Going to Grandma's!

Kylie, Korey, & I are flying tomorrow morning out of San Antonio, TX to PA to see my family for a week. Please keep us in your prayers. Its the first time I've been away from Jonathan since we were married & although I'm sure I'll have a great time w/ my family & friends in Jtown, I'm REALLY REALLY gonna miss him! Especially on the flights!! I don't really like the fly & he is my strength that keeps me steady. Since we're leaving tomorrow, we just chilled at home this weekend. I had a baby shower to attend Friday afternoon & was able to get a babysitter, Maria Stetler. Thank you so much, Maria. It was a great afternoon. I didn't even worry one bit about them! Her parents are the new Bible Methodist missionaries going to Salamanca, MX. They are living here for a year to study Spanish. I meant to get a picture of her & the kids but I forgot because it was looking like it was going to storm & I needed to return some things at Old Navy & take her home. Saturday we just worked around the house & got little stuff done & spent time together as a family. We did go for Ice Cream but I didn't take the camera & Kylie fell asleep, so she didn't even get any. :-( Sunday evening we went with the Stetlers to Mexico for church. It was a good service with lots of singing, testimonies & a good message by Bro. Eli, the president of the Bible School. Surprisingly, I could understand about 1/4 of what he was saying. :-) That's better than some other times. :-). It was hard for me to concentrate because Kylie was my charge for the night & she was not happy sitting still. :-) She didn't have Uncle Jeremy to keep her entertained, so this is what she watched... yes, chickens! We had service outside so they were right on the other side of the fence. :-) Kylie was trying to make the same noise as them! She was very excited about them. No, we are NOT getting chickens! She can go visit the Junods to see them!! LOL

Korey on the other hand, slept the whole time. This was also his first trip to Mexico! The computer won't let me upload any more pics, so I guess this is bye for now...I'll write from PA!!

Way to go, Dad!

Math teacher made the correct career calculation

By SHAWN PIATEK

The Tribune-Democrat
Ralph Fetzer of Lorain had to think twice about his career choice shortly after he started teaching math at Johnstown Vo-Tech.Fetzer was earning a salary of only $7,200 when he began molding young minds in 1972. At the time, former classmates from Ferndale Area High School were making a much better living working at the city’s steel mills, which still were vibrant.“When I graduated from college in 1972, my cousin who went right into the mill out of high school and was making more money,” Fetzer said. “Of course, things did improve for me over time while they got a lot more challenging for him.”The collapse of the local steel industry was far from the only reason Fetzer has no regrets for spending 35 years as an educator. Being able to retire last month at age 57 was another perk, but the true enjoyment he got from his life’s work was how many lives he touched.Not only did Fetzer make a difference with students at vo-tech, he used his talents elsewhere as well. For the past four years, he operated Cambria County’s GED program and also spent time teaching math to employees in industrial settings.“I did enjoy it,” Fetzer said. “I loved helping people. “When I saw I made a difference in someone’s life, I was really satisfied by that. Even at the end when I helped some people to get their GED, they would come back to thank you. And you knew they appreciated you helping them.”He was selected in the late 1980s to help develop and grade the math portion of the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment exam.Additionally, Fetzer spent time during his career as a spokesman for math. Several times throughout his career, he addressed both national and state audiences on the importance of math and how students could expect to apply the discipline in their day-to-day lives as adults.“It was to show where math was used in real life,” Fetzer said. “I could show the students just where they would use it down the road. “I was probably fortunate as a math teacher because I worked right there at vo-tech where it was easy to show where math was used in disciplines such as electronics, carpentry and auto mechanics. “I think that’s something we’re missing in our schools,” he said.Fetzer even ventured briefly into coaching. For one year, he served as assistant gymnastics coach to his brother, Ernie, a well-known high school football coach in the region who is currently coaching at Penn Cambria.When the decision was made that vo-tech no longer would be a full-time high school, Fetzer adapted. During the past four years, he served in a position he described as “computer guy” for the Greater Johnstown Career and Technology Center.What was common in everything he did was finding ways to help people.“I just hoped I affected some lives and made them better,” Fetzer said.A month into retirement, Fetzer said he’s not exactly certain how he’s going to spend his time. He said he’s going to spend some time working on his family tree and will travel, but he still has an eye on finding ways he can continue to pitch in for the community.“I never liked to keep dormant,” he said. “I always like to be involved with something and to be out there doing something.”

Friends, Monoploy, & Hank the Cowdog

Last night our friends, Jermey, Joshua, & Jared came over to play Monopoly & listen to Hank the Cowdog! We had lots of laughs -- sometimes til my side hurt. Kylie was in bed already but Korey was up & wide awake! He finally fell asleep while Jonathan was holding him. Today's another busy day. I'll blog about it this weekend! Left to Right: Jeremy, Joshua, & Jared

(This is one of my favorite pictures of Korey!!)

