We love Ohio...part #1!

We just got back from a wonderful 2 day trip to visit old friends in Ohio! What a fun trip!Here is Meghan, me, Stephanie and her friend, Judy at a cute little park close to their house.

Anna, the monkey!

Ronnie...hanging with "the guys"...watching them race on their bikes.
We had a wonderful dinner Sunday night, then when my little ones went to bed, Steph and I, her two sons Charles (age 17) and David (age 14) and Meghan & Sara stayed up playing the board game, "Clue"...what a fun game! We ended up talking and laughing until after 1am! (mistake...Anna got up super early the next day!)Yesterday, we drove up to the beach at Lake Erie....how beautiful! Stephanie and I have been friends since 1999...it was wonderful spending time with her and her boys!
Meghan at the beach...she, Steph and I didn't bother to get our bathingsuits on...although, I wish I had! It was so warm, peaceful and beautiful there!

Ronnie and Charles...he is looking into applying to go to college at Patrick Henry University next fall...
The rocks that we were sitting on...and sharing with the seagulls!
Anna, Ronnie and Sara....the water was perfect! Everyone had so much fun!

David and Charles
Icecream after an afternoon of swimming....just in time before the heavy thunderstorms started!

This view was gorgeous! Can't wait to go back again soon!
Charles
Their wonderful dog, Gunner and Anna...she loves this dog SO MUCH! He had to be the best behaved dog I've ever been around...and SMART! He was so gentle with Anna, played ball for hours with her, and knows his left from his right! She misses him already!
The boys were great with Ronnie...took him under their wings, taught him things, listened to him and taught him some cool Lego things...they also shared David's drum set with him...he was really good! (Hmm....maybe there is a drum set in the future for our home.)

Stephanie took the girls and I to Old Time Pottery. This shop was great! Tons of housewares....incredibly priced! I got 2 oil lamps, lamp oil, dish cloths and towels...even my Christmas cards! The girls got some great bargains, too! (Meghan has almost filled up her Hopechest already!)
I had to laugh...Steph got herself a new "blankie"...a soft, beautiful blush colored boucle throw.

The "Clue" gang! We had so much fun with this game! We played it both nights. I have to learn the boys 'strategy'....I couldn't figure it out either night!
This is David....telling Sara to stop trying to see his cards!!!

~What a special trip this was! Thanks, Stephanie! This was the first time we got to visit with them since they moved 6 years ago....she kept inviting us, but with having Ronnie and then Anna...and then moving (and my fear of driving on the highway....)we didn't make it until now. I'm so glad! Part two of out trip tomorrow.....wait until you see the old town that we visited when we had our 'high tea' at a victorian tea parlor! ~Sue~

Introducing....Hayden Lee Reese!

Introducing....Hayden Lee Reese!!!! My great-nephew! Hayden came home last Friday, and he and Crystal are doing well. He is so cute...look how much hair he has! He is the perfect combination of Ben and Crystal. (I think!) Thank you to everyone who was praying for them! ~Sue~

Movie Review: Night at the Museum 2: Battle of the Smithsonian

Sorry for my rare appearance around our blog but it's been a wee bit crazy around here. Two of my dearest friends were over the other day and mentioned they had really been wanting to go to see Night at the Museum 2: Battle of the Smithsonian at the 'cheap theater' in Pleasant Hills. So I decided to write up a movie review on the movie....I think our family will end up owning it or seeing it again soon. :) (Just click the title of the movie anywhere in this post to see a review of the movie from PluggedinOnline.com)

A few weeks ago, when dear Gabrielle was still here, we saw the aforementioned movie at the same theater. Then we went out to Arby's for their Wednesday freebie! All together, the night ended costing my parents about eight to ten dollars for us all to see a movie together and get drinks and huge sandwiches afterwards. Aren't we frugal thinkers? :) The movie was hilarious and we laughed uproariously through out it. The giant squid was a teeny bit gross but not entirely repulsive. Most of the characters from the first movie return, including Teddy Roosevelt (though not as much as in the first one) Sacajawea, Jedidiah, Octavius, Dexter the monkey, with a whole bunch of equally hilarious characters strictly from the Smithsonian museum.

