Family Self Portrait

Dap and Bam!

Over the past school year (and even now) the guys have always made a point of connecting with Carter when they leave to go somewhere. They always say goodbye with a handshake. I realized this morning, as Carter was saying goodbye to Tyre, that he seems to have a different handshake with each of them. I love it!

We love this smile...

Tyre waited all night to play Madden with Dan. For those of you who don't know... that's football. You would think after living with all these males for the last 2 1/2 years that I would have known it wasn't basketball. Anyway, Tyre was so happy when Dan was finally able to head down to the rec. room tonight.

*** I haven't forgotten about the link to Fred's story... for some reason it's still not available online. Hopefully we'll get it up soon. It was a great story! The bigger story is airing Sunday at 10pm on channel 5.

Tune in tonight...

Our local NBC station filmed a story this afternoon on Fred (and a bit on Joe's Place). Part of the piece will be airing tonight during the sports section of their evening news... I think at 6:20pm and then a bigger piece will air on Sunday night. I'll post the link for you out of town folks as soon as it is available.

Here's a picture from the filming this afternoon...

and... I of course couldn't leave out this little dude. He ran a 400m today... only stopping at about 200m to stop and wave at us from across the field. Here he is with about 50m to go...

Another reason our school is cool...

Tyre brought home a bag of lettuce grown in the school garden after his first day of summer school this afternoon. I don't recall ever seeing Tyre eat lettuce... but still... very cool!! Carter will also be working in a garden at his preschool (also a part of our district... just across the street from the middle and high schools) this Fall. I can't wait!

Checked back in...

for summer school! We're so glad he's back!! Carter actually screamed with excitement when Tyre walked into the backyard tonight!

Goodnight Hugs and Kisses...

At the Cards Game with the Phillips

-Dan

A little plug...

Actually... this is a BIG plug for Joe's Place. If you read our blog you know this place is very near and dear to our hearts. When we first started we had no idea how long we would be the houseparents here... but after seeing the HUGE need for a place like this in the community we LOVE... we are still here... and actually there is no other place we would rather be.

So... a program like this needs money and support to survive. I know a lot of you don't live in the area... but our 2nd annual wine tasting and silent auction fundraiser (The Art of Living) will take place in just a few weeks.


We missed the last one because we were out of town... but my friend, Sarah, was there and took some great pictures. It will be held in the same place (for you out of town Crossroads folks... our old church office) as last year... actually just a few blocks from the house here. Even if you can't make it... you can still donate money!!! Here's the link to the invitation and RSVP card. You can also check out our updated newsletter. There is a great write up on the auction and wine tasting. Just so you know... there will even be artists painting during the event. How great is that?!

You can send donations to:
Joe's Place
PO Box 3457
Maplewood, MO 63143

Hope to see you there!!

Gone but not leaving...

at least for now. I am actually REALLY thankful. This week has not been nearly as hard as I thought is was going to be. For those of you who don't know... the guys only stay here on nights that they have school the next day. That's why they aren't here on weekends, holidays or summertime (except that they are)... anyway... those are the "rules" of the house. The thing is... in the last 2 1/2 years these guys have become our family (and this place their home). How do you not spend holidays with family (and how do you not stop by your home)? So... the guys were all supposed to check out last Friday after graduation and the party we hosted here (I really will post about that soon). They have "checked out" but have not moved out. They aren't sleeping here... but they are still in and out a lot. I think it's turning out to be a great transition. I still make sure we have some of their favorite foods for when they stop by... and since all of their stuff is still here that happens a lot. I know eventually their stuff will be gone and they will be off to college... but at least it's not so final as I thought it was going to be.

Anyway... I snapped a pic of Fred one of the times he was here today. It's actually perfect because I've been meaning to do a post about two articles he's been in the last few weeks. Check out his shirt...

That was after their District Championship. The shirt they got after winning State is just as awesome. I'll have to get a picture of that as well. And... here are the articles. REALLY... if you have a minute you should take some time to check them out (especially the Athlete of the Week article)....

State Chamionship

Athlete of the Week (Fred's a little bummed about the picture)

A favorite...

I was halfway through a new post a few minutes ago when we lost power and I lost the whole thing!! So... I'm just going to put up a quick pic from the weekend... one of my favorites. This is my mom with Carter yesterday morning before she flew home. I just needed to say that she saved us this last weekend. I'll write more about that later... but for now here's the pic. Thanks again, Mom!

More coming soon...