Tennis anyone?

Here is Davis in some actions shots from tennis practice today.  The tennis practice in which a summer member of the class revisited.  The one with the reputation that preceded her.  The one I had not encountered until this very day.  The one I had thought mostly harmless.  The one that caused the coach to thank Davis for being so polite, helpful and respectful of adults.  Said young person was acidic in her speech, lazy (sat down and waited for all the other students to pick up ALL the tennis balls), checked her phone several times during practice, complained, made derisive comments about other players (Oh no you did not just say that about my son!) and in general sucked the life and fun out of the lesson for coaches and students.  Bitter you say?  Maybe, but my ire was up in defense of my son and all the others who endured practice.  The flesh in me wanted to grab her, throw her over my checkered apron and give her what she deserved.  The Spirit in me wanted to have compassion on her and give her what she needed to heal the hurt that robbed her of all joy and made her life miserable.  So, after practice I asked Davis if he would be embarrassed if I talked to the coach about this little problem.  He was willing for me to do so and I introduced myself to Coach Zach who is supporting himself with tennis lessons while he is church planting in Huntsville.  "Would it be rude for a parent to ask that a student be kicked out of lessons?"  It seems that this was a last chance moment for her and she had failed the test.  Yes, I feel bad for her and at the same time relieved that lessons will have a more positive atmosphere next week.  Final score:  Flesh 1, Spirit 0.

Scott's Orchard and Maci the Bulldog

Inspired by our friend Fritz and the Bender family we hunted down Scott's Orchard in Hazel Green AL on Tuesday.  They wouldn't let us do our own apple picking but we did get to bag up our own 1/2 peck of apples, buy a gallon of cider and sample the delicious icee-type cider.  Oh my was it good!  It was dispensed from one of those slushie makers like you see in 7-11 or Git-n-Split stores.  It reminded me of Apple Town cider in the good ol' days.  Bellying up to the saloon bar next to those creepy mannequins dressed in Western period costumes and receiving that too small plastic cup of cider--good times.  Unfortunately for my family it seems that Bailey and Davis both like apple pie so that means less for us.

Last night after church we came back to the Norville's house where we are house sitting and encountered their next door neighbor Bob and his sweet Bulldog Maci.  She came out of the garage to bark at us but in good Bulldog fashion as soon as I bent down and said, "Hi there sweetheart!" she came running over to get some love.  She is a petite, 1 1/2 year old, fawn colored ball of energy.  Bob has had a long line of Bulldogs, Maci being the 7th.  Some of his former dogs came from a rescue place in South Florida.   Bob retired from the Navy in California and moved to...Fayetteville AR in the late 80s through about 1996.  Small world!  His grandsons are visiting him from Russelville this week before their aunt ships out to Kuwait. 

Bailey and Mr. Clyde

Every Tuesday night we are a part of the Lifetalk that meets at Clyde and Georgine's house. Mr. Clyde has taken a liking to Bailey and the feeling is mutual.  Both Bailey and Davis are included in the Bible discussions there.  I think it makes them feel validated and useful in a room full of adults who sometimes sound like they are arguing because they are so passionate about a particular topic.  Last night Mr. Clyde asked if he could keep Bailey.  He decided she is cuter "than a bug's ear."  Bailey and I were talking about this at bedtime and she said, "I just feel like I can be myself there."  I can't think of a higher compliment about their hospitality than that.

On the way home we were playing a car game where we tried to find words along the way that started with the next letter of the alphabet.  Home, in, Jim, Kroger...liquor!  Oh, how I long for the days of innocence when Davis couldn't read.

They Say Today Is Your Birthday

Happy Birthday to my brother Uncle Steven!  One year away from the big 4-0.  I can hear those last few clinks of the roller coaster as it crests the peak...

Summer of Champions

Yes folks, we have come to the end of another VBS.  The elementary department put on a great presentation this evening telling us old fogies what they learned this summer.  Davis did a great job with the other 5th graders in a skit.  I am proud to say that of all the kids his voice was clear and distinct.  As my Mom used to say to me, "Slow down and speak up so your Grandad can hear you."  Davis got the same advice.  Bailey got to show off her bronze and silver medals on the front row.  She wanted to say the gold medal memory verses near the end but decided, "Mom, I already have the gold because I have those verses in my heart where it counts."  That's good enough for me!