What a great daddy

Rich is such a great daddy. He has really taken the extra time lately to go out of his way to play with his Ella and Buddy. Actually, he spoils them just a bit, I think. He had to leave with a friend to go to the big fair's Tractor Pull event, and the kids CRIED their eyes out at the window as they left. I think Ella is having a bit of a harder time anyways because of school.

Yes, she managed to go Friday. Not a real positive day for her. Nor for me. I cried so much that day, after I dropped her off, and later in the evening. There are some things that really bother me, Rich too, and I really wish we could let her go to a local Christian school. It's impossible for us to handle the tuition. That makes me so sad. I would go clean floors with a toothbrush so she could go there to school. ***TEARS****

So, think about Ella and her mommy if you can, and pray for this transition. And, pray for provision, either way. For her to find a friend, like her teacher, like to eat lunch in a room that hurts her ears for the noise, and a playground playmate so she won't have to play alone and cry by herself...or, for a big ole money tree in our backyard. My brother was so sweet to call both Thursday and Friday to see how Ella's first day of Kindergarten went. His daughter is going to the Christian school, and loves it. With 10-13 students in her class, who wouldn't like that less chaotic atmosphere. Then, thankfully for me that night, I know he passed on word from my very tearful conversation with him to my mom, so she would be in the know about the day. I did NOT want to talk about it, for even when writing about it I get upset and it breaks my heart. My mom and I are going to the Olive Garden after our church services, just her and I. I am really glad we can do this. My dad is at a Civil War thing this weekend, so it'll be nice to give my mom some company.

Beyond that, I have had nausea again and headaches. My leg is FINE but still hurts. It's been a tough week for trying to manage change and stress.

I did manage to organize all of Philip's toys into FIFTEEN bins. WHEW. That was a workout. Blocks, cars, dinosaurs, trains, tracks, tools, stuffed animals, bugs, books, bigger blocks, bigger cars, planes, helicopters...aiyiyi. So glad it is better for him to see all his toys and they are not all crammed into 2 huge bins.

Monday is our annual tradition of attending the Great Trail Festival. That is our only Labor Day event LOL. I guess we were party poopers or something this year. My dad and all of us here at the Russell household will go. It's great for the kids (i.e. pony rides), music, dancing, bagpipes, to see Native American and settlers history, and we love the flag raising ceremony in the morning. Also, good food. I love the kettle popcorn and the lemon shakes AND the roasted/cinnamon almonds. Will make up for missing the fair this week.

HAHAHA My mother and father sent me this via email and it's funny!!!

an update on frustration

Ella is officially SICK, not just nervous. She's nervous for sure..she had several bad dreams last night. But, with a temperature, she definitely is missing her first day (or days) of school. I feel so bad for her.

Rich and I are definitely lacking in sleep today, but Buddy sure is not! LOL! It's a dreary day outside, but there are two wonderful children inside making this home beautiful.

I'm frustrated.

Ella is sick.

Or.

Nervous.

Has not fallen asleep yet.

Tomorrow is her first day of school.

The orientation tonight was overwhelming and stressful for me...for all of us.

400+ people crowded in a very small cafeteria. Apparently, the largest group of Kindy's ever. (the 400 includes siblings and parents....so about 165 little 5 and 6 year olds).

Ella is VERY sick to her stomach...

Again, is it nerves.

SHe just can't stop being sick.

She's disoriented, almost falling asleep and then WHAM. Here we go.

Almost midnight and it feels like it'll be a loooooooooooooooooooooooong night. Poor thing.

Not sure what'll happen tomorrow morning. I feel so bad that she may miss her first day. :-(

Let me do more of...

