Remembering The Tornado Last Year & Community

project 365 entry for Saturday June 6th, 2009
One year ago on June 3rd, 2008 a devastating tornado hit the little “town” that my oldest daughter lives in. Some lost their homes, they all received damage, but thankfully no one lost their life.
This town is more like a rural neighborhood. Most of the folks their have grown up together. It is where my son-in-law grew up. To remember the date (to be thankful to have survived) they decided to have a community event. They wanted to have yard sales all around. They had the idea of donating to the Salvation Army. Well, the sale didn’t go so well. But, I think most everyone in the area enjoyed the day & surely took some time to remember and be thankful.
My oldest daughter hysterically laughing. She will not like that I put this shot on here. But, I am thankful after that tornado to still have her here.. to hear her laugh, and to be able to take silly photos of her:
Besides with crazy neighbors like this, how can she not sit around cracking up:

The 2nd one was the man who lives behind her. One of my grandsons had thrown a superman on the roof. This guy preceded to stand up there & swing superman around and kept throwing it back down.
My grandson & a neighbor girl enjoying the day:

Strutting? LOL

My youngest daughter & some of my grandkids decided they would try to sell Kool-aid. LOL

Didn’t go so well, can you tell?

One of the little girls in the neighborhood at her family’s sale/ the 2nd one: Hey isn’t this what neighbors are suppose to be like.. shooting the breeze:

They ended the day with some of the neighbors getting together and playing some music. My son-in-law is the one playing bass (wearing the striped shirt).

Well…with a day like today, what can a girl do but laugh (my youngest grandchild):

Hope I made you smile. Until next time…

Kings Island & Surprise 16th Birthday Party

project 365 entry for Friday June 5th, 2009

Yesterday, some of the kids went to Kings Island with their Youth Group. They paid for it by working at the church. They had fun.
Caitlyn & her friend, Hillary, threw a surprise 16th birthday party for Hillary’s sister, Abby. Abby’s mom told her they were coming to get them (Caitlyn & Hillary) so they could all go to the zoo for Abby’s birthday. Abby walked into the yard & everyone yells “surprise”. Now keep in mind this girl is not use to these kind of parties. You know what her reaction was? She looks at her mom & says, “So does this mean we’re not going to the zoo?” LOL Crazy kid. Oh well, she enjoyed the Mountain Dew themed party, even if it wasn’t the zoo.
Hope I made you smile. Until next time…

Son’s Health

project 365 entry for Thursday May 28 th, 2009

Took Ryan for a long over due check up with his lung specialist. It’s amazing how far he has come from that 1 pound 6 oz little baby born at 24 weeks gestation.
After years of dealing with asthma, the doctor says he no longer has it. That’s good.
But, after testing, he has now been diagnosed with restrictive lung disease. At best, his lungs can only work at 70% capacity. This is why he can not run around like other kids, tires easily, etc. Thankfully, he is not a kid that wants to be athletic. The doctor says that he is okay being as the type of interests Ryan has. He said it would be a problem if Ryan said he wanted to do things like run track… because with his lungs there is no way. The doctor said that Ryan will never be able to lead a real active lifestyle or do physical or strenuous activities. This is sad, but thankful this is okay with Ryan’s personality, likes, & interests. No medicines…nothing we can do change things. He will always need to be careful with exposure to anything that can cause lung damage, since he can not afford to lose any more lung capacity.
Overall, things could be much worse. I am so thankful for how he is doing:

Hope I made you smile. Until next time…

Granddaughter’s Softball Game

project 365 entry for Wednesday May 27 th, 2009

Finally made it to one of my grand daughter’s softball games. This have been so crazy, I kept missing them:

Couldn’t resist this shot. My darling, redheaded grandson is all boy. Why do I think this kid is gonna get even with me when he grows up? :

Hope I made you smile. Until next time…

Grandkids School Programs & Graduation

project 365 entry for Thursday May 14 th, 2009

Busy week. My dad had to have a check-up (follow up) from his eye surgery on Tuesday. It went well. He also had a doctor’s appt. at the VA on Wednesday. Both appt were out of town, so I had a lot of running.

