What's the Cost of a Smile?

1 Pair of Ballet Shoes - $16.99

1 Pair of Tap Shoes - $22.99

2 Dance Leotards - $20.00

1 Ballet Skirt - $9.99

2 Pair of Dance Tights - $8.00

The smile on Paige's face happy about her new dance-nastics class:

PRICELESS!

We have been telling Paige she could take a class after she turned 5. Well - she's now 5 and a half (don't forget the half!) and she's more than ready! I took her to Salem Gym last week and she picked the "Dance-Nastics" class. A perfect class for her because it's 20 minutes of gymnastics, 20 minutes of ballet, and 20 minutes of tap. She'll get to learn all three. She's so excited that she asks us several times a day "how many more days till my class again?"!

Children's Museum for a Party

Paige and I spent the morning at the Children's Museum in downtown Winston for our neighbor Carissa's birthday party. She had a lot of fun and wore me out!! The girls would go down the steps and clumb up the "beanstalk" (which is the netted thing Paige is climbing in the top picture) over and over again!

Paige also loved "shopping" in the Food Lion store. It was set up just like a real grocery store - only kid-sized! Right down to the toilet paper and tooth paste!! She even got to go through and check out her own food by scanning it when she was done!

All in all it was a good visit to the museum and Paige loved having me all to herself! Thank you, Carissa, for inviting us.

So Far So Good ...

Chase and Kayleigh both went home with Grandpa Casto last Saturday - FOR THREE WHOLE WEEKS! Kayleigh went last summer - but this is a first for Chase. He was excited - but wow was hit hard on Mommy to watch him go!

So far - Chase has gone shopping with Grandma Cassie, swimming with Aunt Tonya and the boys, car shopping with Grandpa, and even helped Grandpa grill out. It's only been three days! Kayleigh is loving the time away from being a big sister to Paige and having a blast with Darianne (a neighbor of my Dad's that is her age). I'll post pics when Dad sends them to me! He claims he's too busy with 2 kids in the house!!

Around here - Paige is adjusting! She's been dealing with RINGWORM for the first time - which hasn't helped her missing her big sis! Yucko! We've been keeping her busy with Bible School at church the last few nights and we also signed her up for Dance-nastics at the Salem Gym. Today she went with our neighbor to see the Kids Flick at the theater.

Devin has been a great big brother - spending time with Paige outside, inside, watching movies, and playing games with her. Last night he offered to cook dinner for him and Lauren while they watched Paige - letting Mike and I go out to dinner at Carraba's - my favorite!!

This weekend will continue to be busy! Friday night Devin is going to a concert at a friend's church. Saturday we get up early to head to the Sci-Works Science Museum for our neighbor Carissa's birthday party. Saturday afternoon - weather permitting - we'll be heading to Tanglewood to enjoy their new Aquatic Center. Sunday after church we hope to head to Pilot Mountain to take the 1 mile kid friendly "hike" around the pinnacle, then back home by 4 for Devin to get to youth group, and then to his friend's birthday dinner at Big Shotz!

Wow! I'm exhausted just typing all that!

So - if you don't see a post for a few days - you now know why!!

Congratulations Jason and Megan!

We spent the weekend in Columbus, Ohio to attend Mike's brother Jason's wedding. It was a beautiful day and the wedding was outdoors at a Bed & Breakfast in London, Ohio. Small, simple, and sweet ceremony that was just beautiful. We're very thankful we were able to make the trip up to attend!

Congratulations Jason & Megan!

That's My King!

I first saw this back around Easter time and thought it was quite moving! I ran across it again today and wanted to pass it on.

Worst Day of My Career Thus Far

Usually I post to the blog about the kids, family, things we're doing, etc. Today is different. Today I just need to get some of my feelings out there after the worst day I have ever experienced on the job.

I got to work this morning and as usual - saw one of my patients in the dining room with his son. I said hello - how was your weekend and he responded like he always does. "Good - I'm ready to work!". He finished and then came in to the therapy gym and his son headed off to work - just like every morning. But today wouldn't be like every morning.

