Prayers, please...

For my sister, Lesa, and her family. Her husband Larry has some very serious health issues. Crohn's disease, diabetes and heart problems to name a the most serious.

He had a major heart attack in August 2001 as they were boarding a ship for their honeymoon cruise. Things were touch and go for quite some time, but they have a huge faith in god and he prevailed.

He has had lots of illness in the time since. His doctors had some stress tests scheduled for this past Tuesday in Tampa, FL at the VA hospital. Which is about 1 1/2 hours from where they live. He had the tests scheduled for then, so they could make the trip up here 2 weeks ago. He went in for the stress tests and failed miserably. They admitted him immediately. The doctor said that the whole left side of his heart is dead and he would need surgery. It was not a matter of IF he would have another heart attack, but WHEN.

Yesterday they went in and attempted to do a catheterization but they couldn't. When they tried to put the dye through, the arteries were completely blocked. Instead they put 5 stents in on the bypassed side(which they don't like to use the bypassed side, but they didn't have a choice.) He was in surgery for about 2 1/2 hours and is now in intensive care. He will stay in intensive care for a few days and then have some more tests to see if the stents are holding or if they need to try something else.

I am asking for prayers and good thoughts for all of them. They are a wonderful, caring, giving and compassionate christian family.

Thank you all and I will post updates as I get them. It is hard being 1400 miles away.


My sister's beautiful family. Lesa, Larry, Tyler and Peyton. This was taken at my house on the 4th of July, which is also Lesa's birthday.



Lesa and Larry. Taken July 3rd.


Larry and our youngest granddaughter, Kamrie. This was the first time they had met(2 weeks ago) and she took to him like a duck to water!! We were happy about this, since she is usually very shy around men.

As I look at these pictures, I can see that he looks very tired and drawn. I am so greatful that we ALL had this time together. You never know what tomorrow will bring.

Do you believe in garden fairies? LOL!

You might when you look at these pictures! I went outside this morning to water the plants when I spotted these in the cherry tomato plant:





Little shirts, little shorts, teeny tiny little shoes and fairy wings!


These are what I ended up finding in the plants! Now do you believe in fairies?





The tomato plant is planted in a box under the grandkids' slide.



Kamrie calls the little fort at the top of the slide, her playhouse. This was where she spent hours Saturday evening playing with her Polly Pockets stuff! Obviously, she lost some!! So, I guess there aren't really garden fairies, but it was fun to think about them!







This is what is really growing on that plant. Lots and lots of cherry tomatoes! There is probably at least 100 little tomatoes! I don't like the cherry ones, but Richard and Rocky love them!

Scenes from Amish country

I have to say that we live in/near some beautiful country. Amish country is my favorite place to take a drive through. Shipshewana is in the heart of Amish country! The diversities of our cultures still amazes me sometimes!

Shipshe flea market

When my sister and her family came from FL, last week, for a visit we went to Shipshewana for the day.



I wanted this sweet little boy (all 1.2 pounds of him!), so bad! But, he wasn't for sale. Notice all of the dog clothes, for sale, behind him in the picture!!






All of us girls (and, of course, Jay and Trae) went to the Shipshewana flea market.


Most of us ate the amish chicken and noodles, homemade mashed potatoes and homemade coleslaw for lunch. It was so good! $5.99 for the meal.



Poor Shannon! Her allergies were so bad that this was the only way she could keep her nose from dripping!! LOL


Mmmmm, pickles!



Are these the right size? LOL







Some of my favorite booths. This flea market has more new stuff than the old or antique stuff.

I will post some of the pictures I took on our way to Shipshewana. Amish country.

More pics from the 4th...

We had 30-35 people for the 4th. We all had a wonderful day. Except for a little rain, the weather was perfect. Lots of family, good friends and good food. What could be better?




Our patriotic yard!



What is sweeter than little girls blowing bubbles?


Taylor's yummy watermelon dessert.


It started raining just as we were getting ready to eat. The big tree in the yard provded the perfect cover. Our new friends, Jim and Charlotte(they are also our neighbors) brought over a screen tent to put the food under!


Ooh, aah!



My love!



Tyler, manning the grills. Yes, GRILLS, we had two going!



Peeps!



The little kids.



Heather!



Jay showing Kamrie how to pitch a horseshoe.

fireworks, baby!!

These pictures (click on them to enlarge) are of the fireworks that we shot off at our party. We had a fabulous evening. I will have more 4th pictures soon!! Bet you can't wait! LOL

God bless America!!

We wish you all a Happy and safe 4th of July!