Bluegrass night in the Bluegrass - Frankfort, KY

We had such a great time meeting and hanging out with Becca and Greta Jo at the Bluegrass concert in Frankfort last night. I wish the time had not gone by so fast. If any of you have not visited their blogs or met them, they are just as cool as their blogs are.

I am glad I got to meet both of them. They asked if I wanted to go on a mission to Guatemala with them this fall and I am thinking...!

Rylee and Greta Jo became friends almost instantly. She really won her over when Greta Jo helped her catch lightning bugs. Rylee was fine with them until they started to crawl.

Carson is just as cute in person as he is on Greta's blog. He is such an active little guy and with the sweetest little face!

Here is Rylee eating her first prune. She really likes them!


Myles, Ella and Wyatt were pretty much missing in action the whole time, each in their own little groups. I think i got Wyatt to sit down to rest for maybe 5 minutes the whole time we were there. The rest of the time he was just a streak of a barefoot boy, in a fruit drink covered yellow shirt. I was so glad the kids had so much fun and hey, they were Good too! :)

I love times like this.

Thank for inviting us Becca and Greta Jo!

Summer Lovin' & VBS

This is a photo from last year. Wyatt's Vacation Bible School. This is what IT's all about!
These boy's are the best of friends and Wyatt says "They are my brothers. That's what God says!" Well, you cant argue with that. My son just blows me away at times.
Wyatt's the one in the middle.



His interest in learning more about Jesus and God has brought me to wanting to find the answers for him. Perhaps all of this stems from those millions of prayers I said while I was pregnant with him. Then as time went by "Life" got in the way. I became more involved with Life and less involved in praying and still God sends more directions. Most recent is CRHP sisters. They are so important to me and I am so grateful to gather with them every week. My spirituality has grown, as has my relationship with Jesus. I still have a long way to go but more than anything, it IS a place I want to be.

More Water Bugs Camping and Snakes!

This past weekend was very relaxing compared to the last several. Friday night, my kids really love camping, Craig set the tent up on the deck. It was pretty chilly that night so it was good that the tent also had our deck roof to cover the dew. The kids were so excited, the kind that changes them into wild kids.

Saturday was awesome! We spent a lot of the morning pulling tabs, and crushing cans. Rylee is such a worker. She loves pulling tabs but not real good with crushing cans. The boy is more of a lolly gagger and easily distracted. We finally got it all done and the big treat for them for helping was...

Daddy filling the baby pool at the end of the slide. IS HE CRAZY!!! Well, it was not as slippery as I thought it would be. Thank goodness! They were so happy but soon started putting on faces for the camera.

First the pouty faces.

Pretty believable!

Rylee on the other had needs more acting lessons.

And then ... Oh, look at that! It's magic!

Poor Daddy! He is just plain wiped out!

Later, while I am in the shower Wyatt comes screaming in the house "Daddy found a snake!"

Me with my new camera and Blogging on my mind, yell from the shower, "Somebody take a picture of it!"

Wyatt wanted to keep it.

Rylee not so sure she likes snakes.

Doctor Check-ups

Thursday I took the kids to the doctor so they could get their physicals for school. Rylee could not wait to visit Dr. R. (The little girl is completely clueless, thank goodness.) Wyatt on the other hand has some memories of "SHOTS" so he tends to be more cautious.

