Hiram College - Families

College search II...please continue to pray for Steve as he/we endeavour to follow the Lord's lead for his college destination. Had a very positive recruitment visit to Hiram College. Trusting. Proverbs 3:5-6

Steve McAninch 21

How we spent our Friday night 10/22/2010

Good Intentions

Jenn 21!!!

whew...just a calf cramp

oh yeah baby!

bringin down some pigskin

can you say celebration!!!

Good Sunday (always Good however)

I was just enjoying the wonderful updates of some of the most steady-on bloggers that I follow. Brought to mind that I have been keeping some written account of my life's journey since 2 nd grade and now find it nearly impossible to blog on a regular basis. Suppose that life and the living of it consume my time for taking time to do what I enjoy SO much....writing. Alas, I try.

We are a bit busy to put it mildly. Senior Steve in high school,

seniorette (still travel abroad and student teaching remains) Jenn, at UA. Somewhere betwixt the two offspring, Rob and I tend to the daily stuff of house and home and bills and more! I tire to think about it much. Such blessings though are brief and we will empty out our nest in a blink of an eye. So when the laundry, grocery, housetending etc would weigh-in, I pause and praise and move along.

Steve is having an awesome blessed and protected football season. Our Talmmadge Blue Devils are 4-0 and I still sit neck tensed up with my inner parts in an uproar as he and his fabulous teammates take the field each Friday night under the lights. Thankfully Robert is far too focused on the game to take note of the fact that I mutter prayers outloud under my breath on EVERY down of EVERY play. I am SO thankful that Jesus doesn't mind watching football with me every Friday. Unbeknownest to my Steve, I wrote his life verse (IS 40-31) on his thigh pads one morning when I was helping pack him up for a game. Rob and I both know and bear witness that our Buddy's talent is from the Lord and we seek God's will and protection so Steve can go forth and be a blessing on and off the field.

Jenn is a tale for another post. You know the type, one of those easy-going never ruffle off the radar children that is almost TOO easy to raise. Makes any confrontation over any little thing even harder from a parenting approach. She and I spend our time together reflecting and directing our hearts and prayers to the Lord for her future and His will regarding her life. "What a Friend We have in Jesus..."

as much fun, as having teeth pulled!

Yep, Jennifer and I are off to Dr. Santin office this a.m. for the extraction of FOUR wisdom teeth. The Lord in all His providence worked this perfectly so I could be with her and home this week for recovery time. His wonders never cease. Will post at a later time how things go...ttyl ~B~

Father's Day 2010

HAPPIEST OF FATHER'S DAYS TO ALL THE DADS OUT THERE,
THE ONE WE HAVE TO CALL OUR OWN,
IS ONE BEYOND COMPARE.

LOVE FROM ALL TO ROB/DAD FROM BREN,"BUGGY AND LILLIAN"

(DAD ON THE DOCK AT OLDE HARBOR INN EASTER 2010)

FBU and the Gals Went Too!

We had a great trip to the Windy, (and hot and sticky and very traffic laden) City of Chicago, actually, Lake Barrington IL for Steve's Football University Camp. It was excellent training and Jenn and I tagged along for some overdue pampering and sweet digs at the Marriott. My pedicure is still fresh and looking quite stylish I must say. We got to enjoy the Shoppes of Westfield Mall (listed as one of the most popular Midwest attractions.) Lots to see, too little to spend. Still fun hanging with my all grown-up baby girl, Jenn-Jenn.. We drove back Sunday evening and all agreed it was an awesome journey. I've attached a photo of Steve's linebacker group (he is # 24 in red) More to write when more time to write....a happy Mom, ~B~

In the good ol' Summertime...

We are underway for Summer 2010! We have managed to ease into the season with some family time over Memorial Day (did I mention we ADORE my great-niece Cate?)We would love to be closer to "home" (Cincinnati) to enjoy watching her grow and become such a little person. She has got oodles of personality already! Anytime we can be with her is delightful.
I am on a stay-cation this week in prep for our mini-vacay to Chicago for our big guy's Football University. Jenn and I are tagging along as Chi-town affords some sweet shopping and dining options. Jenn still wants to go to the American Doll Girl Cafe' as she has quite the collection from her youth and it would be fun and nostalgic. Every Christmas, Grannie Shook's granddaughters would spend hours dressing their American Girl dolls and playing together...what memories!
Must dash now to laundryland....Welcome Sweet Summer!

A quick post to report that our show choir and company brought home an awesome eight number one trophies from their Kennywood competition last weekend. Way to go guys and gals, you all are Glee-licious. Love, Mom B.

