Happy Holidays

Christmas has come and gone and I cannot believe it. Kade was so excited this year for Christmas. We counted down the days to Santa's arrival and made sure he had a snack for his long journey. Kade made Christmas a lot of fun this year. He wanted everything he saw on TV this year. Santa tried really hard to fulfil his every need, but he was unable to find the crayon maker. However, he did leave mommy and daddy some money so that they could buy it later. LOL
The biggest surprise of Christmas was Kade getting a puppy. We surprised Kade on Wednesday by taking him to a farm and allowed him to pick out a blue heeler puppy. He was so excited. He said, "I love puppies." He had a hard time choosing one at first, but he finally picked out Troy. We bought Troy from a family by the last name of Troyer, hence the name Troy.

Our nieces Talyn and Hadley liked Troy so much they convinced their parents into buying them each a puppy. Talyn named her puppy Bo and Hadley named her's Luke.

The Christmas season brought out something new this year. Ryan became an actor. We both took roles in our Church's Christmas program entitled, "Virgil's First Christmas." Ryan is still the talk of the town and everyone wants an encore performance. Below is a picture of Ryan and I as Mr. and Mrs. Tishwater.

Our Christmas festivities ended yesterday at Kathy and Rodney's. So now it is back on the diet. I have gained 5 pounds of the 13 lost back over a two week period. Time to buckle down and stay away from the buckeyes.

Welcome Fall

Yesterday marked one month that I have been at Ohio University. Still loving it and I am finding my way around a little bit more each day. It also helps that Jill (my cousin) meets me for lunch sometimes and she always takes me somewhere new. The hardest part about my job is getting out of here at 5PM. I barely make it to the day care before they close and then Kade always asks, "why does it take you so long?" Which makes me feel horrible, but like I said I love my job and everything will work out.
Trick or Treat has came and gone and Mister Kade was a pirate. My mom (Granna) made his costume this year and I have to admit he was a pretty cool pirate.

New Beginning

Today is my last day at Gallia County Department of Job and Family Services. I never would have dreamed I would leave this job once I got it. In Gallia County this is where you want to be. The pay and benefits are not to shabby. However, in August GCSJFS had to lay-off 21 people due the the economy and lack of funding by the state and federal government. Which therefore left the agency on shaky ground. I was fortunate to not be laid off, but it gave me the time and the opportunity to find a different path. Through lots of prayer and faith I truly believe I have made the right decision. On October 5th I will return to my roots and go back into Financial Aid. I will be working at Ohio University. Please wish me luck!

Project hedge removal

When we bought our new house, I told Ryan one of the first things that needed to go were the hedges in front of the house. They were enormous and all I have wanted since Ryan and I have been home owners is to have a porch where we can sit and enjoy the outdoors. He thought I was joking, but in due time I would have hooked my jeep up to them and yanked them out of the yard, but thank goodness he saved me from the trouble.


It looks so much better, but now I have to do some landscaping. Ryan seems to think if we keep the hedges trimmd back they will be ok, but I just want them gone. I have put my name on a waiting list for crushed clay tile peices, but that may be a lost cause for this year, so I guess I need to think about other options. I am still going to work on Ryan about just pulling the roots out.

Bobcat and Toyota are still with us and doing well. I really thought with 73 acres to run on and explore they would not hang out on my front porch all day. Cats....I really just do not get them, but Kade loves them and it is teaching him some responsibility.


Ryan has been farming. He has planted around 8 acres of corn and has cut hay and just cut some more today and is actually pulling a "Rodney" right now and is sleeping on the couch. Both of my boys are asleep right now and it is 6pm on Sunday.

The 4-H club completed their community service project on Monday. We planted fowers at the Ewington Church of Christ where we have our meetings. Below is a picture of the children that participated. They had a good time and the finished product was very nice.

Other good news for this week....my internet finally started working and even better than that, I have wireless internet too! Vinton has arrived!HAHA

Bob Cat and Toyota

On Sunday, Kade became the proud owner of two kittens, Bob Cat and Toyota. Kade named the kittens himself. Bob Cat is the black kitten and Toyota is grey. Kade is so excited about his two new pets and he tells me often that he loves them. He also stresses that the black one is his favorite and that the grey cat is mine. We are new to this cat thing and I know nothing about cats, but this is our new adventure as farm owners and lets just hope they keep the mice away!

