Cedarville Speech and Debate Tournament Memories

The weekend of May 20,and 21 was the final tournament of the 2011 season. It was held at Cedarville University. It is a beautiful campus, and they ensure that their students get LOTS of exercise by having a lake in the middle of the campus buildings. There is no bridge across, you just gotta walk around it.

The children liked watching the fish. They have a huge carp in their, maybe 40 pounds, that swims with its fin out of the water most of the time. It looks like a shark fin.

This was the infamous weekend where the end of the world was predicted by Harold Camping. The youth all went outside by the lake to countdown to the appointed hour.

It was a beautiful day! After the appointed time, they all went in for the more earthly award ceremonies for the tournament.

Both boys met their personal goals for the tournament. Paul's goal was to win all his affirmative rounds, he did. He and his partner ended up 5-2. they did excellent, especially for their novice season. Thomas's goal was to make it to one final round for the tournament. He made it to TWO. This was really great.

Thomas placed in Prose Interpretation and Rhetorical Criticism. He got to spend quite a bit of time on stage.

Elizabeth did her Junior prose interpretation again. All Juniors get called up on stage to get their bag of candy and certificate.

Thomas completed the sweepstakes. All sweepstakes competitors get called on stage to receive their certificate and bag of candy. They have to complete three speeches all in different categories. It is not for the fainthearted.

Some old friends of Roger came to visit us at the tournament. Sandy taught a youth Bible Study while DH was in high school. They have kept in touch over the years. She brought her son along with her. We hadn't seen him since he was a teenager.

The highlight for the kids was playing in the pool after a long day of working hard at speech and debate.

Friday night, we didn't get back to the hotel until after 10 PM. The time the pool should close. Management was kind and let the kids use the pool an additional hour or so. That was a blessing as they all really needed to unwind.

Speech and Debate Tournament has been a real blessing to our family. The wonderful friends they have made and the experiences they have had has really resulted in a lot of growth in their lives, both spiritual and intellectual. We are looking forward to all getting to do it again next year. Thank goodness for January birthdays.

~Mom

Joey's Adoption

Adoption Day had finally arrived. After having Joey for almost two years He was about to become a permanent part of the Morris household. It was time to make it official and then to celebrate!

The judge said that this was the biggest turnout for an adoption she had ever had. The courtroom was full! There were only about twenty seats, but all those and more were full.

The courtroom was very child friendly. The green grass colored carpeting looked like a putting green. Apparently the judge thought so also as she provided little plastic golf clubs and golf clubs for the children to play with as they waited.

They hit the balls all over. They were pretty contained by the walls. There was nothing to wreck. All the little ones went out and 'hit a few rounds' while the final paperwork was gone over.

There were some neat side stories. One was that a half brother of Joey's came to his adoption. His adoptive mother is working at maintaining the biological sibling relationships. He was adopted when he was five and didn't have a real clear memory of it, so he wanted to see Joey's.

Joey was so excited. He was the star of the show! He was finally being ADOPTED. Of course he only has a three year old's understanding of it, but he knew it was a big deal.

The judge asked Joey who was here to see him be adopted and so Joey got up and asked everyone in the room their name for her, even his brothers. When she asked Joey what time it was and he said "fiveteenish" . She said, "yes, It's time for you to be adopted." He just grinned bigger!

Joey's great uncle and his wife drove from Missouri to come to the adoption. He had adopted all three of his children and they have also adopted children and he wanted to join in the celebration.

Here is the family with all it's members, including the newest official one. The judge even let the little boys try out her chair. (I love this picture of Gabe putting his arm around Joey).

Thank-you judge, for making this an extra special event!

Joey then spent the rest of the day celebrating. First he went to the zoo and then home for his big "gotcha" party! There was quite a turnout for that. What a wonderful Day!

~Mom

Happy Birthday Darling!

