Monday, August 31, 2015

Fun Week!

Welł, all good things must come to and end, or so the old saying goes.  Our girls are flying home tomorrow, clear to the other side of this big country.  I'm going to miss them so much.  The sticky kisses. The toys all over.  The HUGE hugs.  Mandy has been so busy while she's been here.  She's outside mowing the grass right now.  She's done all of the mowing, cooking, cleaning and laundry while they've been here.  I'm very spoiled and now I'll have to go back to work.  :-)  Papa and I will be so lost.  We adore our girls.

Just look at this face.  We finally took her to the lake to swim last Thursday. It was the last day predicted to be warm enough while they were here.  The smoke has been too bad to be outside, but on this day we had strong winds with gusts up to 60 mph.  It blew the smoke away somewhat but also made the fires explode around here.
She danced and twirled with her princess suit on.  Can you see the sparkles on the skirt? She calls them "farkles".  Gosh I love her.
And then...finally we took the golf cart, (which she loves), and went to the water.
This is Brandy and her daughter Stella.  They camp about 3 trailers down from us and  Piper just loved them.  Stella played with her and watched her all day.  She even sat with Piper while she ate her lunch.  We have met the nicest people since we've been camping here.
Can you tell she was having fun?
On Saturday we took her to breakfast at this train car.  At least we tried to, but there was a 30-40 minute wait for a table. Too long for a 2 year old.  They blew the train whistle for her and gave her a balloon anyway.  She adores trains.  I thought it was really sweet of them to be so nice when we didn't even stay to eat.  Can you see her purse?  She takes it everywhere with her, just like Mommy and Grandma.  :-). We still went out to eat but not at such an exciting place.
They bought Papa this shirt from Annapolis.  He's a big fan of the TV show NCIS and Mark Harmon who plays Gibbs.
Piper has never had a donut...until yesterday!   Papa took her to the store and they picked out a dozen donuts for breakfast.  It was a tradition he had with Caleb until Caleb was diagnosed with Celiacs disease.  No more donuts for Caleb, but now it's Pipers turn.
She dove right in...
Mmmmmm.  Chocolate.  She's Grandma's girl for sure.
She's quite the artistic eater!
On Saturday the girls had a reunion picnic with several of Mandy's friends and their kids.  One flew up from Los Angeles.  Three drove over from Portland, OR., and two still live here in Spokane.  While they were occupied we drove to the lake so Dennis could fill the gas tank on the lawnmower there and I could take inventory of the food we had there since I'm heading up there tomorrow to stay a few days.

This is what happened on our way home!!!  Hallelujah!  RAIN!!  The winds were blowing very hard and we were in a high wind advisory.  The rain only lasted a ahort time but what we got was wonderful.  It wasn't enough on Saturday to help much with the fires but it also rained for several hours yesterday and that DID help.  The one closest to us is still only 35% contained but that's better than before.  We still need LOTS of rain so please keep up the prayers.
Tomorrow is also our 37 wedding anniversary.  I'm heading to the lake in the morning and I'm going to grill steaks for us when Dennis gets there after work.  Hopefully I'll be there until Thursday morning, then home for Bible study.  Friday morning will be back out at the trailer until next week sometime.

I really don't want to be home once the girls are gone because I will see them everywhere I turn.  It happens every time one of the kids leaves.  I can't bear the reminders.

I am feeling better all of the time.  Still not 100% but I'm better.  I still have problems with my left arm and get short of breath but I think my stamina is improving.  I thank you all for your prayers and well wishes.

Piper is waking up from her nap so I'm going to close and play with her.  I want every minute I can with her and I'm sure you understand.

"Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken." Psalms 55:22

Blessings always,
Betsy

13 comments:

  1. Looks like a lot of fun! I love how she ate her donut.

    Happy Anniversary!

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  2. What a cutie and you 2 have so much fun together. I have a question about the pain in your arm? Isn't the pacemaker put in your chest? Is it normal to have pain in your arm? Just concerned. My Mom had one put in and I don't remember it being such an ordeal or maybe she down played it but she was nurse and pretty practical and scientific. I know nothing about it just hope the doctor is aware of it.
    So happy you are getting rain....wonderful! Keep it up! Enjoy the lake and happy anniversary!

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    1. Hello! Yes the pacemaker is located under my left collarbone. When they put the pacemaker in it took about 3 1/2 - 4 hours, much longer than the original 1 hour time frame we thought it would be. Apparently my veins are much smaller than normal AND my collarbone is odd shaped. I ended up with a grapefruit sized mass of swelling and bruising under my arm after surgery and ended up in the hospital for several days instead of going home that night. I still have some swelling after 7 weeks! My lungs were inflamed and I had massive amounts of IV meds just to be able to take a breath. The doctor said anything that could happen did. He told my husband it was the most laborious pacemaker placement that he has done in over 25 years! Go figure. He's not a bit surprised it's taking me awhile to recover. I can almost lift my arm over my head now, but it's been slow. Thank you so much for your concern. I hope this wasn't too much information.
      Blessings,
      Betsy

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  3. So glad to read your latest! The artistically eaten doughnut had me sitting here laughing out loud and I am still smiling at you now :) What a wonderful visit! Happy Anniversary tomorrow! Have a great celebration and enjoy your time at the lake. I wish I could visit with you, but am so glad you have so many wonderful people around you who love you dearly. Thanks for sharing the parting verse! xx

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  4. Happy Anniversary and glad you have been able to spend some time with your girls!

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  5. I'm so happy that your daughter and Piper have been with you for a week, and your daughter is so nice to do all that work around the house to help you out! What a treasure! I'm glad you're adapting to your PM better, hopefully soon you won't even know it's there. I hope you come to the Portland area again this fall.. we miss seeing you! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  6. Happy Anniversary! Love, love, love Piper's donut! It is hard to imagine where I live that rain could bring such joy....glad it sounds like there may be some improvement in the situation.
    I have never heard of such difficulty with a pacemaker and I can see why you have had so much pain. I am happy to hear you are improving. Take care.

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  7. Aww she is adorable. Such sweet times you have all had together. Praying for more rain. So glad you are feeling better sweet friend. Blessings always. :)

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  8. I am so glad it has rained at long last, I have been praying for rain in your area. So glad that you are feeling a little better, I am sure having so much fun with your girls has helped. Piper is certainly a delight, a real cutie. Happy anniversary and wishing you many more happy years together.

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  9. Wonderful post Betsy, we so enjoy your happy times too, how precious the Lord is to pour out such blessings. Piper is a real treasure... And dear Mandy so caring too, very special indeedy.
    Will pray for more rain, sad how many fires there are over there. ..in Canada too.
    May our dear Lord also continue to bless, heal and strengthen you, and also be a comfort to your heart.
    Hugs and God bless dear friend, Shaz in Oz.x

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  10. Oh Betsy, how wonderful to have such a caring daughter! I know that having them there was the best medicine for you! Piper is a doll! What joy!
    I have thought of you so much! I am so glad you are doing better now. How I wish we could sit together, knitting and chatting.
    Hugs
    Kris

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  11. I do hope you get more rain. Glad to hear you had such a grand time. Farkles! That is just too cute. Happy anniversary. I hope you had a wonderful celebration.

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  12. Piper's darling face just makes me smile. I am so glad you had a wonderful visit. Happy Anniversary to you and Dennis, two of the finest people that is for sure.
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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