state lines to obtain an abortion, etc.)]. It is a quiet, but clear message of protest. I'm getting my red envelopes ready. How about you?

If you are not familiar, you can read more about The Freedom of Choice Act here:

http://www.lifenews.com/nat4359.html<http://www.lifenews.com/nat4359.html>

<http://www.barackobama.com/2008/01/22/obama_statement_on_35th_annive.php>

http://www.jillstanek.com/archives/2008/07/one_year_annive.html

So there you have it friends. It may seem like a small thing, to send a simple red envelope to our president, oh, but what a huge message it will send. Let's all pray that there are no more lost babies that are never given the opportunity to be born into this world and pray for those mothers that are trying to make the decision that will affect the life of their unborn child and their own lives.

Charlene

P.S. Someone sent me a comment about this post that says you can go to www.redenvelopeday.com and schedule a red envelope to be sent for you on March 31. Check out the website for more information. I would like to thank the person that sent me the address to their website.

Let's go back a little bit

Last week I was on facebook just checking out some friends. I had recently added some friends I went to school with in 1st - 3rd grade at Claiborne Academy. Some of these "old" friends I still see around every now and then and some I haven't seen in years. That got me to thinking about my friends from elementary school, like my very best friend, Kayla. She lived on the street behind my house so we not only saw each other at school but also at each others house. Do you remember the days your mom would allow you to walk around the neighborhood all by yourself and she didn't have to worry about some crazy person snatching you up? The only thing I worried about when I was walking to her house was the dog that lived across the road from her that would try to attack me every time I walk by. As I remember, it was a little dog but it had the biggest bark I had ever heard and I'm sure it didn't really try to "attack" but I know it scared me every time. Anyway, I decided I would just give it a shot and see if I could find Kayla, hoping she had gotten into world of facebook. It took me all of about 3 minutes to find a Kayla Harris Johnson that graduated from Ruston High School in 1983. One look at the picture and I knew it was her. I sent her a request to add her to my friends and I was so excited to hear from her in less than an hour. At that point, we started catching up on the last 30 years.

In third grade (I think it was) Kayla's parents moved her away from me and took her to all the way to Ruston. It may as well have been on the other side of the earth to a 9 year old. When I was little we didn't go to Ruston much, now we hop in the car and go to Ruston all the time. I can still remember how sad I was the day she left.

I went over to my mom's house last night to help her clean out some closets and look at the pictures I found. This is one of my birthday parties (I don't know which one). There is my little brother, Keith (looking like he is ready to dive right in), Kayla, me, Susan Camp and Amy Hightower.
Then another birthday party at the park. At this one was Cathy Copeland, my cousin Ann, Kayla, me, cousin Sylvia, Susan Camp and Keith. (Sylvia, I found some of me and you I'll be posting soon, keep watching)
This picture is of the 1971-72 1st grade class at CA. I didn't even remember having this picture so I was very excited to find it. Look at all those sweet, innocent little faces. Mrs. Hays may have not thought we were all so innocent but she loved everyone of us. There is Kayla in the 2nd row, 1st desk. I am in the 5th row, 4th desk. I can still name almost everyone in this picture. There are only 2 or 3 that I can't remember their name. I'll do my research though and find out. I hope you can enlarge this picture and take a good look. Remember the Rebel Review? It was a big program they put on at the school every year. We were in first grade here. That's me on the far right, beside me is Natalie Burchum, then Kayla, I can't tell who is beside Kayla, then Linda Lowe, Patrica Johnson, and I think, Amy Hightower.
Kayla came back to visit me one summer after she had moved to Ruston and we moved from Willow Street to the country. She reminded me of the visit. Her memory is so much better than mine. Sometimes I need a little nudge to get my memory working. This picture of Kayla was made in Aug. 1975 while she was visiting me. Just look at that sweet face.I know I have more pictures from those days, this is just all I found in one closet at my mom's house. I'm still looking.

