More of Kira, Andy's current project & upstairs tenants

Because of Andy being in Maine last week, he hadn't been able to see much of Kira. In fact, he only got to see her in the hospital when she was but a few minutes old. So on Sunday after church, the two of us drove over to spend the afternoon with Dawn and Kira. (Tommy is very busy right now and not around much.) Kira is growing nicely, I could tell by looking at her she had gained some weight. She's even getting a double chin!
On Monday, I worked till noon, then drove over to take Dawn to the OB-GYN for a check up. There was a mix-up, though, and her appointment was actually at a different clinic than the one we went to, so she didn't have her check up after all. Oh well, at least we got out and then had to stop at Starbucks since we were driving right by! Dawn bought me a smoothie, um-yum!

On Tuesday afternoon I went back over, this time to take Dawn and Kira to the pediatrician for Kira's 2 week checkup. She is 2 ounces over her birth weight. I thought she would be. She really looks good - growing nicely. On the way back from that appointment, we happened to drive by another Starbucks, so another smoothie! It's quite rewarding to drive over to spend time taxi-ing Dawn around!

It was so hot and humid yesterday. I was thankful I could clean my house in air conditioned comfort. I was quite productive, in fact, and happy with what I was able to accomplish.

Andy, on the other hand, spent the day outside on his current project - the sidewalk from the front porch to the driveway. He had already dug out where the walkway was going, then yesterday put down the landscape fabric and the sub-base. He also bought the brick pavers, but will be putting those down another day.On Sunday morning, August 2, our upstairs tenant for the summer, Daniel, left to go back to college. We miss having him join us for dinner. His conversations were always stimulating and interesting. On that same Sunday, but in the evening, our niece Sarah, arrived to live upstairs. She will be attending the community college and getting a job. She wanted to be here close to family and has already been spending lots of time with her cousins. They seem to be having a good time together.

So they come and they go. It's never dull around here.

Fishing in Maine

Andy got back last night from a fishing trip to Maine with his dad and brother-in-law, Rich. Rich and Dad left for Maine Thursday a week ago, but Andy couldn't leave that early because of work responsibilities. He flew up on Sunday morning, then came back with them on Thursday.

He said they had great fishing luck, perfect weather and lots of fun. They really enjoyed eating the Salmon and Lake Trout that they caught.
Moosehead Lake is absolutely beautiful and he got some good pictures of the lake.

Hiking to the top of Mt. Kineo.

The view from the top

It was actually good timing for Andy to be away, because I could concentrate on helping Dawn while she was recuperating from having her baby. I went over on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons and stayed to make dinner and clean up. What fun! That little Kira is a darling. Here are some more pictures of our 8th grandchild.

4 generations

Beautiful Baby

Babies are the Best

One of the best things in all of life has to be holding a new born baby. I've been in the next best thing to heaven the last couple of days. On Sunday after church, I drove over to D & T's to visit and hold my new grandchild. My mother, her great grandma, was also there. Tommy's mom and stepdad stopped in, too. No one stayed really long, and I stayed long enough to make supper for them.

Kira yawns.

On Monday morning, I went to work for about 2 hours, then took off again for another day with little Miss Precious! Dawn is looking better and better every day. We even went for a little walk yesterday for some exercise and to get Kira out in the fresh air. It was a beautiful day. I made dinner again for the family, barbeque chicken pizza and a fresh salad. I had to hurry on out as soon as dinner was over because I had a meeting at the church at 7:00. Unfortunately, I ran into traffic on the way home and got to the meeting 20 minutes late. Oh well, what's more important: holding your grandchild or going to a meeting???? Duh!
This morning I had my yearly dentist appointment, then I hurried on over to spend time with Dawn and the baby again. We took another walk and I made dinner again (baked ziti). I hung around long enough to hope the traffic wouldn't be a problem and got home around 8:00.

I don't have my camera because Andy has it in Maine. Hopefully, he is taking some good pictures and is not dropping it in the river. He is fishing with his dad and brother-in-law - some father/son time.

