May 17th Mary Wrote

Hello Everyone,

Well, the time came Tuesday morning to put Aaron on the plane to Kansas. We left our house at 3:30 AM, to arrive at the airport and find that his flight had been delayed and some were even cancelled due to a weather problem. Needless to say about an hour later things were very busy and hectic. We seemed to always be ahead of the real rush. God was very good to provide the calmness we all needed. The women at the counter took her time and explained every thing to Aaron about the changes he would encounter through the day,including a 3 hour lay over in Chicago OHarre airport. I talked to him and everything went well. He was picked up at the airport in Kansas about 2:00 PM. by one of the guys who was left behind to attend to Aaron. On the way back to the farm he told Aaron that the only job he had for that day was to study for the CDL test that was to be taken at 8:00 AM today(Wednesday) and then they would be off towards Texas. They were having some weather problems so a stop in Oklahoma may happen. I have not heard if he passed, so that is about the best update I can give. We are holding up very well and continue to trust God with his care and safety. I have figured out that I will probably have times when things trigger a reminder of him, I will have a thirty second cry time and then its over and I move on.

One of the last things Aaron did before he left was have a head shaving party with David and Nathan. On Monday night they took turns cutting and shaving each other, reason: to remember each other. Their plan is to not really cut it until he comes home in November, but they will talk in August to see if some trimming is needed.

I have been so blessed with a wonderful family. Paul has been a terrific dad and continues to work at understanding each of his sons and their desires in life. He has been taking them out for breakfast one by one over the last several years and some real positive things have come from that time.

Paul turned forty the beginning of May and our party went very well for him. He was very surprised and we got to visit with friends that we haven't seen for a long time. It started on Friday night and ended on Sunday night. I am guessing but I think we probably had 150 people thru our house in that time.

Our school year is almost over, and my summer looks more different than ever. I am really not sure how it will go. David will be working for Gehmans this summer probably 40 hours, Nathan and Samuel both work for our friends building decoders for model trains. Paul can drop them off on his way to work and pick them up after work, or at least for Nathan, but for Samuel he won't and doesn't need to work all day. Come on be a child and enjoy your mother. I will be baby sitting one day a week. One day this week the boys told me I needed a hobby like knitting,sewing or playing an instrument to fill up my time. I told them my hobby or maybe it's a gift is taking care of people. This world is full of hurting people who often just need someone to care and listen.

Well I guess that's all I have to say now. Love to all.

Oh by the way about FOOD for our FAMILY WEEKEND in the mountains I'm open to suggestions, complaints, opinions. Speak now or hold your tongue that weekend. Derek you had a thought last year about something, was it "whatever happened to plain hotdogs"?

Love and prayers, Mary