JUST THE RIGHT FLAVOR!!!!!

Wouldn't you love to sink your teeth into this?  Even my guys who like things "burnt" in my estimation wouldn't eat it!

It is called picking Zachary up late from work and forgetting that the oven was still on.  It is definitely a burnt sacrifice (supposed to be garlic bread, ha!).

YOU CAN DO IT...AND, SHE DID IT!!!!!

Betsey is TEACHER OF THE YEAR!!!!!  We are so proud of you! 

We started our day at 4:00 a.m.  Four people showered, dressed and breakfast eaten and we are off at 5:45 a.m.  Not bad, if I do say so myself.

Here are a few shots from our day.

Betsey, we are so proud of you!  I knew you had it, but it is so awesome for other people to know it too!  Congratulations!

A WALK IN THE PARK, RIGHT!?!?!?!?!

Today, Dad & I took our usual two-mile walk down the street.  On our way back, a lady was starting to throw away a perfectly good watermelon.  We haven't had one this year because I refuse to pay $4 for a tiny watermelon.  But, oh I wanted one!  Dad said, "No, thank you."  I said, "Why are you throwing it out?"  It look perfectly good.  She said they were leaving for Tennessee and it would rot by the time they got back.  I wanted it.  I said, "Yes, we'll take it (turned to Tim and said), YOU can carry it home."  We laughed, took the watermelon, thanked the lady and started walking.  Then I realized that we weren't half way home yet.  Tim carried the watermelon about a mile.  He switched back and forth from each shoulder, then he carried it in his hands.  I kept offering to carry it, but he refused.  It was a man thing to take up the challenge to get it all the way back home.  I offered to hide it under a tree, walk home and take the car back to pick it up.  But, the challenge was on!

One tired watermelon carrier...

Thank you for carrying it all the way home - I will enjoy this treat thoroughly!

What do you do with a banana that is rotting minute by minute?  The answer...

Only a boy...!

AND, THEY'RE OFF!!!!!

Sunday, August 3, began Zachary & Elyse's first mission trip.  They are heading to Traverse City, to work with under privileged children in a program similar to VBS.  Zachary is in charge of the Bible lessons (which he wrote by himself).  Elyse is in charge of crafts.  She has worked hard finding a craft, ordering the supplies and keeping records of money spent to get reimbursed.  Zachary worked hard too, although he would tell you he was going to "wing it."

On the way to church to meet the rest of the gang.

A week's worth of junk for two people...

The whole gang, 15 students and four leaders.  Their fearless leader is on the far left with the white t-shirt.

A funny part about this trip is the showers they will be using.  They have to pay a quarter for 2 1/2 minutes of water.  The week before going, they timed their showers.  Zachary wanted to shave, wash his hair and shower under the first quarter's worth of water.  HE MADE IT!  Elyse did a regular shower under the 2 1/2 minutes, but it would NOT include washing all that beautiful hair.  Zachary wanted to take six quarters for the week.  He was sure he would only spend that much money.  We sent them with a roll of quarters each.  We'll see how many quarters they return on Saturday.

Thank you to all who supported them financially.  Thank you for your prayers for them - they are so excited.