Spring/Summer
2007
Fowler
Family Newsletter
Hey
There Everyone ~
Well,
what can I say … thought I’d start with the oldest Fowler child this time,
which was my Dad … and his offspring and that would be me so you get my epistle
right up front. I figured this time it
would be good since the newsletter is on the late side to help explain that
little detail.
And
usually I try to say way more about the rest of the family because they have
the exciting lives and put a little blurb about me at the end cuz I’m always just running to catch up with everyone but
because there is NO RUNNING right now … I thought … well, shoot … that fall has
got to be worth some attention so you get the scoop on me right up front. And thanks to Cyndi giving me back the
Longest Letter Title … I aim to please !!! =)
It was a
hot and very humid day in Charlotte, North Carolina … ha ha
… don’t worry I’m not going to do the LONG VERY DETAILED version … but it was
hot and humid !!! =) The story in a nutshell (as best as I can do a nutshell)
is I was filling the car with gas, decided to get a car wash (yep, was feeling
lazy) and went around the car to lower the antenna in the back of the SUV … and
on the way back decided to step over the gas hose (short cut to the pump)
because it was so low to the ground. Now
here is where I have to say … whenever you get this quick thought to cut your
steps short … DON’T LISTEN TO THAT VOICE … just go around the long way !!! I got over just fine with the first leg (my right) …
but when I went to bring the left leg after … my world came crashing down … literally !! =) My foot caught on the hose and as I lifted
it to get it over, I lost my balance (imagine that) and on the way down grabbed
at the back door to steady myself but in turn that only added the dramatic way
I fell. The door flew open and I swung
around it (got my foot off the hose though in the process) but that left leg
was NO HELP. I tried to catch the ground
with my foot and my ankle twisted out and then in (and that would be when I
snapped my fibula … the smaller of the two bones in your leg … about 2 inches
about the ankle) and then my knee sorta hit down and slid and I heard crunching
when it hit so I knew that wasn’t good.
That would be when I fractured the knee in two places. I almost passed out (felt no pain, just heard
the noises of the breaks) … but I’m sure my body took in the pain and thus the
feeling of sickness and like I was passing out.
NOT A
SOUL came to help and you can be sure … that the dramatic way I fell should
have brought the whole gas station to my rescue (Fred is still threatening to
go get the security tape and send it off to Funniest Home Videos cuz he’s sure we’d win $10,000) and the fact that there
were cars all around me. I laid there
for a bit … gathered myself, shut the back door and scooted along the ground to
open the front door and then lifted myself into the front seat of the car to
get to my phone to call Fred. Nearly
passed out several times and put no weight on that leg just because I knew
something was wrong … and when Fred arrived, we went straight to the emergency
room. After they diagnosed the problems,
they put a temporary fix on it and I went back the next week to the orthopedic
folks and ended up with a cast from my toes to right below the knee and then a
knee immobilizer from on top of the cast to my upper thigh. I can’t put any weight on the leg for 2
months at least and I’m fortunate that surgery wasn’t necessary. The doctor said she’d never seen anyone do so
much damage without surgery … and that was a GOD thing in my opinion. I may have to have surgery later once the
fractures heal because they don’t know about damage to the soft tissue around
the knee especially … could have pulled my ACL … but we’ll wait and see on
that. The fractures have to heal first
they say. So … the story ends except to
say that we’re so blessed that Fred’s work says “family first” and is letting
Fred work from home and no traveling right now because I’d be lost without him. There’s very little I can do on my own and my
leg has to be elevated as much as possible. So I’m wheel chair bound and couch
bound and bed bound but I have been able to go to church on Sundays and that’s
been a blessing and folks are so GREAT at church … we have food coming 3 times
a week and that is SUCH a help !!! Sure
has made me grateful, yet again, for such a wonderful church family and
friends. =)
Fred
still works for MAXjet Airways and you may start
hearing more about them in the news because they are adding more US routes and
charters. He’s the Technical services
manager and oversees purchasing new aircrafts and everything that is involved
in getting those airplanes back in the air doing MAXjet
business. Believe me, it keeps him busy
from dawn till dusk. He lives on his
Blackberry and laptop.
