Monday Let Down!

The weekend is over! Friday night I went to the Irish Heritage Clubs LADIES reverse raffle! It was great to see my Miss Jayne, the RN, live and in person. She is brilliant, I tell you. This girl set her mind to something...a nursing degree...and she just went ahead and did it!! I know she will have a great career as a nurse but she was also one heck of a pre-school teacher!! Her darling English mum was there also and it is always a pleasure to spend time with Babs!! But I must say...Ruthie Stoll takes the prize!! It was a hoot to sit next to her and hear some more of the continuing story of Ruthie ... the girl from the hood! Cannot believe Joe is in High School...since it was yesterday, when he was just in my Sunshine 3 year olds class at Best Beginnings. Where does the time go?? I wonder if Eddie, the knight in shinning armor, called the teachers at St Eds and said..."This is Edward Stoll...go hard on that boy!!" . Poor little Joe sat on time out at school one day and I got the call...thinking oh no...this one doesn't think his precious boy deserved a time out...BUT no...what a surprise!!! I was told maybe my timeouts need to be longer!!! I love this little family-they just crack me up!! I had a blast...I did not win the raffle but I did win a basket and a trip down memory lane... Thanks Ladies!!



On to Saturday and Beckie's Big Bash... we worked our tails off to prepare and we were blessed with a beautiful sunny day!! Beckie made some funds towards her marathon goal but we were disappointed that more friends did not make to the fundraiser! Those of you who attended...THANK YOU! We had prizes to give away and many fun games and activities for adults and children!! Of course the children were my responsibility and I had a grand time entertaining them!! We painted pumpkins, did word searches, and had a scavenger hunt!!

Molly Carolyn worked so hard to get that paint on the pumpkin!! It was a fun, fun, day!!

Then...just when you thought my post was OVER...Sunday arrives! After going back to the BIG BASH site for some cleanup, Dave and I had a quiet day at home...relaxing!! Bridget and Cyle brought Cayden over at 6- so they could go to dinner alone together for their anniversary---***One Year*** Congrats to them...and Congrats to Dave and I ... today we marked 29 years of wedded Bliss...oh happy day

Miss Marlene...you know-- Mr. Bill's Mom!

Marlene, Patty and Janice...so very cute!
Marlene...aka...GG!!





Miss Marlene longs for GRANITE and a GRANDCHILD! Is that so much to ask for?? All in good time, Marlene. Patience, after all, is a virtue! Jake will be here before you know it! : )

Beckie's Big Bash!

We are getting ready for Beckie's Big Bash on Saturday Oct. 11!! We have been busy getting our gift baskets ready for the chinese auction. I am really hoping to see my friends there to help with the fundraising!! It is a great cause and Beckie is really working hard training for the marathon not to mention going to work, school, and online classes! How she keeps it all up is beyond me. I can't remember what I am doing tomorrow or the day after that, yet she does it all and takes care of her girls as well! We all know she has lots of help there from Donny, Me, Aunt Doodie, and YaYa. Ryan's story really inspires her to do this and we all want to support and encourage her along! Keep her in your prayers...come out to the BASH, and have some great fun! Email Beckie at MrsWalton312@yahoo.com for more info on Beckie's Big Bash!!

Its easy to see why I love them so...

I love every little thing about them!! From the "I'm sorry" from Sarah after being told 3 times to stop something to the wee little "yes" from Molly when you ask her any question! I love Sarah saying...Mem...you are my best, best friend. I love Molly saying thank you, peese and lub you. I love the kisses from Molly with sound effects! The hugs and snuggles from Sarah. I love when Sarah says please put on MY music. Molly looking everywhere for her luv-luv and running to it when she finds it, so happy to be reunited, and her thumb going right to her mouth. I love the pigtails, braids and every other kind of party we can get in their hair! The tiny shoes, the dress up shoes...just the bare little feet. My little grand daughters...Did I mention I love them???

Where does the time go...

Wow...this summer has been filled with weddings!! This weekend we head to VanWert to see Jackie and Mark get married. Last weekend it was Sarah Wang and Katie Coyne's wedding days. I remember thinking at the beginning of the summer that we had 8, yes folks, I said 8 weddings! Let's see...Kevin, Tim, Becky, Jason, Nathan, Sarah, Katie, and Jackie! Crazy but really a lot of fun! Its always good to be with friends, old and new at weddings. It is so nice to watch the young couples who are so in love ready to start the journey of marriage. Bridget and Cyle will be married a year on Oct. 13th. That time as flown by...nothing like the news of a pregnancy and a birth to make things fly! Dave and I will be celebrating our 29th year of marriage. I could say that has flown by too...four kids, one cat, one dog, two grand daughters, one grand son later!! I am wondering if anyone knows what the anniversary gift is for 29 years. I always thought those things were reserved for the mile stone years...you know, 1st, 25th, 50th, etc. But I learned this past weekend that there is something for every year. Things like silver, & gold for the big ones and some more simple things like rubber!!! WHAT?? I found out that every year has something to go along with it. Have I been missing out on a lot of good gifts? Not too sure...Can't wait to see what October 13th brings me!! Have a great weekend!

Busy Weekend!!

