JADEN CHRISTOPHER IS HERE!!!!!

FINALLY! Jaden Christopher was born on Friday, May 29, 2009, weight 10# 6 oz. , 22 inches long, at 10:48 a.m. (Michigan time - 9:48 a.m. our time). We got the call to come watch the grandchildren at 4:00 a.m. (aren't you glad I didn't call all of you and let you know we were on the way?).

Zachary, Elyse and I watched the three grandchildren while Luke and Lacey were getting to meet Jaden. The kids are so cute. They are VERY well behaved. It was a new experience learning to deal with Grace's diabetes. She is such a trooper. She is so smart. She can almost do everything herself. She doesn't even seem to mind taking four shots a day AND poking her fingers at least four times a day (sometimes more, when there isn't enough blood).

Luke's fellow employees made them a card to welcome Jaden. This is the outside of the card:


The inside had a note written by each employee and "WELCOME JADEN" made out of dollar bills. Such creativity.

There is also a shirt made out of a bill in the upper right hand corner.

They also sent a baby pacifier made out of balloons - it was so cute.

Did they stop at that? No! They included a monkey that is like the other security blankets they got the other three children. Such generosity!

If you want to see more pictures of Jaden and all his many visitors, check out the Rumley's blog.

Zachary, Elyse and I made it to Tim's going away party about 20 minutes late. PCS put up a huge tent and had a HUGE spread of food, including a hog roast. A lady made 100 chocolate covered strawberries that were amazing and HUGE!!!!! There weren't any leftovers! This was also a retirement party for Dick & Carol Davis. They served PCS for 30 years. Each of the three received a plague and many cards. It was a nice day all around.

Tomorrow Dad preaches at FEBC, then PCS has an open house, then they go to Michigan to see Jaden. It will be another long day.

Monday, we have someone coming to look at the house in the morning. Ask me if we have a bombed house. We need to unpack from the weekend, Betsey is here (need I say more) and we have packed Dad's books and shoved them in Erin's closet. Oh boy! Have we got the work cut out for us in the next 30 hours or so.

What a GREAT weekend! Welcome to the family, Jaden. You are very loved and we are thrilled you finally decided to meet us personally. Love you all!

A SAD DAY!!!!!

It was a sad day and a good day. Today, the students at PCS asked Dad to be in ALL their lunch hours. One of the groups had homemade cookies. Each student got a cookie, and Dad got a HUGE one. See picture:

Dad also received several cards (some with money and gift cards in it). Dad spoke in all the chapel hours today. It will be his last chapels at PCS. It will be hard to leave PCS, but it is time to move on and accomplish another of his goals in life. Hopefully, the house will sell, Betsey will get married, baseball will be over, homeschooling will be over and we will find a new place to live. That, in itself, brings on other choices. Where do we go to church, grocery shopping, car insurance, health insurance, gas stations, kids activities, meet new friends, find part time work and make it for three years. Phew! Typing it makes it seem impossible. But, God is faithful, He has never failed us yet.

Dad is heading to talk to the parents and students of the homeschool graduation that he is speaking at this Saturday. Saturday is also Paul's funeral. Saturday starts open houses for us. Some day soon, Lacey will have our fourth grandchild. Exciting times!

Tonight is the first night of Zachary's baseball tournament. If they win, they play on Friday. If they lose, we are done. It will be a late night as the game starts at 8:00. The rain seems to be holding off for us - that is much better than last night's game.

Hope all is well with you and yours. Have a super day!

AN EXCITING GAME!!!!!

Today's weather was gorgeous - sunny and warm. Zachary had a game tonight. We went to the game in sandals and capris. We put a blanket in the trunk, just in case. Boy, am I glad we did. We nearly froze to death. It was only 59 degrees, but the wind was fierce. My feet are still numb and we have been home for over an hour. The cup of hot tea didn't do my feet any good. I guess we need a good soak in the tub.

Back to the game. It looked like we were going to lose the game. But, Zachary's team caught up and eventually won the game with a score of 11 - 8. Zachary made a great catch while playing second base. He caught the ball and threw it to first to get the player out. It was exciting!

These pictures aren't too close up, but at least you can see his batting stance.


Getting ready to catch a fly ball.

It was a great night! Tomorrow Dad, Zachary & Jeffrey are going to a Railcats game in Gary. We bought the tickets for Jeffrey's birthday present.

