school days

I got this off of my "friend" Lori's blog and thought I would repost it :) If you guys repost it, leave me a comment so I can check it out! After my "deep" posts lately, this is a bit of a reprieve!

Did you go to Kindergarten? Yes. Our Elem. got blown down by a tornado so we had to go in portable classrooms.

What was the name of your Elementary School? Petersburg Elementary

What was the name of your Middle or Jr. High School? Pike Central Middle School

What was the name of your High School? Pike Central High School (basically middle and high were in the same school, they weren't really too separate back then, now they are.

What were your school colors?
Elementary: red& white
Middle School: Burgandy, Gold, and White
High School: Burgandy, Gold, and White

What was your mascot?
Elementary: Indians
Middle School: Chargers
High School: Chargers

Graduating Class of? 2004

Who was your favorite teacher of all time? It's hard to pick an "all time"... I liked most all of my teachers... Mrs. Clanton was awesome in 4th grade and Mr. Schmitt in 5th grade.

Who were your best friends? Chelsea Cannon, Olivia Hamilton, Nikki Luff, and I were quite the foursome in elem. school, it continued in m.s. and h.s. but we added ppl to our group :) hehe. Chelsea was my very bestest friend throughall ALL those years, we were inseperable.

Who was your first crush? Oh my... I have no clue... I remember a big crush on Joe Davidson! Olivia and I always fought over him! :)

First boyfriend? haha, I don't know, we switched boyfriends in elem. school like underwear (literally daily!). probably Joe, Kyle Lewis, Dustin Beck, Chris Collins, someone like that :) I was quite boy crazy back then! haha

Did you carry a lunch box, and if so, what "theme"? I always took my lunch, and I had a different lunch box each year... I think I usually got the "artic cooler" brand lol in different colors each year!

Trying to find our "fit"...

We have been considering this for quite awhile now, but it's a major decision and has taken a lot of prayer, but we've finally (with God leading us) decided to try out a new church... well, not totally new, but to switch, nonetheless.

I'm a little nervous about this decision and why God might be calling us out of our "comfort zone", but I'm okay with it. I just hate feeling like an "outsider", even though I will already know people, it still seems to take awhile to find that place where you just "fit".

I was raised in Brenton Chapel Church of Christ. It was a pretty conservative church. No music besides your own voice allowed (i.e. no piano, organ, guitar). Beautiful voices raised to Jesus only. I was also taught that I needed to be "older" to be baptized... something I've come to disagree with now, but something I deeply respected for a long time. Not something I will be teaching my own children. Women were only to wear long skirts to church. And only men allowed to do anything in the church (leader wise). Some of these things I still agree with. Our preacher is the one that married Ryan and I (sweet little old man that was 87 when we got married 3 years ago and still rides horses to this day!). I went to this church w/ all my family, parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins... etc. It was a small church and almost everyone was related in some way or another. I LOVED this about my church, I had my "fit".

Ryan was raised in Bethel Mennonite Church. It's more on the conservative side of the Mennonites. Not the most, but def. more so than some. I can't speak for all their beliefs, but I do know that Ryan and I were raised almost exactly alike and to have the same beliefs. He was 15 when he was baptized. A lot of Ryan's family also went to Bethel. He was involved in the Youth for quite awhile.

During my high school years my parents started attending Antioch Christian Church (huge change from where we had always been). I had been there on occasion through out middle school w/ a family my family is very close with. I had done a lot of activities and camps and things with their youth. I liked being involved in their youth, but the church was sooo different from how I had been raised. It was soooo big! I was used to small!

When Ryan and I started dating when I was 15 we switched every other Sunday by going to Bethel and then either going w/ my parents to Antioch or to Brenton Chapel. This worked while we were dating. We had an outside wedding~ which is what I had always dreamed of, so we didn't have to worry about what church to get married in. Our reception was at Bethel & then like I said our preacher from Brenton Chapel married us, so we had a little of all of it in our wedding/reception and all of that!

