Kid Kinex

If anyone is looking for something fun for a birthday gift - try these. They are Kid Kinex. Shaelyn got some for Christmas last year. They are something like tinker toys but are plastic. There are all different kinds of sets of them and young kids can put them together themselves. She had them taken away from here for awhile for discipline purposes and now they're back, so she's been busy making things with them again. She wanted a picture taken of what she had made and here's what she did. Pretty cute, huh? 

McDonalds for Lunch

Today, we went for lunch at McDonalds. Cheri and I thought the girls would like to do something different for lunch today because it was rather dreary out again. Neither of them usually have the chance to play on the toys at McDonalds. They ate their nuggets so quickly so that they could play. As you can see, the slide is very fast - that must be why Shaelyn is so blurry. I'm sure it has nothing to do with the picture taker!










Here, Shaelyn and Halle are both hanging out in the tube before entering the slide area. They had a lot of fun because they could get rid of a lot of excess energy and they used it up together. 

Prayers please

I know I asked you to say a little prayer yesterday for nice weather. It turned out great and Katelyn got her pictures done. It was very busy at the park too because everyone was there trying to get shots. I can't wait to see how they turn out. Hopefully, in another week she'll have them ready for us.
I would like to ask for more prayers today for an elderly lady in our church. Her name is Jean. The girls think of her as their grandma. She had some cancer spots found on her leg earlier in the year. The doctors removed them and said to keep a watch out for more. She cannot have chemo or anything because of heart problems. Well, last week, she had a routine scan and they found some spots on her liver. She is having a biopsy done today and will be meeting with the doctors again next week to discuss options. We're pretty nervous about what they're going to find and would really appreciate any prayers for her and her family. Thanks

Love this weather

Wasn't today a beautiful day? I loved the temps today. I was really getting sick of the rain we've been getting lately. Not only are the gray skies depressing but my grass has been growing like crazy. I really don't appreciate having to mow more than once a week! They are predicting nice weather for tomorrow too. Katelyn and I are really praying for blue skies with no wind. She is going to try to have her outdoor pictures taken again tomorrow. We've had to cancel them twice already. As nice as it was during the day today though, it sure took a change during supper. The clouds moved in and it got windy. I really hope it doesn't do that tomorrow because that's the time of day she's getting them taken! So if you think of it tomorrow, can you say a little prayer for blue skies?

Katelyn and her Doctor

Katelyn isn't feeling too great today. She has gotten the dreaded cold too. Shaelyn decided to take care of her. Here she is giving Katelyn a shot. (She did have a little assistance deciding to do this) When Katelyn was younger, I remember her doing the same thing to Mom and me. Whenever we would get headaches, she would take water and mix stuff into it and rub it onto our heads. Miraculously, her cures always seemed to work. I wonder if Shaelyn's cures will work for Katelyn too. 

Amazing love

I was on the treadmill this morning when they came in with a news update. That tends to always make my heart jump just a little bit when I hear it, but this morning they were showing the space shuttle coming in for its landing. You know, I think we sometimes tend to take these space things so for granted because we've seen so many of them while we were growing up. But as I watched it come down, I thought how cool it really was. The speed that they come down with is incredible. It's really amazing to me to think of how large our galaxy is. Last week, we had open house at the girls high school. Chelsea's science teacher informed us what he wanted to teach the kids. He said, if you take a pin prick and designate that to be the earth, then take a tennis ball and place it 9 feet away it would be representative of the sun. Then you have to take another one and place it (now I can't remember if it was 90 or 900) feet away, (either way it was a long ways away) that would be the next star. He said that God created all of this and takes care of it but the incredible thing is that He cares for all of us little humans on this teeny planet even more. I think that we tend to forget how much He loves us. So, just a reminder for the day - God loves you!

Arrrggh! I'm too busy

Arrrggh? That would be my pirate talk for the day for those of you who know that it's National Talk like a Pirate day today. As I explained to some of you yesterday, I'm starting to feel overwhelmed. With school starting, everything is getting busy. I said that I was still thinking it was around Septemember 8 yet when I realized it's the week of the 20th! I didn't even have time to check my email yesterday. Arrgh So today, I 've got this little iota of time when Shaelyn is at preschool. Then this afternoon starts with paper delivery again. Last night, Katelyn went to have senior pictures taken in the studio. We started at 6:30 and finally got home around 9:00. The lady taking them was going along nicely when she says, "oh memory card full. That would be 154 pictures so far and proceeded to insert another card in. I bet we got around 200 pictures last night and later this week we're supposed to try to do outdoor ones. Now granted, a lot of these will get weeded out but I think we're going to have a tough time picking.
Hoping ye all enjoy your pirate day. Now go over to Laura's blog for some great pirate info.

Sisterly love

While I was out mowing my lawn yesterday, or from the way it looked - my jungle grass - I was watching Shaelyn and Chelsea. They were on the swingset together sharing a swing. It was so cute. I really wanted to get a picture but I was too slow and I really wanted it to be natural. I love it when they get along. It's either "feast or famine" with those two. Just seeing Shaelyn so happy to play with her sister really made me wonder, "I wonder what her life (and ours) would be like if she still lived in the orphanage in China" I really am thankful that she is now ours even though there are days when it can be difficult. I love my family and wouldn't give them up for anything.

I started school today!

Shaelyn's first official day of preschool started today. We were both very excited. She planned on packing a lunch to put in her backpack. She didn't have any problems saying good-bye to me. She chose her center - art center - and started coloring. I left and had the morning to get groceries all by myself! I didn't even need to bring along an extra penny. When I picked her up, I asked her how preschool went. I was informed that it was not preschool but school. Apparently, someone thinks they're bigger than they really are! Oh well, at any rate, we both had a marvelous day.
 

