Considering…

I was recommended to start a blog on blogspot instead of this one because it would be a little easier – I’m working on it… I’ve enjoyed this one so much, but it’s a pain to have to reposition pictures and it takes so much time to upload them – so I’ve kind of started one over there, just trying to get it all set up before I take the big plunge…. I might just go ahead and post the new pictures over there since it won’t take half as long – but I just need to make a cd of the pictures off Sam’s computer and bring them to work to upload them – so you see, that process alone is quite the bear! But I haven’t forgotten about you – Beth, I’m talking to you!

A quick update….

Will definitely try to get pictures together now – in the meantime… John ended up being admitted in the hospital from Tuesday last week until Saturday. Turns out he had pneumonia! Poor thing – he was going stir crazy in the hospital! But the whole fam went to visit for a few of the evenings and that was really fun! He got out on Saturday and was exhausted, it’s hard to sleep in those crazy hospitals! Go figure! Anyway, yesterday, we got Katie all married off – she had an absolutely beautiful wedding – it just goes to show that you don’t need all the pomp and circumstance, but even with a small intimate wedding, the result is still the same – you end up married! She was beautiful and it was so special – of course, not a dry eye in the chapel! It was difficult, emotionally, but oh so special! I will focus on getting you some photos posted, maybe I’ll have time to do that this evening – check back soon for updated photos!!!

God is good!

John is back in the hospital – he needed fluids really desperately and he also went off the steroids cold turkey – I don’t think you are suppose to do that though…. Anyway, let me tell you really quickly how good God is… John LOVES fishing – he’s not so good at it, but he LOVES it! And so Katie’s fiance Mike is back in town and has a boat, so we all piled in there yesterday to take John fishing on the river… He’s so weak that the boys would just pick him up and put him down. We made a nice little bed for him in the front of the boat, got across the river and set him up on a fishing pole. We knew we could only be out there for a little while, because he had dr.s appts. But anyway, so I don’t think any of us really expected to catch anything, it was just the first nice day out and it was beautiful – wouldn’t you know it – after about 15 min. of fishing – John caught a pretty nice fish! He didn’t even really have the strength to reel it in, Katie had to hold the pole and he reeled! It was a keeper! God is so good – no one else caught any fish! It was perfect! Then after an hour of being in the water, we had to head out for John to make it to his appt. I guess in the meantime, 3 nurses and dr.s called Ruth and were mad that John didn’t show up to his appt.s. Whatever. I don’t think that anything they could do could even compare to the afternoon he had on the water with all of his kids! I can’t even explain it! It was so perfect! Then Sam took him to get his fluids and they ended up admitting him overnight, at least. I don’t know what today brings, but I know he’s hoping to get out of there… So that’s how that goes, he looks a lot better since he got the fluids!

So I got everyone’s msg about staying up on my blogs – I will try to do my best! For right now, it’s cold again… Tulips are starting to pop up, but no blooms on anything really – I can’t wait for some steady warm days and what we really need is rain, So a little prayers our way! Thanks!

Hello.

Well, alas, no pictures as of yet, but I thought I’d better leave a msg before I leave whatever fan base I have, ie. Lori, Beth, Wes, Cindy, Mom and Robin. Thanks, oh faithful readers! 🙂 Anyway, I should write a bit about our trip – we had a great time! Let’s see, it was nearly a month ago already – but we left after Sam preached that Wednesday night and got to the Cities around 4am and stopped and slept till about 8am and got back on the road, then we got into Chicago around 1:30pm. We got ourselves all situated and got a taxi to the airport and were there in PLENTY of time! The only thing is that we were about a half hour late getting into the Philly airport – By the way, Bethers, that is ONE LONG airport – we were actually running through the airport to make it to our next gate on time, of course, by this time, it was 8pm and we hadn’t eaten since 10am! So poor Sam is trying to order a salad at McD’s and still get on the plane in time, we made it! And as a bonus, got bumped up to an exit seat! So that was really nice! Then we actually got into Orlando a half hour EARLY! So we got our bags and sat on the curb until Wes and Cindy came to get us! But it was soooo nice, it was sooo warm – it was tons of fun just watching people – so in saying, we were picked up a little late because there was a bit of miscommunication! :O) But we enjoyed our wait! Sam was busy, reading a book and I was just soaking up the warm! Ummm…. Then on Friday, we went to Epcot, that was fun – even though we didn’t get to go anywhere International for our vacation, we ended up going to about 10 or more different countries! So that was a bonus! Then the rain started, but I didn’t care, it was still warm! It was so much fun visiting with Wes and Cindy and seeing their super cute home! And then on Saturday – what a suprise! Aunt Gayle and Uncle Jim came down to suprise us! They drove 4 or 5 hours, just to see us! That was awesome, so we got to hang out with them for the afternoon! Then on Sunday, we went to a cute little antiques town, in the rain, but it was so nice! Then on Monday, we went to Blue Spring State Park – this was definitely a highlight as the water was beautiful and we got to see manatees, alligators, tons of wild birds, and tons of fish! We went canoeing – unfortuneately, Wes and Cindy had to work, so they didn’t get to go with us, but they’ll definitely have to do it sometime. This was the day we got crispy! You can imagine that two people from ND who haven’t had the sun TOUCH their skin in nearly six months – we were nearly glowing white! So to get sun-kissed was wonderful, until the pain of the sunburn kicked in… But we had a great time in Orlando, FL, but with all of that, we had the best hosts ever! Sam got to be an ace Wii player and I, well, I got to make some beautiful jewelry with the Master! 🙂

