Good Friends

This past weekend was filled with time with Friends. On Friday we went to visit our friends the Diersings. They have recently moved and are now only a little over an hour away. We wanted to see their new house and deliver some maternity clothes as they are expecting their 2nd baby in February. Charissa is their 6 year old as of today. Happy Birthday Charissa. Unfortunately I forgot my camera on the trip, so I don't have any good pictures to share, but we had a good time of fellowship and just catching up. We love Troy, Gloria and Charissa and are so thankful that Jesus has kept us close these past 10+ years!

On Saturday morning the Grahams came to visit. Wes, Summer and Bradyn live in Montana and we haven't seen them in several years. We had only seen pictures of Bradyn and enjoyed meeting her for the first time and introducing both Eli and Maddie to them.

Wes and Ron were Best Friends growing up. They attended the same church and have stayed in touch even now as we are miles apart. It was fun to see them both with their daughters.

The boys showed them how boys played with their daddy...

As Bradyn and Wes looked on in amazement or fright, not sure which!

Ronnie, Nathaniel and Eli all enjoyed the pictures and videos from Montana and the cowboys!

They also enjoyed helping Bradyn and following her around!

Here is Summer with Maddie. Summer helped me realize that Maddie's hair is long enough for little pony tails. (she also put them in - it seems I need lots of practice)

We had a great time with both families. Ron and I need that interaction with others in ministry from time to time. We are thankful for all the families that Jesus has brought into our lives, but especially those who share with us in ministry. It was really an encouragement to Ron and I to have this weekend filled with those who know what we do and who walk with us! Isn't it amazing how Jesus knows just what we need, and when we need it!!!

Thank you Jesus for Friends who are in ministry and share our burden for lost souls!

Labor Day Fun

Yesterday we spent the day together in Oakwood. We went to the Labor Day parade and then to my Uncle Jim's for some yummy food and lots of fun.

Below are Grandma Donna (mom's mom), Chuck, Maddie, Daddy and Pap!

Ronnie, Nathaniel and Eli had a great time with the water slide. They didn't want to stop.

It was so windy at Uncle Jim's that they were purple lipped when I finally pulled them away, but they had a great time.

Maddie enjoyed playing too, although it would have been better if it had not been during nap time!

It's nice to be around family and enjoy days like this.

We got the call this morning that my sister, Jo and her family made it safely back to Ugandan soil. They have yet to arrive at their "home-home" (as Elsie says it), but are happy to have arrived in Kampala and all their bags made it too. Thank you for praying!

Disappointment in Victory

In case you wondering, The Ohio State University, Buckeyes began their season last night with a roaring win over Marshal (45-7). Go Bucks!

We, around here, are big time Buckeye fans. However this year (and even last year) things are different. We do not get the Big Ten Network, nor do we get ESPN. Therefore, we will not be watching the Buckeyes win week after week. Very disappointing!

I wish there were some way to pick the channels you want with your cable service. See we have the very basic cable which does not include much of anything, which usually is not a complaint...except during College Football Season.

It's hard to imagine a whole season of Ron giving the play by play the next morning at breakfast after staying up to see it on the Internet or the news. This morning the roars were big as he told the boys about Pryor's 3 touchdown passes (he's the quarterback, for those of you who could care less about the greatest college football team in the nation), and Brandon Sain's 103 yards and two scores. The boys were excited, but me...well, I'm glad they got a win and I'm glad they did good, but I would much rather watch them do it.

So for this season, I will continue to be a fan, but I must admit there will be a little disappointment, even in the victories!

GO BUCKEYES!

More Kids

This past Monday I began babysitting, again. I have babysat several times in since having my own kids. In fact, when Ronnie was born I quit my job at the law firm and babysat for the attorney I had worked under.

Then a couple of years before we left Circleville I again had several kids that I kept, including my own 3. Beginning this week I have 2 boys. The oldest began attending Preschool and gets off the bus at our house before lunchtime. Then his little brother comes early in the morning. These 2 guys attend our Ney church with their parents. Brett and Eli are only about 6 months apart and Evan and Maddie are only a few weeks. So it really is perfect. So far it's been a pretty good week. Evan and Maddie did really well the first day and it was fun to watch them interact.

Below they are reading books together. I think there was some singing too!

Then they moved on to dancing and singing to the music.
On Monday's Brett is here all day, so Eli loved that. They had a great time together and really seem to get along well.

Eli has been a big helper with Evan too.

Beginning next week we will add a 3 month old to the mix too. I'm a little concerned with how Maddie will handle that. She has been having some trouble with Evan getting even a little attention, so we'll see. Honestly I think it will be very good for her to not be the youngest around here and not the only girl too. I'm hoping she'll be a big help.

Saying Goodbye

I really don't like to say Good-bye, so last night was a little rough. We met my Mom, Dad, Sister and 2 Nieces in Ft. Wayne for supper, but this would be the last time we would see the Coppedges for probably 4 years. I hate that! This picture below was taken after dinner when we were all just standing around in awkwardness not wanting to actually start hugging and begin the process! (Well that's what I was doing, the kids were eating peanuts!)

Grandma has enjoyed having her Grand babies so close and watching them all interact. Below Eli and Elsie take a minute break as they wait for their food.

I think I did pretty good. I got through my good-byes and hugs and kisses and got into the van before the tears started falling. I cried all the way home. It's been a crazy 8 months since my sister and her family were in the states. As you may recall they were boarding a plan on their way home when I told her, "mom has cancer". I'm sure I don't have to tell you that has been a strain. Additionally, when I saw my sister the last time she had only been a mommy for a couple of months. Now when she came, she had 2 little ones. Life just seems to be changing so fast. We had moved to a new place since we had seen them last and we honestly have no idea where we will be when they return in 4 years.

