Off We Go

Off we go, tomorrow that is, to head to Michigan for a few days. We would have left tonight after Jerry got off of work, but Keegan was invited to a birthday sleep-over, so...we will be heading out in the morning. We are on spring break all next week, so we decided we would go see Mom & Dad for a few days. We haven't been home since Christmas, so it is a much needed trip. Of course we would love to be flying to the sunny South, but since we have no sunny South $$$, we thought the cold North was better than nothing, HA! Hope you all have a great weekend and a nice spring break!

Happy 55th Anniversary Mom & Dad

I would like to wish my parents, Leland & Maryln Shattuck, a Happy 55th wedding anniversary today! I am very happy for the two of you, what a commitment you have made to one another! We love you and we will see you in a couple days!

I don't have any good pictures of them together that I don't have to scan in, and since I am too lazy and have a ton of things to do tonight...

Walking hand-in-hand to ride on their first airplane ride (May '07)! Dad stills calls her his sweetheart after all these years : )

Praise!

I would like to thank the Lord for the "almost full" Sunday School class we had on Easter! All the calling on Saturday paid off, thanks to everyone that went out. We had 47 in our class, 10 of them that haven't been there in a LONG time and 2 new ones, thank the Lord! I planned on going calling, but with having 3 kids of my own, it is hard to drag them with you. I do plan on getting them involved when it gets warmer, I think it will help them see that we have sooo much to be thankful for! Please pray that our attendance will only keep going up and not go right back down to the 20's that we have been having. Don't get me wrong, 20 something is better than nothing, but we know the kids are out there and they might as well be coming to our church on Sunday morning : ) Also, I would like to thank the Lord for helping Jerry and I during the time we had them all by ourselves. I wasn't really worried (because we have done this before), but with it being Easter and all, I REALLY wanted God to come and help us deliver the message of Easter! I feel that He came and helped us and that the kids understand a little more about Easter than before. We did end up using the "Jelly Bean Story" and we ended up giving each kid a baggie and one of each color of the jelly beans. After their bags were all full, we passed out a copy of the "Jelly Bean Story" to put in their bag. The night before I made large hearts in the same colors as in the story and held them up when I talked about each color, I think having those visuals really helped them understand better. I know many of the baggies probably didn't make it home, but I pray the ones that did, will be read by their parents and they will come to know Jesus!

Pray With Confidence

I know, I know, none of you ever get in a "rut" when it comes to praying, so...I found this comforting when I read it in my devotions this morning.

"If we align our prayers to his will, he will listen; and we can be certain that if he listens, he will give us a definite answer. Start praying with confidence!"

Many times I know that I feel like my prayers aren't being heard and answered, but then I get little reminders like this, and I smile to think that God WILL answer them some day! He may not answer them like I think He should or even in the time-frame that we think He should, but HE WILL ANSWER OUR PRAYERS!!!

Easter Egg Hunt @ Mamaw's

Every year, Mamaw Cooper has an Easter Egg Hunt for the kids! They LOVE going out and searching for the eggs. A lot of them are out in the open and can be seen easily, but some are hidden pretty well and those are the ones that usually contain the $$$ that everyone wants : ) This year there were 7 kids; our 3, my niece and nephew Courtney & Lane and Jerry's cousin's kids, Karissa & Cameron. Mamaw and Great-Grandma Hysel filled the eggs this year, with tons of candy, $$$ and some of those nasty little critters like; spiders, snakes, etc. I think Keegan and Talon came home with over 15 of those nice little critters. Keegan has already put some in my hair "trying" to scare me and he has successfully scared his sister. The kids all had a great time finding all those eggs, 300+ was what they looked for, so it took them awhile. Thanks so much Mamaw, the kids look forward to doing this every year!

Kallee looking like a little rug-rat, but at least she was warm and somewhat clean this year. Last year we forgot to take a coat and hat and her shoes were a mess when she came in.

Look what I found!!!

Keegan was so excited to get looking for the eggs, he wouldn't take time to smile for the camera!

Courtney & Talon seeing who can get the most eggs.

Lane & Cameron were running every which-way to get the eggs!

I love this picture of Jerry and Kallee, it is so cute! He was helping her find eggs that the other kids missed!

