Our trek to Springfield

I'm baaa-aaack!!! You missed me? I missed you too! ;) I wanted to get on here the end of last week, and seems like everytime I thought about it, I was busy, or a kid needed me or something always came up. Anyways, then I left on Friday morning, with a group of 8 ladies from my church and we went to an MPact Leadership Conference in Springfield. Had a service there Fri night, and hung out with the girlies, and was in different classes from 9-3 on Saturday, then, after stopping by Lamberts (for a 3 hour dinner) we headed back home. My weekend in a nutshell :) Posted lots of pics on my facebook page, and since I think most of you are "friends" with me on there, I will only post a couple pics here, and you can check out my FB page to see them all. :)

Julieta, Melissa and Me-- Prims teachers :)

The gang....stopping by Osceola Cheese on the way to Springfield :)

Brandi and Melissa....on the way to the service Fri night

Eating at Lamberts on the way back home. We were all sooo tired. can you tell?

So that was my weekend. :) How was yours?

Be prepared for a long read

It has just been a crazy last few days. Let me rewind and pick up where I left off.....

*Thursday (3/12): Our very very good friends from St Louis came to visit us, and arrived at our home around 8:30pm or so. Charles Partney was my youth pastor, in Raytown, back in the day, and him and his wife Janece are now pastoring a small church about 30 miles from St Louis. I'm pretty sure I've talked about them on here before. Very good friends of the family, and Jer and I had went to visit them last October. Anyways, them and their 3 kids arrived at our home on Thurs evening, for a vacation. Much needed- for them and for us! We were up until at least midnight visiting with them and just catching up.

*Friday (3/13): Us and the Partney's went and had a blast at Paradise Park for most of the day.

The girls, at PP, in the Art Room, making their masterpieces

Jer and I had to leave PP in the early afternoon, to go home and change and get ready for Grandma's visitation that evening. The Partney's stayed there and the kids got to play longer, they had a blast.

*Saturday (3/14): Charles and Janece were gracious enough to watch our kids for us, while Jer and I attended Grandma's funeral. The funeral was at 10am, and our Pastor did a very good job. It was a very sweet, time of remembrance and there were many tears. Jer, along with his cousins, was a pallbearer. Afterward, we went back to our church for a dinner for the family provided by our church.

We got to see our company for only an hour or so, and they were heading to a friends wedding reception, and Jer and I were heading back to church, him for choir practice, and me to watch choir kids in the nursery. It was just a crazy, emotional day!

*Sunday (3/15): The Partney's went to church with us today. (usually when they are in town, they go to their 'old' church in Raytown, where he use to youth pastor. We had talked them in to going to church with us this time). After church, we had lunch plans with Monica and Jeremy, at their house, for all of us. And some other friends came by to, to see Charles and the fam. Sunday night, we were back at church for our a special choir concert, by students at North Central University. And our ET choir joined them for their last song. It was incredible. As Charles put it, he got a taste of what heaven will be like! They were all amazing, and such talented people.

Josiah and Lilly at Monica's house. They are good buddies.

*Monday (3/16): We had to do some kind of a field trip while they were here, so we headed out to Union Station and visited Science City. The time was short that we were there, it seemed like, as there is so much to do and see, but it was all tons of fun, nonetheless. The kids all had a blast.

Shiloh, inside Union Station

Josiah and Lilly in the police helicopter exhibit in Science City

That evening, we went to my parents house, who had invited us all over for dinner. They miss the Partney's since they have moved, and mom and dad have always been an adopted "grandma and grandpa" to the kids, since neither of their grandparents have ever lived close. My parents use to babysit them a lot when they lived in town. So we had a wonderful dinner and time of fellowship with them. Even some DQ ice cream cake to celebrate my parents birthdays! :)

All the kids (minus Josiah), bottom is Shiloh and Jonathan, behind them is Lilly and Isaiah, then Matthew in the yellow shirt, and Caleb at the very top.

