Coops Scoops

IHC 2011

2011-05-22T21:21:00.002-04:00

Well our little princess was asked to sing again this year at IHC with my niece CJ, and this year, my nephew Maverick made his first debut : ) They sang in a trio with several hundred kids backing them up on the chorus, how cool is that?!? : ) They did such a good job, I was proud of them all! Ma and Pa Baker (as we call them) did such a wonderful job once again!!! The theme for this year was "Pioneers for Jesus". Our kiddos sang a song to the tune of "I Wonder How It Felt", but it was about being a Pioneer, Ma Baker wrote the words to it. All in all, we had a nice time at IHC and our kids really enjoyed themselves. It is a highlight of our year, so glad I'm able to take them! Thanks Bakers for including our kids in this wonderful opportunity & making them feel so special! --Also while we were there, we were able to see a dear friend of ours, Betty Derscheid, give her testimony. God has completely healed her from a disease that she has had for 20 yrs. or more--what a MIGHTY GOD we serve! She did a wonderful job speaking in her "7 minute time-frame", something none of us thought was possible, lol! It is always good to see God is still in the healing business!

"The girls" with Ma Baker!

L to R: Kristen (in purple), CJ (in pink), Kallee (in blue), Tyler (holding Mavs) and Keegan

All the kids in this picture, but mine, are the Baker's grandkids!

Ma & Pa Baker praying with some of the kids before the program. It was awesome, Pa asked Keegan to pray and it just made me feel so proud to think my son had the priveledge to pray for such a special event!

My nephew Maverick, isn't he an absolute doll!?!? Love this little booger! Him and I have this little game we play---I'll say "I love you Maverick and before he can say it back to me, I say, no-no-no, I love you". Of course he has caught on, so he always interupts me and says, "no-no-no, I wuv you" : )

Those that sang specials--solos, duets, trios, etc.

The Children's Choir

Kallee waiting for her turn to sing

L to R: CJ, Mavs & Kallee

My niece CJ playing "Jesus Loves Me" on her violin, in front of 1000's of people! She did such a GREAT job, she made tears come to my eyes. Just think of what God has in store for this little lady! Love you CJ!

Ma Baker doing what she does best--working with the children!

Miss Betty waiting for her turn

Out of Photo Room???

2011-01-16T21:49:00.000-05:00

Well as those of you that have followed my blog from the beginning, I'm sorry that I haven't been posting much lately, I'm sure that really disappoints you, lol! I started a couple more posts for the month of December, but blogger told me I was "out of photo room", so...as you all know, I'm a picture freak so that didn't make me too happy!!! I figure if I can't post pictures, what's the point of having a blog??? I guess time will tell if I continue to keep this blog or not, so please bear with me.

FCA Christmas Float

2010-12-14T22:43:00.000-05:00

This year we participated in Frankfort's Christmas parade! It sure was fun, but it sure was cold too! The kids all had a good time, but were ready to get warmed up. Thanks to PTF for creating and putting together the float, it was a very neat float!

Back side of the float

The kids getting ready to get on the float

All aboard!

Bottom to Top: Christina Schuler, Emily Watson, Kendra Peck (waving), Kayla & Karissa Fry

Jaida Waggoner

Connor Davis and Leticia Schuler

Closest to side: Regan Spangler, Christina Schuler & Anna Watson

Left to Right: Justin Huffer (little guy), David Eric Gilbert, Jake Huffer, Caleb Gilbert, Cody Sullivan and Keegan (guess he thought he'd try and get a nap before heading out, lol).

Some of the teens that helped pass out items to the crowd (l to r): Yajaria Baltierra, Austin Albaugh, Missie Watson, Talon & Blake Spangler

Kallee waving at me and Jalen Waggoner sneeking into the picture : )

Walking down Clinton Street

Chester Chee-ta from Frito Lay passing out chips

Santa himself : )

Costume Party - November 2010

2010-11-11T15:53:00.000-05:00

At last I'm finally getting around to posting pictures of our costume party we had. This was a last minute party and a lot of those we invited couldn't come, but...we had fun with the ones that could. We had a lot of fun together... eating, playing, sharing candy, etc. It was fun to see all the kids come through the door in their costumes! We had--a couple adorable ghosts, a knight, a hot dog, a hippie, a princess, a phantom, a pirate and a football player. The old scary lady with the yellow and pink flamingo Mrs. Roper dress was...ME! : ) I asked my kids if they wanted to just have time to play or if they actually wanted to play games??? Since they just wanted to play with their friends, it didn't break my heart not having to come up with games : ) I think we will start a yearly tradition with this event, it was a lot of fun! The kids played while us Moms just kicked back and relaxed. With this taking place after Halloween, I was able to get plates and cups for .37cents, YEA! The lovely wig and glasses that I purchased cost me a whole $3.25, so I must say that was quite a bargain, lol! Think we could have fun with this every year if we could get stuff so cheap : ) Thanks for coming kids, hope you had a fun time!

The Phantom of the Opera, A.K.A. Talon

Keegan my quarter back

Kallee my little Belle

Kailey & Adalyn Cooper, the adorable ghosts : )

Isabelle Sullivan--she made such a cute, little hippie!

Cody Sullivan--the pirate

Samuel Gonzalez, the knight

Connor Davis A.K.A. the hot dog

The whole gang

Me and my kiddos : )

Pizza time--thank goodness for Domino's $5 pizzas

Time for the candy exchange

Connor having fun throwing the candy he brought into the air and
letting everyone fight over it, hee hee!

Have you ever seen a more adorable ghost?!? : )

FBHC Young Adult Christmas Party

2010-11-07T17:13:00.001-05:00

Last night was our young adult Christmas party for church. You may say, "why sooo early"??? Well ya see, around here it gets absolutely crazy at Christmas with family time, church/school plays, shopping, etc. etc that we say we are gonna have a party for our class and then never do, so...our friend Rhonda volunteered to make this happen and she DID!!! Thanks so much to Rhonda and her helpers, we had a GREAT time! It is always fun getting with God's people and knowing you will have a great time and know that you will actually remember the great time you had, when morning rolls around--if ya know what I mean! The food was delish and the games and fellowship was just what we all needed! Here's a look at a few of the crazy things we did!

Charade's using Christmas songs or Christmas words! This was Steve Waggoners attempt at making the letter A, he was a riot to watch!

Gene Davis and Mike Peck acting out their portion of the song!

Stanley Easley acting out his Christmas tree part!

John Huffer getting in position to be the baby in the manager!

John acting like a baby in the manager, lol!

Our team spelling out the word Night--Jerry had the "g" back words!

Jodi Emery guiding Beth to the candle

Beth

Gene

Jerry

Julie

Matt

Rhonda & Bev getting ready for the gag gift game!

Brent Stetler, Stanley Easley & Rhonda Poe

Around and around the gifts go!

Jodi reading the story about the "Right and Left" family

Poor Jason got the bright, pink feathered witch hat!

I'm sure his little girl will love playing with it!

Gene got a large Hershey's bar in a pink princess Pullup, ha!

Josh enjoying his elf hat a little too much, ha!

These guys were such good sports--LtoR: Mike Peck w/ his pink and brown mitten, hat and monkey set, Josh Emery with his music/dancin' elf hat and Jason Miley with his pink witch hat!

Sis. Campbell is our teacher and she it the BEST Sunday School teacher I have ever had!!! Right now we are not able to enjoy her class since we help in Jr. Church, but some day we will get to. Here she is wiping tears over her "breath spray"--ya had to be there to understand it, lol!

October 2010

2010-11-06T01:33:00.000-04:00

Well October was a month full of fun and activities! We started the month headed to Old Fashion Days at Union Bible College (UBC), but since I forgot my camera, no pictures : ( This is an event that our family looks forward to each year, we LOVE going!!! Keegan has wanted a bunny all summer long and when we got there and they were selling rabbits, yep you guessed it, he bought one! We brought it home Saturday night and on Sunday afternoon he thought he would let it out for some fresh, green grass and...our dog Hailey got ahold of her, ugh! Needless to say, that didn't make Keeg too happy, but we were able to call the people that we bought it from and they gave him another one--thanks Wheeler family, you made his day!!! --Next we went onto carving pumpkins, something we haven't done in years. Since we had a few pumpkins in the garden, the kids wanted to carve them, so we did. They had fun decorating some of them with markers and other stickers too. --On the week of the 7th, my hubby surprised me by saying "I want to buy you a ticket to the Lady Antebellum concert"! I right away called my sister Shirley and she said YES, I want to go too, so...off we headed to Purdue to see Lady A in concert! I couldn't believe the tickets were only $20, but that was a fun and great investment! They did a great job and Shirl and I had a lot of fun!! Thanks honey for the nice surprise, I appreciate those kind of "extras" that you do for me! --In the middle of the month we had Revival at our church with Bro. Jack Smith, he did a great job! We were only able to get into a few of the services as we had already had plans to go to MI that week. We enjoyed ourselves in MI, it is always fun to go "home"! While I was there, I took some family pictures for a niece of mine and some engagement pictures for another niece of mine. I'll have to post some of them in another post. --Kallee had a friend over to help bake/decorate cookies towards the end of the month and they turned out so yummy! I'm surprised the kids didn't get sick they ate so many of them, but...what fun we had! --Last but not least, I took the youngest two trick-or-treating on Saturday night at a local church that has trunk-or-treat every year. I knew with Halloween being on a Sunday this year we wouldn't get to go like we normally do, so I thought I would at least take the time to make sure the kids got to go to this. We even went to a few friends houses too! That pretty much sums it up for the month of October, hope you had a great one too!

