we have been hanging out at our old stomping grounds
where it all began...
notre dame!
it has been suh-weet to be back
(ok---there really is something special about being on campus...)
we are totally like those old alum who walked around campus saying
"remember when...."
checked out the notre dame/san diego state game--our first nd game since we graduated
(yeah, almost got beat..almost...)
bryant TOTALLY embarrassed the family...
omgosh! what a groupie!
he's yelling "go, irish", taking pictures like he works for sports illustrated and, in general, acting
like a crazed fan. the kids are like---daddy is so embarrassing! but then we remember that he has
never experienced the game day excitement because he was always the one getting
ready to play. (still, my husband lost his daggone mind on the sidelines!)
bryant and i got to sit in the press box and meet father john (the pres of the university--who was totally chill for a priest and president--hee hee) bryant received the harvey foster humanitarian award at halftime which was also nice because we got to go on the field and wave that "i feel dumb beauty pageant wave".
i have been busy supporting the local economy at chikfila (lived here for four years and never knew there was one so close---sad, i know) AND i found a scrapbook store! (a huge, ginormous one--woohoo!)
we took the kiddies to amish country this week (indiana has the third largest population of amish). it was so cool to see the old and new living together. kind of hard to say which is better--we can appreciate the simplicity with which the amish are called to live. BUT they do not allow themselves to be photographed (like NO photos at all in their homes) bryant was like --there goes your scrapping! (not funny, dude)
here are pics...
at the pep rally friday before the game. the kids thought the marching band was AWEsome. definitely brought back old memories. by was one of the people who spoke to the team...
but the best part was after the pep rally when we saw KEITH! keith is nd fan #1. he was here when we were in school. he came to every home game faithfully (rain or shine) and was always encouraging. he is such an inspiration and loves the Lord dearly! we were wondering if he was going to be here! so far, he has been THE highlight of our trip. cerebral palsy has taken a lot of his mobility and speech but his heart can never been contained by his wheelchair!
we got field passes for the game and got to take the older two kiddies on the sideline pregame. nd's irish guard (do they really wear anything under that skirt--oops, kilt?)
our "rudy" moment in the tunnel
the kiddies before the game...
in front of the library (aka"touchdown Jesus")
inside the stadium..
after the game...
photos from our "fieldtrip"
one of the things that we have been seeing is how God has been moving throughout history and different people in our country. we had the opportunity to visit the meno-hoff museum which tells the history of the amish/huttites/mennonites and explains their chosen lifestyle. it is so intriguing! bryant and i were talking about how they are, through their chosen lifestyle, pointing people to Jesus (even though it seems like they are separating themselves). how many people come through, like us, to see them and in turn reflect upon their lifestyles. we watched a video that talked about their fences--are they there to keep people out or in? also the reasons for not partaking in modern conveniences--not wanting to get sucked into material possessions, worldly views or just plain fiscal stewardship (ie, a horse is cheaper than gas). but also the warning of pride that comes from seeing who can be the most humble.---it is such a battle with our flesh. pretty deep food for thought...
some things other things we have learned along the way...
1. if you eat copius amounts of candy at a game (because your parents are not there to limit your intake) and then run around playing tag football--you will probably get an unbelievable tummy ache. the effects of which causes you to wreath in pain and cry in the backseat of the car on the ride home. to which your father will probably respond, "that's your spanking."
2. if you take four small children to "look at" puppies, they will probably spend the next hour begging you to purchase one and then hate you when you say "no!"
3. if you are at a koa campsite and "happen" to lose your youngest child, you (or the larger of you who was responsible for watching the kids at the moment) should probably check your car first before you launch a full scale search party with other campers all over the campsite and surrounding grounds. because he will probably be in the car trying to watch his diego video (and, of course, your wife may have to put her track skills into play running through the nature trail looking for said child). probably proof that we should stop having kids...
written from granger, indiana...