Nick, Jason and the Water Balloon

What do you need to fight summer boredom? A friend and a large water balloon.

ALMOST!

Nick is still waiting on that first Baseball win. Last season, the team went Oh-fer. This year, same story. However, last night's game against Bonefish Grill (arguably the best team in the division) was GREAT! Though the Stingrays lost 12-13, that represents their best offensive output EVAH. Nick scored two runs, stole three bases, notched his second RBI of the season and made two great defensive plays at third base. The team had the lead for most of the game, but the guys were very upbeat since this is the team that drubbed them 22-4 last time they met! WTG!

FLOWERS AND BIRTHDAY

Linda enjoyed fresh cut flowers and a homemade birthday card from the kids. Me? I bought her an MP3 play to use when working out. Another year. May she have dozens more!

Jason by way of Idaho

Last summer, Nick was able to reconnect with his best bud from Haiti (Jason) at the New Mexico Family Camp. This year, Jason joins us in NC for three weeks of summer vacation time. Great kid. Not a picky eater. Sleeps in. PERFECT houseguest!

Graduate Nick

I always thought fifth-grade graduations were kind of silly idea, but now that I have a fifth-grader I can't really say that out loud, can I? Friday was the last day of elementary school for our first-born, so we all dressed up. It turned out to be a very nice ceremony, much to my surprise. Plus, Nick and eight others in the fifth grade were awarded the President's Award for Educational Excellence! woo-hoo! (sorry about the fuzzy picture) Way to go Nick. Next year, it's off to Turrentine Middle School.

Where the Heck is Rowlett

Just got back from a trip out to Rowlett, Texas, which, btw, is over 1,200 miles from Burlington NC. I drove out with my buddy Levi Lowry who's moving out there to start a new church. Rowlett is just east of Dallas, but I didn't get to see much of it. I did, on the other hand get to see the Davises! We spent the night with them in Chattanooga before heading on to Texas.

Things I found out about Levi while on this trip: He can drive 4 hours without stopping; he will go to great lengths to shop at a place called "Becky's;" he has a great new house in Texas!

Becca's Term Project - Haiti

Becca was excited about her last project of the third grade. She got to pick any country in the world and make a report on it. Of course she picked HAITI. She tackled it with gusto. It was fun to see her excited about the project and learning more and more about her favorite place!