Another Blessed Week!

Beautiful flowers from my momma...

Ryan enjoys the comfy bed at IHC...

Allison occupies herself by sitting on the diaper bag, and "chatting" on my cell...

Thank God for the McD's playland in Tipp City!


It was so good to be home from Dayton, but we were only there long enough to get some sleep, empty the suitcase, and pack for another trip! We left for MI early on Friday. It was a beautiful day with lots of sunshine, which made travelling much more bearable. After dropping the boys off in Cedar Springs (they much preferred spending the night with Grandma and Grandpa Burley and being able to visit with Uncle Gene, Aunt Tina, and cousins, to "enduring" a rehearsal and a wedding!), we arrived in Fremont, MI for the wedding of Beth Stitt to Nathan Shaffer. Beth's paternal great-grandfather and Greg's paternal grandmother were brother and sister, and Beth has spent the last year living in Lima with her sister and brother-in-law (Doug and Meghan (Stitt) Beck. During her time in Lima, Beth and Kaitlynn became close. Kaitlynn loved going to Beth's for tea parties and dress up. When Beth asked Kaitlynn to be her flower girl, I was a little nervous. Kaitlynn isn't really a half-hearted, laid back individual. If she wants to do something, she is into it 150%. If not, well, you know what happens...and it ain't pretty! During the months prior to the wedding, her attitude toward it usually depended on her mood (pretty typical, huh?), and I just hoped and prayed that her "mood" would be right on April 17th and 18th! Fortunately it was, and she loved every minute of it. I posted a ton of pics, but there are a lot of people from church who were not able to make it, and I'm sure they will enjoy them.
A happy bride-to-be...

Rehearsal...the "Stitt" genes run pretty strong in Matt (Beth's older brother on the left), who isn't much shorter than Greg!

Allison thought it was hilarious to walk down the aisle with Kaitlynn and Tyler...

Allison didn't think it so pleasant to be on her first ride...

Pretty girl...

Mom made Kaitlynn's dress, as well as Sarah's and Meghan's...

This was her favorite part. She said, "Mommy, can we hold hands?"


I have no idea what we were laughing about...mom had the camera...
Kaitlynn tossed the petals in the air, and then was cracking up on stage because one of them had landed on the Bible pillow...
Mark getting ready to give away daughter #2...


The stage lighting was a little wierd for my camera. Her faces were so cute during the ceremony, but most of them were too dark to post...
Beth's "home" pastor...
Love those "luv" songs! :)





A bubble war...

Papaw helping Alli with her bubbles...




Waiting patiently with Sarah...
Mark and Janet Stitt with their children Matt & Alisha, Beth & Nathan, Meghan & Doug, Bruce, Tyler, and grandson, Luke...

I am still finding it hard to believe that I was Doug's babysitter when I was twelve (I suppose he may have been 6 or so), his teacher when he was in jr. high and high school, and now by marriage, a relative!

It appears that Meghan is asleep and Kaitlynn is on her way out! :)
Wedding party...

Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Shaffer...
Another incredible meal catered by the parents of the bride...

Mom and Dad have been Beth's pastor and friend during her time in Lima...
The meal...ham, bbq chicken, glazed carrots, seasoned red potatoes, corn, dinner rolls, tossed salad (I skipped that one), and lemonade. Yum!!!
Bruce, Beth, Meghan, and Matt...
Greg and Matt decided to give the groom a little excitement, popping one of his tux buttons in the process...


Bride's bouquet...

IHC...The Great Family Reunion!

Last week was a pretty busy one for many of us in the CHM, wasn't it?! Our week began with having to get the fuel injector replaced in the van. Those surprise expenses always seem to come at the most inconvenient times! :)
Tuesday evening we were privileged to arrive at IHC. It is usually with mixed emotions that I approach the convention. Back in the day, things were really easy...Greg and I would throw a few pieces of clothing in a suitcase, and head off for a couple of days of visiting with friends and family...no worries, no cares. Boy, have things changed! The last several years have much more difficult, caring for 3 or 4 small children who have to have constant attention.
I was really excited about IHC this year, and I was not disappointed. Although I don't "go for the preaching" necessarily, I was encouraged and challenged by the messages and sessions that I was able to attend. Believe it or not, this was my first year to attend WOW at Dayton! Staying on-site made a huge difference in our ability to relax and enjoy our time. We were able to visit with many old friends and teachers at both the GBS and HSBC alumni receptions. Overall, I think that IHC 2009 was one of the best in a very long time. I don't have any pics to prove it, but I'll carry the memories!
p.s. If you're looking for something good to eat in Dayton, you have to try Cousin Vinnie's pizza. It is the best ever, and the prices are more than reasonable...they also deliver to the Crown Plaza.

More Easter...

I have to give a little background on this pic. I realize that Kaitlynn is 5, and has outgrown most of the "cutesy" baby stuff, but every now and then, she just cracks me up with her wit or personality.
As we were walking through the mall, headed toward Macy's, Kaitlynn spotted the Easter bunny. He didn't have any visitors at the time, but I didn't stop because she is usually shy about things like that. She had already visited one Easter bunny at the egg hunt, and we had our yearly picture. As we passed the area where the bunny was seated, Kaitlynn said, "Mommy, will you back up and wait for me?" I wondered what in the world she was going to do. I backed up to the edge of the fenced area, and she proceeded toward the snoozing bunny. She sat down beside him, and with an enormous smile, gazed at his face for a few seconds. He didn't seem to be responding to her, or even looking her way, so she took his hand in hers, and began to rub it...still looking at his face with a beaming smile. I could tell that she had awakened him, and he took her other hand, and they just sat there, gazing at each other, rubbing each other's hands. I didn't know whether to laugh or be embarrassed, so I just waited. A small crowd of onlookers gathered around, amazed at this "adorable" little girl who who was so enamored with the Easter bunny! Finally, the lady who was managing the picture sales area asked if I would like to take a photo on my phone. I laughed and said that I always carry my camera...here is the pic...


Coloring eggs...

Havin' fun with Xavier and Arianna...

Two little princesses!

My Easter post wasn't all inclusive...Easter weekend consisted of having a couple of the kids' friends over on Good Friday for about 4 hours, our annual church business mtg. on Saturday night, and HSBC choir on Sunday night. We kept a couple of choir girls overnight, so between cleaning and entertaining, we had a busy weekend!