October?? Already??

I wasn't finished with September! But so it goes! Life has taken wings the past few years and where it used to be that I could remember times and dates by events, they all seem to be running together these days.

Another couple of weeks have now flown by and filled with good things (Bible studies and friends), some not so good (hot tub repairs, car repairs, new tires, yikes), and thankful that we can have these things taken care of. They pale in comparison to the things that are not so easy to repair or buy. But, praise the Lord, His mercies are new every day, so there have also been times of miracles that need to be remembered and thanks given.

A couple of weeks ago, my brother-in-law Don had a heart attack and, about five minutes after receiving the call from my sister, Roberta, I decided I wanted to be with her during his surgery the next day. As it happens so often, God's timing is always good perfect. They had just returned from vacationing in Mexico, so it was a wonderful blessing that this didn't happen while they were out of the country!!! Roberta was with Don at home when it happened, and able to get him to the heart hospital (which just happens to be about a 1/2 mile down the street) pronto!! And, as it also happens, a sweet friend of mine would be traveling that very morning to Tulsa for a ladies conference. I immediately called to see how soon she would be leaving. Leaving in less than an hour? No problem. I jumped in the shower, got packed and ready, and DH took me to my friend's house. Don't you just love all those "coincidences" in the midst of a traumatic time?

I am so thankful to have been able to spend the next four days with my sister as she re-adjusted to these new life changers. The surgery had to be delayed until his blood sugar could be brought under control. Even though I didn't get to be there for the surgery, it was good to be with both of them during those first few days. When something so shocking occurs and disrupts your life it helps to have someone with you as you re-adjust to those life events. Life is fragile and I have learned that everything can change in an instant!

While I was there my brother and Susan treated Roberta and me to one of the BEST MEALS EVER and why didn't I take a photo of it? It was so beautiful. The most amazing steaks grilled to perfection, roasted sweet potatoes, sauteed spinach and mushrooms, and mushrooms sauteed in wine! If I forgot anything, Susan, I'm sorry. You always cook the most amazing and "good for you" food!

Don had his quadruple bypass the day after I left and is now home. His is one of the speediest recoveries I've known. Pretty amazing and we are very thankful he is doing so well! Praise God!

This pic is from their vacation.

Right now I imagine he is lounging about on his recliner.

This past weekend we went to visit the kids down south and celebrate Brady's birthday and DH's birthday. In between was our anniversary, which we will celebrate later this month! Since I have several pictures from our visit, will try to pick the best and call it a day!

Fall Festival at school

 They loved holding all the animals!

As did all the other kids there!!

I felt sorry for the poor critters. They were running scared!!

Pretty cool rock climbing going on at the festival

Water bottle rockets

A nice shower when they launch!

Noah did the cupcake walk about half a dozen times
and was so disappointed that he never won. I bought
more tickets for him and finally, did the cupcake walk with him.
Nope! That didn't change his luck.

Brady got the coveted mini segway for his birthday
which every kid had to try. It is a real balancing act.

Would you believe I was the only adult who actually rode the thing?

We got to see both boys play soccer!

Brady played baseball.

It was a line drive hit to third base!

 Noah and I spent Saturday afternoon sitting and visiting on the front porch swing,

playing games and doing some chalk drawing on the sidewalks.

He confided in me that his brother told him he doesn't think there really is a Santa Claus or tooth fairy. He wanted to know if I knew.

uh. What to say.

I cannot tell a lie.

But I cannot burst his bubble.

I asked whether it meant a lot to him to believe they exist, 

to which he replied yes.

So I told him it wasn't something I could tell him for sure.

Was that a cop-out? I changed the subject and we left it at that.

We discovered that if you draw a circle around ants, it

confuses them and they won't cross the line! How's that for a scientific discovery?

Noah found a beer mug puzzle on the shelf

(kind of a Rubik's Cube beer mug). 

He was showing me how it comes apart and then we had one heck

of a time trying to put it back together! Can you say frustrated? 

We never were able to put it back together again properly

so we just did the best we could and tucked it away on the shelf out of sight.

It's always sad to leave these boys and come back home,

but their Mom called a while ago to tell us that as they were

riding home from their soccer game this afternoon, Noah said,

"I sure miss Nonnie and Papa."

Sweet!

And so sweet to be marking another year with my DH.
Happy Birthday to him and Happy Anniversary to us!

My birthday wish for him today is for many more!