Keegan diggin' deep to find...

...yucky, slimy pumpkin guts!

Kallee did too!

Ta-da, the final out-come!

Me and my sister Shirley!

The stage at the Lady A concert

Lady Antebellum

Cookie Time

Keegan cutting out the cookies!

Time for the frosting and the...

...sprinkles!

Yummy!!!

Time for dress-up too!

Kallee & Isabelle

Little Miss "Dorthy" getting ready to go!

My little Dorthy and my little football star!!!

She made the cutest Dorthy ever!!

My handsome little football man!!

Kallee's First Day of Kindergarten

2010-09-21T18:42:00.000-04:00

I can't hardly believe it, but my baby girl started kindergarten this month : ( I know it is just the natural progression of life, but...it really stinks! She has been really excited from the get-go and couldn't wait to get started! She loves her teacher, Ms. Angie, and her little friends in her class too (Abby & Macy)! She asked her teacher the second day of school "so when are we gonna start reading?" : ) She only goes 4 days a week and only 1/2 days, so I still have her for the afternoon hours, yea! She has only been going since the 7th of this month and they already know all their vowels and are starting on consonants. She loves going, but she still doesn't like the fact that she has to go to bed early, she thinks she's gonna miss out on something, ha! I'm excited to watch her learn and grow into the young lady God wants her to be. We love you sissy!

Getting all prettied up for school : )

I made these for her the night before she started school,
so she'd have something to match her uniform.

My little princess -- all ready for school!

Talking to Mamaw before heading in for her first big day!

And she's off!!!

Standing in front of her classroom!

Sitting at her desk for the first time!

Ms. Angie taking her to show her where her cubby is so she could put her backpack away.

Standing next to her cubby!

L to R: Kallee, Macy & Abby

Mommy & Daddy took her out for lunch after her first big day!

First Day of School 2010

2010-09-21T16:42:00.000-04:00

Ok, so what's that saying--better late than never?!? UGH!!! The boys started school on August 27th this year, so I'm
kind- of a tab bit, LATE on posting this, lol! Keegan is now my big 4th grader and Talon is now in 8th grade, where has the time went??? Keegan wasn't excited at all about going to school this year, because he moved class rooms and got a new teacher. I assured him, he would love his new teacher, she was Talon's favorite! Needless to say, he is enjoying school and he DOES like his new teacher, Mrs. Norfleet! Talon is doing really good this year, he is focused on doing the best he can and it is showing!!! We told him, that next year he is gonna really have to buckle down and get serious, because he will be starting high school. He decided on his own, that he wants to start that process this year, that way he can be a little ahead of schedule when he starts next year. He wants to graduate with honors, so he has his work cut out for him, but I know he can do it! All in all, their school is year is off to a good start and they are enjoying life!!!

Keegan all smiles in his new desk!

Keegan and his new teacher, Mrs. Norfleet!

Can you tell he really didn't want me to take his picture and was being a dork because of it??! LOL! I told him, I'm posting this online, so you'd better give me a good smile, but...I did give him fair warning!

Shattuck Family Reunion 2010

2010-09-21T16:10:00.000-04:00

Well I've finally managed to get a post on here from our trip to MI for Labor Weekend @ my Dad's family reunion! I have a lot more pictures, but these are what ya get, ha! If you want to see more, you can go to the Shattuck Family website by going to: thegeorgeandednashattuckfamily.blogspot.com. We had a wonderful time, as usual, and can't wait to go back! We were able to leave on Thursday morning and stay till Monday evening, so we had a nice time. We were able to see a lot of family that we haven't seen for a year or more, so that was fun! The kids had a blast running from event to event and just hanging out with their cousins and second cousins and third cousins and...you get the point! There were approximately 250 for the big family dinner on Labor Day, so that was a great count! I would like to say a HUGE thank you to all the Shattuck family board members for making this reunion a great success once again! You worked really hard to make it a great one and you achieved your goal! Until next year, we hope you all live healthy and happy lives! We love you!!!

Talon and my niece Shauna, this is my brother Doug's daughter.

Kallee & Papa

My niece Meg & I

My BIL Stan and his baby girl Meg. He had this shirt made special for the reunion--it has a picture of Megan on it when she was just a little girl, it says "Daddy's Little Girl"!

Talon and my sister Shirley acting C*R*A*Z*Y!!!

LtoR: Karson (great-nephew, Chris' son), Kallee (my little angel: ),
Colton (up top) & Luke (down below) (great-nephews, Kay's sons).

Karson & Kallee acting silly!

Crazy faces!

My great-niece Shekinah (Joe's girl) & great-nephew Colton (Kay's son)

Daddy w/ CJ (my niece, Mary's girl) and my nephew Tim (Shirley's son) w/ Maverick (my nephew, Mary's boy)

My honey Jerry, along with my nephew Chris and my niece Meg--just chillin'!

My great-nephew, little Kai guy trying to get my gum : )

Me and my boys--Talon & Keegan

The teens, plus a few, that stayed in the teen dorm over the weekend!

My Daddy with his brothers & sisters (missing was Uncle Cecil)
Back Row (L to R): Dad, Norman, Florence and Mac
Middle Row (L to R): Coreen, Georgie, Myrtle, Marian & Donna
Front Row (L to R): Evelyn & Nettie

Daddy's Work Picnic 2010

2010-08-17T17:28:00.001-04:00

Well last Saturday was the first-ever family picnic at NTK where Jerry works. We all had a nice time, the kids loved being able to run from one blow-up thingy to the next and going from game to game to win "big" prizes, lol! Jerry had to spend time in the dunk tank, since he is now a supervisor , and the kids all enjoyed taking a shot at dunking Daddy! If they didn't actually hit the target with a ball...they would run up and hit the target with their hand. They had all kinds of games that you could win fun little prizes and then they played BINGO and you could win larger prizes. The biggest win of the day to us, was a $25 gift card to Rural King, yea! They gave away an IPad and tons of gift cards, $25 being the lowest and $100 being the highest. They gave away gift cards to Simon Mall, Apple Bee's, Walmart, Target, Bed Bath & Beyond, Pier 1, Meijer, etc. I can't imagine what they spent in gift cards alone, yikes! The meal was really good too--they had: brats, hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, cole slaw, chips, desserts and lot of drinks. We took full advantage of the un-limited drinks since it was like 93 degrees. All in all, we had a great day and was able to spend the day with Jerry! He has had to work so many hours lately, we have just about forgot what he looks like, lol! Thanks NTK for a fun filled day!!!

Daddy and his baby girl!

Keegan ready to play : )

Ring-toss game

She dares to be different : )

Daddy playing BINGO with the boys

Jerry and his team playing in the tug-o-war game

Kallee met a new friend name Kailee--they went everywhere together and even

picked the same "faces" from the face-painting booth

Kallee getting her faced painted, this lady was SO good!

The finished product, she looked so cute!

The girls and their pink puppy dog faces : )

Kallee trying to dunk Daddy

Daddy taking us on a tour of the plant

Showing us the steps each item has to go through before it is done

Indiana Beach 2010

2010-08-12T18:40:00.001-04:00

Well the kids did it again...they worked hard on their book reports and they earned tickets to Indiana Beach again this summer! This has been an annual trip for several years and I would assume it will continue to be an annual thing, as long as our library offers it. Talon was too old to earn one, so we ended up buying him a ticket, but we were able to get a

Buy-One-Get-One offer with a Coke can, so that was a great deal! We enjoyed the rides, but we didn't enjoy the heat or the wait in the lines, UGH! We normally go later in the month and later in the week, but the tickets only had a few available dates on them this year, so we had to use them before the 15th. By going later in the month (August), most kids have went back to school already and by going on a Wednesday, everyone is working, so...oh well we learned our lesson --stick to a Wednesday : ) I didn't get to ride as many rides as I normally do, I just couldn't stand waiting in the hot sun for 30 mins. for a 5 minute rush, guess I'm getting old, ha! Also, since Jerry had to leave early, that left me there by myself with the kids, so that meant I had to keep Kallee busy, so not time for the roller coasters. She did LOVE the roller coaster we went on, in fact, we rode it 5 times for her : ) I think she will be a little dare-devil as she loved the fast rides! Thanks to our library, Frankfort Public Community Library for this great offer, we sure enjoy it every year!!!

This was the first ride they rode when we hit the park!

This one cooled them off a bit, allows you to shoot water at one another!

She loved the antique cars, since she was able to drive them "herselth" (herself), as she says.

This is the ride I love, but wasn't willing to wait in the hot sun --the Steel Hawg!

We met up with some of our friends, The Huffers, the kids had fun riding rides with them!
Keegan & Jake

Kallee & Nyree

This isn't a very good pictures, but Kallee loved riding the bumper cars too!

Talon riding the Sky Lift

Kallee getting a Caricature done of herself.

I have one of all of us now, can't wait to frame them and hang them up.

I so wanted the guy to draw her cute baby teeth smile, but he didn't : ( She has lost her bottom 2 teeth and thought it would look so cute in the picture. I just might have to draw the teeth and the missing teeth in myself.

