God remembers me.

The last week has been challenging. I have been discouraged and it feels like I am in a fog. I know that God is sovereign and that He knows what this is all about. But I long for my heart to be at peace and for my body to heal. Two things have happened in the last two days as a direct answer to my prayers. First, the elders at church anointed me and prayed for my healing. How that came about was a God thing, and I am thankful for the powerful and effective prayers of righteous men during this season of my life. Second, I received a package in the mail from a friend today unexpectedly. God sent me something through my beautiful friend Tina - a journal designed for spiritual refreshment. It is hard to stand before God and men, broken and not able to offer anything. Here I am, and the Good Shepherd is looking after his lost sheep. And I am thankful and at peace that He has not forgotten me. And thankful for all the love and generosity poured out in my life right now.

Time well spent.

I have a kid that I get to be a mentor for. Mostly that has involved lots of phone calls to a lot of people and a lot of prayer since February. And then, suddenly it seems, I get the okay to visit him. Got registered today. And got to visit him. And listen and care. Let him know about all the prayers and sleepless nights and worry. And listen and care. It sure is a privilege to just show up in his life. Such an answer to prayer. And I am so thankful for my mommy that drove me and waited in the hot parking lot two times today. And I am so thankful for my daddy that did Papa duty with the boys during naptime and reading books. And I am so thankful for the loving Godly heritage they have given me. I have been given much, it is never more apparent than when I spend time with "the least of these." Children that haven't had the love and discipline and haven't been told about the love and grace and mercy and hope that can be found in Jesus. I got to tell him how strong and smart he is. That I am gonna be there no matter where he ends up. That when he figures out what he wants to fight FOR and run TO that I will be there cheering him along, believing in him. That I will visit and care and pray. I can clearly see today: I am so very rich. I have been given so very much. And am reminded that "the earth is full of His unfailing love." I want to spend my life discovering all the places where He has put His love, to be a part of that fullness. And I am thankful. And tired.

p.s. I might have to have my leg cut wide open again or ? The doctors are consulting to figure out how to help me make positive progress in healing. I don't know if I will hear anything before the weekend is out, but I am glad that they are going to see if something can be done to help my wound healing progress in a positive direction instead of just being stable.

Papa Buzz has been hard at work.

Walls painted (Spiced Pumpkin.) New light fixture (less than $5, including extra hardware purchase, thank you!) New towel bar. All that needs done is extra artwork and floorboards. Then on to the dining room...

Some little boys are happy their Papa Buzz is here.

Seth got a pull up to put on his head!??!!! What?!

Somehow, I think Papa Buzz is just as happy to be hanging out with his boys, too.

Happy Father's Day!

Mommy picked out our clothes so we could look nice in a Father's Day picture for Daddy.We got dressed while the nurse was here.
Seth even changed out of his Halloween socks for the occasion.
Happy Father's Day, Daddy!

Tea Party.

If I can't get out, I will have my friends come to me. Since Andrew is gone and my mommy and Amanda are here I am trying to get in as many girly things as possible - making the most of the opportunity. So we had a lovely tea party yesterday. For grown ups. Kids can play in the backyard and eat popsicles. Helen came over for the first time, and Gavin was so great with her. Even Seth took a turn pushing her in the baby swing. Her daddy is with our daddy right now.The lovely tea table set up.


It was yummy and relaxing and fun. I am so thankful to have furniture for the patio again, we love eating outside! And I don't think these chairs are going to break when Andrew and Pete sit on them. :o). The tea party was lovely and yummy. We may just have to do this again.

Boys.

Providential.

I am learning about God's perfect timing this year.

Yesterday Andrew called me and reminded me that his car needed to be moved on base ASAP.

This morning as I was leaving for the dr. office, a guy from his unit called with the same message and offered to help if needed (huge since I couldn't drive this morning from my meds.)

Got to base after my dr. appointment and couldn't find his car. I called, and he told me to go to the nearest gate and ask a security officer if they could help me while he tried to resolve things over the phone.

The security officer I found was the one who had called Andrew's unit in the first place to try and avoid having his car towed. He told us where it was parked (behind some big trucks in a secure area), and the guy from Andrew's unit were able to come over and move his car for me. I didn't even have to call anyone to help. I am so thankful because my energy was waning very quickly after recovering from the flu. So thankful for my Provider.

We thought we were gaining ground.

Pookie came to help. I was getting more rest. The boys were feeling more stable. And then Gavin and I caught a flu bug. Last night, laying on the bathroom floor with him, taking turns puking in the toilet, and praying for it to end and morning to come... I am so thankful Mom could take over with Gavin at 5:45 am when he was done throwing up and I could get some sleep. He rebounded pretty quickly and is being silly in bed with Seth tonight. I still have a fever and feel achy. So thankful for my Mommy being here. And dinner being delivered today (My MOPS friends have been AMAZING and supportive, and they didn't even know we had the flu today.) And my nurse Kathy being so kind, and then stopping by tonight with a bag full of goodies (and Pedialite) for us to make us feel better - just because. And a new friend from church calling to check up on us... I wish I felt better so I could enjoy all this attention more. :o) We are thankful. And learning to wait on the Lord. And reading.

Daddy, this is for you.

Specially picked with love by Gavin. We miss you.

Rocket Launch

Miss Kathy (my nurse and new friend) brought the boys a treat. As you can see they were thoroughly enjoyed. Seth picked flowers and took turns giving them to Mommy, Pookie, and Miss Kathy.
We got to see some pretty amazing launches. This gentleman was a great sport about having little boys show up and ask questions and follow him around.
The boys got their exercise chasing after the rockets after they landed. There was a nice breeze. Great for sitting out in the hot sun. Not so great for rocket retrieval.

Boys.

We scored the motorcycle at a garage sale for $20.00. Gavin is finally wanting to ride, but it has been a HUGE hit. We are definitely getting our moneys worth out of this toy. Friends are enjoying it just as much as we are!

Last Date with Daddy.

We met our friends there, so you see Blake and Emily in a few of the shots.

I think...

..we need to clean out our gutters. Baby trees. Lots of them.

Date with Mommy.

Daddy dropped us off for an early dinner and movie. Dinner with the boys - great. Walk to the theater, stopping to taste the clover nectar and enjoying the beautiful fragrance from the fields of flowers - great. Finding out the movie wasn't at the theater and having to interrupt Andrew's study time for a ride home - not so great. Movie night at home worked out fine. This was one of my few outings in the last month. I still am getting worn out quickly from any exertion. I am learning patience and thankfulness and I don't know what else. I LOVE my family. There are no words to how thankful I am for them.

Update.

Andrew is gone. Till mid-July.
My camera battery is recharged, so more photos coming soon.
Last night we had the sirens going off with a big storm and had a sleepover in the basement.
This morning I learned about how to get myself in to see a doctor at the base clinic pronto - new staph pustules near my wound.
A shot in the butt and new antibiotic meds and my mommy on the way, and I am feeling better.
Pray for the boys. They go from playing well to hurting each other in an instant. Never seen this type of aggressive behavior from them before (hitting, choking). And Gavin is having intentional accidents like Seth did when he was 3 and daddy was gone. Thanks for praying for us. More fun posts coming soon (we will have transportation to get out of the house w/ Pookie here!)