First Day of School/Alyssa Can Read!/Corn on the Cob & Watermelons

This blog said it was posted on 08/14/2010... it is lying. I uploaded pictures on that date, but oh well. Ryan and I are still as busy as ever... he is still working seven (yes 7) days a week and I am on the go as usual. This past weekend we celebrated Alyssa's 4th birthday. I don't want to give away to much of the surprise... pictures and post to come later.

I start school tomorrow. This will be my first day of school in 3 years. Kind of crazy! I am excited and nervous at the same time. I am ready to get in the groove of things and see what it is going to be like. It is school right??? I have went to school for how many years (K -12 = 13 + 4.5 years of college)... 17.5 years of school AND I AM STILL NERVOUS?!?!?! Sounds a little silly when you start thinking about it that way. However, this is a new adventure for me. A new school, new classes, new teachers, high expectations for myself... and a long drive. To make this all sound even more silly, I am worrying about my future classes more than the one that starts tomorrow. Completely backwards huh. Those darn accounting and finance classes...


Below are some fun times we have had lately.


Marianne's mother Marilee came and stayed with Kirk and Marianne for a few days. We really enjoyed getting to see her.


Below: Alyssa read her every book in the house I think. :) Oh... and yes, the girl can read! Not memorization either. She can sound out words, and gets many tricky vowel sounds and letter combinations correctly. Pretty neat to watch.

Below: Alyssa modeling Grandmama's fancy shoes. Alyssa is very into pretty dresses, shoes, and princesses these days.

Below: Grayson LOVES corn on the cob. I have never seen a kid go at corn like he does.

Below: Corn on the cob is so good that G-Baby was saving some in his hair for later. Look how he annihilated that thing!

Below: Our good friends Kelsey and Rylon got married August 7th. The wedding was BEAUTIFUL and so much fun. They have moved to Cinncinati and we wish them the best of luck. Can't wait for that road trip! Here I am pictured with my best buddy Ashley (Lil A).
Below: Ryan and I all dressed up for the occasion.
I FINALLY got to give Grandpa his watermelon!!! It actually was good too! Tad thinks it is pretty cool. He couldn't lift it, so he rolled it all over the floor.
Below: Tad was rolling Grandpa's watermelon to him.

Below: Grandpa and I with the prized watermelon! 5th time’s a charm!
Below: Tad rolling it over to Grandma Brenda so she could cut into it.
Below: Grandpa and Mom were anxiously waiting to see what the inside looked like.
Below: Tad is quite the dare devil these days. Jumping off his rocking chair onto the other rocking chair.
Below: It was a rather rough landing.
Below: Tad is growing up so fast! He no longer wishes to ride in the wagon... he now pulls it, and does a very good job at it!
Below: On our way back to Grandma's. We always go and get the mail together.
Below: If you have ever seen the Simpson movie, you will have heard of "Spider Pig." Uncle Ben and Tad were playing Spider Pig in the next two pictures.

Below: Tad and Grandma always watch from the window when someone leaves. It is so cute. Tad waves goodbye as we leave.
Until Next Time:

Ju

Happy 60th Anniversary!!

"Marriage is not a ritual or an end. It is a long, intricate, intimate dance together and nothing matters more than your own sense of balance and your choice of partner." - Amy Bloom

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

One persons interpretation of the verse above: (This was the scripture at our wedding)
HOPE OF REWARD - Vs. 9 When two work together, there is more production.

HELP IN TROUBLE - Vs. 10 When we have difficulty while working with a partner the partner can help us. When we have difficulty while working alone, there's nobody to help.

HEAT OF FELLOWSHIP - Vs. 11 Without someone with whom to share there is a coldness of spirit. When we have a partner with whom to share the things of God there is warmth or heat.

