Celebrity Collage by MyHeritage

MyHeritage: Celebrity Collage - Geneology - Family tree software

Celebrity Collage by MyHeritage

MyHeritage: Celebrity Collage - Geneology

Celebrity Collage by MyHeritage

http://www.myheritage.com/collage

MyHeritage: Family trees - Genealogy - Celebs

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MyHeritage: Family trees - Genealogy - Celebrities - Collage - Morph

Newton wins first ballgame of season 27-6!!!!

The football team is off to a wonderful start with a win against Pana. This one wasn't easy, seemed there was one ref who wanted to call a penalty when anyone from Newton even breathed (once he called a penalty for "illegal touching") that one was finally reversed and the play replayed.

Congratulations Jason and the Newton Eagles, what a great start to the season!!

What a busy week it has been. We were very sad to hear that Adam's grandmother past away Sunday evening. It is terribly hard on the family as this was so fast but in time, they will appreciate not watching her fade away. Adam had just went somewhere with her the day before she had the attack, that day is his real last memory and I have assured him he will be grateful for that day.

I have been out working in our field offices getting their systems ready for LIHEAP. Our biggest program of the year (and my main job description program) starts next Tuesday. It will be a madhouse for the first few weeks. I went to Paris and Charleston last Friday, Greenup and Martinsville Monday, Springfield to an Ameren meeting Tuesday, Olney and Lawrenceville today then tomorrow toTuscola and Mattoon. Friday I will go to Robinson and here in Newton . I also just found out I will be going back to Olney and Lawrenceville next Wednesday. I think I am doing a wonderful job of keeping the roads warm!

Happy 16th!

Well Sunday came and my baby boy turned 16. It's hard to believe how quickly time has went. He did get quite a surprise for his birthday. He believed he was getting a windshield for the El Camino, when what he really wanted was Rock Band for Wii. He needed the windshield though and had pretty well accepted the fact that was what he was getting. See the look on his face when he sees the box and knows immediately what it is.

Aunt Sis made him a cake too, we spent the day enjoying the festivities at the Balloon festival and ended it with a trip to Red Lobster for a birthday dinner on the way back home.

Aunt Sis and Uncle Richard got him another controller for his Wii, Nana gave him a check for $50 and our cousins Al and Betsy sent him $10. Grandpa had sent him a check for $30. All in all, he had a GREAT birthday.

Of course, most of you know, because of Jesse White's new driving program, he won't get his license until November but he is still driving with me and his dad and counting the days.

Happy Birthday, kiddo, we love you.

Up, Up, and Away

Every year, for I don't know how long, we go to my sister and brother-in-law's for the Lincoln Balloon fest. Some years it is just me and Robert, this year Andrew got to go to. As I said in an earlier post, Adam was supposed to go too. Please keep praying for his family and especially his grandmother. They were supposed to know more about her condition by the end of the day.

We left Saturday morning, stopped at Cracker Barrel in Mattoon for Breakfast, did a little geocaching (will post on that later) in Tuscola and got to Sis' around 12:45. We went to the used book sale (bags of library books for $1/ bag), and Art in the Park, where Artist display and sell their works. I got a new gazing ball for our yard as well as a feather pin that is wood but has had so much work put into it, it looks real.

On Saturday evening, we headed to the airport to watch the balloons. It rained and so the lift off was delayed, then they didn't really go anywhere when the did lift off, about 300 ft. They pushed them all back to the field and did the glow, which was pretty.

Sunday morning, Robert's birthday, we went out to the airport at 6:30 to watch the final balloon event only to find out, the wind up high was blowing too hard and the balloons weren't going to fly. That is probably my favorite part, they try to throw a bean bag on a target at the airport as they fly over. Oh well.

Sunday morning we went to the 1800's craft fair at the Postville Courthouse. The Courthouse is interesting in itself. Abraham Lincoln had practiced law in the original Postville Courthouse. It was sold to Henry Ford many years ago. Then the city of Lincoln wanted it back, Ford said no so Lincoln has a "replica" of it's own historical site.

Sunday after lunch, we went to the flea market and the car show, then it was time to head home. Of course we celebrated Robert's birthday in there, will add that tonight with pictures.

We had a great time, and want to thank Sis' and Richard again for having us and showing us a wonderful time.

