Kallee Funny

The boy's bedroom looked like a cyclone had struck it, so before they were allowed to do anything this evening, I made them clean it up. Talon usually does a REALLY good job organizing and cleaning under the bed, the closet, etc. On the other hand, Keegan has to be reminded SEVERAL times that it "isn't play time, it is cleaning time"! Once Keegan got in the mood to clean tonight, he decided he would pick up the living room too, I said GREAT! While cleaning it up, Kallee came screaming and crying her poor, little head off. I asked her what's the matter, she replied "Keegan mo-non (as she says it)!" Keegan had told her to leave the toys alone because he was cleaning them up, therefore she seen fit to call him a MORON. I told Keegan what she was saying about him and we had several good laughs over it. She's such a little stinker, but she's NOT a brat! I have determined she can be a stinker, but a brat WILL NOT be tolerated!!! : )

Happy 11th Talon!!!

Eleven years ago today we welcomed our baby boy into this world, Talon Reed. He weighed in at 5 lbs. 13 ozs. and was 20 1/2" in length. He came to us that day as a complete shock, he wasn't suppose to be born for another 3 weeks, YIKES! It was around 10:00 am when I went to rest on the couch, I was having these "funny feelings" so by going to the couch, I thought I could get comfortable and I would feel better. I called Jerry in to tell him what I was feeling and he suggested we time those "funny feelings". Sure enough, those feelings were coming every 7 minutes. He then suggested I get up and call the doctor and yep (as the doctors would put it, a sudden gush), ugh! We called the doctor and she said if the contractions continued, to come right in to the office. She told us if they got any closer than 5 minutes, "go directly to the hospital". Needless to say, they were coming every 2 minutes by the time we hit the hospital doors. I forgot to mention, the hospital was 30 minutes aways ;) After using my quick check in card, I was wheeled to my room and told to get into that nice little gown they make you wear, it is so beautiful and all. After getting settled into bed and all the monitors were strapped on, the nurse was concerned that they couldn't get the monitors to read. She said she was going to check me and see how far along I was. She was quite surprised and called the doctor right away. The doctor came in, just in time to catch our bundle of joy. Wow, what an experience that was, one that I knew I didn't want to repeat right away, lol! --
He was a great baby/toddler and is growing up to be a great young man. That is hard for me to say "young man". It doesn't seem that he will be a teenager in two years : ( He always keeps us laughing from his singing, dancing around, his silly jokes and acting like he is someone else. He loves to sing and act, and he does a wonderful job at it (if I must say so myself)! He has always told me he loves me, but at this time in his life, he is at that pre-teen loving his mother stage. I am so thankful I have started reading "Raising Up Boys" by Dr. Dobson, or I might not have understood this stage of his life. Yes, I have also read the chapter on what is yet to come, YIKES!!! --Talon, we wish we were home to wish you a Happy Birthday, but we will take you some place special when we get home. We hope you are enjoying your presents that we left with you?! I wanted to post some of your baby pictures but ran out of time before leaving. Time will tell if I will get to it when I get home. Anyways, we want to wish you, a very Happy Birthday! We love you very much! We know God has something special in store for you!!! First day of 5th Grade, 8/07

Talon playing the role of Ralph Mudge in the play Annie Jr.
Talon playing the role of Rooster Hannigan, children's Civic Theater in Clinton County
(Annie Jr. 6/07)
Talon all smiles holding up his first ever 4-H project, 7/07

Father's Day 6/07
Halloween 2006
Holding two of our puppies 1/07
Our trip to PA, 8/07
Fall 2006

Simple Friend vs. Real Friend

I received this from a friend, thought it was really good, but oh so true!

A simple friend, when visiting, acts like a guest.
A real friend opens your refrigerator and helps herself (and doesn't feel even the least bit weird shutting your Pepsi/Coke drawer with her foot)!

A simple friend has never seen you cry.
A real friend has soggy shoulders from your tears.

A simple friend doesn't know your parent's first name.
A real friend has their phone numbers in their address book (better yet, still knows who is calling when she sees the # on the caller id and there is no name
displayed on it).

A simple friend brings a bag of chips and pop to your party (not that that isn't good), but...
A real friend comes early to help you prepare and stays late to help you clean up.

A simple friend hates it when you call after they've gone to bed.
A real friend asks you why you took so long to call.

A simple friend tells your thoughts.
A real friend listens to your thoughts.

A simple friend seeks to talk with you about your problems.
A real friend seeks to help you with your problems.

A simple friend wonders about your romantic history.
A real friend could blackmail you with it.

