A Break in the Rain! Saturday and Sunday......

It's been absolutely beautiful this weekend and we have so enjoyed a break from all the rain we've had. Not that I'm complaining! I love rain and we really needed it and there is more on the way this week. Still, this weekend was gorgeous!

I went over to watch the quads at hockey practice Saturday morning.

I was sitting up on a high stool right by the glass when Kailey spied me!

This is Trystan and Logan.

Who knew they would all four enjoy hockey??

They received their first report cards from school this week and they all got straight A's.....nearly.

Kailey got one B and that was in PE. There's a story behind that B and Kailey and parents alike agreed that it was worth it. You must stand up for yourself and I guess that starts pretty young.

Kailey did and when she told me about it she said, 'It was the right thing to do!'

So it was. My prayer for these children is the same one I prayed for Amber when she was a child and I continue to pray that......for them to be mighty in spirit.

To celebrate we had lunch at Babe's!

That's such a fun place.

All three girls were quick to hop up and join in with the servers as they danced the hokey pokey!

Harrison and I had a little conversation back at the hockey rink while we were waiting to return ice skates and such. He kind of took me aside and said it would be nice if he could spend some alone time with his mommy and daddy. He even went so far as to suggest that Kailey go home with me and perhaps Logan and Trystan could go to their Grandmommy's house. When I suggested that perhaps I could keep the all the girls soon, he was super quick to ask, "TODAY???"

So as we sat around the table at Babe's, the idea was brought up and that's exactly what we did!

Granddad was so excited to see me come home with three little girls in tow!

The very first thing they always seem to want to do is pick flowers.

Since it was so pretty outside, that's where we were for a good long time.

They each get a basket and a small pair of scissors.

The only flowers they aren't allowed to cut are the new sunflowers I just planted.

Then I gave them four small green bottles to use as vases.

These are actually beer bottles I brought back from the ranch months and months ago.

Dean was drinking whatever kind it was and I said the bottles were too pretty to throw away.

Bouquets for Mommy!

Flowers were done so they decided to sweep up leaves and string up some Halloween lights with me.

Then they did some exploring and filled a small shadow box I have hung up on the outside wall with rocks and shells and such.

We baked a cake together for Harrison.

I love how the kids all love each other.

Trystan greased and floured the pan, we each broke an egg and they took turns adding the ingredients.

It was a team effort!

We all pitched in!

While the cake baked, we did some art.

We had the best time!

I love having children in my house!

I think they did a good job on their stocking paintings!

They learned to trace and cut a pattern.

They also learned a little bit about shading and brush control.

At one point, I had Trystan and Kailey on either side of me watching as I worked on a Santa face while Logan was free drawing.

The entire afternoon and evening went by super quick!

All too soon the parents were back and there was a happy reunion of the sisters and their brother.

It was like old times sitting there on the driveway as they drove off.

I miss them being little and coming over every week.

This morning we attended the Cowboy Church again.

Louis Dean is really loving it and I am so glad.

Since it wasn't far from there to Reaoma's, we decided to go by and see her for a few minutes.

She was still in the dining room where she had been fed her lunch so we sat in there at the table with her and Agnes. Agnes has Alzheimer's but she is such a happy lady. I really like her. Louis Dean and I was telling Reaoma about church and the music. He started singing softly and when he got to Amazing Grace - well - Agnes had been in the church choir back in the day and she started in singing with him! When they ended, everyone in the dining room clapped! Another lady, Helen, who lives right next to Reaoma joined us and they went on to sing several more old hymns. Louis Dean says we need to do that more often.

We decided to go out for lunch and Louis Dean dearly loves a Chinese buffet.

So that's where we went!

King Buffet and it was a new one that had just opened in Dallas.

Our server was very creative and he made a paper flower for me from a napkin.

We had just got home when one of my favorite couples dropped by to see us.

Tim used to be our neighbor across the street and we have loved him and his family for years and have kept up with them even after they moved. They still live in Irving but not close like they did for a long time. I wished I had taken a picture of us. They were out and about and he said, "I'm going by their house. I need a Linda hug!" I am so happy they did. It's always a good thing to sit and visit and share what good things God is doing in our lives. We will be seeing them again on Halloween. They always make a point of coming by. And I am going to make a point of inviting them over during the Christmas holidays for dinner and a nice long visit! Perhaps Louis Dean will play some of his Christmas songs for us. Nicole is Tim's youngest daughter and is just a bit older than our Rayne.

Louis Dean used to read the Ghost Eye Tree to her when she was little.

One of the richest blessings in life is our friends.

I'm grateful for all of mine and I intend to intentionally spend time with them whenever I can.