Jeremy's Ordination Ceremony

Last Sunday evening we attended Jeremy's ordination ceremony.  It was our honor to be in attendance as our friend (and Jackson's future father-in-law!) was ordained as the lead pastor of Cornerstone Church.  Jeremy and Shonda are not only our dear friends and Jackson's future in-laws, they are a true blessing to all.

Alaina, Brianna, Cody, Shonda, Jeremy

My three handsome fellas!  Jonathan, Jackson, and Marvin 

Our family.  Brianna, Jackson, Laura, Marvin, and Jonathan

We also celebrated Jeremy's 40th birthday (coming the very next day).

ATSU Dental Clinic for 3rd year

Daddy was able to drive down to St. Louis to take a first look at the newly constructed ATSU dental clinic.  This is where the 3rd year students from the Missouri School of Dentistry and Oral Health will be doing their clinicals starting July 1 of this year.  There will be more than 90,000 patient visits per year at this new facility.  (That is a requirement for accreditation and the main reason this clinic is located in St. Louis instead of Kirksville.)  As Daddy says, Kirksville is doing economic development for downtown St. Louis!  :)  The construction of this building is the final piece of the vision that began back in 2010 to bring a dental school with a unique vision to Missouri.  There will be an official ribbon cutting on June 10, 2015.  Exciting times!

For more information about the Missouri School of Dentistry and Oral Health, and to follow the vision from dream to fruition, you can check out these links.

A Hallelujah Day
http://lifeatwilliscreekranch.blogspot.com/2011/02/hallelujah-day.html

Ground breaking celebration
http://lifeatwilliscreekranch.blogspot.com/2012/03/ground-breaking-celebration.html

Dental School Inauguration
http://lifeatwilliscreekranch.blogspot.com/2013/10/dental-school-inauguration.html

Random (but has piece about groundbreaking for this St. Louis building)
http://lifeatwilliscreekranch.blogspot.com/2014/05/random.html

Random April

Spring has arrived and we are working on projects here at home, as well as in town at Jackson's house.  Daddy and Marvin dropped by to help Jackson put additional weather stripping on his door.  We are realizing Jackson will soon be needing a lawn mower for his double lot!  Since he moved in the middle of winter, it is kind of exciting to watch the grass turning green and the plantings coming back around the house.

Jonathan went to the barn the other day and discovered this...  the plug in the automatic waterer in the arena had come undone and water had leaked across a third of the barn.  Thankfully, he discovered it when he did - it could have been far worse.  They were able to get it repaired and back in working order, but the water bill will definitely be a bit higher this month.

I love coming home.  And after a long winter the green grass, budding trees, and blue sky are just so breathtakingly beautiful to me.

Kerry and Candace also got a new Subaru.  This reminds us all of the red Subaru that Kerry owned when he and Candace met and married.  Sort of a fun 'full circle'.  :)  I was able to take this photo when Candace came up to visit her Mom.

My dear cousin, David, visited us from Virginia.  He was here to visit a Truman student about an internship with NASA and we benefited by getting to spend the evening with him.  How wonderful!

David and Mama

The next day, after his interview with the student, he was able to meet Julie for lunch.   We sure would love for him to come back again soon!!  So nice having time with cousins!!

Ladies trip to Iowa

Where to begin??  What a fun day we ladies had when we trekked up to Iowa last Saturday.  We began the day at 7:30 a.m. when we met at the church to load up in cars.  With 4 vehicles convoying together, what could possibly go wrong??  :)

Shonda and I were chosen to 'lead the pack'.  Ugh.  (Later, we would remind everyone that we had been placed in that position and had not volunteered!)  :D  However, with our trusty map app on the phone, we felt capable and empowered to venture off.  We stopped for our first bathroom break 1 hour up the road.  Considering there were 16 ladies in our group, I'd say we did pretty well on that one.  :D  

We then made a stop at Pella to visit their famous Jaarsma bakery.  Although the lines were long, it was well worth the time to get some of their yummy pastries!  We also enjoyed walking around the downtown area a bit, led by the incomparable Jenn (whom we later designated our REAL leader!!).  :D

While we were not in time for one of the Glockenspiel's daily presentations, we did admire the architecture and beauty of the area.

Lora took this photo of Shonda and me with our boxes of pastries.  :)

Although the Tulip Festival isn't until May 7-9, the tulips and flowers were in full bloom and were already stunning!  We felt we had the best tour of the area and without a huge crowd of people.  In fact, our group has already decided to return to Pella next year about this same time!

love this photo Lora took of several of us 'approaching'.
We do look like a formidable pack!

back row - Kathy, Carla, Michaella, Kendra, Kris, Susie, Laura, Stephanie, Shonda
middle row - Mary, Connie, Lora, Toni
front row - Jessica, Chelsea, Jenn

LOVE this photo of dear Carla!!

Finally, we realized we needed to get back on the road if we were ever going to make it to Des Moines.  As we were approaching the highway I realized I needed to check with the car behind us about a possible bathroom break.  I was so busy gesturing out my window to Kris that I didn't even realize I had missed my turn onto the highway.  However, we had our trusty GPS app on the phone and so followed its instruction to turn left on an upcoming road.  We thought the correct highway exit must actually still be ahead of us so happily followed the directions.  We ended up making a very long loop around several roads in order to be right back where we had started from!  (Now picture this as a train of 4 vehicles!)  When we finally got back to the correct highway exit, I realized we were only a convoy of 3 vehicles and pulled off to the side of the road.  While Shonda texted Carla to let her know where we were so she could catch up, I hopped out of my car and stepped back to 'explain' why we had taken that bizarre detour.  :)  At that point I found out that we did indeed need to stop for a bathroom break.  Soooo, about the time poor Carla caught up to us (coming from the Casey's gas station) we all did a U-turn and returned to that very same Casey's.  The last thing I saw was Carla in her car just shaking her head at us.  :D  ha!  Sorry Carla!!  

