Introducing Noah Wink

Our niece, Amy, delivered Noah Wink: 8 lbs 12 oz., 21 inches on May 30th. I have not had the chance to go and see him since he was born on Robert's commencement but please be in prayer for this little one. His grandma (Deb) was at Robert's commencement last night and said that he has been in the nursery at the hospital all day because of fluid on his lungs and then in a couple weeks he has to be taken to Children's Hospital for surgery on his private parts. Not sure of the details but pray that God heals this little one quickly so that his parents and 15 month old brother, Nathan can enjoy this little one. He had red hair also under that little cap so now that makes four red heads in the family: Amy (our niece), both her sons and Robert.

Keep Smiling!!!!!

Robert Dean Steven Hall's commencement

This picture is before the commencement just hanging out with some of his friends while they were getting ready for a class picture. Not that they schooled together since they are homeschoolers but Robert did play sports with a few of them.

This is the time that tears started welling up for me...when Robert walked into the sanctuary for his next journey in life. I am excited to see what it brings for him but I am sad to think that my only child has now grown up.

Instead of the traditional ceremony of the student receiving the diploma from the principal (never understood that anyhow...the principal never taught the student) the parents present the diploma to the graduate. Rob said a prayer of blessing over Robert. It sure makes it more memorable and personal and we had people that came to see Robert graduate say that was the best commencement they had been to. We want to thank everyone that came: Robert's grandparents, Rob and Tracy Shelton, Joan, Don, and Rob Dupree, Robert's Aunt Deb, Pastor Jason Fullum, Joy and Bernie Engle and Lindzy Long. We are so grateful for our church family and we thank you all for always being there for our family!!!!!

This is the class picture of the 32 graduates that were homeschooled and chose to go through a commencement. There are many others out there that were homeschooled but don't choose to go through a commencement.

This picture is of the students that were at commencement that played in some sport through the homeschool club: Summit Sports Club. We will definitely miss that part of our journey and we can tell that we miss it because Robert plays men's softball four nights a week and we go just about every game.

Robert: We love you!!!! We pray for the best for your journey in life. We are proud to say we have been parents to a wonderful son that has been such a great joy in our lives. Remember who to put first in your life: Our wonderful Savior....JESUS CHRIST!!!!! In what ever you do, do it for the Lord and HE will bless you abundantly. Love Ya, Mom and Dadf

Commencement Practice

Last night Robert had commencement practice for high school graduation at Community Christian Church. I thought it would be good for Robert to have a finale for homeschool graduation and there is a homeschool connection in the area that does commencements for the graduates. He does know some of them from playing sports for the Summit Homeschool Sports Club.

Last night I kept my composure and didn't shed a tear but I can't promise that on Friday at his commencements. It is really a neat commencement and there is suppose to be about 600 coming to watch the commencement. The father prays over the graduate and we as parents present the diploma to the graduate which is really nice and personal. There is approximately 35 students graduating. Some students don't participate in the commencements but we thought it would be an ending to a new beginning of his life...WOW!!!! now that brings tears to my eyes!!!!
Where do the years go by? Treasure each day with your kids because when they start getting to this age and are getting independant it is heart breaking for us moms. It is exciting in the same breath and I am so excited to see where God will lead him and I pray that he will continue to follow God and realize that our church family means so much to us!!!! Ninety percent of the people that are attending in behalf of Robert, is our church family.

This weekend I will share pictures with everyone of his commencements.

Keep smiling!!!!

Home Again

We arrived back in Michigan at 5 a.m. this morning after a 12 1/2 hour drive home from Alabama. We brought back all the equipment that is needed to start making the hidden drawer boxes. I am sure it will take a couple months to get the shop built in the garage along with getting ready for Robert's graduation party at the end of July. We have trees that still have to be removed and a pile of dirt and rocks that have been waiting for us since last summer.

Today I did most of my planting around the yard. Thank goodness I have mainly perennials in all my flower beds but I do like to plant pots around the yard.

We wanted to be back for church tomorrow because our church is honoring Alex Knapp, a friend's son that lost his legs past his knees in Iraq almost two months ago. Rob and I asked if we could do this in honor of Memorial Day. War is not always the greatest thing when it comes to losing lives and limbs but we need to stand behind our soldiers and support them for fighting for our freedom in a country that is losing its morale's.

Have a great Memorial Weekend and may God Bless you!!!!

Keep on smiling.

"Rocket" Dog

Here is my dad's dog, Rocket. He is a rat terrier and the tiniest little thing. He is about 5 years old and weighs 4 lbs. His favorite thing to do is playing ball. He will continue on onto he can't walk anymore. He has been so much fun while here. Became our little buddy.

We are on our way home this afternoon from Alabama after we get a trailer hitch put on our van to bring home all the equipment on a trailer. We still were not able to train effectively but we believe we have it down enough to bring it home and get it set up. Otherwise we have to wait until October to come back to get the equipment because my dad is headed back to Oregon soon and we have to be running production of these boxes by then because I will need to bring some income in when my unemployment runs out in October.

Please be in prayer for us as we travel home this afternoon. Rob will have to do most of the driving because I don't do too well trailering. Makes me very nervous for some reason.

See everyone at home soon!!!! Keep smiling.

