A Blessed Weekend

This past weekend, Grace, Cannon, and Kevin went to Dodge City, Kansas to visit Kevin's parents, go to Dodge City Days and the Rodeo, and to have fun with cousins. While it was a very hard decision for me to not go, I am happy to report that it ended up being a great decision for me in the end. I was able to get some much needed rest, spend some time with friends, and do some things around the house that I have neglected for years. It wasn't until Sunday that I was able to reflect back and realize how truly exhausted I had been and what a blessing it was to have been given 4 days to rest and rejuvenate.

Kevin and the kids had a great time. The kids reported the highlights as playing with their cousins, spending hours upon hours outside in the land surrounding Kevin's parents home, hunting rabbits and whatever wildlife they could find, touring the town Kevin grew up in, going to Boot Hill and seeing an actual saloon, going to a craft fair, driving go-carts, and seeing the rodeo "where a real live monkey rode a dog and everyone was in cowboy boots and hats and stared at Grace's island braids, Mom." A very special time for them and the last time they will visit their grandparents home. Kevin's parents will be moving to Melissa, Texas next month to be closer to all four sons and their families. So it was a bittersweet weekend for all.

Another milestone in this eventful weekend is that Grace and I were separated for the first time since her surgery and both of us survived. I had been concerned at how attached Grace had become to me post-surgery and so this weekend was great in that Grace was able to go do something fun and not have to have me right there with her. I great weaning opportunity! I know that this will give her the confidence to be able to continue to be more and more independent.

I also believe that Grace has finally turned the corner and is really feeling much better. I see her energy and stamina lasting longer throughout the day and her wanting to get dressed instead of staying in her pjs during the day. She is asking to have friends come and play again and telling me that she is bored when she is playing by herself. All such good signs! I am so thankful that we still have 21 more days of summer!

Matthew 11:28

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

Thank you for your continued prayers for our family,

Carrie