Recently I was given the opportunity to preview an Academy Award nominated documentary. I had never heard of it but the story drew me in.

Undefeated
A perennial whipping boy, in recent decades Manassas had gone so far as to sell their home games to the highest bidder, but that all changed in the spring of 2004 when Bill Courtney, a former high school football coach turned lumber salesman, volunteered to lend a hand.

When he arrived, the team consisted of 17 players, some timeworn equipment and a patch of grass masquerading as a practice field.

Focusing more on winning young men than football games, the football program nevertheless began resurrecting itself and, in 2009, features the most talented team Manassas has ever fielded; a team that seems poised to end the playoff jinx that has plagued the school since time immemorial.

A coming-of-age documentary film, Undefeated provides audiences an intimate view of an underprivileged group of teens and their inspirational coach, as they attempt to make history.


My husband and I watched it together Wednesday evening. While he is a huge football fan, I am not. I wasn't sure how into the movie I would be. I was surprised at how the personal stories of the young men on the team drew me in. I found that this was not actually a movie about football at all. Instead it is a movie about this team, the coach that taught them that "the character of a man is not measured by how he handles his wins, but by what he does with his failures". It was truly inspiring to see the effect that those coaches had on their team, and how those young men's lives were changed forever by them.

"Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable." - 1 Corinthians 9:25

Last week our homeschool group took a field trip to the Indiana War Memorial in downtown Indianapolis. It started out really good, Nate was interested in the exhibits and the stories being shared about the Revolution.

We moved rather quickly from room to room so we didn't get to see a fraction of all that was there. We did find my grandfather (who was a POW in WWII) in a database of veterans. It wasn't too much after that Nate got bored. I would love to go back sometime without the tour and be able to take our time exploring the rest of the museum.

"A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles." - Christopher Reeve

**scroll to bottom of post for giveaway info! ;-)

As you may know, I am a big fan of movies. I love to watch them, quote them, be captivated by them... while my movie tastes are broad I have a special place in my sappy heart for love stories. When I saw the trailer for The Vow I nearly cried. I told you I was sappy. Check it out:

[ http://www.youtube.com/embed/0utXWsKLOYQ ]

Obviously I was easily taken in by the storyline. True love. Who doesn't love a good love story like that? But when I found out it was based on a true story, my heart skipped a beat. It completely changed the way I looked at the movie. This isn't just a cute heart-warming story made up by creative writers. This is the true story of Kim and Krickitt Carpenter.

Their book shares about their unusual love story: Life as Kim and Krickitt Carpenter knew it was shattered beyond recognition on November 24, 1993, two months after their marriage, when their car was hit from behind by a fast-moving truck. A massive head injury left Krickitt in a coma for weeks.
When she finally emerged from the coma, she recognized her parents and everyone else-but she didn't know Kim. She had no idea who he was. The "Krickitt" Kim had married essentially died in the accident.
The Vow is the true tale of the reconstruction of two lives and a marriage after an event so shattering that most others would have parted ways long ago. Though it was not easy, and it tested every fiber of who they were, Kim and Krickitt fell in love all over again.

Here is an interview with Kim and Krickitt on the Today Show yesterday. And the one below is an older video of the two of them sharing about their unique story.

I was blessed to be able to do a phone interview with Kim and Krickitt today, Valentine's Day.

Wani - How do you feel about the way your story was adapted into a movie?

Kim & Krickitt - We we very happy with the way the movie turned out. We understand that there is a certain amount of artistic liberty that needed to happen but we felt that the studios (Sony and Spyglass) were very respectful of our requests. Originally the movie was supposed to be rated "R" and they were willing to make some changes to accommodate our desires for the movie, and we were willing to compromise on some things as well.
Both Channing and Rachel were very diligent in researching us, watching interviews and reading our book. They did a really good job in portraying us.

Wani -What kind of a role did your faith play in how you both handled the incredible situation you were in after the accident?

