House Parents

Today a new respite couple started working at the Ranch.

Today was the Bridges’ last day.  I will miss them greatly!  I am very surprised that the Ranch didn’t give them a going away party or something like that.

As my wife would tell me many times, just because you don’t understand something, that doesn’t make it wrong.

Collecting

^{Matthew 6:19-21}

¹⁹“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Quote

The stuff of earth competes for the allegiance I owe only to the Giver of all things

-Rich Mullins

Health challenge again

Tomorrow starts another 30 day quest to better health.  I did well on the 30 day challenge before Christmas.  I lost 13 pounds!  I am holding at 170 lbs.

I don’t do well with moderation.  I remain an All or Nothing person.

I will be doing push ups, pull ups, ab lounge and jogging a mile or using an elliptical at the YMCA.  No sodas or sweets!  I will be drinking water and milk only

Quote from my wife

Why does it take such an extreme tragedy to cause us to move?

Great conversation

I finally talked with Casey!  I haven’t talked to him for over a month. I found out that he had food poisoning last week.  He spend a week in the hospital.

It was great to catch up with him!  He said that work has been very slow now that the new year has begun.  No body buys cars in January.

I am really hoping that we can see each other soon

2010 coin collecting

2010 could be one of the biggest years for coin collecting.  There are a lot of new coins and one year only issues coming out this year.

Dollars:  Now called the Native American dollar, the Sacagawea dollar has another new reverse (tails).  There will be four new Presidential dollars that will be released, including Abraham Lincoln!

Quarters:  This year starts an 11 year quarter program called, “America the Beautiful Quarters”  Like the state quarters program, five quarters will be released every year.  What’s unique about this program is that the US mint will be  issuing a 5 ounce silver quarter for each of the National Sites,  that will be 3 inches in diameter!  That’s about twice the size of the Silver American Eagle that started in 1986.

Lincoln Cent:  The 2010 Lincoln Cent will début a brand new reverse design for the long running series. This will mark the seventh reverse design used on the Lincoln Cent since its introduction in 1909. The first design used from 1909 to 1958 featured a pair of wheat ears. The second design used from 1959 to 2008 featured a view of the Lincoln Memorial. The next four reverse designs were issued during 2009 to represent the different stages of Abraham Lincoln’s life. The design to be used from 2010 onwards will feature the union shield.

The union shield features thirteen vertical stripes joined by a single horizontal bar at the top with the inscription “E Pluribus Unum” (Out of many one). This symbolizes the original thirteen states joined together in a single compact union. A scroll appears across the shield with the denomination “One Cent” and “United States of America” appears above the shield.

Silver American Eagle:  2010 will be the 25 Anniversary (Silver Anniversary) of the Silver Eagle. There are no changes to this coin this year except for the change of the date.  From the first year of issue in 1986 through 2008, the mint issued a Mint Strike Silver Eagle in a 20 coin roll and a Proof Silver Eagle.  In 2006, the mint issued a special Mint Strike, burnished Silver Eagle from West Point.  It was issued through 2008.  In 2009, the mint didn’t have enough silver to release the burnished Silver Eagle or the Proof Silver Eagle.  I am hoping that they release all 3 this year!

Ski trip

Just got back from my ski trip with Joey and Shane.  Shane and Joey grew up together.  We split the cost in thirds, which made the trip very reasonable.

We got to ski on Thursday and Friday.  On Thurs, we had the mountain practically to ourselves!  We had a great time!

Shane brought his Flip video recorder.  Joey and Shane took some video of all of us coming down the hills, we had a blast!  I really hope we will make this an annual event

Respite begins!

Joey and I are going to Ashville, NC for a 2 day ski trip.  I haven’t gone skiing in about 3 years.  I really miss it!  So thankful that I get to hang out with Joey and have some fun on the slopes!

I’ve got to finish laundry and pack for the trip.  I am leaving at 3pm…that’s only about 2 hours away

I think we are going to Winter Jam on Sunday, I am so excited about that too!!

Lots of changes at the Ranch for 2010.  Got to roll with the punches sometimes

Respite

Respite begins tomorrow!  I am so looking forward to skiing with Joey.  We leave tomorrow afternoon