houseofherms's Xanga

Two at the Zoo!

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 23:50:33 GMT

Shea turned 2 yesterday! In light of his birthday I took the day off of work and took him to the Blank Park Zoo. We'd been talking about it for a week now. When I woke him up I told him Happy Birthday and he immediately responded with, "ZOO! ... elephants, fishys, cows, pigs, duckys" I think he was a little confused between going to the fair vs. zoo but never-the-less we had a great day together!

The animals were really active which made a great show for us.

His favorite part was feeding the goats and ducks.

Shea went with me to my OB appt. on his b'day. His eyes got real wide when he heard the baby's heart beat. I don't think he really understands what is going on but it is fun to ask him where the baby is and what the baby's name is. I need to catch it on video sometime. "Gabriel" sounds so sweet when he says it. He mostly calls it Baby Gabby. After the zoo and appt. we went to Marc's school to say hi and then wrapped it up at the most important place in the world - church! All day long I felt extremely blessed to have Shea in my life. I was thankful to be able to worship Him that same evening!

Catching Up

Sun, 13 Sep 2009 00:59:05 GMT

It's been a busy month for the house of herms...

In mid August Marc got a phone call that he could officially move in to his new room at school. Of course it is the best science room by far. Shea and I went and "helped" one Saturday afternoon. Shea got a lecture and proved to be Marc's brightest student so far this year.

A week later Maddy and Niki started the 8th and 10th grade...

They are both in Cross Country this Fall. Niki has already received a medal in one of his races.

Maddy's talent shined over Labor Day weekend when she seemed to be a finalist in nearly every dodgeball tournament held in the Hawk's Nest.

We enjoyed hosting the Anderson's, Twad Squad and Kevin Ferguson for the weekend.

And of course we appreciated the HUGE crowd we had Saturday night after church services.

I wasn't very good to take many pictures over Labor Day weekend. The important thing was we were all healthy and able to attend every service. There were so many good lessons this meeting. Be sure to check them out on the church website.

The reason I mentioned we were all healthy was because Shea was ill with pneumonia the weekend before. Thankfully, he recovered quickly!

The last highlight is to give thanks and praise to God. We had my final ultrasound on Thursday. Doctors determined my placenta has moved enough to the lower left side in order for me to give birth naturally. Most importantly, our little guy is growing by leaps and bounds and appears to be perfectly healthy. He weighs in at 3 pounds 6 ounces and is in the 73rd percentile for weight and height measurements at this time. Throughout the ultrasound he kept sucking on his fingers. The minute one hand would go out from his mouth he would put the other hand in. It truly is amazing to see God's precious creation. We can't thank Him enough for all of our blessings.

Happy belated birthday, Maddy!

Sun, 16 Aug 2009 22:25:54 GMT

On the 13th Maddy turned 14. In Iowa that means you can take a written driving test and drive thereafter with a parent if you miss only 7 questions. Maddy is going to study some more and try again this next week. Niki didn't pass on his first try either.

We did come home with a "school permit" for Niki since he passed drivers ed this summer. That means he can drive back and forth from home to school without a parent in the car. Hopefully he keeps a good head on his shoulders and uses it wisely.

Later that night we celebrated Maddy's birthday with the Harveys. She and grandma Mildred share the same birthday. We had a good time.

Maddy and Niki each had a friend spend the night. They rented movies and had a campfire. The next day we went to Maddy's favorite place on earth- the fair!

Of course we did the Little Hands on the Farm with Shea and went to the petting barn.

It would be unusual not to run in to people you know. Here are some of our favorites from the day...

Despite being wiped out from the days events Shea still entertained us on the way home (YES! We saw a lot of pigs!!!)...

As I post Lowell and the kids are at the fairgrounds preparing for the big show tomorrow morning. We'll keep you posted on results at the LoHe Limousin xanga site!

Pie Night

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 04:35:21 GMT

Tonight we honored Mildred with a reception at the church building. To show her many, many talents we displayed some of her precious pieces of art, china, blankets, pressed flower cards, picture boards, sang and, of course, served pie! We extend a very gracious thank you to all those who brought pie, flowers/plants, worked in the kitchen, sang songs and supported the family with your presence.

Her most prized possession is on the table above: her Bible. She was diligent to read it every day!

