This afternoon I had the wonderful thought that I could eat PANCAKES - fat free pancakes. Just as I was making them Steve and Courtney came in the door and they hadn't had supper yet. Hurray a rare family dinner. I made my two pancakes - no fat - and "fried" them on parchment paper. They even got a little brown. The other folks got a little oil in the pancakes and a little oil on the pan thus the golden color. We had yogurt, blueberry sauce, maple syrup - some had peanut butter as well. Steve and Lando are in awe of the big pile of pancakes.

Tofu has been suggested as a protein source for me - of course not fried. I welcome any suggestions or recipes involving tofu - preferably tasty :)

When we were almost finished eating, Steve, Carolyn and precious Anna came over for a bit. Steve has always loved cars. Here you see him reading his Car and Driver magazine to Anna. Sometimes she even seemed a little interested. It was great to snuggle up Anna and visit with her parents collecting my share of hugs.

In the In-between Times...

...when you feel the pressure coming, remember that He loves you and He promises to stay..with you...

Thank you for enjoying Hanging Out...the Series. Thank you for your kind and supportive words and prayers. Wow. The elders from church did come and pour prayers and love all over me - along with a little oil. LK was there and I invited Steve and he came too, God bless his tender heart. The church was also invited to pray for me - for us. I've never been so much at the receiving end of prayers that I know of. It's humbling, comforting, faith building, good and right.

There is no word on the CT (not CAT Ha) scan. Since nothing is happenening on the weekend I have taken a vacation from my problems. (e.g. What About Bob - did I already say that - about Bob?) Anyway, it is not entirely possible as the mind rolls on - but pretty good.

If I am granted good health, LK and I figure we will never be the same. Life is good. Wet grass feels good on bare toes. My husband's hug fits really well and is so attractively familiar. Grandchildren...You're right Sarah...having a lot of fun with them and I hope to continue that habit for years to come. And I have the best play dough recipe around.

Two concerts this weekend - The Rawling Brothers Band - from Alberta. We've gotten to know and love Bruce Rawling from when he was out working with Lance on Lance's album. And tonight ---- you won't believe it --- we're going to hear ELVIS. I know you're surprised. One of our employees is married to a man who does this for a living and it's his big local show tonight. I think it will be different, fun and supportive.

After church we went to the food court with Steve, Carolyn and Anna. It's always good to connect with them. Anna is strong and very curious and I like her very much.

Blessings all.

Saturday night. The Rawling Brothers Band played at the store. Blue grass - Rocky Mountain Country Blue Grass. Refreshing and uplifting. I particularly liked a song called Solid Rock and got the album with that song on it.

Bruce, who also appears on and helped work on Lance's lastest album. A very talented and good man.

Some Favorite Photos From my Latest Visit With the Twins

Hanging out - The Series.

Eva - I'm not feeling too good. I think I'm having a melt down.
Elijah - I will take care of you.

Elijah - What to do?....... I know, maybe syncro exercizes!

Elijah - Punch your right hand out. Come on you can do it. Punch, and punch, and punch, and switch.

Elijah - Hands down, and bounce, and one and two and one.

Elijah - Hands up, hurray, lift them really high.
Eva - I'm feeling better.
Elijah - This is working. Woah baby - I'm really new at this looking out for the emotional needs of girls - even my little sister.

Eva having breakfast with mom. That's blueberry oatmeal - VERY tasty.

Elijah's breakfast with mama.

Very, very pretty eyes.

Look at the sunlight catch Elijah's lashes!