Wow, what a great weekend!! First on Friday, Bridget, Cayden, Sarah, Molly and I went to Beckie's classroom for a visit!! It was so fun to see Mrs Walton in action with her little class of third graders! They were equally as excited to see Mrs. Walton's mom, sister, nephew and her little girls!! We played some games and just had a really nice time in room 108!!



We stayed for lunch and had a picnic in Beckie's class while her students were at lunch!! So Fun!






On Saturday, September 27, 2008 Sarah Wang married Peter Lazard. The ceremony and reception took place in Deb and Jim's beautiful backyard. What a fairytale wedding it was!! The sun started to peek out from the clouds abut 15 minutes before the start of the ceremony. Sarah and Pete planned a very special service. Jim and Debbie should be so proud of the day they gave to this sweet couple.






The bride wore a vintage dress and her mothers veil. I did ask the bride if she thought about the woman who wore the dress before, if she somehow felt her presence. Sarah said she didn't but was going to take some time to think and wonder on that exact thought. How did she feel? Was she as happy as this little bride on this day in 2008? Did her father beam like Jim did as he proudly walked his baby daughter over the rose petal covered grass towards her future husband? Were there as many family members and friends to witness that bride's joy on her wedding day? I hope that bride of the past did feel as beautiful and loved as Sarah did on her special day.





And to that brides BEAUTIFUL MOTHER, I say this...what a lucky girl Sarah is to have such a loving and caring mom. Debbie has the gift to turn the simplest things into things of beauty. From the table settings to the flowers, from the smile of a welcome to the hug of a goodbye, this woman does it all while showing everyone how much she loves them! Debbie Wang gives so much of herself to others and she does it willingly, lovingly and completely. I love her. I know I am thankful for her and I hope others realize the gift she is to all of us. Thanks Debbie, Thanks Jim, Thanks Sarah and Peter...It was a fabulous day!

A visit to Amish Country!

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Amish...There is something so calming about these people. Life just seems to move at a different pace for them...I could not last for more than one day out in the country!! We went to gift shop after gift shop, made some purchases and ATE some purchases! (Click on pictures to enlarge--then back arrow)




Carole drove like a champ, she took shortcuts she never took before and helped us hit all the best shops! Roxi was co-pilot anchor woman...not a role she is known to be good at...BUT she did a fabulous job finding street signs along the way!! Marlene worried endlessly about the "poor little horses...how sad, how lonely, how pathetic to be tied up, how they couldn't see with the blinders on their eyes, how they couldn't sit down"...WHAT??? Oh Mar...we love you but Focus...really Focus!!



Oh but my favorite part...the Alpaca farm we stopped at on the way home!! Aren't they just adorable?? You can purchase one of these sweet babies...well 2 since they only sell in pairs for a mere $30,000!!! How marvelous! They were very interested in my camera... I think he is thinking...What are you looking ???

One side note...Amish country was not for Dave...best to leave him home next time! Thanks friends for asking us to go...I had a great time!

Little Cayden is growing so fast. He smiles big for his Mommy and Daddy, he coos for them, trying to tell them something so important. He is just adorable. Sarah and Molly love it when he comes over to play at Meme's with them. We all just want to hold him all day long!! Just edible!! I am off to Amish Country tomorrow so Aunt Dodie will be babysitting here with all the kids!! Have a great Wednesday!!

Tegan...

Some days I just miss that boy of mine. This picture was taken the morning he left for Grand Junction. I cannot believe it has been nearly 9 months since then. Tegan is loving being out west. He loves the four-wheeling, biking, hiking, and snowboarding. I worried constantly the first few months. I felt so much better after driving the uhaul out to Colorado and seeing for myself where he lived and worked, even though it seemed so final, taking all his "stuff" to him! Tegan was settled and happy. Now I am enjoying seeing...at least hearing...all the changes my son is going through. I know, he knows, we are here for him no matter what and we are just a phone call away if he needs us. Tegan has always been one to march to his own drum beat and he has sure found a good rhythm in Colorado! I can't wait to visit again and meet his girlfriend Kelley. Kelley seems like a really good match for Tegan and they have been having a great time being together!! Cheers to Tegan!!

What a Beautiful Day!

It's Saturday morning and the sun is shining! Who could ask for anything more? Today Nate and Amber get married and I am sure they are counting this beautiful day as one of their blessings! Nate works for Dave and is just the sweetest guy ever! I am excited to be part of their happy day!

Yesterday, Sarah and Molly had their first day at the new babysitters house. Joyce will be watching Molly on Tuesdays so that I can do Music In Motion at school. Sarah and Molly will both go Fridays just to give Sarah a chance to get to know Joyce since she will be our backup when I have to travel or whatnot! She is very nice and I am sure the girls will grow to love her.

Cayden had his checkup at Dr Ballocks and things are GREAT!! Still in his brace for 2 months at 23 hours a day...then possibly just at night! Townsend Cayden doesn't mind them a bit now that his heel cords have healed. He is just the sweetest guy too!!

Beckie is very busy planning a fundraiser for October 11. It will be a carnival like theme with games and prizes!! Tickets will be sold for each game!! Thank you to all my friends who have already donated to her run. Beckie is so busy training but I know she will be ready because she is so dedicated that way. When she sets her mind to something--that girl gets it done!!http://pages.teamintraining.org/noh/pfchangs09/bwalton Check it out!!

Have a beautiful day everyone!!!