Nothing but feel like everything. That is how a mom of two plus one on the way feels. (And I seriously feel blessed to say that. I missed my kids the few hours I had to be away from them this afternoon...). Now, I have to stay off my feet even more, because of a potential issue. Last week I had a sore spot on my leg that has hung around ever since, and I didn't know what it was, if it was just a bruise, even though it had no color as such. This morning, I woke up with another sore spot on the same leg but around the calf area. Painful and bothersome enough that, after the morning (church) activities, I made a call so I could see what I should do, and thus went to the ER for them to check it out. No blood clot found, thank goodness, but there was a "maybe" indication with another test that it COULD occur, so I go back in a few days for another ultrasound. Nothing serious we know, just pain that is constant and bothersome. I was told to elevate the leg as much as possible.....which will be not that much harder to do, since I've been physically tired, or mentally tired. I would appreciate prayer that this painful spot(s)would just go away as fast as they came.

Ella is ready for her first day of Kindy...Thursday! We have screening for her Tuesday and orientation Wednesday. I need to get a gym shirt and art shirt in order, but other than that, she has all she needs. Soccer game (first one) on Tuesday, too! We took her school supply shopping at Target last week, and she found this My Little Pony backpack that she LOVES. She is carrying it around EVERYWHERE. And, pulling out her little supplies and reorganizing them. So cute. I sure hope I don't have to put her name on each crayon though! LOL!

I took advantage of the Old Navy jean sale on Saturday. I had prebought several pairs, since the kids' were going to be $7 and adults $12. Richie finally has a great pair of jeans (he is a khakis kind of guy, which I LOVE about him, too!) at a GREAT price. He has ONE pair that is very out of style LOL. Just one. Like I said, he's a khaki kinda guy! Good thing I had "extra people" with me so I could get more than the 3 pairs alloted to the per person thing. HA! So, Ella ends up with 3, Rich 2, and Buddy, 1, but wait...I ordered 2 more for Buddy off the internet, free shipping, too, and the funny thing is, the ones I got were NOT ones on sale in store. He has had this fantastic growth spurt, with his height, so getting these with the adjustable waist is going to be wonderful. He has a 2t/3 waist, but a 4t leg. Other than those items, I skirted past any school shopping for Ella.

We have had several family get togethers the past couple weeks, for birthdays, and just a nice campout as well with family. At the "campout" which was really just a campfire, my gram actually wanted to come, so we picked her up as we went to my parents' house. We've had some wonderful time with the Snyders' that have moved to the area! I have been able to have Abigail over several times so the girls can play. These hot days are no fun though. Especially now that our van has no air! Yikes! Rich can recharge it so hopefully it'll last again, until the end of this summer heat.

When we were at Rich's parents' house a week ago, Rich was working, but the kids and I had gone, I should clarify, and I had some time talking with his grandpa Simplican. Now, I suppose not many know this, but Rich's dad had passed away when he was 5 years old in an accident. His mom remarried several years later, and it was the "turning point" for the family. So, he and his older brother, Gary, have always called his stepdad "dad." And, so, this grandpa is his stepdad's dad, and boy, is he a cantankerous fellow. Made me laugh LOTS that day. He was so enthralled with my coupon clipping. Something I did while I awaited the meal. He could not believe that I would be getting free bread from coupons from the paper that day. He kept asking the other "women" of the household if they collected "stamps." LOL! Also, he said his grocery bill is $9 a month! I guess he doesn't eat much! He said some funny things to me when we were lazily conversing. Since I've known Rich, I have honestly never gotten to talk much with grandpa Simplican. He is 93, and still going.

This week, we had the pleasure of taking lunch to my grandmother, all four of us. It was a pleasant visit, and I know she really loved seeing her great grandkids again.

I feel that my bloggin/posting flair, ability, or whatever has disappeared. And my creativtiy as well! But, that's okay. This time, with 2 and a half months left, makes one slow down, and think or do other things. I am just trying to let God lead me in the areas I need to concentrate my energies on.

Time Apart

I decided to take a little break from blogging. I have had not much energy the past couple days, and started feeling very nauseated again, so for all our sake's here, I am going to take some time away from my blog (not having much to say anyways! LOL!), and away from the computer in general, until I feel a bit better. I may lurk some, but not much.

Hopefully, next time I blog, I'll have some photographs to share, of scrapbook layouts as well as photos of my growing too fast Ella-girl and Philip.