An Eventful Weekend.

On Friday, I took off for Bluefield, but before I could get out of Ohio I witnessed a 3.4 earthquake while standing in Grandma Opal's kitchen. Of course at the time we had no idea it was an earthquake. I found out 3 hours later when I arrived in Bluefield that it was in fact an earthquake and it even made the Bluefield news....go Gallia County!

I went to Bluefield this weekend to be with my mother as she grieved the loss of a dear friend, co-worker, and boss, Dr. Joseph Nieto. While trying to cheer my mom up and be supportive I receive a phone call asking me how Ryan is because they had heard he was in the hospital. Well, needless to say this was news to me. I spent 2 to 3 hours trying to find answers and finally I got to talk to Ryan. He informed me that he was having chest pains and went to the ER, but they could not find anything wrong and they sent him home, where he continued to work as usual (if you know Ryan, you know what I am talking about). He reassured me that he was fine, but around 10:30 PM he went back to the ER and they ended up keeping him for observation. All of this while I am still in Bluefield. He was released on Sunday morning and he was told that someone would contact him to come back because they would like to have him wear a monitor. I like how they could not send him home with the monitor on Saturday or Sunday.....note for future reference...do not have a heart attack or what you think might be a heart attack after 5pm on Friday because the cardiac unit is closed.

To round out the weekend I lost my debit card, well I found it, but it is still in Winfield, West Virginia. Lets just say I am glad it is Monday! I hope my trip to Bluefield next weekend is not as eventful!

Thank you to all of my friends and family who were praying for Ryan and my safe return to Ohio. Also thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers for my mom during this time. I know in my heart everything is going to work out for all of us!

Catching up....

Since Kade's Birthday we have kind of slowed down. The last step is completing our bathroom and we are almost there. Someone is stopping by today to measure and then we will get our estimates of how much the flooring will be and then no more! We are done working on the inside of the house for awhile and just in time for the weather to be nice. Just got a call and they will be installing the floor on Wednesday and then I can have my living room back to order.

Since my last post Ryan has built a building, and all by himself. Well, Kade helped a little. Gravel was delivered today for the building's floor and the plan is to get all of our junk out of storage and placed in the building and then we can finally have all of our stuff in one place. That has been Ryan's dream for a while. He has always wanted a home where he could store all of his equipment and be able to work on projects in the winter, to quote a tv show. "welcome home Alderman Family, welcome home." Now if I could just get internet at home. Another bonus of the new house I was able to get DVR and it is great no more missing tv shows because of Kade's bath time. Having DVR still keeps me in the high-tech redneck category.

While walking on our property Ryan showed me we have a waterfall, two to be exact, but the picture is of the prettier one. How neat, I am the owner of a waterfall. Everything is turning green and I am getting excited about all of this farm girl stuff. I am so excited, I became a 4-H cloverbud advisor. Now keep in mind I am not doing this on my own. I am part of an existing club with my mother-in law and another lady who actually know what they are doing. I know some of you are laughing out loud at this if you have heard any of my farm adventures.

Until next time......

Kade turns 4

Family and friends came over to our new home on Saturday to celebrate Kade's 4th birthday. Kade wanted to have a Monster Truck cake and my Granny did the honors and the cake was delicious and Kade loved it. My mother also got him an ice cream cake with Grave Digger on it which he also liked.
Ryan, myself and my dad worked all week long to get the house in somewhat of a decent fashion in order to have this party. I had my doubts, but we pulled it off. Ryan and my dad laid new laminate flooring in the kitchen and my new appliances (minus the fridge) all arrived on Tuesday. Cutting it close I know! I just wanted to say THANK YOU to all of our family and friends who came to Kade's party and for everyone who have helped us over the last couple of months, we could not have done it without your love and support and your elbow grease!
Thank you to everyone who attended Kade's party. I hope you all had a good time and thank you for all of his wonderful gifts.

