IT HAS BEEN A WONDERFUL JOURNEY - NOW A WONDERFUL BEGINNING

In one week and one day my youngest child enters the union of Holy Matrimony, it makes a mom a little weepy. However, we couldn't be happier with the woman he has chosen to spend the rest of his life with. She is a kind, considerate, extremely intelligent, caring, loving, funny, wise, wonderful human being. We are excited to have her be a part of our family. Here's to you Beau & Jen!!!

STRESS METER LEVEL...HIGH!!!

My stress level has totally maxed out. After moving this past weekend, trying to get the house somewhat put together before the wedding I don't know how much more I can take. Thank heaven Zach came home from Mississippi to help us move, he was WONDERFUL help.

Beau and Jen get home on Saturday so we can't wait to see them. And Jay and his family and Zach get home on Thursday, can't wait to see all of them too. It should be a wonderful time. Everything is ready to rock n roll for the wedding so I don't know why I am so stressed about it. Jen and Beau have done a wonderful job putting it all together. Not to mention Mary Jo, Jen's mom. I think I have everything ready for the rehearsal dinner and brunch on Sunday. Let me check: 1. Flowers (check) 2. Place cards (check) 3. Place card holders (check) 4. Candles (check) 5. Candle holders (check) 6. Table favors (check) 7. Seating list (check) 8. Pics of Beau & Jen (check).

All this planning and poof it will all be over soon. :(

BACHELOR PARTY WEEKEND

The infamous Bachelor Party was this weekend in Chicago. The Shay boys were with us all day on Friday which Mom loved and then Saturday was the big event. Matt McGinn was in charge of it and my understanding was kudos to Matt. The guys said he did a fantastic job. They went to the Cub game and had tickets for the "rooftop" across the street. They said the view was great and of course the beer, burgers and hotdogs as well. Then they all went to Matt's for a fabulous supper he had catered in (the guy knows how to do things up, his Mom & Dad are the best hosts so he learned well). Then off to the strip club of course, they rented a Hummer limo so at least no one was driving. A great time was had by all.

On Sunday we at least got to have lunch with Beau and Zach since Jason was up and off to the airport early. We thank God for the time we get with all 3 of them at once, because it doesn't happen very often.

Now it is on to the Wedding. It should be another fun time.

OUR LITTLE SLUGGER

Jana sent us pix of Joah's first baseball game. We've got ourselves a ballplayer!!!! He got a hit both times he was up (and that is being pitched to) and he is ONLY 4 years old. That'a boy!!! He also fielded the ball. You know what though it doesn't matter if he didn't do anything out there Grandma and Grandpa would still think he is a cutie!!! But it is nice to finally have an athlete in the family. LOL

Joah with his friend John

Our slugger

Seeing who is watching me

I am ready for that ground ball

Don't these guys know we are suppose to be playing baseball?

This does kind of wear you out though

Best part of the game - the snacks afterwards!!

EXPERIMENTING WITH PHOTOSHOP

I have an idea for the rehearsal dinner and so I was experimenting with PhotoShop. I liked the way these pix turned out. Tell me what you think, please. :D

SHOWER SEASON HAS BEGUN

This weekend we had 2 showers for Jen, so much fun. The first one was in Rock Island on Friday night. It was nice meeting Jen's and her mother's friends. On Saturday Marla McGinn had a shower for Jen here in the "Burg." I can't believe my baby is getting married, but he found himself one nice girl and we can't wait to welcome her into our family.

A little apprehensive about this whole shower thingy

Guests were giving Jen some marital advise - message expressed the most "Don't go to bed mad"

Let the opening begin

Some pretties

The beautiful cake and table at the G'burg shower

Now what do I do with this

Some of my wonderful friends who came

Mom Mary Jo and her girls Jen & Jess


Add the soon mother-in-law to be

And then our hostess Marla McGinn

What a nice Easter weekend. A great time was had by all. Eight more weeks!

It's a Sweet 16 party for Shay family - Galesburg, IL - The Register-Mail

Below is an article that ran in the Galesburg paper about all of us going to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen. It was a nice article and we thank Mike Trueblood for writing it. Just click on the link.


It's a Sweet 16 party for Shay family - Galesburg, IL - The Register-Mail

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HISTORY MAKING ELITE EIGHT

We (John, Debbie, Carly, Nathan, Jay's family and me) were in St. Louis this past weekend for the NCAA Sweet Sixteen Regional Final. The VOLS looked great and "upset" Ohio State. We looked sharp never lost our composure and beat Evan Turner and company by three. By doing so the VOLS did what no other Tennessee men's basketball team had ever done - they made it to the Elite Eight. It was so exciting.

On Saturday we had a leisurely day. We went to Joe Buck's for lunch (would highly recommend it) the food was fabulous. Then we headed to the team's hotel. We went to the bar at 3:00 in the afternoon and it of course was packed with VOL fans. We were there until midnight. One of the fans got on the piano and played "Rocky Top" and "The Tennessee Waltz" the place erupted. He was soooooo good!! And of course we all watched and cheered West Virginia on the beat those Kentucky Wildcats. Some one hollered "go home Ashley Judd." A fun time was had by all.

On Sunday afternoon we played Michigan State to advance to the Final Four. We were all nervous and excited at the same time. We hadn't seen much of Jay but when we did the poor guy looked exhausted. A lot of preparation goes into these games. Unfortunately the VOLS were sent home. We lost in the last second on free throws 70-69. It was disappointing of course but the team and staff should be very proud of their accomplishments. It was a season of a lot of ups and downs and things to overcome.

We wish the seniors the very best in their future endeavors and thanks for all of the memories.

The fam before one of the games

Just enjoying family