Rainy Day- But we are NOT flooded

It is raining here, again. This is a photo looking out the garage side door into the back yard.



Updated 9/23/09- I have had several people call or email me lately wondering if we are floating away with the flooding they've seen in the news. We are fine. Our house sits on a hill, and we are south of the area hardest hit. Our county is not in the ones listed for emergency relief.

Happy Birthday Jon Paul

My "little" boy is now a legal adult. Happy 18th Birthday Jon Paul. Love you.

ISS show

After my eye check-up this morning, I will be heading to the ISS show (Imprinted Sportswear Show) in Atlanta. This is a 3 day trade show for appareal decorating businesses. (that's embroidery, silk, screen, heat transfer, etc).

I hope I get lots of thread and other samples like last year. I'll get to see lots of new products and make up a wish list for the future.

I went last year with a friend and we had a good time (even though she doesn't sew). This year I'm going by myself. That friend has a new grandson born on Thursday and she gets to play grandma. And Jonathan has too much homework to come home this weekend. So I'm going today instead of waiting until Saturday when I expect more people to be attending.

I just pray that my feet and back hold up for all the walking around all the exhibits. This year I'm taking a rolling suitcase to hold all of the catalogs. Last year I did take a big tote bag, but that soon got very heavy on my shoulder.

It should be lots of fun.

Dad's surgery

My father had to have a second surgery on his elbow yesterday. The applicance to replace the elbow bone that was put in a year ago was broken (turns out it was likely broken when it was originally installed!)

The surgery went well. His tendons & ligaments have healed, to the point where a replacement appliance was considered unnecessary. So it was not replaced. This should stop all of the pain he has been in. With therapy, it is expected that he will be again to regain more movement in the arm than he has had, but will not be able to fully extend the elbow.

He was discharged from the hospital last night. Thank you for your prayers.

I love you Daddy!

Disappointment

Two days ago, Jonathan received an email from his chaplain friend in Kuwait. It looks like Jonthan will still have to go to Kuwait for 6 months. He will leave right around Thanksgiving.

It will be arranged for him to be back in Georgia in time for Jon Paul's high school graduation and leaving for basic training.

It also means that our adoption case study will be put on hold, and just when it looked like things were moving forward.

The case worker of one child is going to check with her supervisor about us adopting one particular child since there will be a month between Jon's finishing in Augusta and leaving for Kuwait. And this is part of military life. But I rather have my doubts that we will be given the okay. However, I also know that if this child is the one that God wants us to adopt, then things will work out somehow.

I will post updates if things change.

Adoption Gathering

We went to an adoption gathering today done in Macon. This is where a large group of kids available for adoption come and have a chance to interact with families looking to adopt. There were about 45 kids today. We had a chance to meet quite a few of the kids while playing games, drawing, and doing other activities.

There were 3 children that we are going to seek more information. We did have a chance to speak briefly with their case workers and think they might be possible matches for our family. The ironic thing is that we went thinking were were looking for a sibling group- with at least one boy. The kids we met today are a 12 year old boy, an 11 year old girl and a 16 year old girl (as of Monday).

We now will have our home study sent to the case workers and see what happens from there. In a month, Jonathan and I will attend a meeting of case workers from all over the state at a matching conference. Fortunately this is being held in Augusta, so Jonathan will be able to attend.

We will keep you informed as we have more news. Please keep praying that we will know which child or children are the ones for us. It will not be an easy decision, there are so many wonderful children needing homes. But we only have so much room in the house right now.

Eye Update

I had the Lasik surgery on Thursday. The surgeon did a modified mono-vision. This means one eye (left) was corrected to be able to see somewhat close (so I can read my watch and see my cell phone, but not be able to clearly read a book).

I saw the eye doctor on Friday for a one day check. Everything seems to be doing well. I can see fairly well, although at times things go out of focus temporarily- this is normal. I am having trouble reading, but after my eyes are completely healed, then I can get some reading glasses. This will make doing my puzzle books and working on the computer much easier.

It does seem odd not to have to keep track of my glasses anymore- except for sunglasses. The surgery did not help my sensitivity to light- but then it usually doesn't. I haven't tried driving at night yet- so I don't know how that will work.