Went apple picking today at Lynd's Apple Farm with the homeschool group. A delicious apple pie is in the oven as I am writing this.....making the whole house smell good.
We're in Texas, y'all!
8 years ago
Monday, September 21, 2009
Friday, September 18, 2009
Brutsells
This is the name we have given when our 2 families combine....we are "the Brutsells"!
Zach spent a week in Arkansas with them and then they headed this way and spent a week with us here. During the big kids wrote, directed and edited a movie, being sure to include all younger siblings. There were a few tears and hurt feelings, but the movie prevailed! The kids played video games, rode bikes, went to our subdivision park, jumped on the tramp, played in the playhouse and camper. We even had a great kick-ball game that Kevin got involved in.
The Finzers and the Becks joined us at different times throughout the week and the total of kids here on Kellerman would be 15! We went through lots of food, good laughs and lots of fun memories.
Now it's time to get serious about school and get lives back to a schedule (sorta). Zach is getting up @ 7am and taking Kylo for a jog (although the dog is NOT liking it), showering, doing his chores and getting started on his school day. The girls are also getting into a routine for their school day. Rachel is able to finish up right around lunch and Jord is finishing up around 2pm or so, depending on how distracted she gets with R & A.
Enjoy the pictures!
Enjoy the pictures!
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Finally
Finally, here is a blog update. Summer has been busier than expected and fall is lining up to be busy as well. How do we get involved in so many things? The business that had slowed down, but has now picked back up, the church, where we serving in lots of ways, the homeschool group, in which I serve as a Leadership Team member and a list of house chores that had to be finished before company arrived Monday.
Most of you may know of our neighbors (who moved in 2005 to Arkansas) here on Kellerman Ct. that remain dear friends of ours....the Hutsells. Back on the 27th of August Keith Hutsell flew into town to pick up a 15 passenger van. We went to dinner with him (Skyline of course) and had joked about sending Zach home with him for the week since they had already made plans to come to Cincy and Columbus over the Labor Day holiday. Well, our thoughts turned serious after speaking with Melissa and agreeing that an opportunity like this may never come up again. So, we packed Zach up and he left Friday morning with Mr. Hutsell and headed to Arkansas to spend the week with his best friends ever.....that was a long week for us. We missed him around here ALOT! He helps me do so many things around the house and helps with the girls when we go places and he helps me load and unload the car (like on homeschool group days or grocery trips). We missed his singing and carrying on about the latest Tim Hawkins video and even his silliness and teasing with the girls. Jord and Rach took turns sleeping in his bed and Jord cried everytime she spoke with him on the phone. The Hutsells headed back this way on Friday the 4th and we headed to Cincinnati to meet them. We stopped in Jeffersonville for an inspection and the outlet malls (found some great deals) then on to our hotel. They arrived around 11pm and we had our boy back. The Hutsells went on to visit family in Cincy for the weekend and we headed home on Sat. We spent the weekend sprucing up the yard and house getting ready for the Hutsells to descend up on us Monday evening. They are spending the week with us and we are enjoying every loud and crazy minute of it.
I've spent the past 3 weeks or so going thru every room in the house....taking everything out, rearranging and getting rid of lots and lots of "STUFF" I am happy to say that every nook and cranny of this house has been cleaned! Now we can settle down and start school.....after the Hutsells leave of course. I don't think I have ever started this late. Although we did go into the 3rd week of June before we stopped for the summer.
Most of you may know of our neighbors (who moved in 2005 to Arkansas) here on Kellerman Ct. that remain dear friends of ours....the Hutsells. Back on the 27th of August Keith Hutsell flew into town to pick up a 15 passenger van. We went to dinner with him (Skyline of course) and had joked about sending Zach home with him for the week since they had already made plans to come to Cincy and Columbus over the Labor Day holiday. Well, our thoughts turned serious after speaking with Melissa and agreeing that an opportunity like this may never come up again. So, we packed Zach up and he left Friday morning with Mr. Hutsell and headed to Arkansas to spend the week with his best friends ever.....that was a long week for us. We missed him around here ALOT! He helps me do so many things around the house and helps with the girls when we go places and he helps me load and unload the car (like on homeschool group days or grocery trips). We missed his singing and carrying on about the latest Tim Hawkins video and even his silliness and teasing with the girls. Jord and Rach took turns sleeping in his bed and Jord cried everytime she spoke with him on the phone. The Hutsells headed back this way on Friday the 4th and we headed to Cincinnati to meet them. We stopped in Jeffersonville for an inspection and the outlet malls (found some great deals) then on to our hotel. They arrived around 11pm and we had our boy back. The Hutsells went on to visit family in Cincy for the weekend and we headed home on Sat. We spent the weekend sprucing up the yard and house getting ready for the Hutsells to descend up on us Monday evening. They are spending the week with us and we are enjoying every loud and crazy minute of it.