The Plot of Night at the Museum 2: Battle of the Smithsonian

Larry Daley is now a big-shot CEO of his own company with a Blackberry and Blue tooth to boot! His friends at New York's Museum of Natural History are rather annoyed and offended by him as he rarely comes to see them anymore. One evening he visits the museum and speaks with the manager of the museum (who is equally as unhappy with Larry as his friends) and Larry learns that all of his friends, Attila, Cavemen, Sacajawea, Dexter, the miniatures and more are all going to be shipped to the Smithsonian's Federal Archives. The tablet of Akmunrah is staying in the museum as well as Teddy Roosevelt. Larry learns this, alarmed, and asks when this will all take place, in between cell-phone calls, he learns that this night when he visits, is their 'last night.' Their move to perpetual sleep in the Federal Archives is because of the new hologramic (if that's a word) exhibits. Bummed out, Larry asks Teddy what he can do but then his cell phone rings just as the sun rises. After he finally shuts the cell off, Teddy is back to wax. Larry goes back to his apartment to look more into the Smithsonian Institute. He is doing research when his phone rings and he hears Jedidiah's voice and much hubbub in the background. Jedidiah haltingly explains that the "monkey stole the dad-blamed tablet!" And there's some guy there who really wants it and says it's rightfully his. This 'guy' is Kahmunrah, Akmunrah's older brother who feels the tablet rightfully belongs to him to bring back his army from the underworld and control the world.

Larry, with the aid of his son Nicky via cellphone, goes into the Smithsonian, steals a security guard's ID card, and sneaks into the bottom of the huge museum-that in truth is many buildings that make up the Smithsonian institute. The Federal archives are stories under all the buildings and Larry goes down there in a race against the sunset. The whole movie is the span of about a very long night. Amy Adams plays the tight-pants clad Amelia Earhart whose every other word is 20's or Depression-era slang-we loved it! She's very spunky, opinionated, and takes a liking to Larry. He handles the situation nicely without telling her until almost the end that she'll be wax again by morning. They race against the clock and the group of wannabe world dominators, Napolean, Ivan the Terrible and Al Capone-all with their respective soldiers and cronies, led by Kahmunrah.

Along the way they see a gigantic Lincoln from his memorial, a giant squid, and many, many other unforgettable characters that will leave you holding your sides with laughter. Not the least of which are the Einstein bobble-heads in the Smithsonian gift-shop and the three, ever singing stone cupids that seem to pop up around Amelia and Larry when least expected. The cupids had Sara and I almost rolling on the floor laughing as they started singing two recognizable songs. The credits read: Cupid 1: Joe Jonas, Cupid 2: Nick Jonas and Cupid 3: Kevin Jonas. Sara and I were howling!!! One of my favorite parts was when Amelia Earhart and Larry Daley were in the art building being chased and the paintings have come to life via the tablet!! One of pictures was the famous WWII picture of the sailor and nurse smootching in Times Square. To get away from the bad-guys, the two hop into the picture and dodge the group of power-seekers.

Moral Issues:

They say the 'd' word twice and take the Lord's name in vain, regrettably, more than once. For a PG movie (only rated because of the 'd' word and some mild violence) that's pretty good.

Amelia and Larry kiss twice and Larry kisses the nurse in the picture to evade the bad guys. Also, Amelia Earhart, aka: Amy Adams, where's very tight pants that look much like jodpurs-what most horse-back riders where.

Other than that, I can't think of anything else halfway to objectionable. Even the previews before the movie were a bunch of commericials and one movie preview-that's pretty good!

(Gabrielle, I'm adopting your family's movie rating system!) Out of five stars-five being the best and one being the worst, I'd give Night at the Museum 2: Battle of the Smithsonian a 4.25. :) There was no call to take the Lord's name in vain or to swear-like in the first one. Overall it was a hilariously funny film and very sweet. After Amelia and Larry say goodbye, and she flies her plane back to the Smithsonian, there is an absolutely sweet twist when Larry visits the 'new' museum full of 'holographic' exhibits. That's all I'll say-my mom will probably say I gave away waaay too much already, so I'll be done now. :)

Almost ready.....

Almost ready to start schooling again!!! I am actually very excited about this year, and can't wait to start and get into a daily routine, and learn a lot of new things....I love homeschooling! Below is Anna doing a leaf rubbing. She and Ronnie have been reading books and doing experiments on their own...I think they are ready,too!

This is what my diningroom table looked like...and you can't even see the stacks of books on some of the chairs...we would just push everything to the middle to eat for a couple days until I organized it all for the coming year!

Hooray! After my organization!
One of our bookcases....reference books ready for use...even a lot of Anna's fiction in a much more accessible way for her to get to them. (easier for her to put them away, too!)

