Kennedy turns 9

She has been wanting a guitar and the look on her face was priceless, although I did not get a picture of it.  We enjoyed friends and family to help us celebrate her day.  Thank you Kennedy for all the smiles and hugs you give us each day.  Your such a sweet girl.

Happy Birthday Dad!

This post is not coming out like I would like it to, but I have other things to get done.  The above pictures are of Chris and the girls as they give him his gifts for his birthday.  I say "girls," but it appears in the right picture that T-bird will not wake up to say "Happy Birthday, Dad."  It was just too much work for her.  Dad enjoyed his CD's and Bill O'Reilly book. 

The next day we celebrated K's 9th birthday with a trip to Chuckie Cheese and Holiday Park. 

Gods Blessings...

I thought that I must report my recent blessing from God.  We are blessed every day, but recently it was an instant answer to prayer.  Here is the story...I recently lost a job that I usually get during the summer months and this money helps with the vacation fund. However, I knew when I lost the job God was going to give me something, I had to keep the FAITH.  Last week I was praying and telling God "I know you have something for me, I just know you do and it will be perfect for me."  Well, not 2 hours later I get a phone call from a Marketing/Research company who have called me over the years to ask questions to see if I would qualify for a study they are doing and I have done about 2 studys over 8 years.  When I answered I did not get an immediate response and almost hung up, but the lady came on and asked if I could answer some questions to see if I would qualify for a study.  I started answering the questions and she thought I might qualify for the study and would I have time for an 8 hour study next week?  I said, "How much does it pay?" She said "$175 plus meals and parking paid."  Of course I said "Yes!"  She apologized that she seemed unorganized, but she was working on a different study when her computer accidently dialed me for this study, "this was a freak accident."  I said no it wasn't it was an answer to prayer...

Kennedy Riding Her Bike

As promised here is a picture of Kennedy riding her bike, she is so proud.  She has been tearing up the County Road along with the Swindell drive. 

Kennedy Rides Her Bike

Although I do not have a picture of it we wanted to make a note that Kennedy was able to ride her bike yestereday without the training wheels.  She did a great job and took off on the first try.  Dad was very proud of her and he did a great job keeping up with her.  Big thanks to Wes and Shannon for letting us use their drive, cinnamon rolls coming your way...not!

Just enjoyed a weekend away with the Hunts to celebrate Chris's birthday.  Shawna and I got some great decorating ideas from a bar in Hillsboro, IN.  We ended the evening with a great steak at our favorite spot, The Moonglow in Danville, IL.  Love that place!!  I was the big winner of the day, picking Super Saver (Go Calvin!) to win the Kentucky Derby, YES!!!  Triple Crown all the way!

Speaking of Super Saver I have included a picture of some items I got FREE yesterday!  I have become coupon, bargin lady and I love it when it's FREE. 

Goin Home

I love classic movies, my favorite channel is TCM, Tressa will come home from school and say, "not another black and white movie!"  Yes, I should have grown up in the 1940's that is my favorite movie era.  If you are a true "Hoosier" you would know the Christmas classic "Remember the Night." 
I was channel surfing last night and came across the movie The Snake Pit, starring Olivia de Havilland, you know her better as Melanie in Gone With The Wind, but she won an Oscar for The Snake Pit as a woman who loses her mind and is confined to a mental institution.  Anyway, they sang this song Going Home and it has become another one of my favorites (Chris, remove "Small Town" and play this one at the funeral).  Below are the lyrics, but if you want to hear it go to the following link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-ZVUlzFmJ0

Going home, going home

I'm just going home
Quiet light, some still day
I'm just going home
It's not far, just close by
Through an open door
Work all done, care laid by
Going to fear no more
Mother's there expecting me
Father's waiting, too
Lots of folk gathered there
All the friends I knew
All the friends I knew
I'm going home
Nothing's lost, all's gain
No more fret nor pain
No more stumbling on the way
No more longing for the day
Going to roam no more
Morning star lights the way
Restless dream all done
Shadows gone, break of day
Real life begun
There's no break, there's no end
Just a living on
Wide awake with a smile
Going on and on
Going home, going home
I'm just going home
It's not far, just close by
Through an open door
I am going home
I'm just going home
Going home, going home

Patsy

This is a picture of what the scenery is in heaven today.  This is a picture of  my first "daughter" Patsy and she blessed our family for 17 years.  That is a long time and it makes me cry when I think of her.  When she first arrived with her brother Dwight who was a matching twin, Chris and I were engaged, a year later they went through a move to Carmel then followed up by another move to the farm in Zionsville.  They really enjoyed the woods and the birth of Tressa Ann.  We lost Dwight a month after "T" was born, but Patsy learned to adjust along with another move to Colfax, IL.  The above picture was taken at the house in Colfax and she loved to sit out at the pump and watch the cars go by.  I keep this by my bed stand because it is so peaceful.  Another year passed and we moved again, but this time back to Indiana.  After two more moves and another baby Patsy took it in stried.  Even though she was aging she let Kennedy constantly lock her in her room and play with the toys.  However, the 40th birthday present from Lisa, another black cat, Fancy may have taken it's toll, she just couldn't keep up with the young kid.  In January it was decided to put her sleep...after much heartache Chris and I loaded her up in the car and all I could think of was how it had come full circle, here we are just the three of us again me holding her on my lap, but without brother.  I still wait for her to jump up on my lap after the kids go to bed or lay at my feet when I go to bed, but it is not to be.  I look forward to seeing them once again, may God Bless you Patsy!

