I am home.....and still alive!!!

Well.....I made it home in one piece from PA!!! It was a very tiring but profitable trip. My sister and I left on Thursday evening for Columbus OH for the CHEO (Christian Home Educators Ohio) Convention. I guess it finally hit home...... after I unloaded a little ton of money.... that we are doing what we said we would never do.....HOME SCHOOL!!!!! I bought all the needed materials and learned a lot of tips from the convention. It was a huge encouragement to me, and I found out that homeschoolers do not necessarily look like my mind pictured them to look!!!!! NORMAL people home school...all for various reasons. We won't actually be teaching....because we will be using a CD curriculum....but it is still a HUGE responsibility!!!! However, we know it is the right thing to do for this year, and we will let time tell for the future. Some...actually many.... have set us up to fail, but when we know God is leading we know it will not.

Dave stayed with Dad and Nancy with the kids.....he helped dad cut some trees and do a little yard work. He has his own "war" stories to tell!!!!! Old people are just too funny!!!!! Teresa and I came home on Saturday, then we left for home on Sunday night!!!!! The pictures are of us at dads having fun together.
Needless to say we are tired, but wanting to give the kids a time of vacation. We went to the zoo again on Monday then plan to camp and go to Holiday World the rest of this week. I start my new job on Monday!!!! WOW, lots to do in a small amount of time!!!

Life Expectancy Decreased

Well.......believe it or not I am actually on my way to PA, and my broadband card is actually working!!!!!! I have just been fired from the drivers set.....my husband declares that I just took several years off his life. I was attempting to pass a semi on the right rather then the left, and got stuck between two. He told me I could fit between the two. I said I didn't think I could, but then decided to try.........to make long story short I almost got smashed. The semi driver I am sure shouted some choice words because he slammed on his brakes and laid on the horn. I put the pedal to the metal and lived to tell the story!!!!!! Thus......the firing!!!! I usually am not "permitted" to drive.....however, I am POSITIVE my driving days are over now!!! So.....now I am happily blogging....oblivious to all.....

Leaving for a much needed vacation!!!!

I am going to PA for about a week to see my family. I will probably not be able to access my computer. So..........ta ta for now!!

The Perfect Cookie!!!

I am not really a cookie fan....however I do love to bake and on occasion like to eat a good cookie. I have for many years wished I had my moms' recipe for her Cowboy Cookies. I have made many a recipe with high hopes, only to once again be disappointed with the taste. But today I think I have found it. I was looking on line and found a recipe, did a little "tweaking" and the result is superb!!!! I only wished that I had some raisins because hers always did, and that would have made these perfect!!!!!! But even san raisins these taste really good. We are going to Dad's tomorrow.....I will tote some along and let him do the taste test!!!!!

Rain!!!

YAAAAAA, It has rained today!!!!!! It has been so dry this year and our garden has been crying for rain. We do water it each day, but it is just not the same as a soaking rain. After it stopped I went out and checked on the plants, I thought they looked so happy and green!!! :) I even saw a few baby tomatoes and my little chili pepper is getting bigger!!! Thank you God for the rain!!!

Libby's Play Day!!

Libby had a friend over today to play. I thought they might do "girlie" things like play house, tea party or such....but no, not even close. They have been outside the whole day getting dirty, riding the four wheeler and playing in the rain!!!! They have had a blast. It has been fun for Libby, because usually it is the boys who get to have company and she never does. Alayna cracks me up she keeps calling Anna "the guest". :*) They have had a fun day!!

Zoo Day

Today I took three kids (minus Austin, he is in PA) to the Indy Zoo. Kristi and her three kids went along. We had a wonderful day. We get season passes and always have a great time there. Today the animals were in rare form and they were all putting on a show. Even the rhino's were moving around. Alayna really liked the shark petting and lost count of how many she got to touch. I was just glad she kept all ten fingers!!! I must admit at first they made me a little nervous there. They also got to touch the elephant and all commented on his horrible smell. I enjoy watching the baboons, and could have spent the day there!!! Mr. Tortoise was also moving around....slowly, Jordan said, "mom he even chews slow!!" :*) However, he made a great photo!!. We took the group photo at the end of the day and we all look spent....but it really was a great day. We came home a tired but happy bunch!!!

Happy Fathers Day!!!

