This Evening

Early this evening Shannon called to see if I could bring a few of the kids over to play outside with Joshua and Madelyn. I was on my way home from the store and running rather late so just figured there was no way to get over there this evening with any kids. But, after I got home and got dinner made, I decided to take Bethany over for a little while. Not really for long as it was starting to get late and I needed to give some baths and Bethany still had treatments to do.

Joey and Shannon live in an unusual house -- built over a 100 years ago. The property is really interesting and Joey has built a really nice swing and a beautiful sandbox for the kids. It is a great place for the kids to play and like a little piece of country right here in the city. 

The first thing Bethany wanted to do was swing. It really is a great swing and I just wish we had a really good tree in our yard and then I would try to get Bill to make a swing for the kids. But all of our big trees have either been struck by lightning or taken down during a hurricane. The one swing that Joey actually put on a tree limb for us ended up on the ground one morning and I was just glad it happened when nobody was on it. The entire branch fell off the tree. It seemed so sturdy when the swing was put up. But Joey and Shannon have some great trees -- huge ones. Joey gave Bethany a few pushes to get her started. 

The weather was great and it was a really nice evening. I enjoyed spending time with Joey and his family and just walking the property talking. The kids seemed to enjoy themselves and even though Bethany is much older than Joshua and Madelyn she still loves to play with them.

As it got a little darker we left the wooded area and Bethany begged to run across the big field next to their house. I figured why not? So she and Joshua and Madelyn ran and ran and Joey had to do some running to make sure they were safe. But, I told him the exercise was good for him. It was a pleasant evening and I'm glad we took the time to go. Joey told me this evening he has felt great for the past three days. It makes me so happy to hear him say that. He is scheduled for an MRI on Wednesday and then will be starting up on chemo again -- a higher dose than before. I want to thank everyone for their prayers for our son. Please continue to remember him. 

One other thing I thought I would mention is that we realized earlier this week that the birdfeeder that I bought Bethany to paint was not very sturdy. She and Andrew filled it whenever it was empty and the birds and squirrels loved it. But, sadly, after our first couple of rains Andrew came in and told me it was obviously not sturdy enough to withstand the rain and heavy squirrels. We were a little sad -- especially Bethany.