Justin
is finishing up the summer session at University of North Carolina in Charlotte
and lives in an apartment over there right next to campus so he walks to all
his classes. He’s fixing to move into a
gorgeous brick home with two of his friends on September 15th
(because the apartment went to one year leasing and not month to month anymore
and Justin didn’t want to commit to a whole year with strange roommates coming
and going) and he’ll be moving back in with us this weekend and staying just
until he can get into the house. It
looks like he’ll graduate next summer with a B.A. in Communications and a minor
in Art (Graphic Design). He contracts
himself out quite a bit to do web design and is presently working on the Youth
website for our church. You can go to
their “blog” right now and read about their youth
adventure in Canada at youth.tuckaseege.org and see some of Justin’s work. They’re just in the beginning stages and will
be adding pictures and video later.
That’s how Justin sustains himself … web design.
Samantha
heads off to college at Western Carolina University on August 16th. We’re going up the night before and moving
her in on the 17th. She was
going to be a Special Education major but after a recent mission’s trip to
Canada with the youth at church, she has a bit of a new direction. She said she’s felt the tug on her heart for
missions for a long time and KNOWS she needs to work with children. So what she is thinking as of now … is that
she is going to change her major to just regular education … and she’ll decide
on her concentration within a few months … and still minor in Spanish because
she wants to be bilingual. And then
she’s thinking about doing her masters in missions and going “wherever” to
teach English as a second language and work with children. So be in prayer for her because she is so
sensitive to other’s needs and loves the Lord and just wants to be doing what
God wants that He’ll make her path straight.
We’re so excited for her because she is so good with children (they
flock around her) and has such patience with them and it’s going to take a lot
of that to do this.
So
that’s it for the Ruckmans … sorry to take up so much
room … but waiting till 51 to have 3 fractures is sorta BIG news around this
house. Sorry it delayed the newsletter but as you will see we are almost at
100% so it worked in your favor too.
We’ll get Randy and Sandy in on the next newsletter I’m sure !!!! =)
I’ll be
formatting an email soon with pictures of Samantha and some of Justin too at
her prom and graduation so you all can see them and Kyle can add them to the
website. It was a bit much to try and
include in the newsletter.
Love you
all and hope you are having a great summer.
You’ll hear from me again in November so be on the lookout.
Fred, Autumn, Justin and Samantha
Hi
Everyone!
As far
as exciting news - - I have none, sorry. However, I do keep pretty busy
even being retired. It's amazing, but with church activities, college
programs, doing some visitation with ladies in the retirement and/or
nursing homes, doing things with friends and family, etc., I stay as
active as I want to be.
Deb has
already come for a week-long visit and we had a really good time together with
Cyndi. We did the usual shopping, eating out, talking and relaxing
together. She worked over at Cyndi & Doug's doing some painting,
etc.(they're getting their home ready to sell), plus she went with me to the
Heart Center in Des Moines where she and Katie waited and waited - 4
hours - for me to have a cardiolite stress test, and
other related tests. Actually, she was my chauffer while she was here -
and I enjoyed and appreciated that.
Steve
arrives on Sat., June 30, and will be here for a few days - - and I have my
list ready for him!! Whenever he comes out he wants to keep busy, so
I help him do just that. I'm sure he will also be helping Cyndi and Doug.
I spoke
over at the college last March on the importance of caring for the bereaved and
homebound. This has been a yearly assignment for me, but I update it
often with various Scripture texts and ideas as to how each of us can be of
encouragement and help to those going through difficult times. A
highlight for me was to witness the baptism of Andy, Jarrod and Katie back in
January. Before each of them was baptized, the pastor asked them for
their testimony as to the details of their salvation. Each of them gave
the date of when they asked the Lord into their hearts, and the circumstances
leading up to that decision. What a blessing! Now all of my grandchildren know the Lord as their Saviour. PTL!
Health-wise,
I still battle with dizzy spells - some major ones and others are
lighter. Plus, my arthritis gets worse as I get older, however, I
can still get around and I'm thankful for that.
I'm
looking forward to hearing from each of you, and thanks to Autumn
and Kyle for making this possible.
Love to
each of you,
Norma
Hi
Family!
This is
going to be brief - much briefer (sp?), more brief?? - than
the last one.