Once we were married it was a hard decision to make on where to go... I hate saying it but when we were first married we missed way too many Sunday's just b/c we didn't feel like we fit in anywhere. Brenton Chapel was so small that there wasn't any Sunday School programs (for Brycen) and I still didn't want to go to Antioch (to big, plus w/ both of us being raised pretty conservativally it just didn't seem like the right fit), and Bethel was just so far away (about an hour away from our house). Those sound like excuses to me at this point in my life, but then it was such a time of change and I just wanted to fit in... so did Ryan. My best friend's dad is a preacher, and they invited us to their church in Petersburg. I had been to Bible School there when I was little so I was familiar with a little bit of it. We decided to try it out. It was good, I felt like my starving soul was getting some food! They had a nursery and Brycen did good in there, eventually when he turned 2 he was able to go to Sunday School class (he loves it!).

There have been some sermons that I've left really questioning what was said. And that I KNOW Ryan was upset about. Things have been going on that we have not liked... (our youth pastor was arrested for child molesting, he worked w/ the teenagers). That situation in itself just hasn't been good. I know every church has its problems and I'm not looking for the "perfect" church, but I'm looking for a good God-fearing, Jesus Loving, People feeding church. I want to be INVOLVED. I don't want to just sit on Sunday mornings and then go about my week... I want a small group, people to feel connected to. At our current church we do not have that. We have no family and very few friends, don't get me wrong, people are friendly, but I'm talking about true friends, people you can call to tell happy news, or call on in a time of need. In my job (i work in the prosecutor's office) I see a lot of hurt, and a lot of bad every single day. I don't want to go to church & see those same things happening. The one thing that has been holding us back from going to a different church is that Brycen lovessss and I mean lovessss his Sunday School class and his teacher, for that matter, I love her too. I know she loves Brycen and she is a good Godly woman w/ kids of her own. She has helped us to teach him so much and I WANT him to look forward to going to church. If we miss a Sunday, like we did two Sunday's ago to go to Indy, Brycen CRIES when we tell him that he won't be in class that morning. Now, that's what I'm talking about, that's how I want him to feel about going. He loves it that much! This little boy, my own little man has taught me so much about life, about how to see things like God wants us to see them and for that I'm so thankful. We didn't want to rip him out of the place that has helped us to mold him into the person he is. We don't want to regress or lose any of the things he has learned and so willingly grasped onto.

But momma and daddy's souls are needing something more. I can't sit back and watch bad things happen right in front of my eyes anymore. I can't be a part of that. I can't continue to give my tithe to something I don't think might be used for God's purposes, and I absolutly cannot sit still and think that the next Sunday School class might not be as loving or nurturing for Brycen... b/c afterall, I don't even really KNOW these people. We have prayed and prayed about this decision and for God to lead us in the direction He wants us, to place us where we can serve for His purpose and grow in Him, and continue to have such a little Jesus Lover in our little man!

This coming Sunday we will be making the switch... hoping to find our "fit." So all you that might happen to be at Berea in Cannelburg this Sunday will be seeing our little family & my growing belly. If I look nervous... I am :)

I know my posts have been lengthy lately, and for that I am sorry! I guess I consider this my own little journal and I want to be able to print things out, so Brycen knows what was going on in his life, things he won't remember. Soo, if things are too tedious or boring- I totally understand :)

I also wanted to share one of Brycen's many funny things he says. I think I might add a section on this page of funny quotes that he says so I can remember them all. I saw that on someones page once and it was really neat. Anyway, we were talking about Heaven & Hell on Sunday... I asked Brycen, "Brycen, what did Jesus do for us.", He said, "died.", "Very good baby, that's right, so what do we need to do to get to Heaven to be w/ Jesus some day?", Brycen said, "Let him in our hearts and ask forgivness for sins.", "yes baby that's right, I'm so proud of you, I love you so much. Do you know what happens if people don't ask Jesus into their heart and ask forgivness for their sins??" In response Brycen says, "Yah, Mom they get fired down there (points to the ground)."
(okay, so we have tried to explain a little about hell to him, but I thought the "fired" comment was just too cute!) :)

weekends make me tired :)

Friday evening it was nice to just be around the house... we ordered Chinese and went and picked it up and brought it home to eat it (YUM!).