Mom and Dad and their birthday cake

Jer, me, Janece and Charles

*Tuesday (3/17): Happy Birthday, Dad!!!!! Today is my dad's birthday! Well.....sort of....maybe. Um, that's a whole 'nother post! Anyways, we will celebrate his birthday today at least! :)

Our company left today, around 4:30. They stuck around as long as they could, and Jer and I almost talked them in to staying until Wednesday, but Janece had to work Wed morning, so they had to head back today. We were sad to see them leave (and their kids- who were WONDERFUL babysitters, by the way!!!! lol), but hope that it won't be as long before we see them next time.

In the meantime, we are getting our house back in order, and preparing to get "back to routine", since the last week of so has been a little different.

Jer goes back to work, but the kids and I are still on spring break until next Monday.......hm, what to do....what to do.....

Update

Wanted to update you all while I had the chance, and have the house to myself. A very rare occasion. Lil is at school, and Jer took Isaiah to the dr. No, he's not sick. Just a general 3 year check up.

Family is all doing well. I must admit, the last week has been an emotional roller coaster in our family, as we have all spent time by Grandma's side. I smile though, knowing that she is in NO MORE pain, and is dancing and having a grand time in Heaven. She has finally received the ultimate healing. She will be missed here by many. I will never forget her big smile she gives you, and the way she asks how you are doing, and really means it, not just 'making conversation', and that special little *wink* she gives you, that only Grandma can do. She is a precious, sweet lady, and has blessed many lives, mine included.

Her visitation is Friday night, at Langsford in LS from 6-8pm, and the funeral is Sat at 10am.

We are still having our company coming in tonight. Some friends of ours from St Louis is coming in tonight and staying until Tuesday. We had this planned with them long before we even thought we'd be planning Grandma's funeral at the same time. We have told them what's been going on, and they have been very understanding with us doing what we need to do. We are looking forward to spending time with them this weekend, and catching up and just relaxing. :)

In the meantime, I've got to finish getting my house in order. So I'm signing off. Thanks for all your prayers!

busy few days

It feel like I've been so scatter-brained lately. Can you tell by my blogs? Their just kind of random, out of thin air, blubberings. My kids are exhausting me. Ha, at least that's my excuse.....that's my story, and I'm stickin' to it!

So we put up our Christmas tree last Friday night. We have a 9 foot tree, and have the lights strung through each branch, and keep the lights on it all year, packed away like that. So it takes us usually a good 3 hours at least to put up our tree--- not including decorations. So Friday night was spent putting UP the tree, with a Pizza Hut break in between. Then Saturday morning we decorated the tree, and put up our 2nd tree in the dining room. The kids LOVED helping decorate it.

Saturday, we went to my nephew Jonathan's, 4th birthday party. (who celebrates his actual birthday tomorrow, I might add!) The kids were pshyched all day and ready to go play with their cousins. The pinata is always fun at bday parties, and this was no exception. I thought this picture was a classic.........I actually caught a photo of it being broken. I didn't even realize it until going through my pictures just now.

Matthew was sure to inform us that HE was the one who broke it, because he's bigger and stronger than the other 'little kids'. lol

Before I go, wanted to share with you a frustrating moment for me today. Just what you wanted I'm sure. ;)

Whenever I leave the kids by themselves for any length of time, I'm taking a risk. (especially Isaiah). I was doing a few things upstairs, and came downstairs to this today.

Isaiah had helped himself to our tree in the dining room, and taken off several ornaments and scattered them around.....

....notice the bottom half of the tree is rather bare?

And then he proceeded to play ball with a few ornaments, and tossed them in to the entry way. Here is some "shrapnel" left over.

*sigh*

Enough about my woes, I had a great bible study this morning, which I thoroughly enjoyed, and definately needed. I had an MPact meeting tonight, which was fun, even to go to a meeting, just getting away is nice. My bro-in-law watched my kids, since Jer was working late. He worked late tonight, to compensate for taking off a half day tomorrow. The nicest day this week, so he is taking off early and going to put up our Christmas lights outside. :D I love this season.