We are
doing a complete home makeover so that we can put our house on the
market. Sound weird - I know - but in order for our house to sell at the
price we want and for it to sell quickly we had to do some things ----- o.k.
many things. Once again we called on the Shipp Family Restoration Service
and they came to the rescue. Deb and Steve came out at different times
and helped us immensely with things that needed done. Seriously, I can
never thank them enough for their help. Our plan is to get it on the
market in August or September.
The kids
are great - great at spending most of the summer doing nothing!
School starts in a month and they'll be in 11th, 8th and 6th grades
respectively. Doug and I work away at our jobs and the house. Doug
will be going back to school in December or so for a year to get his RN
degree. That's why were working to get our house going because then we
can be in a new place and somewhat settled before he 'leaves us' for a year of
school.
Our new
church is growing. We're so excited! Katie actually has one per
person in her S.S. class! YEAH!!!! The boys are really active in
the youth group. They took their first Wilderness Trip to Door County
Wisconsin (many of you are thinking that Door County is far from wilderness,
but when you put four boys together and one has never camped in his life - you
have to start slow.) They had a great time and all came back in pretty
much one piece.
Well -
that's it - I bet you're all relieved! I'm going to give the Longest
Letter Title back to Autumn.
Love to
you all!
The Listers
As
usual, I look back at our last update, and then try to remember what has
happened since then. We are having a beautiful spring and early summer; a lot
of very warm weather and just enough rain.
Since
the last letter, we did get together with Deb and Bob at Thanksgiving, in
Kentucky. Kyle and Kristen were able to be there for some of the days, also. We
were also able to do our annual get together in the Chicago area at
Christmastime.
In the
last update I mentioned a 'Celebration offering' that our church was taking. We
had a goal of $100,000. The offering actually ended up being over $130,000!!
What a great provision by God. We were able to do all of the planned projects,
and more.
A couple
of Sundays ago, our lead pastor announced his resignation. He will be with us
through the end of July, and then he is taking a position with our National
Office in Chicago. So we start the search for our next pastor, and look forward
to whoever God has for us.
I went
over the hill in May. I am now 50! Becky gave me a card a couple of months
before my birthday, with options of birthday gifts. They ranged from driving a
race car to jumping out of an airplane. The guys at work were sure she was
trying to collect insurance money, but they were all things I would truly
enjoy. In the end (after some investigating of other options), I took the over
50 choices. Last weekend we went to Michigan International Speedway and WATCHED
a race. We spent the whole day there, which included 2 sessions of Nextel car
practices sessions, and a Craftsman Series truck race. We also had pit passes,
so we were able to get close to all the Nextel Cup drivers. After the race
ended, there was a Montgomery Gentry concert down in turn 1.
In
August we are taking the second half of the birthday trip, which is a few days
in Traverse City, which includes tandem parasailing.
Becky
and I are at our same jobs. Michigan's economy is not the best, and with
Becky's boss specializing in the legal end of commercial business sales; the
amount of work has slowed considerably. On the positive side, he also does the
legal work for businesses that are closing, so he is picking up some accounts
from that. The company I work for is continuing to implement its new business
plan. So I have gone from 9 places that I was responsible for, to now having 15
places. We are both thankful for our jobs and God's provision for us.
AND,
besides turning 50... Becky and I are going to be grandparents, but I am sure
you will have the details elsewhere in this letter. YIPEE!
Steve
and Becky
June 16,
2007
Hello!
We’re
back in Massachusetts again for the summer.
This year we found a little house to rent in a small town. It’s very old and quite charming! But the best part is a little more space than
an apartment and a yard! We got
connected with an animal rescue group and we are fostering two boxers until
they can be adopted by a good family. We
have Apollo and Dixie, who are not siblings but have been together since they
were very young. They are wonderful dogs
and have become a great addition to our family.
We love coming home to them and taking them out for adventures. You can
check out the pictures on the website.
Kyle is
busy working at Bose. This summer he
will be working on his thesis for Kettering University. We are relieved because his topic has
officially been approved by both Bose and Kettering. He is scheduled to graduate next spring! He’s also got a new hobby of
building/refinishing furniture. So far
he has done a dining room table, a bureau turned entertainment center, a
headboard, and a coffee table. It’s all
added a lot of warmth to our home and it feels more established with real
furniture!
