I will be leaving for Virginia on Wednesday the 27th to spend some time with a great friend from college – Trudy. Trudy was my RA when I was a freshman in College at Philadelphia University. Most of you know that I had a rough experience my first semester in college – and I transferred to Mansfield University that second semester. I believe that we all have God appointments in life – Trudy was mine – and I hers. Trudy took me under her wing and we became good friends. The summer after my freshman year in college – Trudy also became my sister in Christ. We have tried to see each other once a year since my freshman year – last year was the only year it didn’t happen. So to make up for that – and knowing that soon enough I will have babies that make those visits harder to happen – I am taking the train to Virginia on Wednesday to return Sunday. She took the days off work so that we can hang out and catch up. I don’t know that I will have too much email access – so please be patient with responses – I will have lots to blog about when I come back. If you NEED to reach me – you most likely have my phone number – if not – let Jared know – jdbarden (at) gmail.com – and he will get a hold of me.

We have sleepovers for PK once or twice a year. Friday night was one of those nights. Usually we have about 5 girls and 5 boys – tonight we had 1 girl and 2 boys. Thursday night I didn’t get much sleep b/c the street sweeper in Mansfield comes by our house at 4:00 AM in the middle of the month and Thursday night was THE night. So I had been up since 4 and worked 7 to 5 and then picked the kids up at 6. We took the 2 we had at the moment out to Papa V’s for pizza and wings. We brought back pizza for the one who was at soccer practice till later. We came back to the house and played Rock Band and I helped *H* with some bead necklaces. We had plans to go outside and play capture the flag but since we had 3 kids – we scratched that.

PM was bringing some RAY kids to crash the party and silly string us – but since we weren’t outside – it wasn’t nearly the right atmosphere. But it still HAD to happen so she silly stringed us in the house – and then brought ice cream to make up for it. We ate ice cream and watched Phelps win another gold – barely. We put *H* upstairs in the spare room with the boys sleeping downstairs in their sleeping bags – or so I thought. When I came down in the morning – the boys were each sleeping in a chair – in what I thought was not a comfortable position – but I forget that they are kids and nothing much phases them. I ran to Wal*Mart to pick up breakfast – tractor wheels – MMM good. The kids were all out by 10 and Jared and I were on the road to Ithaca to celebrate KT’s graduation from college – (for those of you who don’t know – KT is a friend who is attending MU and she lived with us for the fall semester last year – 2007).

We had been to her house before but at least 2 years ago or more – and neither of us drove that time so we weren’t too sure where we were going – although we had directions. The drive to someplace you haven’t been to is always longer than the drive back from that place. We got there at 1 and stayed till 4. It was nice to meet all her family and friends. I took some family photos while I was there with my new camera.

Her brother reminds me so much of mine.

Thanks again KT for having us.

I LOVE my new camera.

Then Jared and I went to Ritz to buy a new memory card for me – 4G – double YAY – and we stopped at Kohl’s to shop a little – but I still cannot find any non-jean pants that are long enough for me and nice enough to wear to weddings. We went on a date to the Outback – Jared’s favorite restaurant and had one of the worst onions EVER. We got back to Mnsfld and PM came over to watch Phelps win his last gold.

Sunday we went to church – went to PM’s for lunch –

– and then came home to chill and try to back up some of my pictures on DVD – which doesn’t work on my computer and makes me very mad – but at least Jared can do it from his machine. We met Laura and Krista for ice cream to say goodbye to Laura before she leaves for college again – last year was the summer of Laura but this year we only got to see a handful of times – not only does the weekend fly by but this summer sped by at record speed.

Tuesday night we incorporated our Matt and Johna time to include Amy and Jim time too. Pizza and wings on the deck – with entertainment.

*E* – the four-year old – is all about being a princess. And boy does she know her Disney princess trivia. I had to act out scenes with her – but it seems that I was always the evil step-mother, the witch with a rotten apple, or the growling beast. She knows all the princesses and their princes. She knows all the villians and what they do.

I haven’t gotten to hang out with them much lately so it was nice to have time with them. The twins are getting so chatty – naming body parts and animal sounds.

*E* and the new sweetie – *M*

She is such a doll baby.

*M* – the “younger” of the twins.

Jared and *A* – the “older” of the twins.

*E* was so excited to hold the babe.

She was also excited to take a picture of us.

