Hello family!! I have had one of the worst brain farts I have ever had with this web sight. I have not been able to blog here since April. I could not get on the sight when I signed in. I thought I knew my password and talked as polite as I could to the computer screen to please let me in. I tried every password I have ever had and I still couldn't get on. I had talked to Missy the last time she was home, talked to Lindy at Uncle Steve's, and to Sherri on Labor Day. I had planned to get on the computer at Sherri's on Labor Day to show her what was happening but with all the fun we had, I forgot. SOOOOOO....that evening when Andrew and I got home from Sherri and JD's house, I was looking at the sight and wishing I could let you all know what has been going on with my little family. Andrew asked me why I didn't blog anymore. WELL...I let him have it out of both barrels about how I must have the wrong password and blah blah blah. He asked me very politely to show him how I signed on. His very words and I quote,"Sweetie, why are you using that email account? Don't you sign in on your Yahoo account?" I stared at him with the look of seven devils and said, "What?!!! It is asking for my Google account (which I have for Stephen)! Why would I use my Yahoo account????" I huffed at him and entered my Yahoo account email and password. I said with authority "This is not going to work. It has to be a Google account" as I hit the button to enter. POOF! I was on. He walked away without saying a word. I stared at the screen in total disbelief. I was on. WHAT?! HOW?! All summer I have set at my computer waiting for that magical moment when Blogger would feel sorry for me and let me on. The wait was over. I sat there for a moment and shut the site off. I was so mad at myself for being such an idiot that I didn't blog. So here I am now. Stephen graduated from college in June with a double bachelors degree. He finally graduated after nine years!!! He has a degree in Fine Art and Communication. He is currently working with David Lynch (LA director) on a TV program for the college. After that I don't know what he is doing. Carrie, Ross, Thomas, Mike, Andrew, and I traveled to Iowa to see this grand event. I must say I am a very proud mom to have a college graduate. Stephen received two awards during the senoir awards ceremony. He received a $250 cash award for a video he produced and the Community Service Award. The latter award is basically the outstanding student award. He co-earned this award. Every person we were introduced to or spoke with talk very highly of Stephen. They all thanked me for letting him come to their school to add his creativity and special spirit to the campus. Stephen has really worked hard at Maharishi University. I was worried that he would go to the school and be involved in a cult and never be the same. How untrue those thoughts have been. The school has opened his creativity levels and spiritual levels beyond words. He is open-minded and absolutely one of the most pure souls I have ever met. I don't know where he will go or what his future holds, but I know that he will suceed in all that he does.

Love to all!

PS. Thomas started playing soccer. First game was today. Robert is crawling and pulling up to things at 6 months. Carrie and Ross are house hunting. Ross got a job at the coal mines which will give his family insurance and more stability. I am so proud of him. Matt is working all the time turning his life back around on track. Mom, JD and me (as much as I could) got the siding done on the end of her house. I am getting over Mono and just recently a bout with a real bad cold and bronchitis. I will post pictures of the grandbabies after Thomas' game next week. I didn't get to go today because I just got back in town from a small camping trip.

Again, love to all!!

Hi Eveybody,

Wow!! It's been a while since I blogged. It's so good to see all your beautiful pictures, Sheri, and to get an update on your growing family. Good to see Kelly's pic's too. We really do all have beautiful babies. No lie. We've had a busy but good summer. Fun vacation to Marco Island, FL tostart off, Jake went to church camp and zoo camp. He did NOT like church camp and learned a few choice words there that we weren't too happy about. But, it was an experience. He loved Zoo camp, of course, it didnt involve any overnite stay, so that helped. Mom and Dad and Monica came a few weeks ago and we went to the Wilson county fair, Uncle Larry came too. We had lots of fun. We also celebreated Jake's, Monica's and Mom's birthdays while they were here. Matt got a job at Johnson Controls. He works in the office with Billing and Customer Service, etc. This has been a huge adjustment for the whole family, but a good one. It will be good for Matt and good tohave the extra income. Jake is the only one who doesnt like it so much, because he has to go to extended care after school instead of being picked up by his DAD. But, oh well, that's life. I am able to pick him up usually by 4:00 and sometimes earlier. Well, its labor day, and we are trying not to labor. Hope you all are doing the same. I love you all. Let's keep posting.

Cathy

summers end

Hello everyone. What would we do with out computers? lol. Wow has summer flown by or what. Sorry i missed the pampered chef party. We were in cali. Our son Garrett came home from duty in Iraq. We are so glad to have him home safely. It was nice to see dad and son reunited. The beach was pretty great too. I have found that I could possibly live threw the hardship of having to wake up to the ocean sounds, smells and the fresh sand every morning if I had too.
I do have another annoucement for those who haven't heard. I am grandma again for the 4th time. Chevy Joseph was born to Andrew and Auburn last month. sorry so late on the announcement. He is beautiful of course. His big brother will be turning 1 on sept. 4th. Cant believe the year has went so fast. Domino is now 4 mths. old and beautiful too of course. Isn't amazing how we all have beautiful children. We are a lucky family. ha ha. I will include some new pics. for you all to see.
Other wise all is well. Married life is still good. Jd still works in Madison, IN. He has 10 mths left and than we have no idea where we go from there. He wants to travel some with hes work but it is so hard to leave my family even for a while. Brock and Karie just bought their first home and are doing really great. She is a fantastic little momma to Domino. Andrew got a new job this summer and baby number 3, of and he got his chevy truck. So he got to chevys in less than a week. lol. Jeff started year #3 at V.U. transferring back to phamacy as his major. Decided he just didn't want to spend 12 to 14 hours a day in a kitchen. Oh and Brock and Jeff bought new motorcylcels together this summer. pray for my boys. Jack is working in the oil fields and doing well and his girlfriend Miranda started V.U. this week to. So that is an update on me and my 5 sons. Sounds like every one else had good summers. Mel. good luck with the yard sale. and the 20 kids you have. lol. Hope all goes well with Steph and getting that baby girl. Take care. love you all. sherri

Layla Marshall

Layla's foster mother sent me these pics of her today. Is she not beautiful. She told me that layla is starting to walk. She says she smiles a lot. She is very shy around people she doesn't know but does remember peoples faces. She is going to send me more pics and I'm sending her a pic of noah, tameka, and Moni so she can put it in her room with her. She sounds like she is in great hands. I'll post more pics as we get them. I'll let you all know if and when she might be moving up here. Love to all.

Mel

Grandma, Grandpa and the boys!!!!



Eli's 1st trip to Disney!!!


After Eli's dedication!!!


Caleb on the ferry boat at Magic Kingdom!!


Eli at the 3d show at Magic Kingdom!!