Spring Snapshots

The kids and I went back into our woods today and snapped lots of pics. Here's a few of my favorites. To see them all you can click the "Spring Pictures" slideshow on the right side of the website.

Wind Damage!!

We came home this afternoon to find that a tree in the front yard had completely uprooted and was laying across power lines - as a result of 60-70 mph winds. Fortunately - it didn't take the lines down and we still had power!


Duke-Energy came out and had a rough time getting it all down safely. First - they tried the cherry picker - that was a no-go because of the location of the lines and where our driveway was. So - they used a long saw-stick type thing to manually saw branches off the top. Once the branches were clear they were able to use a rope from the cherry picker to hold it as a man on the bottom sawed through the base of the tree.

Finally - it was all down and we were left with a mess! Remember the pics of the front that we posted not long ago - we were so proud of cleaning it all up . . . yep . . . this is the same front yard and once again - Duke-Energy left us with a mess!

As they finished - we noticed a tree in the backyard uprooting as well. Sure enough - it's on its way. But - because it's not hitting an actual power line - they can't touch it yet. If these winds keep up tonight - I'm sure they'll be back!

Spring has Sprung!

These are blooming all over our yard right now! Penny tells me their daffodils (LOL! A gardener I am not!) They are absolutely gorgeous! The weather here has been consistently in the 60's and 70's all week. I think we've finally turned the corner! We even got some good rainfall (much needed) this week so everything is turning green and budding! My favorite time of the year!

Paige is Registered for Kindergarten!

Where does the time go?!? Seems just yesterday we were watching over Paige in the NICU isolette for weeks - praying for her to be stronger and bigger. Now - she's getting so big so quick that we're wishing we could down the days!

She and I went to the elementary school today and filled out all the paperwork to register her for kindergarten! She met the principal (I'm sure it won't be the first time!) and loved being there. I had a hard time getting her to leave! She's quite excited about being a big girl and even more excited about riding the school bus! She even told me that I'd have to leave her alone after school so she can do all her homework "cuz I'll have a whole bunch"!

She goes back in April for the developmental testing for placement - after that she's all set to be a kindergartener!!

70 Degrees and Lovin' It!

To all of our family and friends back home - today is the reason we moved to North Carolina! We did yardwork all day, played basketball and baseball with the neighbors, and at 7:00pm tonight we were still on the backporch grilling steaks without jackets on! Far cry from the foot of snow on the ground and 25 degree temps back home! Miss you! Come visit anytime!

Mike's Office Surprise

We've been talking and talking about making the HUGE storage room downstairs an office and study room for Mike - - - doing it has been another thing! The kids and I have schemed all week to do this for him today - just us! Last minute, Devin had to be out of town and I panicked! I didn't think we could do it without him - but we gave it a shot and look at the results!!


This was the before picture of the blank slate we started with. Originally it had boxes and boxes of stuff that we just hadn't gone through after we moved in!


And this was the finished product! We still don't have an area rug under the desk - Mike will pick that out on his own later this week.



And Mike loves it!! He was so surprised!! Each of the kids helped in some way with this project and we're so happy we could give him an office he loves!!!

And the Nail Fell Off . . .

Remember when Paige broke her finger on New Years Eve? Well, tonight she came downstairs with tears streaming down her face telling me her "finger was falling off". I couldn't help but laugh and the more I laughed the madder she got. What she meant was her finger NAIL was falling off! It was catching everything she rubbed her hand against!

I carefully cut it off with clippers as she sobbed on my lap. We then carefully coated it in Neosporin and covered it with a Band-Aid. As she walked away wiping her tears she said "thank you Mommy, you're good at that".

Bless her heart!

What a Week!! (for me anyhow!)

This has been the longest week in history . . . I'm sure! Work has been chaotic with one crisis after another. Many of my patients and colleagues have had the vomitting stomach flu. My two favorite patients were rushed to the hospital first thing Monday morning and one is now on a ventilator that will probably be discontinued tomorrow, the other is still unresponsive as of 3pm today and it's not sounding good. Tuesday I came home with a horrible headache and achiness all over just praying it didn't get worse! Wednesday I wasn't feeling much better, but made msyelf go through the daily routine of work and kids. Wednesday night Mike and I just passed eachother on the road as we picked up kids here, dropped a few there all at different times and across town from eachother. Thursday is the day I dread every week because I don't get to see my husband at all - I get home at 4, but he leaves around 2 and works until 4am to build movies for all you Friday night movie goers! I did get a phone call and an "I Love You" from him this afternoon. Tomorrow is end of the month - so it's paperwork all day long! I still have the headache and achiness - but so far that's all it is!

