New Room

I have decided to re-do Ryan's room, as the carpet was so bad in there and it was bothering me. So...Jason and Kara came over one day and started getting the carpet out of the room in preparation for new carpeting. We had went to a local store and chose a remnant (boy, is carpeting expensive!) and I had made a deposit on the carpeting. The next day, while Jason was tearing out the carpeting he made a wonderful discovery. Beautiful hardwood floors were under all of that carpeting and padding. What a blessing!!!!!! I cancelled my order of carpeting and got my deposit back and now - wah-lah - I have beautiful hardwood floors. I little sanding and revarnishing goes a long way. This gives this room a totally different look. Here are some pictures of the new room. We put up new wallpaper border (boy, that's a treat to do when you are inexperienced), put some of Ryan's pictures that he has framed in there and also some of his Ansel Adams prints. It gives the room a totally different look, that is for sure.

It is a bit more feminine that Ryan would probably have decorated but I have a young lady who graduated from Lenawee Christian School (where I work) who is going to be moving in with me while she is teaching at Adrian College and working at the University of Michigan. I am looking forward to having someone in the home in the evenings for company and it will help me financially. This is a God-sent blessing, for which I am grateful. Like someone at my office told me the other day when I had a miracle transpire in my office (in front of her) "God always takes care of you!" Yes, HE DOES! He promised He would and He never goes back on His promises! Enjoy the pictures.

Ya busy??? I am!!!

JaLayna Mea Riann Watters - notice how little she is in front of the roses and next to the Bibles.
JaLayna's name tag and information.
Andy is showing us the shirt that he has used since JeNa was born. He has the baby's first footprints printed on the shirt and their time of birth and their name. He does this on the same shirt for every child. It is a very special shirt and is known as "The Shirt".
The Marion General Hospital's policy on the maternity ward stinks!!!! They would not allow the grandparents back there to see the baby or even touch the baby until the baby was back in the room. Most hospitals allow the siblings to be a part of the process if the parents request it, but not this hospital. Andy and Jenn tried to reason with them, but no way! So, he improvised and took a video of the new baby and brought it out to JeNa and Jaxon and showed them their new baby sister. It was precious!

JeNa was one proud Big Sister. She is going to be a big helper. On the way to JeNa's soccer game on Saturday morning we went to McDonalds and we were having trouble keeping the kids from running in the parking lot, so Jason had everyone (kids) hold on to a pocket on his pants. This kept them all together.
JeNa and Katie were waiting for their breakfast.
JeNa was waiting for the ball. She was so cute out there on that field.


Our little JaLayna
I am one proud grandma!
She looks so much like JeNa did as a baby.
This is a picture of Jaxon's first experience with his new sister. He is always saying, "I want to hold him!"
He's more relaxed here!

It's been a big joke around here lately and people will say, "Ya busy?" It's then that you know that they want you to help them do something. I have been having to say that a lot lately. I've had a lot of new changes in my job (new position), Ryan going back to school, adjusting to being at home alone again, garage sale in August, painting and re-doing flooring in my house, changing churches, and the best thing of all . . . becoming a grandma again for the fourth time on Friday night. It was quite a journey in getting her here, with some real scares with Jennifer's blood pressure dropping drastically and the baby's heart rate way out of whack. The cord was around the baby's neck, so that was not good. God provided a real miracle in her delivery and we are blessed. She was born a little before 8:00, Friday evening, September 19. She is 8 lb. 6 oz. and is 21 inches long. Her name is ... JaLayna Mea Riann Watters. No, I didn't mispell anything, that's how it is spelled. I went down Thursday evening and we did the traditional Bob Evans dinner / snack before going into the hospital. We enjoyed our time together. I spent the night at Andy & Jenn's house and took care of Jaxon and JeNessa while Andy & Jenn went to the hospital. Mom and Dad Watters went with me to Marion, Ohio, to be there for the baby's birth and my mom and dad met us at the hospital. Mom Watters and I spent the day Friday trying to occupy two anxious, excited and hyper children. We truly did have fun but mom was totally exhausted. We wondered who was laboring more, Jennifer (having a baby) or us at babysitting. We know why God gives you children while you are young! We went to two playgrounds, took them out to eat, went shopping and just played together.

