Shots, Shiner, Slides and Swings

I know it's a weird title but it fits with all the stuff going on right now.

Ty finally got his 1 year shots, Benj's med. insurance just kicked in!! WOOOHOOO Tyler is finally insured. For those of you who don't know, no insurance company would insure him because he was on acid reflux medicine that didn't have a generic. You gotta love the insurance companies! So we have been paying for everything out of pocket with Ty for about 6 months, and it is very expensive, but thankfully he is now fully covered!

I thought it would get easier to get him shots but it doesn't, he was running around happy and laughing and then he got his shots and that all changed! The nurse said that it was the saddest cry that she had ever heard, I agreed. He has a very sad cry, not loud just sad. The ran out of the chicken pox vaccine so we get to go back next week for one more shot! He is doing great though.

Today Ty tripped and fell right our tredmill in our room. He hit the edge of his eye. So now he has a great big shiner, it's hard to tell from the pictures but it is swollen and bruised. He is having a hard week! Poor little guy.

We have a park at our apartments that is small, just for little kids. Everything is little and close to the ground and Ty loves it. He can do everything on his own, with me right by him. He LOVES it, he isn't afraid of anything. He can say Mama, Dada, hi, and ba(ball). When he says hi, he waves his hands, and he says hi to everyone!

Our house is getting closer and closer to being done. The walls are painted and the wood floor is in! It looks great, we are excited to see the cabinets and see how everything looks together. It should be done around the middle of June!! They have great walking trails and we have gone on them a few times.

I have started to run again and it feels great! I do about 4 miles a day about 5-6 days a week. I love it, we are doing the 5-k in two weeks. Also we just got the Wii fit, and it's really a lot of fun. We are both trying to be more active and healthy and it just makes life so much better. My goal is to lose 20 or more pounds by the end of Summer, I hope I can do it!

News from the South

OK-first off-I am really concerned about my Dad seeing men in black suits.....maybe someone needs to check on them :)
Next Tuesday will be the big day for Chris and Sara (unless Skyler decides not to wait!) they will be inducing her on the 5th. Evidently the doctor has as little patience as they do and is not waiting until after the due date. I know they are more than ready, although a bit nervous too. Chris's mom is coming up from Texas to spend a couple weeks helping them out which I know will be much appreciated. And I plan on going over as much as possible as well. We have one of our executives out having a baby this month also so I was unable to take a vacation at this point so I am really glad she is coming!
I have gotten all unpacked at our new apartment. Actually managed to make everything fit for the most part. I just need to stay organized to keep the closets from exploding! I was a little worried about I-40 being just outside the door, but for the most part I don't even notice it (too much). Our new address is 8322 Vardon Lane Apt 104 Cordova, TN 38016-yes it is the same street!!
David will be coming home this Thursday evening. He seemed to be doing very well when I saw him last week. I am working hard to make arrangements for care for him while I am at work. There is a new Alzheimer's center that just opened about 20 minutes from here that I am hoping to use for daytime hours and working on finding someone local to sit with him in the evenings when I work. Also his sister and niece have volunteered to help out and Jessie and Rocky will come down every other month on my weekends to close. That will help save quite a bit also.
Keep us in your prayers please (I know you do already and I appreciate it more than you know).
I promise that I am also watching out for myself and taking care of myself!
I also have started my new position at work as the Personnel/Operations Manager (same job that I did in Jonesboro). So far I have spent two days shredding and organizing-and that is just the stuff on top of the desks!! Still have boxes and boxes piled underneath!! I am really excited to be back at this job though-it is what I truly love to do!!
So-new job, new apartment, new grandbaby soon, major developments at home-not too much going on in my world-what about yours? :)
Love you all!!! And thank you so much for all you do!!!!

Thursday, April 16, 3:30 p.m. I'm out on t6he driveway working on flowers. Huge explosion out to the East (sonic boom?) followed by an aircraft (?) flying overhead. Cloudy, can't see anything. Not going fast enough to produce sonic boom. Engine sounds not a jet or prop or helicopter. Sounds like huge rumbling, low pitched roar. Like a rocket on idle. Keeps going west. I stand there looking up like Wil Smith in Independance day. See nothing, no large spacecraft, nothin. It travels west for a couple of minutes, then turns south. Still hear it loud and clear. Turns soyh for another minute or so, then back east. Finally fades away while due south, maybe turned south again or went BACK.
No kidding, people, Sherry and others at school heard it, too. They did,nt see anything either even though it had to be low. All of this is true to the best of my memory. What follows is a little hazy.
Right afterwards I saw the4s two guys walking up the drive. They had on black suits and wore shiny sunglasses. One of them said, "Look this way Mr. Midget." I said, I can't look that way, I don't have a black suit and shiny sunglasses." I guess he did'nt think it was funny and told me to look at him. Then he took this pen looking thingee out of his pocket and took my picture