FBHC 2010 VBS

2010-08-06T19:22:00.000-04:00

Well our VBS @ FBHC (fbhc.net) went great this year, we had a low of 129 kids and a high of 166! The kids were full of energy and had a lot of fun! Mrs. Sarah (Wolf) Fry did a GREAT job putting everything together and leading it again this year!!! I was asked to do crafts again this year, so I asked a few ladies if they would like to be on the craft team and they said sure. Of course none of us knew what we were getting ourselves into, so...we had to "wing it" pretty much every night since we kept running out of crafts no matter how many extra kits we put together. One night I thought, I'll make 55 kits and that should be plenty--WRONG!!! Well it was actually enough, but just for one age group, not the two age groups I planned them for, ugh! It was a lot of prep work and a lot of work, but we made it through the week and still have all our hair left, lol! It was great to see so many new kids, just hope we can keep them coming! Thanks to "my" team--Bobbie Sullivan, Pam Wolfe & Lynette Cooper! I would also like to say a BIG thank you to Sara (Fritz) Derscheid and her girls for making 166 cookies for us, for one night's craft, the kids LOVED them!!! Here are a few of the 100+ pictures I took, so take a look at what we did.

I tried to find a few crafts that were special for the Tweens (ages 11&12), so they wouldn't feel as if we were making baby crafts all week : ) Here are the tie-dye shirts we did with them.

The ladies pulling the shirts apart so we could hang them to dry.

They turned out really neat, I was pleased with them and so were the kids!

Ms. Rachel Stafford with her team of kids, ya can tell they love her! : )

Each night we had a picture time where the kids had to do different things. I was asked to take the pictures, so...here they are doing the motions to a song--"Deep & Wide"!

Crazy boys!

Mr. Josh Emery with his group, he did a great job and the boys thought he was great!

Miss Shaylee Johnson, Miss Karris Gardner & Miss Libby Gardner

Justin Huffer and his little friend

This is little Adrain, he is a normal rider on our church bus, what a kid!

More crazy boys!!

Cody Sullivan, Connor Davis and Jaida Waggoner

Kyler Gardner

Miss Kendra Peck, Miss Emily Watson & Miss Alyssa Johnson

Bus kiddos

Madison Bailey & her sister Natalie (smiling at me)

Talon and one of the kids in his group

This was a very powerful skit they put on one night, the kids were as quiet as could be!

David Fry playing the role of Jesus

Little Miss Abby Peck enjoying her cookie

Miss Naomi, she is Adrain's sister

My niece Courtney was a group leader too, here she is with a couple of her kids

Little man Caiden Fry, too cute!

Deanna Schuler decorating her cookie

Miss Julian Waggoner

Tween boys putting together a blanket that we will send to some missionary

Jakob Howie and his friend, they were there every night I believe.

The tween girls putting together another blanket

This was a smallest night--129 kids

Havin' some fun with the kids!

Bro. Mowery telling the kids "you make sure you come to VBS tomorrow night"!

Buses all loaded up and ready to go!

And they are off!

Remus Holiness Camp - Part II

2010-08-06T16:05:00.000-04:00

We had a great time at Remus camp this year, we can't wait to go back next year! It was only me and my younger 2 that were able to go, but next year I want Talon and Jerry to go too! The kids had a lot of fun and enjoyed being around other kids. I enjoyed catching up with "old" friends and meeting new ones! The services were great, God was definitely there! Here are pictures of the children's program on Sunday, it was lead by Sis. Kelly Crouch!

Kallee & CJ

Ester Carpenter

"Read your Bible pray every and you'll grow, grow, grow..."

Amber Newport

Keeg helping with the offering

Hannah Taylor taking up the girls offering

John Mark Forsee helping the boys team out

Remus Holiness Camp - Part I

2010-08-06T15:00:00.000-04:00

Keegan & Papa

Tyler (the cook's son), Kallee & CJ on a ride

Maverick & Keeg on a ride

Cute little Maverick

Kallee enjoying her lunch

Papa & Maverick--all the grandkids adore Dad : )

Uncle Norman (Dad's brother) goes to the same camp and he decided the snack shack roof needed some paint.

This is the fort that caused many, many problems, LOL! First all the kids were working on it together and then some wanted it done this way and others wanted it done that way and...it resulted in many kids crying and carrying on, but believe it or not, I think they all lived, HA! HA!

Keeg and his buddy Caleb Teed, Dan & Annette's sone

CJ and her beloved lollipop she won as a prize

CJ & Sandy

Janet Teed and Betty Derscheid watching the game--the Stiffs vs. the Stars : )

Keeg and another friend, Daniel Forsee

The game is on!!!

Anthony Jessup getting ready to crack that ball (he is my cousins boy).

Brian Plumley, he is Julie (Debolt) & Jr. Plumley's son

Bro. Nichols hitting the ball

He got on base : )

Bro. Dodrill getting to play some serious ball : )

Run Bro. Dodrill, run!

Phil Evans playing the outfield

John Forsee playing in the outfield

John Mark showing what he can do : )

Go Sharla go! : )

Allen Jessup, my cousin's son

And the "Stiffs" win the game!!!! The poor young dogs thought they'd whip the "old married guys", but...they didn't : )

Back Row (l to r): Kris, Clayton Carpenter, Bro. Don Nicholas, ???, Bro. Marc Dodrill, Phil Evans

Front Row (l to r): Dan Teed, Bro. Crouch, Jim West & John Forsee

"Guys & Dolls" - June 2010 CCYT

2010-08-06T12:47:00.001-04:00

Ok so I'm reeeaaalllyyy late on getting these posted, but...we finally recovered them and now I'm gettin' to it. Here are only a few of the 100+ pictures I took of the last play Talon was in --"Guys & Dolls". This was his 7th production with the Clinton County Youth Theater and he has loved them all. They did a great job, once again, they always do! Their director, Julie Miller, is so awesome she is a GREAT director!!! She makes it so much fun for the cast/crew! Talon played Liver Lips Louie in this play, which didn't have a speaking part, but he still had a great time! Can't believe after weeks and weeks of practice, the performances are done and over with so quickly, such as life!

The Salvation Army band doing what they do best -- witnessing to lost souls!

Sister Sarah pleading her case

Talon is behind the girl in front

"Nathan Detroit" & "Sky Masterson"

Sky & Miss Sarah

The announcer announcing the dancers getting ready to perform

The dancers at the Hotbox

The gamblers at their first church meeting

This isn't a very clear picture of Talon and his friend Ben, he is one of our friend's son, Ron Kelly.

The kid in the front is another friend's son, Josh Ford.

Talon singing away : )

Nathan Detroit & Mrs. Detroit (AKA Miss Adalade)

The cast and crew

Jerry & Talon after his performance

Mom's Been Gone 2 Years

2010-08-05T19:54:00.000-04:00

Wow, can't believe it has been two years since Mom has passed away : ( I know she is in a much better place and I know she is all healed from her sickness, but...I'm still human and I miss her. I've done pretty well not crying all the time, but then I have my days when I blubber like a baby. It just hits me on some days/nights that I will never see her again down here on earth, and it is hard to take. I know I will see her again some day, but until then...I miss you Mom and want you to know I love you!!! I hope you are enjoying Heaven and all the splendors of it! I know you are having the time of your life with your family and friends, and most of all -- Jesus!

Kindergarten Testing Time

2010-08-01T23:54:00.000-04:00

Well the time has come...my baby girl is heading to kindergarten this fall : ( I can't hardly believe she is old enough to go to school, but she is. She had her testing on July 15th and she passed them, so she is officially considered a kindergartner. I know it will be hard to let her go, but I know there is nothing I can do to change it, so I might as well be happy about it. She is so excited to go, she can't hardly wait. She has already picked out most of her stuff, so there's not much more to do. Since we assumed she would be going this fall, we allowed her to pick out her backpack and shoes and pencils and...last fall when they were all being cleared out. She can't hardly wait to wear her new stuff and use her other new things. I love you baby girl and I hope you will enjoy your first year of school!

Kallee & her teacher, Ms. Angie

Kallee after her test, she got this from Ms. Angie for doing so well!

CJ & Papa Come to Visit

2010-08-01T23:42:00.000-04:00

A few weeks ago Dad came to visit and he brought with him a sweet, little gal named CJ! CJ is my niece, my sister Mary's girl, she is a sweetie! The girls had a blast riding their bikes all over creation here at our house and CJ even said goodbye to her training wheels while she was here. I think when she seen Kallee had no training wheels on her's...Talon told her "I'll take them off for you" and she said "sure"! Off she went, riding all over with a huge smile on her face : ) While they were here to visit, the boys and Dad had a great time playing horse shoe and a new bean bag game we have. We even made a trip to the 4-H fair while they were here. I couldn't get Dad to sit still, he had to be doing something, so off to our garden he went. He worked out there hoeing it and then decided he'd help the boys with one of their summer jobs and cut down some trees out back. He wore himself out and I told him, he'd better quit and take a break, but...he's as stubborn at a mule. Of course he has a lot of Shattuck blood running through him, so that is the "norm" for them : ) It was nice having them both here for a few days, next time we will have Papa bring little Maverick, I know we would all have fun with him too!

CJ and Kallee

Papa and Keegan getting ready to start the horse shoe match

Papa & Talon

The girls laughing about something funny, too cute!

The girls having a discussion about something, who knows what : )

The girls at the Clinton Co. 4-H fair

This baby llama was so cute, the kids loved petting it!

