May 14 - “Some new terminology”

We learned some new terminology from Noa and Luke. Here’s what they explained to us. 

Phantom tax. “That’s when a guy named Phantom is stealing food.”

OK. I actually get where they were coming from from on that one. After all, who hasn’t been hit with a Dad tax at Halloween when he peruses your candy stash and casually removes all the good stuff? But to make things fair, we did ask Alexa what it was. She explained that it was like a partner in firm getting taxed on the value of his position even if he gets no monetary compensation. Phantom Tax. Ouch. 

We learned what a “low taper fade” haircut is. It’s the one that makes the hair stick out in front and fade to almost bald below. I have seen that haircut at Walmart. I thought the barber slipped or something. 

My favorite was one they called “Mewing”. I know. Sounds like something a cat would say. Apparently it is a reference to the action of running an index finger from the back to the front of the jaw, emphasizing the jaw line. It means you love the person it is directed toward. Well, alrighty then. 

On a more practical note, we figured out a two mile walking track up here. Actually it was just a series of streets with an elementary school track sandwiched in between. It was a little different here, though. This is the Land of hills. Took us a little over 40 minutes. 

In the afternoon the kids played a makeshift version of baseball and pickleball outside. At least until it got too hot. 94 degrees is scorching. 

Back inside, Chris chose to go with AnnaGrace to dance rehearsal. I stayed beyond with the older guys. They played video games for a while and then found ways to stay creative - and cool. I watched a video or two, then read some. 

After Josh got home, we gathered everyone up and met Chris and Christi and AnnaGrace at a local chicken shack for some dinner. That put us right up to time for the very event we made this particular trip to see - AnnaGrace’s baseball game. 

It was a rousing, rollicking experience. Both pitchers were really on their game. Lots of strikeouts. But wait. The game was in a Coach-pitch league. Like, the coaches were pitching to their own team. In spite of the strikeouts, though, the good guys clearly scored more runs. One scorer had us winning 14-4. Another had us up 8-6. Either way, the league is also instructional, meaning they don’t keep an official score. So, way to go, AnnaGrace.  We are proud of you. 

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ says, Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Father, thank you for watching over those little kids playing baseball. Help them learn to have fun and just like the game. Amen. 

May 13 - “Nuggets n jerky”

And so we were off. We waited until 10:30 to leave because we had to stop and pick up a passenger. Noa asked if she could join us for this trip. However, she had a PT appointment until 11:00. 

They met us at that bastion of sweetness, Smoothie King (Nope. Never been there. Still haven’t gotten beyond the parking lot). We did go across the parking lot to try out a new burger place, though. Shake Shack. Pretty good smash burgers, according to Chris and Noa. I had a BLT. Best part was the bun didn’t overpower everything else. 

That gave us the firepower we needed to make it to Buc-ees. Less than an hour away and Noa was already hungry again. She was happy with some beef jerky. I got some cinnamon Beaver Nuggets. Yum. 

That snack held us for the final leg of the journey into Waco, the site of a major heat wave, apparently in our honor. It’s supposed to get up to 98 today for the baseball game. But tomorrow will be the real scorcher. 

104. Ouch.

Life was going on for the Waco Vaughan’s when we arrived. Josh and Zak were at work. Christi took Luke to a  junior high open gym time. Caleb and a friend disappeared into his room to film a podcast for Caleb’s English final project. Then he had basketball practice, followed immediately by Spring football practice. Fortunately, AnnaGrace decided to hang around and play girlie stuff with Noa. Something about a Barbie wedding and honeymoon. More power to ‘em. 

Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭10‬ ‭says, For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.

Father, thank you got the chance AnnaGrace and Noa have to connect with another girl cousin. Amen. 

May 12 - “Here’s to Moms”

Well, it was a Sunday. That meant church in the morning, of course. Fairly small crowd, but still some pretty strong worship. 

After church we headed back home for some pizza as our big Mother’s Day lunch with the LaMarque Vaughan’s. It was also Josiah’s fifteenth birthday, so dual celebrations. 

And of course an added benefit of celebrating Mother’s Day at  DadDad’s house? We watched the Astros game. Even better, the good guys won the game, 6-0. It was a combined two pitcher two hitter.  Very impressive. Wonder where that kind of baseball has been all year. 

Josh and his family called around 6:30. Just checking in for Mother’s Day and all. We’ll be seeing them here in a little while. We are heading toward Waco in a bit to watch AnnaGrace play some baseball. Yep. Baseball, not softball. That’s some girl. 

Matthew‬ ‭1‬:‭21‬ says, She will give birth to a son, and you are to name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.

Father, please be with us on our journey today. Amen. 

