This is what it's all about...

148.  Slow summer days.

149.  Vibrant color.

 150.   Stooping it with baby girl.

151.  Breakfast on the deck.

152.  Critter finds.

153.  Coffee in the sun.

154.  "Momma look I made a snow angel in the sand."

155.  Relaxing days on the beach.

156.  Picnics.

157.  Daddy & boy fun.

158.  Grill food and chilled salads.

159.  Scraped up knees.

160.  Bare feet and shorts.

161.  Fresh veggies.

162.  Side walk chalk.

163.  Forts built, Strong man and five boys.

164.  Summer day fires.

165.  Books by the fire.

A surprise getaway.

I went down to organize and be helpful, but Grandpa said I should take a vacation.  And so I did.

We went to the firemen's fish fry, and I had an impromptu cooking class in the preparation of Chinese cabbage.  We both slept through the evening news him in the recliner and me on the couch.  We spent the afternoon reading with spontaneous conversation thrown in.

The next night I had dinner with my Pop, and his girlfriend before we headed off to hear a local band play.  Which I really enjoyed.

My brother treated me to breakfast the next morning, we checked out a yard sale and went transfer station "shopping" to which I found a brand new doll still in the box for my youngest niece.  Actually my Pop found it.

Then just Pop and I went up to the river that we both spent time in as kids.  We rock hoped and almost fell in once or twice.  I played with the camera while he played in the water.

 A perfect laid back ending to a lazy weekend.

Gifts

168.  A chance to catch up on sleep.
169.  Good talks with my Grandpa.
170.  Cooking class.
171.  Valuable time with family.
172.  Nights out.
173.  Good food.
174.  Breakfast with Little brothers.

It's all about timing...

Three months ago I quit my job at the Hut, a job I loved, to begin a new one.

Two months ago I lost my grandmother.  With my loss I spent more time back home which I wouldn't have been able to do had I not left the job I loved.

Three weeks ago I was offered a better position back at the Hut that I didn't think I would ever be offered.  With the loss of my grandmother and all the time I would have taken off I'm not sure I would have been given the opportunity for this new position had I stayed. I gave my notice at the new one.

Two weeks ago, on my last day, I was called out of work.  A few minutes later I received a phone call and found myself headed to the Portland hospital to be with my sister and her little girl.

I have wondered at the timing of these past few months.  I've wondered why I my new job just didn't seem to fit quite right.  I wondered at the death of my Grandmother who was full of life just days before her passing.  I wondered at the offer of this other position.

Now that I'm through it, I can see how God used one to lead to the other.  This chain of events allowed me to love on people that hurt so deeply.  I can't help but remember the words of Solomon the wisest man ever to live saying there is a time for everything.

There is an appointed time for everything.  And there is a time for every event under the heaven.

~ Ecclesiastes 3:1

166.  A God who coordinates events perfectly.

When life is altered.

I should have been working but a was called out, a thing that rarely happens.  Instead I used that time to go clothes shopping for some much needed pants, I put off because really I hate it and so do the boys.  As I walked into the changing room my phone alerted me to a text and then it rang.  My sister and her 3 year old were on there way to the hospital, but not the local hospital the largest in Maine.  They were on there way to the pediatrics ICU.  The ambulance that carried them had two doctors ready to save little girl's life if it came to that.  I rushed home, packed a quick bag, and began my journey down.  What I saw when I got there made my gut twist and my eyes water.

Little girl was lethargic, whimpering for water that she couldn't have until at least the next morning.  She had wires covering her.  Her arm in a splint because the IV was so big and her arm too small they feared she might break it.  The IV in her hand stuck out over her knuckles half an inch.  She was too small to be in that bed.  I had to stay focused, she was alive.

And that's the key isn't it?  In all of life but even more so when the daily routine is shattered, stay focused.

Dearest Sister and Brother in law,

Stay focused.  This pain, these tears will be less and less until it is the new norm.  She will run and play without thought to those "pokes".  She will grow, love, have responsibilities, be a Momma, a wife, a friend, all of these things because you kept your focus.  Because you kept your eyes on the big picture; you stayed focused and fought for her life.

That's what Job did: Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I shall return there.  The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away.  Blessed be the name of the LORD.
That's what Jesus did:  My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, Your will be done.
That's what Paul did:  I press on towards the goal for the prize for the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

People looked and stared.
People talked behind there back.
People told them they did it wrong.
People gave up on them.

But they stayed focused on the end game.

Don't give up hope, don't lose heart.  When she says, "please no poke me. No like pokes." tell her, tell yourself that this gives her life.

Decorating her hospital room with paper flowers.

I love you both.  Keep on keepin' on.

P.S.  Tell little girl Auntie loves her.

When all 10 stayed home.

The weather was perfect and the bugs stayed away while all the people were to play.

A few bubbles were blown, but mostly just puddles were made.

Sprinklers were used...

...and sun baths were taken.

Memories were captured...

...piggy toes and all.

Ducklings waddled away from baby girl.

Chicks were loved by all.

Grapes were planted with poles to climb....My knees are bruised, my arms are fire engine red, my voice sounds like a husky man, but I laughed tears and love tanks are full.

Gifts 139 - 147