Normandy

While in France this week, Julie, Caleb and Mike visited Normandy. Quite impressive and sobering.

Julie and Caleb behind the grave of Robert Niland, one of four brothers on whose service Saving Private Ryan was based

Mike and Caleb before the Reflecting Pool at the American Cemetery at Omaha Beach

Julie and Caleb overlooking Omaha Beach

Dubai and Greece

We have returned from our trip to company meetings in Dubai (M and J only) and Greece. We had a wonderful time meeting new friends and fellowshiping with old ones. Here are some photos:

Julie at the hotel in Dubai. Dubai is incredibly hot and humid, but everything there is very modern.

 This bird was in the lobby of the hotel

 Caleb at the White Tower at the sea in Thessaloniki

 Mike and his good friend Georgie, the catcher on the Aris baseball team and a former member of the Greek national team, at Georgie's bookshop. Georgie's first comment when he saw Mike: "Coach, your hair. It is so white."

 The world's best McDonald's, where our baseball team bus stopped every Sunday evening during the baseball season as we left Athens for the 6 hour ride to Thessaloniki. This is also the McDonald's where we left Ben one time.

 Caleb in front of Mount Olympus

 Eating gyros and trigona after a day on the beach at Lagomandra

 This little boat has been along the boardwalk in Thessaloniki since we first moved there.

 Marcel T Bull once said, "Never trust a man who takes your photo while you're relieving yourself."

With our leadership at the hotel in Greece

 Caleb and his good buddy Matthew with Paula and Maria, who were on our team in Greece

Her Majesty the Queen

For some reason some of you may not believe this, but we really did see the Queen last weekend. We were with Elbert and Carissa at Windsor and we saw some of the royals leaving for the Derby.

 The Queen and Prince Philip

 The Queen's car

 Prince Andrew and his daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie

Queen Julie of Chattanooga and Princess Carissa of Henrico, waiting for the Queen

Fox

Yes, we have foxes at the JHouse. Here is one checking out my bird feeders. Sorry I could not get a front view. They are interesting little creatures. They are not hunted anymore, though, so no worries.

Blue Ridge Mountains with Ben, Sam and Christine

While in the US recently for meetings, Mike got to spend some fun time with Sam and Christine and Ben in North Carolina.

 Mount Mitchell, a little higher than Mt Leconte

A rose among thorns.

 Ben the Mountain Man

These three have fun together. They'd have even more with brother number 3.

Table Rock in the background.

 Linville Falls

Looking down at the falls. Mike was nervous with the kids so close to the edge.

Welcome Sonny, Rafe and Lois!!

Dear Family and Friends

We take great joy in introducing you to our new family.

Just when you think you have your future figured out, sometimes the great surprises come. Now that our 3 boys have moved along (Sam and Christine married and living in Black Mountain, NC; Ben at Liberty U; and Caleb at Black Forest Academy), we thought that we were permanent empty-nesters. The last few months have been a whirlwind of excitement. Sorry that we have not been able to share this news with any of you, but this had to be kept confidential until everything was final. Just this week the judge here signed the final papers, so now we can share our good news.

We have now formally adopted these 3 beautiful siblings, now named Sonny Judson Pineda, Rafe Carey Pineda and Lois Taylor Pineda. Their names are a combination of their original first names, second names from heroes of the faith and their new last names.

The story of how this all happened is a complicated one. It begins when their parents, John and Lesley, a former English professional football (soccer) player for Liverpool and a former fashion model, began attending our church two years ago. Without going into detail, they made some tragic mistakes several years ago that have just now caught up with them. They are now both permanently out of the picture. Because we had befriended them and were with them through some difficult days, they asked us to take their children.

The original plan was for Sam and Christine to adopt the children. They were very willing and excited. The problem is that they are not UK residents and thus the process would have been much more difficult and lengthy. Additionally, our company will pay a good portion of the adoption expenses and as they will technically be our children, they will be covered by our company’s medical insurance and education benefits. The plan is that Sam and Christine will eventually have the children (likely when they finish seminary), but we will have them for a couple years at least.

We are excited about the challenge of starting over. Some might say we are too old to have little ones tugging on our legs. Speaking of pulling legs, we are now pulling yours. None of this is true, except that these are beautiful children. April Fools.

[Yes, we know this is a bit premature, but serial April Fool-ers need an edge, don’t they? Maybe this will inspire you to have a little fun and make someone laugh. Let us know your story if you do.]

If you have a response, leave it as a cooment below.

MJSCB&C Pineda

Northern Ireland--Anniversary #27

To celebrate our 27th anniversary, we flew to Belfast, hired a car and headed out to see Northern Ireland and the northern part of the Republic of Ireland. We stayed in a B&B in (London)derry run by Mary and her family. Wonderful visit to a beautiful place.



Here are some random photos of our visit. We hesitate to show these photos because they do not come close to capturing the amazing beauty.

The Wee House of Malin, at the northernmost point of Ireland.

A reminder of recent conflict. This is in the Catholic sector of (London)derry, with a mural of Bernadette Devlin in the background.

From the Protestant side

Peace Bridge in Belfast

Julie at Mussenden Temple in Northern Ireland

Mike at Giant's Causeway

27 Years and still a smiling couple.

Rope Bridge at Carrick-a-Rede

Par three, 325 Yards. No problem.