Aruba

The above pictures are from our trip to Aruba.  The island was beautiful, clean, warm but always windy!  We had a great time even though is was stressful trying to leave and come home because of the weather, but it was well worth it!  This was my favorite island so far, next to Dominican Republic.  The place we stayed in was gorgeous and scenic as you can see by the view from our balcony.  This was our 5th year going with the group and I thank God every year for the great blessing of these trips.  A big thank you to Chris for all of his hard work and his great customers!

No School, so what should we do?

Leave it Tressa to think up things to help Fancy be more comfortable! No school yesterday due to the ice on the roads. I really enjoy these days, because I can spend more time with the girls, they make me laugh. Shawna reminded me over the weekend that Tressa will graduate in 5 years!! What? Can't be true! It makes very sad and I want to adopt a child from Haiti now. Chris will probably put his foot down on that, but I still may ask. I just asked him and he said I should already know the answer to that...

Well, it is 12:00 and Chris has come in to make lunch and catch up on his Fox News. I am still in my PJ's and just finished 4 dozen of cookies for the EHMS dance tonight. Brownies will be made tomorrow for the Donkey Basketball. I am very fortunate to have such a wonderful husband who takes such great care of us, I pray the girls will marry someone just like their Dad. Better get a shower and act like up did something around here...

Winter of 2010

Thank you Kennedy for braving the cold weather to do a photo shoot for Mom. This one is my favorite of the bunch so I decided to show it off. Our first big snow of the season has already melted away, but before it did the girls took several evenings to enjoy it either by sledding behind the mule or down the hill at the cemetary. They have a wonderful Dad who enjoys being outside in the cold, not Mom.

Wedding of Mark and Lindsay January 9, 10

Mark and Lindsay were married over the weekend and it was beautiful. We had a great time and Tressa did a great job as the Guestbook Girl. Kennedy thought Lindsay looked beautiful and she did! What a wonderul couple and we are so lucky to have them as neighbors! Here are a couple of pictures.

Tressa takes a sleigh ride

First snowfall of the season and Dad went and bought some new sleds. Each daughter got a turn to take a ride out in the field, but I only got a video of T-bird taking a ride. It was a lot of fun for me as well as her. Thanks Dad for being so good to us!

Christmas with the Chicks

The chicks took their families downtown to see the lights and eat at the Spaghetti Factory. Another great night in Indy perfect weather to see the large tree on the circle and finish up at Starbucks. The kids and husbands were well behaved which is such a relief, you never know when the husbands will act up! Love these ladies and appreciate all of their prayers and support as I journey through motherhood.

Winter Solstice

It's the most wonderful time of the year! No, not the Winter Solstice, but close...Christmas! The girls and I love this time of the year. Last week Grandpa Karl drove us to the IMA for the celebration of the Winter Solstice at the Lilly House. The weather was perfect and we were able to see reindeer, owls and take a tour of the Lilly House decorated for Christmas. We ended the evening with a drink at Starbucks.

Birthdays

Its that time of year again where half of the Messmore family celebrates their birthdays. Ashton turned 30 this year which is hard to believe. I can't believe it was 30 years ago that I was in 7th grade when I was told to come to the office for a message that I have a nephew, it took me awhile to figure out that a nephew meant it was a boy.

Tressa turned 13 the day after Ash and I celebrated ours, we celebrated with a couple of parties and finalized it with a slumber party and a trip to laser tag. She had a great time and is growing up to be a wonderful daughter who gets in trouble for teasing her sister.

We are preparing for Thanksgiving and celebrating with family, thank you God for a great year!

Tressa the Model

Tressa and I found a great place to take pictures and this is one of our favorites! She is growing up so fast and looks great in the neighbors dresses, thanks gals!

I love to read in the trunk.

A couple of weeks ago Kennedy and I cleaned out her room. Along with the many toys and clothes given away, a box of books were supposed to go to Goodwill too. However, early the next morning Kennedy remembered that Dad had put them in his trunk and decided to open the trunk and read while mom and dad weren't looking. She can "focus" when she wants to. We love ya K!

