Courageous Joy

MONDAY - 7 AUGUST - DAY FIVE

I'm not sure why this feels like such a LONG day - but it does.

The day began early with Stacia and I up here in the business center. {g} Then we headed for the guest laundry room and the breakfast bar.

I had a great talk with the parents of Nick, a MC student. They had riden a train out from Iowa and said it was cheaper than driving. Jamin thinks we need to check into this for the girls - but Mike is fairly set with the plan for the girls to drive home and then back at this point.

We had planned to swim all day. The children decided this would be better than touring the museum. Everyone wanted a DOWN day! However...the pool is STILL not fixed. Now at 9:30 p.m. I see they have begun to fill it again. We did spend some time in the spa. We were given PERMISSION to do this but still a grumpy old man complained to the manager about us being in the spa. PEOPLE!

We went to a park and played. At one point Stacia was in a kiddy swing, Jared and Jamin were pushing her from front and back and Josiah was standing to the side. Mike and I laughed at the way Stacia was smiling at them and keeping their full attention on HER....and then a little boy from the playground came over and tried to push her....and Jamin told her "I've got this". We joked about big brothers chasing the boys off and she is only 1. She'll be one on the day we get back to TX if all goes according to plan.

We talked with both my parents today. Dad is still in rehab and a bit discouraged with how much time it is taking him to recover. He's in a wheelchair and not allowed to put more than 30 lbs of weight on his leg...they are saying this will be for months this time. Please continue to pray for him - I think for quick healing from this surgery but also for a zeal and zest in his spirit.

We picked Krista up after lunch. She said goodbye to her host parents. We went to Barnes and Noble. Jamin had gift cards and we don't have a B/N in town. He picked up a Tolkein series....something about middle earth... I think. I picked up a CD radio show series - mysteries....we are armed for the trip.

We had dinner at Bre's host home. Both girls were blessed with wonderful folks to spend the year with. It was very hard for Bre to say goodbye. We enjoyed sitting around and talking about the year and such. Dan even asked Josiah enough questions for us to hear some of the new directions HE is considering for next year. Hmmm....never know how deep those still waters are running. LOL

Stacia fell asleep on the way home. Since the girls were both out until 4 a.m. last night....and since they are so tired....we've decided not to leave until 6 a.m. tomorrow. We don't have a terribly long drive....that should give us time to stop for breakfast somewhere and to stop at Wheat Montana.

Time for bed....