As he was working I heard him comment to the other therapists that he was tired - but he was "ok". He finished with the Speech Therapist and worked a little with another Occupational Therapist - then was ready to walk. We talked about how well he was doing - and how excited he was to be able to be home by Friday for his 65th wedding anniversary - there was alot of smiles, talking, and laughing going on.

A PTA colleague of mine got him walking, still talking with him. He seemed a bit more fatigued than normal - but as always - he said "no - I'm fine - let's keep going". She sat him down to rest a minute and he became short of breath. Just so happened that our doctor was right there beside them and he told the doctor he felt no pain, just short of breath. Within seconds he was slumped over in his chair, unresponsive, and hardly breathing. Within minutes - he was gone.

Patients come to my floor - a subacute rehab floor - to get stronger, and go home - to their earthly home. As I sit here thinking about the whole thing over and over and over again - I keep thinking - what did we do wrong? Why did this happen? He was FINE! It makes no sense at all! We were all laughing and talking about going home one minute, and the next minute making the dreaded call to his son saying "we're sorry, it all happened so fast, he's gone". Almost seems like a dream - the whole thing.

I love my job - I do. But patients come to my floor - the subacute rehab floor - to get stronger and go home. It's my job as the manager to make sure this happens. They aren't supposed to come to my floor and die. It just doesn't work that way.

It's going to be so hard to go to work tomorrow and walk by that dining room and his table be empty. I dread even the thought of it.

Mr. D - you became one of our favorite patients so quickly! You will be missed by all of us at Brookridge! Rest peacefully sweet man.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY MIKE!!!!!!

The kids worked on this all weekend for you!

Love Missy!

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Happy Father's Day Dad!

To My Dad -

Thank you for:

- Trips to the park
- Summers at the lake
- Fun at Cedar Point
- Movies on rainy days
- Fishing in the winter
- Boating on the river
- Dunking me in the pool
- Marshmallows at the campfire
- Hugs and kisses goodnight
- Loving me always
- And so much more!!

You mean the world to me and even more to your Grandchildren! These are a few pictures that are favorites of mine. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

Love You Always
Miss You Lots

Shelly

Last Day of School

Today was the last day of school for all our kids. It's officially summertime!

Devin aced all his final exams placing him one of the top in his class! We're very proud of him - he's determined to keep the drive to get into a specific college. Kayleigh was nominated for the Golden Mustang award - each of the four teams nominate a student who is top of the class, involved in the community, helps in the school, etc. We'll find out later tonight if she wins the award - regardless it's an honor to be nominated! Chase scored in the highest bracket for his EOGs (end of grade testing) and Paige is ready so excited about Kindergarten!

Devin's already ahead of the game enjoying summer - he's gone to the pool a few times with friends. All the kids are excited about visiting the Tanglewood Aquatics Center at Tanglewood State Park. Have to admit - I'm looking forward to it too! Kayleigh and Chase will both be leaving next week to spend just over 2 weeks with Grandpa Casto and Grandma Cassie. Mike and I won't know how to act with only 2 kids in the house for a while!

Enjoy your summer too!

No Common Sense In Schools Anymore?

Warning - this is Mike and I venting over something that happened Friday . . .

About lunchtime - I received a cell phone call from Chase's school. He had a piece of card-board on his lap and was poking into it with a very sharp pencil (leave it to Chase!!). That pencil poked clear through the cardboard into his left leg in the meaty portion just above his knee. The school nurse said - I had to come get him - so I dropped everything and on my way I went.

Now - Mike and I ASSUMED that he was bleeding, or had a piece of the pencil lead in his leg since they wanted me there. Afterall - I was told that I HAD to come right away. Well - we all know what happens when you ASSUME! I got there to find Chase sitting on the chair laughing and giggling as always with a cold rag on his leg. He moved it and I could hardly see the little redmark on his leg!! Sure - he had a puncture wound - but there was no lead in it, and it wasn't even really bleeding!

