'tis the season...

for birthdays.  Today was the first day of birthday season for us ~ Ceilidh turned 5!  Her party is this Saturday, so tonight it was just us.  And the cupcakes.  Those evil, evil cupcakes!  (The batter was like vanilla pudding...)

playing with her new software  :)

Letter to Santa

October 16-18

Another family trip this month.  We drove up to Roanoke, Va for a couple of days to visit Jonnie's aunt, uncle and cousin & his wife.  Lots of fun, wish we could have stayed longer.  We traveled to nearby Mill Mtn, got to see the Roanoke Star up close (it's HUGE), and visited the Mill Mtn zoo and Discovery Center. 

More photos from Mill Mtn, Va

October 8th & 9th

We spent the weekend of Oct 8 down at Myrtle Beach with my mom and my brother & his family, for a branch of my mom's family's annual reunion.  The weekend was way too short (and much warmer than we expected, hence no bathing suits for the beach!).   

Music to share

 

you test my nerves
it makes me stronger
so could you bother me
a little bit longer

Really love the chorus of this song.  What love is all about!

Round 2

Well, Jonnie had his ankle surgery on Aug 5.  Stitches removed Thursday last week.  Doc told him he could start trying to put some weight on it.  He tried.  It HURT like crazy so he decided to wait a while longer.  Saturday his foot swelled up and the incision split open.  I closed it up with butterflies but he has been in more pain since then. 
And now we're gearing up for round 2.  He has pre-op appt tomorrow for his shoulder.  The injury turned out to be a type 3 separation.  The bone is at a pretty steep angle and will stay that way without surgery.  Because his job involves a lot of overhead work and heavy lifting, it was decided that surgery was the best option.  He needs the stability and the bone poking up into his muscle would continue to cause pain.  Surgery is this Friday the 26th to screw the bones back together.  Recovery time is 8-12 weeks.  He will have the use of 1 arm and 1 leg and will lose what limited mobility he has right now.  Praying for God's grace & strength to get us through the first week or 2.  It will not be easy.
I do have some really good news, though.  He finally decided we could homeschool this year!!! We are excited, nervous, and trying to prepare as much as possible this week before the surgery.  I am hoping that we can start in 2 (or 3) weeks once Jonnie is feeling better and not needing quite as much round-the-clock care.  Life will be super busy but I am so relieved.  Public school starts this Thursday, the day before the surgery.  I can't imagine how difficult it would be to have to worry about the bus & homework & getting them ready in the morning during the first part of his recovery.  So anyway ~ woohoo!!! Praise God for dreams come true, and grace & strength to get us through!