These are just a few scenic shots of Mackay, Idaho. I've never really found Idaho to be a lovely place, but now I know why Mom and Dave got a place there. It's pretty! And who doesn't love riding a four-wheeler to the grocery store???
Mike happened to be walking past and I told him to stop and be in the pic--the overall effect wasn't what I wanted, but the smile on Mike's face is. That's the kind of smile I have trouble getting from him when I take his pic alone. But that's a real smile, and it's for Emily!
They all need some more editing, but I wanted to put something up on the blog that was cheerful.
PS thanks for all your love and support and kind words. I can't say how much I appreciate it. Really.
still no pictures. I've had a setback trying to find a drug to manage the pain without killing the rest of me. It's been pretty dark in my prison bed lately. I have lost a lot of weight, but that is not really worth it, when it feels like I've lost a lot of days and weeks too. Days just gone that can't be redone or gotten back. Christmas seems like a particularly cruel time to be in this position. I'm thinking there will be no cards or pithy comic book letter this year. there will also be no chocolates, even though the cute little take out boxes were bought months ago. The house will only get partially decorated. Thank goodness for internet shopping. So, just when you think this is a pity party for me that you didn't want an invitation to, I hope that I can share some things I've learned this weekend.
*We all have to make choices. For one, is the end goal ( to live with God again) worth the price we have to pay? I think so. I really really hope so.
*Stuff like this, in one shape or another, happens to everyone.
*There's stuff we're supposed to learn.
*We're supposed to endure it well and bare it cheerfully. Haven't figured out how yet. Let me know if you already have.
*Apparently, we forget things we already knew. Like how bad stuff eventually gets better. I seem to recall that that has happened in the past, but it doesn't seem to apply now.
*As much as I hate depending on other people, it seems to be part of the learning process. I don't even want anyone else picking up or dropping off my children, but I don't have a choice and by the way, I am grateful.
*Who you marry is just about one of the most important things you can decide in this life. Thank you, Mike. I can't type much more for crying.
So, until I learn some more or someone else logs on to blog, I'll wave to you from my hospital bed covered in pink princess sheets in the middle of my living room.
I am using our new laptop, which we were going to get anyway, but my dumb accident hastened. Eventually I will get so I can get pics from the network, but I will probably be able to get downstairs easier before that happens. Soon I will post pics of my new turtle shell (back brace) and my sweet hospital bed and walker (borrowed from a generous Crae and Laurie). And even though this blog (and life in general) is all about me, I will post pics of the kids and blog some about our fun outing to Mackay. There were moments during the last three weeks (lucid ones, mind you) where I thought alot about being on the receiving end of service, about faith, and about grace. Then I'd realize that they were too personal to share yet. Mere words cannot express the gratitude I feel for everyone who's helped me. I'm still ashamed about how much some of you have helped me and I feel that I don't dare talk to you until I pay you back or figure some way to properly thank you. Or at least be able to not cry when I think about it.
I guess my plan to be humble enough without the Lord's help to avoid having trials had it's flaws....:)
This is Emily enjoying the big slide.
And Tate doing the same...
Hayden waiting for the hydraulic corn gun man.
I wasn't even trying to capture this, but as I was taking it, they announced the pig races, and he was pretty excited...
"Get back in the maze so I can get a picture!" "smile. stop touching each other. scoot in"
The hay ride was missing the hay.....but it was still fun. Tate is not an adventurous soul. He kept telling the driver to slow down and be more careful. It was funny and embarrassing at the same time.
Mike and Emily picking out pumpkins.
Tate waiting for the Great Pumpkin, or the guy with the utility knife to cut his pumpkin. Either one.
We went out to Syracuse to Black Island Farms. It was a great time. Next time I'll post videos of the corn guns, the pig races and what the kids liked best. The slides were pretty cool and the pigs were pretty cute. It was a good day.
Conference was great too, wasn't it? It's good to know what exactly to work on for the next bit, even if self-improvement isn't super fun. It's more fun to improve someone else, isn't it???? Just kidding. Mostly.
These are not exactly stellar photos. However, you can probably guess that my children were not in the mood to stand still for a photo. "I'M GOING TO BE LATE!!!", they shout.
We try to take the first day seriously, we try to leave lots of extra time, we try to make it special, but I have not gotten the hang of it. I guess I have five more tries with Hayden. YIKES. That's not long at all. Sigh. Is it better to commemorate and think too much in the process, or to slide through life and not have sad thoughts? I haven't decided. I guess I have done some of both.
Anyway, the kids are growing. Maybe on Tuesday morning, I'll pretend it's the first day and take better pics..........
This is the side that got smashed while we were spinning around. The door no longer closes.
This is the side the at-fault driver hit. (I'm so p.c.) That is the back bumper on top of the van, and there is no glass in the sliding door window. The pictures don't do it justice. They don't show the smell of gas (still!) nor all the wasps that moved in while it sat here. THAT was fun.
so now to the ode. Oh van, we loved your eight seats, your power sliding door, your cupholders, and your huge gas tank. We loved your great gas mileage (hey, everything beats the Explorer), your trip odometer, your mileage and compass and temperature display. We loved your clean carpet and brakes. Ah, we will miss you.
