More Photos

Thank you for your prayers. I've had much more peace today. Maybe it was retail therapy. I bought a new computer today. ;)

But, here are some more precious memories from the wedding:




One of the closest times I came to tears was near the beginning of the ceremony. Our pastor shared with the guests that he had been Caleb's pastor his entire lift, even 9 months before he was born. Not many are blessed to have a pastor who has been so much a part of their lives.

Can you tell there were moments in the wedding that were just plain fun?


My sweet nephew Joshua....aka Moose...escorting my Grandma Tatum.












We've seen Casie everday this week, I think. It makes me feel closer to Caleb.

And, Whitney has been afraid you'll all forget that she's part of the family, so please take note. You will see her making a mad attempt at catching the bouquet and observing the bride and groom as they make their get away.

I'm Struggling

Just thought I'd tell you.

I've been good and strong....

Only teared up a time or two at the wedding. I was just sooooooo happy for Caleb and Casie.

I was okay at the airport...teared up some. But, I kept thinking....Casie will be with him soon. I will feel better knowing she is going to be with him soon.

Then, there was yesterday.

Stan had to work late.

Whitney was back at Armstrong.

Brandon was back at Athens.

Just the 2 little girls and me.

I grew mournful. I missed my BIG family. I missed all of the noise. I missed all of the excitement. I wished they were just gone to football practice, tennis, or drama. I wished I was preparing supper for all of them. I wished they were coming in soon and the noise at supper would drive me crazy.

Lift me up today, dear friends.

Robbie

Beautiful, Blessed, Bitter-Sweet

You see one of the beautiful, blessed moments!

This weekend has been a whirlwind. I sit here typing late tonight, my eyes brimming with tears, because I am saddened by the thought that it is over.

We began with much excitement on Thursday night. We left for the airport.

Twelve of us arrived at the airport to see Caleb. Aunt Bobbie, Uncle Shannon, Josh, Grandma and Grandpa had not seen him since February.

Silly Camera....I almost missed it, but here he comes...

And we got to take him home...the first time since February 16th.


And he slept on the couch, like old times. ;)


On Friday morning, he went with me to take the girls to school.



This was the day I fought back tears the most....A student in third grade passed by Caleb as he walked Josie-Tatum into her class. He walked up to Caleb and only said, "Thank you," and then he kept walking back to class. Somebody has taught their son well, I am certain, by example.

Caleb had not seen the new school where I am teaching, so we took a tour. We visited with both of the classes I teach, and they were thrilled to meet him. We surprised Aunt Melanie with a visit, too. AT the school, Caleb had his photo with his 5th grade teacher and Mrs. Shay. Mrs. Shay teaches Pre-K, and she taught Caleb in Sunday School when he was 5 years old. She remembers well when he regularly asked her if he could sit in her lap.





On Friday night, we held the rehearsal. It was such fun to be with Caleb surrounded by so many people who love him and love Casie. To hear his laughter with Brandon's and my nephew Joshua's...such music.





And, then there was the rehearsal dinner. Praise the LORD for my friends who agreed to serve and keep things running smoothly. And, Aunt Melanie, who came home from school, made MORE potatoe salad and stayed at the church the rest of the evening.






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On Sunday, we had a covered dish dinner/shower for families. The shower was hosted by our church, with friends and families invited. It was a special time that our family could all be together again, without the stressors of wedding rehearsal or preparations. One of Caleb and Brandon's close friends came with his family. Those boys had more fun than anyone I think. But, of course, they have always known how to have fun together. Oh, how I enjoyed the laughter.


And, then, today was the BIG Day..the day my son became a husband, the day I gained a new daughter. Well, Casie has been a part of our family for a long time.







There will be many more photos and special memories to share...as soon as I get my computer back and life slows down a little.

And, now the bitter sweet moment. Please, please be in prayer for us on Monday afternoon. Caleb has to catch a flight early in the evening, and Casie is not able to go with him right now. We shall all be quite saddened. I shall try to remember to praise the LORD and feast on the memories we've made this weekend.

It was beautiful. It was blessed.

Robbie as Mother-In-Law

I am hoping and praying to be a mother-in-law who is loving, kind, and thoughtful, helpful without interfering....oh my! I know I will be looking unto Jesus continually is my new role.

But, here is what I took my DIL to be to do this week in preparation for her wedding!






We went for pedicures! It was awesome, the opportunity to spend time with one another and RELAX!

Caleb arrives at the airport at 11:30 tonight. Pray for a blessed weekend and blessed wedding on Sunday.

More later.

Showering of Gifts

Casie has been blessed with three showers where she was showered with love and gifts. We have one more scheduled on Saturday, after Caleb is home.