Grandpa says

Life at 2924

Life goes on at 2924 Bluff Ridge Dr. Most days are the same old, same old. House across the
street has sold - now only one left for sale. They"re asking quite a lot so it may be there for awhile.
Today is Call Day at Concordia Seminary. There were 14 from our church going down to see who our new Associate Pastor is and to meet him. About half of that number is from the Bible class I attend every Wednesday a.m. Would have loved going as I have in the past but decided this was not the time for me - they won't get home until 11 - 11:30 tonight. The van still had one seat left!
Next Wednesday Dr. Holt (a lady Plastic Surgeon) is going to remove a melanoma from my forehead. Asked Vicar Tim to move the prayer for my foot to my head! That brought some laughter - it's a fun class and I thoroughly enjoy learning so much about the Bible and having laughs too, as we compare our thoughts. I am not kidding when I say we can spend the whole hour on one verse! The ages are so varied from the young to the elderly - Freida can no longer make it as she is now in a nursing home - but she made it through her 100th. birthday and her great-niece gives a report on her each week. Then there's Whitney with her 2-yr. old when she isn't working and then all ages in between! It's a great class.
Sherry's school kids sang Sunday at early service. They did a really good job and so did Dale playing the piano for them. It's amazing how even the youngest ones know all the words and music - she does a good job with them.
Last night I went over to our neighbor's so he could show off how great a Cardinal's game looks on a large TV. One problem - they were blacked out here last which you never know until game time. Beautiful day today. Really windy yesterday but still sunny and warm. Supposed to get really warm this weekend. Trees have been blooming prolificly but the wind blew off most of the remaining ones on the tree in our backyard (Bradford Pear). Lots of Red Bud trees in bloom nowalong with Tulip and now Dogwoods are starting. Dad getting anxious to get some seeds goin;g in his flower pots and containers - has some pansies doing beautifully in one pot and some not so good in another. Bought some more seeds at K-Mart Monday (the Martha Stewart brand seems to really do well here) and one container will be planted with a mixture of edible greens.
That's life here at 2924. Hope everyone else is busy and remember everyone in your prayers with Susan , David and Sara at the top. Love to all - Mom and Dad, Grandma and Grandpa or whatever title fits!

Cartoon Character, Pictures, Etc.

Been a long time since I posted, but thought I'd give it a try tonight.
First things first--Leslie's question about a cartoon character--this is easy since I actually took on the role of one of them during my college years!!! Who do you ask: why Lucy, of course and my little brother played the part of Charlie Brown...how fitting. We actually "starred" in several performances!!!! Had no trouble learning the part for some reason.

Regarding the new tables--looking at the dining room table is like looking at Dell and Herbie's table and chairs. We had many a good meal at that table and played lots and lots of games. Hope your table "experiences" match up to theirs!

Like the new wine table--can't wait to see them for myself. I guess we need to wander east and see what's up.

Count down for the last school has begun---31 total days--25 school days--20 teaching days. It's been a looooooong teaching year....I have very energetic students who require a lot of "hands on" attention from their teacher. I have to admit I'm looking forward to the summer.

The calendar is starting to fill up, May is pretty well full. We leave for Milwaukee on Saturday May 2nd to attend my god daughter's confirmation. We'll return the following Monday. The following Friday, May 8th, the Primary Grades are presenting their spring musical. We leave after school on the 16th to attend Grace's "graduation" from Preschool 3 and then help with her fourth birthday party the following day. The weekend of the 24th is Nikki's jewelry party which is then followed by a barbecue. Looks like a lot of fun coming up!!!

We've been keeping pretty busy with our remodeling, too. Our BEAUTIFUL green room, (catch that young uns), is almost finished. I need to find the lace valance I'm searching for and add some finishing touches. It really is a "happy" green ROOM that will make you smile...of course, Nikki, Bryan, Jessica, and Rocky may have a somewhat different description of it. The gray room is nearing completion also, so those visitors to our house will have new places to spend the night. Our next projects will be the yellow play room, kitchen, and garden. Boy, do we have a lot to do!!!!!!!!!!

Hope the rest of the family is doing well. Seems like we've all been too busy to post but I do hope this changes over the summer. I know how much I enjoy reading about what you all are doing. Take care. Our love and prayers are with you.

New tables

Well this past week we purchased a new table to put our pineapple plant on, which so happens to ba a beautiful wine rack as well, so it's dual purpose. We also finally received our kitchen table and chairs we purchased back in February. Let me know what you think!?

7-7-7

Hi Mom & Dad!

Report from Iowa State Tumblimg Meet: Held lands 7th place in each- double mini, trampoline & floor. She is most proud of her floor routine. In warm up, she lost her balance on her last back handspring & fell flat on her back (softly) stared up at the ceiling and started laughing. Her coach told her before her judged pass that if she didn't do it, she'd make her do 50 back hand springs on Monday. That provided sufficient motivation for a solid two passes! We are so proud of our girl who worked hard & made awesome strides this year. She is happily looking forward to a break.

Hmmmmm

You know I can't decide between Garfield who sleeps and eats all day, with occasional forays to irritate others and Snow White who lives with seven wonderful dwarves and Prince Charming!
Who's next?????

