CAMPING!!

Our family went on a camping trip last weekend.  

We had a great time!

H.O. and I used to camp in a camper, but I had not slept in a tent since I was a girl scout, with the help of an air mattress it was great!

The campground had a fishing pond and a shallow river flowing through it.  The kids had a great time playing in the river, the boys also enjoyed fishing.

We also ventured up to the Blue Ridge Parkway, what a beautiful view.  It was a very clear day and we could see for a long way into the distance.  If we look cold, it's because we were, it was about 10 degrees colder on top of the mountain.

Our campground had a waterfall, how pretty!

The best part was being able to enjoy God's creation with no distractions!  The kids had a great time playing together, in the water, at the playground, skipping rocks, fishing, with no distractions like the TV or internet!  We also had a great time around the campfire.  What a relaxing way to start the day, sitting around the campfire with a warm cup of coffee, ahh.

We are looking forward to camping again!

See ya in a year!

If those words are from a loved one, they will bring thoughts of sadness.

But, if they are from your daughters surgeon,

Ahh... such sweet words!

This week Abby and I headed to UVA for our appointment with her  surgeon.  He reviewed her MRI and CT scan reports with me.  He also showed me the improvements on the computer from the MRI from February and the MRI done in August, WOW!!  Her spinal cord and brain stem opening went from 2.89 millimeters to 13 millimeters after surgery!  He also shared how he had been really concerned that her bone fusion would not take well since this is the hardest area to get bones to fuse.  But, not too hard for God!  Hers are completely fused!

He said she is released "to be a kid", she can do what she wants to do.  He said he would just like to monitor her as she grows, so we do not have to go back to him for a year!!!

Last week our pastor in his sermon said, the Lord knows the whole picture of our life.  He asked if we could, would we want to know what the next year holds?  Hmm, NO!  If someone had told me last year what this year would hold for me I would of been scared, not wanting to move forward in time.  If I would of known that we would spend 6 weeks in the hospital, or watch my daughter in spinal traction for days, or watch my daughter in the pain that she endured I would not have wanted to go through all that God had planned for us.  God knows that, and only gives us little bits at a time and carries us through.  I praise God for His ultimate plan, bringing Abby to us, healing her and carrying us day by day in His loving arms.

Abby outside of her therapy office.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANDREW!!

Happy 15th Birthday to our sweet Andrew!

Andrew is such a sweet, giving young man.

He is the comedian of our family and keeps us laughing!

He picked his favorite breakfast item this morning, blueberry pancakes.

He is a mischievous, sweet, silly, loving, peacemaker all rolled into one wonderful son.  He is a real blessing to our family and we look forward to seeing him continue to grow in Christ and see the plan God has for his life!

Back to School...

School is back in session at our house!

We have completed a week and a half of school and things are going surprisingly well.  Everyone is getting used to the school routine and this mommy is enjoying having a bit more structure to our days.  It is sooo hard for me to believe Taylor is a Senior this year.  Whew!  Where did the time go??

So, our run down is Taylor in 12th grade.  Andrew is in 10th grade.  Carrie Anne is in 7th grade.  And, Abby is a mix of grades.  

Abby is doing so well this year.  Her reading ability is coming along so nicely.  In Math we just picked up with where her skill level is at and the other subjects she sits in with Carrie Anne and is learning so   much!  She loves school and is eager to learn!

Now, you have to use your imagination!  I thought I had taken a picture of the boys doing a Marine Biology experiment but apparently there was some technological difficulties and it is not on the camera!!  So, imagine two really handsome boys over blue and yellow water learning about the density of salt water as opposed to tap water and you will clearly see their experiment!  It did look really cool as the blue salt water and the yellow tap water did not mix, it was like oil and water.

We ended our first week of school with a relaxing, long Labor Day weekend and H.O. took the kids fishing.

Such concentration!

Here fishy, fishy.  Where are you?

All of our fish were caught by Andrew, but none were keepers!

And when you've done enough fishing, just sit back and enjoy a snack!