Happy Birthday Papete!

Here are my three wishing Papete (my dad) a happy birthday! He and mom were out to dinner when we called, so we wanted to make sure he got his birthday wishes from the Lexington NC Zehmers. Happy Birthday Dad.
Love ya,
Lee

The Cat Came Back

Well, last weekend was quite a trauma for the Zehmer family.

Thursday night our little cross-eyed kitty named Carrot came home as usual and slept in the garage. We like to keep him from roaming around at night because he seems to get into all sorts of trouble.

Friday morning, I had to look and look for him. He was laying down. Something was obviously not right with him. Friday was a big day for us, because we had to take all three girls to school orientation. In the afternoon, when we returned, I inadvertantly opened up the garage door and he ran out. He did not come home that evening.

Saturday morning, I got up early and began looking in all the usual hiding places. I found him under the deck of a neighbor's house. He looked like he had not moved since the day before. He looked even sicker. I was able to drag him out from under the deck. As I was carrying him home, he looked at me in the eyes....and then squirmed out of my hands and ran away. We spent the rest of the day looking for him to no avail.

I am sure most people are aware that when cats are sick they often dissappear to die. Well, I was convinced this was exactly what was going to happen. By Saturday night, he still had not returned, and there were many tears in the house from everyone except my wife. (She tells me she wasn't convinced he wasn't coming back. I was.)

Sunday came, and we kept looking outside. But no Carrot. I was resigned to the truth. But Carrot wasn't. About 10 p.m. I opened the back door one more time, and guess who was there? Cute little kitty. Rejoicing commenced from all corners!

He ate a little and drank a little water, but still seemed sick. We took him to the vet the next day. He was running a little fever and received his favorite - a shot! Now a week after the drama, he is doing well.

So one life down, eight to go. We are glad he's back.

"The Cat came back the very next day; The Cat came back...we thought he was a goner, but the Cat came back; he just couldn't stay away." - John Paul Walters (As I learned it!)

EOG's and Haircuts

Well, my older two finished their fifth grade EOG (end of grade) tests. Both did very well. I am very proud of both of them and am glad the stress of the tests are over.

It is a little annoying, however, that the state increased the difficulty of the reading test in order for less children to pass so the state wouldn't be on the hook for incentive money. What's up with that. (Now I know this is an unsubstantiated claim, but I have heard this from a number of different sources. And it makes sense in this day and age of budget cuts.) You know, I thought the purpose of the test was to make sure no child was left behind and that it properly reflected grade level ability. One of mine is reading on an 8th grade level (according to their Lexile score) and the other on a 12th grade level. Yet, both said it was an extremely hard test. Now remember, they are in 5th grade! Well, nuff said.

On another topic, Kinsley and Mollie had been growing out their hair for a long time. Their hair was long and beautiful. This past week they cut off 10 inches and 8 inches respectively to donate it to a group called "Locks of Love."http://www.locksoflove.org/. "Locks of Love is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children in the United States and Canada under age 18 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis."
While I miss their long hair, I am so proud that they thought of this all by themselves and are helping children who are suffering.

Grace and peace to all,

Lee

A Busy Saturday

Well, another dance season is over. Saturday night was the big dance recital. Mollie tapdanced to a song called Peppermint Twist. Madison and Kinsley danced a jazz dance to "That's Just the Way We Roll." All three danced in the ballet, "The Snow Queen." They of course were all wonderful. It is wonderful to see how they have progressed over the years. I think back to when Madison and Kinsley started taking dance at age 2. They have come a long way! Mollie started a little later than the other two, but she too is improving every year. Next year, Madison and Kinsley will be going "en point" - a big step in a dancer's life.



Also on Saturday, I participated in my first triathlon. I entered in the relay division with two of my friends - Frank and Tony. I swam, Frank biked, and Tony ran.
It was a great deal of fun, and we took first place in our division.
We have decided to try another one...actually this may become a regular thing. It is great doing this as a team.
Now at some point, I'll probably want to try one by myself, but without a good bike, I don't have a chance to place. Perhaps I'll look at getting a road bike in the future. But for now, I'll concentrate on swimming.

Grace and peace to all,
Lee

What A Lame Blogger

Ok, I admit. I get busy...as do so many people. My best intentions for this blog was to update it regularly to involve my extended family in the goings on of the Lexington, NC Zehmers.
Well, I have fallen down on the job. Quite frankly, I have been consumed with work and family over the last few months...so much so that I have not even taken the time to look at this let alone post. I will do better.

So, here I am on Hatteras Island, having spent 3 days here planning, reading, and praying. It is so important for me to get out of the office regularly to come to a quiet place. My parent's house on Hatteras during the off-season qualifies for a quiet place. I have spent a good amount of time reading the book Soul Revolution by John Burke. The subtitle is "How imperfect people become all God intended." It says it all. I'd highly recommend it. I have also spent a lot of time walking and praying as I seek to abide in the vine of Christ. Finally, I have done some much needed sermon planning and work planning. Remember what they say: "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail."

So what's going on with the girls? Well, we finished the outside of the playhouse, except for the swings. It is functional and being used. More work will come this summer. Madison and Kinsley enjoyed playing basketball for Upward this year. Madison has really improved over last year and Kinsley made significant progress in just the 6 weeks of playing. All three are taking tennis lessons now and enjoying them. Mollie has just started soccer, and all three are getting ready for the big dance recital is coming up in May. Hey...now I know why I have been so busy.

I am in the middle of Confirmation classes at church and getting ready for officer training. As a church we are considering partnering with the Vital Church Institute to participate in the Acts 16:5 initiative. This partnership will help us make our mission statement a reality and become responsive to the ministry environment of the 21st Century.

Well that's about all for right now. I'll post some pictures soon.

Grace and Peace,

Lee

The Theatre is Alive!

Here are Madison and Mollie after the big show. They have been working on "A Christmas Carol: The Musical" for over six weeks with the Lexington Youth Theatre. Opening night was on Thursday, and they have two more shows.
Madison is playing Scrooge's sister Fan, and Mollie is part of the pantomime/elf group. The music for the show is wonderful - written by long time Disney composer Alan Menken.
This is Madison's third show. Two years ago she played Charley Bates in "Oliver." Last year she was one of the Munchkins in "The Wizard of Oz." This is Mollie's second show. She was a Munchkin last year. They both love the Theatre!
Break a leg!
Lee

M & K meet Pat McCrory

Who knows who you'll meet on the street?! This afternoon, Mayor of Charlotte, Pat McCrory, who is running for NC Governor was in Lexington. I had gone to hear him speak, and Madison and Kinsley showed up out of the blue!
Our friend Joy picks them up at school each day, and she happened to see the gathering on her way to drop them off. She stopped; I was there with my camera....picture happens. Joy's daughter Emmy is in the picture with Madison and Kinsley.
All three were very excited to meet the possible next governor of North Carolina.

Till next time,
Lee