Turtle Town

Lonely day at church. I sat by myself for the first time in a very long time and though I didn't have kids to worry about I certainly missed having them there. They are such a huge part of my life that it is strange not having them with me. The last time Rachel came to town they came and sat with me at church anyway. Today they didn't come and I am sure it saved Rachel from some uncomfortable feelings.

I did stop by the house to pick up some tomato sauce for meatballs tonight and it looked as if they were having a great time. They were not there when I popped in. Jack has continued making a wide variety of signs for Turtle Town. He is so funny. He was very concerned for the party yesterday that we needed to have all of these signs. He thought a sign was necessary to warn people to stay out of his room. I told him there would be no such sign for the party and that people would be allowed to go in his room. He then wanted to have a sign about the bathroom, no. Finally he turned everything to signs about turtle town and then came up with this big story about it. At first I told him he could hang them on the cork board in his room but he was upset about that, people wouldn't see them there. I decided to let him go ahead with his signs and taping them on the walls. He went for it. I got to go on a tour of turtle town and I believe Jack took a few others around as well. Anyhow, more signs are all about the house as well as a little boy that has had a great time with paper, markers and tape. Funny enough, he remembers what every sign was for and I am sure all the new signs have special meanings too.

I spoke to Natty tonight for a little bit. She sounded a bit tired and didn't have a lot to say though she called me. Anyway, from what she said she is having fun but it sounded as if she was having somewhat of a tough time. Natty has always struggled some with the attention factor. She was the only child for her first 4 years and always loved having all of the attention. She has done well to adjust to life with brothers and she does a good job with me. I think she probably had a tough day today having her mom in town and not getting all of her attention. I am sure Rachel is doing her best to balance all three kids. I am grateful that she is having fun with them and it is a good thing to have her engaged when she is here and for how much she tries to stay involved when she is not. I don't think Natty will allow her not to be involved. That is Natty though. I am grateful for my little girl and for her strength of character, for her love for the Lord and for her desire to do what is right. I know that everything has been hard on her and I pray that she will be blessed and strengthened as she deals with the challenges of divorced parents.

Andyboy is my little buddy. I love the simple things that he finds so much pleasure and joy in. Cows on Thursday at the stockyard by school is one of his favorite things. We go and visit with those cows and he just loves it. Those are fun moments for us. I have a few pictures with the cows and will update and add photos to this post later. My computer is not connecting here at the folks house and that is where many of my pics are so I will wait til I can access them.

Anyhow, had a fine day. Taught the lesson in Elders on the Sabbath Day. It is a good lesson. There was a scripture in Isaiah that stood out to me regarding our choosing to do the things of God and then being blessed by those decisions. I want to say chapter 59 verses 1 through 8. I just enjoyed some of the language in there. Played Settlers of Catan (sp?) with the folks, Amy and Dave tonight. I got smoked I'm sure but had a fun time trying to learn the game. I need some practice to be sure.

I am grateful for family and friends. Grateful to spend time with the folks. They are good people and I enjoy that. I enjoy being able to talk with them as well as my siblings. Grateful for Amy being my housemate and for our late night chats. She sure keeps it fun.