Then we came back to burrrrr, cold Chicago! It was nice just hanging out in the hotel, not really having much of anything to do. There was a super nice pool and hot tub and exercise room. And of course, I got to watch two days of Martha Stewart – you gotta love TV! Well, we did decide that we are certainly glad that we don’t have TV at home. I used to make fun of Sam, the way he would just sit and stair at the TV, but I’m afraid that I’ve been away from it so long, that I’m seeing some of those same tendancies in me! 😦 What can I say – I can watch Sam for a while, but he doesn’t move half as fast as the TV!!! So anyway, Sam went to a day and a half of seminars and then I came and joined him. I went to a couple break out sessions on “Behavior Modification vs. Heart Transformation” and “Connecting with Youth in a Wired Generation.” They were interesting, but after 3 hours of seminars, I was pooped, and I couldn’t believe that Sam held in there for 2 straight days!!!! On Friday, we went into the city to meet with the ministry that’s going to be leading our group this summer. I think it’s going to be a great opportunity for them! And a real challenge as well….

Well, as I was typing this yesterday, I’d added a lot more and my internet went down in the middle of it, so at this point I can’t really remember what I wrote, so you’ll just have to get that much! It’s been kind of a crazy 1 and a half weeks since I’ve been back. John, Sam’s dad, isn’t doing so hot. Katie’s moved up her wedding just to ensure that her dad will be there, so that will be on May 4th. Just a small intimate wedding with only the family. Then they’ll redo their vows and have the reception on the 5th of July still. So that’s about how that is going. I was refiguring my page to see if I could figure out how many people actually read this blog. Because I was having a lot of fun writing, and may continue, but if there are only 2 or 3 reading it, I don’t think I’ll try to keep up with it as often. I know that you have better things to do. And I do tend to ramble. So there’s no need to check back very often. Maybe once every couple of weeks or so. I can’t make promises. Thanks to my faithful readers!

Pictures are to come….

I need to take a few pictures and then I’ll get them all moved to a CD so that I can bring them to work to get them all uploaded – we had a great vacation – I’ll tell you more when we get pictures to describe! But thanks for the comments! Congrats to Jim and Aleycia Gerlach on the arrival of Miles James on Saturday 04-12-08. He was so excited to meet his family that he came a whole 6 weeks early, so he’s going to have to stay in the hospital for a little while, but he’s doing great! And what a cutie – so that makes two babies this week! Craziness!!!! Also, Sam sold a couple of paintings in his most recent art show, winning himself some awards and ready to paint more! Refer to www.samcoleman.org for updated pictures! Go Sam!!! Celebrations all around!

Holy Toledo!

I’ve been away for so long that they up and changed my whole blogging site!!! Well, pictures to come, we’re on vacation. FL was awesome! It was great to be able to spend some time with Wes and Cindy – to see Cindy in the middle of her creation room! She even showed me how to make a piece of jewelry – hopefully pictures of that soon to come as well! Now we are in Chicago – Sam headed off to his conference – he just let me know today his schedule – I think there was method to his madness – he left at 8am today and not to return until 5 or 7pm this evening…. Then tomorrow, he heads off at 8am and doesn’t come back until 11pm! So that’s so much for us getting to spend some good quality time together here!!! Oh well, but it’s been really fun! So I’ve straightened our room, right now, the cleaning lady is in, so I decided to go and visit the workout room here – I do have the car here, so I might make a little trip to the mall, but I’ll probably wait until tomorrow to do that, I could always organize our vehicle though…so many things to do….I have books, magazine and then there is always the dreaded taxes…. Count down….ugh…. Don’t remind me! But anyway, oh by the way! Congrats to Steve and Amber Ermish – had a little guy on April 7 – Noah William Ermish – 8 lbs. or so and as long as I’ve heard, everyone is doing great! So I just wanted to send a little update your way! Hopefully you’ll hear from me soon! I have no cell phone with me, but access to email and facebook, so feel free to drop me a message to remind me I’m not totally all alone in Chicago! 🙂

Now…how do you suppose I post this tricky little thingy!?!?!?!

