Reaching milestones

I had the privilege tonight of attending a graduation party for a young man I consider one of my own. My family has been interwoven with the Wallace family for 10 yrs now. Abby kept both the kids in daycare until they were 13 and they still help with after-school transportation today.

For some reason, it didn't strike me as closely to see their oldest, Isaac, graduate from LAMP last year. But for some reason, knowing that tomorrow, Sawyer will cross that bridge in his life touches me close. Perhaps it is because I had a full year to have one-on-one time with Sawyer with after school transportation when he began at ACA. Perhaps it is because I know that this brings me that much closer to my own graduating next year - he and Cait are only 10 months apart in age. Perhaps it is because I have seen so much growth in Sawyer these last few months. He use to annoy the stew out of me (as my own do at times). But now I see this young man - matured, responsible, respectful, with a grasp of what he is here to do.

It's going to be kinda strange tomorrow, seeing him graduate. But as I claim him as one of my own, I will be clapping among the loudest tomorrow, proud that, even in some small way, that I may have had a positive impact on this. What a great day it will be!!

From Relaxing to Chaos!!!

I guess God was giving me rest when the Emersons were here, because life got REALLY crazy last week. Of all days, it started on my birthday last Thursday (May 8th). I received a call around 4:30pm from my aunt who lives on Dauphin Island (near my parents). She had gone to check on the house and there was water, apparently from the fridge ice maker. She turned off the water, but would not be able to take care of the water, etc, I needed to come down.

I had a girl scout leader/daughter dinner to "host" that evening, so I'd have to wait until after getting the kids to school Friday. I was also supposed to have a campout with my girl scouts (end of year awards, etc). I spent most of the trip down making sure everything was covered since I would not be there. Rick took off work be my chauffeur and the "muscle", which was great.

I knew the damage would be bad from my aunt's description, but I was not prepared for what I walked into. Water was 2 ft from the front door, carpet was soaked!! After a quick look around, Rick got busy moving things out to the porch and I located the phone book. I got a water extraction company on the phone (they were on the way to the island for a cleaning job). They were 30 min away and would come straight to the house!!! I then started rifling thru my Dad's files to locate insurance papers.

Long and short of it, 3 rooms had to be packed out by movers and taken to storage, the damage repairs (alone) will exceed $16,000+ and it will take about a month to complete repairs. My parents are due back from their trip May 24 but will not be able to get back into their house until early-mid June.

I've been working with Mom via e-mail to get details on her choices for flooring, etc. Since she was already planning on re-doing the kitchen, we're implementing those plans as well. I spent Mother's Day weekend getting things stable enough to leave and get back to work. I FINALLY was able to speak to my Mom on Mother's Day to break the news (great for us both! - not). I have been back down (yesterday) to sign the contract on the repair work to get that started Monday.

It's been a whirlwind that will not be over for a while. Please pray that God continues to put these pieces back together quickly so that parents will not lose the "high" of the fabulous trip they have been on since April 24th. It's been their dream trip - a cruise on the Mediterranean for 20 days padded with before and after trips to Rome and Venice.

An unfortunate way to come home from such a fabulous trip, but I keep telling my Mom - your getting a new home in the process and insurance is covering the bulk of the expense!! So far, she's been good with this, but my Dad......we'll see????

Picnic with the Emersons

A few weeks ago I got the idea that our Caring group should invite Brett & April (and the boys) to join us one Sunday evening.Then another twinkle - invite the youth group since Brett & April were so involved as we awaited Keith & Martha's arrival - we'd just have some plain ol' fun!!! It worked out that the time that was best for the Emersons was the last Sunday they'd be here - May 4th.

I don't think the weather could have been any better!!! The crowd was small - only about 25 total - but the event was GREAT! The kids (meaning the youth kids and adult males) played Extreme Frisbee in the field at the pond/playground in our sub-division. Rick & Justin grilled and the ladies stayed at the pavilion setting up the meal and socializing. The food and fellowship was fun and then Terry B. brought out the fishing gear!!! Here are some pics - I was having so much fun, pictures were an after thought!

I have a few others, but didn't want to go overboard. If you were there and want copies of what I have, e-mail me (asimonton@faulkner.edu) and I will send them your way.