A "new year" of school and learning

Jason's first week of school went well! There was a compressor in one of the Jenkins' trailers that went out Monday, but thankfully got it fixed on Tuesday, the first day of school! He's been very tired this week, especially since Saturday he helped his friend Kevin again.

I am learning more about self insurance through another co worker because I've got to spreadsheet some competitive quotes. It's completely different than fully insured, so I've got to be patient with myself.

Friday, we had some lightning storms, especially at the Shankles house near Fred T. Foard high school where we had life group. We talked about Joseph getting out of jail and becoming "Vice President" of Egypt. All for interpreting a dream that told Pharaoh he needed to prepare for a famine in seven years!

While Jason was gone on Saturday, I went with mom to the mall for a bit and we bought "Cletus" a bib from Babies-R-Us that says, "Chicks Dig Me." I think it's cute!

Sunday, I worked in nursery for a new member orientation, so Jason got to sleep in a quiet house during the afternoon!

Then, we went to the 50th annivesary celebration for our church, Corinth. They opened a time capsule with some newspapers and articles from the early 1900's to the 1950's. Later, they had a service, with some talking about memories of coming to the church.

Now, we're watching the documetary called "Planet Earth" that's on the Discovery Channel. We didn't know there are really glowworms! I thought it was just an 80's thing! They live in caves! We don't see how anyone can watch a show like that and not believe there is a Creator!

Cletus is a BOY!!!

My brother has been calling their baby "Cletus the Fetus".

Today, we found out that Cletus is a BOY! Carrying on the Starnes family name! I don't think they'll really name him Cletus!

Estimated Time of Arrival: January 12th, 2010

Appreciation!

Jason was back to a normal schedule this week, except having to work until 5:00 on Wednesday. The administration/teachers had a kick off "pep rally" on Thursday and Jason said it was good. Hopefully, since many had to wait out the whole summer not knowing if they had a job, everyone will be more appreciative towards one another (especially the maintanence department).

I have gotten very busy with work, having at least five groups I'm working quotes for. I'm started to get the groups confused, so I need to slow down and not let myself get overwhelmed. I'm also having to deal with a co-worker who is causing difficulties towards me and others, so that will be challenging. She tried bossing me around Wednesday and it made me mad! I did get over it, and have decided to have the best attitude I can about it.

Friday, we had life group at our house since the originally host was sick. I had to lead too, so I prepared on Thursday evening! We are at where Joseph works and gains the trust of his boss, Potiphar. Then is thrown into prision after Potiphar's wife lies and accuses him of assault. (which he is innocent of).

There, he somehow makes the best out of his situation and is put in charge of the other prisioners. What a work ethic! We even discussed that since Joseph was the favorite son, he probably didn't have to do a lot of chores like his brothers did. He apparently trusted God on such a deep level that things would somehow work out, though he is unfairly in prision. Of
course, knowing the end of the story makes it easier to see this, but I try to read as if I don't know how it will work out. That way, it relates to my life more!

Saturday, I cleaned the inside of the house while Jason mowed. We watched "The Mummy" in the afternoon. We had dinner with Liz at Village Inn, then flipped between the Bristol race and Panthers game that evening. We hadn't seen her in awhile since we've been so busy on the weekends, so it was nice!

Today, we helped with nursery the whole time because a co worker needed to leave early. Then, we had TNT tonight and talked about the mystery of pain & unfairness, which correlates to the Joseph story from Friday.

We had another thunderstorm tonight! There's been a few this week! Even though it makes things muddy, we need it so it's another appreciation!

Grandma's Birthday!

Saturday evening, we joined the Holcomb family to celebrate Grandma's birthday! (which is actually the 18th!) We ate at King of the Sea (sounds like a Disney movie), and then to Grandma and Grandpa's house for red velvet cake. I took a video of us singing to her and she momentarily forgot she had to blow out the candles! It was so cute!


We had a great time laughing as usual at some crazy stories!

This past week Jason worked another four 10 hour week. He went fishing with his dad on Friday morning. Every Friday he's been off, he's either golfed or fished! He's exhausted by Sunday, but I'm glad he's gotten to do those things with his family and friends.