We thought this was too funny--a purple pig : )

L to R: Kallee, CJ, Papa, Keegan & Talon

July 4th, 2010

2010-08-01T22:47:00.000-04:00

We started out July with a trip to IL to be with my niece, Meg and her family for the 4th of July. We had a nice couple days up there with her family and a few more of our family too! We of course started the day out right and we ate first, ha! We had lots and lots of goodies; hamburgers, hot dogs, pasta salad, deviled eggs, fruit, dessert and more dessert : ) After eating we just kind of laid around being lazy because it was too hot out to do much. We went to see the fireworks later that evening and then we went back to their house and did our own fireworks. The kids enjoyed them, especially the huge sparklers Jerry picked up. All in all, we had a great day and would like to thank Megan & LaMorris for having us!

Kallee being a stinker : )

Keegan feeding little Kai-Kai his lunch

Yummy, this fruit was delish!

Another favorite, deviled eggs

The guys hanging out while they grill the meat

The kids in the back of Uncle Stan's truck getting ready to watch fireworks

Uncle Stan & Kallee watching fireworks

Little Mr. Kai-guy

Kallee & Keegan enjoying some sparklers

Remus Here We Come!!!

2010-07-20T23:31:00.000-04:00

Well the youngest two and myself are off to Remus for camp this week. Talon and a few of our teens from church, are headed to Athens Youth Camp in Athens MI. I told the "kids" I would be willing to drive our church van and take them to Athens, if enough of them wanted to go. We started off with around 6 wanting to go, but we are down to only 3. Oh well, I know they will all still have a great time. I decided to head to Remus to be with my Dad at his camp, after I drop the kids off. It has been years and years since I have been back home for camp, so I am excited to get to go! I wish Jerry could go with us, but totally understand he has to work. We are SO thankful for his job, God has been good to us allowing him to find his job!!! I can't believe it has been almost a year that he has worked there, but it has. Last year at this time we were having a rough time and praying that God would give him a job. We know it was all in God's timing, after all, he applied for this job 4 months before they called him for an interview, so... I guess God was just trying to teach us to be patience and wait on Him! So thankful we serve a God that knows just what we need!!! --Well I'm outta here, we leave in the morning so I'd better get some sleep. I'm sure I will have a lot of pictures to post when I get home, so...stay tuned. Since we start VBS the night we get back, I'm sure I won't get around to posting them right away, but shortly after. Have a great week!

VBS Is Upon Us

2010-07-10T18:11:00.000-04:00

Well it is that time once again...VBS time!!! I look SO forward to this every time our church has it, I guess it is the kid still coming out in me : ) For some reason it seems we only have it about every other year, so I get excited when the preacher says, "we need to have a VBS meeting after church", YEA! I was asked two years to be "in charge" of the crafts and I was happy to do so. I got everything ready to go and...that is the week my Mama decided it was her final week to here with us on this old earth. I spent that whole week in MI, so I missed out on VBS that whole entire week : ( I was SO thankful for my great friend, Bobbie, that stepped in and took over the crafts for me that week!!! It made it nice to know that everything back here at home was under control and that I could enjoy being with my Mom in her final days! When we heard those words..."we need to have a VBS meeting after church tonight" a few months ago, I was excited to do whatever I could to help out. I didn't realize Ms. Sarah had BIG plans for me again this round, but she did : ) Needless to say, I have been preparing lists of items needed, pricing items, pulling out what I have here at home and getting stuff ready for VBS. When they originally scheduled it, it wasn't till August, but it has been re-scheduled to the week of July 26th, so I knew I had better get my tail end in gear. I will be gone to MI for a few days before it starts, so anything that needs done for VBS will have to be done and ready to go, by this week. Today I decided to finalize my "donation list" for craft supplies and start on the work that needs to be done ahead of time (like painting and such). I know the 3-5 yr. old would looovvveee to do their own painting, but for the sake of their clothes and time, I'm going to get all of that painting done and out of the way. Today I put my little slaves to "work" and they helped me get the painting underway. They sure loved this kind of "work", they wish it was this fun and easy every time I called for it to be work time, ha! Here's what we were able to get done---

Keeg & Kallee helping me paint 14 toilet paper rolls.
This isn't near enough rolls, but that is all we have collected so far.

Keegan is always so careful and wants to make sure it is done just right ; )

Little Miss Kallee finally getting to paint one green!

What Are We Up To...

2010-07-03T23:56:00.003-04:00

Last week was Talon's 7th performance with he Clinton County Youth Theater. He played Liver Lips Louie, in "Guys & Dolls". As usual, they did AWESOME!!! I would love to show some pictures, but...some how the 100+ pictures that I took, got deleted : ( I do have a few but I'm hoping to get some from some of the other parents. --This week we've had a beautiful week, God has given us lots of sunshine, but decided to give us a break from the humidity. I've enjoyed having the air off and the windows open, it has been that nice. The boys (Jerry too) have been working really hard on cleaning up the yard and it is looking very nice. They have cut down trees, cleared tall grassy areas and cleaned up some junk that has accumulated around the back barn. It looks so nice, I love looking out my kitchen window and seeing a cleaned up yard --thanks guys!! --Kallee enjoyed a class at the library this week and her and Keegan are still working hard on earning points towards prizes for the Summer Reading Program. Only 3 more book reports and they will have their Indiana Beach tickets earned, YEA!!! --I've enjoyed a pretty lazy week, I'm sure my hubby would say--"don't you enjoy those kind of weeks every week", he's such a gem, LOL! Speaking of my hubby, we celebrated our 16th wedding anniversary this week. I can't believe in 2 years from now, I will be married longer than I was single ---where did that time go?!? He took me to my favorite restaurant for lunch, Red Lobster, and it was so good! He wanted to know what I wanted as an anniversary gift and since I had bought some scrapbook stuff earlier this week, I told him he "technically" already had bought me something! : ) I figured why waste money on something that I really don't need, especially since we are working really hard paying down on the debt that we owe. Being self-employed and then without a job for 7 months, it just doesn't help the bank account any so...such as life! -- I've been scrappin' a little this week, it doesn't seem like I get much done, but at least 6 more pages are done so I guess that's better than nothing. I look forward to scrappin' with "the girls" next week, it has been two weeks since we've gotten together, so I'm itching to meet with them. None of us ever get much done, but it is fun just getting together with my friends and accomplishing at least a little. : ) --Well we are off to IL tomorrow, we are going to visit my niece Megan and her family for the 4th! She invited us last week and since we didn't really have any plans, we said sure. We are taking our tent so Jerry and the boys can sleep outside and us girls plan on sleeping in comfort---inside, ha! I'm just NOT a nature girl and I don't enjoy camping, well at least not in a tent. I would like to wish you all a very Happy 4th and hope you have a great and safe day tomorrow!

Karen Kingsbury's Baxter Family Reunion

2010-06-26T14:53:00.004-04:00

I'm a fan of Karen Kingsbury, a Christian fiction writer, and so are many of my friends. I get her monthly newsletter via email and when I heard she was coming to Bloomington for her first-ever "Baxter Family Reunion", I knew me and "the girls" had to go! Since it was so reasonable and so close to home, I thought we could get a hotel and make a day/night of it. I talked with 5 friends, but only 2 of them were able to go--Bobbie and Kathryn. I can always count on those 2 to go with me to have some fun!!! : ) So we got our tickets and my hubby booked us a hotel for a little of nothing, and off we went. We left on Tuesday afternoon and arrived in Martinsville around 3:00. We checked into our hotel and lounged around for awhile before we decided to do a little shopping. Off we went to Goody's, Goodwill and Catos. After finding some good bargains we headed back to the hotel so we could get ready for the "Baxter Family Reunion Red Carpet Book Party" at Indiana University. First of all, let me explain that the Baxter Family is a fictitious family that Karen created for a series of her books, like 14 to be exact. The first in the series is Redemption (with 5 books), then on to the Firstborn Series (with 5 books) and last but not least, the Sunrise (with 4 books) series. It is about a couple named John & Elizabeth Baxter who have 5 lovely children who have gone through the joys and sadness of this "little thing" called -- LIFE! Anyways, it is an AWESOME series and I would encourage you to read them or any of her books for that matter. This event was ok in my opinion, but I was kind of disappointed with it! It was really "talked up" I felt, and I left there disappointed. I wouldn't really know any pointers to give her on this (to improve it I mean), but I just felt a little let down. Being a "Red Carpet" event, I guess I pictured her in a beautiful, evening gown surrounded by her characters in tuxedos and gowns and flowers and bright lights and...you get the point. The next day they had a "Baxter Family Picnic" planned that I also felt was disappointing, ugh! It was like 90+ degrees and outside with not much to do or at least we didn't find much to do, so... We decided to get back in the cool van and do the "driving tour" which included 10 locations that were talked about, over and over in the books. We enjoyed that, it was fun to see the places that she selected to coincide with fictitious places in her books. The BEST thing about the whole event, in my opinion, was...she gave away 700 tickets to a private viewing of her new movie that is coming out, "Like Dandelion Dust". It was based on her 2007 book, the first book of hers that I ever read and really felt connected to. I realize I have never went through the exact same things the characters did in this book, but as a mother and the things I was going through in my life at that time, fit so well together! I bawled like a baby some nights while reading this book, it really hit home and I am so very thankful to know I/we are not the only ones that have struggles and battles that we go through in life! The movie was really great and I'd recommend it to anyone!!! It was really neat to know that all 700 viewers that were there, were Karen Kingsbury fans and that we were the ONLY ones permitted to be there for that event, yee haw!!! So needless to say, that was the best part of the whole event I feel. As far as the fun us girls had...you'll never know, HA! HA! Thanks Kathryn and Bobbie for going, I had a GREAT time and will never forget the fun we had, you are the BEST!!!