May 11 - “Graduation #1 - Jachin”

We hit the road around 8:30, heading for Houston. First born grandson Jachin graduated from our Alma mater, Houston Christian University. When we started there, it was Houston Baptist College. In our third or fourth year, it changed to Houston Baptist University. Guess it’s in the Big Time now. 

We almost couldn’t go. Each student is only allowed six tickets. That covers Jachin’s siblings and Mom and Dad. But not grandparents. However, the day before the event, students could stand in line for extras. Jachin managed to score three extras. Two for us and one for Christina’s dad. Good job, Jachin. Oh, good job on the whole graduating in three years thing. Took me five. We are really proud of you. 

Speaking of proud, I think we got in a hundred or so photos before the ceremony even started. We had some great seats. Lower balcony … front row. And that meant … a hundred more photos. The only snafu I noticed was when they called out his name. He had provided  them with a pronunciation guide - “Jay-kin.” Is that how they pronounced it? Nope. How about “Jaa-kin”? Oh well. 

Oh, and I got a new cap. Now I’m officially an HCU alum instead of HBU. And speaking of alums, we got to meet Jalyx Hunt. He played football at HCU before getting drafted into the NFL and having an amazing game for the Eagles at the Super Bowl. Jachin knew him from his time as student trainer. 

From the college we drove down to Alvin. Ezra, Noa, and Josiah were performing in their end of the year fine arts co-op thing. Ezra sang in a choir. Noa played the violin and her choir sang 2 songs. Josiah played guitar and sang in a choir as well. Of course they all were amazing. 

From there we went over to Nathan and April and Cailyn’s. They invited us for supper to celebrate Mother’s Day. Fried shrimp and grilled red snapper. Yum. 

It was quite the full day, for sure. Now to see what actual Mother’s Day holds today. 

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭2‬:‭3‬ ‭says, God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, for on it He rested from His work of creation.

Father, thanks for the moms in my life. Of course my mom was awesome. Thanks as well for Chris, Christina, Christi, and April. I love those ladies. Bless them today. Amen. 

May 10 - “Quiet”

Rain let up long enough for us to get our walk in. In fact, it was really cool. So much so that Chris wore a long sleeved shirt and wished sue had put on long pants and a coat. Definitely overkill. It was just very nice. 

I spent most of the afternoon working on the jigsaw puzzle. Well, we did do some spraying of ant beds in the back yard. The rain has them really scrambling. It was a different kind of day. Quiet. 

Josh called. It’s always fun to chat with him for an hour or so just about every Friday. Gotta keep up with those Waco grandkids. 

‭‭John‬ ‭13‬:‭14‬ ‭says, So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.

Father, watch over our Waco bunch. Amen. 

May 9 - “Deja vu”

Yesterday was deja vu day (is that how you spell it?) in court. I had to appear before the judge again and redo the whole executor assignment thing. This time Janell had to come along, since she witnessed the original signature.

Our lawyer had a family thing come up, so one of his associates filled in for him. It was his first time in that particular court since he was sworn in as an attorney ten years ago. He was pretty nervous, but did an admirable job. So I guess we can check off that responsibility … again. Now we wait for our lawyer to get back in town so he can get started on the next phase. 

Isaiah‬ ‭43‬:‭18‬-‭19‬ says, Do not remember the past events, pay no attention to things of old. Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.

Father, bless Janell for coming to court with us. Amen. 

May 8 - “Thunder”

We awoke to some pretty serious thunderstorms yesterday. Freddy and Leia (we are dog sitting the LaMarque Vaughan’s pup) were not comfortable at all. I even made sure the computer was unplugged. And I fully expected the power to go out at any moment. It held, though, and the storms eventually made their way through the area. 

The result was a really beautiful day. I spent it inside, though. Hey, it was Astros afternoon baseball day. I did get outside a little bit. Chris needed some help. Yep. She was back at it in the back yard. This time she was repotting some of the avocado trees she’s been nursing. They seem to be doing well. No avocados, but the leaves seem to be fine. Maybe some day. 

Oh, we did spend an hour or two on cruise planning. We had to choose the excursions for our Eastern Caribbean trip. Glad to have one more thing checked off on that cruise. All we have left is the final payment to the cruise line. That’s not due until October. 

Last night we went out to the church. The prayer team was meeting, so we decided to join them. This is the first chance we have had to be there since the very first time they met. Prayer is good. 

‭‭Zechariah‬ ‭14‬:‭9‬ ‭says, On that day Yahweh will become King over all the earth — Yahweh alone, and His name alone.

Father, please be with us at this probate court date this morning. Help the wheels to turn smoothly. Amen.