Merry Christmas!

It's really been a long road from June to today (Christmas Eve).... I can't even begin to get into everything that we have been through as a family. All I can say is that we are Blessed beyond belief. Thank you, God, for getting us through this year and I'm looking forward to 2010!

Just an overview of 2009:

In June, Riley and Payton were Baptized by Jon's Dad back on the creek at Grandma Bessie's. This was an amazing time, that we all hold close to our hearts. I will say it definitely is the highlight of our year!

After the Baptism, Jon's Dad had knee replacement surgery. After visiting with Roy at the hospital, Jon's mom went home to find that the upstairs toilet had broken and was running water the entire time she was gone. Their house was flooded and a complete disaster!

We started our vacation week with a visit to see Granny for her 94th Birthday! Amazing! Then we headed to Brown County State Park for a few days of fun family time! We stayed at the Abe Martin Lodge and enjoyed their new indoor water park along with all the beauty that the State Park holds. We visited all the shops at Nashville and learned that Payton is completely terrified of heights when we were climbing the old tower in the park!

On July 1st, Riley was diagnosed with type 1 Diabetes and has to have 4 insulin shots each day and count every carbohydrate she eats to calculate the amount of insulin she gets.

In July, I received a phone call letting me know the girl I was working with at the school moved out of state and there wouldn't be a position for me for the 2009-2010 school year. Thankfully, I have been able to work full time at the preschool that I worked at prior to going to the school.

In August, Payton was diagnosed with Asthma and has to take 2 kinds of medicine each day. He is doing fairly well with it, and actually has been feeling better during sports and just playing in general.

On August 18th, Grandma Bessie fell and broke her hip and unfortunately has been in a nursing home pretty much since then with overall decreasing health. She's just a few pounds away from weighing 79 lbs, and the Dr's say that once she gets there she will be considered 'critical and failing health'. It's so sad to see her in a nursing home. She has always been such a strong woman, it's hard to see her vulnerable.

Grandma Denny is still living in a nursing home in Brail, IN. She has days where she recognizes people and knows them, but then other days she doesn't. She did fall a couple of weeks ago and hit her head really hard and needed 5 staples in her chin. Again, it's hard to see her in the situation she's in. We just pray for peace for her, especially when she is having a day where she doesn't know anyone or anything and is scared.

On December 7th we had an awesome opportunity to meet Peyton Manning. We were invited through St. Vincent's Hospital (Riley's Doctor) to attend the Peyton's Peyback Foundation's (One of Peyton Manning's organizations) Christmas Party at the Children's Museum. With Jon's help of knowing how security works, we were able to meet Peyton. Our Payton was so excited to see him, well honestly we all were! He had all these things he wanted to say to the Colts' Quaterback and a few questions he wanted to ask him, but while he was shaking his hand, Payton Tindal was (believe it or not) speechless! His mouth was open but words were not coming out, plus his poor little knees were shaking!

On December 8th, Riley's 4th grade class held their Christmas program. She had a very nice solo part that she tried out for and did a wonderful job! She is such a good little singer and we love it that she is doing something that she likes to do!

I will add pictures a little bit later. I just wanted to do a Christmas update since it has been sooo long.

Have a Merry Christmas from the Tindal Family!

New Blinkie To The Left

Hmmm.... I came across this little "blinkie" (for those that might need a definition of an internet blinkie: Blinkies are small animated gif files that can be added to your signature line or used on a web site)  The best part about this blinkie is Who and What it represents.  Give it a click and it will take you to a flickr page with pictures of children with their mommies, scroll down a bit and you will find a little about the story of Aleida Franklin. 

She was very well known among the scrapbooking world and online throughout scrapbook websites and even appeared in a few magazines.  Her story is one that will touch your heart.  The challenge is one that makes me think.  I'm not one that likes to be in pictures... not at all.  I like to be behind the camera, that is where I'm the most comfortable.  But....maybe I will take a step (rather a huge jump) and join this challenge?

Here's my 1st attempt at a picture with me and the kiddos... even before showers!  Now that's what I consider a huge jump!