I've spent the past 3 weeks or so going thru every room in the house....taking everything out, rearranging and getting rid of lots and lots of "STUFF" I am happy to say that every nook and cranny of this house has been cleaned! Now we can settle down and start school.....after the Hutsells leave of course. I don't think I have ever started this late. Although we did go into the 3rd week of June before we stopped for the summer.
Other updates:
- Rachel lost her first tooth.....it was very dramatic!
- We still haven't bought a new vehicle....still saving up the cash!
- Homeschool group has started:
- Z - World Missions & Journalism/Writing
- J - Spanish & American History
- R - Choir & Earth Science
- A- 2's & 3's class: butterflies, astronauts, post office and lots of crafts and games
- This year we are doing 7th grade, 4th grade, 1st grade and some Pre-K.
The fall holds lots of activities, fun and work. So glad to be serving Him while serving this family, my church and homeschool group. May the Lord just grant a little more "down time" in the next coming months and bless us as we start school.
Oh and Happy Birthday to my dad......Love you dad!
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Jesus' Blood Tastes Good
Rachy has her first loose tooth and she does NOT want it to fall out....she is scared that it will hurt and she does NOT want to taste blood in her mouth (Jordy told her that this would happen). It has been loose for several weeks now and she is getting really nervous about it falling out. At lunch today we were talking about it and she says, "What does blood taste like....I don't want to taste it." The kids all answered something about it tasting "salty" or "not too bad", and she says' "Well, Jesus' blood tastes good!" We laughed and laughed....then she got embarrassed and she wouldn't tell us why she thought that.....we can only imagine that she got this idea from the yummy Communion juice at church!
I can't believe it's been almost a month since I have blogged, but Summer has been busy.......here are some updates:
I can't believe it's been almost a month since I have blogged, but Summer has been busy.......here are some updates:
- Went to Indiana for the 4th of July
- My mom came home with us for the week.....went to zoo, shopping, movies....
- Went to King's Island with my mom and dad -MET DORA!
- Went camping in Delaware, Ohio (took boat, but rained and rained....never got on the water)
- Went camping at Tar Hollow with homeschool group
- VBS at church
Now that August is here it's time to concentrate on getting back to school.....I always start by cleaning out the house....not sure why, but closets, basement, garage....all those places have to be cleaned out....rooms rearranged.....I guess I don't do Spring cleaning....I do Back to School cleaning.
Hope you're having a great summer!
Monday, July 13, 2009
Happy Birthday Jordy-jo!
Today Jordan is 9 years old. She is a bundle of energy around here, always coming up with a new song, dance, game or competition. Most of the time, she is great with the girls (they have their moments) and she plays well with Zach (big kid stuff). She has a great spot in this family line-up. God has blessed her with great talents and a huge heart of compassion. Always thinking of others and ways that she can bless anyone who may be less fortunate. She also has a very competitive side that likes to win and succeed....her size or age has never mattered when it comes to finding someone who will "race" her. Many days you can find her in the backyard, on the trampoline or swings, singing her heart out to the Lord in a song that she's making up as she goes. She's bold.....making sure that she asks family and friends if they know Jesus and if not, well....she tells them all they need to know........there is alot to Jordy, and we love it all!
I was due around the 20th of July, but my doctor believed that Jordy was already a good 8 lbs on a visit that I had, I believe on/around the 9th of July. Remembering back to Zach's delivery, she suggested a scheduled induction on the 13th. I joyfully agreed, thinking, this is going to be so easy compared to Zach. I had expectations of this happening so quick, but it was so NOT quick! I was at the hospital early, 6am, I think. Signed in and in a room by 7am, IV's in and drugs entering my system by 7:45.....anytime now....labor would start. Time and hours passed and .......nothing.......no contractions.......nothing. More drugs....sit on a big huge bouncy ball.....water breaks.....and now contractions are coming......very painful (intensified by the heavy amount of pitocin).....need epidural......very painful, but no drugs in the epidural because it might slow down the very intense pitocin induced labor that is finally happening.....did I say that the contractions were painful......finally get to the pushing part and I am screaming for something in the epidural.....which I get and now I can't feel my legs or anything from the waist down.....have no idea when to push, gets crazy confusing and I'm shaking all over, then I see this baby with tons of dark, black hair. They put her in my arms, but I am shaking so bad that I can hardly hold on to her.....Kevin takes her and holds her until they take her to the nursery. Come to find out that the hospital had so many deliveries that day that I (and others) had to share a room and they were running so slow in the nursery. Hours passed and I couldn't stand it anymore. I made Kevin go and get her....."Don't come back without her and come back SOON!" I did not get enough time to hold her earlier. He came back with her and I kept her with me all night. I loved all of her hair (Zach was bald until he was about 1). She was precious....and alot more pain than I thought she would be, but it was all worth it.......born at 8:52pm, 8.5 lbs. and beautiful!
