On a lighter note...

I have been a little down this last week.  Lost of loss for people around me.  One friend lost her father, one friend lost her grandmother, a neighbor lost her father, and a friend has cancer and had a mastectomy yesterday.  Sometimes I wonder what is going on in this world, but I just realize that I am at a age where my peers parents are aging and getting ill.  Ahh well, such is life.  I will leave you this week with a photo of our most recent backyard visitors.  A flock of wild turkeys.  They just made their way through they yard and into the neighbors yard in slowly into the woods.  They were so cute!  Have a good weekend all and know that I am praying for you.

Devastated...

A dear sweet friend of mine from Wi sent me a note this morning via Facebook.  She was diagnosed with breast cancer last month and is going on Wednesday for a mastectomy.  This sweet lady is not much older than I am, just 4 years.  Please please please cover her in prayer especially on Wednesday and for her recovery after.  I asked her to keep me posted on how she is doing and I will try to do my best to pass this along so I can better direct prayer for whatever she needs.  I am so upset that I am not there with her right now because she lived so close to me before, just on the street behind me, that I could have easily taken her meals or just stopped by to help her in some way.  I feel so useless to her here.

This has been a long week.  The hubby has been in Germany and the kids school germs finally got me.  Nasty cold since Tuesday.  Missed my new bible study this week and I have spent the last 2 days in bed trying to rest and drinking tons of hot tea.  The hubby is coming back today so hopefully I can get a little break this weekend.  My troubles seem so minor now in comparison to my friend.  Sorry to be such a bummer, but I am bummed.  Have a good weekend all.

Migraine City...

Day 2 of my migraine and I can't just crash at home after taking little people plus one to school.  (Plus one is a neighbor kid I drive in the mornings as well).  Today I have some shopping I have to do as we are starting to run out of many items so off to Target and Costco I go.  When I am done I am going to crash until I have to do the afternoon run and take Ainsley to dance.  Happy Friday everyone!  I will leave you with a photo of my football playing fool.  This picture was taken after their game last week.  The rain stopped but the field was a giant mud puddle as we had the second game of the day.  Go Raiders!

Gnomes and Kids

We had a great time at the Holden Arboretum Gnomes in the Garden exhibit.  We had seen the movie Gnomeo and Juliet earlier this summer and it just seemed fitting that we go see the Gnomes in the park.  All were decorated in different ways by mostly local artists.  I believe only a few were from out of state.    I added just a few pictures of some of my favorites.  The one I am photographed with was Lil'  Monet.  He was located near a small lake that was full of waterlilies.  Fitting I think..

This last picture was the only one that we did not get close to simply because of a warning sign in front.  Notice the plant...Danger Poison Ivy.  We stayed clear of this one.  My husband is highly allergic so I am not taking any chances with the kiddos.

Still dragging this week.  A headache has developed today, but I will tell you.  I was brave!  It could be a contributing factor to the headache.  I went to that bible study I mentioned earlier this week.  There were only about 10 ladies there.  It seems like a nice group and I am hoping to develop some friendships that I so desperately need.  The study is Max Lucado's The Gospel of Matthew.  I am jumping in on the 3rd week in the book.  They had started the book before taking off for the summer.  I will be spending some time doing some catch up, but the chapters are short so I think I can manage.  Daring to hope for some great things!  Hope everyone is doing well the middle of this week.  Would you mind also doing me a favor and cover my husband in prayer.  He will be traveling to Germany this Saturday until the next Friday.  Last time he was overseas, his return was postponed due to the eruption of a volcano in Iceland.  Not that I think anything like that will happen again this time, but I would give me some peace of mind to know that others are covering him in prayer.  Thanks bunches!

Flowers

as a gift for our 15th wedding anniversary.  We had talked about taking a trip, but so much money was spent on the basement we decided against it.

I am checking into getting back into bible study this fall.  Study at our new church doesn't work exactly like my old church so I am checking to see if they are taking new people.  They are continuing a study of Matthew so I am not sure if I can just jump in.  Not good at just jumping in but I am never going to get to know anyone if I don't try.  I will let you know how it goes.  Wish me luck!

It is a busy week and I am just dragging with tiredness.  Ainsley is tired.  Aidan is tired.  Hubby is away until tomorrow, but has had to get up super early so I am guessing he is tired as well.  Praying for some relief from this tiredness.  More later!

A new groove...

I haven't quite found it yet.  I have hopes for next week as it will be more normal, full week of school, full week of football practice, and dance class.  This past week was a long one, but we enjoyed our Labor day weekend immensely.  Saturday morning was spent at Aidan's exhibition football game.  They ended up losing, but some valuable practice was gained.   Aidan had a hard time knowing which opposing player he was supposed to cover.  Some training with the hubby helped a bit with that.  Saturday was ridiculously hot.  The coaches tried like crazy to keep everyone hydrated...only 2 players had problems.  I covered them in prayer during the game for injury but I did not even think to pray over them about the heat.  Sunday was our normal church, lunch, and relaxation.  Monday we headed to the east side of town to go to the Holden Arboretum.  They have a gnome art exhibit that I had wanted to see for some time.  The day was damp and chilly compared to Saturday, but the kids had a great time searching for all the gnomes and seeing all the trees and plants.  Also, the visit ended up being free!  I will post pictures another day as they are still on my phone.  I am so bad about downloading photos!

I have declared September as my month of decluttering/organizing.  After we moved, I spent a ton of time sorting and boxing items up for goodwill.  The finishing of the basement prevented items that we are keeping to be stored properly, holiday decor, camping gear, etc.  This week I have worked on clearing out the kids school papers from last year and starting a sort of clothes.  I have been saving clothing for my nephew, but what I have will not fit him yet.  Anyway, I am making some serious progress!  My kitchen counter is decluttered (and has been for 3 days)!  I warned the hubby when he came home and started emptying his pockets of what I had done and that I needed him to take the few minutes to put his items in their "homes".  If our things do not have a "home"  then they do not need to stay.  Working toward simplifying life requires cooperation.

Aidan has his first competitive football game today and considering our rain, Ainsley and I are sitting this one out.  Our other plans for the day have fallen through so I am not sure what we will do if anything.  This rain is souring my mood.  These are the kind of days that I like to snuggle up with a quilt, cup of tea and a good book.  Have a good weekend all, and I promise to post pictures soon!

Backtracking...Summer Zoo trip!

How I enjoy the Cleveland Zoo.  This year they opened the Elephant Crossing Exhibit.  So nice.  We the kids and I had a great time and the temperatures were relatively cool.  We did however need a cold frozen treat before our ride home.  Not a bad day at all.