heart surgery

Andy's dad's heart surgery went well.  According to the surgeon, the pericarium was as tight as a drum.  They were able to remove it without stopping his heart or putting him on the heart/lung machine.  He is still recovering obviously, but he is already off of the breathing tube.  Last night, when Scott talked to Dorothy, he said that he felt better than he had in years.  God is good.  Blessings.

surgery

My father-in-law is under the knife again...for heart surgery - 3rd one in just over 3 yrs.  This time it is to remove the heart's lining (pericaridium). His surgery started at 7 am and will not be over until this afternoon. Praying for Scott, the doctors, the family. It was so nice to know that his pastor made the journey to Cleveland, OH to be with my mother-in-law and sister-in-law as they wait.  Blessings on them and you this day.

blessed

I have so many dear friends and had lots of facebook messages, posts, texts and calls yesterday.  I am loved - no doubt about that.  Hope you all are feeling the love from your friends and family as well.  Blessings.

birthday

Well, here I am at another birthday, 39.  Crazy to think that next yr. I'll be 40.  I like to use the day for reflection and prayer as well as celebration.  It seems as if there is a lot I want to do and should do before turning the big 4-0. We will see what God has in store. I just know it will be good if I trust Him. Blessings.

the troll

Molllie has been listening to my dad tell the 3 Billy Goats Gruff story since she was born, so I was very surprised yesterday that she was scared of the troll.  She found a copy of the book on the shelf and was reading it at nap time, but threw the book to the floor and began crying.  Andy took the book and put it back on the shelf.  Last night, she was still scared of the troll in the book so we moved it to our room and will put it in the basement.  The drawing is more comical than scary to me, but to her I guess it is repulsive.  Fear is irrational at times, but at least we can get rid of the mean old troll for her this time. It was also good for us to talk with her about how Jesus is with us always.  Prayer is a wonderful thing. Hope you allow Him to conquer your fears today. Blessings.

rainbow

This morning we got to see a rainbow outside of our front door, it was beautiful.  Every time I see a rainbow, I am reminded of God's promise to never completely destroy the earth by flood, but it also reminds me of my grandpa.  The day I was driving to his funeral, there was a rainbow in the sky.  Today, we are going to a remembrance dinner for him, so I thought today's rainbow was especially touching.  Hope you have a blessed day.

so long summer

Well we did manage to get our picnic at the park yesterday.  Good thing too, because it is cool and rainy today.  It was so nice to meet another Christian lady at the park yesterday.  She took down my number and called my cell so I could have hers (since I forgot my phone at home).  It was a good thing she did too, because we were able to contact her in order to return her camera that she left at the park.  God is good, all the time.  Blessings. 

last day of summer

Tomorrow is fall.  I think on this last day of summer the girls and I may stop at a park for a picnic lunch, after we go to our story time.  I like celebrating little things - I guess I'm teaching them to as well. Blessings.

sister time

 

These girls are sweet and silly.  They love dressing up, blowing kisses, and playing. 

I hope they are always close.  

Blessings.

cousins

The girls got to spend time with their aunts uncles and cousins two weeks ago. We had such a good time being together. I love it that the girls play well with their cousins.  Close family is such a treasure.  Blessings.

blue heron

In flight

Standing proud

Yesterday we had a special visitor.  In addition to Nana, Uncle Ed and Aunt Linda visiting our home, a blue heron was spotted nearby.  He was a beauty.  I love it that he was so close by and that Andy was able to get a shot of him before the bird took flight. Hope you get to enjoy nature today. Blessings.

family time

Sometimes we enjoy family time on my bed.  It is so much fun having everyone cuddled up together watching a show and just being together.  Hope you get some family time in soon.  It is so important to build good memories with your family.  It really is the little things done frequently that build into solid foundations of security and love for your kids.  Blessings.

colorforms

We now have 2 sets of colorforms, so I am more willing to get them out.  The girls had a blast-they sat and played for 20 min. just rearranging the stickers.  Hope your day is blessed.

Oh fb

Sometimes I just hate facebook.  It steals my time.  I love it and I hate it.  I check it daily, morning, noon and night. Before I know it, a quick check, a half hour is gone.  This is especially true when I don't get up earlier than everyone else in the house.  Well, I need to get off here and update my status.  Blessings. 

library

We love going to the library.  I love it that I can make requests from home and let the library staff search the stacks for me.  Life is good, especially with a good book. Blessings. 

bye-bye da-da

Every day when Andy leaves for work, the girls and I wave goodbye. Honestly, I don't know how he leaves us everyday. I'm so blessed to be able to stay home with these two, and I couldn't imagine anything else.  Blessings.

one minute

My friend and I have shaved off a full minute in our walking time since the start of the summer.  I think we'll keep on walking through the fall and we are thinking of getting Jillian Michaels 30 day shred for the rainy, cold winter days that are fast approaching.  Hoping to keep the winter weight gain at bay.  Blessings.

helicopter

Andy got a remote controlled helicopter from his youngest sister.  He loves it and the girls do too.  I think I hear it buzzing now.  It really is a great gift for him.  Blessings.

bouncing balls

While visiting Andy's grandparents, Grandma bought the girls big bouncy balls for $1 at Kroger.  They had a blast. Such giggling and laughing.  They enjoyed throwing the balls, rolling, kicking, bouncing them and just had a great time with them. It was a good dollar spent.  Blessings.

Grandpa

We got to visit with Grandpa over the weekend.  He is in a nursing home but scheduled to go back home towards the end of the month.  It was good to see him.  Here are a few shots from our visit.

 Grandpa is enjoying some Portuguese soup that Grandma brought in 

along with a Portuguese hot dog per Mollie's description.

Daddy and Betsy hamming it up

Grandma and her great grand babies.

pom poms

As part of "school" the girls have been playing with crafting pom poms and having a blast sorting by size, color, and number.  I like it because they're relatively easy to clean up and inexpensive.  Hope you have a blessed day.

the treadmill

Thanks to Lee I'm walking on the treadmill this morning. I don't mind too much though I do miss my friend.  It always helps to have someone spurring you on. Though the 2 lbs. gained over the holiday weekend should be enough motivation.  Back at it today. Hope you all had a good Labor Day weekend.  I'm off here to get moving-because for me, starting is the hardest part.  Blessings.

Elisabeth Elliot Quote

Do you often feel like parched ground, unable to produce anything worthwhile? I do. When I am in need of refreshment, it isn't easy to think of the needs of others. But I have found that if, instead of praying for my own comfort and satisfaction, I ask the Lord to enable me to give to others, an amazing thing often happens - I find my own needs wonderfully met. Refreshment comes in ways I would never have thought of, both for others, and then, incidentally, for myself.

Elisabeth Elliot

stickers

My girls love stickers.  Because Betsy has a hard time peeling them off of the paper, I generally put them on her arms and legs and let her transfer them.  Mollie is getting better with the task all of the time.  It's no wonder she loves "school," it's pretty much organized play time and reading which we all enjoy. :) Blessings.

School

I don't know who was more ready to start "school" this morning Mollie or myself and poor Betsy was just along for the ride.  Blessings.