Riley and Payton's Baptism May 29, 2009

Riley was Baptized first.

Payton was next.

The 4 of us with Grandma Bessie.

Riley and Payton trying to stay warm.  The water was soooo cold!  

They got their towels mixed up, but at least they didn't seem to mind!

Riley and Payton were Baptized this past Friday evening by Grandpa T. (Jon's Dad).  We had the Baptism ceremony back on my Grandma's farm in the cold waters of Deer Creek.  It was an awesome evening!  To have as many friends and family there as we did, and to have such an important event happen on my family's land, and to have their Grandpa be the one to baptize them... simply amazing!  The 4 of us have been fortunate to all be baptized by Jon's Dad, what great memories!   Jon and I are both so proud of our children!  We love you guys!

I'm so thankful for everyone in our family for all of their help and support while we were getting things together!  The food was awesome, back on the creek was fabulous, the sand bar was smooth and felt great between our toes.... Thank you all!  We love you so much!  Only one thing could have made this evening any better... having my Mom's Mom and Grandma there!

To all of our friends that drove the one and a half hour drive... thank you!  We appreciate you taking your Friday evening and coming to share in our special day!  Riley and Payton were so happy to have you there!

I have about 45 pictures to share... so I will post a link to view them online soon!  :)  We are off to our neighbor's Graduation Open House.

Here's the link to view more pictures of our amazing night!

Click here to see pictures

I L-O-V-E Love you!

Tomorrow is sure to be an exciting day for us!  Riley and Payton will both be baptized by Jon's Dad down on my Grandmother's property in Deer Creek!  I want them to know how proud of them we are and how much we L-O-V-E them!

I had a photo session today that was held at the Indianapolis Museum of Art in the gardens.  It turned out to be a really nice place to take pictures.  I really enjoy seeing the "LOVE" statue by Robert Indiana.  Payton thought it was interesting that the statue was made in 1970.... then he said "Mom, this thing is really ancient!"  Hmmm, ancient?

Art Show, Young Author, and Awards!

The kids had their Art Show and Young Author celebration at school this last week.  Each student had one piece of art work in the show and then their Young Author books were on display in the Media Center.  

Riley received an outstanding award for her artwork.  Her apple was awarded the "Principal's Pick" for the third grade!  This means that her apple will now be framed and put on display in the hallways of HHES for many, many years!  How awesome is that????  Only one piece of art was chosen in each grade level, so that makes it even more exciting.  Way to go Riley!  We are so proud of you!

Payton's artwork was very nice, but his Young Author book stole the show.  When he is able to bring it home I will share some of what he wrote about.  It was about his family and it was absolutely amazing!  Payton really has such an awesome heart and it really shows in this book. I can't wait to share some of it with you all.  Great Job, Payton!  We are very proud of you!

** Edited to add Payton's book!!!  This is one of the best books you'll ever read!  Trust me!  :0)

My Family By Payton Tindal

My family is nice to me.  I love my family.  I have a dad.  His name is Jon.  My mom's name is Felicia and my sister is Riley.  My name is Payton.  I have a Golden Retreiver named Barkley.  My dad is a policeman and he is 36 years old.  My mom is a teacher's assistant and she is 30 years old.  My sister is in 3rd grade and she is eight and I am seven.  We like to read and play school together.  My dad, sister, and I like to ride motorcycles.  My mom does photography for weddings.  I like to take pictures too.  We like the country, we have fun outdoors.  My family likes to eat carrots and cucumbers too.  My sister has a retainer and my mom had one too.  I really love my family!

About the Author:  

Hello, My name is Payton.  I have one older sister.  My favorite things at school are spelling and math.  After school I have fun playing.  In the summer my favorite thing is riding my motorcycle.  I hope you like my very first book.

The End.

Finally, a break from the rain!