Happy Birthday Dad

We celebrated Dave's birthday tonight. I went to get a cake with Shaelyn today. She wanted to pick a cake with roses but I finally talked her into getting one with a sun and bees. Then she had to pick her birthday present for him. She was thinking to get him a candy necklace or a pacifier candy. She was sure that he would love those. I explained to her that he probably would prefer a candy bar. Then came the balloon. Again she thought a flower balloon was nice but settled for a blue balloon but it had to have a pink string. Oh well, I guess it's the thought that counts. 

Happy days are coming

It wasn't an official preschool day yet but it's a start. We had visiting day today and I had to stay for it. Shaelyn was very excited. We got to see all the different things to do at preschool. Thursday will be official - She gets to stay all by herself! Both of us are quite excited for that! 

Swimming Lessons

Shaelyn started swimming lessons this morning. She was so excited to go - it wasn't even hard to wake her up this morning. I don't think the instructor realized what she was able to do. He would catch her when she jumped into the pool so she didn't get her head wet. I was thinking " let her go all the way" When one other mom explained what her son was able to do, I decided I could do the same. She had a lot of fun and can't wait to go again next week.

On a sadder note, we're remembering the tragedy that took place 5 years ago in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania. I can hardly believe that it has been 5 years already since those terrorists committed such cowardly acts against us. I'm thankful that our younger children can still smile in innocence without knowing what is outside their "little world." Our prayers are with all the families that lost a loved one on that day and for our country as we continue this fight against us. 

Rain delays

We were going to go to fireworks last night. I thought I might have some cool pictures to post but...on the way there we started to see lightning. We thought we might miss it but by the time we were there and parking it started to rain. And then it really took off. It downpoured! Well that pretty much settled the firework idea. And of course we get home and we hardly had a drop of rain! The city decided to move them to tonight but it is colder and rainy again tonight so we're missing them this year. We did go to Cheri's church tonight for a pig roast. That was delicious! They also had a moon jump, games and crafts for the kids to do. I think everybody had a good time. I'm hoping for nice weather tomorrow. We are having an outdoor service to kick off the new year. After that, there are tables that you can sign up at to join Bible studies, praise bands, teach, etc... We are also having brunch so we really need it to be nice out! After seeing such a change in weather, it really seems to be moving in the direction of fall.

Birthday Greetings

Thanks to all of you who recognized my birthday yesterday. Yes, I know, I'm getting older. The plans were to go to Brann's using TRIP coupons. I went to pick them up in the morning at school and no one was there. Either I was too late or they didn't have it because of Labor Day. So no coupons = no $ for supper. So I dug up some other certificates I had for BK and Arby's. What a great birthday meal that was - but hey - I didn't have to do dishes or make anything. After supper, we had presents. I got a mug, flowers, candle holder and perfume. Then there was a wonderful cake from Costco. Lots of chocolate. Actually, I couldn't even eat all of mine so we all know that it was pretty rich. Shaelyn was having problems on the computer before supper so I went down to check it out. Who knows what happened but my monitor died! Right now, I'm borrowing one from a friend but now I have to go shopping for another one. This one is small but I'm grateful to at least have something to use for now.

Labor Day

Today we went to the "Labor Day" picnic. My girls love this. We get together with all of my Dad's 7 brothers and sisters and most of the cousins. I guess you could somewhat call it a family reunion of sorts. I don't know why some families despise family reunions because we really enjoy it. ( it probably depends on the family!) We always go to the park and have a potluck dinner and what a variety of food there is. After that, we hang around and get acquainted with everyone again while the kids go play on the toys or wander, looking at the water. Usually, we have watermelon but today, Dad was in charge and he brought popsicles for everyone. We used to have a good game of baseball, but I guess everyone thinks they're getting too old for that anymore. It was beautiful weather, in spite of the forecast they were predicting. I don't think we got any rain at all today. We finally finished putting the pool away for good today - after it got totally dried off. That's a good feeling. Now that summer is officially over, I'm ready for the cooler days of fall and business of the school season.

My golf game

Tonight, Dave and I are heading to the golf course. Once a year, we go golfing with another couple from church. We always say that we're gonna make it out earlier in the year but somehow summer flies by and we end up trying to get it in after school starts. This is my 3rd time trying this. I always thought it looked fairly easy until I tried it. You've really got to hit the ball correctly to make it go the distance. Thank goodness, Carol and I get to use the women's handicap and start much closer. Even though I don't do too well at it, it's kind of fun. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for good weather and hoping for a fairly decent score.

I've been busy

Well, I 've received a complaint that there has been nothing on my blog lately. Sorry! Hopefully by this picture you can see that I've been extremely busy. Anyone who sees Shaelyn's room knows that it does not typically look like this. First of all, we moved the bed and furniture around. After that, I decided to do some major cleaning. I cleaned out all the drawers ( and organized) under her bed. Then I tackled her closet. What a mess. I organized all her games and puzzles. Her bookcase was next and last her dresser. All of her summer clothes were sorted to make room for all the new ones
from Halle. This took me until after supper but I did feel accomplished. Hopefully, it can stay looking this way for a while. I have been making her pick it up every day so we're trying to establish a pattern here.
The other picture shows what I did before her room. Our lawn was so long because our mower had been broken. I decided to tackle that first in the morning. So that took me about 2 1/2 hours earlier. So sorry, I don't have anything much more of interest to share but that's my life!