Some time with Friends

Sunday is church day here.  Has been for all of our lives together.  Yet, eldest must ask every time if we are attending church.  My response, Yes!!!   He goes and has a great time.  I think it is the teenage years thing that has him all caflooy.  

Church was great.  Pastor Scott spoke on Marriage and Divorce as discussed in Matthew chapter 19.  Loved his honesty and down right openness about where God stands on such matters.  Truly wonderful.   I think as a body we need to be reminded that we must, because the Word says so, persevere.  NO short cuts here!

After service we headed out for some lunch.  We went to a pizza shop near church.  The food was good going down but gave both Bill and I some stomach problems.  (Enough said there.)   It did take a looooong time to get the pizza.  Don't think we will go back there anytime soon.   While there our friends the Cherrys invited us over for some dinner and kid swim.

Around 5:30p arrived at the Cherry household.  They have a cute pool that is only 3 1/2 feet deep.   Boy did that help to build Joshua's confidence.  He is the one who is very apprehensive when it comes to anything really.  So it was so good to see him in the pool without any floaties.  Stephen was a great big brother and friend in the pool.  He played with them in a very fun way.  The girls were in the pool for over an hour and only came out because it was time to eat.   All our children are very very cute and sweet together.   

We had a great time and before we knew it it was 10p.  Time for the Sheas to leave.  Well the girls worked out a sleep over.  So we are w/o Abs for a little bit on Monday.   Joshua was asked too but he has yet to sleepover a friend's house.  He said he would and then changed his mind.  There were some thunderstorms.  That certainly did not help the situation.  He was super tired too.  I don't think we even got to the end of their street when he feel asleep in the van.  

Now I am just trying to get rid of a wicked cold I have caught.  Not quite sure where but felt it coming on Friday night when we got back.  Thought I did a good job on Saturday but by Sunday night it was in full swing.  Needles to say, not good sleeping happening here.   Being sick stinks!  

New York City

(A note - there are no pictures attached yet

I need for Bill to set them up as he took the

photos with his camera.  When I have access

I will post them separately and only photos.)

Sorry!!!  :)

Yes, we ventured into NYC today.  What a great day it was!  On the ride home Friday I asked Bill if we could "do" something and after throwing around some ideas we finally agreed on NYC.  You see the kids have been wanting to visit the Museum of Natural History ever since they saw Night at the Museum.  So last night upon arriving here and doing a little unpacking, we rented the movie (as Bill and I have not seen it).  

We woke up early with Bill making us some eggs and bacon on an english muffin.  I was able to only have one cup of tea.  (Doctor will be so proud.)    Bill had no coffee.  Off to the train station.  Purchased our tickets and waited for the train.  Oh, I should back up, before we left apartment we went over some much needed rules for the young ones.  We knew in all the excitement someone would wander off.  Train was pretty crowded.   We had to split up for seating but all went well.   Bill sat with the young ones.  Stephen and I got to sit together.   

When we got into Penn Station we were all thirsty.  We each received a beverage and then off to the subway to get uptown to the museum.   I think the kids liked the subway better than the train ride.   The stop leads you directly into the museum.  You never even have to go outside if you don't want to.  When we were waiting in line, Bill remembered that he should have a corporate discount.  We got out of line and went to customer service.  We all got in for FREE!!!!   I was in a tizzy.  

We found a guard and he suggested you start from the top floor and work your way down to the bottom.  So that is what we did.  4th floor here we come.   There were only so many dinosaur bones one could look at.  All cool and some even interesting but they got old quick - for me!

The third floor brought some Indians, other Native peoples, and African Mammals.  I think the kids liked the mammals the best where I preferred learning about the different peoples and their respective cultures.

By this point we stopped for a much needed snack and beverages.   Then it was off to the second floor.  On this floor were more different peoples and mammals.  This is also the main entrance level.  Where you get to walk through the Rotunda.  We spotted the butterfly part and wanted to go in but found we needed a separate ticket so we declined.  Abs was a little sad so we went off to the minerals and gems section for appease her.

That brought us to the 1st floor.  Saw more mammals, and the hall of human origins.  This hall was not our center of focus as I know better than the beliefs that are stressed at this type of venue.  I did not evolve from an ape!!   Onward to the minerals.  She had a field day.  We could not contain her.  She was running between every display that I really lost track of her.  Thankfully there is a center area and we were able to catch and glimpse of her and slow her down.   By now it was late and we were tired and hungry.  

Left the museum and journeyed outdoors so kids could "see" NYC.   Back on the subway to head back to Penn Station area.  We walked about 40 minutes here trying to find a nice place to sit and relax.  Finally found Brother Jimmy's BBQ.   A combination of City BBQ, Hoggies, and Lulu's.   We were seated upstairs and when I went off to the bathroom I realized we were right across the street from Penn Station.  We literally walked in a square.   HAHAHAHAHA!!  The food was very enjoyable, I would venture to even say better than aforementioned restaurants.  

The desserts were yummy.  Then back to wait for train home. We timed perfectly.  We were only waiting for 5 minutes when they announced our train and track.   We got to ride on the new double decker train.  Sat upstairs.  Fun, fun, fun!  A great way to end a perfect day.  

By 8:35p I was crawling into bed.  Can anyone say exhausted?!?   The kids were still awake just starting a video.  So I kept myself awake and when video was over they hit the pillows hard.   About 10:30p Bill and I were in slumberville too!!!