Since none of us had ever been downtown Bloomington, we didn't really know where we were going. We had printed a map, but still were watching the street signs like hawks to make sure we were headed in the right direction. When we were almost there, we finally realized that all along the way, there were these yellow signs (that we didn't bother to read) that actually guided us right to the door, LOL!

Indiana University Auditorium

Kathryn, me and Bobbie -- some of my best friends!!!

"Dayne Matthews" was the emcee for the event, he is one of the main characters in these series

Karen Kingsbury

This was the Indianapolis Children's Youth Theater performing a piece of

"You're A Good Man Charlie Brown", just like in the books.

"Bailey and Connor Flannigan" were some of the main characters in her books and were always trying out for parts in the Children's Youth Theater. Here they showed us a piece from one of their performances.

This was actually her real-life daughter and son.

Us Girls : )

Ms. Bobbie

Ms. Kathryn

The Driving Tour Begins---

Indiana University--#1 site of "many scenes throughout the Baxter Family history. Luke Baxter attended school here. This was the site of many big meetings between Luke and Ashley. Also, this is where Bailey, Cody and Andi attend classes. Recently Bailey and Andi appeared in a play at the Indiana University Auditorium."

Bloomington Hospital--#2 site of "where Dr. John Baxter works and the location where Brooke Baxter West, and her husband Peter, do rounds for their respective patients. It is also the location where Landon Blake was in intensive care during the days before he and Ashley fell in love."

Casablanca Cafe--#3 "site of many quite, intimate conversations between Ashley and Landon, and Bailey and Cody and other Baxter family characters. This small restaurant is near the Indiana University campus and located near the famous Bloomington Towne Square."

Starbucks--#4 site "This is the coffee house where Ashley and Landon met a number of times."

Soma Coffeehouse & Juice Bar--#5 "This coffeehouse is located on the famous Bloomington Towne Square, more quaint than a Starbucks, and is the location where John and Elizabeth would meet to discuss serious matters, and where Ashley and Landon; Bailey and Cody, and other major Baxter characters would meet for quite, intimate moments of conversation."

Bloomington Fire Department --#6 site "This is where Landon Blake works. Many scenes have taken place at the fire station. Drop in and thank the guys there for serving-and see if you can find someone who might just be Landon Blake!"

Village Deli -- #7 site "This is the place where John Baxter and his friend, Elaine, would stop for lunch after a day at the Farmer's Market. Other key Baxter characters enjoyed this friendly eatery, located neat campus and near the famous Bloomington Towne Square."

Crisis Pregnancy Center -- #8 site "You won't find the name Sarah's House out front. But we know the truth. This is the crisis pregnancy center started by Ashley and Brooke Baxter after Ashley lost her baby to anencephaly. This crisis pregnancy center is the setting for many scenes in the Baxter Family books."

Wandering Turtle Art Gallery & Gifts -- #9 site "This is one of several quaint galleries where Ashley Baxter Blake's paintings have been sold from time to time. This gallery is located on the famous Bloomington Towne Square near the college campus. There are several art galleries located around Towne Square where Ashley has sold her paintings. Do some window shopping and see if you can find Ashley's favorite gallery!"

Meadowood Retirement Community -- #10 site "You won't see the sign, "Sunset Hills Adult Care Home" out front of this assisted living facility. But this is the place where Ashley worked with Alzheimer's patients, the place where she found her heart again and rediscovered her faith. Please drive by, and if you have time - call ahead and stop in to spend a few minutes with a patient who might need a friendly face."

Father's Day 2010

2010-06-21T16:16:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was Father's Day and we had a nice day! I didn't get to spend it with my Daddy, but I did send him a gift and called him to tell him how much I love him! I have a VERY special Dad, I love him SO much! He has taught me many things in life, that has made into the woman, wife and mother that I am, thanks Dad!!! --Keegan had a part in the Father's Day program this year, much to his dismay, lol! He does NOT like to do these kinds of things, but we strongly encourage him to do them, hoping he will realize it isn't so bad and it will help him with this fear. He does a really good job at it, but he is NOT at all like his brother who loves to be "up in front" and the center of attention. We had 41 dads at church, we are truly privileged at FBCH (fbhc.net). If you would like view our Father's Day service or any of our services, click on the link provided. After service we went to Jerry's parents house and had a nice Father's Day meal! I made a couple desserts; Jerry's favorite--Banana Split Cake and my FIL's favorite--Lemonade Pie! After dinner we came home and gave Jerry his gifts. I bought him a pair of tennis shoes, as his are REALLY looking nasty and I know he won't spend the $$$ on them for himself, so...we also bought him a game set he has been wanting. All in all, we had a nice day! We hope all you father's out there had a nice day too!

Keegan reciting his part -- "Our home is built on a solid foundation that can withstand the storms of life. Father lays a row of blocks marked integrity, faithfulness and love.

He adds another row of caring, honesty and purity."

Jerry and his kids--Talon in back (13), Keegan on his right (9)

and Kallee on his lap (5).

Daddy with his little Kallee Rae-Rae

Keeg and Daddy

T-Man and Jerry

Keegan giving him his gifts

Jerry reading his card from the kids--

"You have what it takes to be a perfect Dad-understanding,

wisdom, patience (well kind of : )...and US!"

I love this picture, it shows how proud Keegie was with the gift they found for their Daddy : )

It is a 2-in-1, outdoors game set that he has been wanting. It was originally around $70 and we paid right around $30 for it, yea!

Daddy and his kids!

The Tooth Fairy Visits Again

2010-06-21T15:20:00.002-04:00

I've always told my kids, "when you lose a tooth, it is time for kindergarten", so...it must be time to send my baby off to school : ( She has had a couple teeth loose for a few weeks, but not ready to be pulled out yet. I don't pull them until I can easily grasp them and pull gentle and out they come. I figure why put them in pain and if the other tooth isn't pushing through yet...I kept telling Kallee that if she would keep wiggling it, some day it would be ready. Needless to say, he brother and her were playing the other day and when they collided...they both were ready to be pulled. She was scared it would hurt really bad, so I told her to reach in her mouth and push them forward and with a gentle pull (on my part) they were both out. She was quite pleased that she lost both of them in one night, but the tooth fairy wasn't, LOL!

Kallee's first tooth she lost

Pushing the second tooth out

#2 lost--all in one night!

Cute smile from my baby girl

All happy to see herselth (as she says) without her teeth!

Meg & Kai Come to Visit

2010-06-21T14:50:00.002-04:00

Megs and Kai Kai decided to come visit us a few weeks ago and we were sooo happy to have them! We didn't do much of anything but sit around and enjoy the baby, but that was a good thing : ) He is such a little cutie and a ham too! He keeps his Mama and Daddy on the go, and he will soon be a *BIG* brother! Yep, #2 is on the way for the Crawford Family, not sure on a due date yet, buy I'm sure she will be a great addition : ) I say she, because all of us Aunts wished for a girl the first time around and LaMorris said, "NO WAY, I'm gettin' me a boy", so...we all think she needs to get herself a GIRL this time around : ) Whatever it will be, I know he/she will be a cutie pie! Congrats Meg & LaMorris!

Little Kai-Guy lookin' good in Kallee's shades!

Talon pinching Kai's little, cute cheeks : )

Too cool!

Keeg lovin' on Kai

He didn't like this wig, but mean ole Talon made him try it on, ha! ha!

What's Up This Week...

2010-06-14T21:34:00.000-04:00

Well this week we are pretty busy again with lots of running here and there. Talon is in his final, full week of practice before the big production week begins, next week. He has earned another position in the Clinton County Youth Theater this summer and has enjoyed meeting new kids and catching up with his "old" friends too. They all have been working very hard on this one and I'm sure it will be a good one. They will be performing "Guys and Dolls", which will begin next Thursday, June 24th and go through Saturday, June 26th. There are tickets still available, so give the theater hot line a call (654-6307) if you would like tickets, they are $5 each, all ages. If you don't get an answer, leave your number and they will call you back to let you know what they have available. Talon is also going to Pilgrim Youth Camp this week, so that means picking him up every morning and taking him to practice, then back to pick him up and take him back to the camp grounds. I know he will have a good time, even though it is his first year to go there. I have a friend, Martha Forsee, that is a helper this year at the camp and he texted me and said he was on her team, so... Martha is a fun kind of gal, so I know he will enjoy being on her team : ) --Keegan and Kallee had made their weekly stop at the library already to earn more points for their Summer-Reading Program. They earn point for checking out books, doing book reports and participating in the classes they have available. Keeg has a class this week there, so that means a little more runnin', ugh! They are excited to get their 4 book reports in because then they will earn their Indiana Beach tickets, YEA!!! We are happy they have this opportunity every summer, so we definitely take advantage of it! --Jerry and I have a Rotary dinner to go to this week, so we will even get in on some of the fun : ) --Our ladies scrapbook group hasn't met in quite awhile, so we decided to start getting together once a week if we could, throughout the summer months. This week we plan on meeting twice, so that should get us caught up a little bit. --Well I should get off of here so I can get the kiddos ready for bed. Enjoy your week and may God bless you richly!