Talon counting his "goods".

Lookie Mom!

All the kids counting their eggs.

Keegan looking to see what he got!

This poor little Peep chick didn't even see what was coming! : ) We were happy Elizabeth was able to join us for most of the day. She worked that morning and didn't think she would get to be with us, but she was. Her job is working in home-health care, so she has several little, old ladies she helps get up and ready for church.

Easter Morning

Every year I try to make sure my kids have an Easter basket. NO, I DO NOT go crazy and buy them gobs of stuff that costs a ton!!! I go to the Dollar Tree, plus I buy things here and there, throughout the year. Of course they always have to count their new shirts, ties, dress, hat, etc. as a part of their basket, but after all, I did buy them for Easter. They do enjoy getting this basket of goodies, even if I haven't spent a bunch on them. I don't hardly put any candy in them, because I know they will get some at church and they always get a ton at Mamaw's. I don't always use a basket either, one year I used a new bike helmet and filled it full of goodies. Another year I used a new pair of roller blades and filled them full of goodies. This year I found a bag at Old Navy that was originally $24.99, for $1.97, so...that was Talon's "basket". He is always needing a bag for when he spends the night at his friends or at Mamaw's so, I thought that was a great buy! --Since Kallee didn't get a new dress, I made sure she had something new, so...I allowed her to pick out a purse and and hat from the Dollar Tree and then I snuck them home and put them in her basket. I know, I won't be able to do that many more years without her figuring it out, but until then... : )

On your mark...
Get set..
Get ready...

OPEN!!!

Kallee with her big bubby, Talon.

Mommy's little Easter Princess : )

Lafayette's Passion Play

WOW!!! We just returned from the Lafayette Passion Play and was it AWESOME! It has been years (probably 7+) since I have been to that one, so I thought it was time. Of course Jerry didn't want to go, so I sent Kallee home with him and the boys and I had a date night. I am sure glad I took them, that is all they talked about, the whole way home. One of them said, "I can't believe how painful it looked when they hung him on the cross". I was able to ask them how they would feel and look after being beaten, having a crown of thorns placed on their heads, nails hammered into their hands and feet and a spear thrust into their sides??? I know I got a little graphic, but...it was a graphic, a horrible sight for Jesus and all who believed in Him. I was also happy that I could report that He is ALIVE today and that He went through all that pain for us! What an AMAZING God we serve! --We would like to congratulate Ashlee and Steven for a job well done, you two were great! Last time I was at the play I was waaayyy up top and I couldn't hardly see the people, but this time we were on the 6th row and we could see your pretty little faces! I'm sure you made your Mommy and Daddy very proud!

Good Friday Service

Yesterday was our school's annual Good Friday Service it went very nice! Sara and her girls (Kerri, Janae and Britnee) did a very good job on the song they sang, as always : ) Pastor Johnson, Sara and Rachel sang "Broken and Spilled Out" and did an AWESOME job on it! I think you all should sing it tomorrow for Easter! Anyways, Bro. David Fry did a wonderful job on his message. I enjoy it when these type of services are encouraging, not mournful. Do you understand what I mean? I know, it was a VERY sad occasion for Jesus and all His followers, one I can not comprehend, but...HE IS ALIVE today and that is something we can rejoice about!!! I went to a service like this one year and I left feeling so down in the dumps and gloomy, it was hard for me to leave feeling that way. I know He died for me, but I also know HE IS ALIVE and is living for me today!!!

Sara and her girls, singing "He Loves Me".
These pictures aren't the best quality, but if I want a light picture I have to turn off my flash and then by doing that, the smallest movement makes it blurry, ugh!

Rachel, Pastor Johnson and Sara

"But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him: and with his stripes we are healed". Isaiah 53:5

Hoppy Easter : )

This is the first finished bunny cake! Keegan thought he had to have whiskers and a smile, so that is what all the black jelly beans are!

