IWU Homecoming 2007- What a DUD!

Well, last weekend was IWU's Homecoming weekend. To say I was disappointed, would be an understatement. Actually, I have to say that the Point of Grace/IWU Chorale concert on Friday night was excellent. I thoroughly enjoyed myself (especially the part where Prof Guy asked all Chorale alumni to come up and join the chorale for their final number and I got to pretend to still know the words and alto part to A Mighty Fortress 17 years later)! Yikes!! Am I that old? Anywho...On Sat. we made our way to the athletic fields where this year's Homecoming festivities were to take place. Much to my dismay, there was nothing there except inflatable toys for the kids I don't have, and a tent for the meal that I was not going to eat. There was a booth where I got to write down my name and throw it in a basket. What did I win, you might wonder? Nothing. Just a card to let them know I came. I was hunting for the boothes that used to sell things like carmel apples, t-shirts, etc... but found nothing. I was looking for the stage where the music groups sing and entertain us...it was nowhere to be found. I guess I could forgive all that because it's really about coming to see all my old friends from college, right?Where were the people that I came to see? Well, I saw Anon, Deb W., Doug P., Jim and Jaena, Shelli from a distance, so that sounds great, right? It would be except they are all in my Sunday school class and I see them every week. ( Not that I don't always enjoy seeing them! ) Sue and I watched a few innings of the softball game, but in the 90 degree heat, it just wasn't worth it. So, we were out of there by 12:00. I was very discouraged by the obvious decline in the Homecoming festivities. I hear there has been a marked improvement in the torch run and bonfire that kicks off the weekend with the current students, but to me HOMECOMING implies the act of coming home by the ALUMNI. I would like to see a little more focus put into making the weekend special for those who are coming back. How about an ALUMNI tent where we have drawings with those cards for small give aways? Just a thought. It's not like our money didn't help build the mighty fortress known as IWU. Well, I could go on and on. The sarcasm is dripping from me today if you couldn't tell. Must be the changing weather...Was anyone else disappointed, or was it just me?

Catching Up!

The last couple of weeks have been crazy! People at church probably think I've dropped off the planet. I really haven't. The following will explain where I've been hiding lately. Besides this update, life has been pretty normal and steady. School is...well...school. It's okay. That's about the best I can say. Based on today's test scores, I either need to rewind and start this year over, or find another profession. I seem to be losing my educator's touch. Those things are hard on a teacher. We take the test scores personally as it is a reflection of our teaching. You might pray for me and this year's students. We have a long road looming ahead of us. Okay...on with the update!

Andrea and Jon are in their new house!



Two weekends ago, we moved Andrea and Jon into their new house. This is Andrea organizing her cupboards. Are you supposed to climb on step stools when you're expecting?

The house is awesome and we're so excited about the baby on the way!










Another Grate Family Reunion was held!



Sat. the 28th, we gathered at mom and dad's in Marion, Ohio for another Grate Family Reunion. There were 67 people there! It was so much fun to visit and spend time with family that live so far away. The Grate's are special people!

This is Zeke in his "tunnel." What a cutie!










Kelley and Bev forgot to take their annual picture, so I pulled this one from the archives. It was taken in July at my Dad's 60th B-day party. We always have a blast together. The laughter is non-stop!













Here is Uncle George and Aunt Violet with their children and grandchildren that were able to come.











Aunt Violet and Aunt Eva played us some old time gospel music.












This isn't even the whole group. I couldn't get back far enough to get them all, but it gives you the idea. We had a full house!