AND Then Brycen and I did make cupcakes :) And they were good!
His favorite part is putting on the sprinkles!

and eating the sprinkles... lol, that's what he is doing in this picture and why he told me he couldn't smile for the picture :)

Saturday I had a bunch to do to get ready for one of my good friends bridal showers. I'm in her wedding in October (let's hope I still fit in my dress then...). I spent the whole afternoon at the shower. It was a nice shower, but I was sooo tired when I got home! I could barely keep my eyes open. When I was getting ready to leave the shower my mom texted me & said "uncle dan just pulled up". Uncle Dan is my Grandpa's brother. He lives in Arizona & usually they come every summer in their motorhome and stay for about 2 months or so. We didn't think they were coming this year (b/c that's what they told us) b/c of disel being so high. I can't even imagine how much it cost them to get here. It was a huge surprise to everyone! They pulled in on Saturday! I couldn't leave fast enough to get there and see them! Ryan & Brycen met me there~ Brycen LOVESSS Uncle Dan, we went out to Arizona in January to visit them and he talks about it ALLL the time. He had just been saying on Friday night that he wanted to go back! Ryan didn't tell him who was there, just that someone he hadn't seen for awhile was there to visit him! Brycen popped through the door and when he seen Uncle Dan his face just LIT up! I've honestly never heard the boy scream that loud and he RAN to him to jump up on his lap! It was the sweetest thing! I wish we would of had the video camera! Uncle Dan said that reaction made the whole long trip worth it! They have come in the motorhome since I was probably about Brycen's age and I remember being that excited too! I'm glad we still get to share that relationship w/ Brycen! My Uncle Dan is in his late seventies so it's pretty amazing that he can still make that trip! Anyway- I know I'm probably going on and on about him (his wife Aunt Barb is pretty amazing too!), but we just love them SO much and they are so important to us.

Plus~ they couldn't have arrived at a better time... my Grandpa went in for a CAT scan b/c some of his places where his cancer is/has been have been bothering him... he got his results on Friday and they aren't good. The tumor in his lungs has grown tremendously in the last 5 months and all the others in his lymph nodes have grown as well. We knew that the cancer wasn't going away this time, but it's still pretty devastating to get news like this... He had been doing so good and his count had been staying down so well... So if you get a chance please say a little prayer for my Grandpa... They go back to the Dr. today to discuss his options and whether or not he wants to start treatments again or not. He hasn't had to do treatments since his first round in 2004/2005 b/c his counts have stayed down so good... I don't know if he will decide to again or not, they made his life miserable. Right now he is still doing things he loves, like fishing and going for walks in the woods... We will support his decision either way, the treatments won't make the cancer go away, they might prolong things, but they will also make him sick & weak... Prayer for wisdom in his decision and that he will have peace w/ whatever he decides to do. Also, pray for my Grandma b/c I'm sure this is just as tough on her. I can't imagine watching my husband go through all that.



Back to the weekend... Saturday after we visited w/ them for awhile we went home and some friends of ours Ricky & Brittany came over to visit for awhile. We ate supper & just talked. We were all tired and it was nice to just sit and chat and relax. Brycen loves Ricky to death and loves playing w/ him! He was so excited that they came to visit!



Chelsey & I at her shower

Yesterday, we went to church & then to Ryan's parents for lunch & then home to take a much needed nap and then to my parents for supper for my dad's birthday! It was a nice evening. Brycen was filthy when we got home last night b/c he had "dug holes" in the dirt pile all evening. That's one of his favorite things to do~ such a boy! When I put him in the bath dirt just ran off of him! He was so sweet and cuddly when he got out! :)

I'm so thankful for our sweet family and friends- sorry this is a lengthy post!

our poor doggie...and some deeper thoughts...

