GO BUCKS!!!

It's been a while. I feel like I have gone from one project to another since returning from vacation. I am enjoying the cool weather and trying to get some things done to the house before I leave for market. Riley and Trey are going to spend the night with us Friday. I'm looking forward to the time with them. Saturday everybody (except Jen!!) will be over for some time together primarily so Mom and Dad can see everybody. It's been awhile for them. Just some Saturday afternoon hang time - it will be good for Dad to get out. Today they are moving the big antique china cabinet from Mom's to my house. I am very nervous. We decided to go with the professionals for this one. I will be glad when it is safe and sound. Speaking of that I better get going so I can get it emptied before they get there. Keep your fingers crossed!!

We're home and we had a wonderful time. Mike and Mikey and I drove through the night last night and Kerri, Eric and the kids should be home tomorrow. I'm looking forward to fall and all the good things that come with the season. Unfortunately I will have to get through market before I can really enjoy it. We will leave for that in about three weeks. We had such a good time watching the boys play in the ocean etc. etc. Evan changed so much during the two weeks. He is so much more aware of everything around him and responds to you so much more. They change so quickly. Think I'll hit the sack early tonight, tired from the drive.

We made it to the beach. What an absolutely beautiful place!!! We are having such a good time. The trip went very good especially considering we had three little ones. We've had some rain and clouds but we are having fun relaxing and slowing down. Mike and Mikey are on the golf course for the second time and Kerri and I took the little ones to spend their vacation money. Riley found a pirate costume, he looks pretty cute. We'll try to post some pictures soon. Tomorrow we will celebrate my daughter's birthday. I won't say how old because then I would have to think how old I am. It seems like we all get so tired early in the evening but we finally managed to stay up and play some Uno Attack last night. We're looking forward to the weather improving tomorrow. More fun in the sun!!!

Well, just two more night-night times and we leave for the beach. That's how Riley and Trey count the days - by night-night times. I keep checking the weather forecast and honestly it doesn't look that good for the first week. But Mike and I were talking and the most important thing is that we all get away and be with each other. Family, they are everything. I just want us to leave life behind and enjoy being together. So I pray for safe travel and good times letting life slow down if just for a little while.

I've been having blog problems but thanks to Jen I think it's solved. Busy getting my parents settled. Just seems like there are odds and ends that have to be done everyday. I have to start getting ready for the beach (bought the sunscreen today) We are traveling lighter this trip. That will make my husband happy. He has already decreed that we will not be using the car-top this year so everybody must pack lightly. I can't believe it is that time again. It seemed to sneak up on me this year - just so many other things on my mind. We are keeping our fingers crossed that Mother Nature will continue to cooperate this season. It has been relatively quiet SHHHH!! There has been some colds or allergies floating around the family but nothing that a little salt air won't take care of. Two weeks with my favorite people at the beach. There's just nothing better than that!!

TGIF!! I have spent this week moving my Mom and Dad and cleaning out their home of 41 yrs. Need I say more? I am convinced that they didn't throw one thing away in that time span. Yea, but we sure did!! I don' t know what I would have done had my sister not come for the week to help me. We've laughed and cried and we are exhausted. I think I'll go away for a couple days next week. The guys are leaving for Tupelo and Mom and Dad are settled and I will be "fancy free"!! Think I'll do a little early Christmas shopping. It won't be long you know.

Happy Birthday to my wonderful first-born grandson Riley Michael. He is one of the very best things in my life. I can't believe he is "5" today. Tonight we will celebrate his life, a life that has already taught me many things. I love you Riley.

Evan has been dedicated to the Lord. He is such a sweet baby and my prayer is for him to fall in love with Jesus at an early age. I have learned (I know I'm a slow learner) that being truly in love with Jesus is all that really matters. I am awaiting my sister's arrival so we can move my parents to an independent living home. I will really be glad when we have accomplished this. Saturday is the day, but the work will go on far past that. The house is so full of stuff, it will take quite some time to finish this project. I have so much on my mind lately, I don't really feel like myself. So many changes taking place around me. I don't do well with change. Once again, a song to help me express myself.

And the pain falls like a curtain
On the things I once called certain
And I have to say the words I fear the most
I just don't know.

And the questions without answers
Come and paralyze the dancer
So I stand here on the stage afraid to move
Afraid to fall, oh, but fall I must
On this tuth that my life has been formed from the dust.

God is God and I am not
I can only see a part of the picture He's painting
God is God and I am man
So I'll never undersstand it all
For only God is God

And the sky begins to thunder
And I'm filled with awe and wonder
'Til the only burning question that remains
is who am I

Can I form a single mountain
Take the stars in hand and count them
Can I even take a breath without God giving it to me?
He is first and last before all that has been,
Beyond all that will pass.

