Summer, then fall....

It has been many months since I have checked here, so I thought I would update the old blog!
For Craig and I, things have been a bit of a blur--he sustained a knee injury in May that caused him great pain and discomfort.  He had surgery to remove the meniscus tear, and clean up the arthritis, at the end of July. He actually needs a knee replacement, but since the injury happened at work, he has gone through workman's comp for all this--they would not cover the replacement at this time.  So, he has been trying to strengthen it, both on his own, as well as in physical therapy.  Between that situation, and constant car repairs needed, our summer flew. 

 Although I turned 50 in June, and Craig gave me a lovely dinner party with family and a few close friends, the highlight of our summer was right after that.   We set out on a whirlwind road trip to Kentucky to spend 24 hours with Christopher, Mary, Ethan, and Takoda, at their midway point in their move from California to Florida--at Mary's grandmom's home!  

We celebrated Chris and Mary's 4th anniversary while we were there!

We had a full 12 hour wonderful visit with them all...  Mary's mom and grandmom's hospitality were a joy to experience, and so encouraging!  We left the next day, with Takoda, to spend the summer at our house while Christopher and Mary got settled in Florida.  Christopher left the same day we did, heading to start his new job, and to look for a home, while Mary and Ethan got to spend precious time with her family--for a month or so.  It was a wonderful trip, and having Takoda till the second week in September was pure joy for us!  Oh, how we love our granddog!  

Summer crept along, and then September arrived--my favorite season (Craig's favorite is winter, with fall being a close second)!  On the weekend of our anniversary, Sept. 1, we headed out on a road trip to Woodstock CT. to visit with the Larsons (Kate's boyfriend Andrew's family--although I must mention that Kate has been roomates and the best of friends with Martha Larson FIRST, since they were 18--Andrew is Martha's brother. We love the entire Larson CLAN!).  Our visit was planned around the LEGENDARY Woodstock Fair.  We had SO MUCH FUN eating the fair food, riding the rides, and just spending time with the whole Larson family.  We consider ourselves SO blessed to know them!

The very next weekend we set out on our Florida adventure with Takoda--to take him back to his family, and introduce him to his new home.  

We were able to spend 6 precious days with our family, playing with the baby, going to aquariums, taking walks, and best of all, celebrating Ethan's first birthday!  

We tried to breathe in and absorb each moment, memorizing every sound that little boy makes, every laugh, every line of his face--he is so incredible!  Our kids are pretty wonderful too!!  

Leaving them was painful, to say the least. 

We were smart to schedule in a day and a half with Craig's mom Gail on the way home.  It was healing...and mom is awesome!  We got to see the whole family, and dear friends!

We got home Monday September 16, and that next weekend we were happy to receive our next furry visitor--Copper Williams, our dear friends Walker hound.  Our friends are relocating to NJ from Colorado. Copper stayed with us for a month, while they were adjusting etc.  

He went back to his family just yesterday. He missed them so much!  We  our now furry-friend-less.  It is strange not having a pup, but I guess our eyes and ears are open to consider looking for our forever furry friend now.  

I am tired.  Really tired!  Things have been in fast motion for a long time, and now the holidays are on the horizon.  I battle the meloncholy feelings, with most of the kids living away now. More glad than ever for Skype, and Google chat, and friends that support me and encourage me when I am having a hard time with it.  They are God's provision for me, and I am truly thankful!