Good Bye Summer....Hello Fall!

Can't say that I'm sad to see summer go. We were not able to get away this summer.  Year Round school makes it a challenge.  I had plans to go to Water Country and Busch Gardens, but it didn't exactly work out.  On a good note, the children are off to a good start in school.  Hard to believe that Nicolas is in the 8th grade, Melissa 7th grade, and Katie 5th grade!  I'm so proud of them!  I feel like we finally have some "normalcy."  It has been the longest 2 years of our lives, with more hurdle's, trials, and blessings than I can express.  It makes the "normalcy" that we're experiencing seem like one of the greatest gifts the Lord has ever bestowed on our family.  We still have a enough challenges though to keep us humble!

Tonight Melissa and Nicolas are at a Youth Church Activity - an outdoor movie.  Melissa is venturing out more.  She almost didn't go, but when we got to the Church parking lot, she suddenly changed her mind and went on the activity.  I'm such a goof ball....I cry everytime I see her enjoying herself!  Katie, Tabb and I are spending an evening together.  Sis. Jorgensen is helping Tabb organize his library.  Tomorrow Tabb is getting custom bookshelves for his vast Church library.  I've tried for years to motivate Tabb to clean his office and organize his books.  It took Tabb seeing how Sis. Jorgensen had organized her husband's library and he committed himself to doing the same thing.  I got the added benefit of Tabb letting me get Den furniture.  It was used from Craigslist, but really, really nice.  So we both have something "new" to be excited about.  I just might start crying again!!

Last week, I went to see my mother in-law.  We were buying a used Buick LaSabre from Newport News and I stayed 3 days in Williamsburg.  My mother in-law and I had the best time.  It was wonderful to spend time with her.  She recently lost her companion - Sonny Chapman.  After both losing their spouses they found love again.  Sonny actually taught Audrey to drive when they were in their teens.  They were engaged in their early 20's, but my mother in-law broke off the engagement and married my father in-law - Lin Clements.  To see Audrey and Sonny rekindle their romance was wonderful.  A few weeks ago, Sonny became very sick after an infection from knee replacement surgery .  He died suddenly 2 weeks ago.  It breaks my heart for Sonny and Audrey.  I am so impressed with my mother in-law's perspective on life and death.  She is grieving, but she has an attitude that looks forward and not backward.

My mother and Marlin are moving from Fernley, Nevada to Sparks Nevada - right outside Reno.  They were going to move to Oakdale, California, but they found a better alternative.  Nicolas will go visit them in December for 2 weeks. In closing this post, I have to say how much I love my job!  I work with the best coworkers. Although I miss all my friends at WakeMed (and I loved my job at WakeMed), I realize that I'm in the right place, doing the right job.  I feel supported and part of an amazing organization at Rex Hospital.  It is a blessing to be associated with an organization that truly understands its mission and supports/values the coworkers who carry out the mission. The leadership is truly committed to excellence.  I can't say enough of how much I love Rex!!