Relay for Life poker game fun 5-23-09

After we got home from the lake, Wayne had to set up for the poker game he had arranged for a fundraiser for our Relay for Life team. We got ahold of most everyone and told them to bring swim wear for the kids. I hooked up the cool sprinkler Branden got for his birthday. I figured it would be a great way to keep the kids cooled off and have a little water fun.

Branden would charge the sprinkler and try to attach the spouts of water that were spraying out. He never won. The sprinkler got him every time, but he kept trying.

Raegan knew how to take charge. Should would walk up grab the spouts of water and shoot at whoever she wanted OR give herself a drink.

The kids also enjoyed jumping on the trampoline and riding on the gator. They all played well together and took turns great.

Then dinner. Everyone brought a side and Wayne grilled hamburgers and hot dogs. After everyone had a full belly it was time for the BIG game to start. The kids ran around and played while most of the adults played the game. Tasha, Sarah and I went inside and visited and the kids came in and out. They would play outside for awhile then in the toy room. Back and forth. The game went on for hours. I went out to check a couple times and see how it was going. Wayne, Tisha and Aaron were still in. After the played for quite a while more Wayne was out and then Aaron lost to Tisha. Tisha was the BIG winner and Aaron took 2nd place. I think everyone had fun playing and we really appreciated all the support from our friends.

It was another funfilled LONG day. I am so thankful for having such a great and blessed life.

A Mini Family reunion- Banner Creek 5-23-09

Well Wayne, Branden and I made it to Banner Creek in Holton about an hour later than we were supposed to be there. Which should not have been a surprise to anyone, but it was actually perfect timing. The food was just being finished. Branden stayed sleeping in the running vehicle so he was be well rested for a day of fun. The nap didn't last much longer after we arrived. Everyone ate and visited.

Then Wayne, Angie and I decided to walk Branden and Jeremy down to the lake. We hadn't brought our swim clothes cause we weren't planning on being at the lake very long. But once we walked down the boat ramp the boys really wanted to walk in the water. So we took stripped them down. Branden was the first to get completely wet. He lost his balance and toppled head first and loved it. It took awhile for Jeremy to warm up to the idea of playing in the water but once he did, he loved it too.

Ang and I always take a self portrait.

And here I am about to take Wayne down cause he was not being very nice to me. But neither of us went in.

Ang trying to get Jeremy to dunk his head.

Papa brought the camera down for us and watched us play.

Wayne was about ready to head back to the rest of the group and needed a hand getting up so Branden came to the rescue. Branden on the other hand wanted to go back in the water. We convinced the boys we would come back later. Which won't be for another 3 weeks but they might not remember that. We went back to the shelter and hung out for a little while and visited and then had to head home for the rest of our fun day. It was a fun day at the lake and great to see everyone who made it. The only request was for a bit more of a breeze. It was 88 degrees when we left the lake. It's gonna be a hot summer.

The Putt Putt adventure

We went to the driving range and putt putt course last night. Cheap Fun. $1. There we met Sarah and Jared, and a couple of their other friends. When we got their I took Branden potty to be sure he wouldn't have any accidents. Then we got our clubs and golf balls. And off we went.

Branden was so excited to play. He went to the practice area and played there for a while. He would hit the ball a little ways then run and grab the ball and says " I get it" and the drop it in the hole. What a cheater!!!

So with 7 adults and Branden trying to play at the same time it became a HUGE challenge. Branden would want to run up and get everyone's ball and try to help or kick it went he walked by. I didn't even finish the 1st hole. I moved ahead to the next one and played with Branden. TRYING to keep him occupied. Man that was a chore. THEN Jared showed him the hole where you could drop the ball in the water and the ball would roll down the hill and back on the course, he would run down and grab it run back up the hill drop it again and race it to the bottom. OVER and OVER and OVER. He tripped so many times. But he is ALL boy and didn't even care.

He got bored with that after he worked up a big sweat. We met back with the group for a while then we took a break to get a water. We walked back to the building and got a drink. I figured we were already there so we went to the bathroom again even though it hadn't been that long. And he had peed his pants. ERRR. Back to the car to get a change of underwear. Once that was all taken care of back to golfing we went.

By then the group was about 1/2 way through the course. Wayne was doing great. WAY better than I would have and he was enjoying it so I just did the mommy thing and chased the wild man around. He found a hole where you could roll the ball through a tunnel built into the rocks and it would roll out at the bottom. So here he went again. He would roll it and run to the other side. Then he told me he pooped, which means peed. He started to walk wide legged. which meant the pee was about to roll down his leg. Back to the bathroom.

We got a change of underwear and shorts this time. What a mess!! As he sat on the toilet peeing before we redressed, he figured out the bathroom echoed. Talk about annoying. The whole rest of the time we were in there. I would screech just to hear it. Again and again. I tried to make that a fast trip but it seemed like we would never get out of the bathroom.

Walking back out to the course I was so tired. This little man had wore me out. So ran back and was playing with Jared again dropping the ball in the water and chasing it downhill. Jared hurt his foot on the rock wall and had to go get a bandaid. Branden was so concerned. "Where'd Jared go?" I said " he's got an ouchy, he'll be right back." Branden looked so worried. "He ok?" Then when Jared returned he ran up to him to make sure he was ok.

Just a little longer and the game was FINALLY over. That was the LONGEST putt putt game ever. I was just ready to crash right then and there. We sat around and visited for just a little while. Then headed to get Wayne's truck from Capital Plaza where he had picked me up from the Relay for Life meeting.