I made a shelf of nothing but science books for Ronnie. He LOVES to read these! Now they are all in one place and he can read to his hearts content...and it will make it much easier for me when we are studying a particular subject!

I was able to seperate the top left bookcase for Ronnie & Anna's school books, and any other books (history) that we will be studying this year. The top right is highschool for the girls. I even had room on the bottum shelves for my cookbooks and craftbooks.
Cleared my table just in time to lay out this quilt for baby Hayden! Saw pictures on facebook today..he is so cute! Tons of dark hair, big eyes and very alert. I was also able to speak with both Ben and Crystal. Crystal is feeling better...sore and tired, but so happy to be home from the hospital! With Ben in the Airforce, I thought I would make Hayden a special quilt. I know it isn't traditional with squares or pieced in anyway....I thought a 'whole cloth' quilt was more appropriate....it has the batting in the middle, but the back is soft blue flannel. It is a good size,too.....a little bigger than crib size. Ben is probably being sent overseas in December, so I wanted the baby to have something warm, and something that will be big enough for him for years to come....and the Airforce, representing his daddy. We're so proud of Ben! So...plenty of projects to keep me busy along with our schooling...again, I cannot wait to get back into a routine! We've enjoyed all the parties, and get-togethers and trips this summer...but I am such a homebody....that is probably why I love winter so much! Staying home, cozy and warm! (I know it will be 90 degrees this weekend...I can dream can't I?!) Off to tuck in Ronnie and Anna to 'dreamland'! ~Sue~

Friends near and far....

Technology and me....a love/hate relationship! I love the old-fashioned ways...cooking and baking from scratch, gardening, hanging laundry outside on the clothesline...the old time crafts, sewing, quilting, crocheting...a fire in the fireplace, popcorn popped on the stove...."snail mail".....but, I do like the convenience of some technology...emails, cell phones, free long distance and digital cameras. But, I think, I like how easy it is to foster relationships. Email, free long distance, cell phones and yes, blogging, allow me to feel connected with friends and family out of state, and friends that we don't get to see as often as we would like. Today, with various errands to run, we combined the errands with short visits with friends...and what a blessing it was!

My dear friend, Marla....laughing while we all helped make pies for their church picnic tomorrow. She is expecting her 8th baby...while preparing for the wedding of her oldest daughter and homeschooling her other children....any visit we have is so precious, as time is full and they don't live very close to us.

Marla's 2 oldest girls....in order: Meghan, Hannah, Courtney (who will be married in December) and Sara


Anna, Morgan and Kenzie....both Ronnie and Anna had fun outside playing today! Ronnie had a friend over yesterday at our house to play, and today, he stayed and played with two of his "guy" friends, while we took 2 of their sisters home with us for an afternoon visit.

With...these sisters! Morgan, Michaela, Meghan and Sara....played the card game "spoons"....a very NOISY, but fun card game!

Then, after dinner, Sarah and Rachel came over for a quick game of spoons, popcorn and the movie 'Enchanted'...as I'm typing this, the movie is almost finished....all quick visits, but memory makers all the same.

My friend, Jolyn, lives in Ohio. Even though we are not close enough for 'quick' visits or get-togethers, thru our blogs, phone calls and emails...we are able to share pictures and share our daily lives with each other.
Sara and Jolyn's daughter, Autumn....even the girls have developed close friendships thru snail mail, email, long 'giggly' phone calls and blog photos with friends all over the country.

Of course, Gabrielle....back home in Idaho. Sharing our lives with her, thru technology and phone calls...and then the precious 2 weeks that she was with us....priceless! (We miss you, Gabrielle!)

Oh, my friend, Dayna! Now in Mozambique, Africa! I think it is incredible that we can keep up with each others daily lives and families thru blogging, photos, email and phone calls....even across the world!!!

~So goes my love/hate relationship with technology! I hate texting, network television, too many appliances and I am not good with machines...but I am so grateful for the relationships that technology helps to sustain. So here is to all of our friends, near and far....we love you guys! ~Sue~

Some of the special things in life....

How blessed I am! First, an update on Hayden and Crystal. Crystal had to have a transfusion today, but I hear is feeling much better. Hayden is doing well...both Ben and Crystal have gotten to hold him...can't wait to see a picture! The hole in his lung is healing nicely, but his white cell count is up, so they are keeping him on the anti-biotics..no word on when they will be home.This morning, I woke up to this smiling face...minus his front tooth! He was so excited...and I think he looks so very cute!