I’ve
been working for a company called Comfort Keepers. I do non-medical care for elderly people –
generally companionship, some housekeeping, and helping with appointments and
errands. Unfortunately they couldn’t
offer me enough hours to work full time, so I am starting to work for a summer
camp. It’s a YMCA day camp on over 100
acres of land, including a ropes course, beach, and lake. I’ll be running the arts and crafts
program. There are about 600 campers
each day!
We have
a few trips planned for the summer… a weekend at the lake with my family, a
couple camping trips, a mystery anniversary trip, and a week with Steve, Becky,
Stacey, and Rich in Virginia. It will
surely go by quickly!
We wish
you all well and will be praying for you.
Enjoy the summer!
Kristen
& Kyle Shipp
P.S.
It’s not us.
Our new
information
6508 Chartwell Drive
Virginia
Beach, VA 23464
home: 757-965-9918
rich cell: 904-386-3877
rich email: [email protected]
We had a
pretty rough Christmas season but thankfully we were able to make it to Chicago
to get together with everyone, that is my favorite vacation all year. And
probably the only one this year :-).
At the
beginning of April we moved to Virginia Beach, Virginia. We are all
settled and liking it here for the most part. Things are much more expensive
here than they were in Jacksonville or Flint so that is taking some getting
used to. We love our house; it’s really starting to feel like home. We've got
lots of room and it is in a really good location. Most everywhere we like to go
is within 5 minutes or so. Except, unfortunately, work for both of us.
Richard
is in a period of schooling at Oceana, about a half hour east of here. He is
supposed to graduate the middle of August. After he finishes this training
period, he will head about a half hour north of here, to Norfolk, for work. He
will be at NOB Norfolk, the largest military base in the world. I’ts insane, there are 32 gates, and those are only the
ones they make known to the public. He will be doing pretty much the same job
he was doing at Jacksonville, just at a new place. Two of the six people in his
class now are headed to Norfolk, so at least he will know a couple people right
from the beginning.
Richard
just got a promotion and we are so thankful. It means he will be more
easily accepted at Norfolk, have more opportunities for leadership and the ever
so handy pay raise. The pay increase won't take place for about 6 months,
but at least we know its coming.
I just
started a new job. I am working at AGI, Architectural Graphics, Inc., a sign
manufacturing company that makes signs to be installed all over the nation.
It's a temp job and we'll see if I stick with it after August 3.
We have
been looking for a church and its crazy. Most of the churches here seem to be
trying to outnumber each other in members, anywhere from 2000 to 8000 members.
A couple of the smaller ones we have found are full of either all elderly
people or people who are rolling down the aisles. We did kind of like one of
the big ones, other than the fact that it has 5000 members, so after a few more
that we don't like, we might go back to that one.
We have
a spare bedroom and would welcome guests at any time, there's TONS to do around
this area. We've been to the beach and boardwalk a couple times and it’s really
nice. We got season passes to Busch Gardens-Europe and love it.
There's a huge theme park of go-carts and race cars. And then tons of
historic stuff of course.
Til next time...
Stacey
and Rich
PS- On
Father's Day, we found out that we are expecting a baby to arrive approximately
February 22, 2008!!! (Too bad it doesn't just arrive; it has to come via
hours and hours of labor.)
Hello, Everyone!
Things in Kentucky have been hot and dry. We’re in the part of the country having a
moderate drought. So, the “bluegrass”
area isn’t so green these days.
We’ve been enjoying the few weeks we have off from
school this summer. I made a trip out to
Iowa to see Mom, Cyndi and family. It’s
always fun to get together and catch up.
Of course, Cyndi put me to work, too, but there was always as much
chatting going on as work – so I’m not sure how much help it was but we enjoyed
ourselves.
A week later, we flew to Louisiana to visit Bob’s
uncle who turned 100 this June! He still
lives by himself and, except for a problem hearing, he’s extremely
healthy. We also saw Bob’s son, Jim, and
his family. We were there when Jim’s
son, Presley, was born. That makes Bob a
first time grandfather. I guess that
makes me the ‘step-grandmother’ – but I’m WAY too young for that title –
right??! Anyway, Presley is adorable and
is showing that he has a very easy-going personality - so far.
In a few weeks, we’re planning on making a trip to
the Boston area to visit Kyle and Kristin.
We’re really looking forward to seeing them again. I’ve never been to this area – and love
history, so the sightseeing should be fun too.
