Chicago November 2008

I was able to go to Chicago for a "girls' night". The Chicago weather was very chilly! I love the city and at night the view from Kim's place is amazing! I was hoping the city lights would show up more in this pic but they didn't! At least it's a good picture of Kim and myself!!! Amanda was singing karoake with J-I-M! Just a funny private joke!

Possible Mono, Stomach Flu, Hiney Injury!!!

What a busy week for our household! I will begin with Britt and her throat. I took her to the dr on Tues for what I thought was strep throat (the 2nd time within a month!?!?!). They did a strep test and a blood test for mono. Both tests came back negative! Hooray! As a very active family it was going to be hard to keep Britt down if she had mono for 6-8 weeks and not play any organized sports when we are headed into bball season! Then, on Wed. evening Clay started complaining about his stomach hurting. All you parents have been there, you prepare for the vomit to begin and then you wait and wait. Well, needless to say we were up half the night and Clay stayed home from school on Thursday to recuperate. Kids are so speedy in their recovery time. I get sick and I tiptoe around food for the next week, Clay wants potato chips for breakfast! YUCK! While I was stripping the beds to wash everything that I could get my hands on to prevent the rest of the family from getting the flu, I fell on the stairs. Picture this, hands and feet up in the air and all my weight landed on my tailbone on the bottom step. I can admit, I am sure this was a funny sight but I seriously don't remember the last time I cried because I was in physical pain but I did yesterday! Since there is nothing a dr can do for you, I am taking Ibuprofen and I am sitting on a herbal neck wrap thing that I have. Very painful! Not sure how clean my house will be for next week's Thankgiving or if the homemade yeast rolls will get made but at least I didn't break a leg or something! Needless to say, watch out for my family this week, if you see us coming, politely walk away!! HA! But one thing to ponder, they say things come in 3 so maybe we have met our quota! Anyway, Happy Thanksgiving to everyone and travel safe!

Chad's Cousins on the Today Show Nov 2008

Chad's cousins were part of the Today Show's Ambush Makeover today.

here is the link to the video:

"Sisters get fresh new looks"
Nov. 14: Two sisters get picked from Rockefeller Plaza to get makeovers from TODAY’s beauty response team. http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/27718591#27718591

Julia & Stacy you look gorgeous-what a chance of a lifetime!!!

update on the Margarita Bouquet

Much to my dismay, 1800 Flowers contacted me later in the day and had to cancel my order. Something about the area florists couldn't fulfill the order! I was so disappointed because I LOVED the arrangement. Tina received some yellow daisy mums instead!!!

Margarita Bouquet

Pam and I sent this floral arrangement today to one of my friends. Although she is going thru some "no fun" tests this week, I wanted to bring a smile to her face and let her know we are thinking of her! I wanted to show everyone just how cute this bouquet is!?!?! We love you-Tina!!!!

Baby Kennedy Ann Miller 11.3.08

Welcome Baby Kennedy to the world! My dad, Deanna, Pam, Mary's Parents and I got the privilege to be at the hospital for the birth of Kennedy Ann. She is precious! She has very petite features with dark curly hair! Just beautiful! Baby, Mom Mary, and Dad Kenny are doing really well. CONGRATS!!!

Halloween 2008

This year we went Trick or Treating with Kenny,Mary and her family. Deanna wasn't feeling well so I took the kids and went with Morgan and her other cousins. Mary (being overdue) was ready to start walking to get labor started!?!?! The kids had a blast! As a recap-our entourage included a SpiderMan (minus the mask!), Colts Cheerleader, Witch, Police Woman, and Fire Chief. We had perfect weather and the kids enjoyed going thru Rushville.

update Grandma Christie

As most of you know by now, my Grandma passed away one week ago today on Monday 10.27.08 at 7:15 pm. My sisters, my uncle, and Carole were at Grandma's side. On Sunday night as we were leaving the hospital Grandma said she loved us-to each one of us. On Monday her vitals weren't good and she was not conscious. I am glad I was there, I couldn't and wouldn't have wanted to be anywhere else. THANK YOU to everyone for the prayers, the flowers, traveling down to the visitation, etc. I thank God for the great friends that He has blessed me with!

