J's basketball team is 3-0 this year. It's a great group of boys who really play well together - sharing the ball. I love to watch each boy improve over the season.

Sarah's birthday

Apologies for the belated post. S is almost home free and I am mending from my pain management procedure (thanks to those of you who called to check on me).

We had Sarah's bday the day after S got out of the hospital. I could not have pulled it off with out the help of my mom and my great friend and neighbor C who helped to get the house/food/everything ready on time. J was a great help too. He's growing into a fine young man. Other friends arrived at the party with a gift in one hand and a frozen meal in another hand. Still others swung into gear to get the joint cleaned up and dishes washed at the end of the party. It makes you realize how blessed you are with a great group of friends.

Sarah also had a small celebration at her school the following week. I got the kids really sugared-up before they were picked up by their parents!

I'm doing okay...therapy twice a week. I spend my day deciding between pain or fog. Hopefully I'll get past the point soon where my muscles are spasming so much, then I won't have to take so many meds.

more fall break photos

Fall Break ends well

Sometimes life gives you a cool surprise. We met a really nice family two years ago in the Los Angeles Airport also on their way to China to adopt. We've kept in touch with them and stopped on the way home from fall break to visit them.

$20 gone

As I logged on, I realized I did not post for the month of September. I suppose it was the shots in my back I was either preparing for or recovering from. Sorry!

I've never been much of a gambler, often losing my $10 limit at casinos, but I felt I had found the "no lose" bet when I wagered $20 that J could not get Nana to do a cannonball in the pool. Well, I lost $20.

Our other child

In a weak moment, B-dog resorted to a sketchy relationship with a little red monster.

Cousin fun

Gardening cousins

Fish Hatchery

We visited the fish hatchery while on vacation and learned a lot about the growth cycle of the rainbow trout. They are shipped to the hatchery as fertilized eggs. The first photo shows them at about the size of minnows. Then when they grow to fingerling size, they are moved to the outdoor tanks called "racetracks". Visitors are able to purchase fish food and feed the trout which are in various stages of growth before being transported to streams throughout the state for stocking.

I now know where the term "feeding frenzy" came from!

J first day of school

Notice how B-dog is trying to block the door so J can't get out! She doesn't want him to go!!!

He had a great first week.

Rock House

According to some website I found, this is the largest natural bridge east of the Rockies, spanning 104 feet. It is 300,000,000 years old, once used by Indians to bury their dead. It's really hard to find, but worth the effort.

Note the inscription of the high water mark in 1943. Since then, the Wolf Creek Dam has been built, allowing for flood control...hydroelectric power and recreation...but that's another post!

Vacation

Trout fishing on the river; rainbow trout.

Lake Cumberland - BIG rock climbing. These rocks are usually under water, but the lake is about 30 feet lower than usual pool due to repairs on the dam.

Where did Summer go?

No post for June and July because I was scared my computer might crash. It still might but I'm goin' for broke and posting anyway.

Conference Swim Meet:

Backstroke and breast stroke

Purple Turtle which is pushing in the winning coaches - so far we've never lost a meet or conference championship.

Conference championship trophy and two first-place medals.