Rain

Sunday starts with church.  Of course, that's what Daddy does - but Madison knows that's where it starts too.  She wakes Mommy up with the desire to go, and that makes her parents very happy.  This morning, she got a head start, going with Daddy early just to hang out in the office.  KidPak Jr. is her favorite place to be Sunday morning, and it was such a thrill to see this photo later on today.  Her teacher there is so good to be sensitive to the importance of time in worship, teaching kids the most important things, the things that matter.  Daddy's thoughts on services have always been about the priorities being worship first, message next, and then everything else afterwards.  It was so great to see first things first here.

The rest of the day went well - although cold and rainy.  Yes, it's May and it's cold and rainy.  We're talking forty-seven degrees outside, windy and rainy.  And not just an ordinary rain either - this rain was heavy and solid all day long.  As of a report today, Lake Lanier is actually 2.25 feet above pool.  It actually is pretty impressive, and unexpected.  Just six months ago, things were looking dire for the lake and the reality was that we were looking another really low level year.  But here we are in May, all somewhat startled.  Take a look at this chart here, to see the amazing amount of rain over the past few months, compared to previous years.

And, of course, it's still cold outside.  It's funny to think about, but we sort of wish we had some wood to put in the fireplace.  We'd go outside to collect some, but it's all completely soaked!

We did start a new series today, and therefore you'd rightly assume we were all pretty wiped out.  Time for a siesta!

There's our little girl - and her friend Abigail.  That's the stuffed animal, a teddy bear she got from Locks of Love.  The two are both wearing sombreros, as today is another special occasion:  Cinco de Mayo!

Our entire celebration consisted of some nachos and cheese, salsa and a few cheese fajitas.  In the past, we've watched "The Three Cabelleros," "Nacho Libre" or even "The Three Amigos," but this year everyone was a little tired in the afternoon.  And Madison was anxious to try out her new present she got yesterday - a Star Wars game for the Kinect.

Madison had a lot of fun Pod Racing, but this was the highlight of the afternoon:  a Rancor Rampage.  We're not sure who thought up this idea, as most Star Wars games feature jedis and characters with blasters, or spaceships flying in battle or through obstacle courses.  But this... this is genius.  Madison gets to be a rancor monster, loose and destroying a bunch of stuff.  It is reminiscent of the game "Rampage" from a few years ago, which we loved to play in the arcade (and on the N64).  Anyway, she really loved doing this game.  Daddy actually has a rancor monster downstairs in the basement.  It's not a real one though, mainly because of the upkeep.  This one is plastic.  Maybe I'll bring it upstairs and Madison can have a new friend to play with!

It was a relaxing sort of night of rest for us, Madison playing Sesame Street's "Once Upon a Monster."  It's such a sweet game, and Madison really likes interacting with Cookie Monster (who is sort of like the rancor monster, but eats cookies instead).  She also likes Elmo (Daddy shudders, but Elmo just might be a step up from Barney).  In any event, the game is a really nice one, and Madison wants to keep playing it.  We're fine with that for the "babysitter" aspect of it, but there's also a lot of creativity and learning involved too. 

It was a nice night, and everyone went to bed early too.  We had another long, long weekend - time for another siesta!  Buenos nachos!