Our Anniversary

I'm going to jump to our anniversary and only talk about the good things that happened that day. First, Buck got the day off (I will skip how extremely difficult and frustrating getting this time off happened to be, but through the power of prayer, God allowed him the time). Mick and his family were working on getting packed up and busy boys fed, so Buck stayed home with them while the rest of us set out to get seats at church. Eventually they caught up and we all enjoyed a church service together. 

For Mick and fam it was like a Cru family reunion, everyone was buzzing about staff conference and who knew we had such a pocket of Cru at our church? :) It was good though, for them to be busy visiting, which freed me up to be able to talk to other friends about what was happening with my dad. Lots of hugs and encouragement and prayers were shared with us that morning! Our church family truly loves us, very much.

After church, we hustled home to make a big breakfast while Mick's family continued packing up their gear. Well fed on fresh eggs, we were ready to check out the county fair. We've lived here for six (I think) years and have never made it to the county fair--and we like fairs :) I'm sure to Orlando people, this was quite an experience! We were soon joined by our NGF's and our pastor buddy and his five kiddos.

In a herd, we checked out the bunnies and pigs and goats and cattle. We got to pet a shorn sheep, saw others in Hawaiian shirts (Graysen complimented them on their style, and took a few pictures of potential future chicken breeds for our coops. I kind of fell a little in luv with the mini rooster, I know we can't have a rooster in town, but he was like eight inches tall and wearing a feathery coat of many colors--so cute!




One of my favorite things about this adventure, was running into SO many friends from church, big and small, our neighborhood, karate, all the places we've built relationships over the years. It felt like a small town reunion, I really enjoyed that! I also liked that our kids were old enough to spend time with their friends, not under our constant watchful eye. Oh, and we got to see some of the really neat 4-H projects one of the young ladies in my high school small group made for the fair. She even got state fair nods!

Outside of the 4-H barn, there was an ongoing tractor pull competition. One-by-one Brennen and his guy crew signed up to participate. They were all put in the men's division, as indicated by the M designation on their order markers. With these "man stickers" in place, the teens lined up and tried their best to pedal a mini tractor as far as they could with 360 pounds in the wagon behind them! As hard as they tried, they couldn't keep up with the muscly dad guys who were three times their age (and at least that in weight :) They were pulling up to 500 and 600 pounds! On a tiny tractor :) I was still excited that B earned his first fair ribbon, and his buds got matching ones.



After the fair, we went to ice cream with our NGFs. Having a chance to talk over the weekend and the emotions that go with everything happening with my dad was so healthy and helpful to my soul.





Buck and I took the kids home and then tried to figure out where to go for dinner. I didn't want a loud place or a bar or somewhere with TVs . . . we ended up at Texas Roadhouse, which has all of those things, but a gift card from his dad made it free, so that's what we did :) I also broke Keto and ate three of their delicious rolls with cinnamon butter, a tiny bowl of chili with crackers, and then a sweet potato with brown sugar. Pretty much all carbs (I brought the meat I ordered home to the boys :)

But before we returned home, we went to a newly built walk-in clinic to get Buck's foot looked at. He had been limping a few days because of a toenail he tried to doctor himself. We discovered it was infected and needed minor surgery. The nurse lady wrapped it up and sent us on our way. Buck wanted to start his meds (an oral antibiotic and a medicated ointment) that night, so we also went to Walgreens. Never gotten a script there before, but our insurance knocked $60 off the price, so it all worked out.



Back at home, we watched a movie and crashed on the couch. We were trying to be happy, but it was a sad day overall. I'll include the next morning, since it also relates to his foot. 

First, Buck took the day off of work again. I'm so glad he did! I told him I felt like we should get his foot taken care of, then make arrangements for our neighbor to drive the girls to work (she ended up having the boys over to play with her son and fed everyone supper too!), and then Buck and I would drive to be with my mom and dad at the hospital.

Buck has been having some significant foot pain for the last several weeks. I'd printed out a list of podiatrists that are covered by our insurance, and then just set it to the side. Too much other stuff going on. Well, we picked up the list, called the first number on it (which happened to be at the clinic I was hoping we could get into, right next to our dentist office) and they had availability at 10 a.m. Perfect!

The podiatrist lady performed the minor surgery on Buck's foot, packed it, wrapped it, and sent us on our way. He did jump when she put the numbing needle in and it went all the way through his foot and dripped the helpful stuff on the floor, but a second dose took care of that. I'm so thankful that he took care of this before it got any worse (his whole foot top and toes were swelling and had to be drained the night before, so painful!!) When he goes back for the surgery follow-up in two weeks, he will get his heel evaluated too. 