I persuaded Tommy to send me some pictures that Dawn took with her camera today. What a sweet baby she is. She sleeps and eats and messes her diapers. She rarely cries and seems to be very alert to her surroundings when she is awake. Dawn was reading to her from a Bible story book she was given, and also sang to her at one point to wake her up. She is a very good mommy!

Eyes open - kind of!

I like this picture. She was all curled up like this in the fetal position on my lap this afternoon for about a 3 hour nap. It was so fun just sitting there watching her little expressions and hearing her little sounds from time to time. Sigh! Do I have to go back to work tomorrow?

Someone made this bib for Kira before they checked on the spelling of her name. But isn't it cute!

Update on Dawn

We had a bit of drama about 2 hours after Dawn delivered Kira on Tuesday. She hemorrhaged and needed to have surgery and a blood transfusion. As of right now, she is still in the hospital, but desiring to come home yet this afternoon or evening. I was really hoping I would be able to see the baby again, but now it looks like I'll have to wait till Sunday, since we already had plans for tomorrow.

Meanwhile...on Tuesday, Andy started working on a walkway from the new front porch to the driveway. It was a hot and humid day and he worked hard at digging all this dirt out and hauling it to other parts of our property.
I am very excited that my trumpet vine is blooming. It is doing bloomingly this year - growing like a weed. I planted it with caution because it can be very invasive. In a garden magazine I received, I saw the idea to plant trumpet vine in a bucket so it is contained. I tried it and so far, so good. This is the first year it is blooming. I can't wait to see if the humming bird is attracted to it.

She's Here!

Kira Dawn born to Tommy & Dawn on her due date ~ July 28 at 6:50 pm
Weighing in at 8 pounds, 7 ounces and 20 1/2 inches long.

Dawn started her labor this morning around 6:00 am - not bad for a first baby!

Dr. Dad

Years ago, Andy mentioned that he thought he would have liked to be an EMT or a paramedic. Maybe because of that, he was always the one called upon to doctor skinned knees and "fix" hurt and bleeding children at our house. Well, maybe that wasn't the only reason. He may have gotten that job by default since I tend to get lightheaded and whoozy at the sight of blood. Andy has the compassion to go along with his doctoring skills. He even enjoys making hospital visits and is tender toward those who are hurting.

So back in the days when we were raising puppies, he was the one to give them their shots. He got quite good at it, in fact, so good that he's still doing it even though we don't have puppies any more. Amy called and said her puppies were ready to be sold and needed their shots, so would Dad mind??? Of course not, it was an excuse to see her & the kids again. So Tuesday was puppy shot day.

All done!

Fun with the kids

Andy's doctoring reminded me that I thought I had a picture of my dad doctoring a cow. And here it is! Like father(-in-law), like son(-in-law).
And speaking of my dad, I can't believe it's been 12 years since he's left us for a better world. I'm sure he's a lot happier where he is and not worried at all about the economy or anything else that occupies our minds these days. Of course, we miss him, though, and look forward to seeing him again. What a blessed hope!

More backyard flower pictures:

I am very happy with these coneflowers. They really took off this year.
And aren't these black-eyed Susans looking cheerful?

What do I want?

I was feeling out of sorts yesterday, unhappy with some circumstances, tired of other situations, just generally feeling low. Thankfully, the Lord reminded me of something I heard Pastor Mark say last week: when you're feeling angry, bad, etc., ask yourself: "What do I want?"

So I did ask myself that question. What I want is:

1. peace and quiet

2. to stay at home and work in my gardens

3. no responsibilities for a while

Ouch...I want what I want. So these are the current idols of my heart. Any time I want something more than I want God, I make that my idol. God's first commandment is: "You shall have no other gods before me." (Exodus 20:3) These may all be good things, but not if I want them too much.

I had to ask God's forgiveness for putting these things first and foremost in my heart and ask Him to rearrange my priorities. I want HIM. "God is most glorified in me when I am most satisfied in Him." So if life is hard or pressures are mounting, I can still be happy in Jesus. He is all I need and He supplies all my needs, even strength to endure and joy in my heart. "The joy of the Lord is my strength." (Nehemiah 8:10)