Catch up, Part 2 (October 2008)

This is Brianna playing Vanna White at the Harris Family Reunion in Slocum, Alabama. This is David's mom's mom's family (aka Mawmaw)...and other than David's mom, Mawmaw and Pawpaw, Mawmaw's sister - Aunt Jeanette, and David's cousin - Aaron, we had never met a sole in that room! Okay, so picture this...we're in a VFW hall. A rectangular room with two lines of tables going from one end to the other...every seat filled...and there is Brianna standing up there with Cousin Aaron (who she only met once before) holding up the items for the auction...Can you say "AMAZING GRACE!"???

David and I were in shock! Here we were (in October) watching Brianna not only get up there, but SUGGEST to Aaron that he might need a helper! And she SMILED! And she walked up and down and made sure everyone got a good look! Folks, this is THE SAME girl who at our wedding in March wouldn't make eye contact or talk to people she had gone to church with for THREE YEARS! David's mom just smiled and said "She knows she's with family."

Oh, and did I mention that Brianna was the celebrity at the reunion? David's mom COULD NOT WAIT to introduce her new granddaughter to everyone! How kind of God!

We visit around a lot that weekend. We saw David's grandparents on his dad's side (Nena and Grandaddy), and had our usual breakfast out with Grandaddy. We went to see Rodney and Susan...Rodney grew up with David's dad and when he would come to visit the family in Jacksonville when David was a baby he would stay in David's room and take care of him in the night...they bonded! =D

Rodney and Susan live out in the middle of no where. They have a horse - Breeze, and two llamas! Not to mention cats...and a new mule. They took us out for chinese food to what looked like a hole in the wall...but was THE BEST chinese food EVER! And that's serious coming from a native New Yorker!

It was a good visit with everyone in the Ozark area. Then we got up Sunday morning and drove home the long way...by way of the nursing home my mom was in at the time (south GA). Here is a picture of Brianna with my mom.
Not long after this picture was taken my mom was moved to a nursing home near my dad. The new facility is MUCH better and my mom is making progress there. It's hard to believe she hasn't been home since May 2nd. She was very excited to find out that the new facility has a hair stylist that comes in, and she was able to get her hair cut before our visit at Christmas. She says she feels much better having her hair done! =D


Thank you to everyone who has prayed, and continues to pray, for my mom. She is slowly gaining strength. My dad is muddling through, living in a mostly empty house as their things are here waiting for them to get here. BUT, when my dad was here this month he took a half of a truck load back with him...David and I are pretty sure he doesn't plan to move here any time soon.


It's so easy for us to look at their situation and think we know best. Well, it's easy for me. ;D My David is much more careful NOT to presume these things...once again showing that he is wise beyond his years. (sigh...isn't he wonderful???) Anyway, it would seem the logical thing to me to have my mom moved to a facility in Jacksonville, and for my dad to live with us - or nearby - so that we could be a support to them both and hopefully give my mom a reason to try...But I have to remember, and usually David has to remind me, that God's ways are not my ways, and HE has them where they are for a reason. Or countless reasons!


SO, we pray, we encourage over the phone, we go visit when we can...and we trust God, because we know HE knows what He is doing!