School starts back August 2nd –
Yikes! Since the school is only 5
minutes from the house, I’ve already started to go in for an hour or so every
once in a while to get the room set up.
It’s less painful that way.
We’re looking forward to a visit from Steve and
Becky in August. I’ll be back at work,
but Bob is an excellent tour guide. I’m
sure that I’ll feel the need to take a “personal day” while they’re here,
too.
Bob’s been feeling good. No further health scares. He’s been keeping very busy with our
yard. You know how these “low
maintenance” yards never really are what they claim. But, he is realizing that a job doesn’t have
to be done all in one day – that’s a big improvement for him.
Hope this finds everyone doing well. We’re looking forward to hearing all the
news.
Love, Deb and Bob
Dear
family,
I could
almost tell you to read the last issue, as our schedules don't change too
much. We have added some doctor's visits but that is normal. Bill
is now the Vice Mayor having been re-elected in January. He had to
campaign in December and won by a landslide. So that means 4 more
years.
We are
both involved in several musical groups. In addition to the Sanctuary
Choir, Bill is a member of the Men's Chorus, Penney Men (a small group of
eight) and an Ensemble, which we're both involved in. The latter is a
group of 12 mostly husband and wife except for two. I'm involved in the
Women's Chorus in addition to the Sanctuary choir (of which I am the librarian)
and in Hand-bells. So these organizations keep us pretty busy.
In
addition we serve the noon dinner meal at one of our assisted living places on
Friday each week. Then it seems that Bill is a part of every committee
you can think of. I have trouble keeping all of his meetings in
mind. We have done some fun things such as going on a bus trip to the Cummer Museum in Jacksonville to see an Egyptian display of
tombs and mummies, etc. from the British Museum. We also enjoy attending
the "Coffee" series of the Jacksonville Symphony several times during
the year.
Well I
think that is enough to bore you with for this time. We are preparing and
looking forward to our usual trip to see family and spend a few weeks in Iowa
in our trailer. We look forward to reading all about the rest of the
family and want to again thank Autumn for putting this
all together.
Love to
all, Bill and Romayne
Greetings
once again from Charleston, WV...
Where to
start...2007 began as any year does when one is in radio...hectic!!
January
came and with it a trip to Memphis, TN to the St. Jude Children's Research
Hospital for the radio seminar. What an experience. The sessions we had
were very enlightening and I met some pretty neat country music stars; like Kelli Pickler, Randy Owen from
Alabama, Andy Griggs (who is so gorgeous) and a few others. The main stars were
of course the kids at the hospital. The stories of their parents were heart
wrenching and 2 of the sales guys who went were shedding some tears as were us
gals. To see the bravery these kids and families have is beyond words. The
facility itself is unreal. God bless Danny Thomas for founding this facility.
When you walk in the hospital it does not have that awful medicinal (sp?) or
"hospital" smell and I was expecting to feel such overwhelming dread
and despair. Instead I felt ..."hope" which is the main word that
they emphasize there. We were able to tour Graceland as well and that was a
wonderful experience. I am not an Elvis fan but the house is quite impressive
to say the least.
The
seminar helped tremendously when we had our radiothon
in February. We along with 2 other stations in the building managed to
set another record for the state of WV...raising $160,786.00!! It was an
emotional event and one that will be long remembered.
Once
again I was fortunate enough to head to Daytona and broadcast my
show. Amid all fines and things that were being handed out to crew chiefs
and drivers ... I had a wonderful time. Actually saw several drivers and even
saw one of the guys I used to work with in Battle Creek. It was fun to go back
"home" so to speak. I will be headed back next February for the 50th
Anniversary of the Daytona 500.
The year
has been one as I said in the beginning that has been hectic with
appearances and remotes for the Wolf staff. We have had
several accolades along the way...we were voted by the West Virginia
Association of Broadcasters as the Country Station of the Year for the state
... which honestly, rocked!! We had a very successful "book" (or
ratings period) as well. Overall the Wolf maintained it's 3rd position in the
market and I am very proud to say that my midday show was ranked #2 in the
market. My Saturday night show was ranked #1!!!! Really nice.
We have
been apart of some fundraising that has surprised us at the generosity of WV
residents as well as brought us to tears. We continue to amaze folks in our
listener family as well as in the building.
I am
still the webmaster for the website and love every second of
"working" on it. I call it fun more than work.