After 5 straight days of record breaking rainfall, we were blessed with a nice weekend!  The kids were able to play soccer on Saturday morning and were able to not sink on the field!  After the soccer games, we had a nice weekend of play, fun, more play, and more fun!  Riley was having fun with bubbles and Payton set up his own army barricade.  The last picture is of the Silver Maple tree that Riley was given at school on Arbor Day last week.  We planted it, now we are just watering it and waiting to see if it will make it!

And The Dove Award Goes To...

It’s the biggest night in Gospel music, and it’s come home to Gospel Music Channel. The 40th Annual GMA Dove Awards Live from Nashville, TN, Thursday, April 23rd at 8 pm et. Every year, Gospel artists come together to celebrate the music and message that transcends all others, drawing a diverse array of artists from all over the world. Features performances from all styles of music, one-of-a-kind collaborations and special tributes to gospel legends, tonight’s LIVE broadcast of the Dove Awards promises big moments and big surprises.... 

The 2009 Artist of the Year Award is

 

Steven Curtis Chapman!  

How awesome is this????  We just saw him in Indianapolis last night and tonight he was awarded Artist of the Year! The concert was unbelievably awesome!  We couldn't take our camera in, but I was able to get a few terribly fuzzy pictures with my cell phone!  Hey, I'll take what I can get :)!!!

Geoff Moore was a guest at last night's concert and it was nice to see him with Steven again. Jon and I saw the 2 of them together almost 10 years ago at Reardon Auditorium in Anderson. (Wow!  It really just seems like yesterday!)  At one point in the show, Geoff was the only one on stage and he was talking about the Chapman Family's movement to care for orphans called Show Hope.  I have always had a soft spot in my heart for little girls from China, so I could sit and listen to all that this organization does all day long (as long as I have a few tissues and a shoulder to cry on!)   The Chapman's themselves have adopted 3 little ones from China, the first being in 2000 and their story is amazing.  In May of 2008, the youngest went to be with Jesus in his "Big, Big House" and their story gets even more unbelievable.   The way that this family has shown the love of Jesus throughout this tragedy is amazing.  It's not been easy on them by any means, but they have continually lifted it up to the Lord and are a great witness to us all. Even in times that we feel are so dark and so hard, Jesus is there!  Grab a box of tissues and set aside some time and watch the first interview the Chapman family did after the loss of Maria Sue.  The interview was with Larry King on Larry King Live, it's a wonderful interview with the exception of Larry King calling Maria, Mary more than once.  You'd think he could at least get her name correct.  You can see all 5 parts of the interview by these links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ySghBeUuNM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQkmTHsSzn4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lISsO5fzN70

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azBcdKAM7as

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSCkDN407BU

Thank you, WQME!

Jon and I are HUGE fans of Steven Curtis Chapman. We love to listen to all of his music, new and old. We also have some great traveling memories that revolve around a few of his songs, one being Dive! We had just purchased the Speechless CD and then headed to Chicago for a friend's wedding and I bet we listened to that song 100 times over the weekend! Oh, what fun memories!

Last Thursday I entered a contest sponsored by WQME 98.7 FM to win tickets to go and see Steven Curtis Chapman and Michael W. Smith in concert together in Indy and I WON!!!! Jon and I get to go and see the United Tour! The kids were a little upset that we didn't win 4 tickets, because they really wanted to go and see them, too. Maybe we can all go to the next SCC concert.


I'll be sure to post an update on how our seats were and how the concert was!

Fitting for this weekend...

I thought this was fitting for this weekend... yesterday was the Susan G. Komen Race For A Cure weekend in Indianapolis.  Riley's teacher ran in the race in honor of her Mother-in-Law who is undergoing treatment for breast cancer.  I received this cute little picture in an email and I just love this picture!

Tiramisu is HERE!

Well, they've waited a little over a week and now it's finally here!  When we got home from school on Friday they were just about finished putting the playset together.   The kids played for 5 straight hours on it the first night and then every moment that they could the rest of the weekend.  It is fun!  Saturday afternoon they decided to name it Tiramisu.   Kind of funny, isn't it?  Although... it is the name of one of my favorite desserts!!!!   Welcome Tiramisu!

Riley's newest accessory

We missed you, Kamrie!