I feel like the worst mom ever!! This morning I was backing up and the dogs were in front of my car... they never offer to get in the way or run and chase cars, but somehow when I was backing up Aggie got BEHIND the car... I heard a lot "thump"... I about lost it... I seen her run off to her cage, on three legs :( I felt TERRIBLE. I got out to check on her and she seemed okay... just obvious that her leg was hurting... Brycen was so mad at me and kept yelling, "YOU SMASHED MY DOGGIE." I tried to show him that Aggie was okay, but he was so mad. I felt terrible... I was already in tears & I knew Brycen was worried about his dog. I was too! I called Ryan and he said if the dog ran off it was probably fine and for me to go on to work & just go home at noon and check on her. I have felt so bad all day! I've never run anything over, not even a rabbit or squirrel, let alone our own dog! I asked Ryan if I should call the vet, and he said NO! I think it's terrible, but he said that stuff happens, and if something is really wrong he'll be able to tell and he'll take care of it. I don't even want to think about what he means! When I went home at noon to check on her she seemed a little better, she was still limping, but not as badly. I just sat in the grass and held her and cried and told her I was sorry. I probably sound a little crazy now, but seriously I feel so bad inflicting pain on ANYTHING... Even our dog. I love that dog! Hopefully, she will be fine, especially for Brycen's sake. All of this brings me to, wow, if I feel that bad about ALMOST killing our dog, HOW did God bring himself to sacrifice His Son for US. I can't imagine the sorrow that he must of went through, it's hard to wrap that sort of love around my brain... it's hard to imagine that He loves us THAT much.

Brycen holding Aggie the day we brought her home, she was sooo tiny! She wasn't ready, but her mom weaned her at 4 wks b/c she had 8 pups and couldn't nurse them all... we went back and got her sister (izzie) 2 weeks later... you can see in the picture how much Brycen loves her!

I don't know if this post makes any sense and I possibly totally changed directions of where I was going with this post. I've known this Truth my whole life, that God sent his only son to die on the cross for me, a totally unworthy person, and we're trying our best to instill this into Brycen as well, at times I think he might get it, and other times I don't know if we're really doing all we can to show him just how much God loves him. Sometimes, I don't even know if I get just how much God loves me. I feel so lucky to be saved by His wonderful grace and I just want to share that with everyone. Sometimes I feel that I'm not being the best witness that I could be. God has blessed (or others might say cursed!) me with the love for talking to others, friends and strangers alike, I know He gave me this ability (like all the others he gives us all) for a reason, to use for HIS PURPOSE. I don't want to come off to people as a kook, or a pushy Christian, but I want others to SEE in my life, His love...

Okay, so I know I'm all over the place here, but those are some of my ramblings thoughts, kind of deep for a Friday!

Did I mention that I'm craving some cupcakes?? I think Brycen and I might make some chocolate cupcakes w/ chocolate frosting tonight :) YUM!

don't those look GOOD?!

first day of pre-school, dr's appt., and happy birthday to my dad :)

First off, Happy Birthday to my Dad :) He's the big 4-6!! :) I don't think he'll mind me sharing that, he's still pretty young! He's a great dad and papaw too! Brycen thinks the world of his Papaw Rick, they are best buddies :) This is where Brycen gets his love for motorcycles at! My dad is already looking at little ones for him (are you kidding me?!) lol.

I had a really cute lion costume for Brycen that he picked out for halloween... but then we went to my parents and he took it off and decided he wanted to be a Harley Rider like Papaw Rick instead :) Thankfully, we were able to gear him up pretty quickly :)

Papaw Rick digging last summer w/ Brycen at a cookout at Tom and Marsha's!

My dad being silly at a Christmas dinner at our house :) This is just how he acts :) and we love him SOOO much for it!

Tuesday we had a busy day! It was Brycen's first day of preschool!!

He was so excited! He kept saying, "Now I'm a big boy!" He had a really good first day! I had to go to Evansville for my 10 wk check up at the OB's office. She said everything felt & looked normal and the heartrate was 187! It was very strong and loud and it made me so happy to hear it!! I also had a bunch of other stuff to do while I was in Evansville. I had to find Brycen a pair of brown dress pants and a cream colored shirt for a wedding he is in in three weeks. And an outfit for Pike Central's Homecoming b/c he is the ball carrier and that's in four weeks! He is going to be quite the busy little boy! I also wanted to find some maternity or at least bigger clothes, but I couldn't find ANYTHING! I don't know if I was being too picky or what! I found one pair of maternity jeans that were cute and fit at Old Navy. I also had to pick up Brycen some jeans somewhere b/c he has outgrown all his from last year! I found ALL the stuff I was looking for for him, plus some of course! haha. The outfit for homecoming is the cutest!! I love it! I made him try it on last night and he looked so stinkin' cute! Then I had to go sit at the Evansville BMV for an hour and a half. It was ridiculous!! But I had to get an "official" copy of Ryan's driving record for his interview, and you can only get it at Evansville or Indy. Plus, I ran by the Harley Davidson store to pick up my dad some stuff for his birthday!! I was wore out by the time I got home! Brycen was excited, b/c Ryan got to pick him up from his first day at Pre-School since I wasn't home in time. After I got home we had to go straight to Montgomery to can green beans at Ryan's parents. We got 28 quarts canned! I was pretty excited about that. I was so tired when we got home that night though!