The nurse came out of her office and said to me "Oh I'm glad you're here. He'll need that cleaned out pretty good." I looked at her funny and said - "you couldn't do that". That's when she proceeded to tell me that they're not allowed to do first aid like that anymore!! WHAT!?! What on earth is the point of a school nurse if they can't pour peroxide on a puncture wound and send the kid back to class!

I took Chase home (we live 3 miles from the school), washed it out, poured peroxide over it, slapped a bandaid with Neosporin on it and took his little behind right back to school - where he wanted to be because it was game day. As I was signing him back in - I got questioned as to WHY he was back!! I simply looked at the receptionist and said with a bit of attitude I'm sure: "He's fine. Send him to class. I'm going back to work now" and I left.

Seriously though - have people in the US gotten so lawsuit happy that they've taken away a school nurse's ability to use common sense for crying out loud! Geesh!!

Kate's Kart is a Success!

I posted a while back about Kate's Kart. Kate was a beautiful little girl from back home in Fort Wayne. Full of life and smiles, but suffered a serious congenital heart condition that eventually took her life at only 18 months of age.

Kate's Kart is an organization set up by Kate's parents in memory and honor of her. Over the last month - they have collected over $30,000 worth of donations, including 5,000 books to give to children at Lutheran Children's Hospital. The community has gone way above with Krista and Andy's expectations ever were!

This News Sentinal Article was was in June 2nds paper. As a result of the success of Kate's Kart at Lutheran Children's Hospital - they now have requests to start Kate's Kart in 4 other area hospitals back home.

There's a video link to the left with the full story of Kate's Kart and how you can help.

Little Kate sure left quite a legacy for her family and friends!

Daddy's New Toy

Or ... is it Devin's!?!

Earlier this spring Mike got a new Craftsman mower to mow the almost 2 acres of land/wood we have. Funny thing though, Mike's only used it once! Devin, however, is addicted to the new rider and mows every chance he gets!

So - am I supposed to pay him to do something he begs to do anyhow??? We'll have to ponder that one a while!

Cystic Fibrosis Awareness

This video was posted on a blog of a "CF'er" that I read frequently. Fortunately - she was able to receive a double-lung transplant to extend her young life. Many - are not so fortunate. It is a long video - but well worth watching it all. It's a look inside her life with CF before, during, and after her transplant. There's a website listed at the end of the video for more information on the Gear Up For CF Campaign. Also, if you'd like to read more about Eva visit 65 Red Roses.

Friday's Favorite Five

1 - Our marriage! As many of you read about earlier in the week - 20 years ago on Tuesday (June 3) we met. We celebrated by going out to dinner and just having "alone time" as Paige says! 20 years is something we've learned we have to work at - daily - by respecting eachother, loving eachother, laughing with eachother, and yes - even being mad at eachother once in a while!

2 - Summer is here! Sure - it's steaming hot - but it's gorgeous outside! Our rose garden is blooming, we have more strawberries than we know what to do with, and we even have 4 blueberry bushes that will be ready to pick soon. Loving every minute of it!

3 - The Farmers Market!!! I've been there many times with my mother-in-law Judy and my friend Dawnya when they come to visit. But - Mike had never been there. So - Sunday afternoon we drove to Greensboro! Came home with lots of herb plants, melon, fresh corn, and more. I think I've got him hooked!

4 - Music Music Music - Although I have to admit sitting through band concerts to watch my daughter play her flute is absolutely mind numbing and drives me insane . . . I have such a sense of pride in watching her! She played in her last concert of the year Thursday night - and it was actually a good concert this time with a lot of fun music.

5 - The nice man from the Chrysler dealership that saved the day today! As I was pulling out of Brookridge (where I work) the van felt "clunky". Sure enough - the back passenger tire had blown and the rim looked a bit funny. Our Chrysler Dealership (we drive a 2006 Town & Country) was right around the corner. He came to my rescue, filled the tire and followed me there - best part - DIDN'T CHARGE US EXTRA FOR IT! What a good samaritan!

That's it - hope you had a great week!

