The Excitement is Overwhelming!

The Flag hangs proudly in the flower garden of our home.

The man's smiles cover his face -- ear to ear.

The shouts of victory ring through the house.

It's been twenty-five years -- before I even knew him.

It's been worth the wait. Vanilla man has sprinkles today.

Congratulations Philadelphia.

Congratulations Vanilla Man -- Enjoy the Celebration!

Prasiser Season Has Begun

Kevin Moser, our Number One Booster Fan, holds the trophy we took
home from the Week-end Tournament in Radcliff, KY.

Anthony warms up before the game...it ended up that we lost to this team which ranked us Second place. It was a heart wrenching game with David being fouled out by a bad call on the ref's part (this is fact - not mom's point of view -- even the other team of whom I was sitting next too, commented on it!). I was so proud of him as he walked off the court, a very unhappy young man, but very much in control of his emotions and tongue. That was his shining moment in my book!

Alicia and Brittany in a "bump" session at basketball half time. I never did get good pics of the girls volleyball team. They placed 4th out of 6. This was their first time to play as a newly formed team as only Alicia and Christi were "old" members from previous years. We had every reason to win but didn't quite get it pulled off. Next time.

David was a part of the all star team and honored with a medal.

The 2008-09 Praiser Team.

Good Job Boys!

Remember the Titans!

Forgot the Camera---
Sorry you "picture only people" -- one more thing to read!

Intramurals have begun at GBS.
Once more the high schoolers were relegated to their own team, made to go up against college boys that are taller, bigger, more experienced, more confidant, more aggressive, well...just more everything!
However...Remember the Titans!
Our team of 6 - yes 6 - high schoolers went up against a tough team tonight for their first game of the season. OOOO - it was a nail biter indeed with a tie that took us into overtime.
With an additional 5 minutes of play, the Titans continued to play hard and run down the other team all the while shooting and even, sad to say, missing quite a few - even at the foul line where they would normally shine and add a few points to the scoreboard.

In the end...
Titans - 55
Other Team otherwise called "home" or "red" -51

OH Yea, Remember the Titans!

Congratulations Boys!!

Alone With God

Still, still with Thee, when purple morning breaketh,
When the bird waketh, and the shadows flee;
Fairer than morning, lovelier than daylight,
Dawns the sweet consciousness, I am with Thee.

Alone with Thee, amid the mystic shadows,
The solemn hush of nature newly born;
Alone with Thee, in breathless adoration,
In the calm dews and freshness of the morn.

Harriet Beecher Stowe


I came across this today in my devotions and thought I would share it with you.
I love the word pictures it conjures up, but more than that, she was able to put into words what my heart sings.

A Quote Read Today

Here's something I read today.
I'm going to print it out and hang it in a few strategic places in my home.
Perhaps your family doesn't need this reminder every now and then like mine.
If so, Congratulations!


"If you don't like something, change it.
If you can't change it, change your attitude.
Don't complain."

Maya Angelou


Nothing profound -- just a gentle reminder.

O Is He Ever Happy!!!

For those of you who do not know my vanilla man very well, you may not understand this post.

It doesn't matter.

Last night the Phillies took the last win needed to land themselves in the World Series.

It's been 15 years since the last World Series event where they played against the Toronto Blue Jays and ...lost. (My Canadian side of the family rejoiced -- even had the audacity to call and "check" on Dave! HAHA) Now it their chance to redeem themselves. Of course the players have changed...gone is Schmidt, Dalton, and Dykstra and thankfully Wild Thing Mitch Williams -- I lost my fingernails when he was called into pitch!

I have no clue who is on the team now but they are good!!

You see, when I married Dave I also said, "I do" to the Phillies, Eagles, Flyers and Seventy-Sixers. My dear man loves his Phillie teams and although there is a smat following of the Reds and Bengals it is, to say the least, a VERY good time to be a Phillie Fan.

I could chaff under his enjoyment of the Phillies and listening to games or sports talk while falling to sleep almost every night. Instead, I choose to "enjoy" it with him, most of the time.

O IS HE EVER HAPPY!

Congratulations Uncle Harold!!

Update:

Yesterday elections took place in Canada. The Prime Minister was apparently successful in his plan to better unite his party. I don't understand how their politics work, but the Prime Minister actually called for this election in order to (my words) "make a point."

At any rate, the election went well and Uncle Harold is in office again.

Ok, I admit it, I am so proud of him!

Check this Out!! Uncle Harold

Love this smile!
You should hear this family laugh and joke! It's hysterical. Your sides ache for days after spending time with them. (Not quite, but you get my point).

At a Korean War Veteran's Banquet

Two posts in one day --- what is this world coming to?! BUT I couldn't help myself! My mom just called and asked our family to pray for Uncle Harold (her brother) who is involved in a Canadian election tomorrow. This is my claim to fame other than I shook President Bush's (#41) hand at the Lunken Airport here in Cincinnati when he was the VP.

www.haroldalbrecht.ca/EN/12858

Even as I wrote this they updated the site -- my uncle was on the first page with a picture of him speaking. Now you have to check out what I've written below to see pics of him at the "Multimedia" tab and under that tab hit "Photo Gallery." Lots of pictures of him just being "real."

His bio is pretty cool too. The farm mentioned is just down the road from where his parents (my grandparents) lived. Wonderful, happy memories there!!

Oh...AND...drum roll please.....I was the flower girl for Uncle Harold and Aunt Betty's wedding. Yea, I know...

On a more serious note - actually a very serious note - Canada desperately needs conservative politicians. If you think of it today and tomorrow, do pray that God will intervene on this country's behalf.

Until next time...

