Our 4th Anniversary

I’ve had my eye on this church and flags since we arrived and today, Don stopped so I could take pictures.  The bottom flag is the Christian flag.

Another picture of Old Glory that we saw today.  It’s not often that I get a good view from the street or highway of the flag that isn’t obstructed with power or telephone lines, etc.  Nice clear blue sky background, too.

We stopped at the 1431 Cafe in the Rail Yard Shopping Center, Cedar Park, for breakfast.

Cute little waitress took our picture for us.  That’s a veggie omelet on my plate and it was huge.  I ordered flour tortillas with it and only ate two.  In hindsight, we should have shared one, but Don wanted biscuits and gravy, which was also a plate full.  Neither one of us were members of the ‘clean plate club’ this morning.

We love the Hill Country of Texas.  Today, we took Highway 1431 from I-35 to Marble Falls.  The scenery was green a beautiful from on top of the hills.

1431 is not the straightest or most level highway.  Nothing like the desert valley of Arizona.

We turned right….

we turned left….

we turned this way and that way, up and down.

NoPo, you would love this highway!

Don’s gift to me today was stopping a lot so I could take pictures.  If this old stone house could talk..

The utility shed to the left was also built with stone.

Off to the right of the main house, this is probably a two-holer outhouse.

The house from the other side.

A close up of the Firewheels that are so plentiful here.

We drove through an addition on LBJ Lake called Deer Haven and we found out why.  Deer were everywhere just laying or grazing around.

We talked to a salesman at the Horseshoe Bay and he even drove us around and showed us some houses and condos.  He knew, when I asked him if we could park our 5th wheel on “that lot” that was for sale, that we weren’t serious customers.  He laughed, we laughed.  But he was a very nice man and we enjoyed his hospitality.  We learned the history of Horseshoe Bay and a few things about John and his family, which was very interesting.

Another stop overlooking the lake.

This house on the lake is for sale.

At the Holiday Inn Express, Don just had to get in the pool, after all, it was in the mid-90’s today.  However, the water in the pool was not heated and it was freezing.  I can’t believe how long Don stayed in, but not me!!  I did good to get my feet in the water.  Brrrrrrrrrrr!

The view from our window.  Looks like a church, but it’s only an edifice marking where the First Baptist Church of Marble Falls plans to build a church building.

This HIE has only been open for three weeks.  It was very nice and new.

Down the hill from the HIE were new houses and more houses being built.  The view for most was beautiful and the price for one that I got an info sheet on was over $400,000.00.  Guess they have heard about the economy.

I guess this view is worth that, but I can look at this picture as much as I want for …. free.

Don took me to the River City Grille for dinner right on the river.

It was very nice and the food was excellent and this was our semi-obstructed view (we could have sat on the deck, but it was very crowded when we arrived:

We barely made it back to the HIE in time to get this picture out our window after sunset.

What a grand day we had, just enjoying each other’s company and the beautiful Hill Country scenery.

Thank you, Don.  It was wonderful.

[Written on the 6th because my gift to Don yesterday was to keep my time on the computer to a minimum.]

Emma’s first school program

It was a beautiful morning for a walk in the park across the street.

By the time we got back, school buses were unloading students for the 12:05 PM baseball game.  It’s DARE DAY at the game.

There were oodles of students going to the game today.

And the parking lot was full.  We thought that was great for a midday, mid-week game.

Don watched all the traffic and student activity from our site.

By the time we left to go to Emma’s school program, the parking lot was empty.

When we got to Emma’s school, the cafeteria/auditorium was full and we had to stand along the right side wall.  From where I stood, my view of Emma, standing on the floor not the stage, was blocked by …. she that gal in the gray sweater STANDING UP??!!!

But Camden had a great view from his daddy’s shoulders and he would holler at his sister and wave.  He’s an encourager.

As you can tell by the two heads in the foreground of this picture, I only had a small window to take pictures through….

but, I did get a few.  Quality was bad, but circumstances in life are not always picture perfect.  Right?  Nonetheless, we were very impressed with this group of first graders and kindergartners as they performed The Toad and the Frog.

Next, we were led, by Emma, to her hallway where we viewed her artwork.  The subject was “prehistoric’s.”

Afterward, we all met at Which Wich for supper.  It’s a great place with a playground for the kids while we sat out on the patio in the evening breeze.  At one point, Camden, 3 1/2, said to his sister, “Emma, you did really good at your school tonight.”  Out of the blue.

It was another great day in Round Rock, Texas.

It ended good.

Originally, we felt confident that our Q tire problem would be covered by our extended warranty, since the tires are obviously defective.  So much for being confident.  The warranty company says they only cover tires under road hazard.  Now, you tell me.  Isn’t a tire that’s about to blow-out, a road hazard? 

Oh well.  Count it all joy!  We trust the Lord with our lives, so this is obviously part of His plan.

This afternoon, Leslie brought the kids over for dinner… pot roast, mashed potatoes, green beans and a salad (young greens, purple onion slivers, orange chunks, and cubed avocado; ranch dressing or spicy Italian).  Listening to Camden saying blessing is priceless, especially his, “amen and amen.”

After dinner, we all went outside to play and take pictures.  Unbelievably, Camden posed for a few shots!

Seven pictures!  Count them!  Seven.  He’s kind of cute.  Sort of.  Are you kidding me?  He’s stinkin’ cute!

Do you know what I love about this picture? I can see her precious freckles that have started peeking through.  Adorable.  I also love that she looks just like her mom at this age.  And then there’s those big brown, smiling eyes.  Did I mention that sweet space where her two front teeth used to be.  There’s a new one making an appearance.  You just know that I’m smiling right now, don’t you?

