My Welder

I just have to post a picture of Eric in his welding gear.  Doesn't he look so cool?  I am proud of him and so happy that he has found something he loves doing.  Please pray for Eric as he works his way through the welding program at Warren Tech.  Thanks!

Incredible Bargain Despite Broken Windshield

See the birdhouse in the picture?  Well, you won't believe how much I paid for it.  Go ahead, take a guess?  Would you believe that I got this treasure for 1 cent?  Yes...that's right...a PENNY!!!  I could not believe it myself...it was no mistake.  It was the last one of its collection...no doubt I walked out of the store with a smile on my face thanking the Lord for blessing me.

Unfortunately, my hubby did not fare as well as I.  He decided to take Brandon tubing at the creek as payment for mowing our lawn.  As they were driving along past a baseball diamond to the parking lot  near the creek you might be able to guess what happened.  Yep, a baseball came out of no where and hit the windshield of his truck.  Thankfully, no one was seriously hurt.  Mark got a few cuts on his arm is all.  He went over to where the group of kids and parents were and no one would take responsibility for the damage.  The group actually had the nerve to tell Mark that it was his fault for driving by when they were playing baseball.  Mark was pretty frustrated with their attitudes so he called the police.  Once the police came someone finally stepped forward and took responsibility for the damage.

Summer Time Blues and Back To School...Boo-Hoo?

Okay, my boys have the summer time blues because it is back to school, but I have been sporting a little smile on my face.  The last few weeks of summer the boys spent time working on a couple of motor scooters and riding them.  Oh what fun they had doing that!  Last Friday they had some friends over to the house for awhile and then they all went downtown for the Friday night music and movie in the park.  Today was their first day of classes and so far they are pretty happy with their schedules.

This year I will be spending time with my oldest son, Eric.  He goes to the technical school for 3 hours 5 days a week.  I pick him up, we have lunch and then he goes down to the high school to take two classes.  My younger son is at the high school all day.  We have befriended one of the vice principals at the high school.  He knows both boys through Boy Scouts and he has agreed to keep an eye on our boys at the school, praise the Lord!

As for myself, I have been enjoying summer evening walks, the antics of a playful white kitten and a new restaurant that makes delightful empanadas and fried plantain.  My tummy is still doing its stuff (ugh).  Scheduling surgery is on the agenda and my head spins to think of it.  We are continuing with family counseling which is going well.  We have good days and bad days, but we are moving forward and learning a great deal about one another.

Visitors

The past few days we have been enjoying visiting with my in-laws.  Yesterday we drove up to Rocky Mountain National Park.  It was a gorgeous day and we were blessed to come upon a herd of elk.

Even with all this beauty I so long for home especially since I am going through so many trials.  The trials with our sons continue as well as the trials with my tummy.  In September I will be talking to my endo doctor and scheduling a date for surgery.  Here below is a little piece I came across that spoke to my heart.

When Home Is More Than a Zip Code - by Lisa-Jo for (In)Courage

I've lived on three different continents in the last ten years. And I'm learning that home is much more than four walls and a familiar neighborhood. Home is the God who understands each of the unique languages, thoughts, hopes and dreams of our individual hearts. Nothing can separate us from His love. Not time zones or cultures or the things we wish we could change about ourselves.

Christ is the bridge.

He brings us back into the deep heart of God. No matter where we're coming from. Out of emptiness or loss or disaster, Christ brings us back to His Father. The only real home we can always count on.

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 3:20

May you find welcome and home in Him.

Valley

We now have been living in Colorado for 6 months!  We are continuing our journey through the valley as a family.  Sometimes I am discouraged and sometimes Mark is.  Lately Mark and I have not felt our best and I have been having issues with my tummy.  On top of that I lost some weight due to all the stress we have been going through.  Counseling is still in the early stages and we are taking each day as it comes.

Friday, I took Brandon to the doctor, he has an infected salivary gland.  The antibiotic is helping him feel better.  My in-laws are coming to visit this week and I have so much to do to get ready for their stay with us.  Normally, I would already be working on preparing for their stay, but due to not feeling well and our family issues I have had to let things slide.  Also, school registration is this week and Brandon has to attend his theft awareness class.  Life seems overwhelming right now.

Wedding Anniversary!

I just wanted to toot my horn and let you all know that I've got 27 years down...YAHOO!!!!  I am praising God for the wonderful man he chose for me to marry.  Here is what my beloved chose to say to me this year:

If there's one thing my heart knows for sure,

It's that you and I can love our way through anything~

and come out on the other side

more sure of each other than ever.

I love that about us and I love you.

In our college days at my parent's home.