Grandma Christie

To start this post off, I am warning everyone, mark this as "SAD". My grandmother (my late mother's mom) is in St Vincent Hospital. She is in very grave condition. She is having trouble with 2 bowel blockages as well as having a heart attack earlier this week. She has always been a very healthy lady; up to these last few months her only daily medicine was her asthma inhaler. This grandma is the grandma that lived for our family. My immediate family has always been a priority to her. During my childhood, Mama would take her vacations during our 4-H fair weeks so she could not only see us participate in our activities but to also to take us out on the carnival rides. To my recollection, she never rode any rides but her smile and laugh was just as big as ours were!!! She is the grandma that taught me how to play cards, boardgames, etc. She is also the grandma that would not allow us to win because that didn't teach us anything! HA! She is VERY competitive and I think that is why we are still in this waiting game. Weak is not a characteristic of this lady. She is very sick and after losing my mother just 2 short years ago I can't say this is an easy battle. I do, however, have faith and I know in my heart that God is in control. If the end of October 2008, is the time to say good bye to my dear Mama then so be it. My praying is more about Mama being painfree and at peace. Mama is 78 years old and I love her, my family loves her, my uncle loves her, my Papa loves her. She is a lucky lady and I am lucky to have her in my life. Just please pray for her and the wisdom of her drs. If this isn't the right time, we are glad to keep her around to be with us-no problem! Thanks to everyone who has been praying for us! LOVE YOU ALL!

Susie

Bears vs Vikings Game October 19th, 2008

We recently won a church benefit's silent auction for Bears tickets. We not only got club level seats we also got a parking pass to one of the tailgating lots. At the same auction, Mike and Sandi bought the 2 tickets next to us, so our trip to Chicago was a family affair. We had perfect weather to not only tailgate but to watch a very close football game. We would score and then the Vikings would score, although it was frustrating I just might be able to recite "Bear Down" in my sleep!!!! Here are some pics from our day.We may not have had the biggest grill, but I feel like we had the "the little grill that could", I thought our brats tasted just as good as everyone else's!

In our house, Payton (notice P"a"yton, not to be confused with P"e"yton)was the man and will always be the man. I thought this picture was cool and it was HUGE. I am glad it came out as good as it did. Normally we are in the end zone on the opposite end from this Bears head, so it was a first for us to be right there and see the guys come out. My Hester pic didn't come out-those silly fireworks!?!?! Don't they know I was taking pics for my blog!!!!

Bears Football = Serious Stuff. Ha!!! Sandi and I walked around since Sandi hadn't been to the new stadium. This is how the guys looked when we left and when we got back! Too funny!We had a great day! Not sure I would pay for the Club privileges but it was fun for a day!

TLC to Earth Fundraiser 2008

This past Saturday I made plans with Amanda (high school friend) to go to the fundraiser for Tobi Lynn Coon. I have a past post asking for prayers for the family that lost their 5 month old daughter in an accident in August 2008. This fundraiser was HUGE! It started with a community garage sale then a live auction and a silent auction, then a hog roast dinner, then bands were playing, then a bonfire, then you could camp out and have a church service the following morning. The number of "helpers" running around were amazing. I was able to visit with Aaron, the baby's father, and he was so humble. I have no idea the amount of $ that was raised but this fundraiser was a success in many ways. Their ultimate goal is to build a eco-friendly playground which will be named Tobi Land. Although I have not lived in this community for over 10 yrs, since going to Purdue, I am very proud to say 'That's Where I Come From' (thanks for the lyrics Kenny Chesney!?!?!).

8 Things

I got tagged by Stacey and I too am going to be able to only come up with 4 things! Thanks for the tag Stac! This is fun!

4 Things that happened yesterday
1. Worked
2. Picked the kids up from school
3. Went to Texas Roadhouse for Sandi's bday
4. Missed my Mom

4 Favorite places to eat
1. McDonalds
2. Macallisters
3. Papa Johns
4. Justrite

4 TV shows I love to watch
1. Grey's Anatomy
2. the old 90210 (ugh, I know!)
3. Gilmore Girls on ABC Family Channel
4. ER

4 Things I am looking forward to:
1. Spring vacation with the family
2. the holidays with my family
3. making my Christmas cards
4. basketball season for my kids

4 Things on my wish list
1. Kenny Chesney
2. Macallisters Sweet Tea
3. More time
4. Healthy winter for my family

4 People I tag:
1. Jill
2. Alicia
3. Beth Boswell
4.Angie Lebo

have fun!

