happy birthday, mom!

you are dearly loved, mom.

may you have many more years to pour out your love

and care on your family and friends.

we are blessed to have you in our lives.

missing from this picture are the indiana grands,

nick, charlie, ben, lincoln and baby #5 coming soon!

"Her children rise up and call her blessed..."

Proverbs 31:28

FRIEND, n. friend

1. One who is attached to another by affection; one who entertains for another sentiments of esteem, respect and affection, which lead him to desire his company, and to seek to promote his happiness and prosperity; opposed to foe or enemy.

A friend loveth at all times. Prov. 17.
websters 1828 dictionary

the ellis and mitchell families came up here to encourage and fellowship with us this past weekend.

mission SO totally accomplished

the mitchell family arrived during the boys' baseball game.  but since it was such a blow out midway through the game, elijah had already been taken out, so they didn't get a chance to see him play.  but they did see titus play for a bit, and pitch even.

 so great to see this pretty faces again!
my! how they've grown in 7 months.

uncle shawn took a break from coaching to give hugs

shortly after getting home from the game, the ellis family arrived!!

chillin' outside while kids played basketball before unloading the cars

 ron and desiree stopped by later on
we had so much fun laughing and carrying on upstairs

 while all the kids played downstairs

chillin saturday morning

 painting nails.  such fun!

 kids all hanging together

 baby macie entertaining us with her silly expressions!

 we took the whole gang to the broad street market.

 they loved it!

 best part of the trip was skyping with brian
in afghanistan
gave me a lump in my throat.

still chatting with brian

  catching gummies in the air

good times, for sure!

 then we headed to the midtown scholar bookstore

 don't they look scholarly?

 cj trying to lift a cement barrier.
he's so much fun to have around!

it was such a blessing to have the ellis and mitchell families at the very first sunday service
for redeeming grace church.  sarah and stephanie busted out some special music during the offering.

 stay tuned for more highlights on this fun event on the redeeming grace website!

 some baby snuggles.
you look like a pro at holding babies, elijah!

 early monday morning chris was treated to the mitchell girls' chirping,
all the while their daddy was sleeping in.
nice for mitch to have a buddy step in and listen to the girls.
andrea thought it particularly charming and offered chris some coffee while he listened and chatted.

eventually, the time came to say our "see ya laters".
ugh.  do not like that part.

 the first to go was the ellis family.
 waaaaaaaah!

 sniff sniff
i will not cry. i will not cry.
i didn't.  so proud.
crying inside.
but that doesn't give you a headache the next day
so it's allowed.

cousins in spirit
photos by andrea and lisa

until the next time, precious friends!
thanks for the memories and encouragement.
you are blessings beyond words.
much love,
all us shays

house rules

our attempt to love and set boundaries for those within the walls

and those outside the walls.

i just may tweak #5 after school's out.  we'll see.

the funny part about this story is that i left my computer unattended to go outside and check on a situation.  when i returned, i laughed and laughed.  destyn and tre sabotaged the document in progress to read after rule #2...

3.  only destyn and tre are allowed inside - all others stay out

4.  give destyn all the food

5.  make chicken on friday (which i later found out was supposed to have been "make fried chicken"

6. give tre gatorade

oh brutha

baseball love

 baseball, chevrolet and apple pie so they say.

but i loooove baseball, don't care too much about the other.

 "Get on the bag!!!!!"

 whew, close call, elijah

 he loves to pitch

crouching tiger yoga move, i think.  good job, T!

 captain intensity

 game face

 even though shawn shay is not the head coach, he still has the opportunity to

influence and encourage the boys.  coach eric has graciously given shawn a 

green light to coach and do his thang.

 more pics of E pitching...for the family.

all you others, i apologize

 pep talk and refocus

 made it home!

 love this shot!

 and titus makes the throw to first and the runner is out!

yay!  another win for team Red!