The Big One

Monday was my 50th birthday. No, I don't feel any different. And I seem to tell everyone I know so I guess it's no big deal. I got flowers at work from Mom & Johnny and Jeff brought me a chocolate on chocolate decorated birthday cake. That was a real surprise since in all the 3 months I have worked there, nobody gets a cake for their birthday. I guess I am special. We had my little get together at Mom's and she had me the cutest ice cream cake with a buzzard sitting on a tombstone. (I will share pics when I get them.....they are in Mom's camera and her computer is down)
I got lots of cool stuff....a Wii fit, Rayman & Rayman 2 for the Wii (I have spent hours on that already), 3 count em 3 pairs of shoes (some flip fop sketchers with blue polka dots, a pair of yellow sandals to go with my many yellow dresses, and a pair of brown sketchers that are adorable), and 3 beautiful boyd's bears. The funny here is that the box I unwrapped was a beer box. You should have seen the look on my face when I came to that! It housed my three bears though nicely. Mom thought she'd get me and she did. From my wonderful hubby I got a beautiful pearl necklace and matching earrings and a card he had made that made me cry. From Chase I got some sweet pea bath and body splash and body lotion. And while in Nauvoo I got a great card from Tristen and Trevor that Tristen made (those are the best!!) and 4 shirts from Corey and Nicole. (by the way...Nicole I have worn all but the yellow and absolutely love them, thanks again.....yellow today) They also took me out for dinner for my birthday. Coby called me bright and early on Monday morning to wish me happy birthday. So I had a great bday. And turning the big 5 0 really didn't bother me like I thought it would. I am still as young as I feel. And though my body lets me know I am not as young as I used to be, I still am not ready for the old folks home! I hope the fact that I have fallen three times in the last month is no indication of my age as Chase kindly suggested. I think each of my spills had a legitimate excuse.
Other things....
Last Friday I went to Nauvoo where Corey and Nicole and kids were already at. Cindy Cunningham's youngest daughter, Hillary got married. I was late for the reception (ok I got lost) and got there just in time to see Hillary and Jake before they left. Hillary was beautiful!!! It was good to see old friends even for a little while. I came home on Saturday. And speaking of Saturday, Chase made his way home late Saturday night and is done with summer camp for this summer. You should have seen the van packed to the gills! Chase came back with a great tan since he was a lifeguard at their lake. And I think he enjoyed it alot.
I have now been on my job for 3 months and can get on their insurance which will be nice. But I am more comfortable there now and joke around with all the guys. I can say that I really enjoy it. The work is all book work and not stressful at all, which is a real nice change. It is real fast pace and I am very busy at work. I had so much catch up to do that I feel like I am finally getting there. It has been an adjustment to being away from home for the 8-5 thing though. Since I worked from home I could plan around things before. But it is good for me now.

The Weekend

We had alot of fun over the weekend. On the fourth we went to my brother's in Parke County. Corey and his family came out. Coby and Chase both had to work.

Trevor loved the four wheeler sooo much that he threw a fit when they took him off. Tristen was skeptical but decided he liked it too

The boys got to play with their cousin, Braden.



We had alot of great fireworks. The day was cool especially considering what the days before had been. Corey and Nicole went to the temple the next day and I had the kids. The following are some pics from that day.
Tristen got a new guitar and was rocking to it all day.
Trevor had fun too. I enjoyed having them here. There are more pics if you click on the rotating pic at the upper left.

This is the Life Chase Leads

I mentioned in another post that Chase is working out at Camp K this summer. He has to live out there in a tent and he gets to come home around 10:00 am on Saturday until 11:00 am on Sunday. Family was invited out for an evening meal the first week. So I snapped these pics of the flag ceremony. They also do this in the morning to raise the flag. I should have gotten more pics but after dinner there was a threat of a storm so we didn't stick around long. Chase is working at the waterfront and teaching the swimming merit badge. This is his second week and he'll be finished July 20th.

I am Pocahantas

Free-spirited and wise. You have a strong passionate spirit that touches and changes all who know you. The wisdom and common sense that you have is really what guides you through life. Even so, you also have a very playful side that loves adventure and excitement.

Here is the link for the quiz

http://www.greatestjournal.com/quiz.bml?Q=16354

Lindsey's Got a Blog

Coby's wife Lindsey has her own blog now.....http://lindseyshields.blogspot.com/
Check her out!! Yea...Lindsey

Where is the ARK???

Most of Indiana was hit with major rain into our already saturated ground through Friday night. We all woke up to much rain and water everywhere on Saturday. Most people have not lived long enough to have seen floods like we just had this weekend. Brazil was "shut down", Clinton was declared a disaster area, Terre Haute not only had roads, yards, basements and houses flooded but they had some roads collapse. I70 near the Putnamville exit collapsed and now we have all the traffic in Brazil. You can check out the paper at www.thebraziltimes.com or www.tribstar.com for pics etc. We met at the 9:00 am time frame with the other ward today and only had sacrament and then we had an emergency meeting discussing everyones needs. We have at least one family that has lost everything because water was up to the roof. They even lost their car and was evacuated by the fire department. This was a whole area that had homes completely flooded. Other families have water in their houses, especially basements. One had his driveway wash away and now can't get into his house which is about 1/2 mile off the street anyway. I have water in my basement and have started the process of eliminating it. Bloomington got hit hard also but all is well at Corey's. Muncie didn't get it quite so bad but they got it and again Coby and Lindsey are fine. Luckily Chase was home that night. For those that don't know....Chase is working out at the boyscout camp, Camp K and is living out there, in a tent, until July 20. The time home he gets is after 10:00 am on Sat until 11:00 on Sunday. (He'll be going to the other wards sacrament during this) Anyway last week was a staff work week and he got to come home on Friday night so he was tucked in during the storm. This isn't saying that he didn't spend several other nights/days throughout last week in storms, as I said the ground is saturated. He is doing waterfront.

Mr & Mrs Martin Meddles

I wish I had pics to share but since I sit here in Indiana and they spent the day in Florida getting hitched, the best I can do is offer warm wonderful wishes to the first of the Meddles Three to get married. Marty and Jen (since two Jenny's are too confusing) were married today with family present. I have met Jen and she is a great person. I think they will do great together. What I know now is that they are staying in Evansville for now where they both have jobs.



On a sad note....for those that don't know.....Larry's Dad passed away very early in the morning on Sat, the same day they were flying out to Florida. I am sure all their emotions are running high right now. His funeral won't be until Monday June 9 at Debaun Funeral Home. Please keep the family in your prayers.