For the Love of

... Benjamin who turned ten this past Saturday we took some friends and family to Rollhaven in Grand Blanc for loads of birthday fun. We headed out in the big red Rosie van to collect three school friends and a buddy from church then met up with some cousins, uncles, aunt and grandparents at the venue where we enjoyed pizza, pop, arcade games, ice cream cones, birthday cake, and Ben got to have a go in the Money Machine since he was the guest of honor.

Then we got down to business with a couple games of some serious Laser Tag. Players ranged in age from 9 to 60 something and included Ben, Fox, Ethan, Alex, Michael, Kyle, Bruno, Jeremy, Taylor, Riley, Mom and Dad, Uncle James, Grandpa Q, Aunt Dorothy, and R.J. The competition was fierce and we all had a blast!

... my 1st grade buddy Scott. Last Wednesday I subbed the afternoon in my favorite first grade class, my friend with compulsion issues was there and we had a great time during Center/Free Time Activities. Scott has impluses he can't control, he'll eat things, go up and randomly smack a kid on the back or super squeeze someone, or he'll just start pulling things out of drawers in the classroom. He's on medication and is getting better about keeping in control but he really needs someone to stay near and keep him focused. He is incredibly smart and has a servant's heart; it is very touching to see how his classmates try to protect him, especially the girls with their 'mothering' instincts. I honestly like the kid and my heart goes out for him. Peace to you little brother man.




.... teenagers. I think this picture says it all, if you want to keep peace in the car on a long ride all you need are ....

There are many fine things which you mean to do some day, under what you think will be more favorable circumstances. But the only time that is surely yours is the present, hence this is the time to speak the word of appreciation and sympathy, to do the generous deed, to forgive the fault of a thoughtless friend [or family member], to sacrifice self a little more for others. Today is the day in which to express your noblest qualites of mind and heart, to do at least one worthy thing which you have long postponed, and to use your God-given abilities for the enrichment of some less fortunate fellow traveler. Today you can make your life ... significant and worthwhile. The present is yours to do with it as you will. ~Grenville Kleiser