No Itinerary or Map

OK so I completely do not have an itinerary or map for this part of the road and it is very disconcerting. I went to the Dr. yesterday and got ultrasound results. As expected, I have gall stones and one is in a duct. Not too big a deal. Then I hear I have a mass on my pancreas and a spot on my liver. Sinking feeling. I will need a CAT scan ASAP to see more clearly. Perhaps the spot on the liver is just a grouping of blood vessels. Perhaps the thing going on in the pancreas is a bit of infection from the gall bladder attacks. OR perhaps it is something very serious. You know the thing that starts with a big C. Hoped for a CAT scan yesterday, no call. I have a call into my doctor today - no call back yet. I also had blood work done to check for liver function. I feel pretty well. I've learned to eat for my gall bladder so that pain is greatly reduced. Waiting is hard. Living in the present is hard. Trying not to let my mind run ahead to worst case scenarios. One day at a time. I called the person head of women's ministries at church and said I don't know what this means for single moms. It seems there will at least be some surgery coming up. Some elders from my church are coming over to pray for me tonight at my request. I would appreciate your prayers too.

Thank you.
Kathy

In God's Hands - Just Like Flying

Most of the time I feel at least a little bit in control - but never when I'm flying. I used to be a white knuckle flyer - but most recently I sit back in my seat and have a sense of being in God's hands. When I flew in September, I sat in my seat, and let out a sigh, 'ah, back in God's hands', and I smiled. Partly I smiled because I know, theorectically I'm in God's hands all the time even if my awareness of that fact is not so sharp at the moment.

Today I have another opportunity to be more than aware of being in God's hands. I've been having much tummy trouble the last month and this am I have an ultra sound to try to determine if I perhaps need gall bladder surgery quickly - that is the suspected thing anyway. So, I'm off in a few minutes to do that. Surely not me in control again - not even a little. I feel sore and apprehensive but I'm trying to go with the lovely truth that I am in God's hands - just like flying.

Happy Birthday Sarah

Sarah turned TWO today. LK and I were out for the weekend to celebrate. Anyone who could was invited to sleep over for the birthday. I love sleep-over birthday parties! We also got to canoe the lake after lunch while Sarah attemtped a nap. Andy's parents and brother also came for the party, which was Sunday lunch. I think Sarah felt very loved. She was blessed with fun presents that will will result in hours of good times. Lots of art supplies, a special crocheted blanket from Grandma Judy for Sarah's big girl bed, books, and her lovely baby. Precious Sarah - God bless and keep you this year.

Birthday soup. Hmmm....that's a book title. Anyway, I digress, Sarah loves soup and so that's what we had for her birthday lunch. Andy made the soup. Cara baked the bread. Sarah and her mommy made the pretty place cards.

Beautiful cake and delicious too.

Mommy presents the cake with love. Sarah seemed a little concerned about the hot candle flames.

Daddy helps out with blowing out the hot flames.

Enjoying her cake. The sheep has eyes and a little mouth.

Men relaxing.

Playing. Blocks and people.

Uncle James, Andy's brother, delighted Sarah with his imagination and building skills. Look at the joy bursting out of her.

Sarah when she first got the stroller opened and baby seated (from the other grandparents.) On the move! This little mama trucks.

Doing noodle art with Grandpa LK. I wonder if noodles and glue are a new thing. It was fun - I played too.

Reading, and looking at pictures.

Sarah with wearing her new vest from Jasper, pushing her new baby in her new stroller. She likes to put in extra things - like the sticker book, crayons or teddy bear.

I'm back in Alberta. It's fall and it's warm - yet crisp. The air smells beautiful and it's lovely to be outside. Aimee and I have taken a walk every day. This day we walked downtown and had a fabulous outdoor lunch at Feonna's (sp?). Aimee had wanted to do this with me for a long while and everything went perfectly. One moment of drama - that could have changed the course of events - was when I was carrying our food to the table the screen door hit the elbow of my arm carrying Aimee's big bowl of soup. I balanced the plate - stepped out the door down the step - the knife and spoon went flying - the soup, in its very round bowl, spashed a little but incredibly - it remained on the plate - AND it was delicious. I had a spinach salad and a moist and flavorful pineapple muffin. I make sure to walk though as many crunchy leaves as possible. They are THE crunchiest.

Today is Lando's birthday. Happy Birthday Lando! It seems odd to be apart. I'm having a great time though - thanks for sharing. I look forward to partying with you when I get home.

Here's what Elijah was doing during our lunch.

Here's what Eva was doing during our lunch.