BED TIME!!! Branden wore himself out too. Glad it wasn't just me. He was out before we got half way home.

It was a great night out with great friends. Maybe next time Branden will have to stay at home or we can only do 1/2 the course.

Prego shopping

The fountain at Legends- It was our last stop of the day.

Branden so happy the water was coming out. He was getting ready to touch it.

He got it. Then he got wetter and wetter every time he touched it. It went from one finger to whole hand to arm. What a mess.

Now he is showing Wayne how it's done.

The water stopped and he was looking for it. I was waiting for it to shoot in his face. :) I know that's not nice, but it would have been funny.

I knew the day would come. It showed up way sooner than I had hoped for. I am proud of myself, I haven't gained any weight YET and my clothes still fit. The problem is sitting all day the pressure my pants put on my belly is starting to get uncomfortable.

So yesterday Wayne, Branden and I loaded up and headed to Legends mall. It was such a beautiful day to walk around outside and enjoy the day. First stop when we got there was Motherhood Maternity. I sent the boys to go somewhere more fun than watching me try on clothes. The lady working the store was SO helpful. She picked out tons for me to try on. She just knew what would work. And most of it did. I bought work clothes and non work clothes. I spent way more than I should have, but I needed clothes and we aren't gonna want to make trips down there all the time.

After my very long visit to Motherhood, we just strolled along. We found the ice cream shop. I had a mini bowl of cookies and cream and Wayne and Branden shared a waffle cone of "graduation day" ice cream. We found an open seat and sat back and enjoyed the weather and company and of course the ice cream.

Then we were on our way again. We went and sat at the fountain. Branden loved to play in the stream that kept shooting up. He got nice and wet, but loved every minute of it.

Time to head home. On the way, Wayne and I decided we wanted to go to dinner for a little quiet time. So we dropped Branden off to spend time with papa Jared and grandma Linda. We went to Red Lobster and then back to pick Branden up. He had a blast at papa and grandma's. He got a new stuffed horsy from them. They brought it back from Branson and he slept with it last night and everything. Noisy sleeper it was. Everytime Branden rolled over on it, it would make noises.

What a fun day. I loved spending time with my boys.

The 3 boys- Growing, growing, growing

Just 2 years ago, Marcia, Teresa and I waited for the day our babies would arrive. The boys were just a few months apart. Dallen was born Jan 15th, Branden Apr 4th, and Aidan May 15th 2007. This picture was exactly 2 years ago today, the day Aidan was brought home from the hospital when we went to meet him in Derby.

Now today, 2 years later we celebrated Aidan turning 2. We don't get to see each other very often, but when we do we like to see how much the boys have changed. WOW look at them now. The drive to Derby with Branden was a long drive, but the party was fun and well worth it. The visit was very nice too. I am glad we made it. And all the kids loved playing on the new playground the Stouts just finished putting up.

How much trouble do you think these three could get into? I'm guessing A LOT!!!!! Just look at those faces. Time has flown. They are getting so big, so fast.

10 week appt

May 12th 2009

This was the day of my first dr appt. I was so excited. It seemed like I had been waiting on this day forever. 10 am I asked Wayne if he was ready to leave for the 10:30 appt. He looked at me like I didn't know what I was talking about. He said "The appts not till 2:30" Wrong it was in 30 minutes. So I had to leave without him cause he had to finish working on a car. He DID make it in time. His wait wasn't as long in the waiting room as mine. I'm sure he liked that.

Then we got called back. The nurse asked lots of questions and did the exam. NOW what I have been waiting for THE HEART BEAT!!! She informed us since we were just 10 weeks there was a possiblity we might not hear it, but she would try. She tried for what seemed like FOREVER. But NOTHING. I started to get nervous. Wayne was giving me great support. I tried to not stress.

The nurse took us to make the next appt while she tried to get us squeezed in for a sono to make sure everything was ok. Then we waited in the waiting room. Tick Tock. Tick Tock. Wayne was getting so impatient. I told him he could go, but was so glad he didn't leave me. Then they called my name.

Time for the sono. Right away she found the baby and the heart beat. Then I could breathe again. We got this cute picture of our baby. Heart rate was 176 beats. WOW that is fast Branden's was down in the 140s. MAYBE.....it will be a girl!!! :)

Now back to the waiting room. Wayne left to go back to work since he had been gone for so long and I stayed to finish up all the fun stuff.

Next stop financial area. The had me sign my life away and my bank acct.

And AGAIN back to the waiting room. One LAST stop. Blood work. That was quick. She did take FIVE tubes of blood, then she wrapped up the wound and sent me on my way.

NOW another month till I go back. Hope that appt goes much smoother and faster.

Welcome Everyone!!!

Here I am trying another fun project. I see people who update their friends and family on their lives with these neat blogs and I wish I could be creative enough or find the right words to do it. Be patient and bare with me.

Welcome to the crazy life of the Partridge's. We seem to always have something going on. This year has been a real test of who we are and what we believe in. We have had so much loss and it has been rough and emotional. Also I think it has made us stronger and helps us to appreciate the things we have in life.

My family and friends mean everything to me. Thanks for all the support you have all given me this year and in years past. Your job is not over. In Dec of this year we are gonna welcome another member to our family. I know I have a lot to learn and there are tons of new experiences to come my way, so here we go for another amazing ride.