Friday night, we had life group, and are now studying my favorite person in Genesis: Joseph! I can't wait to get further into his story and discuss how neat his life was! I still find it interesting that the genealogy of Christ is NOT through him. (Joseph was like the best of the best!)

It's actually through his brother, Judah, and we read Genesis 38), where he unknowingly sleeps with his widowed daughter in law, who becomes pregnant with twins. It's a soap opera story, and always blows my mind that God used that situation.

Saturday morning, while Jason was at his friend Kevin's new house doing heating and air again, mom came over and we pulled weeds. (Oh, the joy!) Due to Jason working so much and my laziness and anti-weeding, the "patch" as I call it in the front yard has exploded with lovely clovers!

So, I helped mom in the morning, but was feeling a headache around lunchtime. (For real, I wasn't faking to get out of pulling weeds!) Mom worked all afternoon though! Thankfully, she's got her job back as a teacher's assistant, but I think she's been bored, so she said she didn't mind pulling the weeds.

Sunday, we crashed until we watched "The Count of Monte Crisco" with Wes & Tiffany. Now, we're chilling and watching pre season football! Go Panthers!

Wolf Creek Farm

Jason and Lee went fishing/camping this past Friday at the Hobacks (aka Wolf Creek Farm), who live right across the Virginia line. They stayed up until 1:00 catching some cat fish and then slept under the stars in the back of Lee's truck.

I lead life group on Friday night, then came back to a quiet house! It's so different when Jason's not around! I think I've forgotten what it felt like to live by myself.

Jason asked me to come up on Saturday so I could see the place! I ran into some road construction on I-77 so I was about a hour later than I had hoped! Jason and fished a bit when I got there, but the catfish must have been taking a nap! I loved the lake and fields with the cows and donkey (who serves as the security system so the coyotes don't get near the cows! I didn't know donkeys were good for that!)

It is a very relaxing place to visit! Unfortunately, we forgot to bring our camera, so we don't have any pictures to show. :(

Then, we went up to their pool to chat with Cindy and her daughters and adorable granddaughters. It was pretty hot, even up there in the mountains. We had a cookout and then left that evening.

Jason has one more week of four 10 hour days, but he's had a good attitude about it. The next few weeks will be rough since they're gearing up for the start of school again. I guess the summer is just about over!

We love the Inmans and Scharfs!

We got to see some of my friends from college this weekend and their kids! Carrie and Bill Scharf came down from Franklin to Charles and Jennifer Inman's house in Lincolnton. They called me on Saturday! We all headed to Denver to have dinner with Charles, who is a manager at Lowes.

Jason had been working in Statesville helping out his friend Kevin with the heating and air in his new house, so he met us there. After eating at Showmars, we went back to the Inman's house. They have a GREAT backyard and we had fun playing with the kids. Connor Inman just turned five and Trevor will be three in November. We had not seen Caleb Scarf since he was a baby and he turned two in May.

Connor and Trevor rode bikes for awhile!

Caleb loved the frisbees!

We're so glad we got to see them! :)

Wet and Wild Weekend!

It's been a long week for both of us, especially Jason! He worked four 10 hour days, then had to work half day on Friday. (Hopefully, he'll get some extra time off this week!) We looked forward to a fun weekend!

Since we were celebrating Uncle Mike's birthday at his house in Mint Hill, we decided to go to the Carolina Raptor Center before the party. It was a hot day, but thankfully most of the walking trails are shaded! We enjoyed seeing the hawks, eagles, and especially the owls! (even though they are fiesty ones there!) Here is a picture of us with a golden eagle after we watched the flight show program.

Then, we headed to Mint Hill and met Linda and Lee on WT Harris Blvd so they could follow us. At one of the intersections, we noticed that they got behind a car taking a left hand turn, so I called their phone to tell them where to turn next. Lee said, "We've just been rear-ended. We'll be awhile."

So, Jason and I turned around and parked in a driveway. The car behind Linda and Lee had hit them because of the force of another car running into the second one. (Like dominoes)

Their car was not dented at all, but the other two were banged up. Thankfully, no one was hurt though.

So, after that little drama, we headed to Mike and Becca's, where she had gotten a dunking booth! We laughed so much! Jason got dunked at least 10 times throughout the night! Some videos are below that captured the moments well!