They gave me a bocce ball set and so we played… not by official rules, obviously.  But we had fun, just the same.

My turn to take pictures.

How did I catch this look? 

We are so blessed.

I did a little enhancing effects to this shot of Leslie.

Sunday’s here.

Went to Central Baptist this morning with Leslie and family.  Wonderful worship, praise and prayer time and very challenging sermon.  If you want to hear Bro. Mark’s sermons, check out >>this link.<<

We all met at Mesa Rosa’s for lunch.

A really good friend to the Coltrain family and ex-coworker of Khalil’s, Kenny (affectionately called ‘Kitty’ by the kids), joined us for lunch.  He came bearing a really adorable redhead who had an earache. 

Not feeling good, but still very cute.  Did you know that he can count to ten in Spanish?  And he knows all his colors in both English and Spanish.

Emma can count to one hundred in Spanish.  And can understand more Spanish than most of us at the table.  Presently, Emma’s in her own little world.

A sure sign that Camden is tired or doesn’t feel good… “Mommy, rub my feet.”

He was pretty miserable, but was a real trooper through lunch.

They took the boy home for a nap and we went back to the Q to spend a restful Sunday afternoon.

We’ve received many replies to our request for prayer for Kris.  Thanks, everyone.  Carol, George and Kris’s family appreciate all your prayers.

Utility Defined

 

 

Our great-nephew LOVES baseball and will play anywhere and anytime he gets the chance.

       And he’s good at it.

“—Ben Cicero, junior, doubled, homered, drove in four runs and scored four times in Cedar Park Christians's 14-13 win against Bellevue Christian.” - (from The Seattle Times High School Sports page)

‘CICERO’ … as mom, Tammy, says, “no one knows how to spell nor pronounce our name (Circeo--Sir-Say-O).  It was the same with ‘DeRusha … I’ve learned to live with it! ;)”

Flash back to Ben’s game last Friday night, then fast forward to the 7^th inning when it was tied. Ben was brought in to pitch. Ben maintains his cool.  The game went 9 innings (7 is High School reg) and Ben’s team pulled it out at the end …

Ben’s personal … : 2-run HR, 2 RBI double (about 6 inches below the top of the net—would’ve been a homer!), HBP (Hit By Pitch – an automatic promotion to first base), Intentional walk (which means the opposition is SCARED of his bat), reached on an error and a single, possibly 2 stolen bases ... pitched the last 2 or 3 innings (ended up as the winning pitcher).

Ken (Ben’s dad) was videoing the game at one point on the opponent’s side and one of the parents was talking to him. He said, “So, who is your kid?” Ken said, “Ben Circeo.” The guy said, “Oh really!” then chuckled and said, “The last word our coach gave our team tonight was, ‘Don’t let Circeo beat us!’”

It’s always a team effort, according to Ben, but it’s evident that Circeo helped CP beat BCS …  Uncle Don would have loved to have spent his birthday evening watching this game.

Ben’s team has two more games next week. They could technically lose one and still be in 1^st place … We are, obviously, cheering for them and saying a prayer or two, as well.

Ben’s dad has created a wonderful video of Ben for university coaches all over the country, including Baylor and the University of Texas, just to name a few.  We, selfishly, would love to see him come to Baylor, but it would be easier for his mom and dad if he played somewhere in the northwest. [remember to mute the Playlist and turn up your speakers]

Way to go, Ben Circeo.  You define UTILITY.  We are so proud of you.  God has blessed you with talent and the best family to guide you.  Your future is bright and we can’t wait to watch you.

Saturday afternoon with grands

We are in Texas.

Through the patio door, Papa Doppey is reading a book with Camden.

We watched the kids play and play and laugh and laugh out on the lawn.  It’s hard to take pictures when they are moving so much.

”Daddy’s home!!”

And he brought a Dr. Pepper for mom.

Camden is always on the move.

Just had to have one really good shot of the missing front teeth…. or rather the space where they were.  One coming in, one to go.

Leslie and Khalil prepared dinner for us tonight and it was sooo good.  Leslie made Great Grits, I, who does not like grits at all, ate three servings.  They’re to die for.  Before I leave here, I will have the recipe.     

Kris Update 2

Don and I met Carol and George Kline late August, 2008 in Branson, MO.  Here’s a picture of Carol singing at the KOA.

We are very grateful to Carol and George for keeping us updated on Kris’s progress.  We received the following email this morning:

Dear ones,

As of yesterday afternoon (Friday), Kris is still doing well.  The trach is working much better than all the tubes and "stuff" down her throat, and the PEG tube is working nicely for feeding.  She has a slight sinus infection, which is to be expected they said, and she's being given an antibiotic for that.  Lack of mobility sometimes makes slight colds and infections happen.  A CT scan that was taken late Thursday showed no change.  The captain/nurse in charge of her yesterday said that's not a bad thing; there's no improvement but there's no decline either.  She may be just resting comfortably and the healing process is ongoing.   

Prayers are still the best thing.  The surgical team and other care team members are thinking of moving her to a private room now where they can begin to give her therapy to keep her muscles strong, etc.  She is not moving as much as she was, it seems, but that could be because she's resting comfortably.  She remains in a coma, which will really help the healing process in the long haul.  And they still maintain it will be a long haul. 

Did I say prayers are still the best thing?  They certainly are.  I am humbled and encouraged tremendously by the outpouring of love and many, many prayers.  They are strengthening me and I know God is uplifting Kris through them as well.  She would be so moved and humbled, too, to know so many people care and are praying for her.  She is so kind and giving, and cares deeply about her family and her work.  I will continue to keep you updated.  Doing so is a great help to me, believe it or not. 

Blessings and love to all,

Carol and George