Busy Week-End

No pics --- forgot the camera, then remembered the camera but forgot to take pictures. That's my dear life set before you plain and simple like.

Friday night: Homecoming at GBS.

They honored the 1983 graduates of which only a few attended. However, of the few it was good to see Jeff and Christina Getz again. It has been YEARS since (probably the 80's) since I had seen/talked with them. They are doing a church plant in Manhattan, NY. Sounds exciting and interesting. The other old timey friend was Miriam Welker Hambrock. Erick and Mim along with their 5 children (a set of twins in there) pastor a church in Wisconsin and have been there 8 years. They love the state and the people. She is even picking up the accent remarkably well. It was so nice to chat with them.

They also honored the 50 year grads of which I knew very little but they were happy to be back. Makes you wonder what you'll have done/accomplished/be at your 50 years. HMMMM --- let's picture it...there we all stand ------ Susan Abney, Tracy Alderson, Patrick Anyaleweechi, Stephen Bellis, Marlin Betts, Karen Blankenship, Bob Blankenship, Doug Bond, Deanna Campbell, Jeanette Cleveland, Phil Collingsworth, Gary Cooper, Richard Cox, David Crane, Rebekah Davison, Linburg Dilbert, Bennie Durr, Joanna England, Shari Evans, Melinda Getz, John Gordon, Stephanie Gordon, Pam Hambrock, Bob Hoffman, Patty Keel, James Kelley, Shurland Kellman, Joe Leggesse, Tshai Leggesse, Teresa Mahoney, Crytal Muir, Daryl Muir, Dennis Payne, Naomi Phillips, me, Valerie Quales, Tim Raisch, Charleeta Richardson, Paul Riddle, Marshall Riggins, Bill Roark, Becky Rundell, Teresa Shoemate, Mike Simmons, Lori Smith, Maxine Smith, Sue Straub, Marlina Taylor, Micah Thompson, Debbie Toth, Robin Vandervort, Steve Veyon, Emmett Wakefield, Sue Walker, Leonard Waller, Shelah Watkins, Bob Welker, Nina Wiseman, Tim Wright, Carole Yaryan -----60 of us!!!! Those in the bold I have talked with or heard from in the last 5 years. Many of them visit the school regularly because of their own kids attending or because the continue to live on or near the campus.

I'm not sure if once Senior Class president means that I'm responsible for the 25th reunion but I hope to gather a committee together next year to begin planning a big party for 2011. It would be soooo good to see everybody again and catch up on the news -- a nice meal, powerpoint of our lives since we left GBS, reminiscing of the days....but I digress from my week-end (see, once again you find me being me - plain, simple, and easily diverted from the task).

Sunday -- 35th Homecoming at the Kenwood Bible Methodist church (formerly Bible Covenant, formerly something Wesleyan). Previous pastors and their families attended as well as previous attendees. We had great roast beef dinner afterwards and then an informative, short but enjoyable, 2:00 PM service. I was disappointed so many of our current church family went home after the meal. What were they thinking?? You know what, I'm not going down that road -- I have a very opinionated opinion on the subject of church attendance and support for the home church. I feel VERY strongly about consistent church attendance along with responsibility and participation. It is a soapbox you definitely don't want me to get on -- especially not here and now!!!!!!!! O no, not right now -- I would rant and rave like a tyrant...definitely not now....

At any rate, I have a much deeper respect for those that laid the groundwork and have been faithful to the call. God bless the Wolfs, the Wingams, the Truesdales, Miss Beulah, Miss Clarisse, Mrs. Yount, Viola Durr, Helen Reiff, (still attending) and all the various pastors that gave of their time and lives throughout the years. Kenwood is the solid church that it is today because of their sacrifice. I found it amazing how God has worked in this church.

Now it is Monday...another busy week...what does God have in store for this week? I am becoming more like a child, in some respects, in my relationship with Him. At the dawning of each new week and even each new day I look forward to what God has planned for me - His child. What new things will I learn from Him? What new experience will grow me? The experience may hurt, bring sorrow or bring much joy. It will be OK. He is in charge. I can trust Jesus. There is no better way to live the day than in His presence...constantly abiding. I am finding a new layer of relationship and it is so satisfying and rich. It is well worth the price...

Enough rambling...until next time.

Char

Some of the Family

Christi and Breanna - cousins and friends.

These pics are from back in August --- how does time fly so fast?!

We spent Labor Day week-end at Bryan and Marsha's home in Marion, OH.

All four of our children were baptized by my father on Sunday evening along with 10 of their cousins -- Dad had married his own four children and dedicated the 16 grandchildren so it was a very special evening for the Potteiger clan. My pics of the baptismal aren't very clear so here's of the picnic that followed the next day.

Alicia and Brittany - the other sister with the other cousin.

Bryan is holding one of the trays full of chicken. On Labor Day their church has a huge picnic on the church grounds and Bro. Bruegger, the pastor, deep fries chicken in this huge black kettle over an open fire. It was absolutely yummy and so full of fat calories....nothing tastes better than good ol' fashioned fried chicken making grease puddles on your plate --- I jest about the grease puddle -- all the fat calories were caught in the paper towels used for blotting fat calories BEFORE it got to my plate!

Back to the baptismal service...Bryan and Marsha sang a special (or two or three). It was a good to hear them again. I had forgotten just how much I had taught them about harmony and vocalizing and the like.

Now...I have procrastinated long enough...I have got to go scrub the shower walls. I absolutely hate a messy house which is a good thing because I hate it just a little more than I hate house cleaning...

but...maybe I'll check on Dave first...maybe he needs me...maybe he's having trouble with his adding and subtracting and invoices and outvoices and well, you know, stuff.

Until next time...