We were in high school the last time I saw Kayla. She came to Homer with her dad to visit some friend. She was uptown with Scott when I saw here. We figured it has been close to 30 years since we have seen each other. She lives in Baton Rouge now, married with four children and a new son-in-law and a worship leader at her church.

Kayla has a blog and I think you should go read it. You can find the link on my profile page under the blogs I follow, Worshipping Warriors. She has a beautiful way with words and she is so in love with Jesus. For those of you that are from this area you have probable heard of her father, Glenn Harris. He writes hunting and fishing stories for several papers. She certainly shares his gift. I have often thought I would get in touch with Mr. Glenn and get her address and just never did, not sure why. I guess life just got in the way. I hate to think of all the years we lost by not staying in touch. I would loved to have been there at her wedding and for her to have been at mine, and to have shared in the joy of the birth of each of her children and for her to have shared my joy at the birth of mine and there to help her with all the many details of planning and preparing for the wedding of her oldest child this past summer. But, that wasn't God's plan. I believe God's plan was for us to reconnect last week and start a "new" friendship as adults.

My suggestion to you is this: if you have an old friend you haven't talked to in a long time and would really like to get back in touch with, do it. Believe me, it is well worth it. Kayla, I hope you enjoy the pictures.

Thanks for letting me share this exciting time with you guys.
Charlene

Guess who's birthday is today

It's Grant. Happy birthday!!! (Ignore the goof behind him). Still looking good after all these years.

We went to Mamaw and Papaw's house for a birthday lunch for Grant and Papaw. Their birthdays are only 8 days apart (and 30 years). This is Grant and Papaw posing. Now, do you see where Grant gets his good looks?

Since we were all there I took the opportunity to take pictures of the pretty little girls running around. Shea loves climbing in the trees in their yard. Sydney, on the other hand, is not quite as comfortable with tree climbing. Uncle G had to help her get up there.
I guess up in the trees are the only place these two go where they aren't wiggling around like little worms. Wow, they are girls on the go and I mean going all the time, they don't stop for nothing. Well maybe just to strike a pose.Can you see that Shea is missing most of her front teeth? See lost three in about two weeks.
And I certainly can't leave out little Gemi. She is scattin' around everywhere now too. Look out, she will be climbing trees before you know it. Aw, look at Suzanne, she is such a good grandmother.

We missed our other girl, Kaleigh. She couldn't be there yesterday.

OK, back to the original reason for posting this blog today. HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANT!!! I hope you have at least 45 more.

Charlene

It was COLD in HOT Springs!!

Grant and I meet cousin Sylvia and her family (less Clint; we missed you Clint) and several of their friends in Hot Springs this past weekend. We had a great time but dang it was cold!!

Sylvia and Chip's daughter, Jessica, turned 21 last week. Now that she is "legal", she wanted to go to the horse races. Here is the beautiful birthday girl. It's hard to believe she is 21 and my niece Nicole, will be 21 in April. Time sure flies. Check out Sylvia's blog, http://www.weldonwatch.blogspot.com/, for some pictures of Jessica throughout the years.

Here's a picture of the board at Oaklawn. I know you can't see it but it was snowing when I took this picture. When I called Shea to tell her, she asked me to take a picture of the snow. I forgot my camera so I had to make this one with my phone.

Sylvia took one of Grant and I outside for her. (Look behind us, that bush has eyes).

After the races, we went to Outback to eat. Our waiter brought Jessica some ice cream for her birthday.



After dinner, we went dancing at Smileys. We had a really good time, great band, but I think everyone in Hot Springs was there. Grant and I even danced. It's been a long time since we have done that.

This picture shows how the evening ended. Shoes in hand and check out the band-aids on Sylvia's feet. Nice shoes, but not dancing shoes.

I enjoyed meeting Sylvia and Chip's friends. I have heard so much about them. I can see why Sylvia hangs out with them. They were all a lot of fun. Sylvia, thank you so much for inviting us. And, Jessica, I hope you had a good time.

Charlene