Total Exhaustion!

Too much piano pracitce . . .

. . . and agricultural studies!

Excitement in Our Neighborhood

A little over a week ago we had a little excitement across the street from us. I was getting ready to put Shayla to bed when I heard what sounded like three gun shots. Ben was not home. (He had left the previous night for western Kentucky to attend a funeral and was on his way home.) Being the brave woman that I'd like to pretend to be, I made myself think that someone was probably just setting off fire-crackers. Minutes later the sirens, flashing lights, and hovering helicopters made me realize that it probably was not just fire-crackers. To make a long story short, after I saw other neighbors out, I got brave enough to take Shayla and go outside to see what was going on. There is a community recreation center and park across the street from us, and one of the employees was shot when leaving the building to go to his car. This type of crime is not normal for this neighborhood, and has been quite devastating to the children and young people of this community, including several who attend our church, who were close friends of the man. Since I heard the shots, and I was in the right place at the right time (or maybe the wrong place at the wrong time), I was interviewed by one of the local TV news channels. All three of us made it on the news since we all were there the following day when they were broadcasting live from the scene. As far as I know the man who was shot is still living. He has requested that no information about his condition be shared with the public. He was shot in the back, and we have heard that he is possibly paralyzed. Below is a link to the story.
http://www.10tv.com/live/content/local/stories/2008/10/17/story_rec_shooting.html

Time for an Update!!

I see it's been almost two months since my last post (how awful!) . . . obviously blogging hasn't been high on my list of priorities. I have a ton of pictures to post since lots has been happening, so I'll mainly post captions and go light on the commentary. And, since this blog tends to center around Shayla and what's happening in her life, you'll find most of the pictures have to do with her. (She's the center of our lives so I guess that explains why she's the star of the blog.)

Time with Family & Friends
We've been blessed to recently have Ben's brother and family move to our area as well as another family that has three children. We've enjoyed being closer to family and Shayla's circle of friends has increased. One evening Ben and I took all of the kids and let the parents have an evening out. We had our hands full but it was fun!

Also, in the last couple of months we've been able to get together twice with my parents and Scot, Amber, and Allison--once at my parents house and then last weekend everyone was at our house. Lots of fun--time just goes too fast when we're all together!

Vacation to Smokey Mountains, Tennesee
We were able to take a few days and vacation with Ben's parents in the Gatlinburg, TN area. We had nice weather, beautiful cabin, and a fun, relaxing time!

Miscellaneous Pics

Fun in the Water!

One hot evening a few weeks ago we decided to let Shayla experience the joy of the water hose! (Her PJ's worked great as her 'swimming apparel'.) This was a first, but I'm sure it is definitely not the last! I think the video clip and pics speak for themselves . . .

July Happenings

It's been way too long . . . Wow! . . . where do I begin?? Just want to assure you we are still alive and well. I guess this has turned into a "monthly blog" . . . so here's my post for this month. :-)
I have a ton of pictures from our activities during the month of July, so I think I'll just let them basically speak for themselves. Hope you have a few extra minutes to see what's been happening in our lives.

Fireworks!
Every year around July 4, Columbus has a "Red, White, and Boom" celebration. We've made it a yearly tradition with the church people to take the entire evening have a cook-out, play games, and visit while waiting for the fireworks to start. We had a great time again this year and Shayla really enjoyed the activities of the evening as well.

Youth Camp
The week after the 4th we took several teenagers from our church to youth camp in Stoneboro, PA. We had a great time and it was very rewarding seeing our young people find spiritual help while we were there. It was a very busy time, so therefore I did not get any pictures while we were at camp. :-( However, I did get a few on the way to and from. On the way home, we took our "city kids" through Holmes County Amish country and gave them all a horse and buggy ride, visited a pet store where they could hold any of the puppies, and took them to a cheese factory. Needless to say, we came home exhausted.

VBS
We had one week after youth camp to "breath" then the next week we had our Vacation Bible School. Ben's parents came and helped us for the week--what a blessing!! The Lord helped in the VBS, and we averaged around 40 kids each night. Again . . . another exhausting, but rewarding week!

Happy Birthday!
Another "Over the Hill" 30th birthday in our church--this time we helped Melanie Myers celebrate the big '3-0' last Wednesday night after church! Sharla Guntrum (also from our church) made the most adorable cake--a big chocolate cupcake. It was sooo cute!

Shayla
Last, but not least, here are some miscellaneous pictures of Shayla from the past month. We think she's a pretty special girl, and are so much enjoying watching her personality develop everyday. Can't believe my baby girl is already a year and a half!! Where does time go?

Corn on the Cob

Shayla experienced "corn on the cob" tonight for the first time. She thoroughly enjoyed it as you can see in the pictures. We had fun watching her, too.

Summer News

What a 'blah' title, but I'm not sure where to begin in 'catching up' with the happenings around here since the last time I posted . . . but I'll give it a try. Here are some of the things we've been doing, followed by some pictures:

--Memorial Day Weekend--
- May Teen Time with our church youth (Friday) We ordered pizza and took them to a park for the evening. It was lots of fun!
- Helped host a surprise 30th birthday party for a "young" man in our church--Josh Avery! (Saturday)
- Had Rev. & Mrs. Tom Peak, missionaries to Peru, for a deputation service (Sunday)

On Memorial Day, Ben and I took off for Pennsylvania . . . however, he went with his dad to Stoneboro Camp grounds to do some needed work on our cabin, and Shayla and I went to my parents' to spend some time with them. (By the way, time with my parents was great, but definitely not a fun separation from Ben!!) It was nice being 'home' again. I was able to see some old friends from back in that area & catch up on some 'rest and relaxation' and Shayla thoroughly enjoyed getting spoiled by Papa and Grandma!!
Then on the weekend, my brother Scot graduated from medical school! Ben didn't get to attend since he came home for services, but Shayla and I got to be a part of the momentous occasion--we are so proud of him!!
After being gone for a week, we were SO ready to be together again as a family!!! The following Friday and Saturday we attended a graduation and graduation party for Greg Payne--a boy in our church. Then last Tuesday it was off to our annual church conference at Stoneboro for a few days . . . and then home for the weekend where Ben celebrated his second "Happy Father's Day!" Thanks, Honey, for being such a wonderful Daddy to Shayla!! We both love you and think you are the best!!

May Teen Time

Happy Birthday "Uncle Josh"Fun with Papa!!All-you-can-eat ice cream when Papa's around!

(Notice the 'antique' high chair--I once sat in it!)Our cabin--before siding completeAfterCongratulations, Dr. Scot K. Muir!!!!Congratulations, Greg!Cook-out at camp the night before conference.Allison and Shayla at camp . . . checking out those toes!Sweet Baby Allison!Happy Father's Day, Daddy--I LOVE YOU!!You're the best!

Father's Day 2007