We managed to get everyone through the bathroom and back on the highway to Des Moines.  We were heading to a restaurant for lunch and although we 'sort of' knew where it was located, we put the address into our handy, dandy map app on the phone and then confidently followed its instruction.  When we turned off the interstate at the appropriate exit, Shonda's phone rang.  It was Jenn in one of the following vans.  She politely questioned our navigating choice but when we explained we were in fact following the GPS route to the same address she was using, she let us continue to lead.  Just shortly after that, the app announced that 'we were at our destination.'  Whoops.  We clearly were not.  Unless Jason's Deli had magically become a rundown filling station or a private home.  Shonda and I burst out laughing when we realized that Jenn had been exactly right!  Pretty soon Shonda's phone rang again and we heard Jenn take charge saying, "Pull over.  I'll lead."   :D  We happily and gratefully obliged!  

However, as we were waiting to fall in at the back of the newly formed line of 4 vehicles, I heard my OnStar ding and looked up to see Shonda trying to 'turn off' the activation.  I couldn't figure out what had happened until I realized that Shonda had accidentally activated the Emergency button when she had been gesturing with her hand.  :)  The next thing I knew I heard a voice ask, "What is the nature of your emergency?"  I explained that 'the button had been hit accidentally, sorry'... as both Shonda and I held back another fit of laughter!  Oh my.  Afterward I told Shonda that in all the years of raising the boys, even THEY had never hit the red cross emergency Onstar button!!   ha!   Definitely memorable.   :D 

Our intrepid new leader, Jenn, delivered us straight to the door of Jason's Deli where we were all able to enjoy a lunch together.  And, by 1:00 pm, we were even ready to go shopping!!!   :D  

We hit several stores together including Gordmans, Dillards, and TJ Maxx.  At Dillards, Shonda, Connie, and I headed to the wedding section of the store to try on 'Mother of the Bride/Groom' dresses.  Happily, we all three walked out with a dress for our upcoming weddings in July (Shonda/Laura) and September (Connie).  

While at TJ Maxx, Shonda and I ran across an item that we couldn't figure out.  It was made of a heavy wool material with a Christmas print but was a tiny piece of fabric overall.  We got tickled (of course we did...) and could NOT figure out what it was.  Shortly afterward dear Kendra came by and she showed us that it was, indeed, a festive Christmas halter top!  Because, of course, that is what any stylish lady would want at the holidays!  We didn't believe Kendra so she tried it on to show us.  (by the way... it was a Ralph Lauren, originally priced at $130 and now down to a mere $15!!)  We then found this lovely furry skirt to go with the top.  Kendra has always been SO stylish!!  ;)  

Then it was off to a late dinner at Fuddruckers.  Although we were all tired, we continued with a lot of laughter, reliving many moments of the day.  After dinner we headed across the street to Starbucks for a coffee to get us home.  As we were in line, Shonda suggested we all give 'fake names' for our coffees.  As the rest of us stood there looking at her slightly confused the barista asked her what name he should put on her coffee.  She confidently said, "I would like you to write Buddy the Elf".  He obliged.  Shonda was then subjected to each of us using our 'real names', causing her deep disappointment.  ;)  When her coffee was ready and the barista called out 'Buddy the Elf' she happily marched up to get her cup.  On her way out the door, Mary called after her, '"Bye Buddy!" to which Shonda shouted back a reply, "I hope you find your dad!"  I tell you; there is nothing like traveling with the pastor's wife to make for a good time!   :)  

We drove through some rain on the way home, although all storms politely went around us.  Although we were all exhausted (getting home after 11:00 pm) we had an absolutely fantastic day!  Truly a day of blessing with dear friends/sisters.  Can't wait to do it again!

Spring Clarinet Choir concert

The end of a busy weekend found us attending the Spring recital of the Clarinet Choir.  This is the time of year for all the spring recitals and concerts.  We certainly enjoy having the opportunity to see and hear so many wonderful performances on campus.  And of course, we love seeing and hearing Brianna perform!

Here is a video clip of the clarinet choir performing a Sousa march.

Brianna with Lacey after the performance.

Brianna and Alaina  

Kirk Banquet

Saturday evening we all got dressed up to attend the annual Kirk Banquet.  Mama and Daddy were out of town delivering Hannah's car so were unable to attend.  But, my dear cousin Jane and her friend Marti were able to drive up for the evening.  It was terrific to get to see them, even for just a little while.

Julie and Rojina

Brianna, Jackson, and Jonathan

Jane, Laura, and Marti

Marvin and Laura

Bacon wrapped bourbon street pork tenderloin with bourbon sauces,
roasted stuffed red potatoes, balsamic brussels sprouts & baby carrots.

Brianna and Jackson 

Lemon meringue baked Alaska

Jane being inducted in John R. Kirk society

the wonderful John and Jackie S. receiving the
President's Leadership Award

Jackson, Brianna, Marvin, Laura, Jonathan, Rojina, Julie, Marti
(Jane was talking to Brad in the background...)

Jackson and Brianna

After the banquet we walked over to Baldwin Hall to hear Dr. Charlie Miller (information security expert) speak.  I have to say that it was an entirely fascinating and yet disturbing talk!  Dr. Miller is a Truman grad and a renowned computer hacker who currently works for Twitter.  He shared much insight on internet vulnerabilities and his view on cyber legislation.  He definitely opened my mind to a different viewpoint and gave much to contemplate.  Interesting evening for sure!!

Jackson, Brianna, and Jonathan leaving the SUB

a lovely evening