The trees don't quite look like this yet, but we are getting closer.  Fall has certainly overtaken any thoughts that warm summer temperatures might return.  Our days have definitely become cooler, but they make for great dog-walking weather.

 Speaking of dogs . . . I took a really good walk with Sendai last Sunday, and of course, when we got back to the house, she made a direct escape out the back door (which she always does) to make sure she didn't miss anything going on over the back fence.  When she came back into the house, we noticed she was limping, so we checked her paws for cuts, thorns, or any other kind of scrapes or bruises, but couldn't find anything.  We were able to get her into the vet on Monday, and it turned out she just had a good sprain, so poor thing has been confined to the house - no walks, and no responding to or antagonizing the dogs on the other side of the fence.  She was prescribed medications to take through today and is doing much better. It's a good thing God made our pets with cute faces, otherwise, their mischief-making might land them in a heap of trouble. 

 Clementine told Kate she needed to go outside yesterday, and then didn't even make it out of the front yard before collapsing on the grass, refusing to go any further 😀.  It looks like she made herself super comfy in a very short time.

 

Ralphie keeps everyone in Chicago on their toes.  Apparently, he escaped from the backyard to the front of the house this week and was running races in the middle of the street!  And, it also looks like he loves Grant! (but then who wouldn't???)

    

 And then there are the Monument cats - Lily just sent me a new photo of Danno -  I love that Adam has resorted to putting bells on all of their cats to curb their enthusiasm for bringing mice into the house.🔔  The bells warn the mice to get out of harm's way before they become cat toys. 😳 WE DO LOVE OUR PET FRIENDS! ❤

📚Kim and I made it through week 2 of classes.  Only 5 more weeks to go!!! And I should also mention that Grant, Samantha, and Max are also busy with college classes (they are just so much younger and can still remember how to draw, add, and subtract 😃)

 This week, Dad and I took friends to the full-scale replica of the Old Testament Tabernacle.  It was fascinating, from the detail used on the fabric that created the tabernacle walls, to the specific features of the Ark of the Covenant in the Holy of Holies.  

I realize how much I lack in my knowledge of the Old Testament, so I am looking forward to setting aside some time for extra reading. I'll keep you posted on what I learn! 😊. Oh, and by the way, we took our friends to our favorite Gelato shop afterwards. . . YUM!!! A scoop of chocolate hazelnut, and a scoop of almond cheesecake = a little bit of Heaven 🍨

Tuesday evening, the Deacons came over to pull weeds in our backyard.  I made a batch of cookies for them and they ate all of them except for three, which I left on a plate in the kitchen for Kevin.  (you know who made quick work of them, and it wasn't Kevin 🐕 😃

THANKS so much for the Sunday Selfies today ~ 

The background in Sayre's photo doesn't look real, but it really is real!

DOES THIS REMIND YOU OF ANYONE YOU MIGHT KNOW??? 

  Yep, it's a 2025 version of Adam, named Jake 😁. I love that he wants to be a goalie, just like his Dad.

AND, couldn't pass this one up -

Sayre is already getting ready for Halloween!  I am glad he's getting a head start because I love Halloween too ~

(You have to look carefully to find his cute face)

My video pick this week is actually a current one that Ben sent me - He is such a sweetie!

I'm guessing for everyone, this past week has been a struggle in one way or another.  I felt overwhelmed with my class, thinking about Dad and his surgery, the tragedy at UVU, and then a school shooting in Evergreen (just west of Denver).  I don't know how many times I have ended this blog with the words that "we need to have faith", "we need to trust in the Lord," "we all have hard days, weeks, sometimes years".  All of these things are true, but more than anything, I think, to get through the discouraging times, we need to pray. There is an indescribable peace that can come into our hearts when we pray.  That, I know.  I am so glad we are family!  That we can talk to each other, vent, cry, and laugh.  We may not always agree, but we love each other.  I am so thankful to have you as amazing sons, daughters, grandchildren, siblings, oh, and Kevin 😁 ❤  Love you