After the baby was born, we went home and on the way, Jennifer's mother, Judy, developed severe chest pains and they had to turn around and head for the hospital. They saw a police along the road, Wes (Jenn's dad) stopped, told him of his wife's chest pains and the police said, "Follow me." Lights, sirens, 65 mph through Marion, with Wes right behind him. The police ran into the hospital and got help. What a blessing to find help so quickly. They admitted her and ran tests. It turned out not to have been a heart attack, for which we are grateful. So, we had Judy and Jennifer both in the hospital.

Saturday morning, we went to JeNa's soccer game, then went to the hospital to see Judy and Jennifer, and of course, JaLayna. We had been at the hospital only a few minutes when my father-in-law, George, said, "I am dizzy! I am dizzy!" He passed out and the action began. We were running down the hall, trying to get help. Here we are, on a maternity floor, and dad passed out. The nurses were great!! They rushed him to the ER and he was admitted to CCU. What a fiasco! Mom and I ended up going back to the same motel and spent the night again. This is the same type of episode that we dealt with in June when dad passed out like this at church. The doctors reluctantly released him tonight and said he is to go straight home and make contact with his cariologist. NO DRIVING! And get to the doctor right away!!

We were SOOOO glad to get home tonight. It was a busy weekend, for sure.

Wes, Jenn's dad, said, "The next time we plan to have a baby up here, I am reserving three beds so we have things ready in advance."

I just thought I would let you in on my weekend.

Did you think I got lost?

Ryan and Amber practicing. Ryan sang a solo and Amber was his accompanist. Buddy was supervising the practice session. Ryan and Amber are VERY CLOSE cousins and enjoy being with each other. Ryan laughed more this weekend than he has laughed in a long time. It was good for them to be together again.
Amber's boyfriend, Seth Fish, was doing his part with the assembly line meal preparation. Opening the cans of biscuits. Somebody's gotta do the hard jobs...
Kathie, Travis, Olivia, Jacynda, Heidi and my mom came up to Adrian to ice skate at the Adrian College Ice Rink. What a blast they had. Jason, Kara and Katie came over to skate also. The ladies all sat in the bleachers (BRRRRRRR) and watched the skaters. The neat thing about this skating session was that they had the rink to themselves for most the evening. It was so awesome! Jason and Ryan helped to girls with their skating techniques. Olivia was a real 'hit' for the night with her skating abilities. If only I could skate half as good as her. She did a fantastic job and learned so much that night. It was fun to watch the boys with their cousins and how they were so patient with them.
August 8 and 9 was the Relay For Life at Lenawee Christian School. We went over there to see what was happening. We were a little uncertain as to whether or not we could emotionally handle being there, as we used to go to this event before Steve developed cancer. It brought back tons of memories. The luminary lighting was a powerful event. I dreamed about Steve that night. It was so filled with so many good memories of our time together. There were 88 luminaries purchased in Steve's memory.

Clayton was in the dishwater while I was trying to do dishes and had a blast with his beard of bubbles. Clayton is sure growing up. He's nine years old and almost as tall as me.
At the Relay for Life, the theme was Race to the Cure. Katie enjoyed sitting in the car at the display.
We took the 88 luminaries and lined them up in front of the booth and formed the word LOVE. A little crooked but that's OK.
Standing around the lit display while they read the names of the survivors and the ones who lost their lives to cancer. The reading of the names took about 50 minutes but it was nice.
My beautiful mother, sitting in the COLD bleachers, while the kids were skating.

Amber is holding her dog, Buddy. Talk about a dog with an attitude, this dog has a major attitude. I believe he is the most arrogant dog I have ever seen. He's so ugly he's cute! I don't think there is a dog alive though that is more loved than Buddy. And spoiled by Dan too! Can you believe it? Dan, my brother Dan, the one who never likes dogs, is the number one hero in that dog's eyes and Dan lets the dog sleep on his chest.
Amber is helping in the asembly line for the pizza sticks. We made 42 pizza sticks in quick order. Too bad she had to work for her own 17th birthday party. She didn't mind though.
Seth Fish and Amber Plemmons - showing those pearly whites...
One of the pictures that Ryan took this year for a bulletin board project. I love the rose with the Bible and especially the highlighting.
Amber and Buddy - you would almost think that dog was her protector.