Brycen w/ his Crayon Crown that he made on his 2nd day of preschool! He was so proud of it :)

Yesterday was my day off! I was so thankful for it! I missed my little booger while he was gone to pre-school, but I got sooo much accomplished at home! I dropped him off and went to Wal-Mart to get our stuff (i always dread walmart). And then I went and washed and swept out my vehicle. It was in need of it pretty badly! Then I went home and got to work on cleaning away! I have just been "spot cleaning" here and there when something needed it since I haven't felt like it at all, but yesterday I really got down and dirty! I felt so accomplished... and tired! I also fixed a big supper. Ryan was surprised to find that his wife seemed to be back when he got home from work! He was like "wow!" haha. I was glad he noticed things were looking better and that made me feel even better! I think I might of over done it a bit. This morning my back was killing me and my feet were a little swollen (oh no, not already!), but let me tell you, I slept GOOD last night! :)

9 wks 0 days

the growing belly... this picture kind of messed things up b/c it's not the same position and in the same place, but oh well, it's "the belly".

outside and our doggies

Brycen playing outside w/ our doggies, Aggie & Izzie

My little monkey! :) *maybe he's been watching too much Olympic gymnastics w/ me?! haha

He told me after playing for awhile "I think I need to go take a rest under that tree!" I don't know where he gets this stuff! :) But it was adorable

I was trying to get a good picture of him in front of the really tall corn behind our house, but he wouldn't hold still- I actually ended up loving this picture, b/c it shows Brycen in true Brycen form! :)

Playing on his swingset :)

We have been enjoying this beautiful weather- it's so nice to go outside in the evenings & be able to breathe, no humidity and a nice breeze! I'm sure August won't stay this nice, but we have really enjoyed it!

busy weekend!

Ryan, Brycen, and I in front of the stadium


Brycen on a Boyd & Son's Pulling Tractor that was inside the stadium (they are sponsered by Lucas Oil)



Ryan, Brycen, and I in the Colt's locker room

Ryan, Brycen, and I in front of the tunnel that the team runs through!

Our family down on the field :)

We had a busy weekend, but a fun one! Friday evening we went over to our friends, Rich & Melissa's (their little boy Isaac & Brycen are only 10 days apart). We ordered pizza and watched some movies! It was a relaxing evening and fun to see them b/c we hadn't in quite awhile! I also feel really blessed b/c Melissa is letting me borrow a bunch of her maternity clothes, what a sweetie! She really is a friend I feel blessed to have :) We didn't get home until late (I'm talking like 12:30am) from their house! I was soooo tired! We watched 2 movies, The Bucket List (too funny) & P.S. I Love You (too sad!).


I forgot my camera and didn't get any pictures of our cute boys in action :(



Saturday we got up and had to head down to Greenville, Ky (about 2 and 1/2 hours away) to go to a wedding. Ryan's friend Dale from school got married. His new wife is the sweetest person! I really like her and we're so happy for them! It made for another late night though! I know Ryan was excited to see friends that he doesn't get to see too often b/c they are all spread out! Once again I forgot my stinkin camera!





Yesterday we went to Indianapolis to view the new Colt's Stadium! It was fun & really neat to see it! We got to go down on the field and into their locker room. Brycen loved it! We didn't get home until late, and today I'm wore out from such a busy weekend! I felt really good all day Sat. and Sun. though so that was such a blessing, especially w/ all that traveling we had to do in the car!