Take care everyone!

Bugs

That's one of Philip's favorite things.

Not mine. And apparently our Scrabble game attracted some weird ones (it was left in a car trunk) and so we had to throw it away. Ewww. I had forgotten about it, so my bad. It was a used one, given to us b/c it was someone's extra, but now we can't play Scrabble. Not that we were earlier that much, but Ella likes to play that. My grandma helps her and they play Scrabble their way. I personally love Scrabble very very much...my grandpa did too and wow, he was quite the Scrabble player!

I am nauseous, since mid afternoon. So, well, I am just not doing anything, and this sitting at the computer seems a bit much, too.

We went to Rich's parents' house after church, and all had a very nice time. The kids got a nice long tractor ride in this lovely cooler weather. By the way...I am incredibly anxious for this summer weather to end. I am impatiently awaiting fall.

Miss Sensitivity

Yep, that's me!

Near tears, not really pinpointing why. Tired, my feet/ankles/legs still really hurt. They did last night, and through the night...hope to get them up most of this coming afternoon. Not swollen, YET, so that's good.

We received some nice baby boy hand-me-downs from a friend of my SIL's family. 6 pairs of Bobux/Robeez shoes....omigodness. Those are FANTASTICALLY made shoes and are expensive! All used clothing, but hardly look worn, even the shoes. I am keeping a lot of it, some to disperse to my parents' house for extras, but I am planning on handing some things on to my SIL, Valerie, who is due the very end of October with a boy. The sleepers are WARM ones, so that works out well for us.

I just finished watching a movie that I have seen several times before, but for some reason, it made much more of an impression on me than ever before. It is one that several other bloggers I know really like...Pride and Prejudice. Oh, dear, I cried through the movie and just loved the music, and all the scenery. Many scenes just took my breath away. I am so glad that it is a movie with a very pleasant and romantic ending.

What wonderful snail mail

Here is a COMPLETE "glimpse" of the R.A.K. I won from the most wonderful scrapbook community online. Nicole- thank you so very much. I was floored by the 4 pounds of paper! And all the vintage goods...and everything else. LOL! Notice, all the old buttons, the birdie stamp, the TONS of paper (for those who don't know, a sheet of scrapbooking paper probably costs .75 each now, on the low end).

My favorites are all the black and red diecut paper. And some of the vintage paper goods. YUMMY! I think I am going to make some odd sized paper albums. Like, very tall, but just wide enough for a 5" photograph. I love LOVE LOVE the paper that is in the sweet package. So,that way, I'd still have plenty of pretty patterned paper left to use elsewhere.









On to a quick summary of the week and upcoming weekend. Wednesday had been a busy day with the kids. We went swimming and the next day, oh my goodness. It was like I had run a marathon. My fibromyalgia was really REALLY bad, especially in my hips. I think because of squatting down/sitting down in the kids' sized pool. So, I did not do much at all. Today, it is so much better. I also had a chance, well, TWO opportunities, as a matter of fact, to go out with a girl-friend. Beth and I hit a couple stores, and then had dinner Wednesday night. Thursday night, Kimmy and I were going to just sit and have coffee but I wasn't up to chatting b/c that was the day I didn't feel to peppy, so we watched the movie, even though we saw it both before LOL. I had wanted to catch it before it left the Columbiana theater, since it's one, closer. Two, cheaper. Three, just all around a nicer atmosphere. What we didn't expect was that the film started to burn up while we were watching it! Ahhh! Somehow they managed to get it going again. Whew. I think I would have cried. I do a lot of that lately. :-)

Tonight, I'll watch my neice, Abigail, as her parents and other members of the family are trying to get their "new" Historic home ready (i.e. carpet ripped up, new flooring, painting, cleaning...) for their official move in of Monday. Now, mind you, they had to be out of their house in Medina Wednesday! So, I know they are stressed and would appreciate prayers. Also, tomorrow morning is Ella's soccer practice, then Rich will go help my brother and sil with the house stuff, and I will watch Abby. Later, practice with the praise team, and Rich will be coming to that too! Yeah! I have really really really missed sharing in that ministry with my husband.