Happy 60th Birthday Sandi!

Happy Birthday Sandi! 60 is nothing,!?!?! The kids LOVE birthdays and all the grandkids got Sandi some balloons and sent them to Preschool. Sandi, Mike, Chad, the kids and myself headed to Texas Roadhouse for supper. We hope you had a good birthday, Sandi!

Baby Shower and the Boys Fall 2008

On the weekend of Mary's Baby Shower the boys went to Rushville with the girls. I just love this pic of Brayden, leaning on the tree. Too handsome! Clay rode with Uncle Jay while the girls went to the shower. Much to Clay's delight Uncle Jay let him eat a soybean from a pod! Uncle Jay's coolness factor went up a couple notches on this day!

At the shower we played the diaper game (the game that you melt various candy bars in the diaper and then you have to guess what candy bar it is-very funny to watch people and I tell you the melted Baby Ruth is disgusting!?!?!). Sandi and Carole Peggs came to the shower. Grandma was there with bells on! Mary is getting along really well and now that she has most of what she needs we are anxiously awaiting the arrival of baby Kennedy!

Football 2008

Our town gets "decorated" for Homecoming and this was written on the liquor store window. Bud is the name of our head coach and I thought this was pretty clever!

Clay 1st football season is almost over, but here is another picture of him running the ball past his defenders! GO CLAY! His favorite move is the spin move-too funny!

Brittany Greentown Soccer Fall 2008

Britt is our soccer girl, therefore she plays in 2 leagues. In the Spring she plays at Oak Hill and in the Fall she plays in Greentown. I love to watch her play. She is pretty aggressive for being such a little thing and she can really hustle! Here are some pics from awards night. In Greentown Caleb and Britt get to play together, so here are some pics of him too. Britt, even after a very windy soccer game you are still so pretty!

OH Football at Ball State University September 2008

The CIC (the conference OH is in) got a chance to play at BSU on Saturday night. The stadium has been remodeled and it is awesome. The kids liked seeing such a big field. We traveled to Muncie with the Brumley's.

Saturday night after the OH victory over Madison Grant we headed to Rushville. Sunday the kids got a chance to ride with Papa Miller in the combine. I don't know who enjoys it more my Dad or the kids!?!?!

Then Sunday night I had to take a pic of my puppy (well my 92 lb 1 1/2 yr old dog). I LOVE Hester to death and I think he is so handsome!

Kenny Chesney September 2008 Pirates and Poets Tour

I am a HUGE Kenny Chesney fan. No matter the cost of the tickets or what else is on the calendar I buy tix for his Indy show. This year Kenny was the 1st concert ever at Lucas Oil Stadium. His opening acts were Luke Bryan, Gary Allan, LeeAnn Rimes, and Keith Urban. The stadium is cool but the sound for the openers was awful! They opened the retractable roof before Keith Urban performed and it was better; then they opened the picture window before Kenny performed. I still wouldn't advise anyone to see a concert at that venue until they get some kinks worked out. I danced and had a good time. It was the last stop on the tour so Kenny played for 3 hours! I have seen him numerous times and he has never sang that long!! Britt and I go together as a Mommy and Me bonding time. This year we also went with Jay and Pam, and Deanna and Jeni (Deanna's friend from high school). We also saw Ben and Maggie. How many days til next year's concert?????

Madi and Saturday Soccer September 2008

Brittany and I were able to go to Madi's soccer game on Saturday. I have posted some pics, the pictures of her hustling after the ball were blurry so these will have to do! Brayden and Chris were entertaining themselves on the sidelines with water!!!???!!! Brittany was playing with Brayden and her flip flop broke, the strap completely broke off. Brayden was very intent on "fixing" it! Too cute! Way to go Madi! So glad that we finally got a chance to see you play!