I know these pictures are out of order but at least I have an updated blog.

It's been a very busy summer and I have been very negligent in posting frequently. So, I thought it may be a good idea to just put up a bunch of pictures. Other people get away with that, so why can't I?

Grandkids are such a blessing

I am so excited about my grandkids. I'll get to see all of them this weekend. What a fun time that will be! JeNa and Jaxon will be heading my way this afternoon. Andy & Jenn and the kids are coming up for the weekend. Should be a fun weekend. Just being together is fun. It will be fun to have Katie, JeNa and Jaxon together. Just watching two 3-year olds and an almost 5-year old learn to play together is interesting. It's all a part of growing up and creating memories that will last a life-time. I'll be sure to post more pictures after the weekend, IF I GET MY BUILT-IN PHOTOGRAPHER TO REMEMBER TO TAKE PICTURES. :-)

WHAT WAS THAT?

Did you hear me screaming Thursay night? Did you hear the rumble of me 'flying' (get it?) down the stairs? I guess there is a first for everything but why did it happen when I was home alone? I arrived home from the hospital ER, where I had been sitting with my mother-in-law, who was having trouble with fluid retention. I decided to clean the kitchen, took my shower, checked my blog, and decided it was time to sit down and read before going to bed. After all, it was 10:35 pm and I was tired. I turned on the light in the living room and the bulb was loose. It flickered. Just as it went out, I thought I saw something flying around. I thought, "What was that?" I quickly fixed the bulb and to my surprise there was a bat flying around in my living room. I panicked!!!! I had just taken my hair down and I just knew it would get tangled in my long hair. I 'flew' down the stairs, screaming all the way. I don't know what I was thinking. There was no one in the house to hear me. There was no one to protect me. *sniff* What was I going to do? I decided to creep back upstairs and see where he was. There he was, attached to the cove of the ceiling. Right above my most precious knick-knacks. Ones that can not be replaced. I crept throught the kitchen, down the hall and into my bedroom. I locked the door. hehehehe Sure didn't want him to get me. hehehe I called Ryan. No answer. Jason wasn't home, so what was I going to do? I decided to text Ryan. I am not very good at texting, so I just said, "bat in the house" and sent it. Then said, "frantic" and sent it again. He called me right back, and wanted to know what was going on. He quickly wrapped things up at work, sought advice from the guys and headed home. He kept telling me, "Mom, stay in there, don't come out here." I think he was afraid he would have two problems on his hands if I came out there. The next thing I heard was, "Oh, I think I'll get a picture of that bat before I get rid of it." WHAT????? A PICTURE??? I thought, "Just kill it! We don't have time for pictures!" No, Ryan took pictures then proceeded to swing the tennis raquet he had in his trunk. I could hear 'swish, swish, running all over the living room and all kinds of racket from his movements'. Sure is a good thing I didn't know then that this creature was diving at him. I would have been even more scared. Then I heard it. PLOP! Then the front door opened and he took it outside. He hit it with the raquet and it had a sudden death. He even saved the knick-knacks! After he took it outside, he proceeded to take lots of pictures of this dead bat. I said, "The neighbors are going to wonder what in the world is going on with us? Taking pictures of the ground like this and so late at night. If they only knew... Thanks, Ryan! You're my hero!!

Happy 7th Anniversary

Happy 7th Anniversary to Andrew and Jennifer. It is hard to believe that my black haired, round faced, baby boy is old enough to be married (for 7 years already) and have a little girl, JeNa and a little boy, Jaxon, and little Jalena will join us in September. Andrew and Jennifer are wonderful 'kids', they are beautiful parents, and have established a beautiful home. It seemed that their wedding came at a very difficult time in their lives, with Steve passing away just two weeks before their wedding day, but they made the best of a bad situation and have truly established a wonderful life together. I am very proud of them. Happy Anniversary, Andrew and Jennifer! Love ya lots!

It's going to be a girl!

