May catchup

It’s been a crazy few days here. We’ve had lots of appointments, meetings and general busy-ness which finally culminated in our company BBQ yesterday. Our company, GEO Consultants, LLC has been in business for just over 10 years. We’ve hosted a total of 7 community BBQ luncheons and this was by far our biggest ever! We served around 250 people. It’s an “in house” production and everyone on staff really digs in to help. We are blessed with great employees! Even the kids help.

Our last BBQ was two years ago. We skipped last year for several reasons. We were in the midst of a pretty bad down turn and lay offs this time last year. Also, I was getting ready to go to Guatemala to finish out the adoption. A lot can change in two years!

AnnaMaria was, of course, the Belle of the Ball. It was fun for our working peers to meet her. Many of them remember when Claire and Ollie were born; some we’ve known for 19 years! Wow, that makes me feel old!!!!

18 month check up: AnnaMaria weighs 26.3 lbs and is 32.25 inches tall! She had to get three shots this time, so that was kind of ugly. She “fell out” (this is KY jargon) on the floor and didn’t want to get dressed after the shots. Every time we check out of the pediatrician’s office the same woman asks me AnnaMaria’s name. She is EXTREMELY tanning bed tan (those of you who go to the same group, know her). Anyway, she just loves AnnaMaria (and her tan?) and decided to give her a BLUE sucker. We wiped up blue stickiness for the rest of the day!

Yard sale: we had a two morning yard sale and dispersed more treasures into the world! I have a very dear father-in-law who was a tremendous help!

Vehicles: we’ve managed to sell two company trucks in the last few weeks and I’m shopping for new wheels. As a family we’ve been a vehicle short for over a year; borrowing from company vehicles and changing too often. I think it’s going to be a minivan.

Soccer: Claire finished her season by winning the county championship! She’ll start practicing for the High School season in June.

School: Claire and Ollie will graduate from 8th grade on the 29th.

Farm: I love how everything has greened up here. Jeff and Ollie cleared a portion of the old railroad bed that runs along the edge of our property. It’s a great place for strolling or riding the golf cart. It’s fun to see all the Spring things emerge…we have honeysuckle, blackberries and a variety of flowers. We’re learning about the government farm programs and hope to plant some wildflowers and sunflowers. We put out goldfinch and hummingbird feeders and they are well attended! We’ve seen Indigo Buntings, Blue Birds, tons of Cardinals and a Rose Breasted Grosbeak. Ollie is enjoying trapping and shooting and the girls have enjoyed running, walking and playing with the pups.

We feel very much at home here. It’s a little too far from town, but otherwise it’s perfect. There were other potential purchases that didn’t work out. I’m glad we kept the faith and are AT HOME now. Our next project is landscaping and hopefully a barn and pond.