BOOTY BURNING SHOES

JUST A QUICK ENTRY ON MY LAST DAY OFF WORK....I BROKE INTO MY PIGGY BANK (FITTING) AND BOUGHT SOME REALLY HAPPENIN' WORKOUT SHOES. I'VE ATTACHED A PHOTO. I CAN'T WAIT TO WEAR THEM TO WORK WITH A SKIRT AND LOOK LIKE SOME DOWN HOME MAMA! GIVE A TOOT FOR TIGHTER GLUTES! ~b~

The long range planner

SO, in a senior moment all the way back in January, I chose this weekend to take off from work thinking it would be prom. Alas, it was last week. But the Lord seeing my life in the big picture, knew I would receive a call from my "baby girl" Jenn this early morning on retreat with Campus Focus serving the homeless in Akron and having intense spiritual workouts. She was in a word, exhausted. This mind you, is the same gal that would call at 2 in the morning at slumber parties needing her own bed. She has matured now to listen to her body and know her God-given boundaries. We had a great chance to speak heart to heart on our drive back to Tallmadge and a couple of days of rest should put her back on her feet pdq. Our God is so wise and makes the path clear for what we don't even know we'll be called upon to do at any moment. He is faithful!
Now I will return to my home chores and count my blessings for every dirty sock that covers every precious foot of every single loved one that resides under my roof. "How beautiful upon the hills are the feet that publish good news....."(and have clean socks to wear when they do! lol)

The journey begins....

In less than 2 months Rob and I will celebrate some MAJOR milestones: Our 25Th wedding anniversary on 07/06 and Stephen's 18Th birthday on 07/07 and Jennifer's 21st birthday on 07/23 (also Rob's birthday) With all that in mind, today I begin (again) my attempt to reduce (me) It would be awesome to drop 25 lbs by our 25Th..but alas, I keep it real. For now 10 or 15 would be fine with me as a start. Oh the memories of the metabolism of youth. I have included a photo of what hard work and healthy eating can do to the frame of a young man of 17 years of age! Our Steve is in the gym 6 to 7 times a week and downs protein drinks like it is his job! Enjoy it now son, for as my internist spelled out for me at my last physical, " your at the age where the metabolism actually goes in reverse." Gads! Brings to mind a favorite t-shirt I spotted at Kings Island Park years ago that read: 'FAT PEOPLE ARE HARDER TO ABDUCT!" I chuckle, but would like to get in shape for my future and all the fun of seeing my emerging young adults grow up into healthy, spirit-filled individuals. I will keep you "posted" on any progress.

Dances and Mom's Day and Springtime...oh my!

We have now sucessfully put another prom in the books of McAninch family history....Stephen's junior year prom. A lovely night, and a beautiful date, Kaylei Edwards and all things young and wonderful! Thanks to facebook, there is not a pose or picture that has been omitted from the keepsake of memories for the class of 2011. Starting with the Promenade at THS which gave us a great chance to see ALL the beauties and their dates announced and oooed and awwed over for a photo op.( yes, I was beaming greatly) Aunt Amy and cousin Catherine came from Hudson to cheer on our big guy. Our bug guy is also the final Shook grandbaby to graduate high school. As ironic as it may sound, all of my Mother's(Grannie Shook's) grandchildren, will have graduated from E.J. Thomas Hall at University of Akron. As it is now, Jenn and Catherine, also will graduate from Ej with their degrees from the University of Akron. How exciting for all.

We have nearly completed another school year also. Jenn is done and Steve has less than one month to go, then busy summer. Jenn's boyfriend, Pat Divoky, graduated from Universityof Akron Magnum Cum Laude and will now go on to Pharmacy School. They are enjoying their time together and we enjoy seeing their joy as well.

Today is Mother's day and I was treated to special dark choc. bark from Pat and Jenn and singing cards from Steve and Jenn and Ghiardelli candy and a dozen long stem red roses from my handsome Prince Stephen and dinner at the outback with ALL my loves...Daddy too. A blessed day for a very contented MaMa. Peace and goodnight.

Well, I have officially signed off of my facebook account. I enjoyed seeing all my friends and family in photos etc. The games and all are a bit irritating and not needed. However, I chose to end my account for a far more practical reason. Our daughter's computer was infected with wicked virus via FB to the tune of 200.00 to have removed by Geek Squad. Jenn studies hard and I would feel terrible if she lost valuable documents due to my being all-hip and being on facebook. Alas, I will depend on the good old email and family updates to see my folks. I love to see photos of my loved ones and hope to get some in email. Back into my non-techno shell I crawl, peacefully! Looking for Spring, ~B~

Would love to write more

I hope to get to bloggin' a bit more in 2010. I love keeping my personal written journal, I just can't seem to get to my blog as often as I would like to. The perils of the forty hour worker- wife-mom I suppose. That coupled with the fact that the reason I can't write about my life, is that I am busy living it. (as it should be)
Always a writer,
~B~

WOW! Where has the time gone? Dance 2010

Steve and his lovely date enjoyed a group outing to dinner before the Tallmadge High School Sweetheart Dance....we've had the pleasure of watching all of these boys grow into fine young men. A good time was had by all!