HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND!
   A day to reflect on friends and family members who are part of the U.S. military - those who died during war and peacetime, and to those who continue on in the legacy of service.  Thank you, Kevin, for your 30+ years of service to our country. 

IT WAS A BUSY, BUSY, BUSY WEEK FOR US 

On Monday, we had dental appointments, then did some extra house cleaning and put the downstairs bedroom back together (after our ceiling leak and repair). Max was able to come for a short visit 😀. Grant had planned to come also, but could not get a flight 😞. We miss you, Grant!

While he was here, Max an Paul climbed the Manitou Incline, and hiked up Mt. Herman.  Max also got to visit with his friend Levi, who is a USAFA cadet. 

          

Tuesday, I managed to get some time in for my school assignments and got to visit with Max

Wednesday, we went to Samantha's graduation in the morning, out to Adam's for pizza, and then everyone came back to our house for a "barn-raising", as Adam called it, to build our gazebo. The boys worked so hard all afternoon - didn't quite finish but hope to get it done this week.

  After-work dinner at Cafe Rio 

 Thanks so much guys for all of your help!

Thursday, Eilis and I went shoe shopping, and later in the afternoon, I went to Lily's continuation program.  It is really hard for me to think about her starting high school in the Fall.

Where did time go????

Friday, we took Max to the airport and then came home and got busy with laundry, and tried to catch up on school work that I had mostly neglected during the week.  

  Also, Kate called Friday morning and happened to mention that she and Jonathan were going to see the new Mission Impossible movie that evening.  Does anyone else keep up with Mission Impossible movies?  We really haven't, but I told her that it sounded like a fun date.  She said we would need to see the 7th movie before going to the latest movie (#8).  So on a whim, Dad and I rented Mission Impossible 7 and really enjoyed it!  Now I am looking forward to seeing the last one.  Thanks Kate!

 Saturday, we went to Eilis' graduation from Fountain-Fort Carson High School.  I didn't realize how large her school was but the campus is spread out and really pretty.  We also didn't realize that there would be a ton of people there, so even though we got there 30 minutes ahead of time, there were no seats left.  A really nice couple must have thought we were old 😄 because they asked if we would like one of their chairs.  The husband was up taking photos a lot, so Dad and I shared a chair - I sat for the first hour, and he sat for the second.  

After we got home, I had to finish a paper for my class, and then we helped Cathy bring her bags upstairs and got her on her way to the airport.  There was little energy left by that time so we just relaxed and watched some Murder Island.

Today, we were so happy to sleep in, go to church, and then Angella, Hollie, Eilis, Jacob (Eilis' boyfriend), and Ben came over for dinner.  Dad grilled a flank steak and it was delicious.  

  Last week, I shared part of an article that was in our newspaper the week before Easter, and tonight I just want to add some concluding thoughts from the author - 

"As you read this, there are patients fighting for their lives in one of the many intensive care units throughout our city.  At Children's Hospital up on Briargate Parkway, there's an infant born with a compromised heart, babies in critical condition, their frail and fragile bodies in an epic battle to live.

At the UCHealth Cancer Center down at Memorial Hospital, patients are arriving for testing and treatment. Their prognosis might be bleak. They need a miracle.  All around us, there are the perpetually single who yearn to be married. There are marriages on the rocks- a devastated wife who just uncovered an infidelity, a broken-hearted husband whose wife says she no longer loves him.

There are couples struggling to conceive and praying desperately for a child. There are prodigals, drug-addicted teens and young adults, children with learning disabilities, physical handicaps, mental and emotional challenges. There are lonely widows and widowers. There are people out of work, those running out of money before running out of month.  

Everybody is fighting a battle, and almost everybody needs a miracle of some size or sort. 

Miracles are extraordinary events that can't be explained by natural or scientific laws. But it was Augustine who observed, "Miracles are not contrary to nature, but only contrary to what we know about nature."

We should expect to be reminded often that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is the same power that enables us to face all of life's troubles and trials.  God is in the miracle business.  Don't be afraid to asked Him for one."

Hope you all have a really wonderful week - And hopefully some of that Summer sun will show up!