So Far, this has been a summer to remember. Stephen and I started the summer with renewing our wedding vows. It was a wonderful day with family and friends around. I was so happy to be sharing that day with everyone. We were happy to have my mom, Anna Bell, my sister, Chanda, my niece, and Gary with us during that time. We love when people come to visit.
We had a weekend to hang out at the house and be lazy, and, then, we had a wonderful time with family again - another trip from the mountains to the beach brought a wonderful time for my mom and I to enjoy the beach together. We were able to watch Jaxon take his little chair and sit in the surf and just take in the beauty and serenity of the ocean. We watched Bayker and Rayvn play together and enjoy being each others buddy. I hope they continue that for the rest of their lives. We were able to go to the pool and teach Rayvn to swim. So much fun in such a little bit of time.
We rested for another week (and were sick) and then we headed to the mountains from the beach. Two weeks in Tennessee.....whew! The first weekend after we arrived, Stephen was taken to the ER for a kidney stone; I drove up to Kentucky to get Retha and Leon; and, then, Stephen and I visited them for two days while Retha was getting her last treatment for brain cancer. The following few days were taken to recover from all of the activity of the previous days of driving and getting up early as well as staying up late to see a wonderful fireworks display to celebrate our Independence! Then, came Saturday.
Gary and I started to Home Depot to pick up all of the necessities for rebuilding steps on Mom's back porch. We came back, the old steps were off in 10 minutes - the rot had almost gone completely through. If it had stayed there much longer, someone would have been hurt. In about an hour and a half, we had constructed new steps, but, then, the hard part - building handrails. It took a good part of 4 hours to get everything measured, cut, drilled, and screwed into place, but, with 98 degree weather, we made it. It turned out pretty good.
I was almost sick from being so hot the day before, so I didn't go to church on Sunday, but whew, I don't think anyone could have after that heat! I spent the next few days not feeling well and getting a fever of 100.2. I ended up in the doctor's office on Wednesday and had another round of antibiotics. I took Bayker, Rayvn, and Jaxon to the movies after Rayvn won the Multiplication Challenge. On Friday, Rex went out for a walk and was caught in a downpour. He hasn't come back.
On Saturday, Gary and I started on yet another project. We had to snake out Mom's washer drain to get a clog out. We again went to Home Depot to buy necessities and then back to work. We discovered a major clog which led us to dig up the pipe. After an exhausting day of digging, we finally found the clog, replaced a pipe, and got the new plumbing in the laundry room done. All in all, it was a wonderful trip, except for losing Rex.
I came back home exhausted, but loving my family. I sent out flyers to everyone in the neighborhood trying to find Rex. We have a little Twilight in our life now too. She is just the cutest kitten you have ever seen. Hopefully, Rex will come back soon.
We are hoping to be able to see Candy graduate in August from LPN School. Life is going right now! Thank God to be alive and have all of the blessing we have! We couldn't ask for more!
