...Had to Do It !

I just had to share these shots from Sam's blog on ours. I just loved this picture of Mel and little Eloise! I had to share it with Pleasant Chapel watchers who do not check in on the Frrenh Connection.

Announcing the New Principal of Licking Valley High School...

This evening the Licking Valley School Board made it official. They voted in a close 3 to 2 split decision....(JUST KIDDING) to hire Wes as the new Licking Valley high School Principal. He was hired after a rather grueling interviewing process including a barrage of questions from a 15 member community/student/teacher panel. Needless to say as a family we are very proud of his accomplishment.

It's official! The handshake of the Board President, Lydia Miller.......

......and good wishes from district treasurer and friend, JoLynn Torbert

Wes told the board that it was with great humility that he takes the responsibility of leading the school he attended and at which he taught. Mr Barr, the man on the left commented, "We hated it when you left [to go to Utica] and we're glad that you've come back to lead..." To which Wes responded, "I never really left, I just live across the street!" Adele had told Wes when it came time to speak to use the fruit speech. When asked what that was she said, "Grape to be hear....lettuce now talk!"

His new environs starting this summer....

Our Beautiful Addition to Bill's Botanical Garden

Thanks to Seth and Heather we have a beautiful and unusual addition to the Landscape. Unusual because it has uniquely braided trunk stems. It will look great in a BIG pot on the back porch!

Easter Evening at Pleasant Chapel...

Zoe and Addy came dressed to the Easter evening supper dressed in their new Easter outfits. These girls continue to grow and mature so fast!

Wes grabbed Chelsey to show that she was wearing an Air Force jacket which she is afraid might appear on the internet! Don't worry Chels the secret is safe here!

Are They Crazy???

.....sure enough....there they are...at the Cincinnati Reds game.....20 degrees....zero with the wind chill! That's Seth in the yellow and Wes in the blue/grey over the right shoulder of the Red's reliever, Coffee in the 7th inning as I watched from the warmth of my home! The Reds won of course.

What Stuff Really Matters Anyway??

Before launching off to school from the Grandparent Pad the other day, Zoe and Addy were perusing the refrigerator gallery. They were talking about memorable expeiences with those they love. I counted 43 pictures of people and animals we love and have displayed. Interestingly we also have 42 magnets that remind us of the places Pat and I have visited and and enjoyed. After my haircut with my brother Bob yesterday we sat down together since his next appointment was late and spent the time sharing family stories. I continue to become more fully aware that it isn't the STUFF that really matters!....it's the relationships....the love of God, family and friends....that mean the most.

Pit Game Revisited

Only Sam will truly appreciate this scene. A Pleasant Chapel neighbor of years ago, Mark McCullough, joined us with us his wife, Liz. Pit is a "rousing game" that we used to play when the boys were growing up. Liz had heard the stories but not the song...."Barley Barley Oats Rye....Wheat Flax Corn...." (You know the rest, Sam! ) As you can see by the picture below...a laughing good time was had by all!

Wes and Mark kept us in stitches with school stories all evening....

....Chelsey relaxes in the easy chair.......

.....and the girls turn in while their parents laughed and played.

A Brief Tribute To My Wife, Pat

Yesterday Sam emailed a note describing some of his Mother's attributes and got me thinking about the same things he brought up. I am going to make a statement about my wife that I have given a good bit of recent thought.

Pat is the most selfless person I know!

You've heard of or know someone who you would describe as selfish or selfcentered.....that description is the absolute opposit of what and who Pat is. Living with her as I do day to day for going on 40 years...I SHOULD KNOW! She is constantly thinking of OTHERS! Because she is constantly thinking of OTHERS she is constantly doing things for others! Be it the family, through church where she spends hours each week providing hospitality in the form of coffee, food, and friendly greeting to all ......or as friend to so many needy people over all the years of our marriage.....SHE HASN'T A SELFISH BONE IN HER BODY! This picture has been blogged before but represnts to me the nature and spirit of Pat Weaver...... Pat loves her kids and their companions and their kids.

An example of how she "thinks and operates" came to mind as I was going to praer this morning. I looked over on the stand next to our "Prayer Chair" and saw the prayer box she put there some time ago. In the box she has put folded papers with the names of our individual family members and those we are in contact with that have difficult issues going on in their lives. As I pulled out a couple of names and prayed for them....I added a special prayer of thanks for the one who....... through His own divine providence..... God has given me to do life together with! She is unconditional love personified!