Weekend Report

We've had quite a week! I have jokingly referred to our lives right now as being like the "Fortunately" book. For those of you who are not familiar with it, it goes something like,

FORTUNATELY he got to ride in a plane

UNFORTUNATELY he fell out of the plane

FORTUNATELY he had a parachute

UNFORTUNATELY there was a hole in the parachute

FORTUNATELY there was haystack below him

UNFORTUNATELY there was a pitchfork in the haystack

FORTUNATELY he missed the pitchfork

UNFORTUNATELY he missed the haystack....

and on and on....

We've had a lot of those moments. But one thing has been glaring at me lately. Those FORTUNATELY moments outshine the unfortunately moments by a long shot! God has intervened in so many circumstances in our lives lately---showering His blessings on us and reminding us that no matter what the situation, no matter how impossible things seem, He can handle it.


Here are a few of this week's blessings:


We finally got some snow so we can stop envying everyone around us!



My husband was safe and warm in this building the night the storm hit while thousands of others were stuck on the Beltway-some up to 13 hours!



Joshua has a good friend who lives next door and LOVES to play outside



Boys enjoying the crisp outdoors

 

a fun baking day indoors-we had power, unlike many others in MD



yummy orange-blueberry bread, recipe courtesy of my friend Sheri

house of cards

 

Great sledding snow. See those branches on the ground? That's all we got--unlike the huge half of a tree that fell on a neighbor's house.



This cute kid got to spend the weekend with us. The boys had a blast together!

 

my new toy, courtesy of my generous husband



today's deliciousness: peanut butter cup ice cream. The full-fat version, of course!

  

Two good friends at Chick-fil-a, having "second breakfast" after Joshua's basketball game. Our new tradition!



Sweet friends who make us laugh



Basketball Season is Upon Us

Joshua is playing Upward basketball this season at First Baptist Church. I really like this program--the big boys also played when they were younger--because the emphasis is less on winning and more on character development. The games all start with prayer, each practice concludes with a devotion, there are memory verses each week, and a real focus on developing a Christ-like attitude towards sportsmanship.
He had his first game this weekend and had a blast! As he buckled into his seat afterwards, he declared, "I am DEFINITELY playing again next year!"  An early-season pronouncement. I'm sure the coaches were glad they didn't have to worry about him being a one-and-done and heading for the draft. :)
Oh, and he was an excellent defensive player and yes, he scored a basket. :)
There are phone photos---forgive the quality.

warming up

the players were announced as they came through the tunnel




two good buddies

 

Pinewood Derby

This weekend was Pack 731's Pinewood Derby. In keeping with family tradition, Joshua submitted a car that was known more for its looks than its speed.
He and Dave cut the car out back in December and after much sanding and pondering and detail-making, he came up with a finished product that could proudly drive down the street of Chapel Hill.
He won an award for style-which is also a Gercken tradition. Our cars may not be fast, but they sure LOOK GOOD!

Quick Photo Update

Time Goes On....and here's a little proof....

 Friday 4 of us drove up to Baltimore to see an exhibit at the Walters Art Musem on Walter Wick, the author of the I Spy and Can You See What I See books. Our whole family loves those books-we have several-and Joshua got one of the newest books for Christmas. The exhibit was really great--there were actual models used for the photographs, and large prints so we could get a great look. There were videos of the set ups and even examples of Wick's earlier works, as far back as high school. We had a great time. And for those of you who live in the area who haven't been there yet, the musuem itself is an AWESOME way to spend an afternoon. And it's free!



Actual model of one of the sets from the newest book, Treasure Ship

 



Outside the museum looking towards Cathedral