July 4th

We celebrated Independence Day on the 3rd of July this year at Shawn's mom and dad's house. The boys shot off fireworks with Shawn and their Aunt Jami and we ate way too much food. A great day!!

First Tooth!

Nick lost his first tooth on July 3rd. This just happens to be his aunt Donita's birthday. Now we will never forget!

Prayers Needed!!!

My friend Kara is in need of prayers in a big way! She has been through a lot of health issues this year. In February, she was diagnosed with a brain tumor and went to Mayo to have it removed. This past week, she was having some complications and after a hospital visit was diagnosed with a tumor in her kidney. The dr.'s here are unsure if it is cancer at this time, however, as I type she is headed to Mayo for a second opinion.

Kara and I have been friends for years and she is the most amazing person. She has never been worried about herself, always others. In fact, when I got to talk to her about this, her first question was about Nicholas. Hello, she is faced with this obstacle and she is worried about others. That is Kara.

Right now, all we know is she needs prayers. She needs us to lift her up and help her feel safe. As you read this, please say a quick prayer for her. I know she would say one for you.

Our latest happenings

Good grief! It has been forever and lots of things have happened. School's out!!! Rylan will be in 4th grade next year and Nick in 1st. They both had AWESOME years! Rylan made all A's all year long, nothing less than a 95. Let's just pray it always comes that easy for him. Nick did well and loved his teacher. He is reading everything now.

We have started and finished baseball for the year. Nick played machine pitch this year instead of another year of T ball and he learned a lot. Rylan played his first year of kid pitch and his team won their division of the district tournament. It was fun, but we are glad it is over.

Nick is spending his summer in the doctor's office. He has what the doctors believe is a congenital cyst that has become infected. It is under his jaw and he has been miserable, but we are praying that God will heal him without surgery.

We are headed to Florida for vacation soon and I can't wait until we are laying on the beach! It is going to be the boy's first vacation to a warm beach so they are excited.

Basketball begins

Well, we have been taking a break and enjoying some time at home until this week. Basketball has started and this year, we have two games to go to each Saturday. Nick is playing and so is Rylan. Shawn is coaching Nick's team and he is very excited. (Nick, not Shawn :) ) Rylan is going to have a different coach this year. Shawn has always been his coach in the past, so we hope that everything goes OK.

Halloween Fun

The boys had a good Halloween, I think. They had their parties at school and got to dress up there. Then we did the grandparent thing, my parents, Shawn's parents and Shawn's grandparents. Also on Wednesday, we went to trunk or treat at our church. They have tons of candy and they haven't touched much of it, but we can all guess who has :)

Mr. President

On Tuesday October 28, 2008, Rylan Patterson Shrum was officially elected by his GT peers as President! What an honor! But with honor comes sadness, as he received more votes than his best friend John David Elder. That part was tough for both of them, but true to both of them, they remained best friends and played together at recess that very day. Rylan was supported by a great campaign manager, Keaton Conrad (also one of his good friends.)