Hidden drawer boxes

Yesterday we started training on making the hidden drawer boxes and we were quite frustrated because there were some parts of the saw that we just couldn't get down. We wanted to come up with our own "emblem" and as you see above we came up with the state of Michiatgan emblem on the boxes so that way if we sell them people will remember where they bought them from. You need something simple yet something that will be the "key" to open up the boxes. This morning we went out there and boom...Rob figured it out. With much prayer over our 3 mile nature walk yesterday at Monte Sano Mountain. There is still a lot of training that we have to do but that was the important part of it all that we struggled with yesterday. Please be in prayer for us as we go through this training and then bring it home in the next couple months and get ready to make them for craft shows and etc...in the fall. We are excited to learn it but we are also nervous on marketing them.

Keep on smiling!!!!

Alabama

We arrived safely in Alabama yesterday around noon after going back home to return our dog to Jude. We wanted to take Gabby with us to keep her training going forward but unfortunately she doesn't like the car ride. From our house to the old Tiger Stadium she got sick 4 times so we turned around and took her home to Robert and then he took her out to Jude's. He is working full time and is at a ball field 4 days this week and we didn't want her tied up all week. Thank you Jude for caring for her!!!!

We are in Alabama looking at a business that my biological dad has offered us and to train on it if that is an option, so today we will hopefully see it run and etc...and make our decision by the end of the week. I am hoping that it is something that we want to do because I really don't want to go back into the work force at this time. We have been praying over it and hoping that God will give us a sense of peace this week over it. I have that sense of peace but Rob is hesitant and until he feels that I can't go forward.

The weather is in the 80's and this afternoon is suppose to hit the 90's and if you all know me I love the heat!!!!! Hopefully it follows us home at the end of the week.

Keep smiling!!!!!

Nathan and Steve

Here is a picture of another great nephew, Nathan and his daddy Steve. Steve is married to our niece Amy and Amy is expecting another child on May 30th. She is having a ceaseran section that day. It is pretty amazing that Amy has children because she always said she didn't want any children so when she was pregnant with Nathan we were all so excited and then when Nathan was about 6 months she found out she was pregnant again so now we are awaiting the birth of little Noah. To watch all these nieces and nephews now having children is unbelievable and so exciting!!!! I asked Amy if she was going to try for a girl and her reply was "I am done." but we all know that God sometimes has other things in store for us.

Aunt Donna and Travis

Here is me and Travis at Aiden's birthday party. Aiden and Travis (their dads are brothers; Nicholas and Kyle) are cousins and I keep Travis here and there so he used to me and if anyone knows me...I love babies. In the background is Deb (my sister in law) and Sam (great nephew) that was just born in January so there are so many babies in our family right now. It has been wonderful having all these babies around. They bring so much fun and laughter to the family. I can't wait to watch them grow up and can't wait to be a grandma myself one day but until then I will put all my love into these babies.

Aiden's 1st Birthday

This past weekend we celebrated Aiden's first birthday. Aiden is one of our great nephews that was born this past year...we had plenty of great NEPHEWS born but no NIECES. Aiden is pictured above with his grandma, Cindy Wilson. Aiden isn't to big on going to other people that he doesn't see on a regular basis so I snapped shots of him while he was near people that he was comfortable with.

Happy Birthday Robert

Yesterday was Roberts 18th bday...yes I said 18. It is hard to believe he is 18. Seems like yesterday when he was born. This is his mug shot that I took of him for his actual birthday. Robert, Lindzy, and I went to lunch at his favorite restaurant, Mexican Village and then off to find a softball bat that we are going to help contribute to for his birthday but we didn't find one that he wanted so now we have to order one on line and hope it is the one that he wants. Of course the subject of curfew came up quite a few times while having lunch and during the day because he wants a later curfew than midnight. We will worry about that when he needs to stay out past midnight like we usually do. He is done with homeschooling now and received his diploma the day before from the academy that we used. He is working almost full time at Kroger's...about 35-37 hours a week because they won't put him on full time with benefits and etc...Then in the fall he is going to Macomb for a couple years instead of going off to college because of costs and he is still unsure what he is going to get his degree in so no sense in spending wasted money.

Injured List

Last night we had softball practice for the women's team at church and this is what I came home with. A big huge bruise on my upper thigh, near my hip. I am the pitcher on the team and it is the first and hopefully the last time I get hit with a ball...normally I get out of the way of them when they are coming fast but last night there just wasn't any time. Thank goodness it was on my leg and not my face...now that scares the daylights out of me to think that the face would get hit. It isn't feeling to well today but there were no tears shed but boy did I want to cuss like a sailor because it was quite painful but I didn't!!! Good hit Pastor Cheri...keep hitting like that and we will win all year...lol!!!!! Maybe this will be my last year.

Just for Fun

A couple weeks ago some great friends of ours: David and Ruth Engle had us over for dinner and to play Rock Band (I think that is what it is called) along with Rob Dupree, Robert, and Shelly and Jason Fullum. It was the first time for me and we had a lot of fun with everyone. It is nice to be around the "younger" crowd. Keeps us young at heart and besides Rob and I are always game for anything....well just about anything. Thank you both for your hospitality and your friendship....it means the world to us. We love you both dearly!!!!!! Can't wait to do it again soon...next time at our house!!!!