School's out for . . . Winter???

The kids are on break this week, and this pretty much sums up what they've been doing. Actually, Bethany and Brandon were on a mini-retreat from Monday through Wednesday. Brooke has been sick but fortunately does not have the flu or strep. (Yes, that is a giant remote in the picture. If you know Scott, he often loses things. This is hard to lose). Bethany is sleeping and writing a paper for AP lit. Brandon has been running in the rain this morning (a popular Barber saying is "If it's not raining, it's not training." Of course, I usually say this while sitting in my pjs by the fire sipping coffee) and playing the guitar. (He's currently playing the piano. It's all LOUD). I have been working this week but only went into the office on Tuesday. I may go in tomorrow for a little while. (Don't feel too sorry for me as I just spent nine days in Italy). We were going to go to AL for the day tomorrow but will have to pass since Brooke still has a fever.

Mother/Daughter Tea

The tea was great and the food was great but the best part was having fun and seeing friends.We learned tea maners.The bedrooms were beautiful.There were a lot of buetiful american girl dolls.My favorite type of food was the petitfore( pet a for). I loved the tea and I would like to go to another tea.

by Brooke Barber

Italy Wrap Up

Here are some final thoughts from our trip in no particular oder:

We are very blessed to live in the United States. Our country is a powerhouse in many ways- even in a recession. However, history proves that no country has ever withstood the test of time. Empires comes and go. . . .

We have literally traveled all over the world and never cease to be amazed at how God reveals Himself through nature. This first picture is taken from our plane as we flew over the Alps.

I could eat pizza and gelatto everyday for the rest of my life!! Honestly!

There's a lot of talk in the church today about "reclaiming the arts." To see what some of the churches and artwork that we saw adds a whole new meaning to this phrase. These artists built huge cathedrals, painted, and scuplted as their worship to God. It was amazing!

We are very thankful for the believers that have gone before us. Visiting the jail cell of Peter and Paul and imagining them there was very sombering. It was dark and dreary even in a cleaned up state. On the wall was a list of Christians with the way they died written beside them- strangulation, decapatation, starvation, etc. To walk through the catacombs and see carved symbols of a fish, dove, olive branch, etc. and think of all of the believers who were buried outside of the city becuase they were not allowed to be buried within the city was also thought provoking.

National Signing Day (and last day in Rome)

Pantheon- around 5 A.D. (The original building burned, and this one was rebuilt then)


Part of the Roman forum- around 500 b.c.

2008 A.D.

I know it was yesterday and most of you have no idea what the heck I'm talking about, but Alabama football has finally given me something to celebrate - the number 1 recruiting class in the country. On to Rome...

Today was our last day (sigh) and it was a good one. We got to see some pretty cool Christian sights including the prison that held Peter and Paul (I almost typed Saint there) and the actual chains that bound Peter while he was in prison. We also visited the catacombs where thousands of early Christians were buried. It really makes us appreciate those who went before us to spread the Good News.

We visited the largest Piazza in Rome, the Piazza Novona and had more gellato (it never gets old) on the Spanish Steps.

Rick, thanks for the coffee explantion. Susan will continue to drink capp. whenever she wants. And thanks Tracie Orr for helping Bethany with her nose. Hope she doesn't look like Marcia Brady.

It's been fun staying connected while we traveled. thanks for reading and posting. When you wake up in the morning we will be in the air. See you guys soon.

Scott and Susan

Vatican City

Today was our day to meet the Pope. And we did- with 7,000 others. We were very disappointed that he didn't wear his big hat, but he did bless us (we think) and our family members. Scott was compelled by the homily (see pic).

We also went to the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's today. We are probably in sculpture overload at this point. We are not, however, in gellato overload and had more while sitting on the Spanish Steps.

We plan to go to the University tonight and eat more pizza (yummy).

Yes, Bill, you're correct. I suppose they are just "shoes" and not "Italian shoes." I'm a completely self-absorbed American.

Sorry for the images not being upright. We can't read Italian and don't know how to rotate them.

Also, thanks Bethany. I'll pass the info on to dad. He's just trying to be uber-cool.

Top Ten Ways to tell we're American

10- We don't wear all black every day.
9- We actually look before stepping into oncoming traffic.
8- We don't have a cigarette hanging from our mouth.
7- Susan drinks cappiccunios after lunch (no Italian would ever do this).
6- We begin every conversation with "English?"
5- We're wearing tennis shoes not $300 dollar Italian shoes.
4- We can finish a meal in under an hour.
3- Every five minutes we say, "Wow- that's really old."
2- We can be found laughing at famous works of art.
1- Scott is listening to the Super Bowl at 2:00 a.m. via the internet.

Super Tuesday in Rome

Sorry we were unable to post yesterday. Our hotel room in Rome doesn't have internet like we had in Florence. Today we went to ancient Rome and saw the sites - the Colosseum, the Forum, Paletine Hill and the Pantheon. We also went to the Trevi Fountain which is not ancient but still older than our country. Lastly, we went to our own Piazza, the Piazza Barberini. (We're one step ahead of you, Bill.) Tomorrow we go to see the Pope (for real.) Still having fun, can't believe how fast time is going.

One last thing, props to our daughter Bethany who we just found out made the national honor society. We'll celebrate when we get home. We're proud of you!

Scott