Two visits this week!

Any time we get to spend with Austin, as well as our little twin granddaughters, Livi and Madi. is very special. This week, Austin's Mommy let us have him a little extra time because she had an important paper due at school on Thursday. So, we picked him up on Wednesday after school, took him to school on Thursday and then picked him up at 3:00 to take him to his favorite place...the DEER CAMP!!! For an almost-5-year old little boy like Austin, there just isn't a better place! He absolutely loves to go walking in the woods, driving around looking for deer, pigs and other animals, and going down to the river to play in the mud! As you know, due to the drought, the Colorado River is very low right now. In fact, Austin and I walked and waded from one side of the river to the other, and it never got up to my knees! Pretty sad as far as the lack of water goes, but the perfect place for us to play! We spent at least an hour digging in the sand, picking up shells and rocks, following turkey tracks and splashing around in the water! It was an overcast day and a little breezy, so the day just couldn't have been more perfect! By the time we were ready to go back to the cabin, Austin was down to his skivvies! I helped him put on his rubber boots but wanted to carry him up the hill to the truck so that he didn't get itchy on his little legs from the weeds. I wish Ollie, who was standing by the truck watching us, had his video camera on...but he didn't. Anyway, as I tried to pick Austin up, I slipped and fell splat in the mud! Austin and I roared in laughter! I righted myself, washed the mud off Austin and tried to pick him up again. For the second time I slipped and fell into the mud! I though Austin and I were going to pee our pants we were laughing so much! And there stood Ollie just shaking his head at us!!! Needless to say, I have spend a good part of this day doing laundry, but I can't help but chuckle as I load the washer with muddy clothes!!! This is the stuff memories are made of!

We had a wonderful time and, as always, it went way too quickly! We took the long way home from Spicewood and went by Mom and Dad's house so that they could see Austin! We let them know we were coming, but we didn't tell them we had Austin with us! They were elated to see him! We stopped and got their mail for them and Austin had a ball walking in and announcing, "Mail call!" Dad let out a big "Ah" and laughed when Austin walked in the door! Of course, Mom also made a big fuss over him! There's nothing like big hugs, kisses and happy smiles from Mamaw and Papaw!!! We stayed about an hour and a half and headed back home so Austin could have his nap in the car. Grandpa wanted one too, but I didn't comply! It's rare that I don't drive so Ollie can nap, but Austin and I had been up part of Thursday night, so I was too tired to drive!

As I mentioned in my previous post, Jean and Glenda saw Mom and Dad twice this week, and Danny and Lisa drove out and had Sunday dinner with them! They were in great spirits accordingly!!!

Mom is scheduled to have the cataract on her left eye removed on Monday, November 21. I plan to spent Sunday night with her, take her to the surgery and then stay at least until Wednesday morning to make sure she follows the doctor's orders and behaves herself! I am so excited for her to have this done and have been trying to get her to schedule the surgery for a while! The cataract makes her eye sensitive to light and makes her vision in that eye fuzzy. Since she still loves to be able to drive, it is vital to get it done!

Mom also has been diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy in her hands and feet. It is getting increasingly difficult and painful for her to do things like open jars or lids and hold the telephone for any length of time. She has seen a doctor for this and was prescribed a pain killer. Mom is very sensitive to pain killers and has chosen not to take the medication. Glenda has researched acupuncture for this and has found that it is very beneficial if treatment is received on a regular basis. I spoke to Mom today and asked her to call Monday and make an appointment with the acupuncturist in Marble Falls that treated Dad for a while. Mom sounded very excited that acupuncture would help, so I think she will call. I hope so. I nearly cried as I told her that we seem to focus so much on Dad while she is in pain and not taking care of herself. She is simply wearing herself out.

That is why we are talking to Mom and Dad about moving closer to us kids. I would love it if they would move to my area so I could help more and so all of us could see them much more often. Mom and Dad love their home and their property, after all, they designed it to be perfect for them! But , it is such a worry for Mom to have to see to all the maintenance, cleaning, etc. She worries about tending the yard and the lack of water in the summer and about the pipes freezing in the winter. She just has too much on her plate. We are starting to look at the options of garden homes in Georgetown, Round Rock and Austin, as well as at homes in my neighborhood. At this point, we are gathering information, but I feel it is something that will have to happen pretty soon. Dad isn't happy about it, but he understands it is what's best for him and Mom. I truly believe that, once they are moved and settled, he will love seeing all of his kids and grand kids more often and that he will be relieved for Mom to have less to deal with.

Please pray with me for Mom and Dad, for their health and well being and for us to help them make the right decision about moving. Also. please continue to pray for rain...Lord, give us, we pray, a plentiful rainfall, and graciously pour out on the parched earth moisture from the heavenly vaults; through Christ our Lord.

May we be united, as family and friends, in prayerfully singing of God's wondrous and generous blessings! Amen!