Updated--Aunt Hassie

Dad called to let me know that Hassie came through the surgery okay. Thank you for praying for her.

My great-aunt Hassie is having surgery today to place a pin in her hip, where it has deteriorated. Please remember her in prayer today. She is 89, has a bad heart and also has breast cancer. Please remember her husband Clarence, also. He is very afraid for her to have this surgery, but she is determined.

Leavin' On A Jet Plane

Last Friday, I took Seth to Nashville and put him on this plane to Kansas City Missouri.

Aaron picked him up and took him on to Nebraska to spend a few weeks with him. While I was putting Seth on the plane in Nashville, Tasha and the kids were arriving in Knoxville.

In effect, this is my two for one swap.

I swapped my "baby" Seth

For these two grandbabies, Kylie & Wyatt.

Seth will be coming home on the 5th and Tasha and the kids will be going home on the 6th.

You would not believe how quiet my house is with Seth away.

I really miss him, but I'm sure enjoying getting to spend time with Kylie & Wyatt.

B & W Company Picnic

Charlie works for B & W Clinch River. They had their company picnic in Oak Ridge a couple of weekends ago. They had several things for the kids to do, including a climbing wall. This is some of our group standing around at the climbing wall.

Pamela, (Seth's girlfriend), Misty, Seth & Malachi Malachi & Spook and a couple of other employees

Boone & Luke

My three boys were the first in our group to try it out. They decided to race. That's Luke on the left, then Malachi and Seth.

Ready, set... GO!

And they're off, with Luke in the lead.

Seth's bringing up the rear.

Luke & Malachi are neck and neck But Malachi found the buzzer before Luke.

And the winner is...Malachi!

Kyra & Keinzie climbed the wall too. Kyra actually climbed it 4 times before she was through

Elijah & Owen climbed the wall too. They both made it about half way up. They were climbing just fine, but didn't like the height.

Owen on his way down. I think he enjoyed that just as much, as the guy holding the line let him swing around.

Our friend, Wayne, climbed the wall too. The battery on my camera died after the climbing wall pictures, so the rest of these were made with my cell phone camera.

Keinzie pushing Owen & Elijah on the swings Owen & Keinzie Tattoos were also a "highlight" of the day Owen got several Our friend Wayne (the other Wayne's dad) also took a turn working at the tattoo table. Here he is giving Malachi a tattoo. Seth showing off his Dora tattoo Wayne insisted on giving him

Pamela receiving her tattoo

~

~

All in all, a good time was had by everyone.

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day, Dad!

I love you!

Front Yard Football

Front yard football games used to be a regular occurence at my house. But with the passing of time and children growing up and moving away, it doesn't happen so often anymore. There was one the other day, though, so I grabbed my camera.

The players: Seth, Luke, Anthony (Seth's friend) Malachi, Shawn (next door neighbor) Jason and Michael (friend)

Anthony blocking Jason

Have you noticed how fashion conscious my boys are?

Check out Jason's look.

And then there's Malachi. Don't you know it's the height of fashion to play football in boots? And by all means, don't hide the boots with your pants leg! Shawn & Malachi just can't figure it out.

Quit texting and play, Luke!

There goes Malachi, boots and all!

Game over, and he's still texting!

Just Like Him

This year has been another rough one so far, and it's not quite half over. What with Debbie's diagnosis of cancer, Mom's sudden death, the loss of another grandchild (Misty's miscarriage),and some other things that have happened, the storm clouds seem to have been gathering all around us.

~

Sometimes, in the midst of the storm, we are aware of God's truth, but it's hard to grasp the reality of it. We seem to get caught up in the thunder, lightening and heavy downpours and forget that there is often a rainbow at the end, or if not a rainbow, a new awareness of the beauty around us in the sun reflected on the vibrant colors of freshly washed trees and flowers and landscape. We can't seem to see that God is still there, and that He's still in control. We know it, but we can't seem to believe it, to see it.

~

Sometimes, in the midst of the storm, when the winds are howling, lightening flashing, the thunder roaring, and hope seems almost gone, God will reach down His mighty hand, and for just a moment in time, He'll roll back those clouds, and give us a glimpse that He is there, that He still cares, and that He Is In Control.

~

He's rolled those clouds back for me, several times this year, reminding me that it's not about what I can see, but what He Can See. Not what I can do, but what He Can Do. Not what I know, but what He Knows.

~

I'm so thankful to know that He loves me enough to reach down and roll those clouds away and give me that glimpse.

~

The choir at church sang this song Sunday morning. As we sang, I was reminded.

~

I am so grateful that it is just like Him!

~

It's Just Like His Great Love.

~

A friend I have called Jesus, Whose love is strong and true,

And never fails howe’er ’tis tried, no matter what I do;

I sinned against this love of His, but when I knelt to pray,

Confessing all my guilt to Him, the sin-clouds rolled away.

~

Sometimes when clouds of trouble bedim the sky above,

I cannot see my Savior’s face, and doubt His wondrous love;

But He, from heaven’s mercy-seat, beholding my despair,

In pity bursts the clouds between, and shows me He is there.

~

When sorrow’s clouds o’ertake me,and break upon my head,

When life seems worse than useless, and I were better dead;

I take my grief to Jesus then, nor do I go in vain,

For heav’nly hope He gives that cheers like sunshine after rain.

~

Oh, I could sing forever of Jesus’ love divine,

Of all His care and tenderness for this poor life of mine;

His love is in and over all, and wind and waves obey,

When Jesus whispers, “Peace, be still!” and rolls the clouds away.,

~

Refrain:

It’s just like Jesus to roll the clouds away,

It’s just like Jesus to keep me day by day,

It’s just like Jesus all along the way,

It’s just like His great love.

New Look

I've been working on a new look for my blog. What do you think? Please leave a comment and let me know.

Happy Birthday, Wyatt!!

Today is my grandson Wyatt's birthday.

He's one year old.

Isn't he adorable?

Newborn

3 months 6 months 9 months 1 year old

Wyatt's coming to Tennessee next Friday with his mommy and big sister, Kylie. I can't wait to see him and smother him with hugs and kisses.

~

~

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, WYATT!!

~

I LOVE YOU!

Debbie's On Her Way Home

I just talked to Wendel, and they were just getting into Oakdale on their way home. Please continue to pray for Debbie.

Rough Day

Debbie's had a rough day today. Go here for updates. Please continue to pray for her.

More Good News

Wendell posted this this morning:

~

~

Maybe Home Wednesday The Dr's came in this morning (and when I say Dr's I mean Dr's in a herd) and they seem to think if Debbie can swallow today, they will send us home tomorrow without a feeding tube and she will be able to eat and drink well enough to continue heeling. The dressing on her arm will be changed and she will wear it for an additional 3 days and we can remove it at home or camping whichever. She says she did not sleep well at all. I would not know because I aired up my mattress and crashed about 10:30 last night, waking up only once in the night and then not again until the herd came in at 6:45. We are excited about the possibility of coming home. We both seem to think that will help her tremendously. Thanks for your prayers, calls and visits. Hope you all have a great day and please continue praying for Debbie, Granny Adkisson, Bro. and Sister Rose. We love you all.Wendell

Seth's Home From Colorado!

Seth made it home just a little while ago. It's so good to have him back home. I really missed him, but I'm so glad he got the opportunity to go. They were able to go up in the Rocky Mountains.

Bro. David Lewis

Pastor Bret Pallotta

Nick Lewis

Seth

A herd of buffalo

Elk

Elk

Above the tree line

Mile High Stadium