Super romantic anniversary activities, right? Oh man! Who cares? As long as we're together and making the most of each moment, I don't care what we do to *celebrate*--I'm just so thankful God brought us together and that we love each other so deeply. I can't imagine life any other way.

VBS

Our kids love VBS! Since they've outgrown the age range for attending, they are all-in volunteers for the annual event. This year we skipped VBS at our old big church, and focused on VBS at our new little church. After the movie with our friends, I dropped the girls off and they spent HOURS setting up and decorating. The boys and I grabbed some groceries, took care of the puppies and the chickens (SO hot!!), and then joined the girls for some additional set-up for the big week.

Our ancient Greek theme went into effect Monday evening (first time we've done an evening VBS, I liked it better! All the exhausting stuff was done just in time for bed, instead of at the start of the day). I think the reason it is exhausting, well, beside the extenuating circumstances of medical diagnosis, emergency situations, and general not-knowing, is because there is such a focus on building kids up in the Lord that the spiritual side of VBS is a battle too. But, God wins! We were all so thankful when one little girl recognized her need for Jesus and tearfully prayed to make Him her Savior, and then the joy on that little face afterwards! Wow! Good is good! And that's just one story. 

There were at least 80 kids in attendance, I had 10 in my group, aged four through 10--they wanted it to be intergenerational like a family would be. Graysen was my assistant (he's really good at it). BTW togas were "required" attire. I used the "curtains" from our circus wagon for last year's classroom design. Super flattering :)

Caelan and Gabby were shopkeepers. This involved a little acting, as not all people in Athens believed in Jesus during the time of Paul (New Testament). They loved playing these rolls! Caelan even brought her guitar to her "music shop" and led the kids in bonus worship songs while they worked on their crafts. Gabby is just so good with kids, she made everyone feel welcome and loved! 

Brennen helped with the arena games outside--he was being trained as an Olympian! Getting pelted with frisbees and pool noodles was all in a day's work for him. He got to serve with some buddies, so that made things even more fun for him. I'm so glad they enjoy serving God!

Graysen wanted in on the Olympic training session that allowed him to chase his brother with a pool noodle a-swinging :)

And Brennen was quite the horseman, and then horse, in the chariot races.

Buck was working overnighters, so he was able to help the first three days of VBS. He did everything from hanging out with my Oikos group to being the petting zoo guy (since the man bringing farm animals got the flu), to spending more than two hours in the nursery with a whole lotta babies :) Quite a guy! And as you can see, Chauncey got in on the act as well, official Athens pup for petting at VBS 2019 :)

Overall the children raised about $500 to send to the orphanage our church supports in Africa! I love that they chose this as the mission outreach project. I think the kids learned a lot about life in another culture. Oh, and speaking of other cultures, our VBS director hired Greek dancers to come and teach the kids traditional dances on the last day. And on the last day, they played an incredibly sweet and sad song that says in the final verse . . .

"And with your final heartbeat
Kiss the world goodbye
Then go in peace, and laugh on Glory's side, and
Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus and live!
Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus and live!"

I lost it, I was weeping, thinking of my dad. Our youth pastor, who is about dad's age, caught me (I was trapped at the back of the room) and let me sob on his shoulder. Our other pastor wanted to pray with me, but he needed to go on stage and get cheese-balled by the leaders (the agreement if the girls raised more money than the boys during the week). I pulled myself together, and we made it home to greet our guests, but boy, was that a difficult night! First I had to tell the kids that grandpa's life was now being measured in hours. Oh my goodness so heartbreaking. I'm all out of timeline order again though.

All for God's glory! It's not about us. I'm so glad my kids had that time to honor God and be distracted in the midst of all our family had going on.

Chickens, Friends, and Projects

Quite the conglomeration in that title.

I can find moments of rest sitting on my swing, watching my chickens play in the wildflowers (I can also find moments of panic when I look over to see ticks racing toward me like Lyme infested maniacs--next time, I'm going to follow my dad's advice, that DEET is my friend :)



Our baby chickens, or at least maybe the big gray ones, have already started laying darling little eggs!

Next topic . . . friends. We have been amazed by the number of visitors that have appeared on our doorstep this summer. We're on our fourth round of friends! Most of them are missionary/ministry workers that we support. Although we were dealing with a lot of emotional stuff, and maybe the house wasn't as spotless or the meals as well thought-out as I would normally try for, I think everyone understood. This summer has had its own set of parameters that change all the usual things in between.