The above sentiment rang through our house on Saturday. My DH finally made it home from New Mexico a day late. The original plane he and the girls took off on developed engine trouble and had to return to the airport. By the time they were re-ticketed they couldn't make it home on Friday.

We did have a lovely dinner as a family. I'd tell you the menu, but I don't want you to drool on your keyboard.

His present came in a BIG box. It was filled with all kinds of treats to go in his work truck. My DH was very pleased with them.

The candle was a bit problematic as it was one of those silly ones that relights.

There was much to visit and talk about, after a return from visiting family far away. Everybody was well, and they got to see his sister Becky who was also helping with the move. His parents moved from AZ to NM.

My DH was relaxed and happy.

My parents had returned from the Philippines last week. They joined us for the birthday dinner. It was fun to hear all their stories also. They had a great time. Dad seems to be fully recovered from his pneumonia that he had while travelling.

Here is the requested carrot cake that Michelle made and decorated for our beloved Dad.

~Mom

How BAD is SUGAR for you?!!

78 Reasons to Avoid Sugar

Straight from the writings of Dr. Victor Frank, founder/creator of Total Body Modification, here are 78 reasons to avoid sugar.

1. Sugar can suppress the immune system.
2. Sugar can upset the body's mineral balance.
3. Sugar can cause hyperactivity, anxiety, concentration difficulties, and crankiness in children.
4. Sugar can drowsiness and decreased activity in children.
5. Sugar can adversely affect children's school grades.
6. Sugar can produce a significant rise in triglycerides.
7. Sugar contributes to a weakened defense against bacterial infection.
8. Sugar can cause kidney damage.
9. Sugar can reduce helpful high density cholesterol.
10. Sugar can promote an elevation of harmful cholesterol.
11. Sugar may lead to chromium deficiency.
12. Sugar may cause copper deficiency.
13. Sugar interferes with absorption of calcium and magnesium.
14. Sugar may lead to cancer of the breast, ovaries, prostate, and rectum.
15. Sugar can cause colon cancer with an increased risk in women.
16. Sugar can be a risk factor in gall bladder cancer.
17. Sugar can increase fasting levels of blood glucose.
18. Sugar can weaken eyesight.
19. Sugar raises the level of a neurotransmitter called serotonin, which can narrow blood vessels.
20. Sugar can cause hypoglycemia.
21. Sugar can produce acidic stomach.
22. Sugar can raise adrenaline levels in children.
23. Sugar can increase the risk of coronary heart disease.
24. Sugar can speed the aging process, causing wrinkles and gray hair.
25. Sugar can lead to alcoholism.
26. Sugar can produce tooth decay.
27. Sugar can contribute to weight gain and obesity.
28. High intake of sugar increases the risk of Crohn's disease and Ulcerative Colitis.
29. Sugar can case a raw, inflamed intestinal tract in person with gastric or duodenal ulcers.
30. Sugar can cause arthritis.
31. Sugar can cause asthma.
32. Sugar can cause candidiasis (yeast infection).
33. Sugar can lead to the formation of gallstones.
34. Sugar can lead to the formation of kidney stones.
35. Sugar can cause ischemic heart disease.
36. Sugar can cause appendicitis.
37. Sugar can exacerbate the symptoms of multiple sclerosis.
38. Sugar can indirectly cause hemorrhoids.
39. Sugar can cause varicose veins.
40. Sugar can elevate glucose and insulin responses in oral contraception users.
41. Sugar can lead to periodontal disease.
42. Sugar can contribute to osteoporosis.
43. Sugar contributes to saliva acidity.
44. Sugar can cause a decrease in insulin sensitivity.
45. Sugar leads to a decreased glucose tolerance.
46. Sugar can decrease growth hormone.
47. Sugar can increase total cholesterol.
48. Sugar can increase systolic blood pressure.
49. Sugar can change the structure of protein causing interference with protein absorption.
50. Sugar causes food allergies.
51. Sugar can contribute to diabetes.
52. Sugar can cause toxemia during pregnancy.
53. Sugar can contribute to eczema in children.
54. Sugar can cause cardiovascular disease.
55. Sugar can impair the structure of DNA.
56. Sugar can cause cataracts.
57. Sugar can cause emphysema.
58. Sugar can cause atherosclerosis.
59. Sugar can cause free radical formation in the bloodstream.
60. Sugar lowers the enzymes' abilities to function.
61. Sugar can cause the loss of tissue elasticity and function.
62. Sugar can cause liver cells to divide, increasing the size of the liver.
63. Sugar can increase the amount of fat in the liver.
64. Sugar can increase kidney size and produce pathological changes in the kidney.
65. Sugar can overstress the pancreas, causing damage.
66. Sugar can increase the body's fluid retention.
67. Sugar can cause constipation.
68. Sugar can cause myopia (nearsightedness).
69. Sugar can compromise the lining of the capillaries.
70. Sugar can cause hypertension.
71. Sugar can cause headaches, including migraines.
72. Sugar can cause an increase in delta, alpha, and theta brain waves, which can alter the mind's ability to think clearly.
73. Sugar can cause depression.
74. Sugar can increase insulin responses in those consuming high-sugar diets compared to low-sugar diets.
75. Sugar increases bacterial fermentation in the colon.
76. Sugar can cause hormonal imbalance.
77. Sugar can increase blood platelet adhesiveness, which increases risk of blood clots.
78. Sugar can increase the risk of Alzheimer's Disease.