AN AMAZING WEEKEND!!!!!

Friday and Saturday - Betsey's graduation celebration (see previous blog in regard to that).

Sunday morning, I received a call from Erin wishing me a Happy Mothers' Day. Regular church activities. Then we headed to Chili's for lunch. We thought we would have to wait in a LONG line. But, we waited about five minutes. Is that because we were early (12:30 p.m.) or is it the poor economy? Either way - we got in quickly. I had a ribeye steak (yum, yum) with loaded mashed potatoes, and steamed broccoli with shredded carrots (worth making at home, great combination of vegetables - who would have thunk?). We were all too full for dessert, so we decided to go home and get a dessert at snack time later that day.

When we got home, there was a phone message from Dan-O wishing me a Happy Mothers' Day. Sorry I didn't get the message until later because I turn the phone off during church and forgot to turn it back on until later. Emily also called.

I received cards from Luke, Lacey, Grace, Caleb, Ava and Jaden, Emily & Dan, Erin & Tobin, Zachary & Elyse.

Elyse wanted so bad to get me a present. So, Dad, Zachary & Elyse went out Saturday night and got me a gorgeous plant - a "New Guinea Impatiens." it is beautiful.

Here is a close-up of the impatiens. Hopefully, I won't kill it and it can move with us this summer.


Sunday evening, we headed to Applebee's for dessert. I had a "Mile High Ice Cream Pie." It was amazing! BUT, for all of you who will run out and try it, it is WAY too much to eat. I ate every bite thinking it wasn't too rich. When I got home, I had a stomache all evening. Raspberry Tea didn't even help - I was doomed. While it was going down, I would recommend it highly. Next time (if there ever is a next time) I would share it with a friend (or enemy, doesn't matter). Not only that, but the weekend made me gain four pounds (not my idea of a good result from a GREAT weekend - but it was fun while it TASTED).

Elyse also painted the outside of a flower pot and planted a flower in it (she made it at PCS). Zachary's friend, Jeffrey, brought me a white rose. He is such a sweetheart.

Thanks to all who contributed to my amazing Mothers' Day weekend. I enjoyed every minute of it.

GRADUATION AT GRACE!!!!!

This has nothing to do with graduation, but thought you would enjoy the last time you will ever see my Redbud Tree in our back yard.

Here's Betsey graduating - isn't it a nice picture. You can really see her, can't you!

This is another favorite professor of Betsey's, Dr. ?? Can't remember his name, but he sure had alot of good things to say about Betsey.

Dr. Norris and Betsey. He was her history professor and she worked for him for two years. He is a really neat guy.

Betsey and Micah. Micah graduated with Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Marketing and was also a Millennial Scholar.

Proud parents and their little girl. Aren't we good looking?

Betsey and her roommate Sara. Sara has another semester of school and she will graduate in December. She is getting married this summer.

One of Betsey's MANY friends - didn't catch his name, but you can ask her!

Proof that we were all there!

Grace - such a good girl and a real trooper with her diabetes.

Caleb, the man! He looks so grown up.

We drove to Winona Lake on Friday afternoon, and stayed in a motel. The kids went swimming before dinner, then we ate at Wendy's. Grace College held a dessert reception for all the graduates and their families. It was AMAZING! They had fresh fruit, chocolate to dip, several quick breads, cheesecake, tortes, cookies, plus coffee or apple spritz. The apple spritz was to die for. My favorite was the "orange sweet bread." It was so moist and so good.

Saturday morning, we got up early, had continental breakfast and then went to the graduation at 9:00 a.m. (8:00 my time). The graduation was very nice and VERY long. The kids were good - although it was a long time for them. Luke's family, Emily and the four of us were there. Erin & Tobin, who live in Florida, weren't able to make the trip. They will be at Betsey's wedding though in July.

After graduation and pictures, we all headed to Hardee's. We haven't been in a Hardee's in years. Betsey really likes it, but we were unsure. We discovered that they have changed and it was pretty good - for fast food. The employees were very helpful -almost too helpful. But, when you take 11 people in a restaurant to eat, it can get pretty harried.

We topped off the trip by helping Betsey pack her stuff and clean her apartment. Emily is a GREAT worker. If you ever need help, she is the one to call. We will sure call her when we are ready to move.

Now we are all tired puppies. I think a quick dinner, showers and bed time is in order. Good night!