Journal: Saturday, June 27, 2009 continued

After our long day with all the driving and "packing and unpacking", we decided to go out for dessert... ice cream was at the top of the list!

Anyone for Ice Cream?

I told you in a previous post that Handel's Ice Cream in Fishers, IN was the BEST! And I was NOT fibbing!

What flavor do you want? What's your choice after looking at this?.... I think my favorite is something like "Chocoholics Dream" or it could be called "Death by Chocolate"!

I looked up the store online...here it is... http://www.handelsicecream.com/inthenews/index.html. They have most of their locations in Ohio, but a few in Pennsylvania, Indiana, Virginia and California.

The line for Handel's is ALWAYS long. Part of the charm. I think we probably only had to wait for 45 minutes.. this time!

Sissy got a little restless and "Papa" Chris was making her laugh/giggle with his funny noises.

We got Sissy her fist "baby cone"...Vanilla! At first she did not know what to do with it, but once she tasted that smooth, cool texture, she was hooked just like the rest of us!

It was the perfect ending to the perfect day! God had allowed us to travel safely. We were so thankful and grateful for his protection and blessings.

Proves what I have known all along. God is the best and he sure loves families!

Journal: Saturday, June 27, 2009

And the day continues....

Like I previously shared, the "convoy" rolled up in front of Nellie's house at about 11 AM on Saturday morning. Aliyah "Sissy" had fell asleep during the last two hours of the trip.

It was kind of tedious getting the U-Haul around the caldisac on her street. It just so happened that this weekend was the time of "Freedom Celebration" in the Fishers Community. This meant there were lots of cars and 'traffic' in the neighborhood.

Glen Jr wanted to get the U-Haul unloaded as quickly as possible. Getting the "big truck" off the street with the 'Celebration' happening. After unloading the "must have" items at Nellie's house, off we went to the storage facility.

Jeff went missing...then we found him on the back of the U-Haul.

What teamwork! The guys (and Nellie) really got the 'hand-off' happening.

Glen Jr. got to telling jokes while he was cleaning out the truck. Of course, Nellie "got" Daddy's joke ... she always does!

Glen Jr and I went to the hotel and got a much needed nap. Afterwards, dinner was prepared and ready....Jeff and Chris grilled the most scrumptious spread....

Enjoying dinner with Shelly, Nellie, Heidi....

Chris, Aaron, Jeff and Glen Jr.

And where was Sissy during this time? In her room, checking out the toy situation...right in the 'middle of things'!

We decided to go out for ice cream at the 'best ice cream shop in Indy' (or the world in my book!). Tomorrow I will share "Sissy's first ice cream cone" journal with you!

Hope the sun/son is bright for you today! :-]

Moving Day- Journal, Friday, June 26, 2009

("Sissy" sleeping on the floor of her 'empty' bedroom.)

The day had finally arrived! Seems like it was a looong way off... then, POW! it was here.

My youngest daughter, Rachelle (Shelly), her husband, Chris and grand-baby (Aliyah)decided to move to Indianapolis, Indiana with her sister; Danielle (Nellie) and husband, Jeff. So, Friday evening saw me and hubby (GP Jr) heading down to Proctorville, OH, where Shelly was currently living.

FRIDAY:

GP Jr and I headed out of town around 4:30 PM. We picked up the 17' U-Haul and arrived for the load at 7:00 PM. Some wonderful guys from the local church came by to help Chris and GP Jr get the truck loaded.

By 9:30 PM, we were ready to get some rest for the night. Aliyah (Sissy) came back to the hotel to spend the night with Nana and Pappy.

(Sissy dancing and singing in front of the mirror@)

Sissy got out some Lego's and had a grand time playing with us! We tried to go to sleep early, but it was around 11:30 PM before we were able to 'shut-down' for the night.

There was one MAJOR hitch! When we arrived in Huntington, WV (across from Proctorville) where we had our room reserved, we were made aware of a MAJOR water leak. 80% of Huntington had no water... with NO idea when the lead would be fixed... they predicted 6-8 hours!

So, we set the alarm for 3:30 AM. We had planned on pulling out at five in the morning. We thought if the water line was not repaired by then, we would take showers at Shelly's in the morning.

Well, around 2:00 AM, the water came back on! Such a blessing! We showered, woke Sissy up at 4:00 AM (What torture for a little one!). She was a real trouper!

We were back at Shelly's by 4:45 AM. I ran and got McDonald's Sausage Biscuits for everyone and hash browns for Sissy! By 5:06 AM, the U-Haul was a pulling out with the "convoy" (me in front, Shelly/Chris and Aliyah, then GP Jr in the U-Haul).

