We're here in Ohio....Basket capital of the world! My sisters, nephew and sister's Mother In Law are in Columbus for the annual Longaberger Basket convention. They call it the BEE! Here are a few pictures from our trip so far... 
Sunday, July 27, 2008
My Time To Shine, My Place To Dream!
We're here in Ohio....Basket capital of the world! My sisters, nephew and sister's Mother In Law are in Columbus for the annual Longaberger Basket convention. They call it the BEE! Here are a few pictures from our trip so far... 
Monday, July 21, 2008
I Have The Best Friends and Family In The Whole Wide World!
I always knew I had great friends and family. I think you find out what kind of friends you really truly have when something unexpected or tragic happens. My friends and family have surrounded Dave and I with love throughout Dave Sr.'s entire hospital stay. Now that he has passed, two of our friends have shown up at our doorstep with oodles of food. I have the best friends in the whole wide world!
Thanks to Lisa for the amazing pasta and cookies. (Dave went straight for those and said..."Man Kori, your best friend just scored huge points!" Those are his favorite!) Thanks to the Suddarth's for the chicken and fixins. You guys are the best. We've also had so many people calling, holding our hands, giving us hugs, praying for us, caring and loving us. Truly, I know everyone thinks they have the best friends and family in the whole wide world...but I really do! I love you guys!
Thanks to Lisa for the amazing pasta and cookies. (Dave went straight for those and said..."Man Kori, your best friend just scored huge points!" Those are his favorite!) Thanks to the Suddarth's for the chicken and fixins. You guys are the best. We've also had so many people calling, holding our hands, giving us hugs, praying for us, caring and loving us. Truly, I know everyone thinks they have the best friends and family in the whole wide world...but I really do! I love you guys!
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Arrangements and Funeral
I've had many people ask about arrangements and the funeral for Dave's dad...
The viewing will be Tuesday from 2-4 and 6-8 and the funeral service will be Wednesday morning at 10:00. Both will be at the Yoder-Culp Funeral Home in Goshen, near the hospital.
Thank you for the continued prayers.
The viewing will be Tuesday from 2-4 and 6-8 and the funeral service will be Wednesday morning at 10:00. Both will be at the Yoder-Culp Funeral Home in Goshen, near the hospital.
Thank you for the continued prayers.
The Day The Angels Came
January 14th, 1944-July 20th, 2008
May he rest in peace forever.
This morning we recieved a phone call at 3:40 from the hospital. From the first ring, to Dave looking at the called ID, we knew what it meant. The nurse was calling to let us know that Dave Sr. had gone Home to be with the Angels. He passed very peacefully and told the nurse at 2:30 that the Angels were there for him. It was the clearest he had spoken for about 1 1/2 days. I truly in my heart believe he was ready. My Dave spent quite a bit of time with him yesterday, saying his goodbyes, telling him how much he meant as a father growing up and raising him and telling him it was okay to rest. I believe this made the difference.
Dave has been fighting for the past 3 1/2 weeks as hard as he could. His fight is over, he deserves this eternal rest. It's 6:59 A.M. and it's already been a rough day. We've been to the hospital, to meet with the Chaplin, say our final goodbyes and then went down to Goshen to be with Dave's sister, brother in law and mother to let them know.
Please pray for our family as we will be faced with lots of hard times this week. We know that Dave is a far better place than he has been...but loss is hard.
I know that I need to be strong for Dave and his family. I'm struggling because I know there are not words that I can say to Dave Jr. that will mean anything right now, I just pray that he knows how much I love him and that I can be the person he and his family will need me to be these upcoming days and weeks. Please also pray that Dave's family from WV has a safe journey here.
May he rest in peace forever.
This morning we recieved a phone call at 3:40 from the hospital. From the first ring, to Dave looking at the called ID, we knew what it meant. The nurse was calling to let us know that Dave Sr. had gone Home to be with the Angels. He passed very peacefully and told the nurse at 2:30 that the Angels were there for him. It was the clearest he had spoken for about 1 1/2 days. I truly in my heart believe he was ready. My Dave spent quite a bit of time with him yesterday, saying his goodbyes, telling him how much he meant as a father growing up and raising him and telling him it was okay to rest. I believe this made the difference.
Dave has been fighting for the past 3 1/2 weeks as hard as he could. His fight is over, he deserves this eternal rest. It's 6:59 A.M. and it's already been a rough day. We've been to the hospital, to meet with the Chaplin, say our final goodbyes and then went down to Goshen to be with Dave's sister, brother in law and mother to let them know.
Please pray for our family as we will be faced with lots of hard times this week. We know that Dave is a far better place than he has been...but loss is hard.
I know that I need to be strong for Dave and his family. I'm struggling because I know there are not words that I can say to Dave Jr. that will mean anything right now, I just pray that he knows how much I love him and that I can be the person he and his family will need me to be these upcoming days and weeks. Please also pray that Dave's family from WV has a safe journey here.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Code Blue, The Balloon Man and Stripping...