God is God and I am not.

Another week-end. After working at my mom's house for a few hours I swore I would not leave that much stuff for my kids to sort through. So...every year I will clean out my house. We worked on the basement today. Now we have a garage full of junk. It feels good to get rid of stuff and get somewhat organized. We have an olympic star in the family. Riley won first place in the softball throw at the toddler olympics. He was the youngest in the event and brought home the blue ribbon. Tomorrow we dedicate little Evan and we will bring Riley and Trey home to spend the night and go to the zoo Monday. I am really looking forward to spending some time with them. Evan is smiling and trying to make noises. He is so sweet. I love my boys. Mike and Mikey have gone for Chipotle and I think the rest of the day will be relaxation with my two bigger boys.

Just finished Blue Like Jazz. Good book. It had a lot to say but the end said it all - there is nothing that compares to truly falling in love with Jesus. I don't always do the right things, I don't always please him in my choices. But there is something inside me that makes Him love me and I am so glad for that. It isn't complicated, I love Him and He loves me and that's really all I need to know.

What a great Sunday!! It started with an unbelievable sermon from our worship leader. Unfortunately he has resigned. He is an awesome person and I have watched him evolve into one of the best preachers I have ever heard. Fear was the topic of his sermon; a topic I think we all can relate to. We've all said "what if"... the words that invite fear. "Then God..." If those are the words that finish the sentence - fear is banished. It's really sad when you haven't heard an old hymn for so long that you have forgotten how powerful the words are. We sang "How Firm a Foundation". WOW may I never forget what that song says.

Fear not, I am with thee, oh, be not dismayed,
For I am thy God I will still give thee aid;
I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by My gracious, omnipotent hand.

When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
For I will be with thee thy trials to bless
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace, all-sufficient, shall be thy supply.
The flames shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.

E'en down to old age all My people shall prove
My sovereign, eternal, unchangeable love;
And when hoary hairs shall their temples adorn,
Like lambs they shall still in My bosom be borne.

The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose
I will not, I will not, desert to his foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake
I'll never, no never, no never forsake!

As I was leaving the first service, I watched my mother walk in to the second by herself. You see my dad was at home, not able to attend much anymore. My parents have lived this song in front of me. I am watching God's unbelievable grace carry my mom through a very hard time. Because of them, I know these words to be true. No one will ever convince me otherwise. He is a firm foundation even down to old age that will never forsake us.

The rest of the day included a work-out at the gym with my husband, lunch at our favorite chinese place, some training for the new guy and watching the Espy's with Pup. It was a great show with some very inspiring stories.

I'm looking forward to a visit from Kerri and the boys this morning.

I know I have used these words here before but I really like this. I was reminded of this song today and I think there is a lot of comfort in their simplicity.

To everyone who's lost someone they love
Long before it was their time
You feel like the days you had were not enough
when you said goodbye

And to all of the people with burdens and pains
Keeping you back from your life
You believe that there's nothing and there is no one
Who can make it right

For the marriage that's struggling just to hang on
They lost all of their faith in love
They've done all they can to make it right again
Still it's not enough

For the ones who can't break the addictions and chains
You try to give up but you come back again
Just remember that you're not alone in your shame
And your suffering
When you're lonely
And it feels like the whole world is fallin on you
You just reach out, you just cry out to Jesus
Cry to Jesus

There is hope for the helpless
Rest for the weary
Love for the broken heart
There is grace and forgiveness
Mercy and healing
He'll meet you wherever you are
Cry out to Jesus

To the widow who struggles with being alone
Wiping the tears from her eyes
For the children around the world without a home
Say a prayer tonight

Cry out to Jesus

Thank goodness He never gets tired of hearing our cries. Have a blessed Sunday

We're enjoying a very nice week-end with nothing we have to do. Mike is watching a movie I am not the least interested in so thought I would post a blog. We met the boys at Easton for just a little while today. They saw Curious George at the bookstore then played in the fountains. Evan just slept. He is so cute. Mike and I did a little shopping and had lunch at Fado.
We are still in the long process of trying to decide the timeline to move my mom and dad. I know what my timeline would be but it has to ultimately be her decision. I will really be glad to put this time behind and get them settled. I guess the work will actually just begin once we move them. So much to do with the house it makes my head swim.
Last night we stopped by one of Gahanna's establishments for a quick dinner and our neighbors walked in and ate with us. I love it when things like that happen unplanned.
Mike and I will be going to Nashville Indiana for a few days this week - one of my very favorite places!! I am really looking forward to it. Church tomorrow and a new week begins. Summer is flying by. Enjoy, drink lots of lemonade and relax. That's my plan.