Happy Spring!

Anyone interested in a Spring Fling BBQ?

Amazing Grays….

Just to let you know, Sam’s art show went really well. He didn’t sell much but it was a good cause and he spent a lot of time painting for a worship service, a quick draw, he did a great job! There are some new paintings on his website – those were the ones that he entered into the show. So check it out! www.samcoleman.org

I also wanted to tell you about one of the funniest things that I experienced yesterday. OK, we are taking our youth down to Guatemala next summer with the God’s Child project. But two couples from our church just got back from there. Last night, they were speaking for the “Amazing Gray’s” at our church. Once a month, the older folks get together and have a dinner and a speaker or movie or something like that. Well, we wanted to go and hear the presentation. So we went for dinner and were sitting there while they were going through their introductions and devotionals, then they made announcements. “Next month, we are going to Joe Smith come from Parkside Funeral home to tell us how to start preparing for our funeral. And  it turns out that he also plays the guitar and sings! So that will be a real treat! Come next month for that!” I was so taken by surprise and then I got the giggles. But mind you, I’m in a room of about 50 adults 60 and over – and sitting at a table with 4 adults that were 70 and over! So Sam wanted to know what I was laughing at and I tried to tell him by wispering, with the giggles and he got the giggles. Then he didn’t even believe me! So he turns to the 70 something lady beside him and says, “Did she really say some guy was coming from the Funeral home to talk about preparing your funeral?!” And she said, plainly, “Yes. Well, Sammy, we are all getting old!” And Sam burst out laughing and said, you aren’t THAT old though!!! I couldn’t stop laughing, it was the funniest thing ever! Then later on in the program, Sam said that he really likes these people and we should start coming more often – so I asked him if we were going to come next month – he said we might skip that one! HA!

Go ME!

I’ve conquered technology!!! Read the blog before you watch the video though!! Have a great weekend! Maybe I can find more pictures on this disk to post, let’s see!

This would be all of us at Big Sky – you can tell that visibility was pretty low.

This would be my Confirmation Group – 8th grade girls minus 1. We decorated t-shirts a couple of weeks ago – it was a lot of fun! PS. We’re in the Youth room at our church.

This is just a great picture of the big T!

And this is just a picture of some of the Coleman boys. We went on a great walk the other night! (Johnny is missing!)

So that’s a little pictoral update on my life!

Hope beyond hopes, I hope this works….

I know I just blogged earlier and so rare is it that I blog twice in one day, but I was reminded of the funniest thing that happened yesterday. There is no way to describe it to you in a way that you would understand or even think was all that funny – it was definitely a “had to be there” type moment. Oh well. How should I start? Well, a while ago, like months, no years ago, Sam asked me if I had any super power, what would I want?! What the heck? I don’t know. I told him I never think about stuff like that. But considering the question, I figured he’d spent quite a bit of time pondering the thought himself. So, Sam, what super power would you have? He responds so quickly, maybe a little TOO quickly 😉 I’d blow things up! He proceeded to show how if a building or a car was in his way, he would just blow it up by throwing a fireball at it – complete with sound effects! It was one of the craziest and yet adorable things I’d ever seen! So fast forward a couple years to….yesterday. Yesterday was quite a crazy day. I told you before that we have this art show starting this evening. Well, we were on our way down to the University to drop off his painting for the show and we were just running like crazy – it had already been a crazy day! Then we had a bunch to do for church last night on top of all this. Well, to get down to the UMary, we had to drive right through town – at 3:30pm. So schools were getting out, people were getting off work – traffic was crazier than normal. I was on the phone talking to mom and Sam was driving – well, we nearly hit a couple cars and then finally got on the right road heading south of town and I don’t know if Sam had enough or what the deal was – but all of a sudden, out of the corner of my eye, I see him throw a “fireball” and blow up a building on the side of the road – seriously, I nearly peed in my pants! My poor mom – I was trying to talk to her and laughing my head off at the same time! Sam didn’t even know what I was laughing at – he was so in his own little world that he had moved on thinking about something else! When I think about it – I still keep on laughing. So today…. I thought I would try to get Sam to reinact for you – I wish you could have been there – it’s definitely not the same. He didn’t want me to say anything because he already thinks everyone thinks he’s a little different – but this was too priceless – I couldn’t pass it up! Hopefully it works!

 I’m so disappointed, my computer is too slow to upload the video – it almost gets there and then it says that it’s timed out already – so I have to wait till tomorrow, but I’ll add it right on here…. if I can….This really ruins all my fun right now…. I hate technology….when it doesn’t work! 🙂