A code blue, the balloon man and stripping...that about sums up my evening. :)
Unfortunately, we were up to see Dave's dad again at the Med. Center in South Bend. He was in dialaysis when we got there, and this was the first time we were allowed to go back and visit with him while he was having that done. When we first arrived to his wing of the hospital, we noticed he wasn't in his room, so we had figured he was getting his dialaysis. It's just right around the corner, so we were waiting at the nurse's station to find someone to confirm. There were many nurses buzzing about, telling us they would be with us as soon as they could, but they were dealing with an emergency. It wasn't long after that we heard the Code Blue called and teams of nurses, doctors and medical personnel came running past us, into the room we were standing in front of. There was one visitor with the patient at the time, she had nothing to do but sit, watch and cry. My heart broke for her. At the exact moment I was going to go to her, they rushed us out of there and into see Dave's dad (which I'm still not sure we were supposed to do, they just wanted us out of the way!) I quickly sent up a prayer that someone would be with her during that most difficult time. I've never really thought about working in the medical field, but after what I witnessed tonight, I'm assured that it's not for me. I just couldn't do it. We never did find out what happened, but were relieved to see that a Chaplain had come to be with the visitor or that particular patient. My prayers are with that family!
When we left the hospital, we went to dinner at Between the Buns. It just happened to be the balloon man's night there. He was wandering around aimlessly (there seemed to be a shortage of kids there tonight) and came over and asked if he could make me a balloon animal. (I must have looked pathetic or something) I said sure. He asked what I wanted and I said to surprise me. Dave said that I liked frogs and wham, bam, I had a green frog right in front of me. That balloon man is amazing! He was twisting, turning, and tying like crazy. Simply facinating!
When I got home from dinner, I quick ran in and changed and then went to my sister's house to help strip paint off of cabinet doors. Eww! It was so gross! These are not her cabinets, but rather those from a mobile home that they are fixing up and reselling, so they were YUCKY! I was happily stripping away left over paint until the pair of gloves I was using had a blow out and the first finger fell off. It wasn't good. She got me another pair, and soon, another blow out...3 more fingers...just plum fell off. We could only figure that the mineral spirits we were using were eating away at the material of the rubber gloves. I'm sure glad my skin was exposed to that.
Wow...what a night.
Unfortunately, we were up to see Dave's dad again at the Med. Center in South Bend. He was in dialaysis when we got there, and this was the first time we were allowed to go back and visit with him while he was having that done. When we first arrived to his wing of the hospital, we noticed he wasn't in his room, so we had figured he was getting his dialaysis. It's just right around the corner, so we were waiting at the nurse's station to find someone to confirm. There were many nurses buzzing about, telling us they would be with us as soon as they could, but they were dealing with an emergency. It wasn't long after that we heard the Code Blue called and teams of nurses, doctors and medical personnel came running past us, into the room we were standing in front of. There was one visitor with the patient at the time, she had nothing to do but sit, watch and cry. My heart broke for her. At the exact moment I was going to go to her, they rushed us out of there and into see Dave's dad (which I'm still not sure we were supposed to do, they just wanted us out of the way!) I quickly sent up a prayer that someone would be with her during that most difficult time. I've never really thought about working in the medical field, but after what I witnessed tonight, I'm assured that it's not for me. I just couldn't do it. We never did find out what happened, but were relieved to see that a Chaplain had come to be with the visitor or that particular patient. My prayers are with that family!
When we left the hospital, we went to dinner at Between the Buns. It just happened to be the balloon man's night there. He was wandering around aimlessly (there seemed to be a shortage of kids there tonight) and came over and asked if he could make me a balloon animal. (I must have looked pathetic or something) I said sure. He asked what I wanted and I said to surprise me. Dave said that I liked frogs and wham, bam, I had a green frog right in front of me. That balloon man is amazing! He was twisting, turning, and tying like crazy. Simply facinating!
When I got home from dinner, I quick ran in and changed and then went to my sister's house to help strip paint off of cabinet doors. Eww! It was so gross! These are not her cabinets, but rather those from a mobile home that they are fixing up and reselling, so they were YUCKY! I was happily stripping away left over paint until the pair of gloves I was using had a blow out and the first finger fell off. It wasn't good. She got me another pair, and soon, another blow out...3 more fingers...just plum fell off. We could only figure that the mineral spirits we were using were eating away at the material of the rubber gloves. I'm sure glad my skin was exposed to that.
Wow...what a night.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Just A Few Reasons...
I love this girl. She means the world to me. She has seen me through many a bad day...she's always there when I want to talk, and she helps me to be a better person! I love her.
She lets me 
hang at her pool!
She hides behind menus!