Coin Count-y

2010-06-03T15:44:00.003-04:00

Well I went shopping for some jeans for Talon today at our local Great Find (kind of like Goodwill), and I was not disappointed with this trip : ) I found him two, really nice pair of jeans for a total of $10, YEA!!! Keegan and Kallee love to sit and look at their books while I'm in that store and today Keegan found a really neat book, for.50cents. It is called "Coin Count-y", it is a book to help you save $$$, using only coins. When you have filled all the pages, you have saved $20.28. He has been working really hard to save money for a pool this summer, so every time he fills this book, that will really help him! So far he has $4.18 saved in this book, so not bad for just buying the book. He has dug through his piggy bank and raided my change purse, so... : ) I thought this was another neat way to help him to save his money rather than stick it in the nearest gumball machine. It also helps him learn to count coins better. I am so proud of him, he has really been working hard to save for their pool. We want to get them a fairly nice one so it will last, so it has required some dedication on his part. Of course we are gonna kick in some of the money too, but we are excited for him to be able to help with this endeavor since it is something he really wants.

There are several slots on each page, P=Penny, N=Nickel, D=Dime & Q=Quarter

It reads: "Welcome to Coin Count-y, where saving money's fun. Put your coins into the slots, fill each and every one. Pave the streets with pennies, with quarters, nickels, dimes. Start filling slots with these four coins, you're saving every time! --At the end of these 2 pages he has earned $3.81.

"Inside the Penny Candy Shop, your cents will buy a lot. Add up the pennies in each jar,

to find the one on top."

"A quarter buys twenty-five gumdrops. Count one penny at a time. Five lollipops cost a nickel. Ten candies cost a dime." --At the end of these 2 pages he has saved $4.61.

"There are lots of toys for sale here, at the Five-and-Ten-Cents Store.

They're sold for dimes and nickels, use one coin, two or more."

"Can you find two ways to buy the marbles in the bags? Twenty-five cents is what they cost, just look right on the tags." --He will have saved $7.41 at the end of these 2 pages.

"At the Quarter Quarry, we dig all day and night. A backhoe scoops up quarters, at this coin-filled quarry site. Stones stacked upon each other fill this deep and rocky mine. Look closely at the silver coins...to find the dollar sign." --$14.28 will be saved at the end of these pages.

"Howdy partner! Buck's my horse, and Dollar Bill's my name. Roping coins for dollars is the dollar roundup game. How many pennies make a dollar? Count one hundred, one by one. Make a dollar with your nickels, count out twenty, then you're done. How many quarters make a dollar? How many dimes will make one, too? To answer these two questions, count the coins in each lasso."

"Mixing coins add up to dollars, here are four more ways to try. You can put your money in a bank, or find something to buy. But if you keep on saving, there is something you should know. Your money will make more money, just watch your savings grow!" --At this point he will have saved $20.28!!!

Meggie's 1st Bday Party

2010-06-01T15:11:00.001-04:00

Sunday evening we were invited to little Miss Meggie's 1st birthday party, and of course we said yes! : ) She is such a little doll baby, we love her so much! She was full of smiles and giggles for her party, so that made for a lot of great pictures. Here are a few that I took, enjoy!

What a beautiful baby girl -- Miss Megyn Brylee

Her cute caterpillar cupcakes her Mommy made for her

Megyn & Adalyn having fun together!

Not too sure she likes her bday hat

My little Miss Kallee enjoying the party!

Sara & Tony have spoiled her rotten since day one, now she has to share her time with Megyn : )

Getting a little shy when everyone started looking at her, too cute!

She thought the candle was pretty!

She couldn't quite figure out what her Mommy wanted her to do!

Mommy decided she would help her : )

Getting a taste of her birthday cupcake, yum!

What a little stinker!

Britt & Talon decided to put together the baby stroller she got, but...

Talon thought it would make a better hat instead, lol!

I think Meggie looks much cuter than Talon in it ; )

This is the gift we gave her, she looks like she likes it : )

Fa-fa Derscheid ended up finishing putting the stroller together, Britt and Talon gave up, ha!

Talon's Events for ISC

2010-06-01T00:00:00.003-04:00

This year was Talon's first year to ever attend ISC (International Student Convention)! He earned positions in 5 different categories at the state level; Mixed Quartet, Small Ensemble, Boy's 400 Meter Relay, Boy's 1600 Meter and Clown Act. He did well and we are VERY proud of him!!! He earned a 4th place medal with his Clown Act, out of 19 clowns, YEA! He was 1 of the 4, out of our 14 students to bring home a medal! He is already looking forward to next year and trying to come up with ideas : )

Our Mixed Quartet practicing in the hall with Mrs. Sara Derscheid before they perform!

Performing: "Give Me a Vessel"

L to R: Geo Suarez, Megan Brubeck, Jenny Gonzalez & Talon

The judges telling them how they did.

Small Ensemble

Austin Albaugh, Ray Garcia, Kevin Gonzalez, Talon Cooper, Geo Suarez, Megan Brubeck, Jenny Gonzalez, Britnee Derscheid & Ashley Fulton

The Small Ensemble checking in and the judges praying with them before they begin!

Clown Act

Wanting his secret to be kept quite about him stealing the beer he found, to add to his bag of sins

Trying to figure out what the "red stuff" was on the cloth that was found hanging on the cross, not knowing yet it was Christ's blood that was shed for him.

Asking for forgiveness!

Boy's 400 Meter Relay

Our Boy's Meter Relay Team: Alex Fry, Talon Cooper, Kevin Gonzalez & Geo Suarez

Alex getting ready to start the first leg of the Boy's 400 meter relay

2nd leg of the Boy's 400 meter relay -- Alex handing it off to Talon

3rd leg on the Boy's 400 meter relay -- Talon handing it off to Kevin

Boy's 1600 Meter

This was after he checked in for the 1600meter

Stretching before he ran the 1600meter

On your mark...get set...

GO!!!

Almost finished!!!

Clocking in at 6:07

He ran his mile in 6mins 26seconds in March at state convention, so he really improved his time at ISC!

Cooling down

Checking in his time

Talon with his Aunt Elizabeth and cousin Courtney. They drove all the way down with his Mamaw Cooper to watch him run! Thanks so much for coming you gals, we really appreciated it!

L to R: Janae Waggoner (3rd place Woodwork), Kevin Gonzalez (6th place Oratory), Jordan Waggoner (6th place Woodwork) & Talon (4th place Clown Act)

We are SO proud of all of our students, you all are winners!!! I am privileged to have been a part of this lifetime experience with you guys and gals! Excited about what all of you will participate in next year, knowing with all your hard work, you will come home with more medals!

ISC - Part III

2010-05-31T22:16:00.000-04:00

More Pre-Rally fun!

This was one of the the Pre-Rally games, they played games every night in the pre-rally. This one they had to use a whole roll of paper towel and wrap it around their whole team : )

This was one of the evening's alter services, so amazing to see 100's and 100's of teens responding to God!

Our Mixed Trio getting ready to perform

Geo Suarez getting ready to throw the shot-put

The coaches and referees praying with the teams before they begin.

Ashley serving the ball

We lost our first 2 games, so we didn't go on any further. Our girls have come a long way, I am excited to see how much they will improve next year!

Yajaira Baltierra getting ready to do the 200 meter

Go Yajaira Go!

Kevin Gonzalez doing the Long Jump

Ashley Fulton doing her Poetry Recitation. If there would have been more places, she would have taken 7th out of 50-some, I believe.

Kevin Gonzalez doing his Oratory Speech. He took 6th place, YEA!!!

ISC - Part II

2010-05-28T23:36:00.001-04:00

More pictures from our ISC trip to Bowling Green, Kentucky!

This was a VERY beautiful campus, however...it was very spread out and we about walked our legs half off : ) I know I could use my legs to be walked half off, but not in 90 degree weather, ugh!

More beautiful buildings!

T-man and his old Mama : )

Some of the crew

My crazy nut-ball son : )

Yajaira & Margaret

Talon, Geo & Austin

Janae and her new man -- Mr. Diddle : )

From day one, the girls in my van requested that we stop and get pictures with good, old Abe. Every day we'd go by, they'd say..."can't we please stop and get our pictures with him"? I promised them that we would so...

The Coleman girls being silly and sitting on Abe's lap : )

I think Yajaira found herself a new man this week too : )

Britt, what will --- say about this?! : )

The kiddos from our van getting one last picture with Abe Lincoln

Can't you tell they just love him??? HA! HA!

Actually I think they were yelling, STOP!!!

Back Row (l to r): Geo, Talon, Austin

Front Row (l to r): Britt, Maria, Margaret & Yajaira

Well lookie here...here are the ACE characters, well not all of them : )

Kevin, Britt & Janae

Margaret, Talon & Maria

International Student Convention 2010 - Part I

2010-05-28T21:05:00.002-04:00

WOW, what a week!!! This past week our school participated in its first-ever International Student Convention (ISC), at Western Kentucky University, in Bowling Green, KY. This is a spin-off from the Regional (State) Student Convention they participated in, in March at Ball State University. Each student was invited to attend, but not all of our students were able to attend. Those that were able to attend, were VERY excited and ready to hit the road. We left on Saturday morning and returned last night, around 9:00p.m. It was a very busy week with lots of; competition, HOT weather, silly teens, not much sleep, lack of organization (guess that is suppose to happen with 14 teenagers : ), AWESOME sermons, good food, teenage drama, lots of laughter and MAKING MEMORIES THAT WILL LAST A LIFE-TIME!!! We really are truly blessed with great students at our school, I am VERY proud of all of them!!! I would take any of them on another trip in a heartbeat, they are a great group of kids! Of course we had a few boys that kept us wishing we had brought our earplugs (thanks Talon & Ray), but they still are great boys! I really feel as if our kids are all serving God and are striving for the best in life! I know not many schools can say something like that about ALL of their students, so we are BLESSED! Thanks FCA students for being such wonderful kids and allowing this old lady to tag along. Also, I would like to say THANK YOU to one of my best friends, Bobbie Sullivan, for going and helping me with the girls. You will never know how much I appreciated your help and your friendship this week!!! Thanks to Mr. & Mrs. Coleman for bringing ISC into our lives and thanks to the Wilhelms for the many meals you prepared! I would like to thank my sister for watching my youngest two so I could be there for my oldest. Thanks to ALL our family and friends that supported us financially so we could go, you are the BEST!