Friday night we went to the Tioga County Fair with PM and Clarice. The demolition derby was the event of the night and we thought – why not – it’ll be fun. And of course – I had to take my camera. Usually I enter pictures in the Troy Fair and the Tioga County Fair – but this year we were on vacation both Saturdays for drop off and pick up for the Troy Fair – and then I had a wedding both drop off and pick up days for the Tioga County Fair – and seeing as how I am digital now and took over 25,000 pictures the first year I had my camera – I couldn’t pick just a few to enter.

This baby goat was so sweet – and so soft.

PM and Clarice – excited for the derby.

It was a fun night – other than inhaling about 2 packs of secondhand smoke – and the sky was AMAZING at the end of the evening.

7.4.2008

We spent the morning in the parade – I spent it taking pictures while Jared walked around in a heavy, hot dog suit – and then the afternoon at Ives Run. I laid in the sun and read a book – something I love to do – while Jared played catch.

The Ives Run Visitor Building had a special presentation we wanted to see …

Those rattles are SO LOUD – we could hear them across the room – I had no idea they were as loud as they were.

We had a fun, relaxing day. We are so blessed with a wonderful church family.

Sweetness …

GAME PLAN – God’s GAME PLAN for your life – that’s the theme of camp this year.

Here are some pictures from the last two nights …

The skies have been mean and ugly the past two nights – but God has shown us mercy. We only had to go inside for a little spell Monday night and not at all last night. THANK YOU.

This week is the week of Mega Sports Camp at CNC. I invited my cousins Vanessa and Zach to come stay with us for the week. Yesterday I had the afternoon off – so we played mini-golf and went swimming – they went swimming. It’s been pretty chilly here this week – not to mention rainy.

Vanessa made friends with a few of the girls from church already – in fact she went to a sleepover last night with a bunch of them.

Yea – it looks cold – it was.

Saturday afternoon we went and spent time with the new babe and new parents. It is so amazing to me to watch people just fit right into the role of parents.

She is a sweet – sweet child.

Again, congrats to Matt and Johna on their sweet baby girl. We went to see her Monday night. Amy and Jim took me over and Jared met us there after work. We walked into the hospital, where Jared pointed out that “hospital smell”. We all filed into the room – which isn’t that big to begin with – asking how mom, dad, and baby were.

*Small side note – Amy has three children (two of which being twins) so she’s been through the whole childbirth experience.

Johna had a pretty rough delivery – she had a trip to the OR after the baby was born – and was getting a blood transfusion as we spoke. She wasn’t grim in her explanation of the birth and surgery – but grim enough (must be) that one of us couldn’t handle it.

Jared asked me if there was a water fountain. I told him – in the hallway probably. The next thing I hear is – Danielle (not in a good tone). I went out to the hall and looked at Jared – who did not look so good. I asked him if he was okay to which he responded — NO. And then he started to collapse – I was already holding onto his hands and lowered him to the floor. The nurse came over and asked what happened. I told her that he must have passed out. Jared could hardly manage to form a few words and just kept shaking his head. She took his blood pressure and heartbeat which were about 110/50 and 48 – not good for Jared. Amy came out to see what was going on – WHOA – is he okay? Nope, guess not – he was as green as could be and so faint and weak. The nurse got him a wet washcloth for his head and told the other nurses to call the ER – just to be sure. So – there he laid in the hallway in the maternity ward of the hospital – and his wife wasn’t even the one having the baby. When his blood pressure and heart rate were back to normal and I could see the color coming back to his face – the stretcher got there. Matt had come out to make sure I could hold the babe a minute before I was off with Jared to check him in. I stayed pretty calm, cool, and collected – which was surprising.

The nurse helping me at the ER desk told her clerk that I had a friend that passed out on the maternity floor – I said – that’s my husband. She said – WHAT – you were way too nice to him for that to be your husband. ;). So the doctor checked him over – asked for his history – has this happened before – are you feeling okay – the general. While he rested up with some apple juice – I ran back up to see Matt, Johna, and the babe. I held her and took a few pictures – told Matt and Johna the prognosis – awed over the baby a little more and then it was off to get Jared.

When Jared was still on the floor – the nurse asked him if he knew who he was – JARED. Where are you – HOSPITAL. Who is that next to you – DANIELLE. How are you feeling – EMBARRASSED.

Yesterday he stayed home ‘cus he was still a little wonky – and I stayed home in the morning just to make sure he was okay – and because he stays home with me when I don’t feel well and takes care of me.

I have always been concerned about who would be in the delivery room with me – Jared, mom, mom-in-law, my sister – now I don’t have to worry about Jared. He always told me that he wouldn’t be able to be watching – but by my head supporting – now I don’t even know about that. ;).