9.23.2008

Ah...... Autumn...........

Autumn…

My favorite time of the year.


Autumn shares with us warm days, cool nights, leaves that flutter to the ground, a splendid show of beauty displayed by the trees around us. I envision an autumn day, sitting on a porch, wrapped in an old quilt made by my Grandma, watching the trees shower the ground with a glorious pageantry of color splashed over the waning grass and the cool streams that flow. Each leaf has a journey of its own destination. Some remain for warmth of the ground in the winter months. Some are left for the enjoyment of children. Others experience a trip to an unknown appointment. Small pyramids of leaves stand along roadsides seeking protection from breezes that may carry them away. The warmth of an autumn day can ease the trials of everyday life. A warm day can soothe the soul and renew our spirits. An autumn day can offer us a time for reflection to the life we have and to the ones we wish could be. Autumn promises us days of sunshine filtered by the clouds that glide across the crystal blue skies. Windows reflecting the weakening rays that are trying to remain alive a little longer. Flowers that have burst with colors that hint at their rebirth once again. The plunge into fall becomes an interlude into hushed expectation. The scent of the air becomes fresh and clean. The cool of an autumn night can offer a contentment that relaxes and allows us to take a deep breath of the crisp air. The harvesting of fruits and vegetables from the long summer months of their care. We can hear more clearly the melodies of the birds as we rise to greet the morning sun. As nature retires from its summer of work, so shall we rest comfortably in the arms of those we love.
Those who know me well, know first hand that autumn is my favorite time of the year. We celebrate reunions, homecomings, fall sports, apple cider along with crisp sweet apples (and Mom’s apple salad), walks in the woods, sitting on park benches sharing secrets, looking at the moon on a clear night, seeing a morning sunrise alive with the hues of purple and reds, a sunset with all the shades of orange that God can produce, sitting by a pond and watching the water as it moves by the touch of the wind, trips to destinations that encourage our sense of who we are, sharing the fun of acting silly, and the enjoyment of listening to the stillness of the night.
Have you ever thought of God’s seasons? His seasons are like different chapters in a book that keep the story going. Seasons reflect periods of time in our lives. Autumn has always been an intermission of life when each of us can stop and behold the Glory of the One who created all of this for us to experience and enjoy.
Genesis 1:14 “ And God said, “ Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons and for days and years.”
Need I say more? I love Autumn !


9.17.2008

Volleyball is THE game....

Cassidy and Lauren's volleyball 2008





Cassidy and Lauren are playing volleyball for Southwood Elementary and Southwood Jr/Sr High School. Lauren is in 6th grade and Cassidy is playing with the seventh grade. It is always a pleasure to watch the grandkids in anything they do. Our whole family loves volleyball. We watched all we could when the Olympics were on. What a feat that was. Gold...........

Lauren had her last game this evening (9-17-08). She will be moving up next year. She is very aggressive when she plays. One game she and a friend actually made a pact to throw the game so they could play longer. Go figure! You could see improvement in Lauren's playing by the end of her season.

Cassidy is in the middle of her season. We spent all of last Saturday watching her play in a tournament in Warsaw. I know she was tired by the end of the last game. It was tiring for all of us watching. Lauren and Luke were so good. It was a long day and they were excellent!

Below are some photos of the girls.
Lauren at her games.
Cassidy's first Volleyball game at Oak Hill in seventh grade
She looks like her Mother serving !
Lauren and Luke being so good Saturday at Cassidy's tournament.
Luke seems to be interested in the game????????


9.06.2008

Covered Bridge Festival Parade

Today was the Roann Covered Bridge Festival Parade.
Jane, Shelley, Sammy, Mallory, Abby, Matthew, Alex, David and I went to watch. I had never been to the parade before. I must say that it was everything a small town parade is supposed to be. Lots of people, tractors, floats, creatures (including a real elephant). There were parade Queens and her courts, school bands, old cars and lots and lots of fire trucks from the surrounding communities. It was a beautiful day. Clear sky, with few clouds and a very temperate temperature. We certainly did enjoy the parade. I am looking forward to seeing it again next year.
Sammy and Mallory waiting on the parade.

I want one of these............... LOL


9.04.2008

Did someone say Pre-school?

Today was the first day of pre-school for Luke.


He is attending Noah's Ark Pre-school in Wabash. He is Amanda's youngest. He is 3 years old, full of energy, and learning to be the cutest little man. He marched in like a trooper. Amanda said he looked a little confused, but didnt cry or resist going in. A high 5 (^5) for our little man. Kyle, Amanda and Luke stopped by before they dropped him off for his first day of learning. He had treats, rested (ya right!), and played. It is such fun to watch the grandkids grow and tackle new experiences.







9.03.2008

Malia Jo Lu Mahan

We have pictures !

The adoption agency called Rick and Jen yesterday and told them they were included in this months batch of referrals. Malia is 26" tall and 13 1/2 pounds. Her papers says she is obstinate. Go figure on that one!
Below are the photos that were included with Rick and Jen's referral.

This is where the orphanage is located in the Province of Jiangxi.


Jiangxi Orphanages
This is the orphanage that Malia is in.



9.02.2008

She's coming !

Yesterday Jennifer checked the website she checks regularly to see if there was any news on referrals. She had checked it earlier in the day, and found nothing. When she looked later there it was........Feb. 9th. This date may not mean much to most people, but that is the log in date for Rick and Jen. They were hoping for September to go quickly so they could be in the next batch of referrals. Much to their surprise today they got ' THE Call' ! The much desired call from their agency telling them they will be getting that much anticipated little girl they have longed for. It looks like the Mahan party of five will be leaving in about 8 weeks to go and get her.
Her Chinese name is Chuang Lu Shuo (Chuang being her last name and Lu her first.)
She was born December 17,2007
She has been in an orphanage called Social Welfare Institute of Wiseng County
She is from the Jiangxi province.
Malia.............. we are coming and will see you soon.