February 19, 2011

Ina Sue made this for her Valentine gift to the shop... We were all glad to be able to go to church together again on Sunday.  Mark Hochstetler preached a good sermon on "Prayer".  We had chicken tenders, baked potatoes, corn and salad for dinner then got some great naps.  We got up in time to take a nice long walk then got ready for church in the eveing.  Chad had the main topic on "Love".
Only six this time... Monday was Valentine's Day.  Ina Sue got up early and made a big wreath of cinnamon rolls for me to take in to the shop.  I had to work all day.  Ina Sue worked on the laundry.  Carolyn Heatwole came over around lunch and brought an Asian chicken dish.  I brought home flowers and pizza for Ina Sue with the promise that we would have our evening together tomorrow.  Carolyn stayed and played some games with us.  Don's stopped in to pick her up around 8:00 and stayed to visit for a while.
Our Valentine's supper at the Curry Pot Tuesday was a lovely day.  I dropped Carolina Sue off at school then went on in to work.  Ina Sue and the children cleaned off the garden and did some other work outside.  She also worked at putting some of our old Christmas photos into a photo album.  I came home early from work and we dropped the children off with the Korvers.  We drove on over to Aiken and did some shopping.  We bought a bed-side stand for Ina Sue along with a lamp and an alarm clock for her.  For supper we went to "The Curry Pot".  We had a restaurants.com coupon that was supposed to pay for much of our meal.  Unfortunately after the meal was finished the owner told us that they do not accept those certificates.  I was not terribly pleased but we were both willing to compromise and parted on good terms.  We did really enjoy the different food.  After supper we made a quick run to Walmart then got back to pick up the children around 10:00.
Michaela and the little girls. Ina Sue woke up with a nasty cold on Wednesday.  I went off to work.  Ina Sue was able to get dresses cut out for Carolina & Savannah.  I came home at 5:00 and helped get the older children ready for church.  I took the three oldest to prayer meeting while Ina Sue stayed home with Claudia and nursed her cold.  Bro. Don spoke tonight on the topic of "Personal Initiative".
   
The panel of experienced teachers. Ina Sue felt much better when she got up on Thursday.  I fixed us waffles for breakfast then left for work.  Bethany H. brought Isaiah and Michaela over from 8:00 to 3:30.  Ina Sue said that they were really good but she still decided that anybody that needs to go to the gym to work out really just needs a few more children... :)  She fixed us poppy seed chicken for supper.  After we got the children in bed in the evening I went back into the shop to catch up on some accounting/reporting.
Wendell Hochstetler led the school board sessions. Friday morning we packed up the children and luggage and drove to Hartwell for the annual Southeastern School Institute.  I'm not a teacher but they do try to have things for school board members as well so I went to learn.  We got there in time for registration at 1:00.  Ina Sue rested with the children at Dad's while I took in the first general session.  Then she came down and took in the next two workshops.  I took one workshop on "Relating to Children with Special Needs" and then one by Wendell Hochstetler on "Help, I've Been Voted onto the School Board".  Good title and helpful session.  In the evening Delmar Diems served us a wonderful supper of fried catfish and shrimp, baked macaroni & cheese, cole slaw, and lima beans.  After supper there was one more session by Paul Miller from Hutchison Kansas.  Then dessert and fellowship.  I good day!  The children are having lots of fun.
Grandma and Savannah. We slept up at Dad's for the night and woke up refreshed on Saturday.  We went down to the cafeteria for breakfast of sausage-egg casserole, fruit and cinnamon rolls.  Ina Sue took Patrick's workshop on "Writing" while I took the 2nd installment for school board members.  After that workshop there was a panel discussion answering questions from the audience.  Paul Miller had the last session on the Spiritual Aspect of Teaching.  Our cooks served us up a great lunch with a potato bar with all the fixuns.  We left soon after 12:00 and got home a little after 3:00.  A good weekend!  We had enough time to plant the garden with lettuce, spinach, and beets.  Got the house cleaned up and the children bathed.  Taco salad for supper.  In bed by good time.