Blessed Recoup

I've been running around a LOT this summer.  This week was TRU Club Rio, TRU vbs.  and I've been spending moore time at homestead since Sandy, our house mom is in the hospital again.  Every time I do kingdom work, I am blessed.  God always pays back what you give Him and more.  

So I volunteered or got volunteered to feed 100 people three nights in a row.  Tuesday night after spending the day w baby Emmet in Newton, I did the shopping for all the food with Erin and Krisitn and we had a silly, fun time.  Thursday I prepped for walking tacos and browned all the meat.  And I did Homestead group.  The two of the girls came with me and were a giant help serving food!  I've been spending extra time with all our new girls and love them so much!  

Friday I went to see Sandy in the hospital and had a long talk with Deb about some of the stresses with homestead.  And prepped and served fruit and crescent roll hot dogs.  And I also got to spend an afternoon at the pool Saturday with Christana whom I love and miss and hadn't talked to since May.  She is getting her kids back soon and I got to see them, too!   

Then Saturday all day I baked 100 cupcakes into ice cream cones and iced them to look like Olympic torches.  It wasn't easy at all but I have had fun all along joking about it over text with Kristin.

Yesterday we went to church and brought Adelle home and I helped her shave her legs and learn some other very helpful feminine hygiene habits to get ready for the pool.  Then I picked up Alexis and Amber from Homestead and we went to the TRU BBQ and award ceremony then the entire BBQ went to the pool!  I loved it!  Splashing around the pool getting to know my church friends better was so awesome.  This is church, serving alongside each other, fellowship, and fun. 

Today He's paying me back with a recoup day.  We took the car to get the brakes fixed so I have an entire day to do what I want (and need) to do.  I will walk down to the pool for my water class and then when the car is fixed go to my favorite weight lifting class and step class at the gym.  I got a cortisone shot for my elbow that worked this time so I am very much looking forward to doing these classes pain free!  I plan to makes some phone calls today and get some things done that will make our loves better such as change the sheets!  

A Day with Baby Emmet

Oh what a sweetie!  Yesterday I spent a long anticipated day with Leah and Emmet in Newton.  When I arrived, he was just waking from a nap on Leah's bed and he was in the best mood!  We sat together on the couch with him propped on my knees and he looked into my eyes and grinned and giggled for more than 10 minutes!  I'd smile and he'd smile and then do the cutest chuckle/giggle/squeak!  Absolutely priceless!  

Leah is taking a break from one side so I was able to give him a bottle.  He kept pushing his head back so he could lay flat and perfectly still while he concentrated on drinking it.  Then he spit up on both of us!  But each time I laid him down on the changing table he looked at me and smiled and giggled. 

Leah is such a good Mom.  She looks so beautiful and happy.  

Emmet is almost two months old!  He has filled out more and he's more alert.  And so strong!  I pulled his little arms up by his head and he stood up on my lap!

We put Emmet in the stroller and walked over to Mojo's for lunch and he slept with his little sunglasses on.  We toured Dave's new building next to the hive.  Every time I go to Newton, I think what a great peaceful life they have there.

   When we got back, I decided it was nap time for Grandma so we laid on the bed together and he snoozed awhile.  He took a second nap on me on the couch all bundled up and he snored!  So cute!

I love my little Emmet.  I am so grateful he lives close but I wish they lived even closer!

Prairie

Our time with the kids home is rapidly coming to an end:(.  We have Kent here now along with Hannah.  On Saturday, we drove through Council Grove on highway 177, aka Scenic Byway, to Strong City to meet up with Leah and her adorable little family.  We had some amazing eats at Ad Astra, best kept Prairie secret.  Several of us had the Barn Burner burger and homemade potato chips.  Kent tried the fried Brussel sprouts and Hannah found some yummy vegan fare.  

Then we drove 10 minutes up highway 50 to Cottonwood Falls to hike around on David's families land.  We stood on the very spot where Leah and David got married just two short years ago.  It was Emmet's first trip outside utero to the prairie.  Scott was being

exceptionally silly.  He talked to the cows and had us all cracking up.  "Line up please", he told them. And asked, "Do we have any first time moms?"  

This is the tub that held the cold waters on ice for the guests at the wedding.  Still there.

Kid Heaven

It's been so amazing to have Hannah here this summer.  I can't remember the last time she was here for such a long visit.  I love how when our kids come home it's like they never left.  Hannah has been helping me deep clean the house.  We drink coffee together and go the the store and lots of walks and hikes.  She spends lots of time studying for her gre and cooking vegan dishes.  Did I mention I love having her around?

