Jodie Almost Arrested....Almost

Jake and Kacie's Bake Sale Sign

In late July the kids and myself went to spend a week with Nana and Grandpa Ron (my parents). They sold their house so we went to help them pack and put things in storage. It was a busy week but we had a wonderful time visiting family once again. We spent a day with the Gullett's (my dad's side). Grandmother, we sure were sad that you lost your dog Pumpkin while we were there...he was a great pooch! We also spent a day with Murr and Papa (my mom's parents). Murr your fried okra was delicious as always!! The last couple of days we had a garage sale, well sort of. My mom practically was giving everything away. That is one of her character traits that I love...whether she has a lot or little she will give it to someone who may want/need it more than her. It is nice to see a person who is not wrapped up into the "things" of this world!! The kids also had a bake sale and made close to 40.00. They were pretty excited about their profit. And I am thinking they will not be as generous as their Nana.

So...we are travelling back to Kansas hauling our third truckload of wonderful things that my parent's have allowed us to store for them. Mom and Ron, we are enjoying all of the furniture and decor and everything else...thank you for entrusting us with your things! Anyways, we are about 2 miles from the 47th street exit and the ice cream that Kacie did not want to finish spilled. I had it in front of my seat so that it would not do just that. Well apparently while I was wiping up/trying to contain the ice cream with the wet wipes that Jake was handing me, I was swerving a "little" bit. I look in my rear view mirror and I see flashing lights. My first reaction was "oh no!". I knew I was not speeding because I had travelled the speed limit with all of the stuff in the bed of the truck. The officer came to the window and tells me he has been following me for quite awhile. And he noticed some swerving So I had him flash his light to my feet and he knew I was telling a true story about spilling ice cream. And the fact that he did not smell any suspicious odors he decided to just give me a warning. But...he still had to follow protocol and run my driver's license. With me, Jake and the dog in the front seat. And Kacie in just enough space for her to sit in the back he said he would hurry.

The officer comes back to my window and asks if I knew that my driver's license was suspended. WHAT??? Apparently it had been suspended since the end of 2006. If you know the law, you know that at that moment the officer was supposed to arrest me no matter what. Instead he told me to drive perfect home and get things straightened out. Ben says the cop knew it would have been a headache to deal with 2 kids and a dog so he let me go. There is probably some truth to that. The next few miles we were praising God that the situation turned out the way it did. And Kacie responds with, "Mom, do they have little kid handcuffs, you know like for my size?". And Jake began to get worried that the Rose Hill Police were going to come and arrest me. I still have never been arrested, but I can say I ALMOST have been ARRESTED.

By the way it was a paperwork mistake with insurance from a hit and run accident that had occurred to my car.

Our Newest Family Member

We would like to introduce Sadie to you. She has come home with us to live in retirement. As many of you know my mom and step-dad will officially be living on a boat. Yes. I said a boat...it is kind of like traveling in an RV only on water. They are SUPER excited and we are anxious to see the adventures that await them. OK back to Sadie. Sadie was one of two dogs that my mom and Ron had. The chocolate lab is going to live on the boat and we adopted Sadie.

Sadie was a stray that lets just say wondered up to the right house. She had a wonderful life as an outside dog that loved to hunt and chase wild animals. And now that she is in retirement...she has died and gone to dog heaven. We keep her inside, take her on walks and yep she has already gotten fed from the table. Sadie and Matsu will have a good time growing old together!!

Visiting "The Great Lakes" State

We took a week around the 4th of July and went up to the Grand Rapids area of Michigan. Ben's dads side of the family lives there. It was such a blessing seeing everyone. We wish we could see you all more than we do! We stayed with Ben's cousin Amanda and her husband Ryan and of course Dillon their sweet doggers. Thank you guys so much for the wonderful hospitality, you were awesome hosts!!

Ben's brothers family also came to visit family as well. It was pretty cool being on vacation with them. They stayed just a few miles away at Ben's aunts. Aunt Lori and Kurt were a lot of fun too! The whole family took such great care of us...Thank you all for treating us so well!!