More pictures from Austin

We got our computer fixed so it doesn't kick us off line when I upload pictures -- so here are a few more from our trip to Austin a last week.On the steps of the Capitol Through the trees

Kylie & I at Cabela's

Korey has a second mom!

This afternoon, I was trying to take a few pictures of Kylie but she was running around & I couldn't get any. :-) But while I had my camera in hand...Korey was in his carseat & was crying so this is what Kylie did.... Then she walked over to the table ...
She also acted like she was gonna give it to him, but then tried to drink it herself. Oh well, it was a humorous moment I'm glad I caught on camera!!

Little Things

I have to share this 'little thing' that God did for me today! When my sister was here we went to Old Navy (My favorite kids clothes store!) And she found Korey a pair of camo pants on clearance. Well, neither of us thought of finding a shirt to match it. I tried them on him the other day & suprisingly, they fit! So I then began to try to find a shirt to match. I went back to Old Navy on Saturday but couldn't find anything, then on Monday I went to a different one & found a great shirt on clearance...it was white with a green alligator on it. I brought it home & looked at it up against Korey & the alligator was too low so the pants covered it up. I was finally able to go back today & found a shirt that has a rhino on it that is camo material. And it was on sale for $5.49, well, when I got to the register it was only $4.32!!! Like I said, it was a little thing, but to me it seemed big.

Korey is 1 month old today

Its hard to believe that its been a whole month since Korey was born, but it was! He is growing so much more now. He gained 12 oz in one week!! He eats tons ~ 4 oz. of formula every 2-4 hours. Hes doing much better at night time though! I'm very thankful for that!! He's been sleeping at least 4 hours at a time now at night!! Well, I'm done feeding him & every one's sleeping, so I'm going to bed too!

I do have to tell this one thing on Kylie today! She was being terrible tonight, just crying & fussing about everything & getting into lots of trouble. Jonathan said to her, Kylie, do you want to go night night? She took off running & ran into her room & put her hands up to the playpen to so he would put her in! She was asleep in about 5 minutes & has been sleeping since! And that was 7PM! Hopefully she sleeps all night now!!

Visit to Cabela's & Austin, TX

Yesterday, after we dropped off my parents at the McAllen airport, we picked up Joshua & Jeremy & went to Cabela's near Austin. (Its 16 miles south of Austin.) It was lots of fun! It's been a few years since we were at a Cabela's. We spent a few hours there & then went on to Austin & visited the capitol building. It was beautiful & very interesting. It was a real fun but very tiring day! We left our house around 5:30 AM & didn't get home until around 1:00 AM! Kylie has taken a few good long naps for me today & I even got to take a nap! It was wonderful! I think I've caught up on all the news from the past little bit now! Texas State Capitol building - Austin, TXJonathan standing on the Capitol steps

Welcome Home, Uncle Jeremy

Jeremy came home on Saturday, July 14th from a month of training in Washington State. Jonathan, Kylie & I went to the airport to meet his plane. Kylie didn't know what to do when she saw him. :-) She just stood really still & didn't move for awhile. She was probably trying to figure out who he was! He even saved her his last gummy worm but she didn't want it! By Sunday - they were old friends again!!!

My parents visit

My parents were here this past week & we had a good time. :-) We did lots of shopping, my dad even went to the thrift store! (Guess that's what happens when you retire!!) Other than that we didn't really do much. I did take them to the museum of South Texas history in Edinburg. By the way, for those of you who live around here, the museum is free Saturdays from 10AM-noon. We ate at Golden Corral, Whataburger & Sonic. Kylie & mom got to wear their matching outfits to church Sunday. I didn't have time to get my skirt made. And the had the priviledge of experiencing a South Texas Thunderstorm! They also were able to hear a Spanish service Sunday morning. Because of our pastor's wife having surgery this week, they ask Jonathan to speak Sunday morning. And since two people from the community were there, he preached in Spanish. They did a real good job at spoiling my kids (& us too!) I guess that's why they came! They got back to PA last evening ~ Thanks mom & dad for coming!

Good evening ~ today was a busy day for us! My parents are here from PA for a week! They flew into McAllen at 10:30 this morning! All their flights went good & one was even early! Kylie is thrilled with all the attention & has warmed up to them like she sees them all the time!

I've been realizing that my little girl is growing up! She is a trial at times but is so sweet & learning so many new things. This morning she woke up & when I went in to get her, she said 'hey!' Then she stood up & looked over to Korey's bed to see him, well, he was in my room. She got a real puzzled look on her face so I took her to my room to see him. She got all excited & then I put her on the bed beside him so she could touch him & talk to him. She picked up his bottle that was sitting there & started to put it in his mouth!!!

