Tristan's new job

This picture was in a newspaper in Pittsburgh, Pa. It's of Edwards Moving & Rigging moving a transformer. Tristan is the guy in front of the police car with his back to the camera.

Unwanted visitor

Yesterday I headed down to the basement to put clothes in the dryer. As always, I opened the dryer door to make sure I had cleaned out the lint catcher, then I started to reach for the pliers I have to use to turn the knob since it's busted when I noticed this little guy stretched out on them. While I'm not terrified of snakes I don't like them and try to stay as far away as possible. I promptly yelled to Tristan that there was a snake on the dryer and to please come kill it. He came swiftly to the rescue. I am going to be very cautious when I do laundry from now on. The funny thing is we have lived in the country for the past 6 years and I've only had to kill one snake out in the yard, never in the house. Now we live in town for 4 months and one decides to let himself in. What is up with that?

Missy's Birthday

I was able to be in Tennesee for Missy's birthday this past week. We had a family dinner, cake & presents at my Mema & Papa's house.

Darren loves to read! He's growing up so fast.

Ethan - such a fun little guy! You never know what he's going to come up with.

Samuel - getting so big! I had so much fun playing with him.

Our Princess Missy. She loves dress up clothes.

9 years old!

Joy made the cake.

I didn't know I would be able to be there, so I had already given Missy her present from us. This shirt is one we gave her. She loves monkeys!

Baby's first picture

My ultrasound was this week. Our baby is very active. He/she was waving its fist all around. My heart just melted at the sight. I'm in love already! Last night the baby kicked me good and hard several times. I can't wait to meet this precious little person.

Profile view

A foot

Baby bump

By special request of family and friends who want to see.

19 wks tomorrow

Dining Room

For Joy:) finished table and chairs

Chair project

Tristan and I recently purchased a dining table with six chairs for only $25.oo. The cushions on the chairs were in sad shape so I took it upon myself to recover them.

Before

The old cloth and padding. Yuck!

Fresh new padding

Ta da! Good as new!

Baby

Heard the baby's heartbeat today. Baby kept moving away when the nurse would get close. Hope that's not a sign of things to come:)

News

We are now proud parents to be. Our baby is due Feb. 23rd. We were happy to share the good news with our parents and other family members this weekend. Sooo excited!!

Farewell

Tristan and I just recently made a move to Kentucky. My niece, Missy, and her friend, Hanna, put together a surprise going away party from all my students. I thought it was very sweet of them.

Father's Day

I was out of town for Father's Day this year, but I would like to pay tribute to my dad. I truly believe I had the world's greatest dad. He always took time for us and put his family first. I remember one time he turned down an invitation to go fishing since the person doing the inviting didn't want my younger brother to go. Dad said, "If I can't take my children, I'm not going." He always said he would rather do things with his children. This made me feel so special. The disappointed look on his face when I got out of line was always punishment enough. Nothing else could have bothered me more. He expected respect and that's what he got. Dad was always happy to help me with anything I needed. On the day he died he had planned to come over and help me till my garden. I hope to someday pass on the truths, values, and love of nature that he taught me to my children. Sometimes it's still hard to believe he's been gone for over two years, but his memories and influence will forever live in my heart. I love you, dad, and I plan on seeing you again someday!

Hay cutting time

The first cutting for the year was actually a couple weeks ago. It would have been even sooner, but rainy weather held up the process.

Tristan in his "new" Belarus cutting the hay.

Wes on his Case tractor raking the hay

Todd & Matthew on Todd's Case tractor raking hay

Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures of the baling process since I was working at school that day.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Mom's birthday was Tuesday, June 9th, so we got together for Sunday dinner to celebrate. Ethan helped set the table.

Samuel with his Uncle Dan.

Wes, Samuel, & Tristan

Tim was in charge of the cake and for various reasons didn't get Mom's name put on it so he decided to engrave it with a toothpick.

Happy Birthday, Mom, we love you!

YUMMY!

Tristan & I bought some strawberries to put in the freezer today. I nice advantage to having Amish neighbors is the fact that they had just picked these this morning. They are as delicious as they look!

Tibs

One of my students recently gave me an adorable kitten. I decided to call him Sergeant Tibs, or Tibs for short. Yes, it's from 101 Dalmatians, I love that cat! Anyway, Tibs & Copper are finally learning that they have to get along and seem to enjoy playing together.

Family Reunion

Mom, Tim, Dan, & I went to my dad's family reunion. Since people were going in and out of the cabin I didn't get pictures of everybody but here is a few.

My cousins Jennifer & Kathy

Aunt Debbie, cousin Amanda & Dan

Jennifer & Dan

Great-Uncle Wayne Aunt Sherry

Uncle Johnny, Uncle B.J., & Tim

Mom & Aunt Sue

Mother's Day

I had the privilege to stay in Mobile so I could spend Mother's Day with my mom as well as my Mema and Aunt Pam.

Tim, Mom, & Me

Darren, Missy & Ethan stayed in Mobile too

Mema & PaPa with some of their grandchildren & great-grandchildren.

This was the first Mother's Day in several years that Aunt Pam got to spend with all her children.

Johnathan, Nathan, Angela, Uncle Barry, Aunt Pam, Neil, and Joyce

It was also the first in a long time for Aunt Pam to be with Mema.

Papa, Mema, Mom & Aunt Pam

Neil's Graduation

My cousin, Neil, graduated from High School on May 9th. He is the youngest of the cousins on my mom's side. I use to carry him around when he was little, now he towers over me!The Shirah family
The whole clan (The ones that were there anyway.)
I have heels on. I told you he towers over me!

After the graduation we had a party at Connie's house. On the way there we tried to explain to Ethan whose house we were going to. To which he replied, "What kind of face does she have?"

Of course, as always when the cousins get together, a game of football was played.