All I can say is . . .

Lots of Yardwork To Be Done!!

The above is the before picture - small front part of our yard. Duke Power came and cut a bunch of trees down that were "a danger" and just left it all in the yard. Add to that the storm that carried 50mph winds last week - and our yard was an absolute disaster! The wind was so strong it ripped the cover on the wood shack into threads! So - we spent the better part of the day cleaning it all up.

The kids each had their own job to do in this huge task! Chase and Kayleigh drug tree limbs down to the fire pit in the woods, Paige filled the wheelbarrow with the smaller pieces and Daddy would help her take that down to the firepit. Mike and Devin moved and cut up the chunks of tree left and got it all stacked in the wood shelter. I did all the raking of the leaves, pinecones, and super small branches (with a fractured wrist I might add!).

Below is the "after" picture - after 2 hours of all of us working together! Take note in the before picture - the red bush and the three big treese in the front yard - how the actual yard itself was full of branches, leaves, and chunks of tree. In the after picture below is that same red bush and three big trees - the center yard section is completely clean!! Yeahh!!

Next weekend we'll do another section of the yard. We have 2 acres of this sort of mess! So - baby steps to get it all looking nice again!! Gotta love living in the woods!

Devin Passes Drivers Ed!!!

Devin's been taking the book part of drivers ed for the last few weeks. It's had it's ups and downs - many quizzes, tests, and "silly rules" according to Devin! In the end - he passed with flying colors. Next up - the actual driving! He's been begging Mike and I to take him to our church's parking lot to practice . . . I'm just not that brave.

So - I was thinking as a gift I'd get him a Flintstone's car. At least I know he'd be safe because his legs can't go more than a few miles per hour! Right?

Congratulations Devin!

Introducing: Jeff and Sheri McMahon

(Uncle Jeff, Tyler, Aunt Sheri, Samantha)

Kayleigh, Chase, Paige, and I (Michelle) drove to Wheeling, WVa yesterday for my Uncle Jeff's wedding. It was a quick trip there and back because of obligations at church tomorrow, but we're glad we went! We were able to see lots of my Mom's family that we haven't seen in a few years. Paige and Chase had fun with cousins they had never even met before!

Congratulations Uncle Jeff and Aunt Sheri!

Scenic Overlook in the Mountains

We pass a scenic overlook along the West Virginia turnpike every trip home we make - but we've never stopped. The kids and I needed to stretch our legs - so we decided to see what it was. What a beautiful overlook!!! We'll definitely be stopping when the trees are all green in the spring and again in the fall when it's all full of colors!


This second picture was taken straight out in front of us over the valley. You can see the top of the mountains - and i fyou look close in the sky you can see the moon above the clouds. It was so cool!

Anyhow - if you ever get a chance to stop along the overlooks - do it! Glad we finally did it!

It's Snowing!!!!!

This is absolutely insane! We were at 60 degrees in the Winston Triad today - and tonight it's snowing . . . snowing hard! There's about an inch or so on the ground already - with snow continuing over the next 2-3 hours. It is quite beautiful - but I'll be glad to see it go!

Mom Finally Gets Her Hair Cut . . .

Much to Michael's dismay . . . I finally went and go my hair cut off again! Kayleigh insisted on taking a picture and me putting it on our website.

Andra (at Allure Day Spa) tried to cut it so that Michael wouldn't notice how MUCH she really cut off! Off the back went just more than 4 inches and off the front sides about 2 inches. I absolutely love it and I got the approval of the kids. As for Michael . . . . he'll get over it!!!

Andy Gets A Bath . . . and so do we!!!

(This is Devin's attempt at not getting wet and holding Andy still!)

It's beautiful here in North Carolina today - right around 70 degrees and sunny. So - Devin and I decided we'd try to bath Andy outside instead of taking him to the groomer like we've been doing over the winter - maybe save $75. HA! Boy was the joke on us! Andy did not care for the cold water coming out of the hose, let alone it being sprayed in his face! Devin and I ended up as wet as Andy was and we really didn't do that good of a job! Now I know why the groomer charges so much . . . but we've definitely decided it's worth it!

( Poor guy finally gave in and let us do our thing!)