(Sissy trying to climb up into the U-Haul with her toys!)

At 5:39 AM we crossed the Kentucky state line! We followed route 64 West thru Lexington and Louisville where we followed route 65 North up to Indy. One gasoline stop and three "pit stops" later, we had arrived on the 465 By-Pass around Indy.

It is now 11:00 AM and we are pulling up in front of Danielle's house! Yippee! Yeah! All went well and we had a safe trip!

I will continue our journey on the blog tomorrow!

Wishing EVERYONE a safe, sunny day! Keep HIM with you and the day will be brighter, sunnier and BLESSED! :)

Journal entry: June 23, 2009

Today is Tuesday, June 23, 2009.

I have told my children that I have started this blog. I hope that something written here will encourage them in the years to come. Why? Because it is my "written journal" ONLINE! When I am gone, they will no doubt find pieces of "thoughts" written down in many places.... my purse, my Bible, in my desk. These thoughts will not command their attention like these completed articles. When they are missing me or need answers, MAYBE I have written a blog that will direct them, give them hope, encourage them... even when I am not HERE for them any longer.

So, today I am going to "journalize" my day for posterity.

I awoke at 5:40 AM. This is the usual waking time for me. I did find it odd though that Jr (my name for my gorgeous hubby Glenville Paul McBride, Jr.) was not up yet! He sets the clock for 5:00 AM every morning, gets up when it goes off and jumps in the shower. It takes me a few minutes to awake and I usually arrise around 5:30. Well, today it was ME who said, "Honey, time to get up." This only happens when he is SUPER TIRED...this must be one of those mornings.

We will go about our morning routine, I will prepare his lunch bucket (fried egg sandwiches for his lunch), kiss him goodbye. Jr does not have to be at work until 7:00 AM, but prides himself on getting there early. Today he will not be the "earliest bird" there, but he is on his way!

Every morning I have to "prioritize" my day in my "head". What is the projects that have to be done TODAY? These are brought to the fore-front. They are stamped in big letters in the front of my brain so I will not miss completing them. Not to say that there have been times that I have missed a deadline! No, never fear, I am human...:)

Today I must complete my information packets for my agency's Board meeting this week. We usually meet on the 4th Monday of each month, but this month is special. Our meeting will be held on Thursday at the senior center of a neighboring county. It is time for our Annual Board Training from our regional office, so we will meet in Ritchie County to combine our agencies for the training, making it easier for the regionall representative.... two counties/one meeting. My idea, I like making things easier for everyone!

As I look ahead to the week, I know that it is pretty full. Lots of work today, clean house tonight, youngest daughter and grand-baby visiting tomorrow, church tomorrow night, work Thursday with Board meeting afterwards, Friday work then the fun begins....

My youngest daughter, Shelly, her husband, Chris, and my grand-baby, Aliyah, are moving to Indianapolis. They will be out there with my oldest daughter, Danielle, and her husband, Jeff. I am so happy for them all! Will I miss Shelly being 6 hours away now instead of 2? Why yes! It has been so nice to have her at least this close. BUT, we feel so good about this move/change. We know that it is good to have family around, and Shelly and Nellie (my short names for the girls!) will now have each other....they have lived apart since Nellie left for Bible College 7 years ago! WOW! Where did all the time go? I'm so glad that they will be able to be together again. It will just give me more reasons to take that Interstate 70 West that goes right to my girls!

So, this means that Jr and I will finish up work on Friday, head down to Proctorville, OH (where Shelly currently resides), help them pack up the U-haul, get a few hours sleep, get up at the "crack of dawn" on Saturday and begin our CONVOY. I call it that since we will have three vehicles (U-Haul, my car and Shelly's) rolling down the high-way. Aliyah "Sissy" will hopefully sleep most of the way, since we are hoping to get on the road early. It should take us between 5-6 hours to get there. Nellie and Jeff are excited and anxious to have the company for a while. We are so thankful for their love and hospitality extended to the family.

I have posted all this so that in the future, you may read my words, remember what happened, reminice about his move. You will know what I was thinkging, how I was feeling and be encouraged.

As I was writing my thoughts, I was reminded of the Word of God. How he allowed his feelings to be written so we can read his "heart" today. HE gave us such instruction and precious promises....

~ In my father's house are many mansions, if it were not true, I would have told you! I go to prepare a place for you... that where I am, ye may be also!

What precious promises! He wants me with him.... he is coming for me. I can read his "journal" and find out exactly how he feels. May my friends and family read mine and know how much they are loved, supported and cared for ....by me!