It is pouring rain as I sit in Steve's office posting...I wanted to go home after a lunch date with Bill and Malinda, but it is raining so hard...I surely can't risk getting wet going to the car in a flooded parking lot, now can I?

The family (Shroyer) picnic Saturday was a little subdued compared to past picnics. Fewer people were there, the kids are getting older and less loud and maybe we are just getting a little older too and less loud. No really, I don't remember when it was so quiet at a picnic.

We did celerate Aunt Carroll's 98th birthday. She seemed to enjoy the few hours she was with everyone...although she couldn't remember or recognize everyone. This makes me a little sad and reflective about future years and how they may play out for our family. Life changes before our eyes so rapidly sometimes that we aren't even aware of what's occuring and we sort of think...where was I?

I can't wait to go to Virginia to see the crew...Sydney and Mckenzie's 2nd birthday is coming up and we are going to celebrate. Also, Bren and Micah are spending the night Friday...time with the boys. Steve's digging the dirt trying to landscape, so Brennan should be in his heyday...dirt attracts boys and they attract dirt!!!! More baths!!!

I had forgotten what the smell of Amish country produces until a trip to Shipshewana with my grandson, Brennan, reminded me. Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwww...that was his comment when we went by all the horses, that we, his mom and I were trying to point out to him. He didn't seem too impressed, he had the "whatever" attitude. Great fun pushing his little brother Micah in the stoller was the peak of the day, it was great that we walked everywhere. And thankfully there is a new awesome toy store in the renovated Mercantile. Check it out...an actual carousel on the third floor!!

Ali's buy of the day...a sign reading "No whining"...too bad Micah and Brennan don't read yet. Maybe she acutually bought it for Ben!!

I need a "I don't have to go anywhere, do anything day", just so I can finish a few jobs around here. We have lived here 10 months...yes, we have, because you wouldn't know it by what I haven't done. How about a week of "I don't have to go anywhere"?

Ok, where have I been? Training new Stephen Ministers has pushed me to study and read for hours and rethink material I have used previously, but make new and exciting for this great class of eager learners. I am so impressed about all the enthusiasm and boldness and honesty that I am seeing. And the sharing is forcing all of us to be transparent and honest with our feelings with people we are just beginning to know.

A feeling of trepidation has surfaced within me; all the insecurities I have felt about my ability to train someone to do "anything" becomes so strong when I am teaching a group that probably could teach the material much better thanI. Hopefully, God's tugging me to trust him in a way I have never experienced before through this class. This year has forced me to see the "real" me again, and I cope with not really liking what I see reflected in the mirror. Communion was Sunday nite after an intense prayer time, walking around the building and focusing on notes posted all over in strategic places of ministry. Not really sensing any connection with God at that point, I wondered in my mind if I was deserving of communion. Were you all taught if your heart isn't "right", you shouldn't partake????? Is our heart ever "right"? What is right? Isn't a relationship with God deserving of connecting with Him through communion? How do we draw closer? If myrelationship needs to be always "right", then I guess I wonder if I ever would be deserving.
Sorry for all this babbling...see what happens when I blog after the moon rises. Bad idea...I need to do this earlier. But don't be surprised to see me blogging at 3am either.

A lighter note, Erin and Tom's wedding was fun, fun, fun!!! They are truly a couple in love..awww...really, or they fake really well!!! Seriously, but not too seriously, we were honored to be a part of their wedding. Me just the observant, proud aunt, and Steve as the "wedding singer". He loved singing in the Catholic cathedral...the sound was awesome, he said it actually made him sound good. Now as far as his dancing ability...well.......

Celebrating my aunt's 98th birthday this Saturday. Who would have ever thought? Hope she remembers at least a few of us. Ha! Good report, tho', she's walking more and being her feisty self, so things are looking up.

It's a good thing not too many people actually read my blog, I can't seem to keep up. With the grandkids, all 4 here , with their mothers unexpectantly this last week and Steve's sister, Linda here for 2 days, I haven't had time to blog or even to myself. One baby bed, we had 3, was in the office so when I had time to catch up, a baby would be napping. Oh well, catch the updated pics on Ali or Eri's blogs.
Headed to Indy for my niece, Erin's wedding to Tom Archer this weekend. A big affair, we needed parking tickets to the church and reception hall, something I've never needed, because there is a convention downtown Indy this weekend and that is where the wedding is being held. Tom's family is coming from Buffalo, NY. I really like Tom, glad he will be a part of our family. Wish you all the best Tom and Erin!!!
Had a blast celebrating Erica's 30th birthday at Essenhaus last nite. The kids laughed and laughed and Brennan loved singing Happy Birthday so much, he sang it to Aunt Erica 3 times.
Sydney and Kenzie were so tired coming home, Sydney fell asleep, but Kenzie kept shutting her eyes and teasing me pretending she was sleeping. Sure missed Jon tho', then it would have been a perfect birthday celebration. Erica left today and is sloooooowly making her way back home to Virginia. I sure with they were closer. Sydney and Kenzie are talking more and they warmed up really quickly, but the first time Steve spoke to Sydney, he scared here because he is so loud and boisterous. She cried, but in a few days, she was saying "Where's Papa"? daily. It melted his heart and they loved giving kisses and hugs to us. We melted too!!!
More later...hope I can keep up better!

Having the flu stinks! And getting from the grandkids really stinks!! Three days and still feeling iffy but Steve and I look at each other and just hope it will get better. He is attempting to work...but he puts up a good front. He just is not eating! Now that is a MIRACLE for him. He even passed out the other night for a few minutes, he was so nauseated.

Well, enough about that. I did lose 8 pounds over the whole mess, but of course it will probably finds its way back, unless I just stop eating like I have for 3-4 days! Isn't that called anorexia?

Today is another day of record heat...as if all of you readers don't know. But there is no one out...that kid's playing outside, people gardening etc. I need to water my flowers, but it is too hot...so they will suffer like all the humans. My dog doesn't know how lucky he is, even more so than some people, that he is in air conditioning. Have I become one of those people that doesn't have compassion for those who suffer?

What is suffering? I remember when we didn't have air conditioning in our home, not even in the window...and I survived. We sat under the shade, ate homemade popsicles, drank hose water and played in the hose, went swimming in the lake and just relaxed. OK, I am older, but really not that much. We are all just soooooooooooooo spoiled...and I say that for me too!!

Just stop all the COMPLAINING will you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!