Total Brag Moment!

Kayleigh got "bored" tonight and free painted this in TWO HOURS! Not sure about you, but when I'm bored I certainly don't create things like this!

Thankful...

We spent Thanksgiving with the Hobeck's again this year. Jim & Jenni came over early in the day and helped prep while the kids played. We really missed not having Devin home this year (he had to work ALL day!) But we shared lots of laughs around the house and really had a great time!

We are very thankful for so many things, but we are especially thankful to have friends that are like family to spend Thanksgiving with when our family is so far away!

Family Movie Night!

It is a rare occasion that all 6 of us are home on a night that there is not school the next day! Wednesday, and we took advantage of it!

As soon as the pies were baked and the house was prepped for Thanksgiving, Mike got that popcorn started. As soon as Mike pulled it out of the cabinet, Andy was at his feet begging!

Once everyone was settled in their places we started the movie... but Andy was ALL over the kids begging for popcorn the entire time! We laughed at him as much as we did at the movie (National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation).

The kids enjoyed the family time and Mike and I enjoyed having them all in the same place. Paige especially enjoyed it... she hardly even remembers how we used to make this a weekly even through the Christmas season.


And this man... I love how he loves special family time like this! Such a good Daddy and Husband that really looks for nights like this to take advantage of!

Our Town

(Kayleigh, Shelby, and Andrea)

Kayleigh was in another play at Reagan High School last week, Our Town. She wasn't initially part of the cast, only the set help. But they needed some more girls, so she ended up playing a town person. Have to admit, not one of my favorite plays, but it's always fun to watch Kayleigh and her friends on stage! They always do a great job!

Chase Can't Catch a Break!

Or maybe, he breaks too easily!

Cast #1 - November 2009

Do you all remember THIS post from last November (2009)? It's when Chase's ankle drama all started!

Silly thing has caused trouble on and off up until September of this year, when whamo... he broke it again and Cast #2 was put on!

Cast #2 - September 2010

After Cast #2 came off we started therapy, but Chase had more and more pain, and had more and more difficulty bearing weight on it. So... we had an MRI done that indicated two stress fractures in the foot! Ended up having Cast #3 put on in mid October! Only this time, we were told the cast would be on for 6-8 weeks, with a cast change every 3.

Cast #3 - October 2010

Cast change was to be this past Wednesday, the 17th of November. Michael took him over - as it was to be an easy appointment (not that he can't handle extensive appointments!). Chase had some blistery areas on the ankle with a lot of "scaliness", so they opted for a big black boot instead, and said continue strict non-weight bearing and crutches.

Big Black Boot - November 2010

With Chase, nothing is ever easy! Last night, he started wailing with burning pain inside his heel. Called an orthopedic friend of ours who was able to contact Chase's orthopedic doctor. They called him in some good drugs to help him sleep, told us to take off the boot (but NO weight on the foot!), and to take him in early this morning. Well.... That is when Cast #4 went on!

Cast #4 - November 2010

Now... we wait for December 8th to roll around to see what they're going to do. Dr. B (who is fabulous by the way!) is HOPING that they can get him in the boot and allow him to start to put SOME weight on it with some therapy. Nothing ever goes as planned in Chase's world... so I guess we wait and see!

It's Begining to Look a Lot Like....

CHRISTMAS!!!!

He's Really a Senior!!!

Happy Birthday to Our Firecracker!

Paige Olivia Lyons
November 7, 2002
Just Hours After Birth

8 Years ago today, our youngest daughter was born at 30 weeks gestation... just over 9 weeks premature. We were laying all the Faith we had in God to guide the hands of the doctors and nurses that day, and to take care of our new little princess and to get me through the difficult surgery. That He did!!

Today, she is an amazing, gorgeous, sweet, brilliant, funny, and sometimes a firecracker of a little EIGHT year old girl that we grow more proud of every day. She truly is our little miracle and we are forever thankful for God's grace and healing touch for her to be a part of our family!

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!

Ohio!!!!

We recently made our annual trip over Halloween and again, we had a blast!

Friday we were able to drive to Angola to see Mike's sister's new house, then head to the Wayne Trace High School football game to see old friends. We FROZE... but loved it! There were even a few of my Paulding friends there!

Saturday we met up with Mike's Mom and Step-Dad for a family gathering. The kids had a blast using Grandpa Chris as a jumping gym, and riding the 4 wheeler in the yard. Jarrick managed to raid the alcohol cabinet which consequently led to sibling shots!! Oh My!

Later that afternoon we went to Mike's Dad & Step-Mom's house for trick-or-treat with the rests of the family, followed by a fun bonfire in the backyard. The kids look forward to this every year, and this year was no different!

That left Sunday for us to visit with my Dad and Step-Mom and not be rushed. I treasure every minute with them and always hate to leave. It was great to see that he looks so good and Cassie is still taking great care of him!

We also spent some time with Grandma Molitor and Grandma Lyons. Mike just melts when he's with them and is always a sweet thing to see the love he has for each of them!

Mike took early Saturday morning to visit the cemetaries in Payne. He has a few dear high school friends who have lost their lives too early, and he spent some time with Grandparents who have already died. The photos of him at each gravesite bring tears to my eyes... he is such a rock, it's rare to see him just quiet and somber.


Until next year...