I guess other than the above, it's OK.

Don't Cry Over Spilled Milk

We had a long day in Amish country on Friday. Saturday morning we woke up and the phone was working and the power was on. The sun was even shining sporadically. We got up and made breakfast.We get our milk from a dairy farm and we fill our half gallon jugs from the milk tank. One of the boys got a jar out and set it on the table a little hard. Somebody else had noticed the beginning of a crack in the jar, but we hadn't done anything to take care of it. Alas, when the jar banged the table, the crack became a wide crevice. Actually, it became several pieces!

The milk, with all it's yummy cream went running off the table and on to the floor. How sad!! But we didn't allow any crying, Because you mustn't cry over spilled milk, right?!!

Dear Dallas was happy to come to our rescue and work on floor clean up. He thought that performing this duty gave him house dog status. Anytime he was let in the back hall, he would try and come into the rest of the house. Something he knows he is not allowed to do. Silly dog! I guess dog's have sin natures too. He forgets he is an outside dog, just because we have grace and let him sleep in the back hall.

Dallas loves people. He runs around the house and watches in the windows to see us. It is a little unnerving for some of my patients to see a big black dog staring in at them in the basement. We do enjoy him though.

~Mom

The Big Wind Storm

It seems like, often when my DH goes away we have major or minor crises here at home. This year he went and helped his parents move from Arizona to New Mexico, to live with one of his sisters. And what happened here on the home front? A big time wind storm! It kept most everyone awake all night as winds of 60-70 MPH buffeted the houses and trees. We have lots of big trees in our area, and now we have a few less. The house seemed to vibrate in the wind. Things were hitting against the siding and things were bouncing around in the yard. We couldn't wait for the morning. What had happened during the night ....?

The story I heard was that the night before a police car hit this telephone pole. Nothing seemed to be wrong so they didn't do anything with the pole. Then the wind hit... and the pole bent over in the middle. The only thing that kept it up were the wires. It was suspended over the road. The police directed the cars around it all day. As evening came, a concerned neighbor started worrying about what would happen if it started blowing again or if the wires broke.

So they closed our BUSY road! It was really nice to have a quiet street. The children went out and played in the middle of the road just to say they had done it. T-Bob and his friend were even doing chalk drawings in the turn lane.

The police stayed around until they turned our electric OFF. Then it was very dark and quiet. No street lights or cars. It felt like we lived out in the country. Pretty nice.

