Scare in Arcola

Now, I'm sure everyone heard a little bit of what happened at the First-Mid Illinois Bank in Arcola Il (about 10 mins where I used to live and right across the street from the bank I used to work at), but I'll tell you my version of the story. Early in the morning on Thursday June 21, 2 African American men broke into a house and held up the residents by gunpoint. They then stole a van and started going towards Tuscola (about 20 mins from where I live). On the way, a policeman noticed that the windows were tinted and pulled them over. After he did, he was suspicious that there were drugs in the vehicle and called for a K-9 unit to come. Knowing that they were in trouble one of the men shot the officer in the face and started off south on I-57. Getting off at the Arcola exit they sped westward until they got to the train tracks and then lost control. The police got the driver but the passenger managed to duck into the First-Mid bank before the police could apprehend him.
In the bank, the manager told one of our close friends, whom we also go to church with, to open the safe door immediately after the man came into the bank with a gun. Once she opened the safe, the man said that she could go...praise God! This was sometime in the morning, and as the day progressed he let more and more hostages go until it got down to the manager and his grandfather being the only hostages. The gunman then let the manager's grandfather go and it was just him and the gunman then for a while.
Now, I'm not sure how it officially ended, but I've heard two different stories. One, that the gunman just gave the manager the gun and they both walked out. Two, that the gunman set the gun down to use the bathroom (however this is a very small branch and there are no bathrooms for the public so he used a potted plant) and the manager picked up the gun and then they both walked out.
Thankfully only one person (the officer) was hurt and he as far as I know is in critical but stable condition. I thank God that he was watching over Arcola that day and that the man wasn't interested in robbing the bank just having a place to hide out. For those that have worked at a bank, they know that a bank robbery is something you try not to think about but it is always in the back of your mind and is the scariest thing to think of. I'm just so happy that everything turned out all right.
On a lighter note, the day of the robbery was also Colt and mine's 4 year anniversary. We were definitly bothered by what was happening but when we knew that most of the people were out and the situation seemed to be under control, we decided to go out. We ate at the Olive Garden, yummy, and then ran a few errands up in Champaign. Nothing too big but it was really nice getting out just the two of us. Colt's grandparents watched Hunter for us.
One other really fun thing was that we got Hunter a new toy! It's a little jumper that he can sit in and bounce and play with all the fun little toys all around the top of it. Once we got it together and set him in he just started laughing and didn't stop for like 2 mins. Now, Hunter will laugh now, but you have to do something to make him, but this time it was just out of sheer enjoyment at his new toy, it was so great. So, here are some pics of him in his bouncer and a few others.

Colt does not like it when hats are worn to the side, but this was just too cute!And he didn't even bother the hat either

Apparently he was comfy though it looks rather uncomfortable

Asleep at church one morning when I was home, apparently Mike needs to jazz up his sermons...just kidding. :)

Another little (although too big for him) hat that he has

At Olive Garden for our anniversary

Hunter's new bouncer

Just look how happy he is!!!!!

He just loves it!

Back to reality

The week since my mom and sis left was rather difficult, but it perked up near the end. We really didn't do too much but it was a nice week. Wednesday we went to church and then over to the Miller's to visit. Friday we went to Ryan and Blanca's to visit them and one of our friends that has moved to Cali. Saturday we were supposed to go boating with some friends from church but I was ill and we had to cancel. I was really bummed but Colt told me that the summer has just started so there will be other times.
This week we were supposed to go to Mexico for our friends Robbie and Allison's wedding, but because of how much it would cost we were unable to go, but we do wish them the best. Also, this is Colt and mine's 4 year anniversary!!!! I can't believe it. We aren't really doing anything big but it will just be nice to be together.

It was soooo hot this day and the electric went out cause of the wind and Hunter was so hot he would not stop crying until we put this wet washcloth on his head, then he just passed out.This is how he fell asleep. Sitting up against Colt's legs.

Such a handsome boy!

Isn't that the cutest picture ever?!?!

As per request, here is a pic of Manda from her prom. Love the dress and hair!!!