A simple friend thinks the friendship is over when you have an argument.
A real friend calls you after the fight.

A simple friend expects you to always be there for them.
A real friend expects to always be there for you!

I know if I thought about this long enough, I would probably be able to add more of my own thoughts but...

Thanks to all the REAL friends out there that I have, you're the BEST!!!

We're Here

We're here, Wisconsin that is! Jerry is in training all week and since he has a free hotel room, I figured I would tag along : ) We are staying at the Crowne Plaza, in Madison, it is very nice! The kidos are staying with my in-laws (thanks Reed & Betty), so what a nice break for us. This is a first for me, leaving Kallee for more than a night, so keep her and me in your prayers, lol! -- We borrowed my sister's car, so we cruised in style in a royal blue, Mustang convertible. The company will pay so much per mile and since all we have is a van and truck, we figured we had better find a different set of wheels. Thanks Squirelly for letting us borrow your baby, we will bring her back safe and sound! The car is nice, but the trunk was almost too small for all my "junk", as Jerry calls it. I thought since I would be alone all day, I would try and catch up on some scrapbooking. I brought a large plastic tote, a scrapbook tote on wheels and a large bag. I didn't want to run out of supplies! Of course there looks like there is a lot of serious shopping around here, so I might not get as much scrappin' done as I thought, Ha! Anyways, I'm sure we will enjoy our alone time this week, something we rarely have.
P.S. We had a great time with you Meg & LaMorris, thanks for meeting us for lunch! My niece Meg (Squirelly's daughter) attends Olivet, so we stopped by to see her and her boyfriend.

Keegan's Wedding Funny

Bro. Mowery will appreciate this one!-----
While getting ready for the wedding yesterday morning, Keegan was desperately trying to get his wallet to fit in the pocket of his dress pants. I told him he wouldn't need it, to just leave it behind. He said "but Mom, I need it just in case". I said "just in case, why?" He proceeded to tell me, "just in case they take an offering"! I guess he is so use to putting money in the offering every time we go to church, he thought since we were "going to church" (for the wedding), he needed his wallet. Of course I got quite a chuckle out of it, so I told my nephew (the groom) and he said, "have at it, I will gladly take an offering", LOL!

Chris & Charyl's Wedding - 9/22/07

Well Chris finally did it, got married that is : ) We have all waited for this day to come and it finally has arrived. We are so happy for Chris & Charyl, she is such a sweetie and he treats her good too! Chris is my 3rd oldest nephew and my sister Shirley's 2nd oldest. The wedding was very simple, yet elegant! Their wedding color was champagne, with hints of lavender. They were married at the First Church of the Nazarene, in New Castle, IN. May God Bless them as they begin their lives together! (The pictures are kind of dark, but once again the lighting in this church was terrible to work with)

Chris & Charyl
Chris & and his son Karson

Lighting their Unity Candle

Taking Communion

Mr. & Mrs. Chris & Charyl Petty

Kallee & Nicky (her cousin and Chris' youngest brother)

Kallee & Meggie (her cousin and Chris' sister)

Indy Downforce Dinner

Talon with Vitor Meira, Talon said he was SUPER nice!
Last week the boys went with Jerry to the Indy Downforce Dinner, in Indianapolis. Last year I went with them, but race car drivers don't impress me too much so... Needless to say, I wasn't sad when he told me he could only take 2 guests with him : ) The boys LOVE going to the track and seeing all the drivers and such, so this was something they really enjoyed doing! Well this evening was even better than last year, out of 300+ people, Talon was drawn out of the hat to sit with a race car driver (Vitor Meira) for dinner. He was sooo excited when they called his name, of course it was Ta-len Cooper, not Talon Cooper, but he knew that was him : ) Keegan was drawn out of the hat to win a couple door prizes as well, so that made him happy. All three guys got several autographs on their hats, so they now have a piece of history to go with their story. Last but not least, Talon got to have his picture taken with his favorite driver, Danica Patrick! They all got her autograph, so that gave them all something to smile about : ) Thanks Daddy for making the boys night and taking them to the dinner!

Keegan with Vitor Meira

Talon & Danica, he said she wasn't as nice as he thought she would be. But, he did get a picture with her and her autograph, so that made up for it : )
Talon with Sarah Fisher, he said she was REALLY nice! I asked him if he was going to change his loyalty and start cheering for her instead of Danica?!

This was the car of Dario Franchitti, he was the 2007 Indy 500 winner! It was hanging upside down over the center stage, pretty cool!

Outside before the dinner, getting their picture in front of a race car!