Bigger Loser II

Team Tugboat won the Biggest Loser this time. Hunt was the biggest loser shedding 32 pounds! Great Job!! I personally just love getting together on Sunday evenings for the food, yummy!

Photography award

Tressa and I entered pictures in the Riley Days Photography contest. Tress won the Hollenbaugh Award for her picture taken of K and Uncle Lon (see previous blog) and a first and second prize in another category. We are very proud of her. She also received a $500 grant for her school.

Boiler Up!

For the Labor Day weekend took the girls to Dads Alma Mater, Purdue, to see them beat Toledo. It was very hot, but we survived and enjoyed the day. We also took the "fan experience" tour and went down on the field before the game. Tressa loved watching the band, as does Mom. That is her watching them in the top photo. Kennedy enjoyed being the "ham" in our picture as I gave up and let her steal the show. Thanks girls for being so good and letting us treat you to more memories with Mom and Dad. Oh, how could I forget, Mark also proposed to Lindsay and she said "Yes!". I was the first person to inform Jack about the engagement, he was very happy!

Kennedy riding the horse video

2009-2010 First Day of School.

The first day of school for the 2nd grader and 7th grader.
Kennedy is ready for 2nd Grade, Mrs Bynums class. Peace Baby! The T-bird rocks!


Dad and his pride and joy! I really think Tressa looks like she is going to cry, because she has to leave Mom.

Weekend at the lake

A big "thank you" goes out to Helen and Dick for their wonderful home to enjoy friends and family. We had great weather to go swimming and boating. Kennedy said her favorite part was swimming with Uncle Lon, but "he should wear his life jacket." I know "K," he never listened to me so don't expect him to listen to you. In the above picture Uncle Lon and Kennedy do one of their many jumps of the pier. The funny for the day was when Uncle Lon and Kennedy swam far out from the pier and Tressa went down to check on them, when Kennedy saw her she told Uncle Lon, "don't worry we are too far out she won't jump in and swim out here, " and she was right.

Smokey Mountains

Isn't he cute? This is one of the three cubs and their Mom that we saw in one tree on our trip through the Smokey Mountains, Cades Cove. I took this picture of him as I was standing out the sunroof and we were right under him. Kennedy was right beside me and he stopped eating his leaves and looked right at us! Tressa had taken the day to go with Grandpa, Grandma and Aunt Julie to the Biltmore Mansion in Ashville, NC. We had a great time, relaxing and beautiful views. Other then the raccoons that got in the trash every night we were so blessed. The girls loved the pool and the steep road to get to our cabin. I loved the view from the Newfound Gap (TN & NC state line) other than T-Bird pouting the whole time that we had taken a wrong turn and we had not reached our swimming hole yet. Oh well, the memories are dear and we hope all will enjoy another time soon.

Mody and Me

Last week we were finally able to get up to Modys house to enjoy the pond, sun and her wonderful food! Had a great time visiting and seeing Nancy and Aunt Lisa. What a gorgeous day, perfect weather for laying out in the sun and tubing. The girls were worn out on the way home!

We had just finished a long walk with Lindsay and Shannon which consisted of some back woods hiking and walking down the creek, which the dogs loved! The girls came home and needed to clean their feet and K thought why not kill two birds with one stone, potty and have my sister clean my feet!

And I shaved my legs for this?

Tressa was invited by the "block gals" to see the new Harry Potter movie. Alas, this moment called for the first shave of the legs! A couple of days before this she wanted me to check her hair because it had been itching, don't tell her, but I could not really check it unless I stood on my toes and I wasn't going to do that. I would not hear the end of how I am getting taller then you! She is growing up and there are many days when I wish she was that little baby and listened to every word I said and did not question why, but they all grow up. Oh well, I still have little sis who thinks mom is awesome.

4 H Fair 2009

Tressa and her favorite pig, Long John. We had a great year and I am very proud of her! All blue ribbons on projects, photography and biscuits recieved honors. It is a good bonding week for her and Dad and Mom enjoys the food. A big "thank you" to Pam and Andon in helping her with showmanship, she did much better and we look forward to next year!

Kennedy showing a pig for Mini 4H, she enjoys it and I enjoy watching her. Her cousins were a big help this year in instructing her how not to wack the pig. She did much better and I really appreciate the help from the judge, Brock L.

Wes and Shannon Wedding

Well it's offical, Shannon is now the best looking wife on the south side of 900 N. We were privalaged to be part of their beautiful wedding on July 4th. What a wonderful "block" to be married on and live on! We enjoyed the day so much being with neighbors and friends. It was the best "block" party we have had so far.

Tressa enjoyed taking pictures and keeping tabs on Lili and Kennedy. Kennedy enjoyed dancing with the bride and Lindsay, but let us not forget that here favorite part was having dinner with Joe.

We ended the night by watching Dad and the crew of Hunt boys, Conner and Tressa light off the display of fireworks!