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!