My handsome little guys, Talon & Keegan!

My Tummy's Grouchy

Today Keegan is home sick from school. He is feeling much better now, and is actually eating something. He had the whole sick thing down, throwing up and the the screamin' meanies too, yuck! I don't know where it came from, but it is welcome to leave as quickly as it came. While laying on the couch he told me, "my tummy is so grouchy today and it is having a fit. It probably wants to have energy, but I don't know if it can." I don't know where he comes up with these things, he's so stinkin' cute : ) Isn't it funny how they explain how they feel to us when we ask? It might not be as we would describe it as adults, but as Moms we know exactly what they mean?!

What A Man!!!

I received the Great Lakes District Newsletter in the mail last week, but I just now have taken the time to read it. When I reached the last page, there was a tribute to "Dad"Fritz (Sara Derscheid's father). He was like a second Dad to me, I lived at their house almost as much as my own, in my teen years. Anyways, the tribute was nice and I thought I would share it with you. "Arthur was an ordained minister with the Wesleyan Holiness Association of Churches and was the pastor of the Wesleyan Holiness Chapel of Mt. Pleasant, MI for 39 years. He held the position of District Superintendent of the Great Lakes District for over 25 years. He did many things for and spent a lot of time both at the church and the camp grounds that many of us will never know. He also donated a lot of money town the church and camp. (this the part I liked the best) We will all miss him greatly but especially his smile, his laughter, his humor, his prayers, messages and poems. Oh, yes and his singing with all the ad libbing." --He was such an awesome man, he could always make you laugh and smile and even cry too : ) I thank the Lord that I had the opportunity to have him as my pastor of most of my life. What A Man!!! I had better stop typing, I can hardly see the keys for all the tears : ( We love and miss you Bro. Fritz!

14 Years Ago Tonight...

Fourteen years ago tonight, I met my sweetheart! Of course I didn't realize he was the one for me, but I'm very thankful God allowed us to meet. It was on a Friday evening and my best friends Sara & my sister Mary were headed to a Perfect Heart/Kirk Talley concert. We were to meet up with Tony (Sara's fiance) and a friend of his from Indiana (Jerry). With Jerry being almost 22 and Mary being 24, Tony thought they would hit it off. When we said our hellos, Tony asked Jerry what he thought? Jerry told Tony (when they were off by themselves), "that chic in the backseat was pretty hot"!!! Oh no, Tony hadn't even given it a thought that Jerry would look my way, because I was only 17, oops! One thing I have failed to tell you, is that Tony told Jerry he had a couple girls he wanted him to meet and Mary was told, there was a guy coming up to meet her, UGH! The concert went great, we had a lot of fun. After the concert, we tried to find some place open to eat, but no such luck. Jerry was very polite and held the door for us (which he stills does), on the several attempts in us finding a resturant. When it came to getting back into the car, he couldn't figure out why I always jumped in first, leaving Mary to sit by him : ) I didn't think anything about it, after all, he wasn't there for me. Well the evening came to a close and S & T went aside to have a little talk. What were they to do now? After a little time of worrying and thinking, I think they just thought they would let things take place on their own and...NOW YOU KNOW THE REST OF THE STORY!

My sweetheart tricked me today and had these delivered to me at home! He called wanting to know if I would be home around 2:30 so a delivery person could deliver something he ordered? Of course, I didn't think anything about it, because he does buy things on Ebay that I know nothing about, grrr! Needless to say, I was very surprised when the lady from Heather's Flowers drove in with a long stemmed rose and a box of turtles, just what I need, LOL. Kallee helped me sample some of the chocolates and said "yummy cookies". She also kept saying "pretty mommy, pretty" to the flower.
Thanks so much sweetheart, I LOVE YOU very much! The nice dinner tonight was much appreciated too.

