We are home

Got home safely. More to come soon.

day 7 and 8 (weekend)

We have had a good couple of days. We ate well and everyone actually had a shower.

I resealed the driveway with blacktop and I have blisters with a sore back.

We went to the Hauser's last night for their daughter Lucy 3rd birthday party. They had every type of ice cream and topping you could want... it was yummy. They had a bounce house and a badminton net set up. The kids (+ haley) had a great time.

Today the 4 bennetts (counting Haley) put on a "talent show" for the neighborhood. They went door to door and invited all of the neighbors for the 5pm show. They ended up having 8 people present. Sold concessions for a quarter which consisted of cheeze its and lemonade. I thought Tia would have enjoyed it a lot.

Church last night was good. They are focusing on Evangelism to match the opening of their new auditorium. It was good to hear stories of life change and redemption. We serve a God who is alive and active.

We (Tia and I) love to hear stories of God's grace in people's lives not the least of which our own.

They return tomorrow... YEAH!!!!!

God Bless,
joe

Day 6

Bittersweet day. Tia and Amy bought a phone card to call home. They called while I was at work so I missed it, then they called again and we actually got to talk for about 15 minutes. Wonderful conversation.

I cried.

Not sure why.... I miss her but we have been doing fine....but if you dont know this about me... whenever there is a "hallmark" commercial... I am shedding a tear. So I can get choked up pretty easily.

I think it was the combination of seeing God at work in my wife and my daughter and missing them. Not that I am a big tough guy but I do like to think I provide protection for my family. Well when they are in Costa Rica I have turn that duty over to my Savior.

So I am off downstairs to play WII... our neighbor Haley who is basically a member of the bennett (7) clan brought hers over for us all to enjoy.

God bless all and pray for me, my wife and our family if you think of it.
thanks
Joe

day 5

Wendy's.... yep.... even though the documentary "super size me" was enlightening.... we dominated Wendy's for dinner.

then we spent $50 bucks at Kroger. Bread, doughnuts, milk, cookies (double stuff oreos variety..yumm), yogurt, waffles, and birthday cards... Queen B's birthday is next wednesday. Debated on the chili cheese corn chips........ but they didnt make the cut.

Kids are worn out! In bed and lights out by 9pm. That is typical for the school year but usually closer to 9:30 or 10 during the summer.

One thing about being a single parent....I am in need of conversation that does not consist of what we are having for dinner or what is off limits for snacks. Thanks to our friend Linda for taking Andrew to the park and then back to her house today I was able to get a few hours worth of uninterrupted work done. It was enjoyable!

4 days left.. they return on Monday evening around 6:38 *Smile*

joe

day 4

great day with only ONE meltdown and it wasnt by me.

breakfast, lunch(for andrew only) and dinner(chicken parmesian from a box, left over ceasar salad and green beans) were all served on time.

Annie started crying about 8pm and didnt stop till about 9:30. She misses her mom and no matter how much Dad loves on her... its not the same. She whimpered all the way before, during and after taking a shower.... Chalk it up to missing her mom and being extra tired.

As we try to resemble the cleaver family(sarcasm!)...aaron so wanted to MOCK his younger sister for crying as she was getting out of the shower and into her jammies.....I said, "go tell her you miss your mom too and it will be ok." so he did and Annie shouted, "I DONT CARE!!!!"... for those of you that know Annie she can scream with the best of them. Aaron felt he should have went ahead and mocked her... Probably would have gotten a similar response....aaahhhh the joys of parenting.

We took a bike ride to cool creek park. Still finding it to be refreshing and rewarding. And thankfully.....not life threatening.

I completed my task list from yesterday with one exception... the front door springy thingy. I know I know.. I only had 3 things on the list..... well 2 were accomplished... .667 a very respectable batting average no matter what level you are playing. *SMILE*

joe

day 3

laundry day didnt win.. the bennetts minus 2 did!!!! TAKE that domestic chores, you thought you could win without our queen (tia) and our princess (amy) but you were wrong. I am Mr. Mom hear me ROAR!!!!!!

dinner got served at 6 sharp! Including lasagna (from a box), ceasar salad (pre-packaged)and strawberries (already cut/sliced). Nevertheless, it was yummy and dishwasher was loaded and ran while we went to Basketball at 6:30.

We then went to BW3's for chips and queso and CUBBIES...Kiddos had a lot of fun.

to do list for tomorrow.. (now I see why my wife has a love affair with LISTS)...1.. fix front door springy thingy...2...put away dishes and vacuum....3...Pray for my family (have to put this on the list otherwise it might not count)...thats enough for me.... I like magageable lists.... ones I actually can complete. *SMILE*

Single Moms....including my mother and my sister.... wow. How did you do it all those years? Cleaning, cooking, parenting and working? Suffice it to say, God is teaching me a lot and one of those lessons is an appreciation for what Single Parents experience on a daily basis. Keep em coming God... I need a lot of teaching... It seems the older I get the more I realize how much I need to be taught!

Tia emailed again today and said they are all falling in love with the kids. Amy is doing well and really likes the food and the comradarie with the other team members from our church.

gnight.
joe

day 2

Day 2 was a busy one but fairly typical for our family.

breakfast for all by 9 except Annie who I had to wake up at 9:20. Make their lunches for CCC.

Annie and Aaron spent the day at Cool Creek Camp from 10 till 3 (Thanks to Annette Dart for picking my munchkins up). I went and picked them up at 3 and delivered Noah home safely.

At ten I had to work with a new agent who was with Andrew and I at our house until noon.

Then while Andrew took a nap and before pick up of the kids I was actually able to get insurance work done.

For dinner we had Beef Stew that my brother brought over yesterday (I had to turn it off yesterday when my Boss showed up in town and asked us to dinner). It was very good. All 3 of the kids had a big bowl and well.. I love beef stew.

Then I had to get babysitters aligned for the night for I had 2 places that needed my presence. The first was a travel baseball end of season/beginning of next year type of meeting. It was exciting to talk about our trip next summer to Cooperstown. The second was at church. I usually play basketball on Monday nights so that was my intention but our meeting went way too late so I just went to the gym to talk to the guys about playing in our prison basketball ministry. 3 more guys had their paperwork finished.

Thanks to Shana Miller and Emma Hoefling for taking care of the kiddos.

Tomorrow is Cool creek camp again and Laundary day. I also need to get some work time in as well. Keep praying for us. I am getting an appreciation for being a single parent. More on that tomorrow.

I am sleepy.

Joe