Week #3

Three weeks have now passed since the family went to AR.

I have had to slow down because I may run out of things to

do, and I have two more weeks to go.

I decided, with the extra material I had from the first

quilts, to make some pillows... I'm not sure I want

to do that again... I didn't enjoy that too much,

but they're still cute...

I started the third quilt for the new baby. It would

have been done a few days ago, but I made myself

walk away... I needed to leave myself something to do

next week.

Grandma had a few doctor's appointments this

week, so that helped make some days go by.

She had her yearly Alzhiemer check up...

She has donated her brain to the Research Institute

so they evaluate her every year. She is doing

remarkable for her age.

The normal weekly chores keep me somewhat

busy also... Although things don't get too messy

with just two people and a dog. Duke and I get

up and walk a mile every morning... He is

faithful (too faithful) to wake me up and we go.

Then I come home and have my coffee and we

start the day.

Tommy celebrated his 11th birthday

this last week. I think he had a good

time. Sara made some pasta salad,

he loves that stuff... We all do. The Dixon's

are taking great care of them. They're

having fun!

Well, that's it for this last week.  Next week

I'm pretty sure I'll have pictures of the finished

third quilt.

Two weeks from tonight I will be in AR.

So, looking forward to seeing my family!

Week #2

Another week has passed since the family has left and

I'm doing ok... The key is: To keep busy!

Last Saturday I finished the Clifford quilt and I

was pretty proud of myself. It was so much fun

putting it all together.

Sunday I took Grandma to church, went to lunch

and then I took her home and I went shopping for

 some Elmo material for my next quilt project.

After finding the perfect material I went over to

visit my in-laws and say "Happy Father's Day"

to my second dad. We had desert and played

some games.... Then I came home and worked on

a press kit for the guys. By Monday I had demo CDs

burned and the fliers made and I was able to mail 11

kits out to the Phoenix area... Hopefully I will have

some bookings for the guys for the holidays.

After the grocery shopping was done on Monday, it

was time to start the Elmo quilt. I was so excited

to get started and it was so cute seeing it come together.

But the happy feelings were tested on this project.

Elmo was not being cooperative and I experienced

another lesson in patience. I finally finished it Wednesday

night... It is far from perfect, but I don't think Zoe

will notice. If everyone else just looks from afar,

it'll all be just fine. :o)

So, here it is.....

Thursday was Grandma's yearly check up at

the Alzheimer Research Institute. She has two

more appointments next week.

Every morning Duke and I get up and walk a

mile... It feels good. I have lost 1 lb... Only

29 to go....

The family is having a blast with the Dixon's.

And revivals have begun again for the guys.

They had a wonderful time at Youth Camp

(Their first Youth Camp).

This last week the guys were in Paragould, AR

and there were good reports from that revival.

Since Sara, Megan and Tommy have been in Mountainview

They have been riding horses... Another first for them.

Yesterday, Colin and the boys joined the kids

in Mountainview. They sang, with the Dixons, at

The Independent Care Facility... This is an

amazing sight to me... I love it!

After singing their little hearts out and blessing the

residents there... They had to go feed those hungry

stomachs... Yummy Pizza Hut!

Two weeks have passed and three more to go, before

I get to fly out for convention. I thank the Lord for

His strength and this time of learning from Him.

He has been speaking to my heart and helping me

make some changes in my life and attitude.

God is so good to me... So blessed!

A Week Already?

It has already been a week since the family left for Arkansas.

I think it's going well so far... I feel like I have been

pretty productive. Here's a short recap of my week...

Cleaned and organized the garage, laundry room

and the Arizona room. Cleaned and reorganized

all of the drawers in my room. Took items to Goodwill
and the Recycling place. Packed up and

mailed last year's school supplies back to AZVA.

Packed and mailed things to Colin that he forgot

 to take with him and mailed things that we brought

home from CA that belonged to Zoe and Max.

I went shopping and bought birthday cards,

bought a couple things for myself (rare) and

I couldn't resist... I had to buy a couple outfits for

the grand kids. I also bathed the dog and gave him

a haircut... Isn't he cute? He has been my

faithful companion.... 

I spent a couple of days trying to write a song...

What a disaster... I stink!!!

The most fun I have had is.... I dug out some

quilt blocks I had cut and started to sew together

almost 10 years ago... Loree Brock had come

to Colorado Springs and given the ladies

of the Church a quilt class... I started a quilt, but

never had time to do anything with it. SO, I sewed

the blocks together and here's what I have so far...

I hope to finish the quilt today or Monday and go

buy some more material for another one. I hope to

get a lot of practice, then when the kids get home,

and school starts, the I'll help the girls make their own.

My kids are too old for Clifford the Big Red Dog,

so I guess this first quilt goes to the grand kids.

So, there you have it... One week down and four to

go, before I see them all at convention...

Busy! Busy! Busy!

The family has been gone for two whole days now and I'm doing fine... They had a safe trip to Arkansas and I'm sure the fun began as soon as they stepped into the Barker's house. They are going to have the best summer ever!

I have been keeping very busy... It keeps my mind occupied. I have cleaned/organized the garage, cleaned out and rearranged the drawers in the bedroom, shopped for birthday gifts and groceries, packed up last year's school supplies and put them in the van (to be mailed tomorrow), washed the dog, and a few other things here and there... I have many other projects lined up for myself... Some alone time is not ALL bad... Although there is another person in this house that is not necessarily wanting alone time and she requires some attention once and a while... As long as I don't run out of projects I think I'll make it ok... It's all good!

Happy Birthday Colin

Today was a very sad day... A very strange birthday

for Colin (Happy Birthday Honey)...

All of the kids and Colin loaded up in the

Ole' Mini Van and headed to Arkansas.

This will be the kid's first "Youth" Camp... Also, it will

be their first Church Camp without their mother... Feels kind of

weird. I am so glad they have this opportunity, even

though it pulls at this momma's heart strings. They

are going to have SO much fun!

Colin will be doing some work with Bro. Dewayne Smith

and hanging out at the Barker's until after camp.... Then revivals

begin again. I don't expect them back in AZ until

the holidays... Don't get too worried... The Lord has

already provided a way for me to see them in July,

at the Regional Convention, in Arkansas...

And I'm trusting that he'll provide again, for another visit

some time after that.... The kids will be home by the

end of July...It's all good!

Keep us in your prayers... Thankful to be His servant!

A Much Needed Vacation!

We are so thankful that God provided a way for the whole family to get together and have a little retreat together. With Paul and Grace living way up North and Colin and the guys traveling all over the USA and not seeing each other very often, we were ecstatic to be able to meet in CA for a much needed vacation.

We first met in Apple Valley, CA at the New Wine Studios, where Colin, Jacob and Philip recorded our next CD, which by the way, will be ready for purchase some time this summer :o). After a few days in the studio we went to San Diego, CA for fun in the sun (as if we don't get enough of that in AZ). We spent three days at Sea World, two days at the zoo and three days at the beach. What a great vacation!

Here is the whole Colin Shuler family, grand kids and all!

The men in our family...

from left to right -

Max (AKA Bubba or Bugsy), Jacob, Philip

Tommy, Paul and Colin.

The women in our family...

from left to right -

Gerri, Zoe, Grace, Sara and Megan.

God has blessed us with an amazing family and we are grateful for every moment God allows us to spend together!