Our Footsteps these Past Few Days or So...

Tony and I had a date to the doctor's office last week...

 This poor guy hit a wall after September battling an infection with fever for several days.  Our doctor visit was entertaining.  One thing I remember from my undergrad days as a biology student, "happy helper-T cells", ha ha.  What made the doctor visit comical was the awkwardness of 100 questions from a medical student.  I had to stifle giggles through a fake cough as Tony peered over their shoulders at me...

 Tony's parents made a quick trip that weekend to catch Joshua's last few baseball games.

 Coach "Papaw" in the stands taking it all in.

 Tony was reliving his glory days, ha.

 Joshua was enjoying every minute of it.

 "Mamaw" led my girls in a cake decorating experience in honor of Angela's birthday.

 Meanwhile, here are two snapshots from my parents who recently bought a house on the water.  Please pray for them in this time of transitioning from a home, community and church family they've known for 23 years.  They are in the process of downsizing and looking ahead to decreasing their busy schedules.

 May this new chapter be a season of physical rest and fruitful ministry...

 Back to my sweet girl.  We celebrated all week (and still are celebrating). 

 She was all joy and giggles opening her presents.

 Mamaw exercising those skills I missed out on: hemming pants.  Fabulous!

 Old man cuddles...

 Here are a few vocabulary words she was working on.  PopPop likes to get his internationally born grandchildren going in a game of alliteration.  Notice the example given below and imagine the humor of my foreign born and initially foreign language speaking kiddos trying to recite that quickly.  It's humorous for us birth language folk, ha.

 Speaking of entertainment, my kids can provide some.  With the chilly morning walks and the "It's freeeeeee-zing" comments, ha.

 I'm pretty sure the 50's degree weather is not freezing.  :)  Quite gorgeous actually.

 A new part of our routine...

 This child of mine is quite beside himself with joy... a much needed avenue of physical energy... and he's good at it which makes it even more fun!

 Got to grab lunch with a couple of my girls one day at school.  Love it.

 Came home to a birthday surprise.  I know we are in the electronic age, but there is just something about snail mail. :)

 Birthday girl on her actual birth day.  All smiles.  A precious gift.

 Meanwhile, a dear friend of mine from New Orleans flew in to town for a "personal retreat/self-care weekend."  We both needed to step out of our "busyness" for physical, mental and spiritual rest.  What.  A.  Gift.  Destination: the mountains of Asheville.  First stop: the Dripolator Coffeehouse in Black Mountain.

 Next stop: adventure recreation - ZIPLINE.

 Our first time.  Amazing.  Talk about a great way to unwind, ha ha.  I could have stayed on the lines for hours, ha.

 Beautifully located in the mountains just a few miles from downtown Asheville.  Day two, we got 90 minute massages.  Very.  Nice.  

 On our way out we enjoyed brunch at Chelsea's Cafe and Tea Room, followed by a stroll through Biltmore Village.  

 Sweet potato quiche.  Yum.

 What a blessing to be able to break away from our demanding schedules and rest.  What a sweet time of fellowship, encouragement, sharing struggles and joys, as well as time in prayer together.  God is gracious to us.  

It was difficult to "let go" of missing Sunday morning worship with my IDC family, especially walking through Ephesians 2:1-10.  What glorious text on the grace of our great God!

"And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."

(Ephesians 2:1-10 ESV emphasis mine)

Two of my handsome men...

 Back to life, back to reality... (Thanks, Christy, for putting that song in my head!)

Dropped James off for kick boxing and we girls went out for quick dinner nearby.

 Tony took Joshua to his end of baseball season celebration.  His coach asked him two questions...

1) What is your favorite position? "Um, ...pitcher."

2) Is there anything you'd like to say?  "Thanks, papa."

Precious. :)

 His coach said, "I look forward to watching you on t.v. one day!"  Mr. Baseball, ha.