Mr Groundhoug Has GOT To Be Wrong!!

Is spring coming?

According to all the news reports, our friendly groundhog claims we have another 6 weeks of winter coming . . . . Then explain why today was 65 degrees and gorgeous!

We were able to spend time outside with the kids and even get a little yard work done. Mike decided to try playing basketball for the first time since his shoulder surgery in November. The boys blasted him in games of HORSE multiple times! Actually, Chase beat out his Dad AND his brother Devin! Man that kid's got an arm!! Paige decided to take up skateboarding with the help of Kayleigh!

As for me . . . I just ran around taking all the pictures!

And he shoots! But doesn't score!!

Wow Dev! Look at that follow through!

Chase grins at yet another victory!

Mike will NOT give in!!

An Accident Waiting to Happen!!

Father-Daughter Dance at Church

The Knights of Columbus at our church, Holy Family Catholic Church, held a Father-Daughter dance Saturday night. Mike couldn't get off work to go, but Paige was invited by Chris to go him and Carissa. Chris and his wife, Theresa, were in charge of the decorations and festivities of the night. The girls had a wonderful time and we are very thankful to Chris and Theresa for thinking about Paige.



Theresa took pictures for us. It looks like a lot of fun. Paige said next year Daddy can take her!

Chris and the girls dancing!

Carissa and Paige having their princess meals!

Devin Gets Buzzed!

I've been waiting on this day for a long long long time! Devin's long shaggy hair drives me crazy! I knew eventually he'd come to his senses!! He came home tonight and says "Mom, can you pleeeeaaaaase buzz my hair tonight?" I'm sure it was driven by his girlfriend of the week wanting it cut - but hey - it got cut! Look at all that hair that's on the floor!!!

ps - don't let the pouty face fool you . . . it was all his idea!

Please Send Up Thoughts and Prayers

We are once again facing a challenge with Chase that we are seeking guidance on. He's been having outbursts at school again, and today it all came to a head. One of the other children in class was teasing him and Chase went into one of his "frozen" states and followed that up with pure anger. He began throwing things, crying out, and even kicked his chair over. When the school called me, they called it "violent" in nature.

We have tried so many interventions, strategies, and even medications. Here at home, where things are more controlled, he does very well. But, in school, it doesn't seem to be enough. As parents, we are feeling at a loss and very sad that we can't seem to help this child with what he is feeling inside.

We have taken the next step and are having him seen by the Behavioral Psychologist at Baptist Hospital. We've been told he's one of the best in the region.

Please, keep Chase in thoughts and prayers as we continue to fight this battle with him.

First Reconciliation for Chase and Kayleigh

Kayleigh and Chase both celebrated the Sacrament of First Reconciliation at our church tonight. They've been preparing for several months and both did a great job. We're very proud of them both!!

The "Snow Storm" In North Carolina!

This is a picture of the snowstorm aftermath!! Thought you folks up north in Ohio and Indiana would get a kick out of it. This "snowstorm" closed schools for 2 days and 178 churches in the area on Sunday!!!!! Mike and I sat back and laughed - even the kids thought it was crazy to cancel school for it!!!

Paige Loves Her Grandpa!

I ran across this picture last night while I was sorting through photos of our trip. It's probably my favorite picture of all! She spent every chance she could on Grandpa Casto's lap while we were back home. Just precious!

We're Back From Our Trip Back Home!

We had a wonderful trip back to Ohio to celebrate the Christmas Holiday. The four days went by so quickly! The first day we were able to relax and rest from the trip at my Dad's house in Bryan. The next day we drove to Paulding to spend the afternoon with Mike's Mom and Chris where we were also able to see his sister, Anita, and her children; his step-brother Ryan and his girlfriend; his Aunt Carol; and his Grandma Reinhart. The kids had fun playing together and playing "monster" with Grandpa Chris! Saturday evening we spent back at my Dad's house with my sister and her family. The kids had fun playing Electronic Monopoly with Grandpa Casto! All day Sunday was spent with Mike's Dad and Judy; his sister and brother-in-law, Trish and Bill; and his sister Anita again. Grandma and Grandpa Lyons had their hands full with 8 grandchildren taking over the house! On the way back to Bryan we stopped to visit Grandma Molitor and Aunt Carol. The kids love spending time at Great-Grandma's house. We were sad to leave on Monday morning; but we know we'll see everyone again soon!