On a
personal level ...... there really isn't much to report. Not that I don't have
a life but I spend a lot of time putting stuff together for NASCAR related
events for the station as well as working on the site, doing remotes and of
course doing my air-shift. Plus, now with my "baby" (my car)...I
spend a lot of time at the car wash ... ha!! Maybe I don't have a life...huh?
Regardless, I love my environment, my job and my co-workers who are becoming
more and more like my family.
I am
looking forward to an upcoming visit from the folks who will hopefully enjoy
their stay as they did last time they were here and I hate to say it but
it has been so long I can't even recall when their
last visit was ... oh oh ... I am getting old huh?
My back
continues to act up every now and then but for the most part it seems to be
fine after some rest and my heating pad. After I had returned form Daytona I
headed back to the doctor and she assured me I still did not require surgery
and that I had just over done it so ..... I have to
remember that when lifting etc., etc., etc. Which is hard to do at times when
on remote.
I really
wish you would make the trip to WV and I could show so much more that I am
doing and cannot possibly fit into an email. It is so hard for me to believe
that in July I will be celebrating my 5th year here. God has certainly blessed
me and continues to bless me. October will mark my 23rd year in radio and I am
so glad I have a job that grates on me at times but for the most part is a
continued gift.
Take
care and I look forward to reading what ya'all have
been up to ..... oh oh ... she even types WV!!! LOL!!
Gods
Blessings to all
Syl
Well, the summer has had an
interesting start. In March, due to unexpected circumstances Melissa lost
her job. She has been taking the summer off so to speak spending much
needed and enjoyed time with her family. She is looking for the
"right" job that will not take up the majority of her time (unlike
her previous job). She did teach a class at Chestnut Hill College for the
Undergraduate Department and is waiting for her next teaching assignment.
Rob is extremely busy with his job - he has been to Key West, Florida,
Maryland, New York, Virginia, New Jersey and occasionally here in Pennsylvania.
Judy is doing well also, she is working in a new position in her company.
Anastasia is growing and learning
by leaps and bounds. Her teachers at day care are always impressed by how
quickly she learns and remembers things. She keeps us all busy.
Anastasia recently enjoyed a visit from her Nana and PopPop
and misses them terribly. The visit was wonderful and she kept everyone
entertained, but as always it was much too short and went by way too fast.
We are spending our summer doing
summer things - the beach, the zoo, BBQ's and carnivals. We are having a
great time and enjoying our times together.
Rob, Melissa, Anastasia Groden
& Judy Foley
Summer
Greetings to one and all from Valley City, Ohio!
We have
experienced some wonderful blessings since the last letter.
When
Spring break came for Paul, we decided to travel again. We spent Easter
weekend with Van and Loretta and boys. From there we went to western
Wisconsin to visit Ellen, Paul's sister-in-law. While in that area, we
did some touring around and went back to the church that Paul's dad pastored in Elk Mound. He was able to visit with the
pastor and found out that one of the ladies of the church just up the road was
still living, so we went to pay her a visit. From that area we went over
to our old stomping grounds around Anoka and Coon Rapids, Minnesota. We
stayed with one of our friends (the cake-makers for our girls' weddings) who
had just lost her husband a little over a month before and also saw some other
friends. What a blessing to catch up on one another! We concluded
our trip by dropping down near Rochester, Minnesota to see a couple who were
just like brother
and sister to us during our Minnesota days and renew
old acquaintances with them. Then it was back home and back to work.
The next
blessing occurred when I got to take another week off and help Lynda
after she gave birth to Michaela Sharon on April 27th. Of course, that is
always enjoyable!
The last
of many blessings occurred the last weekend of June when our whole family
was together here at our house - 17 in all! We enjoyed a good time
together, ate lots of good food and enjoyed watching the cousins playing
together, among other things. By Thursday evening they were all here and
by Sunday afternoon, they had all left to get back where they had to be.
An added bonus to this get together was the arrival about midday on
Saturday of Paul's older brother, Jim and his wife, who were traveling
through from Missouri to Michigan to visit their oldest daughter and
family. Paul's sister, Ruth, couldn't be left out; so she and her family
arrived later, giving us a total of 27. They hadn't seen our family, and
we theirs, for several years. Thankfully, the Lord blessed us with good
weather; not too hot and no rain; although we really need the moisture.
