May's Days (Part 1)...

We love May for lots of reasons!  It's not only the busiest month of the year, but probably one of the most exciting. 

On May 4th and 5th, we participated in the neighborhood garage sales.  My sister and her family came up with a minivan full of stuff to sell, and we had a fun and profitable weekend!

On May 7th, we celebrated my 36th birthday with dinner at Roadhouse and a DQ ice cream cake with some of the family at my parent's house.

The girls always find something to wrap around their heads
for dress up.  Their combinations keep us laughing!

Love him.

Toothless Livvy

She really deserves the birthday wishes...

Promptly on the 8th, we began our latest family project...

Yup...we've got a ways to go!  :-)

On the 9th, Evan went for an eye exam.  He had been having a lot of trouble with distance, and our presumptions were correct.  Now he looks like this:

On May 12th, we celebrated Mother's Day!  Our family is so blessed with Godly women...we love each of them.

My kids won't stay in their dress clothes for anything. 

The boys love to see how short I'm getting.  :-)

On May 17th, all four of our kids were involved in the four student groups that sold discount cards.  We had 200 cards to sell, and had scheduled two four-hour days at local retailers.  We were blown away when, after 3-1/2 hours, all 200 cards were sold!  We were given an additional $140 in donations, beyond our sales.  I had to ask myself, "Why is it so shocking when God answers prayer?"
 :-)

On May 18th, we attended the PCS 2012 Commencement, and the party for one of the graduates, Kerri Pouzar. 

My kindergartners Austin, Timmy, Karys, and Leyton, and
my supervisor's assistant (and lifesaver), Mrs. Hunter.

and with the preschoolers, Allison and Paul.

8th grade grads, Michelle and Rachel

Mike achieving a huge milestone!

Kerri started coming to school when she was 2...the year her
mom started teaching.  I have been with her most school
days since she was 3 years old!

On May 19th, we took off for Ohio's Statehouse in Columbus for the final Heartbeat Bill Rally.  Our kids experienced some new things: seeing Occupy protesters huddled in their tents,  watching a man yell at peaceful demonstrators (and seeing how quickly the bike police made their presence known), listening to speakers who have been on the front lines fighting against abortion, and simply being a part of a group who sacrificed a Saturday to come from all areas of the state to do what Americans should do - fight for those who cannot.  As we answered many questions that our kids posed, I realized that what was routine for me as a kid (monthly Right to Life meetings, picketing at in front of the adult bookstore in town, participating in pro-life marches, etc.) is almost foreign to my kids.  Definitely an area for improvement.  Kaitlynn and Evan hadn't seen the Capitol, so that was a new experience for them, as well. 

My favorite poster at the rally

Asking Ohio's Republican Senators to take the Rhino test. 

Lunch at the lake on the way home.

We had to leave the rally just a few minutes early (it was two hours in length) to get home in time for our church's annual business meeting!  A full Saturday, indeed!

So...that's Part 1.  If my computer and Blogger will cooperate, Part 2 will follow.  :-)

Someday...

I'll be able to catch up on May's events. For now, I'll give you something to make you smile (or make you sick).

Gotta love our Kait. :-)




Here you can see the progress with her teeth.

posted from Bloggeroid

Yard Sale Queens

posted from Bloggeroid

Friday Night Date

A nice surprise from my brother...last minute tickets to the EH&SS concert.



I usually have a hard time sitting through a whole show, but with the fantastic array of music these guys do, I could have stayed on awhile. Plus I was able to hang with my favorite person. :-)

posted from Bloggeroid

Family Time...

My dad's oldest brother and his wife...Jerry and Donna Nichols

My brother and his wife...Eric and Megan Nichols,
and my two adorable nieces and one handsome nephew!

After the funeral dinner, my dad's youngest brother and his wife (Ron and Cathy), opened up their home for a cookout.  Brief history: my dad's Grandpa and Grandma Nichols lived on a farm in Rose Hill, IL, and my grandfather was left 80 acres of it when his parents died.  Several years ago, my uncle Ron purchased 40 acres from my grandmother, and built a beautiful home there.  He has spent the last several years developing his part of the property and making it a wonderfully relaxing place out in the middle of nowhere.  Literally.  The other 40 acres has been rented to a farmer, and that income helped as a supplement for my grandmother.  Now that she is gone, the remaining land belongs to my dad and his brothers. 

The farm has always been a fun place for us to visit.  When I was young, it was mostly just overgrown foliage with a couple of old barns and a house that spoke of better days.  Ron has worked hard to make it a beautiful, peaceful retreat.

A cookout at the farm was a great way to end a day of grief and celebration.  The weather was perfect, and it was very comforting to be able to relax and share memories of the special lady we had laid to rest that day. Valerie and Adam had to get back to Cincinnati for VIP Day at the college, and Megan and her kids headed on to her parents in Peoria.  My parents and our family had another day scheduled off and were able to have a bit more family time.

Allison's 1st four-wheeler ride

Kaitlynn had so much fun fishing, playing with the dog,
and riding four-wheelers!  Of course, I think she would have
fun anywhere as long as Emily was there!

My great-aunt Deena and her husband, Rick, came over.  We
always love to be with them. Rick is my dad's uncle, but they
are close enough in age to be brothers.

Ryan was pretty happy with his catch!

Melissa strikes a pose.  :-)
She is my only girl cousin on the Nichols' side of things. 
Love her bunches!

Best part of fishin'....messing with the line...constantly!

Aunt Donna helping A.J. and Kaitlynn know where the
fish are biting.  On the right is Stephanie Lynn Nichols, who
married my cousin Mike.  Granny always like to laugh about
having two Stephanie Lynn Nichols' in the family.  :-)

This cracked me up.  My uncle and his wife put this portrait in a
window frame and hung it directly across from the toilet in one of
the bathrooms. 

Cute pic of Alli and Stevie

Another...Aunt Donna will love this!

Mom and Aunt Deena enjoying the evening.

Alli rides again!

I wanted to get a panoramic pic from the wrap around deck.
I couldn't get things lined up right, but the view is just
amazing!  To the left of this pic and down a hill is a creek
that runs all the way across the property.  So serene!



Before leaving on Friday, we made a stop at the covered bridge.
After a week of gorgeous weather, we were expriencing drizzle
a chill in the air. 

After a long, emotional two weeks, we headed home.

Five minutes after leaving Greenup, the kids were asking if we could go back "next week."  They had such a good time.  We plan to do it again soon...probably pulling the RV behind us.  :-)