Love you Jordy Taylor and I can't wait to see all that the Good Lord has planned for your life!
Video of Jordy singing @ my moms & dads church.
I was due around the 20th of July, but my doctor believed that Jordy was already a good 8 lbs on a visit that I had, I believe on/around the 9th of July. Remembering back to Zach's delivery, she suggested a scheduled induction on the 13th. I joyfully agreed, thinking, this is going to be so easy compared to Zach. I had expectations of this happening so quick, but it was so NOT quick! I was at the hospital early, 6am, I think. Signed in and in a room by 7am, IV's in and drugs entering my system by 7:45.....anytime now....labor would start. Time and hours passed and .......nothing.......no contractions.......nothing. More drugs....sit on a big huge bouncy ball.....water breaks.....and now contractions are coming......very painful (intensified by the heavy amount of pitocin).....need epidural......very painful, but no drugs in the epidural because it might slow down the very intense pitocin induced labor that is finally happening.....did I say that the contractions were painful......finally get to the pushing part and I am screaming for something in the epidural.....which I get and now I can't feel my legs or anything from the waist down.....have no idea when to push, gets crazy confusing and I'm shaking all over, then I see this baby with tons of dark, black hair. They put her in my arms, but I am shaking so bad that I can hardly hold on to her.....Kevin takes her and holds her until they take her to the nursery. Come to find out that the hospital had so many deliveries that day that I (and others) had to share a room and they were running so slow in the nursery. Hours passed and I couldn't stand it anymore. I made Kevin go and get her....."Don't come back without her and come back SOON!" I did not get enough time to hold her earlier. He came back with her and I kept her with me all night. I loved all of her hair (Zach was bald until he was about 1). She was precious....and alot more pain than I thought she would be, but it was all worth it.......born at 8:52pm, 8.5 lbs. and beautiful!
Love you Jordy Taylor and I can't wait to see all that the Good Lord has planned for your life!
Video of Jordy singing @ my moms & dads church.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Happy Birthday Big Z (formerly Zachy-pooh-bear)
Today is Zach's 12th Birthday! Hard to believe that I have a 12 year old. He is just as tall as I am and his feet are bigger than mine now. I shop for him in the Men's department now. He is susch a good strong help here around the house all day, always helping me do "projects" around the house when I ask. He's a great big brother and even babysitter sometimes. He helps with MWAS office work and any computer/technical "stuff" that needs done, that I don't know how to do. He is great at memorizing scripture, has a heart for God and loves TobyMac! I couldn't ask for a better Big - little guy!
Remembering back 12 years ago today.....the story actually starts a few days earlier when on July 4th I was sure I was in labor. My mom was with Kevin and I in our little condo awaiting this baby's arrival (she had already been there a few days because he was due and now I was about a week late, so surely any day, right?) We logged the minutes and grew discouraged when they started becoming farther and farther apart.....oh well! A few days went by and another doctor's appt on the 7th......anytime now she says........headed to bed that night around midnight and when I pottied I noticed a glop of gross stuff in the toilet, immediately followed by a very sharp pain that took my breath away......and we were back downstairs, mom with her notebook and Kevin with a pillow, laying on the floor. This was it, this was labor, progressively getting more painful and closer together at the same time....yeah and oh no at the same time!
By 6am....we were 3 minutes apart and headed to the hospital. I was screaming in pain by the time they placed me in a room, with a "fairly" new nurse who couldn't get an IV in me....after multiple tries and me now crying and screaming the head nurse comes in, gets the IV in right away and before you know it, I'm sleeping (a very big dose of Nubain - thank you). After a few hours of rest and relaxing, an epidural that I don't even remember getting, we were ready to get this all going again, my water was broken and I'm beginning to feel the contractions coming again. All is going well, his head is out, but......we can't seem to get the rest of him out, what's the problem? His shoulders are broad and STUCK! Options....C-section or "tear me apart" getting him out! Well, I did NOT have a C-section! Thanks Big Guy! Very painful, lots of screaming, Kevin almost fainted and a nurses were holding my legs and laying across my stomach helping to get this stuck baby out! Ok, have to stop, the memories are making me cringe! He was 9 lbs 7 ounces and the biggest baby in the nursery!
