Matt's scary almost accident!

I got these emails this afternoon from Matt:

Somebody tried to cross into my lane.

Which would have been fine if it hadn't been the exact same space I was occupying!

 

A few seconds of squealing tires and a dizzying 360 degree view of the highway later, I was stopped in the far left lane, perpendicular to the shoulder, while traffic backed up to the right of me.

 

...Good times.  Good times.

But losing control of the car while it spins around and back and forth across three lanes of interstate is enough to keep one's hands shaking well after it happened.

It's funny.  My life didn't flash before my eyes.  The only thing on my mind was what death would feel like.  Because I thought for sure it was about to happen!  Ha!

Thankfully no one was in either lanes by him!  We thank the Lord for protecting him!  He didn't even get hit by that driver who, by the way, kept on driving.  His car did shut off, but after letting it cool down a bit, it did start again and he even made it on time for work.  So many factors worked in his favor. No other cars next to him, not winter, and everyone behind him stopped and went slowly around him.  I can't praise the Lord enough that he is safe!

little ears

So what age do kids pick up on Mom and Dad speaking in 'bedroom code'?  Apparently age 12.  At least that is how old Zach is now when we realized he was understanding us.  Oops!  Time to change the subject.

Rotting tree gets scalped!

Our one and only tree in the front yard has been sick since the day we moved in.  It has gone down hill more and more each year and threatening to drop large limbs on our cars, roof, and people.  After much back and forth with Allient Energy, they finally came 2 days ago and said they would cut off most of the tree limbs.  Leaving the large trunk behind.

No surprise the kids instantly turned the debris into a playground.  Here is Sam in the 'fort.'

The walkway to the front door was blocked by branches so the kids took turns chopping a path.

Instead of paying for someone to haul the mess away I just advertised "FREE FIRE WOOD!"  Already got some people to take some wood.  We did spend the day yesterday loading my neighbor Debbie's trailer with smaller branches and leaves and hauled it to the city yard waste department.  There is still a lot left to do, but we can't get to it til the large limbs are removed.

Prayer and anointing with Grandpa Mathie

"Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. " - James 5:14.
I was blessed to have my grandfather do this on August 16th.  His prayer and petition for healing brought tears to my eyes.  My children got a rare opportunity to see my grandpa as a man after God's own heart with his tattered old Bible that is written in, highlighted, and book marked in several places.  They prayed with him and watched as he put a dab of oil on my forehead.  We have seen the Lord answer prayers in the past.  Not always the answers we want, but always the right answers.  I have faith his answer will be the perfect one for my life.
Yesterday, as I was working outside picking up stick and debris from our front tree being reduced to a very tall stump.  I noticed the vision in my left eye, that has been giving me so much trouble, was actually clearer than it normally is when I work outside in the heat.  My mind instantly turned to my grandfather praying over me and anointing my head with oil.  God is good all the time!

The puberty talk...gone horribly wrong.

Zach has been talking all day about how he thinks he's going through puberty simply because his voice squeaked a few times.  So inevitably Samantha asked, "what do girls go through in puberty?"  Zach doesn't even give me time to respond and yells, "YOU BLEED EVERY MONTH!" along with maniacal cackling.  This of course horrified Sam and she responded, "No we don't." and then looks at me for reassurance which I couldn't give.  I kicked Zach out of the room and gave her the low down on what it means to become a woman.  She was not happy.  She asked if it hurts.  Ugh, I had to tell her about cramps, but I explained that exercise and eating right will make them less painful and possibly nonexistent.  That'll get her to eat her veggies!  I'm so manipulative.  Then she asked, why all the bleeding.  So I had to explain the birds and the bees.  She must have figured if girls go through so much then boys must experience a lot too.  So she made the mistake of asking.  She was not pleased.
Poor girl will probably have nightmares now.  I had this image in my head of how I was going to explain it all.  It was going to be wonderful and bonding.  Not, "YOU BLEED EVERY MONTH, HA HA HA!"

I've been approved

Dr. Fleming called today and told me I have active lesions so I qualify for the trial. Talked it over with Matt and we think I should do it. I actually have to have MRIs and neuro exams every month for 4 months before I get the actual treatment.

Wausau trip with Mabe

Drove Mabe to Wausau to see John and Jeff Duranso.  Lori and Lisa were away on a church trip.  While up there my grandfather anointed my head with oil and prayed over me.  It was really spiritually moving for me and the kids.
The next day, Jer and Laura invited us to go tubing.  Mabe and John were invited to join us.  It was a blast.   John was the bravest of all the kids!  He was the first one to get on the tube.

When the ride was over the tube dipped forward, flinging him into the water!  So Mabe joined him for the next ride to make him fell safer. 

It was Mabe's first time tubing and by her multiple fist kisses (sign for "love it") it was pretty clear she was having a great time!

John raved about it so much Sam was next to jump at the chance but she wanted me to go with her.  No problem I was totally game for that!

Typical adventurous Sam loved every minute of it!  She kept wanting Uncle Jer to kick it up a notch.
Since she was now confident and comfortable with tubing I got off so she could ride with cousin John.
the bumps were their favorite!

Zach was with us as well, but he was dead set against trying it.  We all tried to convince him but he said he preferred staying in the boat.  So Mabe and I got on together.  Jer took this opportunity to drive a lot more crazy!  It was so fun!

Jer also had water skis and asked Mabe if she wanted to give it a try.  She was braver than I and gave it a try.

It didn't go as well as she hoped.  Whenever we would get started the water was spraying up into her face and nose so she would let go.  We all know how uncomfortable water up the nose is. OUCH!  She tried several times before giving up.  She does want to try this again sometime, but will use a nose plug next time.
After seeing all the fun everyone was having Zach finally gave in and went on, as long as I went with him.  It didn't take him long to confess he loved it.  He said to me while on the tube. "I can't believe I was afraid to do this!"

Now that Zach was on board with the tubing fun.  All three kids rode together til we had get off the lake.

Can't wait to be able to do this again!  I really hope Matt can do this with us next time.