Busy Summer

"and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availabeth much." James 5:16

It is hard to believe that I have not posted since early June. Where has this month gone???? Being back at work part-time has been an adjustment. I am pleased to say that Abigail is excited to see me in the evenings when I come home. She is a "different" bird from Shane as he attached to me pretty much from the first day we met. We have had an unusually rainy Spring but this week the rain gave us a break. LOTS of prayers went up for a break in the rain as we have VBS this week and had outdoor activities planned. Shane has really enjoyed VBS. He is very attentive to the teaching and each night we have had representatives from either the police department, airforce, and rescue squad. Tonight we have the fire department on-site and Shane is very excited about it. The first picture on the post is from last night. Shane fell asleep on the couch while I was rocking Abigail. I rock and sing to both of them each night and I truly think the rocking has gone a long way in the bonding process with both of my children. Our theme is "Rescue 2009" so that is why we have these folks talking with kids in addition to the biblical teaching and activities. Abigail has not enjoyed it near as much. She can take it or leave it, to be honest. It is not because there is a language barrier. She says anything and everything that she wants to and understands English as well or better as any 3 year old child that I have come across. We had 18 kids in our group last night and this has been the norm. We are all exhausted but have enjoyed the week so far. The temperatures have been rising each day since it has not rained it is going to be over 93 degrees today.

Have I mentioned that my granddaughter is due in 25 days??? How exciting and I so wish John and Melissa were near so we could see her soon after she is born. We will have to settle for a picture for now so I am hoping that we receive an e-mailed picture very soon after her birth!

Abigail continues to have tests run at UVA and we have been so blessed in that so far every test has come back with very good results. Gotta go as I have lots to do today!

Mandy has Graduated!!!

"Then spake Jesus again unto them saying, I am the light of the world; he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." John 8:12

Well, we wrap up another busy week or so. I am a little behind posting but I spent 3 of the past 5 days at the hospital. All is well, however. Routine tests are being performed on Abigail and praise the Lord in that so far everything is looking good. She was a little trooper for her MRI and ultrasounds.

Mandy graduated on Saturday, May 30th. While she is not my daughter, we are a very close family and have always co-parented each other's children. I feel like another child of mine has graduated! We had a wonderful celebration after the graduation ceremony with family, church family and friends. For anyone who has helped put together a graduation party, you know it is a lot of work. Our family is so blessed with having each other to lend a hand so we share in each other's burdens and tasks. With 3 of us sisters pulling together and preparing the food and decorating, it all went smoothly......except for one little hitch of one of the crock pots not working so the scalloped potatoes were raw. There was plenty of other food so no one seemed to mind.

John and Melissa head off to the Oregon coastline on Tuesday for a short vacation before the baby is born. I am envious! The Oregon coastline is one of my favorite places in the world and I hope to take my two little ones there some day. Six more weeks and our first grandchild should be arriving! How exciting for John and Melissa. Our whole family is eagerly anticipating her arrival.

Abigail absolutely amazes me at how quickly she has learned the English language. She is much happier now that she can communicate with us. She is a feisty little girl with lots of personality. Shane is still quite jealous of her and I am hoping that he will get better with this over time. He loves her but having to share mom and dad with someone after two and a half years of having practically having us to himself has been an adjustment.

I would be remiss not to mention that this week, on June 2nd, marked the one year anniversary of our dear mother's death. We have made it through all "the firsts". Those of you that have lost someone near and dear to you know what I mean. A close friend of mine told me to expect all "the firsts" to be difficult and she was right. The Lord is gracious and we are doing fine. That is not to say that I don't miss my mother every single day. I can close my eyes and feel and smell her presence. Daddy celebrated his 68th birthday today. I know it was not much of a celebration as we buried mama on his birthday last year. We, girls, made him dinner and a pie and visited with him this afternoon. We sat on the front porch at the home that we grew up in and watched our children play in the front yard while we visited with our father. It was peaceful and the weather was lovely. It breaks my heart to know that once we left, he spent the remainder of his birthday alone and I am sure, thinking of his wife of 47 years and missing her.