Lights out.

Some wind, huh? Funny thing, that wind. That wind split one of our two trees in half, and if not for the power lines leading to our house, half of that tree would've landed on our roof. So good news, bad news. Good news: Tree didn't hit roof. Bad news: Tree hit power lines. No power. Many sparks. Much wind. (Did I mention the wind?)

We'll be bunking with Brett's generous parents for a few days until TXU and a tree company can (a) clear limbs away from the lines, (b) remove both halves of our tree, and (c) repair the lines and restore power. Yippee.

We're stressed and just a little tired, but we know we're blessed to have a home-away-from-home to go to, and we're more than blessed that the sparks didn't catch our roof on fire. Amid the power surges, I made a few quick trips inside the house to get a few changes of clothes. Then I had the luxury of grabbing a few photo albums--just in case. There was no way I could get them all, so I put my "what if there's a fire" plan into action and grabbed the biggies: wedding album, wedding video, baby books and two special scrapbooks. I said a quick prayer that I was overreacting and that our house would not catch on fire, but wow, was I nervous!

Then at dinner Ryan asked if we were going to be OK. I counted the four of us around the table and said, "We're fine."

How fabulous it was this morning to see that yes, our house is still there. Even greater was to hear that TXU was finally getting around to our emergency (after dealing with many the wind had caused). Greater still is to know that we will get to go home--eventually.

It's in the mail!

As of this morning, all 724 pages of Brett's manuscript are on their way to the publishing house!

He ended up with 154,423 words and 41 photos. WHEW!

Why I'm a Vince Young fan.

Reason #783:

"Vince knows, in the back of his mind, the man structure in our family has fallen, and for him to take a stand as a man, that makes us proud," Felicia Young said. "We know, even if he wasn't a football player, he was going to be a great son and be a great man, and he would be successful whatever he decided to do. God is using football to put Vince in everybody's life."

The Link

Acting out Acts.

As part of the Power Zone class, Ryan got to help act out scenes from Acts on Wednesday night. Power Zone, made up of fifth and sixth graders, created digital photos that were used to teach the younger kids.

Jamba, our incredibly creative children's minister, has started posting still and video images from different activities to help keep parents aware of what happens on Sundays and Wednesdays: Jamba's site

It's been fun to get a glimpse into some of the stuff that happens while I'm holed up in the A/V booth!

From pooty to party.

I was in a pitiful mood headed back to work Thursday. Our final yearbook deadline is fast approaching, and the anxiety from that, TAKS, required online training, etc., etc., were weighing on me. But when I got to school, I found a yearbook staffer already there, decorating our computer lab for my birthday! My job may be too stressful this time of year, but I'm so blessed to get to know these students!And what fantastic taste they have when it comes to cupcakes:

My birthday just kept going--it was great! When I got home, I found a pizza and this waiting for me on our kitchen table:

I think we and the fire marshal can be thankful Brett put only four candles on the cake (one for each Dub)!