New Member of Family & Updates

For those of you who don't know or haven't seen her, this is Taylor Sophia Grace Coots, Amelia's daughter. She was born on Ray's birthday at 9:55 p.m. weighing in at 8 lbs. 1 oz. and 20 inches long.
She is about 7 weeks old now and smiling pretty and making noises. Amelia & Taylor are staying with Brittany, Robbie's daughter, near Arcanum, a fur piece from here. Amelia is doing okay so far with her. There have been some bumps in the road but there will always be with her I think. She is doing much better than anticipated but has a long way to go. One step, one day at a time.
Other Coots on Schantz News is that Ray was called to work by the disaster recovery company he has been getting certified with since he was involuntarily retired last September. He is doing inspections out near Chicago on the south side. He's been there since this past Monday. Please keep him in your prayers for his safe return. We aren't sure how long he'll be gone 2 weeks or a month.

STOP AND SMELL THE ROSES

I was reading about a poll in Reader's Digest where they asked readers to list some of the ways they "stop and smell the roses" in these stressful times.

The answers were kind of interesting: riding a harley, grilling on the patio, no electronics.

So, I'm asking...what do YOU do to stop for a little while and just BE?

I'll go first. The noises of life really get to me and I like to try to get away from them. Taking Pippa for a walk in the park, gazing at a fire and listening to the wood pop and sitting around outside after dark, chatting with my family and watching the lightning bugs. All of these tend to calm me and soothe my soul.

What brings you a little peace these days? (i'm being serious, so no smart ass answers please)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PEG (MOM)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

happy birthday

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DOUG!

DEAR DOUG, I HOPE TOMMORROW IS A VERY SPECIAL AND HAPPY DAY FOR YOU~~~~

Tripp's room!

We've been working on getting everything ready for the Trippster! I'm going to attempt to post some pictures from my phone... We'll see if it works!
It's been so much fun going through all the cool stuff we got at the showers and getting everything set up!!

ANOTHER DEATH.....

Just wanted to let everyone know Rick's mother-in-law, Jan Eshbaugh, passed away Sunday, July 18th at Rick's home.

Jan had been diagnosed with kidney cancer on May 13th. Kathy and Rick were taking care of her at their home but the cancer was extremely aggressive and spread too rapidly for treatment.

There is only going to be a simple graveside service on Wednesday at 1pm at Hillgrove Cemetary in Miamisburg. Ray and I are planning to attend and I think Pete is going to try to go also.

Jan was a very sweet lady who always made me feel welcome. I really enjoyed knowing her. Pete and I had a chance to visit with her a couple of times recently and she had so much grace and dignity during her final weeks. She said when she was first diagnosed that she did not want anyone to cry for her but to laugh with her. . . .she wanted to enjoy her time left. No one could've imagined that time would be so short.

Please keep Kathy, Rick, Howard and all of Jan's family in your thoughts and prayers.

VERNON COOTS

DAD'S COUSIN???, VERNON COOTS, OF XENIA, PASSED AWAY YESTERDAY. YOU MAY EXPRESS YOUR CONDOLENCES ONLINE, THE SERVICES ARE TO BE IN PIKEVILLE, KENTUCKY.

Lynyrd Skynyrd - FreeBird [Live]

SAD NEWS

I'm sorry to say Doyle Barnett lost his fight against cancer on Saturday night, 7/10/10.

Viewing will be Wednesday evening from 6-8 p.m. and the funeral will be Thursday at 10 a.m. Both will be at Newcomer funeral home on Kettering Blvd.

Doyle was always one of my favorite people. He was a good man with a great sense of humor, a good dad to his kids and he recently met and married the love of his life, Deb. Doyle stayed positive and fought hard during his 1 1/2 year struggle with cancer. He will be missed by all who knew him.

Please keep Casey, Kati, Deb and all his family in your thoughts and prayers.