WHAT A BLESSED DAY!

Al, Leslie, and Ben

Al, Angie, and Ben

Mark and Angie had not seen each other for a long time.

Mark, Leslie, and Tami - I have missed you so much!

Leslie and Angie - we always enjoy when we can have time together.

I made a fast one day trip to Wichita on Wednesday. I had not seen Mark and Tami for a few years as they live in Florida. They were visiting some other family in Kansas so I decided to make an unplanned quick trip. I also wanted to spend some time with Al, so after he left the office we met at Outback Steakhouse. We all had a great visit, and Angie and Ben were able to be there, too. I was also able to have a very short visit with Sharon and Dave. My trip began at 7:15 AM and ended back at home close to midnight so it was a long day (4 hours each way) - but it was well worth it.

SPECIAL BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

Sharon and Dave brought some roosters to me for my birthday. Our kitchen has rooster border, so they also gave me rooster plates and hooks for our wall. (The first morning we lived here, we woke up to a rooster crowing and running around outside our kitchen door and window.) What perfect gifts for "Our Little Acres".

Ken gave me a beautiful flower arrangement along with candy and a card for my 62nd birthday celebration on June 30th. Our new Sun Room is a wonderful gift also for both of us.

The day was extra special for Ken and me both as our friends from Wichita, Dave and Sharon came to visit and help us celebrate. This was their first trip here and we had a great day.

It was a beautiful day with great weather.

Sharon and Dave stood up with us when we were married. I've known Sharon since the late 60's and Dave since early 70's. Ken and Dave hit it off right from the beginning. Thanks so much for making that trip, for the great rooster gifts and cake, and for enjoying the day with us. You made our day and my birthday so special.

HOT DAYS OF SUMMER

Ken is relaxing as he sips on coffee and opens his bag of new work shirts. He is enjoying working on the project of enclosing the sun room, although it is going slower than planned as it is too hot in mid day to be out there. (We have had several days over 100 degrees with a very high heat index.) We will be able to cool and heat this room once it is finished so it will be a great addition for us. We enjoy sitting out here having coffee or something cool to drink as we take in the sites (birds, flowers, trees, etc.) and listen to the relaxing sound of the water fall.

These are outside pictures of the room in progress. He is now working on the inside trim around all the windows.

We have been busy. I have been trying to take care of the rest of the inside and outside chores while Ken is busy on our project. Mowing our 5 acres, watering flowers, keeping the fish pond in shape, and working some in the garden along with trying to keep the inside chores done is a full time job. Then there is my candle business, that gets some of my attention, too. We are enjoying our summer and thankful for our health and energy to keep going.

BUSY, BUSY FIRST TWO WEEKS OF JUNE

Falls Creek tabernacle which holds I think about 8,000. This year we had around 6,000. Our cabin was on the highest hill and every evening we walked down to the tabernacle.

This is our "standard" so we could find where we were all sitting. These pictures are a little out of order and mixed up on this post, as I was having problems getting the pictures to download.

We had lots of talent and plenty of music in our cabin, too.

Arleta and Tonya

The first week of June, I was busy helping to cook for our Falls Creek Youth Church Camp. This is our group in front of our cabin. What a great group of youth. There was much work and many blessings.

(This picture should have been the first one, but as I said, I was just lucky to get some pictures posted this time.)

In the mean time, our garden was growing and so was our grass, so one of my jobs the second week of June was to mow our 5 acres. We also were able to have green beans and new potatoes from our garden. Mmmm so good.

While I was in Falls Creek, Ken started our first project that we have been planning since we first moved into our home 2 years ago. He is playing "Bob the Contractor" and I am "Contrator's Helper" as he is enclosing our front screened in room to make it into an Oklahoma Sun Room.

Part of the construction site.

More of the Falls Creek woods behind our cabin

Some of our group at mealtime

This is where I spent the majority of my time along with Arleta and Tonya. The kitchen was large with many cabinets, coutertops, and metal table to do our work along with 3 sinks.

FAMILY VISITS

Jason and Jake at a restaurant in Kansas. Jason was home for a visit before heading to Korea. We were so glad he and Onn could stop by here on their way back to Kansas.

Butch was here for a visit from Thailand. We were checking out Bass Pro Shop this day in Tulsa.

Ken and Butch enjoying their coffee break. Life is good!

Breakfast before Butch is heading back to Kansas.

Butch bought us a special checker board game for our lanai. Ken is a champion checker player.

It was great having Butch for a visit. Ken was feeling better by this time, but needed a little "pick me up" and a few laughs. We all had a good time.

Aunt Carol, Leslie, and Judy. They both came to be here during part of the week of Ken's surgery. It was so good to have them.

Sister Judy, brother Ken, and Aunt Carol.

Our neighbors and church family are great too. Two couples from church - Don and Arleta and Johnny and Barbara were at the hospital with us during Ken's surgery - as were Aunt Carol and Judy. It was so good to have them there with us. Lavoy and Judy also came to visit at the hospital after surgery. We also know there were many, many prayers going on before during and after Ken's surgery. Then the day or so after surgery Ken and I heard a mower outside. Our neighbor Don and his grandson were out mowing our 5 acres.

God has blessed us richly through our family and friends. Thanks to all of you!

ANOTHER UPDATE

Yesterday was a good day as Ken got rid of the catheter. He was outside most of the rest of the day just enjoying his "freedom". He was feeling pretty good. We did not get to talk to the doctor yesterday, so have not gotten the results on the tissue samples. Will go in next Thursday for that and other info. Last night he got another dull headache, but not sure how he is doing today yet as he is still in bed.

We had storms last night. I think we only got a little over 1/2". At least we didn't get the 3" hail that some people got. It is still cloudy and rainy.

Well, Ken just came walking out, so will go get his coffee. He seems like he may be doing a little better as far as the headache goes. Will visit more later.

HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL

Ken is home from the hospital. The Dr. said he got everything. He sent in samples just to make sure everything is good. Ken will have a catheter for about a week. He is not feeling the best right now, but time will take care of that. We are just glad that the tumors are out of there now, and the Dr. will be checking him every 3 months in case another tumor starts to develop again. Bladder tumors are always malignant, so they want to catch them early.

That is all for now. Thanks for all your prayers and love.