My former SoCal roommate arrived first, and introduced us to her husband of a couple years. We last saw each other more than a decade ago at a friend's wedding in California. While they were in town, we visited a local art museum (for S) and a historical sight (for her husband). It was a very hot day! I am already forgetting how long they were here, but it was just a short few days. So good to reconnect!





Next, this was a seven year gap in visits, one of Buck's groomsmen and his wife arrived. Last we saw they only had one little boy, now they've doubled that number :) It was challenging to have little ones in the house when I was so emotionally drained, but our kids are amazing to step in and fill the gap! They cleaned this house top to bottom, they entertained the little ones (and helped redirect some enthusiastic under-10 ideas of "fun" :), Caelan even stayed home to help with company, while I took the other three to visit my dad in the hospital. I'm so proud of my Crew!!





This timeline is kind of jumping back and forth, but I'm trying to be efficient before exhaustion catches up to me, here. One of our biggest blessings has been the support and love of our NGF's :) They make sure to keep in close contact. We decided to repeat our movie theater (partial) seat sell-out and booked a couple of rows to see Toy Story 4 . . . creepy mannequin dolls and all. Eek! Later the kids FINALLY got the sleepover they've been trying to plan impromptu for weeks (months?) Cool that they enjoy each other's company as much as we enjoy their parents' company :)





In the midst of all this, the batteries in our old thermostat went out. It shut off the air conditioner for the whole night, bringing our inside temp up to 82 degrees. Our house tends to gain heat throughout the day, so we were up to 85 or more by late afternoon. It took all night (no sun) to get the house back into the upper 70s. Graysen decided to build a custom shade system to reduce the heat pouring through our front windows. I really helped a lot! Smart kid and cardboard to the rescue :) Like I said, everyone filling their niche with the talents God's given.



On the really hot day when the a/c couldn't keep up, we tried to keep to the basement as much as possible. We put on a movie or two and the girls worked on a surprise birthday quilt for their karate instructor. It will take hours of work, but they've made a good start! Decades of events wrapped up into one warm blanket. We're hoping it's exactly what his wife hopes it will be; so special to be entrusted with other people's memories!



This one just makes me smile :) Caelan was trying out a new hairstyle but didn't have enough hands, so her brother stepped in to lend his. When his arms got tired, Gabby took over. Pretty cool the way they take care of each other, even in the little things :)

New Puppy

One of the reasons I needed to get home was to go with Caelan to collect her new service puppy in training. Buck was supposed to be helping our youth ministry with an overnight camping adventure. When the property it was supposed to be held upon had septic issues (therefore all the tent surface was dug up and no longer appealing for an overnight) they reduced the event to campfire (songs by Caelan), crafts, and cookie smores (smookies?). I stayed home to rest.

Anyway, all that to say, Buck ended up being available to make the road trip with us to pick up our newest furry family member. I had to take a picture of him "teaching" Caelan to drive (we're still trying to accomplish her 40 hours). Sunglasses on, chair kicked back, taking a nap is EXACTLY how my dad taught me :) Although, Buck only did this while we waited for a train to pass . . . my dad just said, "Drive wherever you want." Whew!



Our new furry friend is just five months old. He's dropping teeth and chews EVERYTHING. Linus was over all that, but had more energy and bothered Chauncey more. 

We keep a vigilant eye on this pup--or he licks the liquid out of the plant I just watered and presents a muddy beard on his muppet-like face, or maybe chews the end off the rocking chair arm that I bought Buck during his surgery recovery, or maybe he'll vomit up a sock in his kennel or bark at a child on a bicycle out the window. He's young, so he's still learning. He stays out of the kitchen 90 percent of the time (with Linus it was a big fat zero percent :), so there's that!

Even Chauncey seems to tolerate this youngster with more grace than he did the energetic Mr. L. Although he will purposely look the other way and pretend the puppy doesn't exist. He even hid behind Buck when the pup first arrived, like, "Seriously? Are you serious right now?" :) Oh my goodness, puppies!





Mr. N likes to keep cool (and chew rugs). He can often be found in our bathroom enjoying the tile. Maybe Goldendoodles run warm? I don't know. But I laugh when I see the picture of him looking at sleeping Chauncey like, "We will be best friends! I know we are. Okay, I'll go to sleep too." :)