I'm now accumulating miscellaneous blogworthy information.  Time to spit it out.

1.  Anna is taking her first 'concert trip' with daddy this weekend.  They are headed to Embarrass, MN.  She is thrilled to be going along with him.  Hopefully it goes well....it's a church he's been to before and they'll be staying with the pastor, so it should be an easy one for Anna to start on.  I did finally get her hair cut today.  It was getting SO long and unmanageable.  I knew Matt would never be able to deal with it on the trip, so we cut off about 3.5 inches.  It's still just past her shoulders and looks nice and healthy again. 

2.  Speaking of Matt, he's been extremely busy all of a sudden.  The usual travelling stuff, plus about 3 other big things that he needs to get done for future events.  One biggie is writing a new dinner theater.  He's got the idea, he's collecting vignettes and tying it all together.  In my opinion, it will be considerably better than the last.  Hard to imagine (and he probably won't like me saying so), BUT I really like the theme and can see the potential for cool tie-ins and effects.  Last year was the "Christmas Tree Lot" idea with different trees/skits demonstrating different aspects of Christmas spirit...the cross being the final "tree".  This year he's going with Light.  It's going to be cool, folks.  But, it has to be written before summer.  B/c rehearsals start immediately in the fall.

Another biggie is that it's only a month or so til summer staff arrive.  Matt has been revamping the summer staff manual and really all of staff training.  It's great and much needed, but is alot of administrative work on his part.  And it all has to be done SOON, so it can be printed and in place for planning purposes.  And lastly, he is speaking for Jr. High youth camp this summer....so, he's started work on that series of messages.  Like I said, he's suddenly very, very busy.

3.  Flora, our mourning dove mommy, hatched two baby birds this week.  She and "Henry" stuck it out on that nest in a terrible winter storm that came through last week.  They are amazing.  One morning, I came down and they were BOTH snuggled in together on top of those eggs.  We watched the little ones eating this morning....so tiny, eyes still shut.  Johnny wants to take pictures.  We'll see how they turn out.  Maybe I'll share.

4.  This afternoon, I stopped by the school district office to get info about the local charter school....the Rural Virtual Academy.  I've been thinking of enrolling Johnny next year and wanted to look at the curriculum and hear about it.  We have several families (well, we know almost all of the 15 or so students) who are involved.  I have to say I was very impressed.  Solid curriculum, very flexible management, lots and lots of great resources, activities and support.  (should have seen Johnny salivating over the RVA library)  I was not prepared to be so impressed.  We came home with the entire box of 3rd grade curriculum to look over.  It wouldn't be too much of a change for us as far as what he'd do, well there's MORE than what we're currently doing if anything (stuff like poetry, computer skills, etc.)...but the basics are about where he is at.  Phonics looks a little too easy for him, but they make it up with more reading, writing and composition than I'm currently doing.  The big change would be the accountability for getting work done.  He would go to town each month to be tested over that months material.  They'd be keeping records of progress.  Slightly intimidating, but in a good way I think.  Anyway, we're thinking about it.  Will keep you posted.

5.  And, I'm doing some great reading and Bible study.  But, I think I'll save that for the next entry.  As far as D's therapy, he had his first session on Friday.  But, it was mostly just getting used to the machine, learning how to toss the "koosh" ball back and forth, building some trust with the therapist.  This next Friday should tell us more.

6.  OH, I almost forgot....we had our piano tuned finally.  We had called the guy last fall, but he never showed.  So we finally got him here the other morning, and I've been rediscovering the joy and stress release of playing and playing and playing.  Nothing like some heavy classical music to just work your stress out to.  My fingers are incredibly out of shape, but I am amazed how much they remember.  The piano sounds great now.  It had really gotten badly out of tune, with probably 5-6 keys that stuck.  And, who can blame it....after being dragged across the country on a trailer, under a tarp, in a monsoon!!    Then the shock of a whole new climate.  The poor thing didn't know what hit it!