Recovery

Baby butt crackTwisted mohawk

Bath time

pool time

Manda and Hunter at Valley FallsDad and Hunter chillin on the couch

Hunter floating in the pool in his crab float

Taking a bath in the big tub, he loves splashing!

Getting ready for Graduation.

My surgery is over and done with and now I won't have to deal with horrible gallbladder pain anymore...wooohoo!!! The surgery wasn't bad, especially since I don't remember it and the recovery wasn't too bad either. I'm a little sore still but that's to be expected.
Other good news, I had a blast in WV! The time never lasts long enough but I love going home and visiting everyone. My mom and sis came up here to pick Hunter and I up and we went back on Thursday. Friday, Manda graduated from high school I can't believe it, and Sunday we had a grad party for her. The party was so much fun and of course we all forgot to take any pics but hopefully everyone who was there will remember it. Oh, and for anyone back home who reads this try to get Jake to do the Wranglers bit....sooo funny! We had a volleyball game and man am I horrible! I used to be half decent at volleyball but I guess not playing since high school will make you a little rusty.
Monday, Cindy and the boys came over and brought some much needed baby supplies, thankyou, and even conned us into going to the Mannington pool with them. When we got home, Mom, Dad, Manda, Hunter and I went to Valley Falls to look around and eat KFC! I didn't even get a gallbladder attack. The falls were gorgeous and it was a really nice way to spend Memorial day.
Tuesday, Manda got her wisdom teeth out and she did very well with it. Although, she should have stayed in bed a little more, but oh well. While she was getting her mouth chiseled, dad and I went to Wal-Mart and got a quick set pool, since he tore down our other one, and we also went to visit Mamaw Shirley Miller. The rest of the night, mom and I worked on getting the bottom of the pool even while dad supervised.
Wednesday, Hunter and I just chilled and then we went to church...not too much going on.
Thursday, mom took me to get a massage for mother's day!!!!!!!!! It was sooo nice and relaxing. Definitly have to get another one sometime! Then, Cindy took me out to Muriels (YUMMY!!!!!!) and then to a movie. We had such a good time!
Friday, mom, manda, hunter, and i went out and did some shopping. Mom also took us to the Olive Garden, yummy, where I got a delicious chocolate tart...soooo good!
Saturday, manda, hunter and I went shopping again and then Sunday was church nap church. :)
Monday we came back and then on Wednesday I had my surgery. So I'm sure everyone is tired of reading this but I had a lot to tell!

Results

These are some pics from when he was just a few days old.Look at his cute little head

Sleeping away

That was my outfit when I was a baby.

After two tests, one with the barium being horrible...like drinking elmers glue, I've now found out that I have to get my gallbladder removed. They can do it with a laproscopic outpatient surgery so that's good, but it still stinks cause this will be the third time I've been in the hospital in less than a year. The good news though is that I won't have any more attacks after the surgery so thank goodness for that. I don't know when the surgery will be, I have my consult with the surgeon June 5th so hopefully pretty soon after that. My mom has offered to come and help with Hunter while I'll be down and Colt has vacation time to take if he needs to.
Some really good news is that next week I'll be going home!!! My little sister is graduating from high school, doesn't seem possible, and Hunter and I will be going down to see it. My mom and sis are traveling here on Tuesday to come and pick us up so that I don't have to drive 9 hrs by myself with the little stinker...shows how much my mom wants me to visit! We'll be staying a little over a week, really excited about that, and then we'll come back and then I go to the dr. I'm really looking forward to it cause I miss everyone from home so much and I know they miss me, at least I hope they do...lol, and it will just be so nice to see everyone for more than just a couple of days.
So, that's pretty much it and I'm sure for my next post I'll have a ton of pics from my trip. Also, if everyone could pray that I don't have any more gallbladder attacks I would really appreciate it cause they are horrible...plus I'm not supposed to eat fatty foods, which cuts out most of my diet, but I have a chance to go to Muriels (the best Italian restaurant in WV) and I will risk having and attack so I can eat there, but if everyone prays that I don't then maybe I can get away with eating the yummy food and not being in pain!

