This past weekend we went to Virginia to visit with my parents at their weekend home. It is a beautiful waterfront home; actually it is a waterback home since the pier starts at their back door! The children had fun swimming, jet skiing, and fishing in the warm weather. Why the picture of the crab? Well, we ate a bushel of crabs! Only $65/bushel which is an unbelievably low price for these parts. Thanks, Dad. It was so much fun.

Our weather today is delicious. Warm with a breeze. The nights are still cool.

For the past 46 years I have been trying to learn patience. It is not a natural part of my temperament. If something needs doing, I like to get it done...now! So today I am going to study and see what the Bible says about patience. I will let you know what I find out. I will probably read Job, too.

Why the emphasis on patience? Well, the icemaker isn't working, the lawn mower shredded its belt when I mowed over a piece of twine, a pipe in the cellar is leaking, a piece of soffitt on the house came off so the bats have access to our attic, the porch railing broke, and lots of little things need fixing. It isn't any one little thing that bothers me, it's the whole lot! It's awful how I spent the whole weekend on vacation reflecting on the unfortunate in this world and then I come home to these minute inconveniences and immediately count myself among the less fortunate. Oh for the patience of Job!

Today is the day my children help their Grandaddy fix dinner for the church folks, so they will be off soon. I hope to stay home since I am still in recovery mode from vacation. Most of the 12 loads of laundry are still pegged on the clothesline. But if I am needed, I will go.

Have a wonderful day and be sure to study God's Word.

Many blessings ~ Kathie

Happy Birthday Allen and Lizzie!

Hard to believe it's been eleven years! Twins are so much fun to watch. Allen and Lizzie are especially close. Many times we will be driving somewhere and I will peek in the rear view mirror and see them snuggling or holding hands. Every night before lights out, they always wrap up their day by talking a few minutes. It's their special time.

Tomorrow we are going to VA to visit with my parents at their weekend home. The children are very excited. I think they expect to fish from dawn til dusk. Anna and Maggie enjoy the kayaking. I just enjoy the whole trip.

Mike has been in CA for the week and he will come home on Friday, then drive to VA to be with us. This has been a hard business trip for Mike. Lots of work, early mornings and flying. He normally enjoys flying, but this week it's been hard on his stomach.

Maggie had flight class tonight. She is wrapping up the final lessons before her solo flight.

Lizzie got a BB gun for her birthday. She really likes it. I bought Allen a DVD on knife throwing since he's always been interested in learning how. So I bought him a DVD called Knife Throwing for Fun featuring Michael Pearl, the famous author of To Train Up A Child. Michael Pearl's website www.nogreaterjoy.org contains lots of wonderful reading. Mike and I highly endorse the To Train Up A Child book by Michael and Debi Pearl. I also ordered Allen the throwing knives that are recommended but they haven't arrived yet.

Well, today was warm and humid, but fortunately not humid enough for the air conditioner. I really enjoy having a covered wraparound porch on all four sides of my house because it keeps the sun out but the breezes in.

Tonight was AWANA awards night at church. Anna, Allen and Lizzie won top awards for Bible memorization. I am so proud of them. They sure worked hard this year.

Many blessings ~ Kathie