I'm getting SMARTER by the day...

My New Toy

I just got a Nintendo DS Lite and that Brain Age game. You know, the one that is supposed to exercise your brain, thus reducing the "age" of your brain. It's pretty cute, and cool, and fits in my purse next to my super cool iPhone and my lame Treo from work. I started my daily 'brain exercises' tonight. So far, my brain age is 150 years old... (just kidding). However, it ain't 20, like Dr. Ryuta Kawashima says it ought to be. I will try it a few more nights and report the progress. It only takes about 10 minutes a day.

The Mighty Bruins Chalk Up Another Victory!! 39 - 10

Nick hustles down the court

Nick jumpshot is good - look closely!

Go Mighty Bruins!!

Nick scored the first two baskets of the game, and contributed a total of 8 points to the Mighty Bruins victory today. So far, Nick's team is undefeated. Ward (their head coach) had to leave mid-game to lead a coaches' clinic for Little League. But the assistant coach was able to step in, thankfully. Nick had lots of family at the game to cheer him on: Christina, Megan and Miranda, the next door neighbor, and of course grandma! Afterwards we went out to lunch and then got ice cream. Then we made it back home and played "Apples to Apples" - what a fun and kid-friendly game!

COPS - in Covington

The Six-Shooters

See the spur? This is how the rubber bands get loaded

Chris has Ben cornered. Like my hat?

Ben preparing his attack


Ben and Christina came over last night to give Nick his toy that they bought for him from the gun show. Nick was at a sleep over, so Ward and I took a look at the gift. They got Nick two rubber band guns (see pictures). These aren't just any rubber band guns, they are Six Shooters! So, we all started playing with these things and had so much fun! Ben and I had a shootout and ended up chasing each other all around the house with these things. We were sneaking around corners, trying for the 'surprise attack'. The kitchen island made a good 'reload' station. At one point, I had Ben cornered in the bathroom. But then he stormed me and that was the end of that!

Thanks for a fun evening, Ben and Chrissy!!

We love you lots!!

The Mighty Bruins Win!!

Coach Ward and Nick pose before the game

Nick sets up for a shot

The Mighty Bruins put their hands in for a team cheer

Nick's basketball game was at 9:00 this morning, and most of the kids looked like they woke up at 8:45... But the Mighty Bruins chalked up a win 40 to 34 against the Warriors of Covington. Nick made 6 points to contribute to the win. I sure do like basketball... it's indoors!! yay! Ward coaches their team. There are quite a few very good players on the team. It's fun to watch the boys at this age, because most have been playing for a few years now and understand the game. So, the game is more interesting than just chasing the ball all around the court. The boys understand how to run plays, set screens, and pass the ball.

Most of the pictures I took turned out blurry, but I did what I could to make them look reasonable.

Enjoy the weekend!

Chris

We are parents again! Well, sort of...

Our church (Cornerstone UMC - see link on the right) has partnered with World Vision to sponsor a community in Kenya (also see link on the right). From that partnership, many of us have signed up to sponsor children through World Vision. We got to choose from about 100 'sponsorship-ready' children, and we picked one little boy named Abdallah that was born on Christmas day. It was hard to choose just one and mind-boggling to learn the harsh realities that so many children and families suffer through day in and day out just to survive. We are truly blessed with our fortune and freedoms. So, it feels great to sponsor this child and I feel like our family has grown! I hope that we can live up to our end of the commitment. Some people talk about traveling to Kenya to meet their sponsored child. Maybe someday we will do that too. Wouldn't it be fabulous to receive a great big hug from some young adult who you've managed to help since childhood just by sending $35 a month and encouraging letters? I am really excited about the opportunity.

So, I pray every day for Abdallah and his family. I pray that for this day, they will have clean water and food, and the protection they need. Maybe you can pray for them too!

Love,
Chris