He never came out and asked me if he would be getting any so I did offer the information. The closer we got to the doctors office I started to feel guilty that I had not informed him about the shots so I did tell him he would be getting his Immunizations for school. Still, THANK GOODNESS he did not ask what they were.
All was going well with the check-up processes.
First Wyatt.
The Doctor tells me Wyatt is starting to put on a little weight. He needs to exercise more and eat lighter snacks. I tell the doctor Wyatt is always hungry. Ten minutes after a meal he wants more food. Then the man gives me a quick list of healthy snacks he should be eating. Well, he obviously does not know me very well. But, some of you already know how picky I am with what I will let my kids eat. How could I deny them any more than I already do. That's just Crazy talk. Then he had Wyatt take off his shirt and asks me. "Did he have Pyloric Stenosis?" My answer was, "Yes, you were there. You have been Wyatt's doctor since he we born." I think I really hit a nerve when I said, "I guess you have a lot of kids that you see but, we only have one doctor." He looked at me tight lipped and nodded.
Wyatt totally respects everything that Dr. R. says. I can always get Wyatt to do things at home and remind him that "Dr. R. said..." and he will practice whatever Dr. R. wants him to. Like learn to swim, wipe his own bottom, ride a bike without training wheels, be nice to his sister, etc. I highly recommend this if it is possible, It really does helps! And with Rylee too.
Next was Rylee. She is doing great and he made sure to tell me not to change her diet she is now a whooping 23 pounds and "at 10% of the average AMERICAN child". So, that information does not tell me anything really. She is such a tiny fire cracker, though! She was all excited to visit Dr. R. but when he came into the room she turned very shy. She was a little frightened and started saying she wanted her Daddy. This information later did not impress "Daddy". He said he had been the one to take them there, she would be asking for Mommy. I tryed!
All Done!
Oh, I forgot, The IMMUNIZATIONS!
The nurse came in and told Wyatt to lay on the table and me to hold his hands. She was going to put his legs between hers. Then he saw the needles. Instant panic, screaming and flailing. Needles went flying across the room. We needed more help. Another nurse comes in and we all are holding him down now. After the first shot of 4 (two in each leg) and hearing him cry, it took I could not to cry with him. After it was all over and still crying, Wyatt said, "I never want to come back here again!" over and over again! I felt just awful for him. I ended up carrying this 5 year old 50 pound boy out while my little Rylee walked behind. Looked very odd, I am sure. Then we headed to Wal-Mart.
Wyatt still complaining his legs hurt I got the closest cart to my car I could find then unloaded my kids into it.
First stop... Children's Tylenol.
Second stop... Toy for each. Wyatt because he had such a rough day and Rylee, because I was getting one for Wyatt.
Last stop... Mommy's new HUGE, purse filling, Awesome camera!!! (It has been draining my rechargeable batteries fast though.)
Both kids fell asleep in the car on the way home. Rylee woke up pulling into the driveway. Daddy came out to greet us and assisted Wyatt with his "Sleep Limping". He layed on the couch, didn't even open his new toy, (That's not normal) and fell asleep. We let him sleep through dinner and woke him to get his PJ's on and put him to bed and he slept all night.
My poor little guy!

Daddy and Me!

Mayan Mission Blog - - - >

We have the best Daddy in the whole world!

We Love You Daddy!

Unbelievably Busy and "Bad Camera"

We have be so busy lately and I have had no time for blogging. Sorry to all my Blogger Friends and anyone that has e-mailed me lately. What ever happened to "The Lazy Days of Summer"?
I had some really great photos from our last weekend Guatemala Adoption Gathering at Holiday World and of our Father's day celebration. I had just bought a new and "Better" camera and everything was good until I turned off the camera and back on. All my photos disappeared. UGH!!!! So I have no photos to show. I will be getting a "New" new camera today. So, I hope to be blogging again SOON. I do have something funny to share.
The other day I had been in Evansville all day and missed Wyatt's swimming lesson. When I got home I asked Wyatt if he and Rylee had eaten supper yet. This is what Wyatt said "We had Hot Dogs, Mashed Tatoes and Sour Crap!"

Stay tuned.

New house rules for the Water Bugs

Everybody that knows me, knows my kids are my world to me! Well, we have been having issues. Mostly in Wyatt but Rylee tends to follow in Wyatt's ways. I never tell my kids they are "Bad", I tell them they are "Being Bad". Well, lately they have been "Being Bad" a lot. I have been hearing so much whining, backtalk, bickering, meanness and Seeing, rude behavior, evil eyes, fighting and just plain ugliness from both of them. Could they be "SPOILED!"? No way! Not my kids! Oh, but yes, lately I find myself fighting myself from saying the "B" word. But it is only when I am at my wits end and really they aren't "Brats". They both proved it to me yesterday. They can be "Good Kids"!

How did that happen, you ask? I will back up a little. Well, dealing with all that I had been with both of them lately. I finally put down the law. Yesterday, I told Wyatt on the way to Day Camp that he needs to think about how he has been acting lately and to be prepared for changes when he got home. When I picked him and Rylee up from Day Camp, I asked him if he had been thinking about what I asked him to that morning. He said yes and I said I had been too. I told him and Rylee there will be no more "Being Bad". If they misbehaved they would get 1 warning. If they did not change their behavior they will be putting a favorite toy into a garbage bag. If they whine about it, they loose another toy and so on. Well from that very moment Wyatt has been a pure pleasure. I have given him warnings but then he instantly changes the attitude. Poor little Rylee! I had to take one of her babies yesterday. I felt really bad being that she is only 2 1/2 but I can't change the rules for her. Wyatt will never go for that. I did tell her if she was good for a long time she will get it back. She is having a harder time changing and most of her attitude is "Being 2". She is a smart little girl and she is making changes too. She is just putting up more of a fight.

