Why I know I am not in my 20's anymore

Last night I was running errands in Kokomo. To all of you that know me, I had my "to do" list all written out-the stops I had to make and what I needed to remember to pick up. My fabulous father-in-law agreed to have the kids stay with him, which means I could go faster than I normally do!!! If I am in Walmart, you might think there was a fire somewhere or someone chasing me. I do NOT walk slowly thru the aisles. I have a purpose and that purpose is to get out of Walmart!!! I went to Menards first, they had River Rock on sale. Chad is not one for shopping so Menards/Lowes etc. are my stores more than they are his. Therefore, I am accustomed to carrying and lifting things that I buy. As I was picking up the 4 bags of rock I was beginning to sweat and pondering "just how much do these bags weigh!?!?!" Anyway the bags were in the cart and I felt like I had accomplished my feat when the cart started going toward the outdoor drain! At this point, I was useless. My cart fell over, actually fell over HARD! My Vera purse(which was unzipped) went with the cart and the contents fell out everywhere. As much as I was hating that, this spill meant I had to pick up the 4 bags of rock AGAIN!!! After looking around to see if anyone was laughing at me, I started again. I was sweating by this point, which I really don't like!!! Anyway to get to the point of "I am not in my 20's anymore", my back was hurting before I even got the bags of rock into the car! I was popping some pain killer as I was leaving the Menards parking lot! Then I went about my errands which included a race thru Walmart! I believe the combination of the pain killers and our hot tub helped but I really don't enjoy the feeling of getting older! Next time I might actually need to ask for some help!!!

Indy Air Show August 2008

Deanna and I took our kids to the Indy Air Show on Sunday. It was very fun and very HOT! The kids had a blast! Clay is really into planes, so it was neat to experience the Air Show with him. We watched paratroopers, a crazy(!?!?!) lady flying on the wing of a 1940's plane, the new Air Force Raptor breaking the sound barrier, etc. We had a great time!

4-Wheeler Rides with Papa Miller

My kids and my neice LOVE riding the 4-wheeler when we are in Rushville. My Mom used to be the one giving the rides but my dad has continued the tradition. I am not sure who has more fun my Dad or the kids! One of these days my nephew (3 yrs old) will want to take a ride, but for the time being he is content watching everyone else!

Our New Toy, The Hot Tub

Of course with getting something new, you feel like a kid in a candy store. Here are some pics last night from our 1st dip in the hot tub. The kids couldn't have been happier and I have to admit it was really nice! Sandi came over to have the experience as well!!

Hot Tub, Anyone????

We got our hot tub delivered yesterday-a much anticipated day for Chad and the kids. We thought we had completed the necessary electrical work but we hadn't. So along with our Handy Dandy Randy we made a last minute Menards run. Everything is hooked up and after the chemicals get delivered today we will be set. Let's get started hot tubbing!!!

Chasing Boys

This is how a conversation with my daughter Britt went after the 1st day of school:

Susie: So, what did you play at recess?

Britt: I chased boys (very matter-of-factly!?!)

Susie: What?

Britt: I chased boys.

Susie: Did they want to be chased? (grabbing straws at this point!)

Britt: Yes, Mommy. Tomorrow they are going to chase the girls. (then, just as matter-of-fact she walked away!)

I know that I played tag every day of elementary school or that is what my memory tells me, but when Brittany comes home telling that she chases the boys my heart skipped a beat. At this point she doesn't know what kissing tag is but I am sure we are not very far from that!!!!

Football 2008

I took this picture last Friday night after the fball scrimmage game. The kids love that their Dad helps coach the high school team. My boys love their football!

Brittany the Tomato Farmer

Every year Brittany wants to plant tomato plants. We usually plant grape tomatoes but this year we decided to grow regular sized tomatoes. The tomato plants have gotten HUGE! Britt picked her 1st tomato last Sunday. They say that if you talk to plants they grow better. Britt not only talks to her plants when she waters them every night she has named several of the tomatoes. Her 1st tomato was Rosy! Too cute. She is growing up so fast that I love her innocence!

Chad and Clay's Barber

Living in a small town we still have some old fashioned habits. For example Chad and Clay go to a barber in town. His name is Dan Sommers (or as we townfolk call him Dan the Man) and he has had some heart problems the last couple of years. Chad used to come home from Purdue to get his hair cut by Dan so when the day comes that the barber shop closes Chad will be very sad. Clay has now adopted Dan as his barber as well. Dan puts "smell good" (as Clay puts it!) on their hair when the hair cut is complete. I honestly think the smell good STINKS, but I don't think anyone asked me! Here is a pic from last Friday.

