Upward

From www.upward.org:

Upward is an evangelistic sports ministry specifically designed for K5 through sixth grade boys and girls that promotes salvation, character, and self-esteem in every child. In addition to basketball, Upward offers cheerleading, soccer and flag football programs to complete your Upward ministry. Upward provides opportunities for all believers, no matter what denomination, to become meaningfully involved in the ministries of your church.

We began this program at our church this month. Caleb is playing basektball and Madison, of course, is cheerleading. Thankfully, both kids practice for one hour on Thursday night and games are played on Saturday. So, there is not much time involved in this program. And 20 minutes of the practice time is spent in devotion with the coaches and learning a weekly Bible verse.

We have really enjoyed the last three Saturdays watching each of our kids. Caleb has actually learned a good bit about basketball and scored a few baskets, which was VERY exciting for him! And as a previous basketball star myself, I was quite proud of him! ;-)

For me, the cheerleading was a whole new territory. I begged Madison to play basketball but she insisted on cheerleading (thank you Aunt Nicolette). I mean it took me 1 1/2 hours just to fluff the pom-poms! Then imagine my surprise when Madison broke into the splits during her half-time routine....I ensured everyone that I could not take credit for teaching her that!

They both are having a good time learning their new skills, sportsmanship and more from God's Word. Here are a few photos:

(Caleb is #42)

The White Stuff.....

Well, we woke up a little disappointed in the Isbell household this morning. We went to bed with the hopes of finding 1-2" of snow on the ground, as predicted by our favorite weatherman. Instead, we found our yard in the same condition we left it in last night.....brown and wet. *sigh*

The kids watched the weather forecast and heard the weatherman state the snow would begin arriving around 3 AM. So what do you think those two did??? They got up sometime near 3AM, coincidentally, to check the status of the weather. To their dismay there was no snow falling, so they went back to bed....thank goodness they didn't wake up the old folks sleeping down the hall!!

I must admit that I was just as disappointed when I got up this morning and looked out the window. I had checked all the weather forecasts before heading to bed and all the reports were certain we were going to have some precipitation. All the disappointment turned into excitement as Mother Nature allowed the snow to begin falling around 8:30 this morning for about 2 hours. Before we knew it there were two children in pajamas outside enjoying the snowfall. Despite the lack of precipitation, just the snow falling was enough for all of us. Madison just couldn't keep her mouth closed or her head down while outside. The last time we had snow falling in Tuscaloosa, she was probably a year or two old. So she was quite excited!

I heard the weatherman mention the chances for snow MAY come again sometime next week. Here's to hoping our chances are better, but until next time, the kids will remember the snowfall of Jan. 19, 2008! :-)

Here are a few photos:

You say it's your birthday......

well, it's my friend's birthday too.....nuh nuh, nuh nuh..... oh never mind!

I realize I am going to pay a price for this post, but I am going to continue along with my plan anyway!

It all began back in the fall of 1986 in a small town called Marion, Alabama at a small Baptist women's school called Judson College. My freshman year I met a girl from Selma named Teresa (NOT to be spelled Theresa, which I quickly learned). I don't exactly remember how our paths crossed, but I am certain it was divine intervention.

She studied English and music, I played sports and studied science. She was Miss Judson, I was the Hockey Day Queen-- we both had crowns! She sang beautifully, I did not-- she often would say, "don't sing Panayiotou". She could dance up a storm, I still cannot.

Despite our obvious differences, we developed a friendship that has spanned time and distance over the last 20 years. We still go back to Judson, and each time we meet it's as though we were never apart. Although we don't talk or visit that often, we still have that bond of friendship. We keep up with each other via e-mail and now blogging. I am so glad Al Gore invented the internet! ;-) For a great read see my link to her blog: Livin the Wood life.

So, in honor of one of my oldest and dearest friends I posted this blog to tell her happy birthday. No, it's not a hallmark birthday for her....that would be next year! Since she would expect nothing less than obnoxious from me I decided to make Teresa a little video....I KNOW paybacks are rough. I'll just have to take my due when it comes.

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com