Monday, September 23, 2013

I Know, I Know!

Yet again I have done miserably at keeping this blog current.
But it's OK,
because the reason the blog has been left behind is because LIFE has been moving forward!
I was blessed to be able to spend a month in the states this summer seeing family and friends and having precious times with them.
*FYI-there may be about 40 pics here with some commentary thrown in here and there and I make no promises to  the order of any of it
I started out in Arizona with John's Mom.
I love this woman.
Her love for God and family and friends speaks volumes.
She has her refrigerator loving covered with all sorts of photos, and these particularly caught my eye.
The top two are of John and his brother... waaaay back when several years ago.
The bottom two are of Heather and Bo's sons quite recently.
Family resemblance....?


I had a really nice visit with her... until the wee hours in the morning the day I was to head to Texas.
It was not the way we would have chosen to end our visit...911...ambulance...trip to the hospital.
Still I am so thankful I was there with her and all is well now with things checked out to prevent a redo of that scare! Thanks to all of  you who sent up prayers.

Once I was certain she would be OK I headed on to Texas. YAY!!!

I got to catch up with several friends from high school and that's always a blast!
Then I headed to Boerne for a morning of hugs, prayers and fellowship at St. John's.
This is always a highlight of my trips back.

I stayed - as always <3 - with a dear friend in Boerne and loved the time to share. We got to catch up with a couple of others for lunch and had fun reminiscing and talking about how much our families have all grown and changed since those days we all home schooled together!


It warmed my heart to see my brother healthy and back out doing what he loves with the horses!

They are at a really nice place not too far from the folks.
There is this little tank that he was anxious to show me...
the dog was excited about it as well ;-p
All those dark spots you see...
CATFISH!!!!
No need for a pole and hook - just grab the net!!
 

Mom and I had a sweet visit with Shawn and Nancy
and of course I loved being around the horses!

Next up, Mississippi!
(well, sort of. my folks drove me in their motorhome and we did make a stopover in Louisiana to see some other family members I rarely get to catch up with. but I think those pics are some where scattered below...)

I got to watch Charles and Will at Karate practice. What a kick! (haha!)
They're both pretty good but I must say big brother takes it more seriously.
We got some Japanese lounge wear for the fam. Yes, Will did get some but by picture time he had all the excitement he could take and was sleeping soundly.
I love that I got to be there with my folks, kids and grandkids all together!
Below is four generations of love!

Nothing like a little one on one with your great-Gramps

He just might be Mommy's boy...

This one definitely takes after Dad!
Quite the gardener, too, just look at that cabbage! 

Bo & Heather treated me to dinner in Memphis at Texas de Brazil. A-MA-ZING!!!
Then we walked a bit on Beale Street and were entertained by the Beale Street Flippers.

...future Duck Dynasty-ers...

I had a great week with the boys before it was back to school!
 


Well, about those 40 pics - apparently you cannot upload quite that many at once, so this is nowhere near all I have to share, but due to things beyond my control (or perhaps my lack of computer knowhow) seems that is all for this session.
I will really really really try to get more up soon. REALLY!
 
 
 
 
 
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Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Making Dreams Come True

Happy Spot Club event 2013
continued...
(so if you haven't seen the post just below this one it was what led up to this part!!)

There was a live band that performed first on the front stage and then center ring to introduce the days' big events - wrestling!!!!!!
3 matches were on the schedule
Here they come making their way to the ring for Match #1
The crowd has grown considerably and some are hoping to get a high five or fist bump
Match #2
One team of 3
and 2 on the opposing team are in the ring...
then they call for BIG BAD JOHN!
Lots of excitement as he made his way to the ring on his Golden Stallion
 It was on!
Things went back and forth...
 
until the 'Tiger' called out Big Bad John.
 
they tossed each other a time or two
til BBJ took control...
 
after slinging Tiger to the mat
BBJ ascended the ropes
and started his countdown
 
when he got to "1"...
Tiger threw his arms up
and shouted
"Give up!!!!"
 
Arms raised in VICTORY!!!!
 Big Bad John & team mates, キッド臥竜 & Black みき
YEEEHAWWWWWWW!!!!!!!

The Main Event!!!!
These two young men had dreamed all their lives of being in the wrestling ring.
Both of them have cerebral palsy.
One can walk on his own, the other is in a wheel chair.
When the Shinshu Pro Wrestlers heard of their dream they initially said 'no way, it's too dangerous'. But the boys persisted until they said, 'if we can make your dreams come true we'll do all we can to make it happen!'.
They spent six months volunteering their time to prepare the boys for this day!
The opposing team came from Tokyo and are members of a pro wrestlers group there. And they are deaf.
 
The head of the Shinshu Pro Wrestlers, the Great Mucha, teamed with the two boys vs.
the Tokyo wrestlers.
You could literally FEEL the excitement and anticipation !!
The whole crowd was in this dream-come-true experience.

 
It was a most emotional and inspiring thing to witness.
Their victory wowed the crowd - which had ballooned to 1500!!!!
Tears of joy flowed as they thanked the supporters for making their dreams become reality.

 

 
This was their moment!!!

And we are so blessed and thankful that we could be a part of it!!!!
God is so great!


Happy Spot Club!!!!!

It all started about three years ago when...
this wonderful young woman decided she wanted to use her life to make other people HAPPY!!!!
So take your shoes off, wiggle your toes, get comfy and enjoy the pictures.
 
There are
LOTS!
Balloon art was plentiful and SO FUN!
 
There were blocks for building and creating.
 
A monkey or two hanging around...
 
All sorts of aircraft
(all made from recycled plastic bottles, cassette tapes, etc.)
 
People came from all over...
even the North Pole!
 
this group of university girls made music using only household goods,
like brooms, wooden spoons, pots and pans
 
The event was scheduled from 10am-4pm
It was months in the making and preparation.
Set up started the day before with people from every walk of life involved and volunteering their time and talents.

Last year there were about 300 people that came to see what the "Happy Spot Club Square Annual Event" had to offer. They dreamed of having about 500 come this year.
People started trickling in just before 10am 

A few squirrels were spotted
 
Most everyone was anxious to get a chance to talk with Santa
 
the young, and the young-at-heart
Notice the 'kid' in the center of this picture?
He was smiling and waving every time he saw me lift the camera ;-)
 
The crowd grew bit by bit as the front stage moved from event to event
 
I LOVE taiko drums!!!!!
And this mixed group of all ages was GREAT!!!
The leader, center, had more energy as he performed than I could muster in a month!
 

This slightly more 'mature' group was pretty impressive as well.
Especially when you consider that with their physical challenges all but two could use only one hand. Bravo!
 
Santa made fast friends with this sweet little man.
His smile just melted me...
 
and this bunny was too cute not to snap a shot  
Santa's new friend from above and his entourage lit up the stage
 
followed by their younger counterparts
 
Even the cheerleaders came out !
 
It was a long, exhausting, inspiring and wonderful time!
Looking forward to next year!
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