***sorry the pictures are first~ dumb blogger! :)

belly picture

so i haven't done so hot on posting these belly pictures... this one is a couple weeks old... i think it was at 7 wks and 5 or 6 days... we missed week 8 altogether and need to get on it for week 9! lol.. haven't felt much like having my picture taken though (why my head is cut off in this one is b/c i look TERRIBLE!) lol. anyway- this doesn't even do the pooch justice but thought i would post it (here ya go court!).

normal and prayers

Yesterday when I got home from work I felt almost "normal". I did laundry... I cooked supper... I cleaned up supper dishes... I did more laundry... I went outside and watched Brycen play on his swing set and with his doggies... I gave Brycen a bath... I did even more laundry... And then I fell onto the couch and was totally exhausted and started feeling terribly nauseated. But you know what, I'm thankful for those 5 hours that I felt good enough to bless my family w/ "mommy chores". I used to take all of these things I did for granted, but yesterday I actually felt blessed being able to do them! Maybe I sound crazy in this post, lol, but that's just how terrible I have been feeling.

Please be praying for Ryan and our family if you get a few extra seconds... Right now Ryan works for his dad at his dad's cabinet shop. He absolutly loves his job. His dad was going to sell him the cabinet shop this year... those plans have fallen through which has made Ryan pretty sad. He has been called for an interview for a job that would better our family (i.e. insurance and retirement is offered which he isn't getting either now). Right now we have our insurance through my job, which is fine, I work for the county and we have amazing insurance (thankfully so!) and we are saving on our own for his retirement. It would be such a blessing to be offered those two things through a job. Ryan has an interview on August 28th. I know he is excited and he also admitted to me yesterday that he is nervous... My husband doesn't get nervous... so please pray for him if you can! I'm so proud of the man that he is and I love him so much! Part of me doesn't want him to leave his job now b/c I know he loves it and I'm worried he might not love a new job as much... and I want him to be happy! I know God will put him in the right place, I'm trusting that. Your prayers would be much appreciated :)

weekend

Friday after work Ryan and I took Brycen and went to eat at Mason's! I love that place... Ryan & I used to go there like 3 or 4 nights a week when we were dating :)! It brings back such sweet memories. Ryan thinks I'm a sap! Brycen loves getting to eat in the car. Friday since the weather was so pretty though we sat outside at one of the tables. It was so nice out! Then we took B putt-putting. It was kind of a last minute decision, we hadn't really planned on it, but it was just so nice outside we couldn't resist. He was super excited!

This is the only picture I could take b/c my batteries died!

Anyway- after putt-putt we went to WalMart to get our stuff and Brycen got to pick out his backpack for pre-school! He was so excited. He picked Spiderman... I tried to get him to pick something else, like camo (b/c he loves camo!) but he is on a Spiderman kick... I guess the older boys talk about him at daycare... So anyway- Friday was a fun little family evening for us. I actually felt pretty good too, so that made it even better!

Saturday morning we slept in which was such a treat! We were playing outside later that morning and the church next door was having the VBS. It's a really tiny church and most of the kids there were grandkids of people that go there. One of the older ladies saw us outside and came and asked B if he wanted to join them. He did! He was so excited. lol. Soo he went to another VBS for the day. I walked over to check on him once and he got mad and wanted me to GO HOME! He made a bunch of cute crafts and he was really excited about "the church by my house" as he called it. Other than that we didn't do much at all on Saturday. I went to town and got us fish sandwiches for supper! We just hung out at home that evening.

Yesterday was church and then it was so nice outside that I sat outside and read and Brycen played in the dirt for about 2 hours! He was filfthy and had to be cleaned up before he could even take a nap! We all took Sunday afternoon naps~ so relaxing! Then we went to my parents for supper last night. We stayed there until almost 10 watching the olympics (gymnastics of course!). I was wore out when we got home and couldn't wait to crawl in bed! I enjoyed our relaxing weekend even more b/c this one coming up is going to be really busy.

VBS and other stuff...

Brycen attended VBS at a church in Petersburg last night (not our church). Some friends who have older kids who adore Brycen wanted him to go with them. He was all about it! He changed his clothes and hopped in their vehicle and was ready to go... Okay, I have to admit- this made me a little sad! I mean he could be a little bit sad to leave Mommy right? Anyway~ hearing his stories when he got home was just hilarious. He told me they had "dirty fish" for supper and when I asked him what the Bible story was about he said, "Mommy, It was about Jesus and I can't tell you the rest b/c our teacher said it's a secret!" Seriously! Where does he come up w/ this stuff. He wants to go back tonight... It's from 6-8:30pm. I hate him being gone evenings when I'm gone from him all day, but seriously, how can I tell him he can't go?! I'm glad he wants to... but I miss him! Yesterday was my day off so I didn't mind as much...

