Busy!

Last week was a busy week, we were in constant motion, and yet there's not a whole lot to show for it. Cary did Robin's memorial service, and we got to see lots of people that we don't get to see often. I had a migraine-that always messes up life for a while. We started packing for our cruise-we leave on Friday! We are doing a ten day, Southern Caribbean this time, and we are very anxious to go! Carissa will be at the house with Spike and Kaylee. I'm trying to finish up the books I'm working on so I can start new ones while we are gone! Last night, after church, we had a birthday party for two of our college kids. I talked to my brother, Marvin, and my sister, Alice, this weekend. Not a whole lot of news, but somehow we have just been very busy! Tomorrow, Cary and I will hopefully finish up the dental work!

A Wonderful Saturday!

Today has been a bit fast paced, but it has been a good day. My day started with hearing quite a long discussion between Claire and Cary about how her MAMA fixes oatmeal. Let's just say that Cary never quite mastered the task, but Lord knows he tried. I fixed the poor child a bagel! Saturday is chore day, so the girls gathered all their dirty clothes and picked up a bit. Claire did her BEST to teach Kaylee how to make a bed. Pretty sad that the 4 year old attempts to teach the 15 year old. We took the girls to a soccer game-to see some other of our adopted children that we have inherited through Kaylee babysitting. We had some of the college kids here to watch football-Kentucky and the Gators. The girls KNOW where they stand on that one...they ARE Gator fans and did their part to put our poor Kentucky fan in his place! Grace and Claire have really made friends with Spike. He is normally pretty good with them, but he does have his days! He has learned they are a great food source, and he's really trying hard! Tonight I got out some of the dishes my girls used to play with when they were little. The rest of the night was spent placing orders in the restaurant that opened right in my living room! I got to read a bedtime story and say prayers tonight! This is good grandma practice for the future, a wonderful reminder of days long gone, and also a sweet blessing just for today! We are having a blast!

A Hard Day

Yesterday was a rough day. At the end of the day, I told Cary I was so glad it was over. It was hard emotionally, and yet it was such a blessed day. One of those days when you find out who is in your support system-no matter what. Family and friends. Praying. In town and out of town. The body of Christ, doing just what it was meant to do. A friend used to tell me that crisis was just a phone call away, so we always need to be ready, prepared to face the test. I told God yesterday morning that I wanted to do it right, to keep looking to Him and not dwelling on myself, pointing the people involved to Him. I had that opportunity. I wanted to really live out in the tough times what I believe, and give Him the glory in the end. God was gracious. The crisis was pretty much over in 24 hours. Not everyone has the same ending to their story. I've walked with God long enough to know that the hard times end up making us stronger and knowing Him better, and that makes it all worth it. Today I am blessed, and He has once again proven Himself to be everything to me. He IS good.

Robin has gone Home

I told you about my friend, Kathy, a few months ago. (You can find that on Aug. 3, 2007) Kathy has been a wonderful friend for a long time, and along the way, I've met a lot of family members. Not all that many years ago, I met Kathy's sister, Robin. She moved here and we shared a love for Yorkies and she loved on my kids, just like Kathy. A few months ago we learned that Robin had brain cancer and she has gone steadily downhill. On Monday I found out that Robin had been put in Hope Hospice, on Tuesday I went to see her, and last night, her fight was finally over and she went Home. Robin leaves behind two daughters with little ones, another sister, and even her mother. As I tried to take it all in and process it last night, I was reminded of when my mom died. I've learned something very important through her death-well, a lot of things, really! I always thought my salvation experience was about me, about me going to heaven one day. What I realized through mom's death, was not only was SHE going to heaven, but her salvation left ME sure of her destination! What greater gift to leave your family with? I have such comfort because of her decision to accept Christ. Robin did the same thing. She has left those that she loves here with the assurance of where she is today, and what a comfort that is! Please say a prayer today for my friends that have suffered a great loss.

Dance Class

Grace started a dance class this fall and I have been wanting to go and see her in class. We finally arranged it for yesterday. She has"performed" for us in the living room, but I wanted to go to the actual class and see her. She did a great job, and seemed to really enjoy it! After class we went for dinner at McAllisters. This afternoon Grace and Claire will arrive to spend a few days with us while mom and dad get a few days away. We are SO excited to have them around for a while! Stay tuned, there will possibly be more pictures and stories!

Happy Early Birthday to Me!

On Saturday, I got an early birthday present. I've never gotten a present with more thought and effort put into it. Remember the title of this blog, and why I named it The Dolphin Tail? I LOVE dolphins, and LOVE being reminded of the freedom I have in Christ. So, knowing those things, my little Hutchcraft girlfriends took Cary, Kaylee and I out on a boat and we went dolphin hunting! It didn't take long before our hunt was over and we had a BLAST! Our captain was wonderful and knew just what to do to get the little creatures to SHOW OFF! I took about a million pictures and they all look a lot the same, but each one is of a different jump and flop! It was a THRILL! We stopped along the way to do a little shelling and found some beautiful shells. After our outing, we went for lunch at Panera. Mr. Cary tried to fix Claire's headband, and it was certainly photo worthy! He's a bit out of practice! It was a wonderful day and I have never felt more special or blessed by such an appropriate gift!

I'm Back!!!

I know, I've been really bad. Didn't plan it that way, it just happened! Cary and I were gone to Atlanta for the Catalyst Conference for five days. It was wonderful-we had a great time and tried to take it all in. Then, we came home just in time for the big staff wedding-where Hank and Dawn got married. Then it was time to start the dental work...joy, and that took up two days of my life and a whole lot of pain and plan changes! It's not over yet, a root canal MAY be in the plans, and Cary has also had crown prep done and is not doing well either! What a pair! And, if all that wasn't enough, my computer crashed and I was out of commission for four days! Hopefully, things will soon be a bit more like normal! Hang in there with us!