Austin (well at least 1/2 of him, HA), Talon and Margaret acting silly on the trip down.

Britt & Geo, some of my favs, but don't tell the others : )

Margaret & Austin --they are crazy!

I was asked to drive one of the vans for this trip, and I did my best. We had a lot of fun in our van and we had a great group riding with us: Margaret & Maria Coleman, Geo Suarez, Talon, Austin Albaugh,

Yajaira Baltierra & Britnee Derscheid. I accomplished (with the Lord's help), to get us here and there safely! Miss Bobbie wished she would have had a break on her side, but... : ) I only managed to have one semi honk at me and only pulled out in front of one car, yikes!!! It was hard to see on some of those city streets where the building were tall and cars parked on every side, you about had to get out in the middle before you could see and...sorry for giving you a heart attack Mrs. Coleman : )

This was what we pulled up to. It was a very neat sight to see all the flags from

different states and countries!

"Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever...Psalm 119:11

...upon which thou hast caused me to hope. Psalm 119:49"

A local Corvette dealer had a couple of these sitting out front for the kids to get into and get their pictures taken. Of course they all hated that, HA!

Talon & Yajaria just hangin' out!

Talon with the Indiana flag

Yajaria with the Mexico flag

After we registered and went though dress-check, we were ushered into a large room filled with all of kinds of these games and blow-up, jumpy things. Talon and Austin taking a turn at wackin'

each other off their post.

Opening Rally took place on Sunday evening,

it was full of lots of bright lights, and noise, and excitement, etc. I would strongly suggest you go to: aceministries.com and watch the sermons. They were a tad bit long each night, but they were VERY good and right on target for our teens.

This was the theme for this year, "Our Heritage-Our Hope". This large globe was extended up over the large platform and would they would light it up in our evening services.

This was the flag ceremony which was all a part of the Opening Rally.

There were approximately 2500 students from all over the world there to participate! Each country had a group of students carry in a banner representing their country.

Look at all those flags : )

They had HUGE balloons tents that they let down from the ceiling during this time and...

...lots of confetti!

Our boys all in a row

FCA Awards Banquet 2010

2010-05-17T19:31:00.000-04:00

Last Saturday was our end of the year, Awards Banquet for our school, Frankfort Covenant Academy (frankfortca.com). It was held at the Thomas Duncan Hall in downtown Lafayette. It was a beautiful building, but a little small for the occasion. Oh how I wish we had our own building for events like this, ugh! If any of you out there have a couple million dollars you would like to donate towards our building fund...just let me know : ) Our boys did well with receiving awards, as well as, all the other students. We were so happy for our boys, Talon and Keegan, they make us proud every year! This was advertised as a formal event, so...we did our part to make sure we wore the appropriate attire. Jerry borrowed a tux from a friend, as well as a bow tie and cummerbund for Talon. Keegan had a bow tie and a cummerbund from my nieces wedding and Kallee still fit into her dress she wore in her Aunt Elizabeth's wedding, so with 4 down and one to go, we felt pretty good. I was just going to wear a suit, but I decided to pull out a formal I wore in a friends wedding (almost 10 yrs. ago) and thought I could make it work. It ended up being "a little" tight on me, but for the good of the occasion, I sucked in and breathed very lightly--ALL night long, HA! Of course the top half of the gown wouldn't fit, so I dug through my closet and found a shawl that worked. All in all, we looked "the part" and had an enjoyable evening!

Talon and his friend Dee that road with us to the banquet. I am so proud of Talon for buying her a ticket and a corsage, he is growing into quite a young man.

Keegan and myself before the banquet began

Our king & queen's court --Janae Waggoner, Kevin Gonzalez, Jenny Gonzalez, Gio Suarez

King - Alex Fry & Queen - Margaret Coleman

This little lady was the best entertainment of the evening!

She kept us all entertained as she danced on the table : )

Some of the kiddos at our table: Janae & Kerrigan Derscheid and Keegan

Some of our closest friends -- Matt & Bobbie Sullivan

Me and my handsome honey : )

The ULC table

My beloved son, the one I was bragging on about becoming a nice young man, LOL!

Keegan receiving his first award of the evening, a pin for --A Honor Roll

Keegan carrying his Scripture award off stage

Talon receiving the 1st place award for the Platform Division at Regional State Convention

T-Man receiving his Scripture award

Talon receiving his award for Christian Service

All of the Christian Service recipients:

Alex Fry, Ashley Fulton, Janae Waggoner, Kevin Gonzalez, Jordan Waggoner,

Talon Cooper, Jenny Gonzalez & Megan Brubeck

Jerry presenting Alex with the team's basketball that they won their first game with. Jerry was the boy's basketball coach this year and this is Alex's first and only year to play for FCA : (

Miss Kailey Cooper receiving an award

Miss Britnee Derscheid receiving an award

Mr. Ray Garcia receiving the Mission's Award --he turned in over $200 of the $1000 the kids raised for Missions this year!

Keegan getting ready to recite scripture with his classmates

Kerrigan Derscheid reciting scripture

Dylan Waggoner & Connor Davis reciting scripture

Alyssa Johnson & Emily Watson finishing up the scripture reciting

Melssia Huffer, A.K.A. "Parent of the Year" --WAY TO GO MELISSA!!!! We were SO happy you received this award, you totally deserve it!!! Thanks for ALL you do for FCA!

Mr. & Mrs. Paul & Rose Fry --28 yrs. of service to FCA (their "baby", Alex, is graduating)

Our FCA Staff: Mr. & Mrs. Coleman, Mrs. Angie Spangler, Mrs. Debbie Norfleet,

Mr. David Fry, Mr. Travis Johnson & Mrs. Rachel Gardner

The Tony & Sara Derscheid Family

Keegan and his pal, Samuel

Talon and his awards

Talon & Keegan with their loot : )

The Jerry & Janiece Cooper Family

Talon, Kallee and one of Talon's best friends, Yajaria Baltierra

FBHC WOW Tea ~ 2010

2010-05-17T13:57:00.001-04:00

Last week was our church ladies Women of Worth tea! For years we have had an active WOW group and for years we have had an "end-of-the year" tea, in April. We usually have our WOW meetings/gatherings once a month and take the summer months off. This year however, we had so much going on, we didn't have many monthly meetings, so we knew for sure they would probably have our tea. Each year we have a different theme for the tea and this year we had a Rainbow theme. Each table was a different color of the rainbow and all the foods that we brought, were different colors too. I was asked to head up the "orange team" (Rose Fry, Margie Poe, Tracie Peck, Cindy Arndt, Kathryn Highlander and myself) and get decorations for our table. When I asked the ladies on my team what they wanted to use for decorations, no one had any ideas. Rose did say, "you could use oranges for some of the decorations", so...that I did. I ran to Lafayette one day and began to search for orange items. I didn't think I would have much luck with that color, but...I hit the jackpot when I went into the Dollar Tree and Hobby Lobby. I was so excited to find a ton of stuff in orange and almost all of it was 50% off, YEA!!! I still thought it still needed a few extra, special touches, so I made name tags with everyone's name from our team and brought some drinking goblets to fill with orange drink. All in all, it turned out to be a pretty table and...we won 1st place! I didn't have any idea they were going to be judging our tables, so that was a surprise to me and our team. --The rest of the evening we stuffed ourselves with yummy, colorful foods, we played a game and we exchanged our Secret Sister gifts. We all enjoyed ourselves and had a great time with our sisters of faith! Thanks so much Sis. Mowery and Jody for arranging all of this, you did a nice job!

Our Orange Table

A little closer view of our table

I loved these flowers that I found, wish they were a different color and I could have used them in my house.

The Orange Team --far back (left side) Tracie Peck, (right side) myself, middle (ls) Margie Poe, (rs) Kathryn Highlander, front (ls) Cindy Arndt & (rs) Rose Fry

The Yellow Table

The decorated with lemon and lemonade candies

Left side (front to back): Marlene Wilhelm, Kim Waggoner, Lynette Cooper & Rachel Staford

Right sides (front to back): Betty Creasey, Carol Glass & Bev Poe

The Red Table

Decorated with drinking goblets, red candles and roses

Left side (front to back): Pam Wolfe, Melissa Huffer, Geneva Roberts

Right side (front to back): Julie Waggoner, Sherry Schuler & Lisa Gilbert

The Blue Table

Fresh flowers, candles and lace

Left side (front to back): Angie Davis, Janet Rhudy, Shelly Coleman

Right side (front to back): Sarah Fry, Jody Johnson & Becky Mowery

L to R: Sis. Mowery, Jody Johnson & Betty Creasey (I missed Julie's tall red boots : )

Our guest speaker: Mrs. Sarah Fry

She did a great job, as usual!!!