Ok before you get yourself all worked up, my kids DO NOT believe in the Easter Bunny and they DO know the TRUE meaning behind the Easter season! There now, you can read this post and enjoy it without worrying : ) --This morning I helped Keegan and Kallee make a couple Easter Bunny cakes to take to Mamaw's for dinner tomorrow. It has been years and years since I made a cake like this (probably Talon was just little the last time I did it), so I decided we would give it a try. I didn't have the instructions in my recipe box, so I went to BettyCrocker.com and typed in Easter Bunny Cake and...wa-la! I baked the cakes last night so we wouldn't have to wait on them to cool today. After sitting them on the table to cool, I went upstairs and got to thinking...surely Kallee wouldn't dig into them. WRONG!!! I didn't think she would even notice them on the table since it was all dark in that part of the house, and she was playing in the boy's room, but she DID! Needless to say after a few wacks later, she is beginning to learn--you don't get into stuff without asking!!! You see, she tends to get in the refrigerator and pantry without asking and then I find apples with two bites taken out of them, or a bag of chips with a few chips missing, in the trash. We have had this little talk on several occasions, so you can STOP feeling sorry for her little behind : ) Anyways, we had fun today decorating our little bunny cakes! The boys (Daddy included) kept teasing Kallee that the cake was actually her bunny Thumper : ( Keegan took it one step further and told her they were going to cook her rabbit and scoop out it's guts and fill him with cake, YUCK!!! Why must boys go into such graphic details when trying to make their little sisters mad??? She would get VERY mad at them every time they teased her, so last night I "tried" to explain that they were only teasing and that I would show her in the morning how we were going to make the bunny cake. We hope you will enjoy these pictures, the kiddos enjoyed making these bunnys.

Step #1 (of course after baking it and letting it cool).

Step #2

Step #3

Step #4

Step #5

Step #6

Step #7

Ta-Da!!! They did a very good job on their little bunny cake!

Since the first bunny only used 1/2 of the cake, we decided to use the other half and make another one. This one is a multi-colored bunny, because we ran out of white frosting! It also has legs on it and is missing a tail. We used what was suppose to be his tail, for legs. Why you might ask??? It was to fill in the big chunks Kallee decided to eat last nigh, LOL! By using the

cut-out nose, I fit those pieces into the holes and made them legs. We also didn't put coconut on this one, since several don't like coconut in our family. What kind of

wackos don't like coconut?!?!? My theory on coconut is--the MORE the BETTER!!! I just fluffed the frosting with a knife to make him look

like he had fur.

Talon's 1st Guitar Lesson

If finally happened--Talon had his first guitar lesson this week! He has been waiting and waiting and waiting, to have it. We were suppose to start after the first of the year, but his teacher has been busy, so he started this week. Jerry has know his teacher, Terry, for years and use to work with him at CAT, so we know he will be a great teacher! I think Talon is really going to catch on quick and will REALLY love playing! He is the kind of kid that if he wants to do/learn something, he puts his all into it. So far he knows how to play a G, D and A. We had a friend (thanks Sara) type out the song "The Old Rugged Cross" with the keys by them, so he has been working on getting those notes down, so he can play it. His old Mom has even picked up the guitar and started strummin' the notes, so you'd all better watch out, we might have to play a duet in church sometime, HA! HA!

Talon with his teacher, Terry.This was Talon's big Christmas present this past year. His Papaw (Reed) and his Great-Grandpa Hysel have given him a strap, an amp, a music stand and a tuner, so...I think he's all set!t

Spring Has Not Sprung

Well I guess I spoke to soon when I said I thought Spring had finally arrived last week. Since then it has snowed at least 3 times that I'm aware of. There hasn't been any accumulation, but it was still coming down, ugh. Since today is the first official day of Spring, maybe, just maybe, it will actually start warming up. Happy Spring!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

What a nut!!!

What a sweetie!

My little Leprechauns!

Today is St. Paddy's Day, so sit back relax and enjoy a nice cold...Samrock Shake from McDonald's! Oh how I love those stupid things : ) When I was a teenager, we use to look forward to every March, because we knew we would get to enjoy them, YUMMY! When I got married and moved down here (IN), they didn't have them, so I was deeply saddened : ( It didn't take them long to figure out that they needed them in this area...now you can find them every year here too, YEAH!!! If you haven't ever tired one and you like mint, you gotta try one. I think they carry them until the end of the month. --I know this holiday isn't anything we celebrate, but it is fun to have something green to wear. Jerry and I found the hats the boys are wearing in the above picture, at Target several weeks ago for a $1, so we splurged and bought them each one. With them having to wear a uniform, I knew they couldn't wear a green shirt or pants, so green hats is what they got to wear today. They look pretty cute, don't they?!?!