Had to get my picture for my license taken today...no fun...and I never like the picture. Came home and Ron, Meghan & I had to go to the bank for some accounts...Meghan opened her first checking and saving accounts...(sigh) another milestone for my 16 year old. We switched to a local bank, where we know the manager personally (she was even in our wedding), and the teller...it is so nice to deal locally with people who know you! Sara took the little ones to the library, then we all hit the farmers market!
Check out these nectarines and golden plums!
Ron can never pass up fresh bread...and this garlic herb potato bread was calling his name! Along with wonderful chocolate milk from the "Springhouse".

This zucchini was from our garden...what the deer haven't eaten!

Fresh cucumbers and tomatoes
My wonderful helpers...shucking corn! One of the main joys of my summertimes is fresh, hot, sweet, corn on the cob! We all got some shaved ice at the farmers market as well...Sara even got a lot of EXTRA flavoring in hers!
So...dinner consisted of the bread, cucumbers, tomatoes (these cherry tomatoes were from our garden, too), corn on the cob and a mushroom, cheese, spinach frittata. It was so good!

We got a call today, that our Uncle Ralph passed away. He wasn't really our uncle by blood, but that's what we always called him. My Uncle Rich, who passed away over Mother's day weekend was Ralph's brother....Ralph was the last of the Sacco brothers. So, when I called Aunt Helen to check on her, she said she'd like a visit...so we all piled in the suburban and went to visit her. She now lives with my cousins, and is doing well. Little Tyler, who just turned 3 keeps her busy!
Me and Aunt Helen...my Gram's only living sibling. She is so special to me!

Now that my cousin, Stacy, has Tyler, Ronnie and Anna love playing with him. He is so cute and funny! They all had a great time tonight, and the girls did too....Stacy's brother and his wife are having twin girls soon, so we had a lot of fun looking at the baby girl stuff that they have already bought, and talking about the shower coming up on August 22nd. Two twin double flannel blankets to make! I have to finish Hayden's airforce blanket, first.

Ty is coming tomorrow morning, and the girls are being picked up early for their babysitting job....so I'm off! God bless! ~Sue~

The way I was made.....

I want to live like there's no tomorrow
I want to dance like no one's around
I want to sing like nobody's listening
Before I lay my body down
I want to give like I have plenty
I want to love like I'm not afraid
I want to be the man I was meant to be
I want to be the way I was made~Chris Tomlin~

~ I was listening to this song in the car after dropping the girls off at work...the breeze was cool, the sky blue and clear...after a whirlwind month...actually, a whirlwind summer so far, I was thinking of "whatever happened to my "simple life"?! What did I want my life to be like...and most of the day was just that! I was made to be a keeper at home...a helper to my husband, and a mother to my children...to live simply and to be content and grateful. I love what I call "reminders from the Lord"...such as this song by Chris Tomlin! I needed to be reminded...and now to plan to get back to the simple, quiet life that I love so much and have to guard very well...or "busyness" settles in...and robs us all of our peace and contentment. It has happened to our family before...and it is so sneaky, that if we are not careful, we can allow 'busyness' get us again! So, today....here are some scenes from my simple day...(although I forgot pictures of my laundry!)LOL I want to be the way I was made!

Warm, apple cinnamon oatmeal...more fresh apples than anything!
The view from my rocker on the deck...while I read God's word, watched my children play and shared fresh peaches with my little ones.
I like to write reminders thru out my Bible...and re-read them frequently...along with my favorite devotional "Streams in the Desert".



juicy, sweet peaches!
Playdough fun! I love the smell of playdough...and their creativity!
Hooray! I planned my menu for the week...along with any obligations and activities we all have....I actually felt a sense of relief....planning and organizing brings me peace of mind...and makes my life so much easier! We eat much healthier and cheaper as well!

Gluten free, healthy homemade bread! Again, I feel relief that we will in a way that is the healthiest for our family...and that I was able to make plenty for us!
And, after playing outside, my little ones eating GF bread with jam and kefir smoothies...yum!
Crocheting and creating always relaxes me...especially crocheting! Yes...this is STILL the infamous "Dr. Who" scarf...but I am enjoying finishing it! It is actually much lighter than the afghan that I just finished! Now...off to read "Mother" by Kathleen Norris and HOPEFULLY, get a good nights sleep! Part of what works best for me is definitely 'early to bed, early to rise'! Tomorrow, after getting my drivers license picture taken, I will hopefully be able to get some more organizing done around here in hopes of starting school up again and getting into a workable, peaceful routine around here! I hope to have a picture of little Haydon, too! Goodnight! ~Sue~