She tries out the pillows right
on the rack!
Here are just a few reasons why I love Lisa so much!
hang at her pool!She hides behind menus!
She tries out the pillows right
on the rack!
Who could ask for a better friend?
Saturday, July 12, 2008
6 Years...My First Write Up!
Ok, so most of you have heard by now that I'm teaching summer school this year. I truly had NO idea what I was getting into. I've survived my first week...come about Tuesday, I wasn't sure I would. I'm glad to say that I'm alive and still fighting...but still think there are going to be battles in front of me.
I've been teaching for 6 full years now. This past Friday, I had to complete my very first discipline write up. It wasn't fun at all. A young lady waltzed into my room and flipped another student off. I thought it was meant for me, but she explained that I was just in the middle and accidently intercepted the message. Hmm...ok.
These are rough kids. This is probably the least of the worries of what we've been dealing with and seeing this week...but it was enough that it was an automatic write up. I really struggle with this, as these kids are trying very hard to be kicked out. They don't want to be there, they are trying to get the write ups (after 2, they are no longer invited back) so that they have a reason to not attend. My goal is to keep them all there. I'm not sure this is an attainable goal.
I have 10 more days...I only hope I can make it!
I've been teaching for 6 full years now. This past Friday, I had to complete my very first discipline write up. It wasn't fun at all. A young lady waltzed into my room and flipped another student off. I thought it was meant for me, but she explained that I was just in the middle and accidently intercepted the message. Hmm...ok.
These are rough kids. This is probably the least of the worries of what we've been dealing with and seeing this week...but it was enough that it was an automatic write up. I really struggle with this, as these kids are trying very hard to be kicked out. They don't want to be there, they are trying to get the write ups (after 2, they are no longer invited back) so that they have a reason to not attend. My goal is to keep them all there. I'm not sure this is an attainable goal.
I have 10 more days...I only hope I can make it!
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Wowie, Wow, Wow!
As most of you know I started teaching summer school yesterday. Three words...Wowie, Wow, Wow! These are kids that I've never had experiences with...they are a challenge. I have left there the past two days very grateful for the teaching position that I have and feeling very blessed as to how fortunate I am.
Wowie, Wow, Wow.
Please keep me in your prayers!
Wowie, Wow, Wow.
Please keep me in your prayers!
Friday, July 4, 2008
Up In That There Holla...I Reckon'
First of all, Dave and I would like to thank everyone for their continued prayers for Dave's Dad. He is still hanging in there and we are just taking everything one day at a time.
We have had the immense pleasure of having Big Dave's 4 siblings here with us for the past couple of days. When they heard the news about their brother, they packed up from West Virginia and made their way to Indiana. They are about the sweetest 4 people I've met in a long time. We had a great time visiting and it was a lot of fun just sitting back and listening to their many stories of back home and Dave Jr. and Tonya growing up.
Besides sitting and listening to their stories (we had 9.5 quality hours together in the hospital waiting room together yesterday) I learned many things from these 4 fine people. Dave's family is directly from the hills of WV. The biggest lesson I've learned is that there are many ways to say one message...here are some things that I had to get familiar with...I'm including the WV way of saying it, and how we might translate it in IN...enjoy!
West Virgina Saying: Indiana Translation:
Up in that there holla... Down in the valley between the mountains
I know'd ya... I know who you are
Tweak ya in the south... Pinch your butt
I'm gonna kick em' where they live... Boys...take cover if you want kids
When you borned?... When is your birthday?
That gives me the trots... I can't eat that, I will have diharreah
He was the velvet headed man... He graduated as the valedictorian
My bloomers are crack creepin'... I have a wedgie
Just so you understand...I had to get translations on all of those sayings. I was laughing so hard for 2.5 days straight, and they laughed right back at me for asking what things meant. Dave's Uncle Daniel kept a pretty close eye on me and knew when I wasn't understanding, so he would fill me in about what the sisters were talking about.
Here is another favorite phrases that I heard while they were here: "That kid was dropped as a baby and hit his head on a rock and doggone if his brains all didn't fall out." (I never got who they were talking about!)
I also had the opportunity to learn that by marriage, I'm related (like 2 or 3 times removed) to a set of siblings that are named Fern, Wilbur and Charlotte (This should be ringing bells for your E.B. White fans!) The best part of that was that I don't think any of them had any idea why I was nearly wetting my pants laughing. I also am related to a man named Charlie Brown. Wow. That's all I can say, Wow!
I sure hope they come back again soon, I'm not nearly done learning from them. They are great people. I only hope they can come back another time, and spend longer with us, under not so stressful circumstances.
Have a safe trip home, Uncle Daniel, Aunt Doris, Aunt Faye and Aunt Joretta!