Not Much Goin' On

Not much goin' on here today...we have invited a couple families over for dinner tomorrow, so cleaning and preparing dinner is what I have on the schedule for today. I am also preparing for next Sunday, EASTER!!! I just found out today that Jerry and I will have a little alone time with our Jr. Church kids next week, while Bro. Gene & Sis. Angie sing in the choir, so...the wheels in my brain have started to turn (I know, that's scary, lol). I think we will take that time that we have with them, to tell them...The Story of the Jelly Bean. I'm sure all of you have heard it before, but in case you haven't, here it is. I plan on making up little bags with each color of the jelly beans and attaching the story to it. I had a friend translate it for me in Spanish, since we have a lot of Spanish speaking kids, so I will share that with you too. Thanks so much for translating it for me Zuly, you are the BEST!!! Enjoy the rest of your weekend everyone!

Jelly Bean Story

This bag of beans a story gives
The story of Easter – Jesus LIVES!
Each color tells the story true
Let them tell the story to you.

Black reminds us of sin so great
White the pureness of sins erased
Red is for the blood Jesus shed
Green is for the new life He gives.

Yellow is for the sun so bright
Orange is for the edge of night
Purple is for His hour of sorrow
Pink is for hope – our new tomorrow!

This bag of beans a story told
The story of Christ never will grow old
Each color told the story true
Telling this story now goes with you.

Now for the Spanish one, as if you couldn't tell, lol!

Historia de el Frijol de Jalea

Esta bolsa de jelly beans una historia da
La historia de Pascua - !Jesus VIVE!
Cada color cuenta la historia verdadera
Déja que ellos te cuenten la historia

Negro nos recuerda del pecado tan grande
Blanco la pureza de pecados borrados
Rojo es para la sangre que Jesús derramo
Verde es para la nueva vida que Él da.


Amarillo es para el sol tan brillante
La naranja es para el borde de noche
Purpúro es para Su hora de la pena
¡Rosado es para la esperanza – nuestra nueva mañana!


Este bolso de los frijoles una historia contó
La historia de Cristo nunca envejecerá
Cada color contó la historia verdadera
!Contar de esta historia! Ahora va con usted.

He's Here--Izaak Allen

He's here...Izaak Allen, Bob & Dee Dee's baby boy! He is my 7th, great-nephew. I received this email from DD, check it out!

Hi All,
I just wanted to share the wonderful news that Bob and I had a baby boy, Sunday. I would like to introduce you to Izaak Allen weighing in at 6 lbs. 12 oz. and 20 1/2 inches long. He is absolutely GORGEOUS!! Bob and I are very overwhelmed with how God has blessed us with two amazing children. God is GOOD!! It took Becca a day to warm up to her baby brother...she really wanted a baby sister. But, I think that is all old news now. She's in love!

We're all doing great...a little sleepless, but great! My recovery has been much easier than it was after having Becca, and I'm feeling good. Bob has been working like crazy and helping out like crazy...so, he's pretty exhausted. But, he's going to rest this weekend by moving us into our condo in Westfield :).

He looks like his Daddy did!

Bob and his baby boy, Iaazk Allen (Allen is after his Daddy).

Bob is my nephew and is my sister, Darlene's oldest son.

Becca loving on her baby brother!

Bus Convention - Part III

Here is the last post I will make on Bus Convention ideas, hope you will enjoy them and put them to use!

Below are step by step instructions on how to teach your kiddos the New Testament Books of the Bible, VERY neat! This was the first time I had ever saw this, so if it is your 10th time, please be patient with me as I am REALLY excited to share it! Thanks to Sis. Crouse for sharing this with us!

This is the "NT Roman Household"

As you begin, you will fill in the top 4 circles with: Matthew(1), Mark(2), Luke(3) and John(4) (those are the 4 pillars of the house).