I think
this catches you up on this part of the family for this time. We enjoy
finding out about each of you; so look forward to this next Family Letter.
As always, thanks again, Autumn and Kyle for your
efforts in doing this.
Love,
Sharon
Greetings
to all,
Since
last update I have been dating Ann Marie which I met at Wal*Mart
while working over night. She now works day shift in the Bakery department
making donuts and packing up all the pasties. Christmas time I met her
mother and brothers and their families. In February we took a trip
down to her father's place for a weekend. Then in June I
replaced my car with 2001 Chevy Impala because it would not pass
inspection. I brought Ann Marie to my parents place for our Family
reunion at the end of June showing her the area in Ohio.
Timothy P Johnson
P.O. Box
373
Factoryville,
PA 18414-0373
(570)
945-0106
Hi !
Wesley’s
job has changed a little bit. He is
still driving for Grimes and Johnston Post Offices during the week, but on the
weekends he drives the Corydon route. He
starts the Corydon route at 4:30 p.m. and goes up to Des Moines and spends the
night then comes back anywhere between 6 or 7 a.m. Right now we are just staying in Corydon.
Lucas is
typical boy and loves to play ball, tractors, cars and go for long walks. People keep telling us that he looks so much
like his Mom; some have never seen anyone look so much alike. He has a speech delay so we have a speech
therapist coming two times a month. To
help with his speech, and to get us out of the house we go to story time once a
week. He also has fallen arches, which
are making his ankles roll in and is affecting his knees. Mom has flat feet =) ! He will have to wear braces on his feet that
come up past his ankles, hopefully for only six months. He is also not using his hip extenders. Maybe that is why the “Fowler ladies” have
hip problems. A physical therapist comes
twice a month and gives us exercises to do with him. So for living in a small town and being a
stay at home mom we stay pretty busy.
The last
weekend in January Wesley and I got away for a couple’s retreat in Ankeny. Every year our church has it the last weekend
in January. It was a great time to get
away for a little bit and fellowship with other church people.
On
Mother’s Day, Lucas was goofing off. He
had his blanket over his head and was walking around. He ended up hitting the coffee table. He split his lip open, which resulted in
getting three stitches and a black and blue left cheek. The day before he hit his head on another
piece of furniture and scraped up his nose, goose egg above his right eye and
some scrapes on his left eye. No, he is
not an abused child, just all boy.
The last
weekend in June was the Johnson family get-together. We tried to drive all night long; we made it
to midnight before we decided we could not push the CV joint anymore. Thankfully where we pulled off there was a
Wal-Mart and a hotel right off the exit.
We tried to get the part but nobody in town had it so we ended up having
to pay a mechanic, not cheap. We got
into Mom and Dad’s Thursday evening and left Sunday afternoon. It was a great time of us all being
together. The funny thing the next week
the physical therapist came and said Lucas’s hips were getting really strong,
it must have been the two flights of stairs at Grandmy
and Grandpy’s because it sure was not that we had the
time to do his exercises.
The end
of July is our church’s Vacation Bible School.
I was kind of begged to help so the youngest class can have Lucas in
their class. They only have one that is
actually in the age group so they are taking Lucas and another boy that is a
month older than him. I am working in
the primary department. We are now
collecting pennies so the boy’s team can win the offering bucket competition.
Wesley
tries to do as many mechanical jobs as his crazy schedule allows. He has fixed a couple chain saws in his room
up in Des Moines and tries to keep our vehicles at least drivable. He is studying up to get his ASE
certification and to hopefully get back to mechanic work.
Well,
that is about all that is happening at the Darrahs. Looking forward to reading all about what you
guys are doing. Thanks Autumn and Kyle for all your hard work on the newsletter.
Leona
We are now a family of five. Michaela Sharon was born on April 27th. She had us worried that she would be born out
of the hospital, but we all made it there.
The girls are thrilled with her and cannot give her enough loving. Michaela has fit into our lives very nicely,
to a point of there are times we don't even know she is around. That will change and we will have three
energetic girls running around.
Hannah has completed her first book in Cubbies and got the
award for it. She asked for a couple
weeks when she got to go back but she is now in VBS with our church for seven
days, the last being the closing night.