Buddies, Bridal Showers & Boo Boos

Yes we had a full weekend playing with our cousins, a bridal shower and Kallee's first trip to the ER. My nephew Chris is getting married in a couple weeks, so my sister (the MIL to be) decided to have a shower for Charyl (her DIL to be). Many of you know, my sister Shirley has been sick for several years, so she doesn't get around like she has in the past. When I found out her daughter Meg wasn't going to be able to come home from college to help with the shower plans, I told her I would go and help out. So, on Friday evening after work, me and the kidos headed to New Castle. We didn't arrive until around 8:00, but that was sure better than 10:00 (I don't like driving at night with the kids). Later that evening, my nephew brought his little boy Carson over and Kallee and the boys had fun playing with him. We don't get to see him that often, so he is still a little shy around us. I thought the kids did great, no arguing, YEAH! He is such a sweetie, he will look so adorable in his tux for the wedding :) On Saturday we got everything in order for the shower and had a real nice time. The newlyweds are planning on going to Hawaii, so my sister had a Hawaiian theme for the shower. She made the cake and we had fruit ka-bobs and all, very nice! Charyl received several nice gifts, but I was the only one who "went out on a limb" and bought a night-gown. The rest of the gifts were pretty boring, ya know, pizza pans, towels, etc. etc. HA! Well the shower was about over, and Kallee decided to get into Charyl's sisters purse and take some meds, ugh! I called poison control and they weren't too helpful. Needless to say, we took her to the ER just to be safe. Thanks goodness she had missed her nap, because she fell asleep in my lap after the doctor had seen her and slept almost the entire time we were there. We ended up having to stay several hours so they could do a blood draw to make sure her tox levels were ok. THANK THE LORD she was fine and we were able to head back to my sisters around 8:40. While we were at the hospital, there was a guy that was "chemically challenged" (as the nurse put it), that was having a fit! He was sooo bad, they had him chained to his bed and 3 officers stood outside his door. He literally screamed to the top of his lungs and was using words that I wasn't ever taught, UGH!!! As my sister and I sat there, she said "do you ever feel as if we don't live in the real world"? I said yes, but THANK THE LORD for that!!! We sat for a moment in silence as the guy yelled and screamed at the nurses and officers and wondered, what was so bad in his life that made him turn out like that??? I am so very thankful for parents that spared me from all of that (drugs, profanity, etc.)!!! God is so good to us, we can NEVER fathom what all He has spared us from!

Lil' buddies, Kallee & Karson
Maddy Mae & Kallee "Raye" enjoying the fruit ka-bobs

Yum! Yum!
Becca and her mommy DD (my niece & great-niece)
This is the Hawaiian wedding cake my sister made for the shower!
Charyl opening her gifts
I couldn't resist! Every new bride needs these in her night stand :)
Kallee waiting to hear from the doctor.

She really looks "in pain", the little stinker!
Aunt Sur-she (Shirley) came to visit her at the hospital, after all the guests from the shower left. I don't know who enjoyed coloring more, Shirley or Kallee?! HA!

The Joy of the Lord...

Keegan & Talon came home from school today singing, "the Joy of the Lord is my strength", "the Joy of the Lord is my strength"... "He giveth bread and water and I thirst no more" : ) Keegan then said, "no that's not right, it is"... "He giveth fresh water and I thirst no more" : ) They really enjoyed chapel today, they said "Bro. Mac did an AWESOME job and Pastor Johnson kept laughing and laughing at that song, it was too funny"! Keegan has been going around the house all day laughing like Pastor Johnson.

Off We Go - Part II

We pulled into Carson City, MI around 9:00, Thursday evening. There were several people already there, so after parking the motor home, it was time to say our hellos. After making our rounds passing out hugs, we sat around the campfire and had a great time of fellowship. Around 12:30 or 1:00'ish, we decided it was time for us to head to bed. Here are several pictures that were taken while heading to MI.

Keegan kicking back and relaxing!
Little Missy thought she needed her turn in the passenger's seat!

Talon hanging out, before starting on his homework, ugh!

Kallee finally decided we weren't ever going to get to MI, so she decided to take a nap!

Keegan shaking his stuff to "Signature Sound"!

Shattuck Family Reunion - Part I

We had a great time at the family reunion this year! It is hard to believe another reunion has come and gone. We were able to see most of my aunts & uncles, as well as, many cousins we had not seen in a year or more. Those that were in charge of counting, came up with a total of 284 for the actual Labor Day dinner. I'm sure there were a few more, but that was the lucky number. We missed seeing Uncle Cecil and his crew, he was not able to come because he has been so sick. Here are some pictures of our FUN filled Labor Day Weekend! I have made a separate post since there were sooo many pictures I wanted to share, enjoy!

All tired out from a full day of play (Keegan & Kallee)!

Kallee & Nicky (as my kids call him), he is my nephew (Shirley's youngest son).

Kallee getting acquainted with Aunt Donna!

Talon really enjoyed listening to Aunt Nettie recite poems and stories!

Talon wasn't really old enough to stay in the teen dorm, but my cousins that were in charge said, "since he is such a good kid, we would like it if he would stay in the dorm". We were VERY proud of him, he was very friendly to all those cousins he didn't really know and he showed a great attitude when others didn't! We must be doing something right : )

The upper level of the teens dorm