Random Thought!!!

I am thinking how smart it would be to have two washers and two dryers . . . clothes washing is for the birds. I have a friend in SC who often just loads up the car and goes to the laudromat and washes clothes. Of course, I'm thinking how dirty and gross those washers might be, but it is tempting!!!

Changes -

Well, I finally feel like I need to take a stance on this whole political thing. I am voting for McCain! I believe he is the best man for the job and I believe he will let Christ lead him in serving the country. I can identify with his values - :) He's not afraid to speak his man and say things that might not be popular unlike another presidential candidate. I'm quite afraid the other candidate is just going through the motions, saying anything to be popular and get elected.
Friends - all two of you who probably read my blogs . . . please take this election seriously.

Changes

Well, a lot has happened in recent weeks. Ray's mother and aunt are now at a nursing facility in Jasper, Georgia. They are almost 30 minutes from our house. We had plans to move them here and had both of them on waiting lists. However, nothing was coming open. We finally decided to go ahead and choose a nursing facility in Woodstock, which is about 10 minutes from our house. It wasn't the perfect choice, just the best we could do on short notice. As usual, God provides. The day we were supposed to move her, we got a phone call from one of the facilities where both Ray's mother and aunt were on the waiting list. They had one opening. We took it. The day Ray's mother arrived, they came to us and told us they had an opening for his aunt. It all worked out perfectly. Now, we are working feverishly to get the basement done. We have everything out and have a man coming to move some walls, then we'll call in the electrician and heating and air men. If all goes well, my wonderfully talented brother will come and finish the basement! Ray's daddy will move in with us shortly. He's going back and forth right now.

Thoughts on Family

Well, it is not fun dealing with illness. Ray got in from Chattanooga a little while ago. As we've sat here and talked . . . his mother is heavy on my mind. She is still having strokes. She is not talking very much nor can she walk. Her doctor has changed her blood thinner and hopes he can get her moving a little more soon. It is so sad, because if I heard her say it once, I heard her say it a million times that she did not want to have her family worry over her and have to take care of her. Of course, that's what families are for . . . caring for our loved ones. Take a few minutes and give your children, your spouse a hug and let them know that you are glad they are in your lives. God has blessed us and we need to show thankfulness for those blessings.

Plans Change

Well, we had planned a weekend with my parents in SC, but . . . things always seem to change. Ray's mother was admitted to the hospital last Wed. after two bad falls at her nursing facility. The nursing facility did not contact us until 5 hours after the incident and they did not deem it necessary to get her to the emergency room. Upon arrival, my father-in-law and ray's cousin demanded she be taken to the hospital. When they saw her she was still bleeding from her nose, bruised, swollen and obviously in a lot of pain. After being put off, they finally agreed to send her to the hospital. Frustrating and dangerous to say the least. So, needless to say, Mrs. Massengale will not return to that facility! We are trying our best to find a place close to us here where she can stay. Most places have waiting lists! Pray that something comes open. We are off again in a few minutes to look at places in Marietta. We know we need to trust that God will provide - just pray for us to have a little patience. We don't want to make the wrong decision. This is a tremendous responsibility for Ray . . . one that he'd not have any other way . . . still difficult.

First Day of School

Okay - I could not resist - I made them let me take a picture. It is the first day all three of our babies are in high school. (this was last Monday) Today was the start of our second week!

We have a leak at the house!!! Check out this hole in our wall!!! The plumber had to explore to find the source!!

Well, we are ready for our first day of school tomorrow morning. Ray and I are now parents of three high school students. YIKES!!! Guess I gotta live with it. As hokey as it sounds, seems like we just sent all three to kindergarten!

Weekend

We've had a semi-normal weekend for the first time in awhile. Ray didn't have to go to Chattanooga, so we were able to get some things done on Saturday around the house. Daniel cut the lawn by himself for the first time, hills and all. The girls vacuumed, dusted, cleaned bathrooms, etc. Nice to get things cleaned. I did grocery shopping and some washing. Ray spent a lot of time cleaning in the basement. I've been going through boxes from the basement this past week. Found all sorts of things.