Chapman, healing and faith video...

Soccer Pics!

and my favorite little outfit for the new boy...

A bit of melancholy

Yesterday and today....a bit of melancholy, yes. We all went to the neighbor boy's 7th birthday party yesterday. Ended up staying there for 3 hours. The kids enjoyed themselves so much. We really appreciate these certain neighbors, and enjoy "nurturing" that friendship between our kids. Ella started calling her friend's dad "uncle." HA! Anyways, Rich and I ended up sitting with the grandparents. And, if you know anything about Rich at all, you should know that he has the great gift with conversing with the older generation. Thus, we had great conversation with this over-60-years-married couple. Add that fact with the WW2 veteran hat placed upon the grandfather's head, and there you have a big reason for my sadness. A comment made by the grandfather was, "did you know 1000 of us die every day?" I held up until we got home, and just cried. That generation of people is quite golden. So special. What they sacrificied before the war, during, and after. I feel we have a great loss as this is all happening. Later, Rich dropped me off at my grandma's and then took the kids elsewhere to play. We had an hour just to chat. It was very nice to do that, by myself, though she always says I don't know how much having those kids around means to her.
Today, I was again quite emotional about my grandpa, and some other things. Music being one of them.
Tonight, I just tried to hold on to the moments I had with my kids. Seeing Ella for the very sweet and loving girl she is. Admiring her, and telling her, that she is so good at riding her bike, not a tricycle, but a BIKE, which she has been doing for quite some time now. Almost a year, or maybe, a year even. Philip, for doing so many big boy things. Getting potty trained (or getting there LOL), and always loving "mommy's baby." That is sweet. He says mommy's baby is "coot" (for cute).
I have been taking the challenge of working crossword puzzles lately. That was a great pasttime of my grandpa's. Also, praying more. And, I have been reading some western collections of his, that I was bequeathed so to say. I share that love of history, especially the love of that particular time period, with my dad, and my grandpa.
*******************
Well, it's actually Monday morning now, and I realized I forgot to talk about 2 highlights of my day yesterday....an Applebee's date with my Richie, AND, winning a scrapbooking goody drawing on the Studio Calico board (a wonderful and sweet design team member was personally giving away some stuff!). Can't wait for my happy mail this week!!! Don't know what I'm getting!

A post for my mom

This was on my friend Beth's blog. I thought since my mom interprets for the deaf, and even though this is not "sign language" I thought there was quite enough significance to post this...for my mom. I appreciate her and love her so much.

It's all about the duds

Clothes, that is!



Isn't my dad handsome in his Civil War uniform?

And then....

a few little things that I got a couple weeks ago for the little guy in a few little months (and by the way, I have officially reached the uncomfortable stage). The monkey outfit is for summer actually. I couldn't pass it up. I returned the other monkey things, which didn't have much "monkey" on them but they were awfully cute. Hoping to find those pieces on Ebay come spring. I'm saving my FAVORITE outfit photograph, complete with a newsboy cap and houndstooth pants and gorgeous matching sweater for some other time. I just may scrapbook it first.






I had the urge to shop today so I took some of Ella's clothes to a kids' second hand store and in return, was able to buy some little guy warm things. Ohhh I had so much fun and found such cute stuff. The lady who took the things to look over said I had really nice things. I was so glad, too, because they took almost everything from that laundry basket I brought in. I still have enough left to take to the other kids' store at the end of August.

And here is another photo from The Farm visit a few weeks back.



Oh and one more thing...

Two very special friends came by and gave us homemade cinnamon rolls. DELISH! We have the best friends! Thank you, Kevin and Kimmy!

And another thing, all are officially well. Ella went to soccer camp again, and played hard once more. Her face sure gets flushed! I had her wait this time, before she ate anything, and gave her a cool washcloth at home.