Kim - Between our two sets of parents they have celebrated over a hundred anniversaries. They set such an example of commitment and faithfulness. And I know without the Lord we would not have made it. We are strong in faith but we are weak.

Krickitt - Once I realized what had happened, that I was married to a man named Kim. I had made vows, "in sickness and in health". I knew there was no out. I would honor the commitments I had made. It wasn't easy. I started digging into and hanging onto scripture like: "I can do all this through him who gives me strength." Philipians 4:13 and "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28. I knew God is true to His word. And after eighteen years of marriage now we have our two children (ages 11yr and 8yr) and they are the good that has come from this.

Wani - What advice do you have for married couples going through hard times?

Krickitt - I would say: get a support system in place, find a church and get counseling, watch your wedding video. You made vows to one another before God, we need to back our words with actions. Show our kids an example of faithfulness. Find ways to focus on the good in each other instead of the bad. And forgiveness is key.

Kim -Over time people change. As the years go by and you both go through changes, keep in contact with the things that brought you together in the first place. Find ways to stay positive and compromise. If you set an example of commitment and faithfulness in your life you can effect those around you.

W - What would you like for people to take away from your story/the movie?

K&K -Marriage is hard. We take these vows: til death do us part. Sadly our society has allowed our vows to lose their meaning and our foundations to be weakened. Through all of this, our experiences, writing the book and our story being made into a record breaking movie, we are just a normal couple and we hope that our story can inspire change and bring glory to the Lord.

What a huge blessing it was to speak with Kim and Krickitt this morning. I would have liked to sit down over coffee and chat some more! They do seem like a very normal couple who, through God's help, have overcome huge obstacles. What a refreshing change from the typical movie love story that is all about sex and instant gratification. The Vow is about faithfulness and honoring our commitments and working through hard times. Thank you to the Carpenters for being willing to share their story with the world. May God bless you with many more happy years together!

And now for the fabulous Valentine's Day giveaway!! I have some promotional items for The Vow that I'd love to share with some lucky winner: The Vow movie soundtrack and some love Vow-chers (coupons) to share with your special someone. If you would like to enter to win you must comment on this post with your email address. You also have five bonus ways to enter: 1) become a follower of Wani's World. 2) "like" Wani's World blog and Etsy store on facebook. 3) "like" Kim & Krickitt Carpenter on facebook. 4) "like" The Vow book on facebook. 5) The Vow movie on facebook. For each entry you must come back here and leave a separate comment on this post telling me you have done each one.

This giveaway is open to US residents only and will be open until February 19th (my b-day) and then I'll post the winner! Good Luck and Happy Valentine's Day!!

**I'm linking up to a few of these great giveaway linky posts.

1 John 4:16 So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

Contestgirl

We had a very busy morning! I invited a few of our homeschooling friends over for a Valentine's playdate. We enjoyed a little craft time. The kids made "I love you this much" cards.


Then my dad come by with his train and the kids got a ride around the neighborhood. ;-) Our parties would not be near as cool without my dad and his toys!
Of course us moms had to do some visiting too.And what is a get together without some yummy food? ;-)
Thanks for the fun time!

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.

I'm so excited about a couple opportunities that are coming up! Tonight I'm attending a screening of The Vow and on Valentine's Day I will be doing an interview with the couple that inspired the movie. How cool is that?!?

Also, I'm eager to sit down with my hubby and watch the soon to be released inner city football documentary Undefeated:
[ http://www.youtube.com/embed/SPtzLMulSKU ]

I finally got around to uploading all the videos that have been building up on the video camera for over two years onto the computer. Nate helped me pick out one of each of the kids to share with you all.

Here is a video of Nate reading a story that he wrote. This was taken last fall.



Here is a recent video of Joe taking steps in his walker. We are so excited about the progress he has made.



Over the past few weeks Christine has taken off in the area of self feeding. She is drinking out of a straw and picking up and feeding herself bites. So cute!!