Catching Up

I've spent gobs of time of Facebook and totally neglected this blog. We've had an eventful summer! We started our summer vacation with the kids going to church camp at Panama City with First Baptist Church Woodstock.
Then, we made our annual journey to the beach in SC to have our fun week with family. This beach vacation was especially nice because my cousin Debra and her 4 children were added to the mix. We had so much fun, but more importantly, our 14 cousins (the grandkids/great grandkids) really formed such close bonds. That was a big part of my childhood . . . spending time with my cousins, so it was nice to have our three experience this family gathering.
Family is so important. It can be challenging to gather that many different personalities together, but one learns to try and adjust to anything and everything for their family. It is worth every minute.
We came home to Ray's Aunt Elizabeth in the hospital. She and Ray's mother are in a nursing home 25 miles from our home. Aunt Elizabeth is in her 90's suffering from Alzheimer's. His mother has had numerous strokes and cannot walk or function on her own without assistance. So last year this time, we began the long process of moving his father in with us and getting his mother and aunt settled here nearby. So, Ray has become the prime caregiver for his parents and aunt. Aunt Elizabeth had pneumonia, and is now back at the nursing home resting. His mother was next to be rushed to the hospital. Long story short, her lung cancer has returned and she is now back at the nursing home receiving care from Hospice. Please pray for her . . . this has not been easy to watch a parent go down each day. Ray and his father are extremely stressed and tired from the whole process. Pray for their strength.
On a happier note, Elizabeth got her license today. It's been slow coming, by her choice, but she did it. As I write, she is on her innaugural trip to have lunch with her cheer coach and some friends. PRAY for her safety!!!
Well, will try to keep this up better. Love to all who read.

I am sitting in a Google 101 class! Ah - technology! Hope I can stay awake and stay focused!

Go to bed Tricia!

Well = I am still not in the routine of going to bed at a decent hour. Facebook has really changed my habits as well. I find myself playing every evening on there. I've renewed friendships with many people and enjoyed catching up on the comings and goings of everyone around here! Who would have thought that this 49 year old woman would enjoy facebook! Oh well - live and learn. It's a good thing!

So, here it is Wed. night after 11:00 and I'm wide awake as Ray snores away :) We met with about 15-20 girls who will stay with us this weekend for Freedom weekend at First Baptist Woodstock - many of you may be familiar with Disciple Now weekends. That's what it is - an intense weekend of worship, music, service and fun . . . bringing youth closer to Christ! We will have a group of freshmen girls (Mary-Margaret's age) and a group of senior girls (Elizabeth's age) all at our house. Daniel is pretty bummed . . . he'll stay with the freshmen boys elsewhere.
So this might be an appropriate time to ask for prayer? HAHA

Well - will try to post more soon.

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.