HARDNESS OF UNITY - Vs. 12 When an individual is attacked, he is more likely to be defeated. When two people are attacked, it is more likely that they will not be defeated. If three people are attacked, it's like trying to rip apart three cords closely bound together. It is hard to do. When three Christians stand together in the Lord, Satan will have a hard time defeating them. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

This whole blog is a tribute to my grandparents, Jack and Louella Hermanski. They were married in the Hunter United Methodist Church on August 6, 1950. This year marked their 60th wedding anniversary. What remarkable people they are. I look at their marriage and admire them both. They really have this all figured out. One thing many people fail to do, is put God at the center of their marriage. Their marriage has always been centered around God, and you can tell that by their words, actions and love for one another. My grandparents then put their spouses needs first and foremost after their personal and joint relationship with God. I love them so much. They truly are inspirational people, and have passed these values onto their children.

I love the first saying by Amy Bloom. Marriage really is one long intimate dance. Whether you are slow dancing, or two stepping over hurdles in life, or fast dancing to some good ole rock in roll and you feel like life is flying by... it is all about the dance. Who is leading? Do I lead, does he lead, it all depends on the "dance" and situations in life. The most important thing is to make sure you never lose sight of one another, and always keep your hands held tight.

Below are some memories from their special day:

Below: The anniversary cake!

Below: Tad was having an early taste test... I love my Mom's face in this one.
Below: The two love birds!
Below: Tad could not wait to have ice cream... he stole the ice cream scooper and started digging in.
Below: Heck yeah Mom found "Sensational 60" napkins!
Below: Opening their anniversary cards.





Until Next Time

Ju

When you make plans, God laughs.

When you make plans, God laughs.

I think God laughs at me daily. Especially when my "well thought out plan" fails me. I
have always been an avid planner. I make lists, plan ahead, and like to feel in control of projects, my weekends, work, etc. It is funny because Ryan and I are very different in this aspect. He is a go with the flow, it will all work out, lets just wait and see what happens kind of guy. I love that about him. I think it balances us out. He loosens me up, and I get him to give me at least a direction when we are planning. :)

Ryan and I have had packed full weekends the last 6 weeks. From river trip(s), to weddings, we have been busy. On top of it all, Ryan has been working every weekend. We are both ready for a vacation. We are planning something in September if we both can get away from work long enough.

Below are some recent pictures. Enjoy!

Below: This is our neighbors cat "Special" or better known around our house as Plunkett. Plunkett is our neighbors last name, and he has taken a liking to our house. He is here about 85% of the time. Rudi (my kitty) actually gets along with him. She is the queen at this house, and he knows it. He knows to let her eat first, drink first, etc. He really is a sweet kitty and we don't mind having him around.


Below: Tad was being ornery. I playfully told him "don't you throw that ball down there" and you guessed it... he did!

Below: I then asked Tad "where did the ball go". You can see his answer below.

Below: Tad and I taking a break from playing for a quick photo.

Below: I just love this picture of Tad. The green grass, his orange shirt, that sweet smile, and those baby blue eyes!

Below: I don't know how he did it, but Tad spotted a ball under the deck. He recruited his Dad and Uncle Ryan to help him get it out. He just HAD to have it. :) Uncle Ryan finally found something long enough to reach it and saved the day. It was so cute watching those three working to get that ball.
Below: Tad and I took a walk up to the COOP. His "ride" needed more air in the tires.

Below: Poppa Jack and Tad went for a walk and found this old mower. They had so much fun on that thing.
Below: The Davis clan came to our house to go swimming one weekend. Grayson LOVES the water!
Below: Grayson and his Mom splashing away!
Below: Uncle Ryan giving Grayson a toss. Just love the look on his face!
Below: Alyssa got brave and decided to jump into her Daddy!
Below: Just love Grayson in these pink floaties. I'm sure one of these days he will tell me that is was not nice to put his picture up with those pink floaties on... that is not manly!
Below: What is Alyssa doing?
Below: G-Baby is getting more hair!
Below: FIRST CANTALOUPE OF THE SEASON!!! WOO HOO!!!
Below: Tad vs. Tiny Desk
Below: Tad 1 - Tiny Desk - 0
Get ready for a blog surge! I have two more posts with pictures ready! They should go up this week. Hope you can keep up!

Until Next Time:
Ju