Catch the Spirit...Live the Dream

"Who says you can't go home, there's only one place they call me one of their own"

I know there are people out there that wonder when I will get over it. I told my mom last night, I wonder myself when I will get over it. I think the answer is probably not any time soon. I am so very, very, very thankful to God for letting me be home in Jasper county. I was most definately one of those people who couldn't wait to leave. When I did, and we moved to Pennsylvania, all I wanted to do was be home.

I didn't realize how much home meant to me until I didn't have it. I probably went from one extreme to the other because when we lived in Pennsylvania, we lived in a town that didn't like outsiders, and to top it off they didn't like Wal-mart. They didn't want Wal-mart in their town and that was the only reason I was there. I had one lady at a fabric store refuse to check me out because I had moved there because my husband was in management for Wal-mart (then we found out, as we were leaving that Andrew's great, great, great whatever grandpa was one of the founders of that very town). I used to joke around that our PA license plates said "You've got a friend in Pennsylvania". That was exactly how many friends I had in PA, One (who happens to work for Wal-mart). I have had friends in some of the other places we lived, Indiana, northern Illinois, but you just don't have friends like those ones who share your history. Good or bad, they really KNOW you. Not just who you are at that moment, but truly what you are all about.

I was standing in a small group of friends last night, one of whom I had known since we were probably in diapers, the others for over 2/3rds of my life. There is a easy feeling there, like you don't have to worry about what you are going to say that might stab on someone's past. It's just knowing each other. At the end of the Stephen King movie "Stand By Me" there is a quote that is something like I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was twelve. Does anyone?

I also went to Wal-mart last night, to run Adam out to see about something and basically just to get him out of the waiting room for a few minutes. I ran into more friends I had since I was born. It felt so natural to tell them what was going on and to please pray for Adam and his family. I know the Lord never leaves us alone, but it is such a blessing when he sends so many people to let you know you are never alone.

I was just out for my morning walk. It seems like I never have a morning I don't have someone go by and honk and wave, or are out walking themselves, or are headed to work as I walk by their house. I just get overwhelmed at the fact that here are my roots. I bought a sign last night at media night. One side of it says Catch the Spirit, Live the Dream. I have thought I should be the poster child for Newton's motto ever since the first time I saw it.
And for now, I will continue to at least a few times every day, thank the Lord that he brought me home. My parents gave me roots and wings, what a wonderful gift. I used my wings to fly away, but when it all came down to it, it's like the Bon Jovi song I quoted earlier says:

"I've been all around the world and as a matter of fact, there's only one place left I wanna go".

(is it a shock to anyone that is the last song on my "Walking" Playlist?)

One more thing, if you aren't happy where you are, start praying, start asking God to take care of it. It's a whole other story, but I feel like I am honestly living the dream and it is ALL answered prayer.

Media Night

Tonight was our High School's "media night". The night where the fall sports teams are introduced and the band plays the first preview of it's competition show. This year, Robert switched to playing baritone; so even though you may not be able to see him, you can see the bell of his horn!

We do have some sad news. We are going to the Lincoln Balloon Festival this weekend. Robert's friend Adam was supposed to be going with us. He called this evening and said he couldn't go because his grandma was in the hospital. After media night was over, Robert and I went to Effingham to see how things were. Things weren't well. Adam's Grandma had either a stroke or a heart attack or both and is in very grave condition. Please keep Adam and his family in your prayers. Thanks!!!

Robert got a surprise this evening. The last time is Grandad was here, Robert got his first taste of Cherry Mash candy. This is something we had heard about from Andrew's parents for years, but Robert had never had. Today, Robert's birthday card came from his grandad. It was actually a box, and inside was a bag of Cherry Mash! He was in heaven! He also wants to thank Grandpa for the check that was inside his card! More money for the truck!

Hello everybody,

Well I finally bit and started my own family blog. I haven't decided if this will replace our website or just add to it. Anyway, this may be more of a "daily" or at least "weekly" thing depending on how much time I truly have for it. We will see.

Anyway, Robert started his Sophmore year yesterday. He seemed to love most of his classes. He has many guy teachers this year, which is good for him. He is really excited about taking transtech. He has already volunteered (with Mom and Dad's blessing) to donate our old lawnmower to the class to work on.

Last night Mom and I went to a mini conference for AWANA. Andrew, Mom and I are taking over the High School club, or Journey 24/7 as they are officially called. I am looking really forward to starting this year. I think we will have a lot of fun.

Guess that's it for now, going to stick in a picture from Robert's first day of school. Yes, it's a Churck Norris Shirt. I still don't understand what makes Chuck Norris so awesome to these guys, but he certainly is.

Check back often as I will try to keep up!