Haystack Rock....Cannon Beach Oregon

Last month we had the privilege of taking our two older grandchildren to the Oregon Coast. The highlight of our trip was visiting Cannon Beach and Haystack Rock. The kids fell in love with the place and of course, the rock itself. Only yesterday my grandson said he wished we lived there all the time so we could see the ocean all the time. I heartily agreed. 

The surf, the sand, the tides and looking for shells in tide pools were exceptional experiences, most likely because it was so simple yet so pleasurable. 

On our last evening, we happened on the tide pools just in time for a glimpse of this beautiful starfish.          I think my granddaughter caught the essence of its beauty in the camera. I ooh and ah every time I see the clarity of this picture.    

                                                             

This trip is truly the highlight of our summer and created wonderful memories for us all. I hope we go again next year and bring along the parents!

Summer Haven...

Early morning finds birds splashing in the birdbath.
Breezy days add a lot of color as the spinner twirls around  in a splendor of color.

The Hosta has spread and ready to bloom.
Pots of geraniums and marigolds have begun to fill out and bursting with color.

A view from the bottom deck! Shade on the fence
Sun on the deck.
Our back yard is our haven...
A place to relax and play, read or nap. 

Prayers are the Promise of Hope

We were so worried and distraught last week when our 7-year old grandson Luke became ill. He had a high fever and a backache. Naturally he was tired and his appetite was off too. My daughter and son-in-law determined that if he was not better in the morning they would take him to the doctor.

In the meantime a call for prayer went out to friends and family by phone, email and Facebook! We literally had prayer warriors giving all they had to pray for Luke.

 An hour after I returned home from visiting, I received a text from my granddaughter that they were taking him to emergency. A later text informed us he was  admitted and would have and MRI. His blood work showed high white blood cell counts and inflammation. The results were clear, the blood work and fever were still troubling.  Prayers were still pouring out, with more people were praying.

 His fever calmed down after a two night stay but came back after being home just one night. He had a CT scan the following morning...the blood work was done again. The CT scan was clear and the mystery was hanging in the balance. In the meantime, prayers were said in his room by my daughter and her husband, a couple from church and our pastor and his wife.

His fever broke and remained low that Sunday evening. It remained low and on Tuesday, he was released from the hospital. We never learned what caused this illness. Other than the tests, he was given nothing but Tylenol or ibuprofen to fight the fever. We are still unsure what happened but are so grateful he is well again and getting back to his wonderful self...I believe, though that he had a lot of help from UP Above....because prayers are often answered. Thank God and all who prayed for him!

New Month, extra Resolve

Today I feel empowered to be successful and determined to stick with my goal of losing this extra weight. I would like to lose 4 pounds this month. It is a reasonable goal and within my power to achieve. After I lose those pounds I am determined not to find them again! I may or may not shared that I have been working out a healthier lifestyle. 

It will take a patient journey to reach my goal of losing twenty pounds so I decided to share this "out loud" so to speak and ask you for your support.  I will blog about it on Mondays and share my successes and challenges with you. 

The journey I am taking will also teach me so much more than how many calories are in a Snickers bar. I will re-engage the inner muscle of discipline. Discipline...a trait that lends itself to all aspects of life. I will be stronger in many ways.  Along the way I will incorporate fun and humor at my foibles and take note of what I learn from my mistakes.  Life is not all about celery or carrot sticks...it is what you make with them.