On Monday morning we moved the guys. On Monday afternoon we went out to lunch... at 3:00!!! Now that may not seem like a big deal  but for years we have been bound to a 2:00 curfew.  It was a real treat to go out and stay out all afternoon and not feel like we had to hurry back!

Some of the other perks we are enjoying:

• We burnt toast on Monday night and didn't have to rush to silence the smoke detector lest we start an unplanned fire drill.
• We walked out of the house and left dishes in the sink (horrors!) and felt no fear of a surprise inspection.
•  Mom left the house at 6:15 Tues. morning and didn't have to worry about waking the household. 
• Beginning this Sunday we will be able to attend church as a whole family!

How it works: Andrew and I work together and Austin and Avie are a team. We will trade houses every week. The boys do the do the hard labor (the paperwork). Avie and I have the more refined jobs of cooking breakfast, making beds, scrubbing floors, cleaning toilets and washing dishes.

Austin is almost finished with school so we are saving our real celebration 'till he gets through. The littles are on Spring Break right now and I've brought them down to Gammy's for a few days. Mom is hoping to get some planning in while the house is quiet. Andrew is diligent at the books right now preparing for a major test. He is also tutoring Avie and I in college math. I think we put him at a loss for words, poor guy:) Avie is busy with her cello and guitar. She picks things up so fast!

Some of our other recent adventures:

Planting the grass to cover the mud that surrounds the house that Dad built.

Spreading the hay over the grass that covers the mud that surrounds the house that Dad built.

"Planting grass is serious business" ~Aaron Darbyshire

Quote personified by Andrew

Last weekend I drove up to Pickwick Landing, Tenn. to meet and plan with the Gallaway Crew. We had a great time. No planning session would be complete without cookies and of course - coke!

Beside planning we also went boat riding, cemetery searching, and picnicking.

The weekend before this the four older ones went to Pensacola for a visit. We saw friends and family and worked on a habitat house with Popo. After two houses we have had a little experience in the vinyl siding department:)

Back at home Dad found a new toy for the littles.

They really enjoy taking each other on rides. Maybe Dad will use this to his advantage:)

Children are amused by the simplest things.

(only for them:)

When I am not working at the back house (which is most of the time) I try to keep things hopping with the littles.

Or at least keep them well contained.

Maybe some of you haven't heard - Aaron has been workin' out!

Hope this added some smiles to your day!

I went to my first symphony last night, except my first experience was a little different than most, because instead of watching and listening, I was on stage was playing in it!! I started playing with the Athens Symphony back in January and last night was out first concert.

I was a little bit nervous, there were some pretty tough spots, but I had a blast!! We played some really cool pieces. Autumn said that some of them were 30 measures to long:) but I didn't really notice since I was playing.It has  been so cool to be  part of an orchestra, to hear so many different parts come together and following one beat, and one conductor, create a beautiful piece. It kinda reminds me of Romans 12, there being different members in one body and each member having a different office, but it is still one body!

But anyways, it was really fun playing last night, and we start rehearsal for the pop concert ( don't know what that is like) tomorrow night. I think it will be easier, because we only have four rehearsals for this concert. I don't know the dates of the pop concert, but sometime in May. Next Sunday is my Solo recital at UGA hodgsons hall. It doesn't sound like there should be to many performers, so it shouldn't be to big a deal. 

TTFN ta ta for now!!     Avie

Yes, Monday a week ago I hit a quarter of a century! I suppose if all my hopes were in this life that thought could be a bit daunting. I mean, I could have just completed 1/3 of my earthly existence (and very little to show for it some would say).

"But thanks be to God....."

Because of what He has done for me and to me in Jesus my hope extends beyond this life, beyond all the limits of time and space and far into the unspeakable riches of eternity! He has begotten me again unto a lively hope         (1 Pet. 1) and because of that "re-birthday" I will enjoy Him forever. I hope that you can say the same!

As some of you know, my family was gone on my birthday (See Avie's blog for more on their Williamsburg trip!)but there were plenty of dear friends who stepped in to fill the void. Our next door neighbors had me over for breakfast - and a few other surprises! That afternoon I enjoyed Tea in a Tree-fort at the Dallas'. What a treat! I was able to stay the night and enjoy their fellowship through the next morning when another dear family came over for brunch. It was like a never ending birthday....planned especially for me by Someone Who knows just what would delight my heart the most! 

 I really felt as though the whole day had been a very personalized gift from the LORD to me. And in light of such grace I have to ask myself, why do I so frequently doubt His good intentions toward me? Yes, the future may look uncertain to me but I am more convinced than ever that  there is no uncertainty with the Lord! Because He  has been so good to me in Jesus I can -and will- trust Him for the days ahead!

The rest of the week was pretty steady - working with men, eating out with Dad, a few doctor appointments, eating out with Dad, cleaning house, eating out with......   I really don't mind cooking - I enjoy it actually. It's just that Dad .... well, maybe he never did get over that little cayenne pepper incident, or was it when I forgot to put sugar in the brownies, or the time the quiche almost didn't get the eggs in it. Ah well, whatever his reasons he didn't starve this week and he took a load off me:) BTW My culinary abilities have improved over the last decade- I don't think I've made any of those mistakes again!

All that to say we survived the week and are very glad to have everyone back together again. Maybe I'll have some pics to post next time. Until then check out Avie's blog ........