1st Day of School August 2008

Clay started Kindergarten on 8.12.08. He was SOOO excited. Britt started 2nd grade. With Clay not having any attachment issues it went very smoothly. He loves going to school and being big like Brittany. Cutting the apron strings went a little easier than I thought. It was much easier to go on to work knowing that your children are where they feel comfortable. Here are some pics from the big 1st day. The last picture is Clay blowing me a kiss. The teachers had the kids line up and blow kisses to their Moms and Dads and say "Good Bye". I know it was their way of getting the parents to walk away but seriously, I could have walked him to the classroom!!! Maybe the apron strings were still a little attached!!! HA!

Dinner with the Mann's

Ben and Maggie had us over for dinner on Sunday 8.10.08. They are newly married (see the earlier post from their wedding!) and now are new parents of the cutest puppy! Isabella is very sweet! Here are some pics of the puppy. Thanks to the Mann family for a fun night!

Manilla Fire Dept.'s Fish Fry 2008

My dad is the chief of the Manilla Fire Dept. Every year they have a fish fry. This year they had a pedal tractor pull for the kids and had Air Vac land. The kids were allowed to get in and check it out. Clay was in heaven. I think my dad enjoyed watching the kids in the tractor pull. We had perfect weather-sunny but not really hot. I got to see some friends from high school. Nate Norris brought his son and then his wife Erin came. They have 3 little boys and have a 4th baby on the way. It was nice to catch up with them. I also saw Jerry Gulley and his daughter was in the pedal pull as well. It was nice to run into some people that I don't see very often! We had a nice day.

Breakfast with Stacey

On Saturday 8.9.08 Deanna, her kids, my kids and I met Stacey and her kids (6 kids total!) for breakfast at Chik Fil A (am I spelling that right???). We had fun and the kids played on the indoor playground. Olivia did not want her picture taken but she did let Britt take one of her. In the group pic you can see the stripes of Olivia's dress behind Stacey. Too funny! It is good that Clay is bigger than Logan (for right now anyway!) so we can tell which one is which in the pictures. They really resemble each other. The women got a chance to catch up. Great to see you Stac, 2 weeks in a row. Now, let's plan that Purdue football game!

Week with Madi (my beautiful niece) August 2008

Madi came home with us after Pam's wedding on Sunday (8/3/08) and stayed until Friday of the next week. She did great! Here are some pics from that week. They played on the monkey bars and the playground equipment at the elementary school.



Brittany had soccer practice on Thursday night. Caleb Newhouse is on her team and we took him home after practice. The girls had me turn up Hannah Montana super loud and they serenated poor Caleb! He was such a good sport, he just sat there and smiled!

Madi can spend a week with us anytime! We had a good time!!!!

Prayer Request

I am attending a funeral viewing today for a high school friend's baby. Tobi Lynn Coon was born March 4th, 2008 and passed away tragically August 9th, 2008 in an accident. Please lift the Coon family up in your prayers. Aaron and Kelli Jo Coon are the parents. On what will be one of the worst days of their lives any and all prayers will be appreciated.

Thanks,
Susie

We're Going to the Chapel and We're Going to Get Married

Pam(my baby sister) & Jay were married on 8.2.08. The wedding was so much fun and very much a family affair. Here are a few pics from the wedding. I am sure I will post more later but here is a start. Clay LOVED his tux, so much so that he wanted to take it home with us! From the moment he put it on he held his shoulders broader. He looked good and he knew it! I love the pic of Jay and Pam walking to the limo. I printed that pic in sepia (!?!!?) and it is a great pic and I love that the bubbles showed up! Brittany was gorgeous in her flower girl dress. This is the 3rd wedding for her and she looks so grown up. This wedding the nerves were gone and she enjoyed herself more! The bridesmaids traveled from several states for the special day, the green dresses made everyone's tan stand out. Clay and my nephew Brayden were ring men-too cute! The kids were so happy to be included in Aunt Pam's day. Then, the last pic was of the sisters. I was crying when she walked down the aisle the same way I did with Deanna. Sisterhood is definitely a kinship like no other. Chad and I are done having kids but I only have 1 regret with that decision and that is that Britt will not have a sister!!! More pics of the bride and groom to follow!