Walk on the Farm

On Sunday, I took my family for a little walk on our farm. Granny showed Kade some acorns and Joey enjoyed looking at our pond. I cannot wait until the grass is green and we can actually enjoy our land. Once again Thanks family for everything you do!

Valentine's Day Surprise

I almost forgot with all of the excitement of the new home to brag on my husband. For Valentine's Day Ryan and some other men from the Church got together and surprised us (the wives) with a limo ride and dinner in Huntington, WV. It was wonderful and I just did not know Ryan had this in him. I also learned that Ryan can keep a secret! I was absolutely surprised and he did not tell a soul and he even arranged for a baby sitter! We had a great time and I cannot wait to see what he plans next year!

We Have A Home!

It has been awhile since I have had the time to update the blog and a lot has happened. Ryan, Kade, and I all went to Seven Springs, PA last week to enjoy a much needed vacation. We took my mom along to help us with Kade so that Ryan and I could actually do a little skiing. Kade seemed to enjoy skiing and had the most fun on our last day there. He still has a lot of learning to do and Ryan needs a little more patience and leg strength to hold the snow plow position!HA I will post some pictures later, I forgot my camera today.
Friday, February 20th, we finally closed on our new house. Ryan left to go skiing the next day and I left on Sunday, so needless to say we did not get anything accomplished before we left. We got back to Ohio on Wednesday night and Ryan got the Water turned on Thursday and the Phone got turned on Friday and then the fun began. On Thursday I purchased paint and carpet and on Friday we began painting the bedrooms, hallway, and living room and by Sunday evening we were finished. Today Monday, March 2nd, as I type our new carpet is being laid. So that means we will be out of Rodney and Kathy's hair soon! I am sure that is why they have been working so hard to help us get all of this accomplished!HA My dad is scheduled to visit this weekend and his task is to remodel the bathroom, while Ryan and I tackle the kitchen. This is an exciting time and the house is all ready looking better. I cannot wait to show it off to visitors! I promise to post pictures soon!

Powerless in Vinton

This is what it looks like here. These pictures were taken at Kathy and Rodney's house Wednesday after the ice storm hit on Tuesday night. Things are looking better, but another storm is expected to hit on Monday. Electricity is still OFF!

Ready or Not here we come!

It is official, Ryan, Kade, and I are homeless. We left our home on Ewington Road Saturday evening and moved in with Kathy and Rodney. I am trying to keep our mess to a mimimum and trying to not disrupt their daily routines. Since we have always lived in Vinton I have never had the opportunity to stay the night at Kathy and Rodney's. The closet I have come to staying is the weekend we camped out in the side yard. So I am a little out of my element. Kade is loving it. Yesterday on our way to church he said, "I don't want to go to our house mommy, I just want to go to church and back to papaw's." I said, "Don't worry we will not be stopping there." It feels a little wierd not having a home. For my entire married life that is where I have lived. It almost feels like I have lost or forgot something. Of course Ryan acts like he has never left his parent's house and he just expects someone to pick up after him and cook for him. He is so spoiled. To make life a little easier we have set up an additional TV for Kade to watch his videos and play Wii. I am missing the additional TV's as well. I missed Desparate Housewives last night and I am hoping it was a rerun or not on. I am a little addicted to Direct TV and Ryan will not admit it, but he is too. No more Monster Jam at 5PM until we have a home of our own. I hope we do not drive Kathy and Rodney crazy and I hope that Ryan and I survive this. We have been pretty stressed out about the whole situation, purchase agreements, banks, appraisals, dividing property, surveying, etc. It has just been a waiting game and I am tired of waiting! Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers that we all make it through this process and that it is over soon. Not that I do not want or enjoying staying with the in-laws, but I am ready to redecorate a new house!

4 days...

It is getting pretty bare around the Alderman house. Friday night will be our last night at Ewington Road and then we become "house guests". I hope Rodney and Kathy can handle us and that we do not drive them crazy. For those of you who may need to get in contact with us during this transition period you can reach us Kathy and Rodney's or use our cell phones. Hopefully this will not be a long process, but at this point time has not been on our side. I will keep everyone posted and hopefully I will remember to upload some pictures. I have a great one of Kari and Reid playing Wii!!