He was such a sweet baby who loved to laugh and giggle, he slept well, ate well and had a little bit of a temper. He walked early, talked early and has been talking ever since. Some family members say that he reminds them of Kevin when he was little, always talking, telling jokes, making up stories and teasing his sisters. (Kevin has one sister and she remembers well). I wish I knew with Zach what I knew by the time I had Abby, his infancy would have been different, but you always have to start somewhere and God knew that he would be a good one for Kevin and I to learn with and grow with, now we are charting new territory with him.....so pray for him, pray for us....that he will become the man that God wants Him to be, that He will follow the plan that God has for his life.
Love you Big Z! Happy Birthday!
Remembering back 12 years ago today.....the story actually starts a few days earlier when on July 4th I was sure I was in labor. My mom was with Kevin and I in our little condo awaiting this baby's arrival (she had already been there a few days because he was due and now I was about a week late, so surely any day, right?) We logged the minutes and grew discouraged when they started becoming farther and farther apart.....oh well! A few days went by and another doctor's appt on the 7th......anytime now she says........headed to bed that night around midnight and when I pottied I noticed a glop of gross stuff in the toilet, immediately followed by a very sharp pain that took my breath away......and we were back downstairs, mom with her notebook and Kevin with a pillow, laying on the floor. This was it, this was labor, progressively getting more painful and closer together at the same time....yeah and oh no at the same time!
By 6am....we were 3 minutes apart and headed to the hospital. I was screaming in pain by the time they placed me in a room, with a "fairly" new nurse who couldn't get an IV in me....after multiple tries and me now crying and screaming the head nurse comes in, gets the IV in right away and before you know it, I'm sleeping (a very big dose of Nubain - thank you). After a few hours of rest and relaxing, an epidural that I don't even remember getting, we were ready to get this all going again, my water was broken and I'm beginning to feel the contractions coming again. All is going well, his head is out, but......we can't seem to get the rest of him out, what's the problem? His shoulders are broad and STUCK! Options....C-section or "tear me apart" getting him out! Well, I did NOT have a C-section! Thanks Big Guy! Very painful, lots of screaming, Kevin almost fainted and a nurses were holding my legs and laying across my stomach helping to get this stuck baby out! Ok, have to stop, the memories are making me cringe! He was 9 lbs 7 ounces and the biggest baby in the nursery!
He was such a sweet baby who loved to laugh and giggle, he slept well, ate well and had a little bit of a temper. He walked early, talked early and has been talking ever since. Some family members say that he reminds them of Kevin when he was little, always talking, telling jokes, making up stories and teasing his sisters. (Kevin has one sister and she remembers well). I wish I knew with Zach what I knew by the time I had Abby, his infancy would have been different, but you always have to start somewhere and God knew that he would be a good one for Kevin and I to learn with and grow with, now we are charting new territory with him.....so pray for him, pray for us....that he will become the man that God wants Him to be, that He will follow the plan that God has for his life.
Love you Big Z! Happy Birthday!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Happy Birthday Rachy-lou!
Today Rach is 6.....we were telling her last night of the busy day we had right before I went into labor with her. It was a Sunday, we had been to church, Zach's baseball game, Wyandot Lake (a waterpark)....didn't get home until sometime after 8pm, tucked kids in bed, was heading to bed myself around 10pm and then they started....I knew I did NOT want to do this tonight. I was too tired and she wasn't due for another week or so. No bags were packed no arrangements made for the other kids, my mom wasn't coming over until the next week.....not tonight! I tried to relax, took some Tylenol, hoping the contractions would subside.....but they intensified and out of bed I came....Kev started packing bags, I started making phone calls and we headed for the hospital around 11:30pm. They held off breaking my water until my mom arrived (4 hr drive from Kokomo), so she was born around 6am. I just remember how tired I was .......but happy that she was here, healthy in my arms!
She is a very giggly girl...a bit whiny too, but we can deal with that. She loves Dora still (that's kind of a secret), but enjoys being with the family, she always likes us all together. She loves to clean....windex, fold laundry, sweep and the Green Machine is her favorite to use. I love to hear her read, laugh and sing. She loves God, the church and having friends over is always on her mind!
She is here waiting for me to finish this blog, so we can go get a donut from Tim Porton's to start her day....she's having a couple friends over for lunch and we have planned to go to Zafoli's (that's Fazoli's)for dinner.....we love the breadsticks!!!
Happy Birthday Rachy-lou-bear! I love you!
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