Andy & Jenn found out their little one is going to be a girl. I am so excited! JeNa and Jaxon are pretty excited. JeNa called me to tell me there was a girl and a boy. She almost had me convinced but I kept thinking, "Jennifer's not showing enough to have twins." She's a stinker. I love her to death though. Jalena should arrive sometime mid-September. We'll have lots of fun at Christmas with a 3-month old, TWO 3-years olds and ONE 5-year old. Just thought I would share that we know it's going to be a girl. Now we can garage sale!!!

Grandkids are SO fun!

I have been able to spend time with my grandkids lately and have enjoyed it to the fullest!!! They just love you because you are 'mamaw'! I love to hear them laugh and ask mamaw to 'pway wif me'. Can you imagine me outside playing ball? I have been! I always want to make my grandkids time at my house a pleasant experience. I love to look at their pictures and it is so nice to have a 'built in' photographer. With Ryan home I am trying to get more pictures when they are around. I want my grandkids to have the same pleasant memories that I have of my grandparents. They don't stay small for long. I say, "Enjoy them while you can!"

Steve's been gone 7 years today

It was seven years ago today that my best friend and husband went to Heaven. There has been a lot of lonely days but I have been resting on God's promises. He has promised to be a father to the fatherless and a husband to the widow. Sure, that sounds good, doesn't it? I'll be the first to admit that the promises are reassuring but they are had to rest on when the going gets tough. I miss Steve so much but when I stop and think about his new home in Heaven, I get a little jealous. He's made it safely to the other side! I have been reading through my diary of the month before his death and have been reminded of so many miracles and ways in which God directed our paths. There is no doubt that it was GOD guiding us. We'd never walked this path before but HE helped us with every decision and gave assurance that HE loved us and cared for us.

I spent the evening with my pastor's wife, Ruth Anne Arnold. That was so nice. This was the first time we went to supper together like this in a very long time. We enjoyed our visit. It helped to pass the evening hours away. There is a tendency to sit and think, "7 years ago right now we were making funeral arrangements" or "7 years ago right now I was sitting on the couch as it was too painful to go to bed." But when I look back at the many miracles that have taken place in my life, I am blessed!!!!

I am putting a picture of Steve in this blog. It is one that was taken a couple of weeks before he passed away. His sister, Debbie, is standing by him and his mom, Bonnie, is behind him. He is sitting in my dining room. One of the boys had a problem with a fan and no one knew how to fix it but him, so he was trying to fix it while he was sitting up, as he couldn't sit up for very long before having to lie down again. I sure do miss this 'handyman'.

Weekend

What a great weekend I had. It started with an overnight stay with my son and daughter-in-law, Andrew & Jennifer, and my grandkids, JeNa and Jaxon. Mamaw had so much fun with them. I took them shopping for Jaxon's birthday. They were really good. We bought LOTS of bubbles and a bubble gun that has batteries and a tee-ball set for his birthday. He had fun. I spent the night and the next morning JeNa just couldn't understand why mamaw had to go somewhere else to sleep. It was cute.

After I left there I went to the Women of Worth Retreat in Marengo, Ohio. What a time of refreshing fellowship and wonderful sessions. I came home emotionally refreshed but physically exhausted. Being the dorm mom makes you tired. Getting in and out of bed ten times a night, just trying to make sure everyone is behaving makes for a short night but the ladies had a blast!!!!! We all had fun visiting.

I stopped by Andy & Jenn's on the way home Sunday afternoon to say hello to Jaxon on his third birthday but he was with his grandma and grandpa Craker. JeNa enjoyed seeing mamaw. She said, "Would you like for me to tell Jaxon you stopped by?" So grown up!!!! Speaking of growing up, I'll post a picture of them as soon as Ryan's helps me figure out how to do this. I'm usuing his laptop (Mac) and I can not figure out how to transfer the pictures. JeNa (especially) has grown up SOOOO much! I can not hardly believe how tall she is. She is almost five years old but she should still be my baby. (sniff sniff) Since she is going to get a sister or brother this fall I asked her, "Do you want a baby brother or a baby sister?" In a very distinct voice she said, "I'll take whatever the Lord gives me." You can tell she picks up on what people say.

It's back to work this week. Sure has been a busy one so far. I'm looking forward to the holiday weekend. That is going to be fun!!! Andy & Jennifer and the kids are coming for the weekend. It's supposed to be warm and sunny. Sounds like picnic weather to me.