The Past Week

Seems like forever since I've had a chance to post. It's been a mad house around here the past week. Here's my week of news all in one post.

First of all, Brad, Chely, and the kids are home. They left Utah last Thursday, stayed in Nebraska on Thursday night, and finished the drive on Friday. They arrived at our house about 10:30pm on Friday night. Everything seems "right" once again. I love having them home!! They will be staying with Chely's folks in West Plains until they get their own place. I'm not sure where they are planning on living (West Plains, Willow Springs, or where?), I'm just glad that they will be close. Brad went back to work at Jasper on Tuesday morning and Chely will be working in West Plains with a girl she went to school with.

We had a great visit with my sister, Irene, and her family over Memorial Day. I met them in Springfield on Friday for a little "retail therapy".  We got a late start on the shopping after lunch and didn't get back to my house until after 9pm. It was a long day but it helped to take my mind off of Brad's family being on the road. If I had been home I would have been pacing around all day worrying. Doyle and Ed got to do a little golfing together so that made them happy.

Saturday evening we had a little party at the Abbey farm to welcome Brad and Chely home. Chelsea did a great job of planning and getting everything ready. Doyle was once again the "grill master", and of course did a fantastic job. It was good to get everyone together and visit. The kids loved the four-wheeler rides around the farm.

Sunday was a day for Jade, my niece. Her birthday is June 3rd so we chose to celebrate in on Sunday. Ed and Doyle had gone to Mountain Home and picked up her gift, a 125cc motorcycle. She chose pizza (which worked for me) for the meal and except for her cake being chocolate instead of vanilla, everything went well. Chely, Emily, and Patrick took Jade to the Pirates 3D movie to end her day.

Monday was a big day--not only was it Memorial Day but it was also Cameron's 2nd birthday. Irene, Jade, and I placed wreaths for our Dad and our nephew in the morning. It's always a sad thing but something that I feel needs to be done, out of love and respect. Then it was back home to get ready for the party. Brad and Chely had requested kabobs and luckily Chely and her Mom put them together while I got the sides ready. We had quite a crowd and there were no leftovers (yay)!!! Cameron did quite a number on his cake, I'm still finding cake goo on the chair. Not a bite went in his mouth, he just liked smashing Thomas the Train into the cake. I ended up getting him his own little cake and going with mini cupcakes for everyone else. That really worked well. It's hard to believe that he is two already, he's quite a little man!!

Tuesday was quiet--everyone was gone and I was home alone. I used the day to get caught up on laundry and housework. Wednesday it was back to work and it was a very busy day. It's always busy after a holiday. I worked again on Thursday but I was a floor tech instead of in the IV room so it was a much calmer day. Today, I'm home alone again and I need to get motivated. Right after I finish my coffee!!!