How Do I Even Start to Catch Up?

I know, it's been awhile since I've posted. The last few weeks have been so busy. We had a wonderful trip to visit my sister and brother in law in Maryland last week and then returned to a lot of sadness at home. This post really should be broken into three or even four different posts, but since I'm short on time this morning, it's going to be all in one so bear with me.

I'll start with the good: our trip to Maryland. Emma Cate and I left early Sunday morning to fly to Maryland to spend 5 days with my sister. The town she lives in is adorable! It is old and historic and the sidewalks are old brick...too cute! They live in a row house right downtown so it is easy to walk to little antique shops and restaurants. We spent a lot of time walking (and eating!) We had some delicious food while we were there and the best icecream I've ever tasted!





Ali had carved their initial into a pumpkin on their front steps and Emma Cate was mesmerized by the pumpkin.



She also LOVED Ali's jewelry and wanted to chew on all the necklaces.



And baths in Ali's kitchen sink were really fun!



We took walks down to a really nice park and she watched the ducks play and then got to swing for the first time by herself on a swing.



We had such a wonderful time Ali and Michael! Thank you for having us! We can't wait to see you both again at Christmas!

When Phil picked me up from the airport, he had to share some very sad news with me. A very dear friend and loved member of our community passed away suddenly last week. It has broken my heart. Mrs. Peggy was one of the sweetest people I have ever known. She and her husband, Mr. Ganus, were the first people who really made me feel welcome and loved here when we moved and they have always been special to me. They were the sweetest couple. I'll never forget driving up one day and seeing Mrs. Peggy sitting in their truck while Mr. Ganus fished. She didn't care anything about fishing, but she wanted to be with him. I thought, "that's how marriage should be." Their marriage was an example to us all and I cannot imagine the void Mr. Ganus feels. It has really made stop and think about how precious life is - that we are not guaranteed tomorrow and we should make the most of today. It's made me hug my precious little girl a little tighter and helped me not be frustrated about the nighttime wakings we are experiencing right now with EC's teething and cold and instead enjoy getting to hold and rock my sweet baby. Mrs. Peggy, you are dearly missed, but we rejoice with you that you are in the presence of our Father.

Phil's grandfather, Papa, has been sick for awhile, but this weekend he took a turn for the worse. He has not really been responsive since early Sunday morning and we've spent the last few days with family at their house. I know I've mentioned Papa and Sugar on this blog before, but they are such a precious couple. Sugar has MS and is paralyzed in most of her body and Papa has taken care of her for years. They just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this fall and are the picture of how God intended marriage to be. Sugar has some movement and feeling in her right hand so Sunday they got her up out of the bed and into her chair to sit next to Papa's bedside and hold his hand. It was the sweetest thing I've ever seen.



Please keep him in your prayers and pray for Sugar to have peace.

I'll go ahead and wrap up this post with a few 8 month pictures of Emma Cate. She has changed so much this month (I think I say that every month!) She is starting to crawl, but usually she does more of an "army crawl" on her tummy. She will eat most any real food that I'll give her, but still has no teeth so we're kind of limited on what she can chew with her gums. She likes all peas/beans with the skins off and will eat some of a real sweet potato and mashed potatoes. For the most part she will not eat baby food though. Every now and then she'll take a few bites of pears or carrotts, but usually just clamps her mouth shut and turns her head. I can't say that I blame her, it's pretty nasty stuff! She is sitting up really well and pulls up to stand if you hold her hands, but hasn't really started trying to pull up on furniture. She wants to walk so badly and will walk all over the house if you let her hold your fingers. Her little personality is so cute! I thought I saw the tip of a tooth coming through on Friday and she's had all the symptoms, but I can't see the tooth anymore so I'm not sure if that is what has been going on or if she's just got a cold. Surely a tooth is coming soon though!







And we didn't end up going trick or treating because of everything going on with Papa, but Emma Cate did dress up in her little halloween costume so I could snap a few pictures.



Isn't she the cutest little kitty you've ever seen! She's our little angel...we feel so completely blessed with her!