The Freed House for Thanksgiving

OK, going home to Detroit does not happen as much as we would like. But everytime we go home to Mom and Dad Freed's...it is always an experience. For example, now my parents have chickens! Well a lot of my life i had grown up with chickens and collecting eggs. BUT we didn't live in town...we lived out in the country...like normal people with chickens. But if you know my parents, they are unique and love to have chickens.

The funny thing was, Danielle and I got to go collect the eggs. But Danielle was freaked out...or as she likes to put it,
"this is freaky". But once we got into the coop, and played with the chickens and ducks she was ready to discover some eggs. Also, my Dad would be happy, if i would mention that my parents once used to have a Turkey....but well, Thanksgiving came along, and he became the guest of honor at the Thanksgiving meal.



Finally, big thanks to my Dad for taking us to Port Huron Michigan on Wednesday! I really wanted to show Danielle where i lived until i was 12. It was amazing how well i knew my way around, and how things had not changed much since 1993. Everything was still there!

Port Huron is the birth place of Thoma Edison, and also the location of the Blue Water Bridge. So here is a picture of me and dad with Tommy Edison!

Catching Up with some friends!

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well life has been crazy around here. With big projects in my Masters program, Thanksgiving, traveling to Detroit, and many visitors to our home from Wisconsin. Here are a couple of our favorite pictures!!!





Dani and Becca, it was so cool to have you here!! We loved hanging out with you, laughing with you, shopping with you, and of course hanging out with campers at TARGET until 1am!!! So proud of you for your driving adventure, and your heart for personal growth!!! You ROCK!!!



But Before Dani and Becca made the long trip down from Wisconsin, our friends, Matt, Jake, Cindy, Steve, Mike, and Tina all came down from Mukwonago to celebrate my birthday!! It was just like old times...lots of loud laughing and lemon teeth!!! I think that is how you know when a friendship runs deep, when you can pick up right where you left off, and it isn't events or experience that bring you together, but a heart connection. We love you all!!!

Rocky Balboa

Dad, we are going to see this!!!

One more shout out to Chicago...

We went up the hancock building at 10:00 at night! Highly reccommend it...haha...no pun intended!! :)
We had a great weekend....oh yeah....I had to put one last pic in of my dad with my bear and blankie! He was making the bear talk....he was either really happy or really tired, we'll never know which...but trust me, he doesn't usually play with stuffed animals!!

And more Chicago...

More fun at Ginos....how fun to write on the walls, seats, tables....etc...

More Chicago

Just after we began walking the streets we were stopped by the biggest group of bicyclers we've ever seen! Apparently it was critical mass, which we weren't aware of!! Its an event that is world wide from what we gathered and people come out once a month on friday nites to represent rights for bikers?!?
After watching them go by, most in coustumes, we shopped around a bit at the Mac Store then headed to dinner at Gino's Pizza where you can write all over the walls....even on the mirror like my mom did!! They relocated from the orginal location downtown so the facility was only a year old if that, so there was alot of space to write on....and we took full advantage!!

Chicago

Well, a couple weekends ago, we spent the weekend in the Chicago/Milwaukee area. We had alot of fun with my parents and lil bro Micah and his friend William (aka Willy to me!)

This was our first stop, Dennys on the south side of Chicago...yumm?!?!




Someone had a hard time reading the menu!!




Once we made it to Milwaukee, my dad and John went to the mitchell domes. They are unique to Milwaukee and nice to visit on a cole cloudy day like they took advantage of. The domes are very warm and beautiful with tons of tropical plants which my dad loves.







While Dad and John enjoyed the domes, the boys and my mom and I took full advantage of some great shopping in the area. Then we were back to Chicago to check into our hotel and head into downtown for the evening.

New Post on John's Grad Blog

John has just posted a couple thoughts on William Shakespeare's "Hamlet" and Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. Enjoy and check in often. He has a couple papers coming due in the next couple of weeks.

FUEL CONFRENCE and Scary Raccoon!!!

Hey Everyone!! This past weekend was a fun filled event. I got to lead my first seminar...and it was good to do it with friends! We explored a lot of different ideas for small groups and sunday school. I shared Danielle and I's experience with Breakfast club and Life Groups, and how much they were an impact on us, our ministry, and our philosophy of ministry. To all of you who have joined in the adventure of LIfe Groups, thanks for teaching us so so much!! Here are a couple pics from the FUEL Conf. and bowling at PinHeads on friday night with new and old friends from Wisconsin Dist.

Thanks Stevan for the pictures! Check out more from FUEL Conf. @ Stevansheets.com one of our favorite sites...we go there almost daily!!

Also, we had a little adventure on Friday night, we were rushing back to see Bo Boshers talk, and as Andy, Danielle and I were leaving the apartment a wild ferocious raccoon was on our front porch, and another crazy killer raccoon on our back porch! We were trapped!! So i did the only natural thing a true trained hunter would do...I grabbed a broom, cocked the collar and was ready to fight. As you can see from the pictures, it was me against death! Luckily, the raccoon was sick, very sick and did not put up a fight. However it didn't run away either, so we scared the killer raccoon from the back porch and ran around back. It was a great adventure and gave us a great laugh!

Finally, more pictures of the Zoe. Ok, i know you are all probably sick of pictures of this dog, but we love it...so bare through it with us! We think she is so cool. But this past Saturday, we took Zoe for a long walk in the woods. It was crazy, as soon as we got into the woods she changed into a totally different dog. She was jumping around, sniffing everything and having the time of her life. We were barley able to capture these pictures. She loves the woods and I can't wait to take her back!









Well, just a little update, we will be in Chicago at the end of the week. We are looking for some good time away! We really need a good rest and time to relax, and what better place the Chicago Land and my favorite restaurant.

Well we love you all, and look forward to the month of November. Plus you know what November is in the Freed family? It is the time where Jane and Bud celebrate the birth of their favorite child...their first born!

Beautiful? Yes you are! Just the way you are!

Our friends Jay and Ann sent us to this link, you have to see this video! This gives Danielle and I encouragement in what we do. We show girls they are beautiful, not just on the outside, but in the soul, where it counts!

True beauty!! Found only in a relationship with the creator of beauty!

To all the ladies and young ladies in our ministries, we love you, and think you all are beautiful!!!

http://www.campaignforrealbeauty.com/

and to everyone on the face of the planet. I have the prettiest wife in the whole world! I am so lucky!!!




Also, we have attached some great pictures of an awesome family! Dan, Marsha, Adam, and Amanda were here last night and today! We love them, and praise the Lord for their friendship and encouragement. They always know how to make you smiel! From looking at rich people's houses, watching "Click" after a long day, pillow fight at 1am, breakfast at Bob Evans or just a big hug saying goodbye! We love ya!

Thank you for stopping by on the way home!
and oh yeah...
You're welcome=) hahaha I crack myself up!!!

Look who got an owie:(

Last night was our yearly BARN BASH PARTY you can catch all the great pictures at www.FUSIONstudents.com And of course we took our little lady Zoe with us. Everyone loved her and the White's dog Carlie LOVED HER! They played together ALL NIGHT LONG! I don't think I have ever seen Zoe play so long! We all had an awesome time!

However, when we woke up this morning we found the Zoe didn't sleep very well because she had a sore on her foot. As you can see, we bandaged her up and let her rest by the fire this morning.

By the way, I have to brag about Danielle! Last night she MC'd the Barn Bash and did an awesome job! This was her first Barn Bash here, but her 9th year of Barn Bash Fun!! She did an awesome job, and her costume was inspired by "My Name is Earl"! You will have to see it and laugh! Notice the Spice Girls Shirt!