Mother's Day

Chilling outside with great-nana Bradford.My beautiful necklace that Colt got me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My beautiful boy all dressed up for Mother's Day...Like his mohawk??Look at that chubby face, soooo cute!

Family pic!

Today was my very first Mother's Day and I have to say it was GREAT! I woke up really early cause I just couldn't sleep and Colt woke up too. He came out and said since I was already awake he would go ahead and give me my mother's day stuff. He gave me two cards one from him and one from Hunter (he even tried to get Hunter to sign his but Colt said he just got mad...lol). Well I don't usually get sappy, but I must admit I got a little teary eyed when I read the cards. Then Colt said that he knew I told him not to get me a present, but that this was my very first Mother's Day and I would never have another one so he got me a present. He came out with a little black box that looked suspiciously like a box from Rogers and Hollands my fav jewelry store. I opened it up and there was this beautiful diamond and pink saphire journey necklace (one with the squiggle line of stones)!!!!!!!!!!! I was sooo surprised and it's really hard to surprise me. It's just so beautiful and I just absolutely love it! He picked it out all by himself and he did such a good job!
We then went to Colt's parents church for his mom for mother's day and that was nice; although Hunter decided that he was going to be very fussy the whole time but everyone thought it was cute. Then we went to KFC for lunch and some people may think that's not great, but I've been craving it and it was soooo yummy. Then we came home and I got a NAP....another awesome present!
Later that evening, Paul and Sharon invited us out to their house for some cake and croquet. It was really fun and I love playing croquet, especially when Sharon and Colt start sending each other's croquet balls across the road into the corn field.
Overall this first Mother's Day completely surpassed anything I had thought of, but I must say that I wish I could have also spent it with my momma cause I miss her terribly hopefully that will happen someday. I'm just so thankful for the opportunity to celebrate this wonderful holiday, not just because I got a beautiful necklace (although that does help...lol) but because I have the most beautiful boy in the world whom I love with all my heart and he just makes my life so great just by being here.

Taking a nap.A pic for all the WV people. (his shirt says wv mountaineers)

His baby gang do-rag. LOL

Cute little man in a tie...so adorable!

Naked baby butt!!!

Almost all my posts have been about Hunter but this one is actually about me. For about a year I've had these pains in my upper abdomen about where my diaphram would be and they are horrible. Sometimes they don't last for very long but sometimes they last forever and they hurt so bad that I can't do anything but lay around and wait till they stop. I even had one that hurt so badly that Colt took me to the hospital but I made him turn around before we got there cause it finally stopped. Just to let you know how much they hurt I just had a baby and the contractions were a lot easier to deal with than this pain. So enough complaining, I'm doing something about it and on Tuesday I'm getting an upper-gi x-ray (i get to drink that barium stuff and everything!) so hopefully I'll find out what is the matter. I think I have an ulcer from acid reflux and probably worrying so much. Well, I hope everything will get fixed and then I won't have to take two strong perscription antacids a day and a bottle of pepto and tums every week!

Sick

I know these next few are pretty much the same but they are just soooo cute!Even though he was sick, he's still so happy!
Just look at this handsome boy!
Such a cutie!
A pic I found from when I first had him. So cute and doesn't look like he's only a few hours old.

Well, this week my poor baby was sick. We had our air conditioner running and from that Hunter got a terrible stuffy nose and was having a hard time breathing and was feeling really crummy. I felt so bad for him cause there's really not much you can do for a stuffy nose in a baby and the bulb syringe wouldn't go far enough to get anything out. So, basically we just stayed in the bedroom with the door shut and the vaporizor running and finally he started feeling a little better.
Another thing that happened this week was that we got rid of our cats. I'm sure a lot of people would disagree with us doing this, but the thought of my sweet little baby crawling around and getting into cat puke or a hairball or litter just was horrible. So we found a new home for them and now I'm not so worried about him crawling.
Basically that's it, not too much going on and I'm sure my life is pretty boring to most but when I look at the pictures of my baby it seems like the best life ever!