Since I've wrote last all kinds of things have been happening. The weather has been beautiful, even though it's Fall, it's been beautiful and warm, but now it is starting to turn cold.
Hurricane Matthew. This is our story. I'm going to put this whole story of this storm into one entry, and I'll date it along the way as I update this entry.
October 8th, 2016: While a lot of the media covers the storm, how much damage is done by the storm, and how they are workers there to help with power restoration and clean up, that's pretty much what covers it for the public to hear about. As the family of a guy who has worked a really, really long time in the tree industry (clearing the right-of-way for the power company), we realize that it's not only the areas that are hit by the storm that are affected by the storm. These storms affect so many. They affect the ones that are hit by the storm, for sure. They affect the workers who travel hundreds of miles to help those who are devastated by the turmoil that they have just experienced. They also affect the workers' families (and sometimes even the workers' community and friends).
Our Breann. Today, you turn 16. Where has time gone?
I'm amazed at the person you have become and the one you are becoming. You are strong, confident, beautiful, and you're one of my very best friends. I'm so thankful to be your Mom.
Today, since your Dad is out of town on work, we will still celebrate. We will still act like today is your birthday, because it is, and life doesn't stand still. Your dad is still going to be a part of the day though. We will FaceTime him.
We, of course, already gave you a car for your birthday a few weeks or so ago, but we still are going to celebrate your day!
We're going to light a candle ontop of your pancakes, and that is how you will begin your day.
You'll then go into school late, because you only turn 16 once! Then we will have you flowers and a balloon that says "Sweet 16" at school!
You'll then come home to pizza and Troy will light a candle on your cupcake. Then, when your dad gets home we will go out to dinner to celebrate your birthday even more!
As you blow out your candles this 16th year know that you are so very special to us. You always have been and you always will be. You've been a blessing to us ever since we knew we were expecting to have you in our lives. Our days are brighter because you are in them. You are awesomely and wonderfully made!
Happy Birthday! We love you!
So the week of the 12th, I set out to help the kids each earn more Spirit Links for their grades. I walked a mile or two for Breann's grade and a mile or two for Troy's grade.
This evening was the kids' school Homecoming game. They played Rye Cove, with the kids' school winning (49-6).
Here is a peek into this evening.
A lot has been happening around our place, it's been nearly ten days since I've wrote (or typed) here. We've been crazy busy, and we've been loving every ounce of this life that the Lord has blessed us with.
We did have our sheep up on my husband's dad's farm, but we finally have everything fenced here so we finally got to bring them here, which makes us love this farm life of ours even more.
Our Sammy, he's even grown on us. We got him to work the sheep, and he does well with it, but now he's kinda' become a part of the family. I actually enjoy seeing him run the fence line every evening as I pull in from work.
This weekend, we went to Gatlinburg and we also camped at Adventure Bound RV Resort. The resort had a 500 foot waterslide, we shopped, and there was time for laughter, conversation, and relaxation, and we so enjoyed our time together.
There was flying toy helicopters, there was renting an ATV to ride around Gatlinburg, there was seeing turkey and a bear while riding the ATV. There was memories!
Here's a peek into our weekend!
Last Wednesday, Breann and her Cross Country team had their first Cross Country Meet, and I was happy to tag along.
My Kids. Today. Your first days of 10th and 8th grade. Wow, where does time go?
Today was another one of my firsts. When I dropped you off for school this morning, I didn't have either of you walking into the elementary school building. Both of you walked into the high school building. This, this is a first for me.
Many. More than 70 or 80 were killed in Nice, France yesterday due to a semi-truck attack.
My heart goes out to the people in France. This just shows that this world doesn't have a gun problem. A truck was used to kill those people! Guns don't need to be taken away anymore than vehicles do. Hearts need to be changed. This world has a heart problem, a lack of love, a lack of respect for human life. Black, white, male, or female, we're all human, we're people with lives that the Lord has so wonderfully gifted us with, we're supposed to love everyone.
With that being said, none of us are perfect, but it makes one scratch their head at anyone who could do such a thing as what's happened in Nice, France. We may never understand things such as this. We need to pray for Nice, both kinds. We need to definitely pray for Nice, France. I'm at a loss of further words than what I type here. We also need to pray for nice. You know, nice, the word, the one that is an adjective that we can make into a verb. We need to show love and care to all, to every person. This world still contains good people, with good hearts, and those who value friendship and life. We have to show kindness, and we have to show the love of Christ.
I think of the moms and dads who may have lost sons and daughters in this act of hate. I think of the husbands and wives who are now widows and widowers due to a senseless act like this. I think of all of the sons and daughters who now are going to have to mourn the death of their parents. I think of the brothers and sisters who have lost someone so dear to them. I think of all of the families and friends that now have to mourn someone due to this senseless act. I pray that the Lord meets them where they are and shows them love and comfort. I pray that hearts are changed.
So, so, sad!
The past week, though...
It's been household chores, and it's been looking forward to some days off from work.
It's been a FBLA trip for our daughter. She won the State competition, and she went to Nationals. Even though she didn't place there we are so happy with her accomplishments. In April she went to Reston, VA., for her State competition and this past week she went to Atlanta, GA. for Nationals, so she got to see some neat places she hadn't seen before. Here are some photos from both of those trips as well as her working hard to go on those trips.
I sure was happy she got to see all of these neat places, but I am so happy she is now home.
There's been dirt bike riding for our boy. He was so excited when we were finally able to get it fixed!
There was the 4th of July Weekend...
And all of these other photos I took during the past week...
Then, there was this...
Our family, our dear friends, and our Church family are with heavy hearts. Our hearts are sad, but we're filled with hope that we will see a dear friend and brother in Christ again someday. He made a huge impact on our Church, on our family, on our kids.
I remember as a little girl, as I went to Church with my parents, a man there always gave me peppermint candy. Still. After over 20 years, I remember that small of a gesture, that small act of kindness. Now, our kids have experienced the same kindness from a totally different man. Every Sunday he would give my kids a Ring Pop and a gold dollar. I think they'll always remember that.
This same man was the Postmaster when I was a little girl. So, as I told my son about this sweet man passing earlier this week, he went to a small box, in which I never even knew he had, and he opened that box, and it was over half full with coins that the man had given him. My son didn't say anything as he showed those to me, he just wept. This man has touched our family's life so very much, and he will never be forgotten. From his kindness to the great memories we have of him, as sure as those coins are in my son's box (I'm not sure if he will ever let them go now), the memories and the impact this man has made in our lives will last for the rest of our days. Rest in peace, Brother Johnny.
This Post and More Photos are Also in the Members Area.