The sickies have struck

Ella was sick during the night, flu...but I am thinking (or hoping) she'll bounce back. So, no Veggie Tale (free) movie that we were going to attend with my friend Beth and her two children, and no soccer tonight. I feel bad for Ella...she had so much fun last night at soccer. Sigh. I just pray that no one else here gets sick. Don't want that to happen at all.

The good news is that Rich has a buyer for his honda. We have three cars right now, and that's not good with that addition on our insurance bill. So, after he locates the title, and sets his price for this guy, we'll be set to go. I think that it is great we didn't have to even advertise!

Well, we would appreciate your prayers. Sometime, soon, I need a time away, even for an hour. I HOPE! I finally got to that mound of laundry last night. Glad to have it out of the way. Today is going to be inside, of course, and trying to make it as enjoyable as I can for Ella, and Philip, too.

I'm Tired

I'm starting the day off very fatigued today. Although, I did manage to get about 6 hours (straight) of sleep, which was a real feat for me! There's lots going on today...here's the plan...

Well, I forgot COMPLETLEY that Ella starts her "soccer camp" tonight, and it's through Thursday evening I believe. Also, tickets were included for a game on Friday.
So, I need to go out and about in Salem to check out prices on shin guards, socks, shorts, soccer ball, and shoes, I guess shoes. Not real sure about that one. Yikes. That's a lot to get at once! So, that's at 5:30.

We'll leave soon, and during that shopping "spree" haha, I need to also get mailing envelopes for my ebaying! I was so happy last night that I sold enough stuff, two Close To My Heart stamp sets (one went for $20!) that I don't use anymore, and then some of Ella's size 3 and 4 stuff she doesn't wear anymore, to buy my scrapbooking this month. I'll have to go on a hiatus with that, and I don't want to, IF I cannot succeed with the ebay each month. I would like $36/ monthly and that may sound like a small sum for many, but for us, it is not. It's like, well, gas in the car!

Some things did NOT sell and I think I'll just take it all to a consignment shop. All name brands, so that'll work out good! I can't decide if I want cash right away for it, or credit, so it depends on what store I take it too.

Also, my dad should be stopping by, if he can, to help me finally get my photo printer hooked up. I had problems with it, and I don't not want to pay someone to install it for me. Grrr.....

Photography will be on my mind today, too. I would like to photograph some things that I was able to have that were my grandpa's, including a journal I had given him in 1998, that he filled, about 2/3's, with writings. How special is that?! Also, some World War II items that are very special.....

Well, I need to go start our day.

Oh, and fold three big loads of laundry. I did six, or seven, total yesterday. I've had to because of Philip's potty training, which has been going well, but accidents do happen, and wanting to clean bedsheets, etc. Whew. I think that must be why I am so tired.

Ending with a bee sting!

Today was a day of remembering.

A day of putting to rest the physical being of someone who has passed on.

Being my third grandparent of four to pass on, it was hard. As you can probably tell from my earlier posts, this grandfather of mine was very special. I don't suppose I can say much more...

I loved hearing others talk about my grandfather today. A memorial service that went two hours long, did NOT seem that long. I listened to every bit of what treasured friends needed to share. I enjoyed playing the piano for my grandfather. I loved seeing the draped American flag that was later so exquisitely folded and handed to my grandmother near the end of the service. A treasure are those veterans. Taps was beautiful. So meaningful.

All while this was going on, Ella sat quietly with her daddy and I. Philip was taken out to be watched by a few friends. It worked out quite nicely, since the minutes stretched a bit there (which, again, was not upsetting or anything, but it was really the first funeral service I was at that was so long!).

Later, about the time of the meal (or feast, rather) that we enjoyed with so many family and friends, of the church there and far away, my friend told me what happened while her kids and Philip were playing. Somehow, Philip happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. He actually got stung SIX times outside. The poor, but tough, fellow. He never had been stung before. Apparently, that was definitely a suprise, and as it was to be found out, thankfully, he wasn't allergice. He cried for mommy, and only was comforted then by some crushed ice (which he does like to eat sometimes!). He got stung on his stomach and his back. Thankfully, baking soda did the trick. And, I am extremely grateful for the care he was given. I think that if I had been there, oh...dear...I can only imagine. I am not so smooth and calm in situations like that. Not at all. Nevertheless, as I was being told all this, my heart was pounding greatly.