This weekend, I was in kid heaven.  We had all three kids home for five days and the icing on the cake was that Emmet stayed here, too!

Thursday Scott and Hannah and I picked up Joel at the airport and we went out to eat in Wichita with Leah and David and Emmet. Then we hung out at Leah's.  We all stood around and made eye contact with Emmet for about half an hour. His little grin is precious.  It was also cool watching Joel meet Emmet.  

On Friday, Scott, Hannah, Joel and I stuffed ourselves at Chipotle then hiked 6 miles on the konza.  Hannah and I enjoyed the flowers immensely.  The boys talked about baseball.  

On Saturday, I got up and started preparations for the baby shower.  Leah and David and Emmet arrived around noon and people started coming shortly after.  Season, Alexis, Peggy, Julie, Mom, Dave, Jon, and  Broghan all came to meet baby Emmet.  Larry and Joanna too!  It was a fun day filled with food and family. Mom and Julie met Emmet for the first time.  

Sunday Mom and I and Scott picked up Adelle and went to church (where a Homestead girl graduated!)

then the whole family went to Lake Wabaunsee.  

It was so great to see everyone!  I haven't seen Emily for about four years so it was great to talk with her and meet her boyfriend's family.  Always good to spend time with the Kuenzi's which happens way too seldomly.  

Monday was spend just hanging around with the main Clark's and baby Emmet!  He is soooo adorable.  I loved cuddling him and interacting with him and watching Joel and Hannah do the same.  By the end of their time they gained some great experience.  Leah is such a great mom.  It's harder work than I remember and she handles it like a pro.

Tuesday morning Leah woke me up and we went for a walk together.  Then we started packing and preparations for the drive to deliver Leah and Emmet to Newton and Joel to the airport.  We spent about half an hour at Leah's but had lots of fun.

Joel danced with Emmet and comforted him.

Joel's visit was way too short this time.  It is always hard to drop him off at the airport.

I do not want to think about Hannah leaving.  But before she does, the excitement continues with a visit from Kent starting Friday!  

Whew! Worn Out!

Yesterday my friend, Hilary invited me to go kayaking for the first time!  She borrowed an extra boat so Hannah could go too!  I was sooo nervous!  Hilary knows I don't do well being underwater but she said not to worry, that if we didn't put the skirt on, I would just fall out if I capsized and she could help me back in.  Hannah had some experience.  Neither of us capsized!

So we got the boats all ready and put on our PFD's and carried the kayaks to the boat ramp.  After a few instructions, Hilary helped me get in and shoved me out first then Hannah and Hilary quickly joined.  

I was much less nervous once I got out there.  It was a little nerve wracking when the wind kicked up causing tiny waves.  We paddled over to an island and then around it where it was calmer.  We even stopped and got out for awhile on a shore and Hannah got all the way in the water!  We piled back in and hugged the shore and went around rather than across because Hilary is smart.  I felt badly that I was pretty worn out by then so we stopped.  Hilary said not to use your arms or shoulders much and I did til I got the hang of twisting and using my torso.  So I got an excellent full body work out!  I did fall out gracefully while trying to get out of the kayak but I fell into the boat not the water.  I really did enjoy the adventure and would very willingly go again.  Maybe next time we'll go out on the big lake and not stay in the Riverpond area.  

After we got home and rested and snacked, Scott and Hannah talked me into hiking the Konza!  I'm usually all for it but I was pooped!  They wanted to go 9miles but I talked them back to 6.  I'm not going to lie, even though it is beautiful out there and the weather was magical yesterday, it was pretty exhausting!

  Fortunately, when we got back to town, we got pizza at a new place, Pie Five, and ate it on the back deck.  I also drank a well earned Hard Cider.  That's the life, for sure.  What a great day!

Summer so far!

Summer is wonderful.  I love having Hannah home.  We wake up when we want, usually 830, and I have my quiet time in my favorite deck chair with the sun peeking through the trees and my pups nearby.  I have Diego trained to be quiet in the mornings.  

Then Hannah and I deep clean for two hours each day.  We spent 8 hours on the kitchen alone!  We've also done the dining room, the deck, the front foyer and the hallway, and the floors.    It's so nice having the house clean!

Then I go to water class at 11.  I love water class, getting exercise, sunshine, and friendship at the same time!  And I love not teaching it!  

I come home and eat lunch and get a couple random things done and then rest and read.  I read a great sci FY series called Wool that I loved and I'm soon reading the sequel, Silo.  