I've been busy lately. Not a lot to post about. I have been looking for a place to move my parents. It has become painfully obvious that it is time. It hasn't been the most enjoyable thing to be involved in but we're getting through it. Trying to decide what kind of place they needed has been the first hurdle. They are really at different places when it comes to their needs. We are doing what we think is best and I am following my gut you might say. Gahanna has some really nice places and we are hoping to move them by the first week of August. Now that the decision is made I really need to get this finished and have them settled. I don't know what to expect from my Dad. He is not happy about this and it is next to impossible to discuss anything rationally with him anymore. I am trying to keep a positive attitude, hoping the move will transpire smoothly. For the longest time I thought it would be fun to have the families of three of my friends over for a cook-out. So I finally made that happen this past Saturday. It was really fun. We will probably try to make it a yearly event. We had 22 adults, seven rug-rats and two cutie patooties, lots of food and an all-around good time. We passed on Red White and Boom this because of little Evan. Papaw says "thanks"!! It just wasn't the same for me on t.v. but that's o.k. I'll take Evan any day. Trey and Riley will get back from the cottage today. I'm sure they'll have lots of tales to tell. I don't have a clue where June went. It seems to be the fastest moving month every year. I just wish summer would slow down. I'm trying to spend some leisure time and enjoy summer on my new porch. I purchased two new books - Blue Like Jazz and Velvet Elvis. "Everybody" seemed to be reading them so I thought I would see what they are all about. I started with Blue Like Jazz and I am thoroughly enjoying it. I'm getting fairly good at Sudoku also!!

Mike has been gone this week with Mikey on a golf trip. They are really having a good time. I really miss him though. I'll be glad when tomorrow night comes. Tomorrow is our anniversary. We will celebrate Friday instead. Thirty two years and still counting. We have had some tough times like everyone but never once did those stressful things pull us apart. Quite the contrary, they brought us closer. Trust me when I say that the bad I refer to could have and often does pull people apart. I'm not bragging, I'm giving God the thanks because His strength and power in our lives is what kept us from turning on each other. My husband was ALWAYS there for me, ALWAYS. He was by my side when we lost Kerri's twin sister. We mourned together. He has been patient with me through two times of real emotional weakness. He could have so easily turned and walked away. He literally held me up when I saw my son for the first time after his car accident. When his world caved in and we woke up one morning without any source of income he chose to put one foot in front of the other and do whatever he had to do to get us to the other side. And he did. He is a rock. He is my friend. He is my partner.

Three of the most beautiful boys in the world for me to love. I am blessed far beyond what I deserve. It didn't take long for Evan and Nana to bond. He has already stolen a piece of my heart. For some reason I was concerned during this pregnancy but thank goodness all is well. My little girl is such a trooper and has so much love to give. I am so very, very proud of her. Sorry about all the bragging, I just can't help myself.

Well he made it!! What a precious little boy he is. I stayed with Kerri yesterday evening and when Evan came back from his bath he was wide awake . I couldn't believe how alert he was. He listened to me as if he understood every word I said. They sure do know how to make some cute little ones. Mom and baby are doing well and Riley and Trey are proud big brothers. Life is good.

Well, its getting close. In some ways it seems as if it has been forever and in others it seems like yesterday that Kerri learned she was expecting. Friday is the big day. I will go tomorrow afternoon to get "big biddy" and "little biddy". They will spend the night and then we will take them to Grant hospital Friday afternoon to see their new little brother. We are all really excited. Evan will be born the day before Mikey's birthday so we went out tonight to celebrate Pup's 24th birthday. That seems impossible. We had a good time at Gibby's and we met the new kitten he got from his girlfriend. I have tried to get some rest this week as I know it will be a busy week-end but an exciting one. It's just so hard to believe that in a few short hours there will be a new edition to the family and very quickly we will wonder how we ever got along without him. I guess I better get to bed, tomorrow will be here soon.

Waiting. I'm not very good at that. We are waiting for Evan Daniel to arrive. Friday is the day. At least we know when it will happen. It would be really nice if he would come sooner. We'll wait and see. Graduation parties filled this week-end. This is a nice time of the year. Some of these kids that are graduating were in my pre-school class. They're getting older but thank goodness I'm not!! I held a newborn just for practice today. I can't wait til it is our own Evan!!