We're back home

Wow, it's been a month since I've updated the blog. Been a very busy (to say the least) month with much too much going on.
It was a real pleasure to be able to be with Cheri and Tolan and her family from the middle of May until the end of June helping there. Cheri's chemo is going very well and with this last block of treatments with the new chemo, she is adjusting to it without a lot of complications. Great news with the last visit yesterday - her blood levels are doing well and they have given her the go ahead to be able to be around people. They are excited to see if they can do something fun over the 4th.
What a wonderful family and real blessing to be in their home! The kids pitch right in and help in so many ways. Craig and Cheri are bringing them up right. Since Cheri couldn't get out and do yard work, and since I love doing that, I went out and started trimming all the bushes and weeding the beds. What a job with the humid weather. Bryce and Jared came out and helped me and they didn't give up or complain. We just worked together getting it all done, bagged up and toted to the road. Alana helped us out by keeping us cool with lots of squirts from the hose. So now, the front of the house looked much nicer! Paul arrived June 14th (on Alana's birthday) and it was really nice having him there. I did miss him! We were able to do some fun things with the family and then together, Paul and I finished the rest of the yard. I continued around the house trimming shrubs, trees, and beds, and Paul raked it all together so we could bag. Then while I trimmed the lawn, he got on the riding lawn mower and mowed the big yard. Craig brought home bags of mulch and we got that spread in the beds and it all pulled together looking really nice. We loved doing it!
Craig's parents came for the weekend of the 21st and we were all there to participate in Tolan's blessing on Sunday the 22nd which went very well. Great time together.
Paul had been having trouble with his elbow and to make a long story shorter, got his big long screw and washer removed by his orthopedic surgeon there in Tennessee on Monday the 23rd. That surgery went well and we now have the screw and washer as a souvenior. Paul said we should include it somewhere in building the house - maybe securing a plaque to the house listing Doug as the architect and designer. :-)