Grandma and Grandpa are back!!!!!!!

Question of the Week

It could be "How can I engage my fellow family bloggers who read but for the most part remain deafeningly silent?"

But instead I'll ask "If you were a cartoon character, who would you be?" I would be Sally from the Peanuts. Always the little sister & semi-practical about life's issues. How about you?

Spending Money

So Easter weekend is supposed to be all about family and faith right. Mine seemed to be about family, faith and spending money. Mom woke up Saturday morning trying to figure out how to tell me she didn't like the new fregrence I was using in the house. I'm not sure what's wrong with Ode De Sewer, just kidding. Turns out my sewer was backing up. YUCK! After calling the wrong guys on Friday and then the right ones on Saturday it's finally fixed $300 later. On top of that, my car started sounding REALLY bad Thursday night. So, Dad and I went to see what the Kia dealer could do for me. Turns out he could get me into an fully loaded 08 Sorento EX 4X4 V6 for 8000 off sticker. DONE DEAL!!! Here's a pic of my new baby!


Congrats to Held's on their potential new business!

We're whooping it up in Iowa!

Could you hear it? We're through the first phase in purchasing a local business. We made an offer yesterday & they called tonight and accepted. Can't say what it is yet. Time to gather 101 documents to turn over to the bank, CPA & attorney in hopes of a SBA loan. Kudos to Eric for his hard work & (very) detailed spread sheets. Did I say detailed? The owners, the bank & their attorneys thought it demonstrated his thorough understanding of the business & his good business sense. The banker declared it a good deal for them & for us. Now keep those prayers a-coming as we move to the next phase. (Or if someone has a family farm... that's how bankers in Iowa think. Any herds of cattle? No?)

Will there be wine?

I think perhaps we will buy more if you grease the wheels a bit :) Especially Susan & Chris. Now Sherry, she just gets all silly. Whatever time works best for you.

Brady won first game 6-4 despite being 1 player short & taking automatic outs. He voted himself MVP. We then had a talk about modesty. He countered he was being HONEST.

Jewelry Party

Ok... what would work best for everyone that's able to make it Memorial weekend? I can do afternoon or evening on that Saturday the 17th. Some of you out of towners may still get an invite... just so I meet the full 30 invites they strongly suggest.

Let me know! I was thinking evening...??

Bryan's new truck

We're now the proud owners of an '03 GMC Sonoma.

Bear in Twin Cities Metro (Minnesota)

This is a photo of a black bear at the bottom of my dad's deck. This was outside is home in Blaine, MN. About 25 miles north of St. Paul/Minneapolis area.

Cool, huh???

Brrr, No more snow please

Yup, Nikki Memorial Day works for me. I'll plan on being around. Not much new around here today. Other than the snow that fell yesterday. Isn't spring suppose to be here already? Worked @ Kenz's meet over the weekend. That was lots of fun. Sat behind the judges and listened to them debated deductions. Took me most of the day saturday to figure out what the heck a Tadump was and why it was such a big deduction. It's when the feet land seperately on the tramps... Luckly, our girl didn't have any of those (at least on double mini). She finished 4th, highest yet on this level of double mini, 6th on Tramp & 7th on floor. Next up is the state meet in 2 weeks. Also, getting ready for our big vacation to Walt Disney World. My countdown clock which is on the computer, says 18 days, 19 hours and 23 minutes until the flight leaves KC. 17 days on the countdown chain @ the Held house hold. Looking foward to seeing Mom, Dad, Grandma & Grandpa over the weekend... Love you all!

As far as I know that would work for me.
Hope all is well with everyone. Tony and I are busy with work and the salons. We are putting in a tanning bed at Sugar Creek location this week. The clients have been asking for this. There is not a convenient one in the area.
Planning on seeing Julie,Eric and Monica Easter Sunday. Meeting them halfway in Columbia. Eric and Monica have started house hunting!!!
Take care and God Bless everyone!!
P.S. Where is spring?????????
Love,
Chris

Home Built Weave

Here's Bryan taking Skye over our home built jump and through the weave poles we built this weekend.

would that work for others too?

If I were to find out if I'm able to do the jewelry party on the Saturday of Memorial weekend, would a few of you be able to join?

Isn't it supposed to be Spring?

Brrrr.... Poor Brady got ready for baseball Saturday in a parka, snow pants & hat as it was SNOWING. "Just how am I supposed to pitch like this?" (I relented on the snow boots.) Luckily the camp found an indoor spot 5 minutes after they started. Then the boys stripped off all those clothes to shorts & t-shirts. We were just glad we weren't part of the polar plunge at Lake Ahquabi were his buddy's mom was that day.

Doing OK in the land of milk & honey. Swamped at work. Big decision today- are red & gold (cherry & butterscotch) dilly bars too gross to serve at our summer Red & Gold gathering? (I had to go buy some so we could taste them.) Mom & Dad, think of the dollars you invested in me to make such important decisions.

The kids are busy counting the days to Disney (24). But shh.... Laurie thinks it's 21.

Nikki- how about maybe Memorial Day????