She spoke on the rainbow and how each color represents our lives!

Getting ready to eat!

We had: strawberries, carrots, celery sticks, grapes, cakes, etc.

This beautiful and yummy cake was made by Tracie Peck! I saw this idea online while looking for birthday cakes for Kallee's bday, and when I heard that our theme was the rainbow...Tracie did a wonderful job on it! It was SO good and so pretty!

We had to pick 2 people from our team and they had to follow their color from the start to the finish. We chose Margie and Cindy, what great sports they were!

On your mark, get set, GO!!!

I love this picture of Margie, she is having such a great time!

Secret Sister revealing

Mother's Day 2010

2010-05-11T00:37:00.000-04:00

Well another Mother's Day has come and gone, but the task of Motherhood still is ahead! It seems if sometimes "my" work will never be done or it never gets done. Life moves far faster than I would like, but...that is life! I would like to thank God for the 3 children He has entrusted to my care, I am not worthy of these precious gifts! I love them all very much and do my best to be the best Mom that I can be. I know I often fall short of being just that, but I honestly do try! Thanks to my hubby for helping me out with this task as well, he is a great provider and helper! Speaking of my hubby---this year he did something a little different as far as my Mother's Day gifts. He gave me cash and said get something you will like and something you will use. That was a great gift and I was happy to go shopping with Kallee. I purchased my new zebra print jacket, a yellow tank and a pair of sassy, bright yellow shoes (see previous post : ) Thanks again honey for the $$$ and for the beautiful corsage. I realize I was only able to wear my corsage twice, but that is something I look forward to every year. I love you all very much!

Me and my kiddos

Me and Kallee Rae

Me and Keeg

Me and my not-so-thrilled teenager, Talon : )

L to R: Me, my MIL Betty, my Grandma Hysel and my SIL Elizabeth

Kallee was a flower in the Mother's Day program at church. Here she is coming off the platform.

My beautiful corsage --- thanks Rhonda for making it, you did a great job!

The Search for the Yellow Shoes

2010-05-10T23:39:00.000-04:00

I just love the "new" look of black and white together and it seems as every store you look in, there it is. I have seen; black and white polk-a-dot patterns, black and white stripe patterns, black and white zebra patterns, black and white geometric patterns, etc. This year I thought I'd go a little wild (no pun intended) for my Mother's Day outfit and get a black and white zebra print jacket. Of course I already had a black skirt to wear with it, but now was the question...what other color should I wear with it??? I decided to go with a bright yellow : ) I thought a simple tank to go under the jacket would be easy to find, but not true. I looked and looked for simple, yellow tank. I finally found one at TJ Maxx that would fit into my budget. Next on my list was a yellow purse or shoes to go with this outfit. I did find a purse, but since it was $250, I thought I'd better not, HA! As Kallee and I shopped, we looked in every store I could think of, for a purse or shoes within in a reasonable amount. I finally ran into Charlotte Russe, a store I NEVER go into (it just isn't a friendly store to old Moms : ), but at last...I found the yellow shoes I was looking for. Actually I should say, Kallee found them. She ran right to them and said "here ya go Mommy, just what you wanted"! She was right, but I forgot to mention to her that I'm half way to being REALLY old and that I don't do high, high heels, any more so... Since they were also in my budget and were the only ones I could find, I figured WHY NOT?!?! I now am the proud owner of a pair of sassy, bright yellow, 3" heels! : ) Kallee was so proud of them, she couldn't wait till the boys and Daddy got home to show them the shoes she had picked out for me. I told her while leaving the store, "I will probably fall and break my neck wearing these silly things", and she couldn't figure out what I meant. I explained it to her and she just giggled : ) I love that baby girl of mine, she's got a great sense of style already!

Happy Mother's Day Mom

2010-05-08T19:04:00.001-04:00

I would like to say Happy Mother's Day to my Mother! I know she is not here to celebrate with us, but if she were, I would like to say:

Mom,
*Thanks for being a good Mom!
*Thanks for taking me to get ice cream after school sometimes!
*Thanks for teaching the importance of coffee and a good phone conversation : )
*Thanks for loving me, no matter what!
*Thanks for calling me and keeping me posted on what was going on in MI, after I got married : )
*Thanks for allowing me see you read your Bible and pray for your those you loved --your family & friends!
*Thanks for helping me to know the importance of laughing and smiling too, it has helped me through the tough times life!
*Thanks for going with me on my 5th grade field trip to Potters Park!
*Thanks for working so hard for our family when I'm sure you didn't feel like, but you still did it anyways!
*Thanks for teaching me to work hard, it has really helped me out in life!
*Thanks for loving my husband and kids, they loved you too!
*Thanks for the good laugh that time you got in our pool to cool off and decided to lean against the side and...oops, out went the water and Mom too, LOL!
*Thanks for your 20+ years as a SHS school bus driver, you will never know what kind of a great influence you were to those kids!
*Thanks for the good laugh when you would forget and sit to close the edge on our kitchen bench and...oops off you'd go. We all still get a chuckle over that, even Dad laughed when I reminded him of it the last time he was here to visit!
*Thanks for teaching me that you can never pass up a good yard sale and Goodwill is a great place to shop! : )
*Thanks for making sure you made my kids feel they were special and loved by you & Dad!
*Thanks for teaching me that Sunday dinner is just not any old regular meal!
*Thanks for your years of service to our church and camp; being a Sunday School teacher, the church van driver, the support-system to Dad when he was our SS superintendent, cleaning the church, the many, many hours of cleaning at the campgrounds, etc. etc.
*Thanks for being the loving Mother, Grandmother & Great-Grandmother that you were! We miss you SO much, but we know our loss has been Heaven's gain! Have a Happy Mother's Day!

Love your baby girl,
Janiece

What Have We Been Up To???

2010-05-08T18:30:00.005-04:00

Ok so we ended the month of April on a very busy note, and started May out pretty busy too! We have been working our tail feathers off trying to raise $$$ for Internationals and what a time we've had! The kids have been great troopers and have only complained very minimum about all the work that we have had to do to make this happen, lol! We are very close to our goal, but...there are still 10 kids that need that extra boost to get them to Internationals. If any kind soul out there would like to donate to our cause, let me know : ) --We hosted our first-ever FCA Mexican Dinner on the 30th and what a busy, exciting, stressful, successful event it was! We started cooking around 10:00a.m. and didn't finish until just before the doors opened, at 5:00. I did learn how to make Mexican rice and I learned it is a sloooow process to get everything just right. Our Hispanic families did the majority of the planning, cooking and running of this event, and they did a good job! Mrs. Gonzalez was the "commander in chief" and she did a swell job! We learned a lot things and will we do our best to make it ever better next year. Thanks to everyone that sold tickets, helped with the cooking and cleaning and...you all are a great blessing to have as a part of our school!

The serving table

A few of the decorations

The next morning, Saturday, we began our restaurant key tag fundraiser, which ended up doing great with! The goal that I had for each student was to sell at least 10 key tags. This would have given them another $100 towards their expenses, but...some of them didn't reach that goal : ( Several of them did and I am very proud of them! As a matter of fact, most of them that sold, sold over that 10 mark so... : ) I would like to say a HUGE thank you to my nephew Bob for helping us with this fundraiser, he was VERY generous to us and I truly appreciate it, and so do the kids!!! If you need a fundraiser go check out his company and give him a call. Go to: topprofits.biz. After the fundraiser, we went out to lunch with my Bob and my great-niece, Miss Becca Rae! Bob told us all about some of his next goals in life and we are really proud of him for going for it! He is wanting to buy land and build a Community Center in Pendleton! What a great addition that will be for their community!!! Right now he is using a building for the after school program, but his goal is to build a building and move the program over there. He is not only allowing the kids to play sports, but he provides them with a snack and a Bible lesson and prayer! He feels as if this is something God wants him to do, so I am praying that God will provide the financial and physical backing he will need! Once lunch was over, he and Becca came to our house for awhile. Of course Becca and Kallee were full of ideas to do and play and what a great time they had!

The girls playing beach

The girls "at the beach"! This was actually my kitchen floor, but they were happy : )

I also tried something new this month, I cooked for our voting precinct poll workers. Normally a neighbor of ours does the cooking, but she couldn't this year so...I did my best! They said it was good, so we will see how good it was and if they ever ask me to do it again, ha! It was for only 10 people so I felt like it was something I could handle. Also on that day, we did our American duty and voted! We were pleased with some of the winners and then not so happy with some, but at least we did our part and voted.

WOW, I can't believe it, but---my baby girl is 5! Where on earth does time go??? Since Kallee's birthday was the 1st and we already had plans for the day...we decided she would get to pick where we would go for lunch after our school fundraiser. It was nice that Bob & Becca were there, it made it a little more special for Kallee : ) Daddy had to work that day, so it was nice that we were at least able to have lunch together. The evening of her bday, we had some friends that called and wanted to bring out her gift and said, "can we bring her a DQ ice cream cake too"? Well of course I didn't say no, so...they brought her a Disney princess cake, yummy! Thank you Scott and Kathryn for coming out and making Kallee's birthday special! We are truly grateful for your friendship, we love ya friends!

"I want to open that present first"!

Keegan got her a Polly Pocket set

Talon helping her opening some of the packaging

Her yummy DQ cake!

Kalle with Scotty boy, A.K.A. Scott and Kathryn

Waiting on her cake to be cut

Showing off some of her gifts from them--lotion, jewels, a purse and dvd's