Now, at the end of the day, my little boy is still going strong. He didn't have an accident today, either. I am so proud of him. I bet his great grandpa is too.

Overwhelmed by the love

I am, along with the rest of my family, overwhelmed by the love and care shown by those who stopped by last night to pay respects to this wonderful, Godly man I was so blessed to have as my Grandpa.

The line was long...all the time. Very overwhelming to think how much my Grandpa has meant to others, and how people who knew him little but knew one of us standing there by him and came. God bless you all.

I am honored to be able to play the piano today, for the service this early morning, as a piano special, then another with my brother on guitar and Rich on harmonica, and also for several hymns- congregational singing. After another hour of "calling" before the service, the memorial will have included a military service, as well. My Grandpa was a proud veteran. And always thankful for this amazing country.

This morning, the slide show my brother made will be shown on the bigger screen in our former church's (but my grandparents' current church) sanctuary. He did this beautifully. After everyone had left last night we all sat and watched it. My Grandma's tears were ones of joy, though. Yes, sorrow for missing the one who has taken care of her, strengthened her,loved her, and prayed with her all these years.

One man said in line...."If Bill didn't make it to Heaven, I quit!" We thought that quite funny. For he KNOWS how much he loved Grandpa and he knows how much Grandpa loved the Lord.

Another, a man who was Rich's age, "He was my best friend."

And, that is what he was, besides a Husband, Father, and Grandfather. He was a friend. He touched many many many lives. I think of all the conversations that he has struck up, so many I don't know, but have heard about, and how some of those have brought certain people to the Lord. I know of one young man who was in his teens- and had a very hard and troubled family life- when my grandpa reached out to him, and eventually came to their church, and bonded with those there, and even more with my grandparents...and came to know Jesus as his Savior. What a treasure this man is, and was, and will be in Heaven.

God is never late. He was one time with my Grandpa. I could have stayed beside him last night forever. It was hard to break away. I put a little note from our family beside him, and wept as I saw beautiful single roses, one for each Bill and I, and four for each grandchild, including the one that will not see his great grandpa until, God willing, he himself is in Heaven.

Thank you, friends, for all your prayers, and thoughts. And calls.

William “Bill” G. Snyder, 84, of Salem, Ohio, formerly of Crestview Road, went to be with his Lord early Wednesday morning, July 23, 2008 at his home. Mr. Snyder was born June 8, 1924 in Clearfield, Pennsylvania, the son of Robert Clay and Lila (Kester) Snyder.
Bill moved to Ohio in 1950. Mr. Snyder worked as a driver/salesman for Borden’s Dairy of Youngstown for 34 years. Bill was a member of New Springfield Church of God and served as a prayer warrior and past Sunday school teacher. He served in the U.S. Army in the European Theatre 2nd Division Artillery from 1942-1945. Mr. Snyder was a member of the local V.F.W. and enjoyed reading, especially history. Bill loved his family and treasured his time with them.

Bill is survived by his wife, Helen E. (Spencer) Snyder, whom he married August 15, 1945. Other survivors include two sons, William (Ruthe) Snyder of Columbiana and David (Terry) Snyder of Columbus, Ohio; one sister, Rose Fry of Curwensville, Pennsylvania; two grandchildren, William R. Snyder and Amy Russell and four great-grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 26, 2008 at the New Springfield Church of God, where the American Legion Benjamin Firestone Post 290 will conduct a military honors service following the committal at the church. Burial will be in Columbiana Cemetery. Friends may call from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, July 25, 2008 and from 10-11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 26, 2008 at the New Springfield Church of God.

The family suggests that material tributes be made to the New Springfield Church of God.

In Remembrance....

As of sometime early on in the night/morning, my Grandpa is with Jesus now. We miss you. So early on with this, that has happened, but I want this photograph of my grandpa on my blog, to remember him by, as this is all fresh even.