Party for Jonah & Glory 

The kids had a combined family party for their birthdays. The weather was beautiful and perfect for a backyard celebration. After a meal, cake and ice cream, there was a kickball game with all the kiddos (big and small) taking part. 

Jonah is now ten, and Glory is seven. 

Trips and a Move in August

The kids all went to Minnesota in August just not at the same time. Jared and Jenna got to go to the Hibbing area for a mini-reunion with some of his family. They had a good, relaxing time. At that point Jenna was about at the 24-week mark of her pregnancy and still free to travel. 

Justin and Keelie then went the next week to the area near Brainerd, Minnesota to be with Greg and Lisa. They had a great time and hope to go back during the winter so they can ice fish. 

Marilyn and I had been to both areas of Minnesota back in mid 2013 when we went on a girls' trip. We loved our time there, too.

At the end of August, Jared and Jenna closed on a house. Rick and I took the RV to Joe Pool Lake for five or six days of camping to help them move. The housing market during this time was simply crazy. For every house that went up for sale there would be multiple offers during the first day or two; all the offers would be for more than asking prices. Houses were a hot commodity! 

Theirs is a great house in the area that they wanted.  They got to make an offer before it went on the market. Their patience and willingness to listen to God's voice all along the five or six month house-hunting journey paid off. (Jared's mom was so sweet to allow them to stay with her during that interim time.) 

I was so thrilled when the pressure was off of them to find a house. They were now free to settle in and prepare for the baby!

I Resigned!

I began my part-time job as a diagnostician as usual in August. But after only two weeks I resigned. I had prayed all summer for clear direction as to whether I should continue to work until December at which time I would take a leave of absence or whether to quit before school started. I knew from past experiences that I would get a peace about it when the timing was right. I so did not want to let my fear replace my faith in making a decision.

And then, in God's timing, whether mine or not, two weeks into the new school year He let me know in a very clear, commanding nudge I should quit. I haven't looked back. It's been a great thing; burdens were lifted off my shoulders!

Rick has really enjoyed me not working. We have done some things we couldn't have done if I had not quit. Regardless if he has to have surgery or not in January we don't and won't regret the move. And of course, we will be free to not only see the grands - Jonah and Glory - next door, but we will be free to get down to see our new granddaughter more often after she arrives in December. 

God is Good!

How Do I Catch Up?

Why did I do this? Why did I let it get so out-of-hand? My journaling has been null - zip - goose egg - nada. 

It's not because I have had nothing to document and/or share. Quite the contrary. Some bloggers I think would understand my dilemma. We just find ourselves getting busy with life and don't take the time to journal. 

But good grief! I have August through November now to catch up on. Not sure this is going to be easy. 

Second Annual Family Lake Trip

Rick and I got to spend a few days away with our family last week at a lake two hours from here over in East Texas. Rick and I had looked forward to this trip all year. We were so fortunate to get to stay in a lake house that belongs to one of Keelie's friends. The house was AWESOME and so PERFECT for us. Justin, Keelie, Jared, and Jenna are always so thoughtful to help with the groceries and most importantly the cooking! Turn Justin, Keelie, and Jared loose in the kitchen, and you will always have great meals. (Jenna and I make good sidekicks.)

Although the water was pretty choppy, they were able to still do some stuff.  

We cherish our family time. God blesses us so much more than we deserve! Next year, we will have not only Jonah and Glory with us but another little baby granddaughter!

"It's not about making everything perfect; it's about making the most of the moment with the family."

Back From Beautiful Colorado

Our first trip after the 4th holiday was to Colorado. Rick and I left on a Wednesday. It was just Rick and me; so we took our time and enjoyed stops at some of our favorite spots. Once we arrived at Ouray the main event was to ride our ATV there with a group of people including Marilyn and Rickie; we were to ride in the mountains three to four days. 

We had to drop out after the first day's ride. I will just say that "we were both overly optimistic about what we could handle" with a large group up at 12,000 feet on an ATV with no power steering and with Rick's medical issues. Marilyn and Rickie also did not ride any more either. They left for their cabin in NM, and we turned the car toward home. 

It was a great trip minus the ATV experience. Think I'll just continue to ride it on the farm!

First night - Raton, NM
Second/Third nights - South Fork, Colo
Fourth/Fifth nights - Durango, Colo
Sixth/Seventh nights - Ouray, Colo
Eighth night - Dalhart, Tx