Then I go to step or lifting class at the gym most days or a long walk with Scott and Hannah.  My legs are getting so tired but I will hopefully knock back back off the 6 pounds I put on at the end of the school year.

Yesterday was my birthday so I had myself another birthday party.  It's so hard to know who to invite but even though tons of people invited couldn't come, three friends did come and Hannah too. MIT was fun!  I'm going to do it every year!  

Tomorrow I'm going kayaking with my friend Hikary and Hannah is coming too!  

I also have several therapy clients at Courserlapo and am still doing Homestead.  

And Rex is hangin in there, too!  I love him so much.  

So far so good, summer!

What a Whirlwind

Emmet James

Sunday was Mother's Day.  Scott and I drove to Topeka to pick up Julie and take her to my Mom's.  We spent the afternoon there, eating and celebrating Mother's Day and David's engagement.  David has started dating, fallen in love, and become engaged to a good friend of his, Lisa.  We got to know she and her son and his family then drove back to Manhattan.

Leah was scheduled to have her baby boy induced on Thursday.  Sunday night we had a family group chat on the internet.  Hannah joked with Leah that she'd go into labor right after our chat and she did!  

Leah called 15 minutes before my alarm went off for work Monday morning.  So I packed and showered and headed for Newton and got to the hospital about 830.  Scott woke up slower and joined me about 1030.  Leah and David had gotten to the hospital around 2.  They let me see her about 930 as she'd just had an epidural.  She looked good and relaxed!  Her room was big and she'd have the baby and stay right there in the same room.  Her college roommate and good friend Emma's mom, Cindy, was Leah's labor nurse.

Scott and I waited all morning with very little news, texting Hannah and Joel along the way.  At 1030 I overheard Cindy talking to someone on the phone saying , She's feeling pressure but we will wait for you.  A lady who looked like she could be the doctor arrived and everyone went into Leah's room.  About 1145 I heard a baby crying but I wasn't sure it was our baby.  David finally came out around 1245 and said she'd had the baby and the baby cried the whole time and she wanted to nurse him then we could go in.

Around 1, we got to go in and meet little Emmet James, 7.2, 19 1/4 inches.

He was so sweet and so tiny and so precious! He is cuddly and calm and sweet. I still felt shell shocked but when Scott and I left for awhile to eat, I missed him and couldn't wait to get back to him!  We spent the evening and Scott decided to return to Manhattan.

I stayed Monday night at the house and got up and cleaned and ran errands and grocery shopped and returned to the hospital around noon Tuesday.  I love Leah's house and North Newton.  

Tuesday afternoon I got a call from Stacy, our awesome friend who lets the dogs out every day we go to work, that Rex was not using his back legs.  She had to go to work.  Rex had been going downhill and I'd had him at the vet the previous week where the back up vet said he was having some heart and neurological problems.  I started praying he'd hang on.  So when Stacy called, all my emotions got tangled and I cried hard.  I talked with Joel and Hannah and Scott and had a friend check on Rex.  Julie also came to Manhattan and we were going to have them bring him to me.

Tuesday afternoon, Leah and David and I took Emmet home to his new house.   I spent the evening helping and cooked them dinner, then decided to return to manhattan to figure out Rex.  

I was exhausted but spent the evening and next day with Rexie.

The next day, I took him to the vet and was sure this was it, the end.  The sweet vet listened to my concerns and said, "Let me take care of Rex, you go,take care of your grandbaby".

So I returned to Newton Wednesday afternoon.

What precious times wth Leah and Dave and sweet little Emmet.  

I even bonded with Moose who was gentle and cuddly with me and with Emmet.  

Wednesday night, Leah got up many times to feed him, but the rest of the night was mine.  Little punkin was spit uppy and cuddly and wanted lots of comfort.  He wouldn't sleep in his bassenett so I held him most of the night.  At 3, he was wide awake and stared into my face for 15 entire minutes before drifting off to sleep.  We were both exhausted when we woke up but I loved every minute.  

Thursday morning, more cleaning and laundry and cooking and cuddling and we decided I would return to Manhattan.  Leah and David were going to have visitors and see the pediatrician and decided the grandma spoiling needed to be limited so little one learned to sleep in his bassinet.  

I drove right to the vet office and there discovered that though he had for sure lost the use of his left leg, Rexie was happy and eating and drinking and eliminating and was very happy to see me and go home with me.  

So it has been a whirlwind of a week, but one filled with emotion and joy unlimited.  

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.”

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, 11 NIV