To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven...Ecclesiastes 3:1
As the days, weeks, and months fly by I find myself in a new place - a new season in so many ways. We are still walking through my mom's illness which has me at the doctor's and hospital many times each week. Presently she's stable and in pretty good spirits all things considered. I am so grateful for my husband and children who are supportive, helpful, and on top of things through this exhausting time. And so many people from my sister-in-law to my mother-in-law, to my daughter-in-law's mom, to my church family have all been praying and bringing meals to my parents. Above all, the Lord is faithful to guide us through this difficult season.
One thing that brings joy to my heart and a smile to my face is this precious little one. My granddaughter, Iona, is almost 5 months old and such a joy. The Lord certainly knew I'd need this bright spot during this season!
She does smile!
Uncle Slava, Grammy & Miss Iona rocking the yellow swim suit!
We cannot get enough of this baby! We love on her, smush her, smell her, kiss her, cuddle her, stare at her - you name it, we just soak her up!
Iona with Grandpa!
She fell asleep in Grampy's arms at church a few weeks back. I couldn't resist taking this pic. We are all in love with this baby!
Luci, Wayne Jr., Sierra, and Andrii
We made the 4 hour trip to Rochester for the annual home school convention and graduation commencement. With my mom's condition I wasn't sure if we would even be going. But things worked out for Wayne and I to leave on a Thursday evening so we could enjoy the convention on Friday. Friday afternoon Anna arrived with the Anderson family as Sierra's best friend, Luci, was graduating as well. By 10pm Wayne Jr. arrived with Sierra, Luci, and Andrii. Saturday morning, the day of the commencement, Curtis and Jordan arrived with the rest of the Anderson family.
Luci & CC - Class of 2014
It seemed only fitting that we were all mixed in with the Anderson's as they are our next-door neighbors, dear friends, and home school veterans. Luci & CC have been best friends since they were 5 years old. I can't believe these 2 are high school graduates!
Most of us!
Andrii, Jordan, Me, Wayne, Sierra, Anna, Wayne Jr., and Curtis.
Kerri opted to not make the trip with the baby as Iona isn't very fun to ride in the car with. "Miss Cranky Pants" has become a term of endearment. Slava is also not too fun to ride on long car trips with, not to mention sitting through looonnng commencement ceremonies! Kerri stayed at our house with the baby and Slava, and her sister Shannon stayed also to lend a hand with the kids and some hay to Anna's horse. It made things a bit easier on all of us.
Anna, Slava, and Avalon
Things are going pretty well with having the horse on the homestead. Anna is thrilled and is doing a good job taking care of the horse. Somehow she managed to talk her dad into getting a barn cat, next thing we knew a kitten has taken up residence with Avalon - and our new baby chickens. It appears we're turning into farmers! Seriously, we're considering getting a beef cow. Now that we're set up for it, and with the food prices the way they are, even Wayne is beginning to see it's a good idea. We'll see if I post a picture of a cow on the next blog update!
Victoria on fife & Andrii (back right with serious face) on drum.
Andrii is still part of the Jubilee Fife & Drum Corps through our church. Victoria also comes to our house each Thursday to help me homeschool the little boys and brings Slava to services at the local elementary school when I'm at the hospital with my mom.
Wayne Jr. & Curtis circa 1994
Talk about seasons changing! These guys are now 25 & 22! They took me to dinner the other night as Wayne, Andrii, Jordan, and Slava were all away on a camp-out and the girls were at a youth group event. I tried taking their picture to post on Facebook and they refused to cooperate. I had to resort to posting this picture instead - it got over 80 "likes"! It's one of my favorites too! It seems like a lifetime ago that they were this little.
Surgery Time Again!
About 5 years ago Jordan had growing rods placed in his back to help straighten severe scoliosis. When we adopted him at age 3 he had a cork-screw curved spine, we suspect from alcohol exposure in the womb. Since the rod placement he's had to have the rods revised and lengthened about every 6 months or so. I've lost track of how many times we've done this. This brave boy is such a trooper. He endures this procedure without complaint every time. We hope to be getting to the end of it as he's almost 11 and once his torso stops growing it will be time for the next phase. Depending on his growth and how his spine responds the next step could be permanent rods and spinal fusion, spinal fusion only, or nothing at all. We're praying for a miraculous healing so he will not need anything more done.
If you were brave enough to make it all the way to the bottom of this post, first of all - thank you! And second, would you be willing to become a follower? Just check out the right side of the blog and click where it asks if you'd like to follow. It would be a great encouragement to me! My goal is to blog at least monthly, if not weekly, but presently life is not cooperating with that plan. So I blog when I can! Thank you!
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