The Dalton Report

Hey, everybody! I hope all is well with all of you. Here's an update on us...

Last weekend we had a great Easter holiday at the beach. It was 72 degrees on Saturday, and even though it cooled off significantly on Sunday, we were already on our way home.

The boys enjoyed their spring break, and now it's my turn. I will be off this week, just cleaning and packing. We move next week!! Call me if you'd like to come to Greensboro to have lunch...

Barry's grandmother is in the hospital with pnemonia. She is not doing well, and needs your prayers. Please pray for Barry's mom, Pam, as well. She and her sisters are stressed and worried.

Last Friday, True had Grandparent's Day at his school. Mom and Dad couldn't attend, but Grandma Pam and Papa Barry made it! True was very excited to have them at his school, and I am thankful to have all these people around who love my children!! We are blessed; thank you, God...

Barry has an appointment with a headache specialist April 30th. Hopefully, this will offer answers to the chronic nightmare we've been dealing with.

We officially close and start the move on April 7th. I will update everyone with an address soon.

Love you guys!!

Dalton Update

Hey, everybody! I hope you're all doing well. Incidentally, this is not a picture of me and Barry. (Did I have to tell you that?)

*We are headed to Topsail this weekend to chill. I cannot wait! It seems like a million years since I was there. Last summer was so crazy with the wedding and the move that we didn't get to go as much as I would have liked.

*Pray for an anonymous someone that I care about, please. This person is having a hard time and I need your help. Pray for strength and hopefulness. Thanks!

*The boys are on SPring Break next week, but mine isn't until the following week! I know, it stinks...

*The Thunderbolts won Tuesday's game 8-2! Go, Reese! He played full-back and did great.

*Yesterday, I gave my students a party with cupcakes, Doritos, and soda. It was amazing that, although most were happy and grateful, some students complained that I had chosen yellow instead of chocolate cake, or that I didn't have ice for the soda, or that they couldn't get seconds on Doritos!! I was quite....what the heck is the word??? I feel sad over it, actually. I told them that they should never say anything but "thank you" or "no, thank you" when offered something. I wondered if they had EVER heard this before!! I wonder how the world will turn out when this generation is running things, feeling so entitled to material satisfaction, yet having no sense of responsibility for their actions and the weakest work ethic I think we've seen since the Little Red Hen was trying to get bread made. Each day, I feel more deeply that my responsibility as a teacher is to be a surrogate parent, as well.

*Happy Easter to everyone! I hope to see you soon...

Love,

April

joy

You know, when I reread my last post, it struck me how idyllic my life sounds on the blog. The tales of dancing and sunny afternoons and gourmet meals are all true, trust me. There is nothing I want for, nothing that is missing in my daily life- GOD IS GOOD.
However, I never want to give the impression that my life is perfect. We struggle with the same stresses that your family does, and some that your family may not have to. There are issues that cause me sleepless nights and circumstances that make me feel all too keenly my lack of control in certain aspects of my life. There is joy and pain.
I remember when my life was not so balanced, when I despaired over how and from where strength and comfort would come. I remember seeing other people's lives that looked so perfect from the outside, and feeling even worse about mine.
God doesn't promise us perfect lives. He doesn't promise us great lives. He promises us joy if we know Him. And even in my hours of pain, I had joy!! God saw to it that I always saw the possibility of what He could do. He gave me miraculous children through whom He showed me hope. He gave me loving parents to provide strength. I had what I needed, and, through it all, I had joy in knowing that God was watching over me.
God has blessed us. He has sent us Barry, who is a constant source of joy! God has watched over us as we moved to this new place. He has provided patience for some continuing stresses and understanding for some people in our lives who have no peace in their hearts. Barry and I know that our family is blessed, and we mean to make the most of every minute, every second we have together- in the rain, snow, or sunshine.
So, my life isn't perfect! But it's perfectly joyful.

March Madness

Hey, everybody!! Here is the Dalton update...

**We bought a house!! It's about two miles from our current rental house and it's so beautiful. It's in the right school district, has a basement, four bedrooms, etc. Everything is right about this house, and we are so thankful to have found it. We'll be moving in April. YAY!!!!!

**Reese has started playing soccer again. His team is the Thunderbolts, which Barry thinks is strange because thunder doesn't have bolts, lightning does...? Anyway, his games start this Saturday, so if anyone is interested in a schedule, let me know. Go Thunderclouds! (see, Barry, that's why they are called 'Bolts, 'Clouds sounds stupid..)

**True and Cole start baseball soon. Cole practiced pitching this weekend, and I have to say, the arm workouts have paid off. Watch out for that fastball, guys :)

**My students performed their Dance Exhibition last week. I was very proud of them; it went well. Tomorrow are auditions for the Spring Musical, so it will probably be crazy. Pray that I keep the 1/2 ounce of sanity I have remaining.

**Barry has had horrible migraines the past two weeks. He has used his prescription meds three days a week, which is way more than we want. Please pray for him!

**We had an awesome weekend. Barry and I finally celebrated Valentine's Day!! He made me a gourmet meal, which he prepared as I lay on the sofa watching a movie (such decadence!) He made Pork Loin with Apple Pan Sauce, Portabello Potatoes with Asiago cheese, and chocolate fondue with bananas, strawberries, and marshmallows. We watched movies, danced in the kitchen, and had uninterrupted conversation!! What a perfect Saturday night...On Sunday, the guys came home from VA, and we all went to church. Then, we had lunch at our favorite Mexican restaurant in High Point, Azteca. After we ate, the boys each played guitar with the musician there, and True and Reese sang with him. Barry and I felt left out, so we got up and danced the mambo while he played! It was really fun, and an unexpected bit of entertainment on a regular Sunday afternoon!! We enjoyed the sunshine the rest of the day, playing backyard baseball, basketball, football, and soccer. We grilled sirloin and pineapple kabobs for dinner, and finished off the leftover fondue- YUM!

It was a perfect day. I hope yours was just as lovely...