We have had the immense pleasure of having Big Dave's 4 siblings here with us for the past couple of days. When they heard the news about their brother, they packed up from West Virginia and made their way to Indiana. They are about the sweetest 4 people I've met in a long time. We had a great time visiting and it was a lot of fun just sitting back and listening to their many stories of back home and Dave Jr. and Tonya growing up.
Besides sitting and listening to their stories (we had 9.5 quality hours together in the hospital waiting room together yesterday) I learned many things from these 4 fine people. Dave's family is directly from the hills of WV. The biggest lesson I've learned is that there are many ways to say one message...here are some things that I had to get familiar with...I'm including the WV way of saying it, and how we might translate it in IN...enjoy!
West Virgina Saying: Indiana Translation:
Up in that there holla... Down in the valley between the mountains
I know'd ya... I know who you are
Tweak ya in the south... Pinch your butt
I'm gonna kick em' where they live... Boys...take cover if you want kids
When you borned?... When is your birthday?
That gives me the trots... I can't eat that, I will have diharreah
He was the velvet headed man... He graduated as the valedictorian
My bloomers are crack creepin'... I have a wedgie
Just so you understand...I had to get translations on all of those sayings. I was laughing so hard for 2.5 days straight, and they laughed right back at me for asking what things meant. Dave's Uncle Daniel kept a pretty close eye on me and knew when I wasn't understanding, so he would fill me in about what the sisters were talking about.
Here is another favorite phrases that I heard while they were here: "That kid was dropped as a baby and hit his head on a rock and doggone if his brains all didn't fall out." (I never got who they were talking about!)
I also had the opportunity to learn that by marriage, I'm related (like 2 or 3 times removed) to a set of siblings that are named Fern, Wilbur and Charlotte (This should be ringing bells for your E.B. White fans!) The best part of that was that I don't think any of them had any idea why I was nearly wetting my pants laughing. I also am related to a man named Charlie Brown. Wow. That's all I can say, Wow!
I sure hope they come back again soon, I'm not nearly done learning from them. They are great people. I only hope they can come back another time, and spend longer with us, under not so stressful circumstances.
Have a safe trip home, Uncle Daniel, Aunt Doris, Aunt Faye and Aunt Joretta!
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
I Must Be Old!
It's official...I must be old. I just don't understand the purpose of this look...
Evidently, this is the new "look" in sunglasses. I just don't get it.
A special thank you to my model, Kendra, for looking ridiculous for me so I could blog about this!
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Prayers, Please
As most of you that keep up with this blog know, our family is in need of prayers! Dave's dad has been hospitalized since Thursday and things are definately looking bleak. The doctor and Dave both believe that his dad is out of fight and giving up. The doctor told us that his body is getting very weak and shutting down.
Tonight was a good night for visiting. He is out of isolation and even knew who we were! The nurse said that he has everyone puzzled, as all signs point to TB, however, his three tests all came back negative. They can't figure out what kind of bacteria is in his bloodstream and the heavy antibiotics don't seem to be helping! They also don't know why his lungs are looking so bad, and are presenting like he is in the final stages of TB. We can only guess that this is how his body is reacting to the Wagner's Disease that he has been plagued with for the last 3.5 years.
In the 1.5 hours we were there, he was only awake for about 5 minutes, but we were able to squeeze his hand and let him know that we were there. 4 of his 5 siblings are driving from West Virginia tomorrow to see him should anything happen. Please pray that they make a safe journey and are able to spend some time with him reminicing.
Please pray for big Dave, that he is comfortable and at peace, Tonya (Dave's Sister) and Dave Jr. (my Dave) so that they have the courage and strength to face the hard road ahead, the 3 grandkids that could be robbed of growing up without a grandpa, and the aunts and uncles so that they may have a safe journey here tomorrow.
Thank you for your prayers, we appreciate them!
Tonight was a good night for visiting. He is out of isolation and even knew who we were! The nurse said that he has everyone puzzled, as all signs point to TB, however, his three tests all came back negative. They can't figure out what kind of bacteria is in his bloodstream and the heavy antibiotics don't seem to be helping! They also don't know why his lungs are looking so bad, and are presenting like he is in the final stages of TB. We can only guess that this is how his body is reacting to the Wagner's Disease that he has been plagued with for the last 3.5 years.
In the 1.5 hours we were there, he was only awake for about 5 minutes, but we were able to squeeze his hand and let him know that we were there. 4 of his 5 siblings are driving from West Virginia tomorrow to see him should anything happen. Please pray that they make a safe journey and are able to spend some time with him reminicing.
Please pray for big Dave, that he is comfortable and at peace, Tonya (Dave's Sister) and Dave Jr. (my Dave) so that they have the courage and strength to face the hard road ahead, the 3 grandkids that could be robbed of growing up without a grandpa, and the aunts and uncles so that they may have a safe journey here tomorrow.
Thank you for your prayers, we appreciate them!
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