So on Monday and Tuesday my nausea was pretty much gone... I had a few "waves" of it, but nothing like it had been. It made me nervous that something might be wrong, but I was also glad to be feeling better... but yesterday it was back, full force. And today, it's still here. Boo! I feel terrible, I'm sure poor Ryan wants to know where his wife has gone... I can't stand the smell of food so I really can't cook too much. I'm so thankful for him being so understanding. I was really starting to get down and out about how messy our house was. I was drowning in laundry... I would get up and try to do it all, but I just couldn't w/out running to the bathroom to stand and gag. I hate the gag reflex! Mine is in full working order too! Anyway- my grandma (i don't think she even knew how upset I was about having a messy house b/c i hadn't talked to her for a few days) decided on Tuesday to go to my house while I was at work and clean and do all the laundry. How awesome is that? My grandma is about the sweetest person you could ever meet. She loves to clean and do stuff, especially when it makes people happy... and believe me she had one happy girl on her hands when I got home Tuesday! I was able to relax and not feel terrible about the house and the laundry piling up! We are so blessed to have her!

Corn & Fishing at Grammy Knepp's

Grammy Knepp, Phil (Ryan's dad), and Ryan, putting ice water on the corn after we cooked it. Ryan was being silly b/c he caught me taking the picture!



Marilyn (Ryan's mom) bagging up corn that we had just cut off the cob.

**I didn't get too many pictures of the corn process, b/c it keeps you too busy and your hands too sticky!! :)


Jayce, Hailey, and Brycen pretending to fish off the bridge at Grammy's


Hailey and Brycen fishing at Grammy's pond


These two love each other sooo much!



Roscoe the pet racoon taking a dip in the pond


My sissy Sonya and I... I know this picture is blurry but you can see the baby pooch pretty well so I thought I'd post it anyway- plus I love my sissy! I know we look terrible and she might kill me if she sees this but we'd been putting away corn for five hours, so we're not at our best :)

My Birthday Cake that my in laws got me :) just a couple weeks late :)



My brother in law, being silly... lol



Me w/ my birthday cake :) It was YUMMY!


Hailey and Brycen putting my candles on for me!


Hailey, Brycen, and Jayce singing Happy Birthday :)

We didn't have a very eventful weekend this wk/end. I was kind of glad for the rest! Friday evening we did absolutly nothing, just stayed at home! That was nice for a change! Saturday morning we got up bright and early and went to put corn away at Ryan's Grandma Knepp's house. I actually passed out that morning while we were cleaning corn... I had only had a pop tart for breakfast, I'm sure that's what the problem was! I ate a sandwich after I passed out and felt okay afterwards. I passed out quite a few times w/ Brycen, my blood sugar was always low and my blood pressure too... Anyway- that made for an eventful day and then everyone bugged me all day about how I felt! lol. It's nice to be so loved! haha. Anyway- we got all of our corn put away, it was a long day, but it will be worth it this winter when we get that yummy corn out! :) Yesterday we had church and then my birthday lunch at the in laws. My mother in law always fixes us whatever we want for lunch. I picked meat balls (it's meat loaf, except made into round balls) and taco salad! She fixed other stuff, but those were my two picks :) After that we went home and B and I took a nap while Ryan watched the Nascar race. We went swimming for a couple hours after we got up from our naps. Brycen loved that! Then some friends and their little baby girl Lilyan came over for pizza for supper. They stayed until after 10! I was exhausted, but it was a nice visit! I wasn't quite ready for Monday morning to be here this morning when the alarm went off!

Yesterday

So I hope yesterday's blog didn't come across as rude... I in no way meant for it to. I was having a very emotional day... and I was letting my "feelings" rule my day more than anything else, which isn't something I should of done. If you would like to read a great devotional on feelings please check out http://turnbowpuzzle.blogspot.com/ (Lori's) and her post called "Emotions". It's sort of long, but when I got online this morning to check out the blogs I regularly read I felt like she had written that entry just for me! It's something I'm sure we all struggle w/ at some point.