Mildred Hermon Obituary

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 22:16:07 GMT

        Mildred Hazel Hermon, 95, formerly from Johnson County, Kansas passed
from this life Saturday, July 25th at the home of her son, Lowell
Hermon of Carlisle, Iowa. The family will hold an informal celebration
of Mildred's life at 7:00, July 30th at the Pleasant Hill Church of
Christ in Pleasant Hill, IA. Services will be held at Bruce Funeral
Home, 913-856-7111, in Gardner, Kansas at 12:30 Saturday, August 1, 2009 with visitation following until 2:00. Mildred will lie in state at the funeral home during luncheon and greeting time at the Fellowship Hall of Gardner until 3:30 p.m. Burial will be 4:00 at Gardner Cemetery. Memorial Contributions may be made to Circle of Life Hospice, 1010 N 7th St, Chariton, IA 50049. Condolences may be sent to www.brucefuneralhome.com

        Mildred was born on August 8, 1913, in Edgerton, KS to Arthur and Vira McCarty Seamands, and was a teacher for ten years before enjoying the rest of her life as a homemaker and loving farm wife to John Sidney Hermon. She was a devoted member of the Church of Christ.

        She was preceded in death by her husband John; her parents Arthur and
Vira Seamands; her brother Earl and sister Floreine; and daughter-in-
law Patricia. She is survived by her son, Lowell; grandson, Marc and
wife Ginger of Carlisle, Iowa with their children Nicholas (15),
Madison (13), Oshea (22 mo.) and Gabriel due in November;
granddaughter, Danielle Brand and husband Troy of Sully, Iowa with
their children Sydney (15), Jake (12) and Jaden (6)

        It is her desire that you "keep a smile on your face and a song in
your heart"!

Mildred Hazel Hermon

Sun, 26 Jul 2009 02:28:16 GMT

Mildred Hazel Hermon was taken home to her Savior Jesus Christ at 9:13 on July 25th surrounded by her family. We praise God for the beauty of her life.

"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight." I Peter 3:3-4

Gramma Mildred hanging out with one of her favorite playmates.

Iowa State Fair Bound?

Sat, 18 Jul 2009 21:06:28 GMT

Today the kids were judged at the Warren County Fairgrounds on their 4-H projects. Niki took four and Maddy did one this year.

Maddy received a blue ribbon on her, "Gumball Centerpieces." She is WAY more into working with the cattle than on projects. But, despite, she did a nice job one these cute machines!

Niki worked super hard on his 4 projects. He took 2 art pieces he made during the school year. The picture below is a piece that was selected to go in a traveling art show by his teacher. I don't have a picture of his criss-cross artwork. It is basically a quilt of small pieces of sketched drawings. He definitely has some talent in this division. Both were selected to be considered to advance to the Iowa State Fair!

The next project he took is a photograph (of the below). He took this in December. He remembered last year what judges look for in a photograph and once again was selected to be considered to go to the State Fair!

The final project has consumed his life for the past four weeks. He took Betty and Carroll's swing to refinish. He did an outstanding job on it. It, too, is State Fair consideration!!!

The fair officially starts on Wednesday so we will know whether anything advances then. Needless to say we were ecstatic to receive just being considered. Hopefully it won't take Niki too long to come off of cloud 9 but it's good to have that adrenalin rush to get the cattle ready. Only 3 are being taken this year. Some were just too rowdy! Hopefully the ones that go will have a good show.

IT'S A....

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 12:21:59 GMT

HEALTHY BABY BOY PRAISE GOD!!!

It weighs in at a whopping 12 ounces at 22.5 weeks. I will have another ultrasound at 30 weeks.
It is so wonderful to see God's awesome power behind it all!

He is a mover. He waved, played peek a boo with his feet and blew bubbles. Already has a personality!

Now we need help with suggestions on names. I preferred a boy but Marc was kind-of hoping for a girl this time. He had a name all picked out but we can't decide on a boy name. We would like for it to be biblical if you want to make a suggestion!

IT'S A....

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 12:11:26 GMT

GOOD STUDY!

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 21:24:08 GMT

We held the July ITBS at Martensdale church of Christ. The young men conducted the morning service and did an excellent job. We enjoyed Rodney Ingle being in charge of the Lord's Table; later we were edified by Drew Teghtmeyer and Zach Wheeler. We had a good crowd and at least doubled the amount of people that are normally there on Sunday a.m. Marc and I have a special bond with the Martensdale congregation so it's always a delight to see them.

We're also thankful for the deep connection the kids make with one another.

We extend a warm thank you to Alan and Theresa Bown for their hospitality. A bunch of Vandalia kids came for the actual ITBS study. Marc's lesson was debating the once saved, always saved philosophy. Marc put the kids in to groups to come up with verses to protest the idea. They came up with some really great verses. Justin & Rodney found super ones in Ezekiel!

After the study the kids always have a fun time playing games. The girls played a game called Quelf. I can't remember the boys game name. It's fun to watch them giggle and challenge each other on.

We are thrilled to witness these young kids zeal for the Lord and study His Word. I am so glad God has given Marc both the talent and desire to help lead these kids in the most important path in this life.

Local ITBSers mark August 9th for the next ITBS date at Mike and Tracy Penick's!