Family Celebration Day

Sometimes there are just so many things going on we do things a bit differently!  We had so many things to celebrate we decided to just celebrate everything at the same time!  We met in Keene at a park between Jess and the rest of us and played, ate lunch and celebrated.  The grands got to have fun playing at the park and it was just good to be together!

 Father's Day, Darrell's birthday and an upcoming wedding were all part of the celebration.  It was so good to be together...thinking we need to do this more often!

Becca Graduates NR!

Sarge giving Becca a pep talk and congratulating her on her hard work in NR!

 It's official!  Our last kiddo has successfully finished NR!  So proud of her!

Casts are Gone!

Dr. Dobbs walked into the room and said, "No more casts, casting is done!"  It was an exciting day in the office....a long exciting day!  Today's appointment was 3 hours and 45 minutes--cast off, cleaned foot, x-rays, and then fittings for 2 new AFOs. Great reports-his leg is healed and doing well! My only regret, I didn't bring the book I was reading.  We watched the staff rushing up an down the hall, watched our new favorite videos- a mime from Seaworld.  The staff peeked in more than once because we were laughing so much.  A good thing!  We have come to know the staff and joked with them as they each came into do their thing. 

Jacob and I talk about what is next in our day, find out we have to come back in 2 months (August-hot, hot), and talk about hardware removal in the fall.  We were looking for another souvenir shop, talking about a place to grab breakfast/lunch, and our plans to visit our friends for dinner.  After such a long appointment, we ended up going through the drive thru at Chickfila to grab salads and head back to Molly's.  We were tired and Jacob craved the sun.  We ate on the back porch, spread out in the sun and enjoyed the warmth after so many hours in the cold air conditioning. 

We then headed to the shop in Jensen beach.  It sure was unique with many Florida trinkets but it didn't have what we were looking for.  We then stopped and picked up some things to share with our friends at dinner and headed over to their place.  Their entire family was there and we enjoyed a lovely dinner along with the kids all playing games.  It was a fun evening. 
 

Flights and Fishing

We arrived about 11 am yesterday and then had a few glitches with our rental car.  We then grabbed something to eat to enjoy at the park and made our way to beautiful Dubois Park.  The Paley Institute has a group of fisherman who volunteer their time regularly...about 3-4 times a week to take the patients fishing.  We knew ahead of time.  We arrived and said a quick hello as we ate lunch.  Jacob quickly got to fishing.  He knew a few of the kids and it was so sweet to hear them talking to one another as to why they were there.

One of our first glimpses of the manatees...they were everywhere swimming up and down the coast.

This was John and he was showing us the nurse shark that one of the kids caught.  I got to feel it.  It was a pretty cool experience.

Jacob showing off some of the fish that he caught.  They were small but he was happy!  All of the fish get thrown back into the ocean.  Isn't the water beautiful?

These are not my photos.  One of the moms had her camera ready when these guys popped up in front of us.  It is mating season and they were in groups all around us.

We finished up fishing around 4 and headed back to Molly's house in Stuart.  It was after hours so we quietly went up to our room to settle in.  It was a long but good day.  We are thankful for the folks who put their time and efforts into our kids and it was so good to connect with the families.

Ready for Take OFF!

 Early morning take off today!  We are headed back to West Pam Beach and Stuart for a quick trip to remove Jacob’s cast!  We are all excited for him!  Florida…here we come!

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day....a few days late but still in our thoughts!  We attended church and then ventured out to our favorite restaurant, Gordo's!  Yum!  Darrell and I then hopped in the car and drove Kiara to Jess's place.  It was a long night on the road.  

But....look at the beautiful lilac!  These are from our yard....we hacked them up pretty well a few years ago and they are just starting to bloom again.  They are so tall but that is the only way we can manage blooms.  It is lovely to open the porch windows and have the smell waft through the house!  It smells amazing!

 And then there is this.....a bit of being silly and Michael had it printed on a 500 piece puzzle.  It is forever in print....oh boy!  Silly but I love the humor behind it and the sweet sentiment.

So, enjoy your day and celebrate being a mom--it certainly isn't an easy job but there are many blessings that come from it!  I thought this said it all well...

                                                             Some days she's a warrior.

                                                        Some days she's a broken mess.

                                                         Most days she is a bit of both.

                                                           But every day she is there.

                                                                        Standing.

                                                                        Fighting.

                                                                        Trying.

 Here's to all the mommas....may we love each other, support each other and keep on keeping on even in the really hard days!!

60!

                                                   This is what 60 years together looks like! 

    This fun photo of them was taken last December at Mitchell (grandson) and Emily's wedding in PA.

 My folks, Lewis and Carolyn, recently celebrated their 60th anniversary together! They stayed at home and ordered in to quietly celebrate a special night together. 

 

What a milestone of togetherness--travels, adventures, up and downs and lots of prayers are what held them together.  Two kids, 15 grand-kids, lots of critters over the years as well  travels to places like Canada, Germany, Austria, Ireland, England and of course, across the US.  Work, family, church activities and the like kept them busy throughout the years.  So many fun things to remember and treasure!

                                                                   Happy Anniversary!