Happy Fathers Day to the men in my life!!!! My Dad probably won't see this...but he means the world to me. Even though we have our differences I know I can always count on him to support me in all I do. He is proud of me and lets me know it. I have always been and always will be "Daddy's little girl". The other man in my life is my husband. Dave is a great husband and great father. He loves his kids and I, and works hard to make us all happy. The kids adore him and enjoy spending time with him, even if it is just rolling on the floor and using him as a punching bag. He works very hard every day, yet still has time for me to pour out my heart when he would rather be sleeping. He stands up for his kids when the world is against them and lets them know he believes in them no matter what others may say. He is the spiritual leader in our home, and he loves Jesus with all is heart, for that I respect him. He is a great dad!!

Relaxation to the Max!!

I went to the dining room today and this is the sight that greeted me!! I have never seen a cat sleep like this but Chester does frequently. Usually when I walk in he jumps up as if guility, but this time he just kept sleeping.

Now I know Angie will see no merit to this photo....but those of you who like animals will enjoy it!! :^)

Summer Fun!

The kids are enjoying summer!!! My dad had given the kids money to help buy a four wheeler and this is what they got!!!! They have gone non-stop on the bike, sometimes making my hair turn more grey then it already is!! Dave has been gardening, he has done it all this year....planting, weeding and watering. The potatoes he planted look real good and so do the tomatoes. My small contribution was the addition of this hot pepper plant. I have a small one already. I want to make some salsa when the tomatoes are ready. I wish summer could go on forever!!

My Last Night Shift!!!!!

Tonight is my last night full time at Witham Hospital. I will have two weeks off, then I will start at St. Vincent as Quality Nurse Manager. I have mixed feelings about this change, and have been sort of feeling sad about leaving OB/LD. The staff at Witham has been great and I have made lots of friends in the short time that I have been there. I also really enjoy patient care and being allowed to share in such a special time with my patients. The down side to all that is that I have been working nights from 6pm-6am three nights a week, usually Monday through Wednesday. I feel like I sleep all the time, yet never feel rested. My body must be getting old, and I just can't do it anymore.
When Frankfort called me and offered me this new opportunity I felt like it was a true miracle, I hadn't even called them about a job and totally unexpected they called me with a position that I could have only dreamed about. My new hours will be "normal" day shift hours, with no weekends or holidays and the extra pay is a nice too!!!! :) I am sure that I will have many more responsibilities and stresses as manager, but with that will come a lot of new education and good experience for the resume`.
Anyway.....I shouldn't be feeling sad, but I have been anyway because of the mixed feelings about leaving Witham. Dave must have noticed that I needed a "pick-me-up", because when I got home at 6:30 this morning the was cleaning the house, even mopping the floors!!! Nothing is better then knowing your house is clean.......and you didn't have to do it!!! He really is a great guy. He probably does not read my blog.....so he probably won't see this....but if he does THANK YOU!!, the clean house made my day!!!

Libby

I just realized that Libby is the only one that does not have a picture on my blog yet. I thought I would add one from when we went to the Children's Museum. She is getting big and is a great help to me!!

Camping this weekend

We went camping this weekend. We take our camper to a local park and leave it for the summer. This year we have a great campsite that is really private and in the woods. There is something about a campfire that can really bring down the stress level (must get that from Aunt Marjorie!!:) These pics are from a couple weekends ago when we went.....can't find this weeks....the fire looks pretty pathetic..however it was beautiful!!!

An Early Morning Wake UP

This is what I woke up to!! Alayna loves to make me breakfast in bed, however she doesn't always know what is appropriate breakfast food. She saw this idea in a kids cookbook and did it all on her own and brought it in for me to eat for breakfast. It is made out of two stale pieces of bread with a slice of cheese, pickles, catsup and mustard and day old french fries!!!!! What a mom won't do for love of a beautiful little gal!!! She was so proud of her creation , I just thought it would be a fun to share.

My first blog post, and a little about us.

I am taking the plunge. I am going to try my hand at the blog thing. I will try to keep you all posted on the crazy days at our house.....actually some of them are quite boring.... but others make up for it.

Now for a little about us, for those of you how don't know. I have been wife to one good guy for almost 16 years and mom to four lively kids ages 13, 11, 9 and 6, two girls and two boys. I am a seasoned (15 years!!) OB/LD nurse, and just recently accepted the Quality Nurse Manager position at St. Vincent Frankfort. I plan to go back to school this fall for my Masters studies. My husband owns his own business as a Certified Paint Bull Technician. He works mainly out of Indy/Carmel. We live in the country and love every part of country living. I love all animals, (Dave does not!) and we have three dogs and a beautiful cat.

When I figure out the picture thing I will post some of us and our crazy animals.