We enjoyed church today as a family. So nice to have a church home now. We love our Sunday School class. Many couples just like us with teenagers. Amazingly enough, we run into people every Sunday from our old church. We never realized just how many people left until we left.

We are headed to Chattanooga tomorrow to check on his mom.

Quiet Evening

We've just had much needed rain here in Canton! The storm cleared out and the kids went to the pool. Elizabeth is babysitting. So, it is quiet around here!

Typical Saturday

Well, we are so glad to have Ray home this weekend. We all missed him. He and Daniel are out cutting the lawn, trimming bushes and just sweatin' up a storm. I'm washing clothes and the girls - sleeping!!!! We will all head to Chattanooga tomorrow to check on Mrs. Massengale. She will be moved to a physical therapy rehab facility for a couple of weeks. Please keep her in your prayers - she's still having some issues.

Hope everyone had a great 4th of July. We went out to eat as a family with good friends and then went to watch the Canton fireworks.

Quiet Evening

We are having a quiet evening at the Massengale's. Daniel's watching Jon and Kate + 8 with me . . . for lack of nothing better to do, MM is in her room, probably texting and Elizabeth walked over to Ashley's to watch a movie. Ray is still in Chattanooga at hospital with his mom. She's been moved to the cardiac unit at the hospital. We've had a lazy day as a whole. Please keep Mamaw in your prayers.

Saturday at our house!

Everyone's up doing their thing - I'm washing clothes, elizabeth's cleaning the kitchen, daniel's at a b'day party, and i imagine mary-margaret's on myspace :). speaking of myspace - love the new commercial - "Think before you post!" that is a wonderful message to people of all ages!!!!
Ray's still at hospital with his mom. Well - need to go do another load!

House Painting Done!

The painters finished late Wednesday. Hopefully you can tell about the colors from the pics -

Ray's mother was put back in the hospital last night. She had a stroke and will more than likely be hospitalized for quite some time. Please keep all of them in your prayers.

Haven't done a lot around here as Ray and I didn't get home until after 1:00 a.m. Daniel woke up with fever, sore throat and sick to his stomach. He had that yucky "strep" smell, so I loaded him up and went to urgent care - they give shots!!!! He got two bigs one - his bottom is sore, but he's slowly coming back! Better than slowly taking the meds by mouth for 10 days! I came home and took a long nap!!! Then, took Elizabeth to BJ's to get the third Stephanie Meyer book - she's hooked!!! Mary-Margaret and I didn't make it to Curves today - guess we'll hit it in the morning! Ray's staying in Chattanooga tonight - his dad really needs him.

PAINTING THE HOUSE!!!!

Well, after almost 6 years in our house, it's time to paint ! Brad Rickard and his gang came out early this morning and have been working like gang busters since. I'll include some pics from the whole ordeal. It's already looking great!!! Here are the before pics . . . stay tuned!!!

We are back in the grind today after spending a wonderful week at the beach with family. We had 20 of us together from ages 7 to 76. We enjoyed shopping, playing on the beach, eating meals together, and enjoying each other's company. We really had fun on our annual trip. Next year, we plan to add more family to the bunch! Check out the pics above.

The kids were up and going at 6:00 a.m. this morning getting ready for weight training at the high school. Daniel, basketball, Elizabeth and Mary-Margaret cheerleader training. It's hard, but I'm proud that all three are committed to doing this!

Ray left at 6:00 a.m. for Chattanooga. His mother will more than likely have triple bypass some time this week. They are running tests today to see if she can withstand the surgery. Please keep her in your prayers.

Please keep Sandra Queen, a dear friend of ours fighting cancer in your prayers. They are having a difficult time finding meds to ease her pain.

I am happy to report that Ray and I think we've found a good Sunday School class at First Baptist Church Woodstock. It has taken us a long while. The children are pretty settled in, so we needed to find a class. I think we have. Keep us in your prayers. It was so difficult for us to leave our past church, but we strongly felt God was leading us in another direction. Turns out, we have made a wonderful decision to join First Baptist Church Woodstock. We are honored to be with Dr. Johnny Hunt. His vision and his commitment to the Lord are so inspiring.