Honoraium..say what?

My sweet, wonderful husband, Larry, has been blessing by God with the gift of singing, definitely. He uses that gift by blessing others at church singing on the worship team Sunday morning, choir, and when I first met him, he sang in the 5th/6th grade kids group. To me, his greatest singing was of course the song he sang and recorded for me for our wedding (coming up on 5 years in March)..I cried, what bride wouldn't.

Last week, a friend of ours, Thomas Washington, asked Larry if he would sing for the Men's Breakfast at church (Grace) on Saturday morning, Feb 5. Larry accepted the singing offer and did just that. He sang with the gift God blessed him with, and in turn, I pray the men in attendance were blessed (I didn't attend, why, I am not a men).

Yesterday in the mail an envelope came from church addressed to Larry. I opened it, saw it was a check for $25. I thought it was perhaps a refund for Amanda's winter camp she did not get to attend...wrong. Larry called the stewardship office this morning and found out that he had been paid for singing at the Men's Breakfast!! Wow!? Such an unexpected gift. So, now that he accepted payment for singing, does this make him a professional!?

Seriously, though. Larry is not a professional, but to God he is His vessel. God blessed Larry with the gift of singing; Larry blessed several men and young boys; the church blessed us with the unexpected gift; and as a result, we will get to do something special as a family..perhaps dinner out.

I LOVE YOU

wordless wednesday

Hey Ref, what are you, BLIND?!

When Larry and I got married, I knew all too well I was marrying someone with a sense of humor, up to just about anything, and always making me laugh. Fast forward through the 3+ years of our marriage thus far and laughter is definitely a part of it!!

Larry's job has had a costume contest at least the past couple of years, and let me tell you, I was thankful for it being dark outside when I dropped Larry off for carpool (past costumes - blind fashion designer, 70s look). And, yet again, I found myself saying thankfully it is dark out still :)

Starting this past Monday, the search for a costume for Larry started, and FINALLY yesterday we had costume in hand and ready for today.

Larry didn't think much about the possibility of winning; his costume was funny/unique to him and family, but he didn't think it was funny enough to win the contest. Ahem, he won! Yay to my husband.

So, the next time you are watching a football game and you yell at the TV and say "what are you, blind ref?" just know that perhaps they are (literally). You see, Larry told his co-workers this same thing, and he said, "well yes, I am blind"!

Larry as a blind referee

SUMMER'S HERE

FUN, FUN, FUN IN THE HOT AZ SUN!

Okay, I know the OFFICIAL start of summer is not yet here, BUT living in AZ we tend to have it arrive, how shall I say it...ahead of {schedule} the official start date. But, that is a fringe benefit to living in good ol Arizona...pool time comes early! YAY. So while most of the country waits for the official calendar roll-over to June 21 (and hey, that is Father's Day this year, too), we can already enjoy cooling off in the pool.



Amanda and Albert. Amanda will stay in the pool for hours if you let her. Albert on the other hand has mastered how to QUICKLY get out of the water (he hates the water!)




This past Saturday, Larry, Amanda, and Al did just that. They all went swimming at my in-law's house {how sweet it is to have a pool 5 minutes or less down the street from you...our own private aquatic center} in the Meyer Aquatic Community Pool. The hardest part about Amanda getting to jump in the pool is getting her to jump back out in a timely manner after swimming is through for the day. I think she would be a sweet little mermaid happily in the water all day long if I let her, but that ain't gonna happen, nuh uh! :)



Larry and Amanda

My bodyguard "in training"

A while back, Larry's friend, Tim, thought it would be great to take Larry out shooting. Oh boy, did Larry ever think that was a great idea! Larry had never been target shooting before. He sure did a great job. I actually the target he shot at, and wow, he can bee my bodyguard anytime...he came so close to hitting the bullseye..go figure, the blind sharp shooter has better aim than the not visually impaired!! He is hired as my bodyguard; although I guess he has been for 3+ years now. I love you Larry, and love your willingness to always try something new!