Summer is a great season for taking a little time off, and that is what has happened with the blog. With the kids at home there is less and less time to sit down and write these posts, but as I anticipate the coming of the new school year (and the new routine that goes with it) I will get back on the ball with posting.
Feels like so much has happened int he past weeks but I will look forward and tell you what we have coming up:
I am going to take each of the girls on an overnight; just the two of us. Audrey has a birthday on the 9th and my parents offered her a room night in a hotel at a location of her choosing. She chose Aspen--the kid has taste! Actually we are going to stay in Snowmass. One of Audrey's favorite authors spent much of his time in Aspen and wrote about his mis-adventures there so we are going to explore. We want to see his house, the memorial that was built when he died and we are going to eat in his favorite local tavern. To be honest I am most excited for the drive. It is about 4 hours to get there which means I will have Audrey in an enclosed space for a total of eight hours. We always tend to have our best conversations in the car.
Later in the month, for my birthday, Emma and I are going back to Winter Park. Emma is a little less adventurous than Audrey and she is happy to return to the comfortable surroundings of Joanne's sisters vacation house there. We are going to play video games and eat a steak (Emma's two requests). Again, the drive will be the highlight for me. Of course I do like a good steak!
Joanne is reading up a storm this summer averaging about a book a day! She is taking a little time here and there to watch a movie. She watched The Hunger Games yesterday and gave it a thumbs up. She is going to go to Winter Park when Audrey and I go to Aspen. The house there is really set up well for her. She can get around just fine. Of course with her being there and Audrey and I being in Aspen it will be the longest we have gone without seeing each other since the stroke. As I think back on it the longest time up to this point that we have gone without being together is probably 12 hours at the maximum and that only a few times. That's going to feel weird!
The girls went with Kristen (Jo's sister) to the top of Pikes Peak yesterday on the train. Sounds like they had fun although Audrey was looking forward to a ride that was a bit more exhilarating than the eight miles per hour that the train actually travels at. But she was able to buy cotton candy at the summit so she was pleased. It was awfully nice of Kristen to take them and they had a blast with their three cousins.
I guess that's about it.
Toben
Toben, I wish I could give you some brilliantly illuminating words of wisdom regarding your daughters but I/we raised 2 boys (the Lord is so wise!!!) and I totally "went with it"! I hold to the belief that 'the Lord knows our frame' and can smooth out/erase the misjudgments/missteps we make in parenting when we are doing the best we humanly can while seeking His Face.
Tom and I have never ceased to lift you all up in daily prayer and have appreciated your posts/sharing along the way. Blessings and hugs from the S.E. corner of MN (the Coulee Region/God's Country)
Posted by: Doreen | August 01, 2013 at 06:20 AM
So glad you posted!
Posted by: kimberly | August 01, 2013 at 07:03 AM
Sounds like wonderful trips for all. Thank you for giving an update when you could. Keeping you all in my prayers and thoughts. Joanne, I hope you are finding good books to read in addition to God's Word. I'm at one book a week lately. I also hope that you are getting some exercises in during the day. Though I know for me, it's been tough and my therapy usually ends up being every day chores since I have a ways to go. Much love to you all!!
Posted by: Sara G | August 01, 2013 at 09:33 AM