The boys will be 4 years older (we all will be), but Lucy...she'll be 5. That's how old Nathaniel is now. It seems overwhelming to think about. I love those little girls. They are so cute and I have enjoyed getting to know them and see what their little personalities are like. This has been a rough 8 months for them too. Can you even begin to imagine?

So, as we traveled home from Ft. Wayne last night my tears rolling down my cheeks, there were lots of thoughts going through my head. I am thankful for the time we had. I can wish and wish that things would have been different somehow, but I am thankful that Jo and Billy are following Jesus and returning to Arua, Uganda to serve Him and tell the people of Uganda, Sudan, the Congo and beyond about the love of Jesus. Thankful and yet tearful!

When we were little, Jo and I were close. We had to be! We shared everything. As we grew older and our personalities grew we realized we were a lot different. I'm like my mom, Jo is like Dad, neither is wrong, we are just different. However, we always had that bond as sisters. I share a bond with her that I cannot ever share with another human being. I have sister-in-laws who I love so much, but Jo and I we have a different bond.

And so, as she asked last night, "how can I pray for you?" It's not just something she says because it's the right thing to do. I'm so blessed to have a sister who loves Jesus. Who is teaching her little ones to Love Him and who even though we are thousands of miles apart she will pray for me.

Somehow Good-bye is hard and yet it really is only C-ya later. Whether we meet again in 4 years on this earth or not, I'll see my sis in heaven and I'm so thankful for her!

Elsie and Jo

Lucy Mae
Holding my nieces!

Jo, Billy and the girls leave on Sunday, the 5th. It's a 3 day trip to Uganda, then another 5 or 6 days before they are back to their "home/home!" Please pray for all 4 of them as the Lord reminds you!

Potato Harvest Time

This past Saturday was Potato Harvest Day. The boys remembered planting the potatoes last spring. They put a tiny potato in the ground and covered it up with a big mound. Now as Daddy moved the soil and opened the ground...piles of potatoes came rolling out. And big ones at that. What fun!

Nathaniel and Ronnie were both pretty pleased with their finds.

And the competition (because there is ALWAYS a competition) began to see who had the biggest potato.

Not sure who won, but we have lots of potatoes to keep our bellies full this winter. Now to find time to can some!

Homework Helper

There is really nothing better than someone willing to help with homework!

Visiting Grandma Donna and Chuck

On Friday, Eli, Maddie and I went to visit Grandma Donna and Chuck. There were a couple of reasons we went on Friday morning. #1 reason is because I will start babysitting on Monday, so it may be awhile before we get back to visit. #2 reason is because Chuck has begun taking radiation treatment and he and Grandma are both worn out and sounded like they needed some cheering up and #3 reason - Eli and Maddie can bring a smile to almost anyone!

We enjoyed the beautiful morning outside in the swing.

Eli really likes Chuck and I'm pretty sure the feelings go both ways.
Maddie and Eli had fun running and giggling and getting Grandma and Chuck to laugh at them.

I finally got Maddie still with Grandma, but the picture isn't that great. Right before this she had kissed Grandma good-bye and here she is about to exit her lap!
We had a good visit and I am again thankful to be close to my Grandparents right now. I'm glad the kids can enjoy some time with them too.

Mini-Vacation Part III - Lots more pictures

One more day of vacation picture, then it's time to snap back to reality!

My Dad bought a Pedal Boat for their time at the Lake. He thought the kids would like it. They did, and so did we adults. Ron and I pedaled across the lake one afternoon and got some good exercise! Below, Eli is trying to pedal.

Then my Uncle Mike took us out one afternoon in his Pontoon. The boys liked that too. Especially when he made it go fast. It brought back lots of memories of when we were younger and would ride with Uncle Mike. I remember tubing behind his speed boat and watching my cousins and mom ski.

Grandma and Nathaniel enjoyed the boat ride.

Ronnie sat up front and enjoyed the boat ride too.

Eli, of course, had to be right in the center of things. They all 3 got to drive, but Eli was the one who kept wanting to push buttons. Uncle Mike finally told him that if he pushed certain buttons they would eject him out into the lake. While watching his face, I was afraid he just might have to see that, but thankfully he didn't touch them.

Maddie enjoyed her bath time with Grandma in the kitchen sink. It made me remember our time in Mississippi when we didn't have a tub and Ronnie bathed in the sink until he was 13 months old!

Maddie tellin' Grandma something very important.

On Saturday morning, as we packed up it was raining. It turned out to be perfect because the boys played games with Grandma instead of begging to go down to the lake one last time.

Dad (aka Pap) enjoying the lake.

Uncle Mike and Eli swimming.

Ronnie took some construction trucks with him to play in the sand. He spent most of his time working on a road from one end of the beach to the other. He had a great time.

Here's a close up of his road.

Grandma and Pap with the kids.

Thanks Grandma and Pap for a great time! We had a blast!

Bonus Post

I know I posted earlier today, but I forgot to include this quote from Eli. While we were traveling to Shipshewana with my parents (see post below) and while we were on our buggy ride, Eli continuously called out all the horses. He would squeal with delight, "there's another one". Finally on the way back to the cottage, after announcing horses for a while, he exclaimed, "I know why there's horses everywhere, it's horsey day today". Perfect! It was Horsey day and we got to enjoy it. I'll never look at an Amish buggy the same again.

Today we took Maddie in for her 15 month check up (yes, she is nearly 16 months). I had to let you know that she is 23.3 lbs which is 60% and she is 32 inches which puts her at 90%. The doctor said, "although it's a little early to tell, I'm guessing she will be taller than her momma".

So there you have it, Maddie will be tall and cute!