Flash Floods at Indiana University

Mike and I both went to IU and lived on campus for 5 years. We loved it! If we ever moved back to Indiana - we'd go back to Bloomington! Yesterday - a massive storm went through in the middle of the afternoon dumping several inches of rain in just 45 minutes. The results - flash floods on campus!! Here's a few pics a friend sent to us:

This first one is standing on the campus entrance looking up Kirkwood. You can see the marquee for Nick's English Hut up on the right. It's a historic tavern that Mike and I loved going to! They served great lunches in a matter of minutes between classes!

This second picture is in the heart of campus where Mike and I used to take long walks or where Mike would go for quiet time to study for big tests. For a short while Thursday, it looked like a massive river!!

This third picture is along 3rd street - which is along the ege of campus. There are many big classroom halls along this street - usually there are many many students walking along it. Fortunately - it's summer session and not too busy.

This last picture is on Dunn Street. Dunn and Kirkwood T off right at the entrance of the campus - Dunn goes along side the edge of campus and is always quite busy!! This is where she said the flash flood hit the hardest - which is quite obvious by the pictures and the cars just buried in the water! The bus is unbelievable!!

20 Years Ago Today . . .

I met my wonderful husband! Here's how it happened . . .

My parents took my friend, Katie Steele, and I to the Strawberry Festival in Payne, OH. It was a small-town street fair type thing. Katie and I were told to be back at my Dad's car no later than 6pm. Well . . . being the girls that we were - we were still on the basket ride at 6pm! We got off and ran like crazy towards the car. While running - I literally ran over Mike! He kind of laughed - and then followed us to the car trying to talk to me the entire time. He did manage to get our names - thanks to Katie!

At the time - I remember thinking how creepy it was for him to follow us the way he did. Katie, on the other hand, had an instant crush on Mike! Off we went with my parents as he stood in the parking lot watching the car until we were out of sight.

A few days later - HE KNOCKED ON MY DOOR! Somehow he figured out who I was and where I lived! (Probably with the help a family member in law enforcement!) Again - I thought - this boy is CREEPY! We talked for a little while and he left. I called Katie - who thought it was the sweetest thing ever and she hoped he was on her doorstep!

The next time he came - my Dad said that I should at least give him a chance because of the trouble he went through! I reluctantly agreed and went out with him. Little did he know - that the boy who "stalked" his daughter would eventually be his son-in-law! His charm and personality had me hooked from that first true date!

As for Katie - she was furious with me . . . but, she eventually got over it!

_________________

To my husband -

I am so very grateful that you "stalked" me and persisted! You are a wonderful father and a loving partner. I treasure the memories we share, and look forward to the many more memories to come over the next 20 years!

Love You Always!

- Missy

Couple of Prayer Requests

Two of my friends and their families need extra prayers tonight and in the upcoming days.

First - Little Patrick is a fellow preemie like our Paige. He was born last June 4th at only 28 weeks gestation and is a survivor in every sense of the word! He's recently been struggling with the croup and respiratory distress common this time of the year with preemies. He's really giving his Mom and Dad some scares though - with strider, wheezing, lower respiratory distress, and frequent trips to the hospital. Having been there ourselves, we know how tough it is and how scared we were.

Also - another internet blogging friend has lost their little boy this weekend. Baby Jacob was born with Trisomy 18 and passed away yesterday afternoon at only 4 months old. What a fighter he was! Most Trisomy babies live only hours. His family was very blessed to have 4 months with him and they are grieving his loss.

Please take a few minutes tonight and pray for both of these families.

Look Out Highway Here He Comes!

This is Devin frantically texting all his friends that he starts the driving part of drivers ed TOMORROW! The driver's ed teacher just called me to see if Devin can go in the car THIS WEEK! He'll be driving from 6:30pm to 9:30pm Monday through Thursday - then he can officially get his permit. We've never seen him so excited!!

So - look out highway . . . here he comes!

What Do You Do On A Hot Day?

You buy the kids a new triple runner slip 'n slide supreme of course! It was a hot and sticky 94 degrees by 12:00 noon today! Kayleigh and Devin were too big - but Chase and Paige had a blast!!!

We're going to see about putting a pool in over the next few weeks. We got spoiled last year having a big in-ground pool to stay cool in!!