Last night was Wyatt's second swim lesson. I am so happy with his progress. When he puts his mind to something, he wont stop until he succeeds. Rylee naturally loves the water. While Wyatt's swim lesson was going on she was in the baby pool just paddling away.

More goats camping sleepovers!

This past weekend was a WHIRL WIND!

Friday Evening: We finally got Craig's truck out of the shop. The transmission had gone out and we had been using his dad's truck for the time. As soon as we got the truck we drove to our SUPER NEIGHBORS to borrow their horse trailer. They knew we were looking to add a couple more goats to our field and had heard of someone looking for a good home for their three. (The three we already have, have not been able to keep down our grass. Looking out into the field all you could see were their little heads and when you did get close enough to see their whole bodies, they look more like miniature cows than goats with those big bellies they are toting around.) So, we traveled about an hour and a half west with 2 hungry and tired kids to get the goats before it got dark because the trailer light hook-up did not match the truck. On the way back we stopped at Arby's I ran in to get the food and we all ate as we rode. Many messes and two sleeping children later, we arrived home safe and sound and without a traffic ticket. HOORAY!
Saturday: Craig got up very early and this is all he did before noon... Took his dads truck into town washed it and filled the gas tank, then dropped it off at his parents, RODE his bike home(about 8 miles), came home picked up his truck took back the trailer back to our neighbors, went to another neighbors and mowed their lawn for them (they are out of town on vacation), then came home and showered! ALL before 12 noon.
After Craig's already busy morning we packed up to go meet our friends (Adam and April and their kids Kaden and Addie) that we had not seen in a long while. They were camping about an hour drive from our house. We knew we would not be able to stay overnight but we did want to visit. It was a nice campground. I did not know if they had a pool but I did pack the kids suits because it was extremely hot and I thought if nothing else they could play with the water hose.

But there was a pool so after dinner they all got to swim. It wasn't long after that Craig was ready to go home. Wyatt ended up being invited to stay the night. The next day meeting arrangement worked out so I agreed he could stay. My little boy's first sleep over!
We kissed and hugged him good bye (Me, about 5 times.) then drove home and right into bed.

Sunday: The Great Discovery!!!!!! It is THE BOY! He is the one making everybody get up so early everyday! We (Craig, Rylee and I) slept until 8AM. Craig headed to work and Rylee and I got ready then went to church. My Gosh, that girl is a talker! On and on she goes. I kept threatening "Time Out" in church and she would be quiet for a little bit but then forget. After church we ate lunch then met up with Wyatt from his sleepover. I received an update on how he behaved, which always surprises me with a "very good". Then April continues on with "but!". Wyatt woke up in the middle of the night about 2:30 AM and left the camper. April said she must have heard the door shut because something woke her up. She went to check on Wyatt and he was "GONE!" She opened the door to the camper and yelled for Wyatt. He told her he saw the camp fire still going and thought that we (Craig and I) were out there. I felt so bad for April. I can imagine how scared she was to find him gone. Wyatt and I had a talk and he promised not to do that ever again. After saying "Thanks and Sorry" we headed home for lunch and naps. After nap we were off again! This time to Aunt Caroline and Uncle Scott, Lily and Sofie's. They are staying 2 nights with them and will be going to the Zoo. I hope things go well. I LOVE and already MISS my kids no matter how crazy they make me at times!

Smack him and he... Laughs?!

I have to share this one with you. At the wedding this past weekend we got to see Owen. He is related! He is Craig's cousin's son. He is a cutie and what a little "Spit-Fire" he is.

Wyatt went up to him to say hi and this is what happened.

POW!

Ouch!

Aw!

Wyatt was laughing hysterically and that just made Owen want to hit him again.

BOYS!

Meet the Merry Married Mehringers!

Congratulations to the new married couple!
Congratulations Kelly & Lyle.

It was a great time for all!

I believe the kids had more fun than anyone could, well, except for Aunt Janelle. I don't think she left the dance floor one time all night.

The little ones tried to keep up and I thought for sure we were loosing Rylee early on but she got her second wind and made it without missing out on any fun.

Rylee pretending to be sleeping!

Those kids were so fun to watch dancing.

Lily with Craig and Wyatt Bustin Moves on the dance floor!

Wyatt, Lily, Rylee and Sofie.
Serious and Silly!

Look who caught The Garter Belt!