Weeklong Update

Sorry for the looooong time between posts. So much has happened in the past two weeks that it's been a bit of a blur. I'm going to attempt to recall everything. I don't think I'll be able to string together coherent sentences...so here goes an update in bulleted format (in no certain order)!

• The Iron Sharpens Iron Conference was a great success. We were blessed by beautiful weather (since Emmaus is not air-conditioned, this is always a major praise!) and very few problems. I had a great assistant in my friend Kimmie. She has such a servant's heart; she will literally do anything I ask her to do. I love the hustle and bustle of the conference so it was exciting for me to be involved once again. This was my fourth year of working at ISI and I enjoy it more every year!
  
• The funeral for my friend, Melsie, was beautiful. I think Mels would have given her seal of approval while at the same time lecturing everyone for making such a fuss! I truly miss Melsie and have reflected on her influence in my life quite a bit since her passing. I have so many wonderful memories of Mels. It still doesn't seem like she's gone.
  
• I did make it back to Atlantic for a quick weekend visit while in Iowa. I got plenty of playtime in with Addie and Reese, but not much time with Gracie since the poor little thing was sick. I don't even have an updated picture of her! And of course, what would a trip to Atlantic be without some time with Uncle Jeff Jeff. Between Aunt Angie and Uncle Jeff Jeff, the girls have plenty of playmates to boss around. We prefer to play outside and eating popsicles is an important tradition.
• While on my way back to Atlantic, I met my childhood friend, Jen, at Starbucks for a quick visit. We went to grade school together and we are both pregnant for the first time and due only a week apart. Oh, and we are both having boys! It was fun to see Jen and to catch up while also comparing pregnancy stories. I am kicking myself for not taking a picture! Duh!
• Of course, I can't forget to mention the amazing baby shower that was thrown for me by my friends, hosted by Grace and held at the home of Jan Murray. Linda, Sherri, Kati, Jenna, Grace, and Jan brought all my favorite foods - it was a smorgasbord of yummies, what I might imagine a banqueting table in heaven might look like! I think we counted about 30 ladies that attended. I was overwhelmed and so thankful for their generosity. The open house format was a great idea; it was more casual and I was able to chat with all the ladies that came. The theme was "go green" which meant everyone brought a gift that was unwrapped, so I could see everything as it arrived. It was so much fun. I honestly couldn't believe all the great stuff we received. I better get working on those thank you notes!
• Jason arrived for the ISI conference and brought his friends Lee and Louie, and Louie's son Jairus. All had a great time and enjoyed the conference. I was sooooo glad to see my hubby after nine days apart.
• The first order of business after returning from Iowa was my three hour glucose test. Being poked with a needle four different times (on my hands, which hurts worse, since they can never find the veins in my arms!) on an empty stomach (they make you fast) was not my idea of fun, but I found out this morning that the test came back normal. Praise the Lord for that! I am still going in to the doctor this afternoon so they can check out my blood pressure after my ankles and feet have started swelling. I thought it was because of working on my feet during the conference, but it hasn't gone down since then.
  
• Jason and I are going away this weekend - to Cincinnati. We are actually really excited to get away even though neither of us has spent much time at home lately! We are celebrating our one year anniversary which we can hardly believe is here already. My parents will be visiting us over our actual anniversary date (June 9) so we decided to celebrate early. We are spending one night with friends and one night at the Hilton downtown. We are taking in a Reds game, the Creation Museum, and the Newport Aquarium. My weekend update probably won't show up until Monday because I anticipate we won't be back until late Sunday night. But I'll have plenty of pictures to share from our weekend!

WHEW. That was a lot of info to recall. I am sure I will think of something else I missed. Here are way too many photos to round out this already-too-long post!

Addie and Reese enjoying their popsicles. They taught us that if you say please, Grandma lets you have another one!

Jason and Louie on the Mississippi River

Louie and Lee

Louie and Jairus

Here are the shower pics, in no particular order!

Zach Mathew trying out Brady's new bumbo seat

Me with Linda and AmandaWith Kati and JennaWith Grace and SherriWith JanLots of fun and eating!A sweet tag written by Nathan SanchezSome of Brady's new duds - what a handsome dresser he'll be!I loved this tag from Cyndi Davis's presentKati looking cute - and due in November with one of Brady's future buddies!Me and Amanda - I used to be able to carry her on my hip. Sigh...am I old? or is she?
The food. YUM.Trying to pack everything up - both those bags are chock full of clothes and other goodies! Notice Jason's camo diaper bag that he picked out and registered for - it was purchased for him by Andrew, Brandon, and Caleb Johnson. Hilarious!And Mama makes it home to Ohio - and tries to deswell her ankles (no such luck!)