House Guests

We usually love guests and visitors, but I am fed up. We've had several uninvited, and unwelcome visitors that have out-stayed their welcome. We've had ant invasions every spring this year they seem to be especially bad--they are still here. We also have these darn moths that came in a bag of birdseed which sat in our warm, cozy china cupboard that was used as their breeding grounds. I thought we got rid of them, but we found another motherload when we removed a cabinet in the kitchen. (We just built some shelves so that we have more storage space--it will be great). Hopefully, this will take care of them. The latest and biggest has been something living in our bedroom wall. It chews and scratches at night at the depths of REM sleep. It has been exhausting--even the ear plugs don't help. David gets up and gives the wall a few good thumps in the appropriate spot, silencing the little critter for a few hours. At night, when we're half asleep we talk about what it might be and imagine the worst. During the day, with a little more sense, we think it is a squirrel working on securing a good shelter and storing up some food for the long winter. Maybe he is "trying to tell us something"!

DeBry Women

This photo was taken at Athena's wedding--she married Ben Petersen--you can read all about their sweet life as newlyweds on their blog on the side bar. Malinda is the only one not here--she must have been fulfilling her higher calling as a mom and already left the festivities headed for home with some worn out children. I wish she were in this picture--she is the tall book-end for the other side!

These are some great women. They could accomplish anything if they worked together and set there minds to a common good. They are sweet, intense, capable and know how to get what they want. (I think these are traits that the DeBry sisters were born with). They are determined, focused on high postive goals, and do not get distacted by things of the world. If you put them all in one room for any length of time there will be every range of emotions. It is fun to be with them. I love them and feel blessed to be a part of their lives. They inspire me to be better. Thanks for allowing me to be a part of your family.

New Look

I've just spent the last few hours re-doing the blog. It's been fun. David needed to do some "high-speed" stuff on the computer so he brought home a device that really has this computer screaming! I've decided to post several pictures that would otherwise take hours. I accidentally deleted our blog list, so I am still working on that. Anyway, my new header is a painting that I did a while back--in February for the Kingsport Art Show. I love to paint, but don't do it as often as I like, so I figured with an entry fee AND a deadline I would be sure to get something turned in. I laughed as I read on the entry form that the art work had to be dry--well, 20 minutes before the deadline, I had the blow dryer on high just inches from a wet canvas. I barely made it. I entered two paintings--the one of the family was accepted and the TN one was not. I have them both hanging in our home. It was fulfilling for me in more than one way.

We took the kids to the art show--there were some excellent works. They were so disappointed that I didn't get an award. They thought for sure that I should have won and that it was the best. Isn't that really what life is about--to have those you love the most be convinced that you are the BEST! It was a sweet moment for me. In our own little world we can all be loved and be the best at whatever we do.