Yes yes, I know, it's not even Thanskgiving yet. And no, Christmas did not "kill" Thanksgiving this year. I have no Thanksgiving decorations, so I put up my Christmas stuff early, so that we can enjoy them longer. I absolutely LOVE Thanksgiving (probably as much {or even more} than Christmas), so we are NOT skipping Thanksgiving this year. Just in case you were concerned or wondering. :)

A last shout out, to my adorable nephew Jonathan, who as I mentioned before, will be celebrating his 4th birthday tomorrow. Happy Birthday, "Cha Cha"!!!! Love you!!

Friday is FINALLY here!

After a horrible last couple of days, I'm finally getting some down time today. ah. I think I really worried my mom and my sister with my last post- the rant and raving one. My wonderful sister has graciously offered to watch my kids, last night after our bible study, and all day today, and tonight, while I attend an MPact sleepover.

Yesterday was another not-so-good day over here. It was mostly Isaiah. I don't know what I'm going to do with that child. He is in this hitting, throwing, screaming phase. I do the whole counting thing, spanking, bare bottom spanking, time outs, send him to his room.......what else can I do???

My sister in law is sick with some kind of stomache virus, so I watched Braden yesterday too. Which was fun- he's no problem. (Until Isaiah comes along and starts trouble.....)

Anywho.....I finally got some adult time last night, when I went to my "Organic God" bible study. I bid the kids farewell afterwards and sent them on with my sis and bro in law. (Valerie, I owe you guys BIG TIME!) I ran by Target after church and picked up a few things before coming home. Today, I am relaxing, enjoying the quiet, enjoying some computer time, before I go get lost in my latest book. This afternoon I will be going up to the church to help decorate for our MPact sleepover tonight.

It's been a long, stressfull week. And I'm glad to see it end. Just being honest. I am looking forward to the weekend, when Jer will be home, and I will get some kid-free moments. Although it will be busy, as we have something planned for Sat AM, afternoon and evening, and Sun AM and a mtng in the afternoon. If we keep busy, maybe it will at least keep us out of trouble. Lol. Hm......maybe I should use that tactic for Isaiah too???

Random Ramblings

Yes, it has been a few days since I've been here last. Well, life happens, and I haven't had much time to blog. Weekends are always crazy over here. But now it is exactly 12:00- midnight, on Sunday night, and as everyone else in my home sleeps, I can finally get on here to visit with you! It was a fun, but busy weekend. Went to a wedding on Saturday, and mom and dad watched the kids. (um, yea, if we had to take the kids to a wedding, we might as well have stayed home! So, thanks for watching them, mom and dad!) Afterwards, Jer and I went to eat at my fave italian place- Zio's. We had a gift card to there that we hadn't used yet. So we only had to pay like $5 of the bill -- even better. =)



Church was really good today. Our pastor and youth pastor co-preached- which was a lot of fun, and we got to hear from/see some of the youth participating in service more today. We like to mix things up a little. Other than church, today was a day of rest and relaxation at home. We all napped today- which was wonderful. (which is also probably why I'm still up at midnight- haha)



Ok, so I've made the decision that I can't let what other people say/do to me dictate my mood and whether I have a good day or a bad day. Yes, some of you are probably like, 'why does she do that anyways?' Well, I do. or used to. I'll try not to from here on out. With God's help- I will overcome! I know who I am, and my thoughts, morals, intentions ...yada....yada....yada. Yes, I have become more laid back since meeting and marrying Jer. He is the most easy-going, laid back person you would meet. And some of that has rubbed off on me. Unfortunately, some of my old sensitive, moody self tends to seep back in. Not that being sensitive is bad, mind you. There's just got to be a good balance. Moving on.....



We have one more full day until my little girl gets on the bus to her first day of preschool! We are ready......backpack, supplies and all......I'll let you know how it turns out! We were talking to Lilly about it tonight, about her first day, and getting to play at school, and reminding her of her teacher that we met last week, and Isaiah said, 'I want to go too'! We told him it was just for Lilly, and he would get to stay home and play with mommy. He got this really bummed out look on his face. ha! Poor thing.....we'll have to do something fun this week. Just me and my bubba.

I'm off to get some zzz's....the kiddos will be awake again before I know it......

Hugs~ ShEiLa