Ellie seems to enjoy these showers most, and sweet Casie allows her to particpate. I feel so blessed to be adding such a lovely young lady to our family.

Here are some photos....




and I'll try to use mom's computer lots this week...as soon as my new camera arrives.


There will be Homecoming pictures, and rehearsal pictures, and wedding pictures, and loving on Caleb pictures, pictures of the bride, Ellie as the flower girl, JT as a brides maid.

I'm growing excited!!!!

Robbie

One Week of Prayer

I really will try to post pictures tomorrow. I think I can post photos from my mothers computer. Remember, my computer is dead...well both of our laptops are dead. One is suffering from mother board issues which are too costly to repair. The older one is waiting on the arrival of one part...waited over 3 weeks now..an easy fix when the part arrives...so, I'm at work at 10:05, asking for prayer. ( And, my digital camera died...so I just ordered a new one, minutes ago, 2 day shipping, I have a wedding coming up!


Good News: Caleb arrives home in six days. YAY! The wedding to follow 3 days later. We've been showering (gifts and good food) and planning. The excitement builds.

In the meantime, the enemy has attacked as he so often does when God is pouring out his blessings...He wants my joy, but in the words of Mercy Me....I'm not about to give up. I'm notI might bend, but I won't break...as long as I can see Your Face.

So, here's the prayer requests:

For me, the second injection in my neck seems to be working better than the first. I didn't take anything for pain today, until last this evening. Please pray a pain free visit when Caleb comes home. Bone spur, go away.

For Ellie:
Oh, my, where to begin.

Short Story: She has yet another urinary tract infection, the 3rd or fourth this year.

Long Story:

Meds should keep her dry between caths. The past week, her pull up would be soaked, and her catheter would be empty...sure sign of infection. I couldn't get a specimen for the dr, bc her bladder would NOT hold any urine for me to catch.

Finally, specimen to the dr on Tuesday. Yes, infection, start antibiotics, wait on culture. Yesterday, long phone conference with her urologist about beginning prophylactic antibiotics to protect her one and only kidney.

Today, many phone calls between her primary dr and me. Culture came back.

Salomonella.

In her urine.

New one to me.

Unusual...

Not unheard of, but serious, especially for someone who has only one kidney.

What to do?

Continue antibiotics.

And, her bladder should be irrigated once a day for the next 14 days--irrigated with an iodine and saline solution, from a syringe through a catheter to her bladder.

Okay, how do you do that?

I'll call you back.

Phone call #2: No one in our little tiny town or the neighboring tiny, but not little tiny town, has the supplies for such a young child....so, you're going to need to take her to the hospital once a day for the next 14 days to have it done.

Me---um, can't I contact the supply company where we receive supplies already and see if they can send them..

Nurse, yes, dr has no problem with your doing it....just we can't find the supplies for you.

Me--okay, but I still need to understand the procedure.

Phone call #3...me and the dr.

She gave instructions...but it is now after 5 pm on a Friday. Can we wait until Monday to begin irrigation or should we go to the hospital tomorrow.

It can wait until Monday.

So, we're taking antibiotics and on Monday, I must find someone who can get me the supplies we need...I think the company we use will overnight them, please pray we can take care of this.

We need a healthy Ellie.

Her brother is getting married in 9 days.

She is a flower girl.

She has a beautiful white dress.

She will be pulled in a lovely decorated wagon.

She is excited.

Pray as I know you will dear friends.

Throw money if you like...

Okay, I'm kidding about the money....

But......

I think I'm delirious now.

Love to anyone who still reads.......

Sweet EXCITING News

My computer is down at home, so I'm at work on a Saturday telling many of you what some of you already know.

Caleb is getting married!!!!!!!!!

He will marry his high school sweetheart, Casie, I could NOT be happier for them. She is a precious young lady, a Christian, a family girl, and she fits in our family beautifully.

I've known for a while, but my computer has been out since we were in CT...so view those posts and check out Caleb's bride-to-be.

I will gain another daughter VERY soon. They will marry on Sunday, September 5th at 3:00....so if you're in south Georgia, come see us!!!!!

Sooooooooo

Wanna know what I've been doing?

Our district is opening a new school...and I'm excited to be one of the teachers moving. Josie-Tatum, Ellie, and I will all be at the same school.

Here is what my classroom looked like 2 weeks ago, when I first entered.


Hours later, and several additional helping hands... here is what it looks like now:


Our first official pre-planning day was today. Meetings, meetings, meetings....
Tomorrow, I'll actually start "decorating" the elementary classroom......

Time for the teacher to go to bed.