Next you will proceed by filling in the top, center square with: Acts(5) (that is labeled the "Action Room"). Next is the center square which is the sitting room: Romans(6) (no need to "roam", come sit awhile). The next room you will go to will be at the top, right; the "Parent's Room" which is: I&II Corinthians (AKA Mr. & Mrs. Corinthians) (7&8)

Next you will head into the "Utility Room" which is called "God's Electric Power Company". (G=God's which stands for Galatians (9), E=Electric which stands for Ephesians (10), P=Power which stands for Philippians (11) and C=Company which stands for Colossians (12)


Heading into the "Tea Room" is: I&II Thessalonians (13&14), I&II Timothy (15&16) and Titus (17), which all begin with T.

Moving along into the "File Room" is where you will find Philemon (18). Next is the kitchen which is where you will find coffee "brewing", Hebrews (19). Next is the "Servant's Quarters",

James (20). The next room (lower, left square) is their "Twin Boy's Room", which is I&II Peter (21&22).

The middle, left square is their "Triplet's Room" I,II&III John (23-25). Last but not least...is their "Projection Room" where you will find Jude (26) and Revelations (27).

**Don't pretend to be perfect!

--Kids are don't care if you are perfect.

**Don't be afraid to "shake things" up a bit!

--Change the order of your class around, don't do everything in the same order every week!

--EX: Take prayer requests first and pray instead of singing first. Tell the story first instead of praying first, etc. etc.

**It shouldn't ALWAYS be the Bus Captain and Bus Workers job to call on the kids!

--Teachers should take part in this from time to time!

--This will open your eyes as teachers to see where and how "your" kids live!

**Use the "H-B-L-T" method!

--H=Hook (first 5 mins. of class, you must "HOOK" the child's attention, this will lead you to the "B"

--B=Book (story or theme will be presented to the class, from the Bible or the "BOOK")

--L=Look (Actions, Acting and Apply to their lives (give them something to LOOK at, to remind them what you just taught them)

--T=Took (give them something to "TAKE" home, to remind them what they learned)

**Homework-send something home with them to prep them for your upcoming/new theme you will be starting.

--EX: Send home the reference of where their new Bible verse is found, have them bring the verse back to you (give them a prize).

**Take-Home Projects (most forgetting takes place in the first 24 hours after a lesson is taught. Give them a project to take home to do (possibly with the scripture on it).

--This also will be something that will show their parents what they are learning and may attract them to come to church.

**Test and review week after week, what they have been learning in your class!

Spring Is In the Air

I do believe spring is in the air! We went on our first family bike ride tonight, we rode about two miles. Of course we were all winded when we reached the drive-way, but it was good for us and the kids loved it. After putting our bikes away, the kids started chanting "4-wheelers, 4-wheelers", so...we had our first 4-wheeler ride of the year too. That didn't wind us, but it got us muddy: ) Jerry decided to ride down the hill and "attempted" to make it across the creek, but...we had to hook onto to him with a chain and pull him out. We had a fun time and we are glad spring is on its way.

Happy Birthday Doug & Dale

I would like to wish my brother Doug a Happy 42nd Birthday today! Also, my nephew Dale has a birthday today, but I don't how old he is, probably 29? HA! Hope you both have a great day!

Happy Birthday Kathryn

I would like to say Happy Birthday to one of my very, best friends, Kathryn! I think she is 29 today, not for sure : ) Her and I have been friends for around 13 years, so we have lots of things we have laughed about and lots of things we have cried about too. Thanks so much for being like a sis to me Kathryn, someone I can trust and lean on! It is great to have a special friend like you in my life!

Congrats to Bob & DeeDee

Congrats to my nephew Bob, and his wife DD, they had a baby boy this week. His name is Izaak Allen (the Allen after his Daddy). He weighed in at 6lbs. 12oz. and was 20 1/2" long. I don't have any more details other than they are all doing great and are at home. Izaak joins his little sister, Becca. She wasn't too happy with the news of a brother, because she wanted another princess in the house : ) I'm sure she will forget all about that after having him around for awhile, lol! Izaak is my sister Darlene's 9th grandchild, and her 6th grandson. Congrats guys, hope to see him soon!