She turned four on the 26th and is acting more and more like a little
girl. She was thrilled that she was
getting cake and ice cream for her "party". We are celebrating with all her cousins,
aunts, uncles and Granmy and Granpy
the weekend of the 30th.
Danielle is trying to keep up with Hannah, but not be too
far away from the "baby". She
has quite the vocabulary and is very determined to get her way. She is in the two and three year old Sunday School class as our church has merged some classes
together. She has become the little
mother in nursery on Sunday nights with her being one of the oldest.
Phil is busy with work as they change his work schedule
monthly. There were times they would get 40 hours and now he is up to 50 or
more a week. He is also been involved in a couple of musical groups at church
and then getting out to our property to mow.
I, on the other hand, have been enjoying the time off with the
girls. I am back on the schedule for
July.
Other than a trip to Mom and Dad's for the family get
together, I believe we are going to enjoy our summer at home. I hope everyone is enjoying their summer in
what ever you do.
Lynda
Happy 4th of
July! Now, everyone knows I was one of the late ones, oh well =)
The
Carpenters are all doing well and enjoying summer. We just got back from
vacation and I am still catching up. We went to northern Iowa and spent a
few days with Van’s side of the family there. The guys helped out on the
Carpenter Farm a couple of days and we spent time with Van’s grandfather who
lives in a nursing home there. As I am sure Mom has filled you in on, we
then went to Ohio for a short but fun reunion of the Paul and Sharon
family. We did a lot of driving, but we survived. I found out
it is hard work to be Aunt Retta to three little
girls and one little boy, but loved every minute of it. We would have
taken longer, but we have moved into the next stage of life, working
teenagers.
Ben is
working at Northland camp this summer and was only allowed one week off.
The camp is run on the same campus as the college, making use of the grounds
and buildings year round. Ben is working Campus Services, or custodial
work. While he wouldn’t say he loves the work, he is enjoying working
this summer and all the activities camp brings. He is gone from about 7
am until 10 or 11 pm at night, so they are long days, but it keeps him out of
trouble. He is saving all his pay with the hopes of buying a double
French horn at the end of the summer.
Nate is in a huge growing spurt the last year; he has
grown 6 inches. He was having migraines until we started feeding him
protein every couple of hours, he is close to my height now and I am sure he
will pass me up soon. Ben and Nate each went to
fine arts competition this spring and did very well obtaining superior
ratings. Ben has continued to refine his wood working skills. Dad
built me an entertainment center and Ben stained and sealed it for me. It
was quite the project for both of them, but exactly what I wanted.
Joshua
successfully completed 1st grade and loves to practice reading now. His
cats had 10 kittens this spring so he was ecstatic! Anyone want a
kitten?
The last
few months we have seen many visitors such as Mom and Dad, Van’s sister and
family as well as college kids and their families. If you are in the
area, we would love to have you too! We decided to liven up our winter
this year and the boys and I threw Van a HUGE 40th birthday party, he thought we were giving him the
traditional black balloon party, but instead we made it a kid party with the
Lone Ranger as the theme. No, they do not make party goods for this
anymore, we had to do it on our own, but it came out great. We invited
tons of students and had lots of friends and coworkers here. A couple
times that evening we could not walk through the house, there were so many
people here, it was a fun evening for all. The boys did a great job with
all the decorating, sign making and planning, but we decided no more parties
until Ben graduates.
We spent
part of our spring break in Chicago this year. Van did research at the
University of Chicago and the boys and I went to museums, swimming and various
activities. It was great to catch up with some friends too. May
found us out in Minneapolis once again so that Van could finish up classes he started
in January. Once again, he was “working” while we played; it is quite the
life! If he is going to keep going to school, we are going along and
enjoying the hotels. Van is thoroughly enjoying his studies though and
has incorporated much of it into his classes already.
As I
write this, Nate is on his way back to Texas again
this summer with some family friends for camp. Van, Nate
and Josh have a small garden going this summer and we have already enjoyed
radishes and onions from it. When they are done weeding, they are on
campus using the new camp water slide as much as possible. Joshua
practiced a lot of swimming at the hotel pools this spring so he could pass the
swim test this summer! The life-guards were quite surprised because most
of the 8 and 9 year olds don’t even pass it. Joshua is very determined to
keep up with his brothers.
I am
looking forward to reading everyone’s updates, have a great rest of the summer!
Loretta