SURPRISE PART 2

Chuck thought his b-day was over. He had thought early on that we were going somewhere for the weekend with a group of friends. I told him that I had too much trouble getting it together, everyone was noncommittal, etc. He totally bought the whole thing!

On Saturday morning, I went to gym class with Sarah. Travis brought the kids over so they could play together. When we got back, Travis and Sarah left and took their kids over to someone's house. My parents showed up to take our kids, and after a little bit of hassle (our house got put under contract and had to be done that day, so we signed a billion forms) we were on our way. All the way to Cincinnati, he was guessing, and it got quite funny. First we were going to Dogwalk (an old farm that Dacian's parents own). Then we were going to the airport, then COSI. He was really running out of options. Just north of Cinci, he said, "I think I've really got it this time." I said, "Okay." He said, "Do you really want me to guess, because I think I really know." I told him that was fine, and he said, "That Wolf place with the indoor water park." So he guessed it about 15 minutes from actually being there. Oh well, I think it was pretty neat to get him that far without him guessing. So now, all the lying is done, and I won't have to do it again until his 40th birthday... ;) The awesome entrance.

This was one half of the lodge.

The gang (Dacian and Duane Keaton, Travis and Sarah Westerfield, and Chuck and me)

Chuck posing the "zexy" (Zach this was just for you)

We didn't get great pictures, but it was a REALLY AWESOME place!!!

The arcade

Sarah is really good at ski ball.

Dacian made an AMAZING dinner. We all had a great time and the food was yummy!

Oh look, Travis and his goofy face again... :)

The bedroom

The other room

The "kitchen" area.

SURPRISE!

All I can say is, "Thank goodness it is over!!" I'm tired of keeping secrets. THat being said, I think everything went very well. Chuck turned 30, and we were all able to keep all our secrets under wraps. First up was his surprise birthday party. We had it Thursday night before he turned 30. We got him to church because he always has Bible Study at church on Thursday night. The week before my brother told him that they needed to meet an hour earlier the next week. All in all it turned out great! Travis and Sarah (I dont' know that I've ever taken a picture of Travis where he doesn't look like a goofball.) And Brady (see, he knows how to smile)
Chuck opening his presents.

Yummy, yummy Chocolate cake!!! (With grandma's chocolate icing)

So handsome for such an old man... ;)

We thought he would be coming in the other door so we weren't quite prepared...

No See Glasses

I took Abby to the eye doctor to get her eyes tested for preschool The doctor walked in and asked if Abby needed glasses. To our surprise, she said, "yes." Then she said, "I need no see glasses so I can no see the monsters." The doctor burst out laughing and then said, "Well that's one I haven't heard before."
When we got ready to leave, the doctor handed her these glasses (even though she didn't get her eyes dilated) and helped her put them on. He said, "Here you go Abby, here are your no see glasses. Can you see the monsters?"
She replied, "Nope!" and walked out the door. Oh dear!

Pictures of Chuck's birthday are coming soon, but until then here's an Abby story to keep you interested.

We were driving down the road the other day and Abby said, "Mama, who were those people in the garden?" Not having seen a garden, I said, "What people, Abby?" She said, "you know those people in that pretty garden." Thinking really hard and realizing that we had just come from church, I said, "Adam and Eve?"
"Yes, mama, those poeple. They were in the garden and they ate the yucky fruit."
"Yes, Abby, they did eat the yucky fruit."
"And God kicked them out because they ate the yucky fruit."
"Yes, he did. God kicked them out of the garden because they disobeyed God. God told them not to eat the fruit but they did anyway and so he punished them by kicking them out of the pretty garden"
Silence (about 10-15 seconds)
"But mommy, I don't think God should have put the yucky fruit in the garden. Then they wouldn't have eaten it."
And that, ladies and gentleman, sums up the entire human thought process in a nutshell. Yes, I did something wrong. Yes, I know it was wrong. Yes, I disobeyed. BUT, it was God's fault because he shouldn't have put that temptation in front of me....

Remembering and Praising God

How do such heartache and such joy seem to be wrapped around one time period? Tomorrow (March 13) is the estimated due date of our little one in heaven. I miss her, and still think of her often. But I also know that if she had been here, we would not have our wonderful, precious, baby boy.
So I wanted to take this moment to remember our baby. Happy 2nd Birthday in heaven, sweet girl. You are truly missed. And then I wanted to say, Praise God for our sweet boy, Caleb, that brings such joy into our lives and reminds us daily (as does Abby) that God does exist.

If you don't like the weather in KY...

hang around 5 minutes, it'll change. THis is about 1 1/2 weeks after the ice/snow storm. IT was about about 65 degrees outside so we walked to Bruster's for ice cream. We forgot how early it got dark, so the walk back was a little chilly-but it was worth it! Abby and Emily Grace looking too cute.
They're all still short enough for free ice cream. WOO HOO!

My little man. He ate all of his and was begging for ours. Silly boy.

Abby's favorite. Purple dinosaur with eyes and sprinkles.

Caleb's misery

This is what happens when your son is allergic to amoxicillin. :( POOR BABY!!!