We had our power and phone off until Saturday morning. Fortunately, it wasn't real warm outside and we had a generator to power the fridges and freezers. In the evening we went over to the neighbors and enjoyed a bonfire. It was the only light in the area. It is always good to meet up with the neighbors after a winter's seclusion. Even on a busy city street, We have a neighborhood and watch out for each other.

Here is some of the other things that happened in our yard from the wind storm. This relatively big branch broke out of a tree and just missed my DH work truck when it fell. It also missed my blueberry bush. This was less significant, but I still appreciated it. During the wind storm I really did pray that nothing would hit the truck.

We also had a long section of downspout blow off the side of the house. Paul put it back up immediately. He is Mr. Handy for sure. No waiting around for his Dad to come home.

Nothing like a good adventure to make life interesting.

~Mom

Easter Sunday

We had a lovely Resurrection Day Sunday.

The children even somewhat willingly agreed to pose for a picture after church. I had to hurry, as they were anxious to change into casual clothes.

There was a different look to the cousin's table. There were cousins of cousins to dinner. Most of them in the six and under category. We had to hurry and get dinner as my DH had to run to the airport and catch a plane to go to AZ. His parents are in the process of moving in with one of his sister's. He took JoAn and Elizabeth with him. I am left home with three teenagers and a ten year old. Hmmmm, how did that happen?!! It could be a lot worse. I really do like my children, even in the prickly teen years.

Mr. Ian OBVIOUSLY found a chocolate treat. Or maybe he was just trying to look like Grandpa M.

The food was excellent and the company was entertaining. Everybody pitched in and brought something. We had enough food for about 12 more people. I tried to find more comers, but nobody else took me up.

The Westcott's joined us this year. This was the first time we've had them at our house. They are the other cousin's grandparents.

This little guy has a BIG day coming. On May 5th he will be officially adopted as a cousin. We are all planning to try and make it to the courthouse and the party afterwards.

We did get some games going. Some of the guys played 'Settler's of Catan' while the ladies played 'Ticket to Ride'. The ladies finished up with 'Category Five' which is a game that a six year old can manage. Levi actually came in third out of six big people.

Paul loves the babies. He kept Philip busy and happy for quite awhile. He's even willing to change diapers and help in the bathroom. He'll make a great daddy some day.

Sadie thinks she's a princess. Sometimes she acts like the two year old she almost is. Michelle is her favorite cousin at this time. She spends a lot of time with her.

Anita came over later in the day. She decided that she needed rest more than socialization. With four little ones, I understand that!

Do you think that these two little guys might possible be cousins? They don't look that much alike, but there are some definite resemblances!

It was so nice to get together with other believers on this Special Day. I am so glad that Easter always comes on Sunday. It is so important to stop our busyness and remember the most important thing. He is Risen! Do I hear a response?

Dallas the Sweetie!

Last night Paul found an empty honey container that hadn't been washed out.

He decided that it shouldn't go to waste.

So he let Dallas try and clean it out.

He worked on it for a long time!

I think that if he could have climbed in the container he would have. He really seemed to enjoy it!

~Mom

New Semester....

Same Scholars.

Thomas loves to stay by the stove and warm himself. He is a freeze body. He is doing well in his studies.

Paul is working slowly through his schoolwork and it is still a matter of debate whether he graduates this year or next.

Michelle likes to burrow under pillows and blankets, reading or doing her handicraft projects.

JoAn will often stop in and join pray with us at devotion time. She is a joy to have around!

She is working hard at her studies. She has 48 semester hours of college credit since October through College Plus.
Barefoot T-Bob plays legos during school. He loves to be barefoot and wear a hoodie with the hood up.

Elizabeth is doing well with her reading and writing. She does a great job on scripture memory also. We are memorizing Hebrews 11:1-20.

We are also busy getting ready for the next debate tournament. Two more to go. We are anxious for spring to arrive and regular views of the sun as well. This has been a LONG winter! The only spring flowers that have bloomed so far are the early crocuses.

~Mom