Ryan and Amanda with the kids

We were thrilled to meet Ryan, Autumn's fiance. Autumn is Ben's cousin. It was good to see you as well!! They are the two on the left.

In the evenings it would cool off and we would have a campfire. Here is Aunt Lori helping Kacie make a smore...she is the "GREAT" Aunt Lori!!

The second day we were there, we were eager to get to the lake. It still amazes me how much it is like the ocean, just without the salt.

If you notice there is no one around the boys in the water. That is because the water was sooooo cold. The beach was actually crowded, but too cold to swim. Right before we left, Ben took a dare to go for a swim. He said from his knees down he was starting to go numb. I did not dare step a foot in it!

The kids enjoyed watching the barge come in through the canal.






Building a sand castle










Enjoying the beach






Cousins having a great time together away from home!

On July 4th we drove about an hour north to the sand dunes at Silver Lake.

This is one of the West Michigan light houses. Jake and dad walked up to the top.

The whole clan!!

Dune tour. We learned how the dunes were formed and the kids had a blast going fast in the sand!!





Because it was the 4th there were a lot of people out enjoying the sand. We sat and watched the vehicles come down the hill for quite awhile. It was very entertaining!!

The next morning Ryan took us out to his Mom's farm. She had horses, goats, cows, cats, and dogs. It was like a little petting zoo. Ryan make sure you tell your mom thanks again for letting us come and enjoy the farm!!

Kacie trying to feed the goats.

Jake going for a ride!

This was the highlight of the farm...getting pulled by the horse!

Sunday afternoon we went to visit Grandpa Lenny and Grandma Loretta (Ben's dads parents). Grandma had a feast for us and our bellies were very happy! We also got to visit with Ben's cousins Kevin and Loren. Thank you Grandpa and Grandma for the wonderful meal and the time spent together with you.

Our last day we spent time with our wonderful friends Dave and Marissa and their 2 year old daughter Emma. We had a great time catching up while hanging out on the beach in Holland. Thank you for making us feel so special...we sure wish you lived closer!!

Jake had fun being buried by Dad

Emma and Kacie rockin' it on the piano. They are exactly 2 years a part. They share the same birthday...November 11th.

Thank you Lord for wonderful family and friends. You truly give us more than we deserve!!

60th Wedding Anniversary Celebration

Still in LOVE after all these years...my Murr and Papa (mom's parents) will be celebrating their 60th year together this year. We are BLESSED to have a Godly example of marriage!!

My sister Kari and her kids flew in from Germany to celebrate with all of us. Here are my kids with her children. Jordynn, Hunter and Koen

My other sister Jill and her kids flew in from California. Here are all of our kids together.

My cousin Brandi, niece Kayla, sister Kari and cousin Amber.

It was so good to see you guys!!

Cousins are the BEST!

Family in Texas

Over Father's Day weekend we took a trip to visit family near Lubbock, TX. It had been a couple of years since this many of us had been able to get together. We of course had fun watching the kids play together and strolling down memory lane!!

A few of the cousins.

This is my mom with all of her siblings.
Billy, Gail, Kathy (my mom), Twyla, Les





Kaili, Sage and Kacie with their pet frogs...kept them busy all afternoon!

Father's Day Breakfast

It was a priceless Father's Day this year! My sister Jill and I spent Father's Day with our Dad and brother Austin for the first time in our lives. My sister and me took groceries to Dad's and made breakfast for everyone....it was not only delicious food but a very SWEET memory made!!

Jodie, Austin, Jill

Aunt Jenny, Niece Kayla, Jodie




God couldn't have blessed my kids with a more wonderful daddy...thanks Ben for loving and leading our children so well!!

Grandad (Jodie's dad) and Kacie

Great-Grandmother, Kayla, Kacie

Thanks Abe For the Fun!

The store that takes most of my money has slip-n-slides for $5.00. We bought one for the kids and they loved it! Who says you need a lot of money to have a few hours of fun...