Some time with Heather

Thursday morning had me waking up to the birds.  (I wasn't happy!)  But then I was reminded that I get to have breakfast with my friend and sister in Christ, Heather.  We ate at Scramblers and I enjoyed my omelet.  We chatted about all things from family to our faith to our fellowship.  Before we knew it time was up.  (Some two hours later!)  

I returned home to some productive children.  Yea, they were working while I was away.  They did some more school work.  Josh and I did some yard work.    Yes, I had to bribe him with a frappucino.   Hey, it works for me!   

Carla and her boys stopped by for some time together.  She had to run some errands and then came back to chit-chat.  Let me just say there are not enough hours in the day!!!  

Our time here has come to an end.  We are sad but looking forward to seeing Daddy.  We also know we will be back in just a short month.   That time will go very fast.  

Come on over!

So here we are at Wednesday already.  Knew this week would go by super fast but light speed?!  I was being the nice Mom and allowed the children to take the day off from doing any type of schooling.  They were in their glory.  You see Stephen slept at Ryan's and Abigail did not come out of her slumber until 9:30 am.   We had errands to run (had to take them since babysitter not home) and then off to pick up Ste.  So easiest solution - no work.  Yea!!!!!  

I knew they were going to try and talk me into eating lunch out.  I did not want to as we are really trying to watch our spending.  (I know - who isn't?)  So before we left I made up the sloppy joes and put them in the fridge to be heated upon arrival home after said errands.    Well sure enough, I was getting all the looks and suggestions in the car when we passed Arby's and they had some free gimmick.  But you other Mom's will be sooooo proud of me.  I did not give in.  

Carla called a few hours later to say she was picking up two of my kids to hang at her place until baseball.  Abs was not one of them as she was waiting upon Meghan's arrival home from school.  So when I went off to pick up Stephen and Joshua she got to stay with Meg.  Then the older boys worked it so Stephen could sleep over at the Stampers.  

Came back home with both boys.  Stephen needed to pack and take a shower (stinky).  Abigail was still playing with Meghan and the group had grown.  Now with Joshua back there was 7 kids.  After all my kids ate, the young ones headed right back to Meghan's.  Well within 2 minutes I received the "get your butt down here" call and have some wine with me.  Suzanne (mother to Meghan) needed something after having 7 kids in her yard for several hours.  So we had a little impromptu happy hour.  

Had to leave to bring eldest to Carla's for sleep over.  But Suzanne made sure I was coming back.  Well as usual we said we would end at 9:00 pm (she has kids that go out to school) we did not depart her home until 9:35 pm.   Glad that Thursday is a field trip for Meghan.  Oh yeah, and her birthday!!!!

Surprise at the Park

My sneaky friends.  We were meeting at the park this afternoon for some lunch and fun.  Well when I arrived they had some cute decorations and such for an early birthday celebration for me.  (Wait I just found out my favorite 6th grade girls decided to plan this for me.)

A frog that Abigail and Kyle caught.  He now lives in 

our pond!!!

Dee Dee found this man playing at the park and

asked him to come and play happy birthday for me.

Burt was funny.  He tried several times to play but

was getting messed up by the singing.  He only just

started playing about a year ago.  He was an interesting

part of this day.  Not what I went to the park for but 

definitely will not be forgotten.

My daughter loving the dessert.

Best Buddies

Older kids hanging out by the river.

Favorite Tree at park.

Happy Birthday Me!

Enjoying some watermelon at our house.

It was another great day that felt so much like old times!!!  8 hours of together time was just not enough.  How can that be?!  Lots of chattin, eatin, talkin, and laughin done by all who participated.   My thanks for a great day especially as it was to celebrate my birthday!!  

My eldest got to sleep over Ryan's house and I fear the repercussions tomorrow.  He was eager to get there but just as eager to spend time with the friends we were with.  Oh, he was torn.  He commented yet again about why we had to move.  As I stated in a previous blog my kids shine here.  I tell them that NJ will bring good into our lives too.  It will just take a little time.  

BTW - Carla had forgotten her memory card for her camera, so she decided to use mine.  She took most of the pictures you see above.  I only shot a handful!!

Like old times!

Well it all felt very familiar and natural today.  Worked the morning and some of the afternoon.  Meghan came by to play with Abs and Josh.  Suzanne stopped by to chat a bit before she had to run off to a meeting.  Then The Ball family arrived for our dinner together.  We had a stir meal of sorts.  Yummy!  Dee Dee brought a brownie mix that was new to both families.  Not too bad.  We all had a great time together and as usual 9:00 pm rolled around and we could not believe how fast the time went.  The young girls begged for a sleep over.  So I am one child down this evening and will be for tomorrow morning and schooling I might add.  I know she will school good there, she is always better elsewhere.  

It really felt like old times!  Thank you Ball Clan for making our day "awesome" (Joshua's word)!  

O-H-I-O

We have arrived in Ohio.  The drive was easy and uneventful which makes it very  pleasant.  There was some movie watching, ds playing, and even some reading got done.   We departed NJ at 11 am and arrived at the Ohio homestead by 7:30 pm.  Not too bad.

We are glad to be here and are looking forward to the remainder of the week.  We hope to relax, spread our wings, and have some fun!

A house is a beautiful thing!

Right before I left for some grocery shopping my sweet Abs gave me a huge hug and said, "I love you Mommy, I don't know where I would be with out you!"   (Can you tell she is very happy to be in her "own" digs.)

Joshua is looking forward to seeing is buddy, Thomas.

And Stephen already has an invite for a sleep over.  

My child shine here!