My oldest grandson had his school program Tues. night. I thought I had pictures (not very good), but I can not find them.
Today, was my oldest granddaughter’s Kindergarten graduation. Here she is all dressed up. :

Hope I made you smile. Until next time…

Mother’s Day Picnic 2009

project 365 entry for May 10 th, 2009

Before my Granny passed away, I went to Brown County State Park every Mother’s Day. She loved it there, so I always tried to taker her & my kids there for a picnic. Since she passed away, we have only gone a few times.
My 15 yr old daughter took upon herself to talk to her dad & older sisters about surprising me with a picnic in Brown County this year. She made the arrangements. My 2nd to oldest daughter Brandy bought all of the food & just showed up. They all tell me we are going to Brown C for a picnic. Unfortunately, my oldest daughter & her kids didn’t go. Oh well, you can’t win them all.
Fortunately, my dad & step-mother were also able to go with us. We all had a great time! It was a wonderful surprise!
My step-mother eating chips, waiting for my husband to get done on the grill:
The kids (big & little) played on the swings & slide while waiting for food:

Oh my goodness, silly girl, it’s a CHILD size slide! Yep, she’s stuck in the tire swing.
Wait a minute.. it’s that hubby? Hhhmm, is he suppose to be over there cooking? Oh, I guess even grandpa needs to have a little fun, too:
My grandson was so fascinated with the caterpillars. He carried one around on a stick. They all kept coming to him. In this one it is one, the caterpillar is on his pants: Here’s my 17 yr old son, doing what he likes best…eating:
After we all ate, we drove through the park. I was hoping to see some wildlife to show my grandson (& to photograph). My step-mother cracked me up. I told her to watch for “critters”. She would holler, “There’s one!” It would be a bird. We ended up stopping to go look at the lake. It was loaded with tadpoles. Here’s hubby & our 2 youngest catching some:
Hope I made you smile. Until next time…

Updates, College Visit, Grandparents Day, & No More Needing To Mow the Weeds In the Middle of Our Street

project 365 entry for April 29, 2009

My brother continues to recover. He has been diagnosed with congestive heart failure (I believe it is a direct result to the mishaps during surgery earlier this year).
I home school my children, but my grand kids attend public school. I was able to have lunch with my oldest grandson at his school last week. They had lunch with grandparents. I enjoyed it, so did he.
My 15 yr old daughter went on a college visit last weekend. This is the college she seems to want to attend. She loved it. Oh, the asthma meds seem to be working since she was able to RUN this weekend!
Our street has been a mess for a long time. Yes, there have been places that weeds / grass grow through. I’ve made jokes about needing to mow the street.
I was surprised when they came through and put in new curbs. The curbs were busted in many places. Imagine my surprise when they came & completely redid the whole street!

Hope I made you smile. Until next time…

Prom !

project 365 entry for April 7, 2009

My 15 yr old daughter was asked to prom. Yeah, I get to see her in a dress! This girl doesn’t wear dresses. We were able to find a dress that she liked at the second place we looked. Oh, as you may be able to tell, she doesn’t like having her picture taken either.
Hope I made you smile. Until next time…

Easter, Dinner, & Pretty Baby

project 365 entry for April 7, 2009

Happy Easter
As usual, I had a family Easter dinner. All of the kids, grand kids, my dad, and my step-mother were here. My son-in-law also brought his cousin. His cousin has had a tough time of it, he is recovering from a car wreck that just about killed him. He is still using a walker to get around. I guess he was thrilled to be invited. The way I feel.. the more the merrier.
Today is the pretty, pretty princess’ first Easter … Here’s a quick shot of my youngest granddaughter in her Easter dress:
Hope I made you smile. Until next time…

Hmmm, Asthma

project 365 entry for April 7, 2009

Took my 15 yr old daughter to my son’s Pulmonolgist today. I have known that she has asthma for some time. Over the last year or so, she has had attacks where we rushed her to the E.R. The doctors there would insist that she could not have asthma because she doesn’t wheeze. It has been a nightmare, knowing my daughter needed a breathing treatment NOW & arguing with a doctor. By the time the ER doctors would end up giving in, she would need back to back breathing treatments. The poor kid can barely breathe during these attacks & ends up hyperventilating.
Anyway, after testing, guess what? Yes, she has asthma. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not happy about that. But, am happy to finally have a diagnosis & she is now on daily medicine. I pray it will help. She has gone from being very active to now she sits because activity causes her to not be able to breathe.
Hope I made you smile. Until next time…

Ugghh

project 365 entry for March 27, 2009

Well, let’s see.. My 15 yr old is still very sick, but seems to be getting better. 11 yr old still sick, but nothing near as sick as her sister. 14 yr old son is still sick, unbelievable but he is not getting real bad. His fever shoots pretty high & his head hurts so bad. But, I have been terrified he would get very bad. Hubby had a minor medical procedure today, so he is down now, too. I have 2 sick kids upstairs, in separate bedrooms, & 1 kid and hubby downstairs … imagine the exercise I am getting. Ugghh
The grand kids went home & are still well. I also still have 2 kids that have stayed well! The youngest, 8 yr old daughter, & I decided to get out for a few minutes. I needed it.. I have taken care of 3 sick kids around the clock, 2 well kids, 2 well grand kids all week, & now hubby. We ran and picked up some food. We also stopped and picked up some seeds… it’s that time of year (gardening).
Here’s a couple of photos I took last year. I was fascinated with the morning dew drops. They were on the leaves of some of the hanging plants on my porch:

Hope I made you smile. Until next time…

Yet Another Sick Kid

project 365 entry for March 25, 2009

My 15 yr daughter is very sick still! My 11 yr daughter is also still sick, but she doesn’t seem to be any where as bad as her sister. Now, my 14 yr son (the one who has lung problems due to being so premature) is running a high fever & is sick.
Well, the I still have 2 kids who are NOT sick & my granddaughters are still here & doing fine.
Hope I made you smile. Until next time…

Another Sick Kid

project 365 entry for March 24, 2009

My daughter is still sick. VERY sick! Now my 11 yr daughter is sickly.
The grand kids are still here & seem okay.

Hope I made you smile. Until next time…

Basketball Trip & Sick Kid

project 365 entry for March 23, 2009

No photo today. Sorry. My 17 yr son & 15 yr daughter went on a day trip with Youth Group. They got see the gym where Hoosiers was shot, even met one of the guys from when it all really took place. By the time they got back, I took one look at my daughter & knew she was sick. Poor kid.
To top it off, I have my 2 granddaughters spending the night. They were in the van & already exposed by the time I realized my daughter was sick. Guess they are going to spend a few days here in case they get sick [so their baby sister doesn't get exposed].
The kids did have a lot fun on the trip!
Hope I made you smile. Until next time…

Natalie Grant and Chris Sligh Concert With Daughter

project 365 entry for March 20, 2009

Had the opportunity to take my 15 yr old daughter to a wonderful Christian concert tonight. I didn’t bring my camera (that’s a shocker). Luckily, my daughter had hers. We saw Natalie Grant. Here’s my daughter with Natalie:
Chris Sligh, of American Idol fame, was an opening act. He really is wonderful and inspiring! Here’s my daughter with Chris. I had just made a joke about how they looked a lot alike because of their glasses.. she was laughing, that’s why her eyes closed:
Okay, I have no idea who that ugly, run down redheaded woman is with Chris Sligh… LOL… and a side note, that maybe I shouldn’t mention: this is the last photo that my daughter’s camera ever took. Yep, taking this one broke her camera. See! There is a good reason that I always try to stay behind the camera!
It was really a nice evening. My daughter was able to do a meet and greet with Natalie Grant. I was able to spend an evening with my daughter!
Hope I made you smile. Until next time…

Grandkids Playing

project 365 entry for March 17, 2009
Quick updates: My brother has had several follow ups with numerous specialist. He has managed to stay out of the hospital. He still has a long recovery ahead of him.
Jessica had a good birthday. She had her dad make fried twinkies. She wanted to try them
At the end of Feb. Jessica’s Youth Group did a photo scavenger hunt. She had a blast. The following weekend Caitlyn’s Youth Group did a 30 Hour Famine to raise awareness to starving children.
Visited Jennifer & her kids today. The grand kids were just playing around outside. Here’s a photo of one of the littlle red heads. He was frustrated because he was too short to make baskets playing basketball. (note– I call him “short man”) So, he pushed the 4-wheeler over & stood on it.
Hope I made you smile. Until next time…

Surprise for Cousin Donna – Happy Birthday

project 365 entry for Feb 23, 2009

The girls did great raising money for camp & the missions trip by working at the church dinner.
Today is my cousin Donna’s birthday. We met online doing family research & have never met face to face. Came close a few times but it never worked out.
Well the silly lady sent out an e-mail saying she would be home if anyone stopped by for some warm coffee & birthday cake. Hee hee… I decided it was the perfect time to meet face to face. So, I decided I would surprise her.
Sarah & drove down to Vincennes to wish her a happy birthday. I knocked on the door & asked for Donna. Her husband (not knowing who I was) let us in. I walked in to her living room. She was stretched out on the couch (she had recently had another surgery – to get a pacemaker). I said “Are you Donna?” She glanced up at me kind of funny. I said, “Well, I drove all this way to have a piece of birthday cake & some warm coffee.” All of a sudden it clicked with her as to who I was. She jumped up.. SCREAMING.. “Cathy!!” Her husband was standing there confused. Her granddaughter came running from another rooms thinking something was wrong with her because of the way she was screaming. She was hugging me, jumping, & just kept saying, “This is my cousin Cathy!” My poor little Sarah looked terrified with the way Donna had jumped & screamed. LOL
Yeah… I think it was a cool birthday surprise… & I think it was a good thing she had her pacemaker. eekk!
We had a wonderful visit. Then, Sarah & I had to head home. We had a long drive & it was late. The drive was okay, except for the huge raccoon that I hit & the double trailer semi that just about ran me off the road.
Hope I made you smile. Until next time…