(Cuz) Nate Featured at "The Bean Cup"...

We'd love to share a special event with you, which took place this past Friday evening. (Cuz) Nate performed at a local 'coffee spot', "The Bean Cup". CLICK HERE! for photos...
http://picasaweb.google.com/thepennfamily2007/NateAtTheBeanCup?feat=directlink
We have posted a brief video clip below for you to view. This was recorded from our digital camera and is not of the best quality, but we are so happy to have 'captured' the moment! (The sound is particularly bad with many sounds from the kitchen coming through. The picture is a bit snowy, too!) As you will also notice, Alyson truly enjoyed herself, didn't mind the crowd one bit and really just 'cut a rug'!
Nate, you did a fantastic job and we only wished we would have been able to video the entire concert (and that the quality would have been up to par)!!! We can't wait for your next 'gig'...

BELOW IS A BRIEF VIDEO CLIP:


We have spent much of this week at the Hospital with Mamaw S. with a little time here at the house... trying to get things back to what we call normal. Mamaw is doing well, although the next few months are bound to be a slow process, she has come through a very intense and tough surgery for someone her age! It's of no surprise, that she seems to have the 'grit' it will take, to make it on to the finish line of Therapy and Rehab! We are so proud of her!!! Please continue to keep her in your prayers!

Graduation 2009 Weekend

Click Here! for the Photo Album: http://picasaweb.google.com/thepennfamily2007/Graduation2009Weekend?feat=directlink
(What a busy weekend, too!) We arrived at the In-Laws on Thursday afternoon under beautiful sunny skies, visited friends at Sis. Clark's Viewing on Friday evening in the midst of horrible storms, Greg and the boys watched Whitley's Track Meet on a brisk Saturday afternoon, the entire family attended Graduate's Sunday at Church in the morning and (most of us) the Baccalaureate Service that evening, then a gorgeous cool Monday evening brought on Wesley's Open House and his Graduation Ceremony later that night. We did not return home again in Indiana, until late Wednesday evening and have been spending much of our time since, at the Hospital with Mamaw S. (details below)...

As you can tell, it was an extremely busy few days, but well worth it! We are so proud of Wesley and can not wait to see what his future holds... we will remain lifting his name up in prayer, as his time comes to leave for USAF Basic Training! We love you, Buddy! (Mom and Dad P.!!! Thanks for everything... this weekend was just great and we know that Wes will carry every memory you helped to create with him forever! Many thanks also go out to Whitley, for helping us with Aly, during the Baccalaureate service! ALL three of you are the best!!!)

HAPPY (BELATED) BIRTHDAY, WITH LOVE, TO MY DADDY (PAPAW J.) & AUNT DIANE (on May 13th)... trust you both had a splendid day! Daddy, you are quite simply the best Daddy/Papaw on the planet and we love you more than you'll ever know!

Greg, Aly and I would also like to say a special thank you to those of you who have been praying for Mamaw ("Who") S. The surgery went well this past Monday. Her stats are looking good, we only ask that you keep her in your prayers, being as she is still retaining some fluids and those need to come down. The Doctors are positive and we are all grateful for the many prayers from you, our friends!

Marvelous Mother's Day Moments...

What a wonderful Mother's Day Week!!! It is so much fun being a Mommy, a Daughter, Grand-Daughter and a Daughter-In-Law! Mother's Day was an exciting day for Angel-Alyson and myself... we were able to spend it with my darling Mother and my precious Grandmother S.! What a wonderful heritage I have been given and hope to hand down to Aly as time allows! We missed getting to be with my sweet, sweet Grandma J. and favorite Mother-In-Law (along with Greg's side of the family this year), though! However, we'll be with his family next week and are looking forward to it with all of our hearts! We actually spent the day, Sunday, with the entire Indiana side of the family, which made Aly very happy, being as she firmly believes that Cousin Cassie hung the moon and maybe the stars, too! One of my favorite quotes on Mother's would have to be that of Abe Lincoln, when he was spoke of his Mother. "All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my Angel Mother" and that is exactly the way I feel about my beloved Mother! Mama, I love you and I owe you more than I'll ever be able to repay you!

(Mother's Day 2009 with Alyson & Mother)

There have been several activities that have kept us busy this past week... in addition to Wesley joining the USAF and his upcoming High School Graduation next week, Whitley and her Track Team have been breaking all sorts of records lately! All Conference 4x100, 4x200, 4x4oo and the 400 Meters Individual are the most current stats we have. She is incredible on the track and we can't wait to see what will happen over the next two years! You go, girl!!! Greg's brother, Chad, recently received his Masters in International Business. Please help us pray for he and his wife, Sunny, as they go forward in their educational journeys. Also, our Cousin Nate became a College Graduate, from Ivy Tech this past Saturday. He plans to continue his education next year with yet another degree! Nate, we are so excited to see what God has in store for you... Love ya!

(Cuz Nate, Our Whitley and Our Wesley)

http://picasaweb.google.com/thepennfamily2007/MarvelousMotherSDayMoments?feat=directlink ...Click Here! for our Marvelous Mother's Day Moments Photo Album!

(Aly and I on Mother's Day at Mamaw S.'s house)

Mostly Mayhem - (the first days of our) Month of May

Aly at her 1st Birthday Party (Oct. 2008)

The month of May has started off with total mayhem or so it would seem! Alyson Dawn turned 1 1/2... a whole 18 months old... on April 30th! We have had so much fun with her over these past months, but how is it possible that it already be a year and a half? Exactly where has the time gone??? If it continues this way, she'll be in school in no time and that is just not right!

(Mama and Princess on Easter/Daddy and Angel on Valentine's Weekend)

Mother and I were kept busy this past week, decorating for a wedding at our Church. It has been a while since we've been able to 'work together' and we had a ball! Congrats to MR. and MRS. Moore... we trust your day was everything you ever dreamed it would be! We will see about posting a couple of pix of the decor after the new Mr. and Mrs. have received their wedding photos. The Bride and Groom chose to have a Balloon Launch following the Ceremony and Aly couldn't have been any happier! She loves balloons and truly enjoyed watching hundreds of them float up into the clouds!

The BIG Balloon Launch (May 2009)

Well, to top off an otherwise very busy and hectic week (and weekend), we received word last night (around midnight) that there had been an explosion, in the city of Dayton. As most of you know, we have many family members and friends that live in the Dayton area so needless to say, sleep didn't visit our house for a quite some time last night! Later, this morning we found out that all was well and the EPA were in the process of testing the air. We thank God that none of our family (or friends, as far we know) were involved! However, there were several injuries and we pray for each of those individuals and their families, as well. The evacuations were kept to a minimum which was a real answer to prayer for all residents of Dayton.

The Chemical Waste Fires of Dayton (May 2009)

In the form of a little family news, Wesley swore into the USAF this past week! We do not have specific details at this point, such as when he will be leaving for training or where he will be stationed. We do know that he will be involved somewhere within the electrical/mechanical area of wherever he is placed. Due to his area of intrest, he is pre-enlisted and in the 'delayed system' (wating for an opening in school) as of now. He will be following in the Military footsteps of both of his maternal Grandfather's! He will also be a High School 2009 graduate as of May 18th... we are so proud of him and can't wait to see where God is going to guide him in the future!

Wes in Mexico (Summer 2008)

That's most of our mayhem in May..... but, then we haven't even completed Week 1, yet! Do any of you have interesting stories to tell about your Spring thus far? We'd certainly love to hear all about it!