He's a Sailor now!

Yes, We're back and Nathanael is an official U.S. Sailor. The graduation was really neat. So much concentration and discipline goes into it. If you don't pay attention and keep very focused-well- you may find yourself 2 steps ahead or behind the rest! Hannah took a lot of pics of the actual graduation and I'll probably post a couple later. Nathanael was very tired, somewhat numb to emotion, but glad to have us all there. Becky was with us, too. Somehow, I don't think you could have hog tied her to keep her away! He will move into his room at school on Tues. All his schooling is self paced so he may be able to finish a lot sooner than the 18 months alloted. We're hoping he gets to make it home for the Wedding! He received 2 promotions while in boot camp so he is now an E3 and said he will probably become a Petty Officer before to long. He had a lot of fun telling us how it was and showing (especially Dad!) how the workout went! We enjoyed it all!! We did take the train (which he will get to know the routes real well since he can't have a car while he's there)into Chicago and went to the Sears Tower. Pretty spectacular view. We went to service on Base with him and got to experience the service there. It was all a very different life for him. He's glad it's over!

Yes, I'm here

Been a pretty busy time! This weekend we will be in IL. for the Naval graduation and some time with Nathanael. We're excited. It will be a very special time and we haven't seen him since the 21st of March. It will be a nice,(unfortunately, short) weekend.
I'm trying to pull all the loose ends together for the wedding plus get the garden out. I can't say I'm all that excited about the garden this year. Maybe once I have time to relax I will be.We've enlarged it by about 5 feet wider. I really need about 20 more feet to be able to get it all in at the same time!
Andy woke up to the sound of running water-AGAIN- at he and Hannah's house! He hasn't been able to see any damage yet. Fortunately, it was under the house and not inside this time. It gets a bit discouraging, wouldn't you say?
Have a great day and remember all your blessings!

RSVP

Anyone who has received a wedding invitation and has not sent the RSVP back, please do so. I don't want to over or under plan for the reception food! Thanks!!

Announcement

Hannah's engagement announcement came out in todays Findlay paper. Thurs. it will be in the Ada Herald. Lima was so expensive-$70! Considering Findlay was free and Ada was only $15-I'd say that was a bit excessive! Things are coming together very well. The next big thing-after the programs- after getting the ceremony figured out- is buying all the food. We haven't received half of the RSVP's yet- I do hope folks know to send it back even if they can't come! Anyhow- our evenings are going to be busy from here on out!!!!!
Next weekend is Nathanael's graduation. I keep hearing how fantastic it is. I'm sure it will be quite memorable! We'll get lot's of pics so you'll get to see some of them.
Must close- the kiddies are down for a nap and all of them have finally fallen asleep! That's my cue to get something done!

It's The Gas Chamber!!

Today Nathanael gets to experience the gas chamber. I'm sure you're all wishing you could do it, too. As for me, I'm glad I'm not!!! This week should be the last of the heavy stuff-then on to graduation. His division also performs today and next Fri. for other graduations. If they do well tonight they will get a 30 min. phone call. Of course, for us, that means 10-maybe 15 since his calls get split between 2 parties!
As an update on my bro-in-law and niece- they are recovering, but very sore.
BUSY will be the theme of my life for the next month. Pulling it all together is scary.
Have a happy day and enjoy the sunshine!

Just Today

Man! I feel like - well- a bit harried and tired! Seems like one thing after another these past 4 days. Last night we rushed to Fostoria- my brother-in-law and great-niece were hit broadside by a semi. Fortunately, it happened in town so the speed wasn't as fast. This would be a different blog if it had happened on a highway! Phil has a cracked sternum and is banged up and will probably be very sore for a few days. Taylor seems to have a bad concussion so she was kept in the hosp.
Nathanael got to call yesterday. He is doing well and is still on target to graduate May 18.
Enjoy these beautiful days! Even last nights storm had some beauty in it!

Surprise!

I couldn't say anything until after the fact on Hannah's trip to FL. because Andy's does check this blog sometimes and I dared not ruin the surprise. She flew out Fri. morning to surprise Andy and spend the weekend there. She took all her curtains for the house and some other decorating things thinking she would add some finishing touches and make the place look homey. Well, when she and Andy got to the house they found it was being flooded from a broken pipe under the sink! Ugh! Needless to say, she did not hang curtains. They will have to replace some flooring and possibly the bottom kitchen cabinets. Thankfully, the new linoleum had not yet been laid. By the way, she surprised him at his office. He said he loved the surprise! I think he was getting kind of Hannah sick (home sick) to see her! They are down to 39 days! That means we really have to pull it all together-soon! No, really, we're doing ok in that area.
So far, Nathanael is still set to graduate May 18. We will be spending the weekend there since he will have liberty for the entire weekend. Once he's in school he should be able to come home some weekends.
Aaron is back at work and settling back in at home. I don't know how I'll do when all my kids are out and on their own. I know I'll miss them! Hopefully they won't all be so far away I'll never get to see them except at Christmas! I know- life will go on!
Have a great day and enjoy the sunshine! I think Spring has officially arrived!!!

Aries

Aries Hardesty, (age 4 mos. and 23 days) went to be with Jesus yesterday. Apparently it was SIDS. I babysat for Aries and his brother, Theo. Please pray for his parents- they are not doing well. They had all gone to Miami along with some other family to witness/celebrate the marriage of Eric and Suzanne, Aries parents. They found Aries not breathing when they went in to check on him during his nap. I can not imagine the grief
and pain they must be feeling. Please pray that I will have the right words to say when they get back. The posted picture was taken at about 2-2 1/2 months. I can imagine the joy in Heaven and how Aries must be enjoying his time with Jesus!