Every night, well, almost every night, since she was little we prayed with her before bedtime. Jonathan would always hold her & help her fold her hands & he would pray. Well, just this past week, she's caught on to that. The other night at supper, Jonathan said to me, 'let's pray' & Kylie folded her hands. We were so shocked ~ then one night she was walking back the hall, & I told her to go in the office so daddy could pray with her & she folded her hands & kept them that way all the way to him. :-) She even says 'men' sometimes now when we are done!!

I forgot the camera today when I went to the airport so I don't have any pictures ~ I think my dad has a few I'll try to get on here tomorrow if I have time.

I was trying to get some pictures of the kids in their Sunday clothes yesterday...when Kylie just leaned over & gave Korey kisses -- I'm so glad I was able to capture this moment! Jonathan & Korey were both wearing blue shirts & tan pants yesterday. :-)

Of course, we had to get Kylie in the picture too -- she was being very silly!!

We had a really bad storm here on Tuesday afternoon/evening. Jonathan was working, so I was here alone. I hate thunderstorms anyway, but alone they are much worse! There was terrible lighting & to make a long story short, it struck a fuse on the top of the pole that brings electric to our house! So we were w/out electric for almost 12 hours! This is where the real adventure begins...remember we got tons of rain too, & the yard was terrible. The lighting struck the pole with a really REALLY LOUD bang at5:40PM!! It scared me pretty bad! I started calling all my neighbours to see who had electric or not! So, we survived until Jonathan came home & then we went to walmart - the storms were over by this time, & walmart had AC and lights!! The electric company said they would have it back on in about 4 hours, so we hung out at walmart until about 9:30 & then got some hot food at Jack in the Box, and went home. Still no electric, so we got an extention cord & hooked up a lamp & fan in the livingroom to our power inverter in the truck!! Kylie was in bed & Jonathan & I were just sitting in the LR talking & playing w/ Korey when the power inverter went off. It ran the battery down to where it wouldn't run it anymore. So he went out & jumped the truck w/ the 4-runner. By the time he got that done we decided to call the electric company again (it was after midnight I think or close to it). They said they had guys out working in our area & it wouldn't be long. So, we figured we might as well try to get some sleep, & that we'd sleep in the LR since there were more windows to open b/c it was hot! Well, I don't think either of us have ever slept on our sofa bed. Sorry to everyone who has!! It sags in the middle, so Jonathan got the 'brilliant' idea to put the cushions under the matress to help it not to sag -- instead it made it really high there & not very comfortable. But we 'slept' there until 4 AM when they got the electric back on. So that was my great adventure for the week - it seemed worse then, than it does now! We have some pictures of the flooding on Jonathan's cell phone, that I will try to get on here soon!

Happy 50th Anniversary!!

Uncle Wayne & Aunt Sally,

Hope your day today is great!! I wish we could have been able to be at your party but thanks to Korey it was impossible to even think about it!! I can't wait to see some of the pictures from it though! I was thrilled to hear you were REALLY suprised!! Its hard to keep secrets from you!! LOL

We love you!

Jonathan, Renee, Kylie & Korey

PS - Sorry it took so long to get this on here - I have been having trouble again uploading pictures!!

Korey is 2 weeks old!

Korey was 2 weeks old yesterday. I can hardly believe it! Time goes so fast! I was planning to post these pictures then, but we had some other excitment that prevented my blogging from happening!! Korey is doing much better with sleeping at night time. He is a happy formula fed baby now! He lost a lot of weight at first & didn't really want to eat a lot, but he's eating every 3 hours more or less now & doing great!! Last night he slept a wonderful 5 or 6 hours again!!! Kylie is doing better at adjusting to him. She's always wanting to see him & talk to him - right in his face, as you can see by the picture! Its very cute, actually. Her vocbulary is growing so fast!! She says 'ish' now for fish. Jonathan always lets her watch when he feeds his fish. And if you ask her where the fish are, she goes right to the tank & says 'ish'! (Most of the time) She also is trying to say Korey & knows where his bed is & will go to that usually too, when you ask her where he's at. I did get 2, almost 3 of the pack 'n play sheets done yesterday too, until again, our excitment prevented further work! That story will have to wait for another post when I have all the pictures! Jonathan has some on his camera that I need to get uploaded to the computer. Hope everyone has a great 4th of July. Mine is just another day, it seems, Jonathan's working & we are just hanging out at home. Maybe if the weather is good & we feel like it we'll go to McAllen to see the fireworks. I have really cute outfits for the kids I need to dress them up in at least & take some pictures.

Happy 30th Anniversary

Mom & Dad,
Hope you have a great day together!! We love you & wish we could be there to celebrate with you!! I hope everything goes good with the cooking at camp! What a bonding anniversary!!
Love,
Jonathan, Renee, Kylie & Korey