Sioux Falls 2009 Visit

This is one happy Mom!

We are here in Sioux Falls, SD visiting all three boys and Tara.... maybe I should say Tara and the boys?!?! We are having a wonderful time all cozy in Tara and Jer's little cottage! It has been raining the past two days so we have all been quite closely together!!! It was nice the first day and we had a great b'bque out in their back yard with Jeremy, the master griller, doing his thing! Since then we have gotten to see Tara's office at Scooters, meet Chef Dominique where Tara and Jer work occasionally, eat amazing enchiladas, have a "coffee date" at the mall with Traci and the Kirby's, the guys went bowling with Joshua James and rumor has it Dad still has what it takes... We have visited Mick's new house and met Earn, Demetrius and his puppy, Diamond.... Or course, Gus is here... although he is on a diet and not happy camper about that turn of events... talk of coming to "fat camp" at the ranch.... We have also had two times with Valerie and one of those with Dr. Melmer too! That is a total joy for me. Jer grilled amazing ribs last night for us to enjoy! Char and Tara were in charge of the potato course.

One Contented Canine....

Tara's Office

She loves her job!!!Chef Dominique and Crew

Coffee Date with the Kirby Sisters

Mick and Diamond

Mick minus Bed Bugs in His new Home

Potato Patrol

As Hannah Says "Noshing"I am blessed with a Good Friend for the Daughter in Law!

Jer and Mick are halfway through their EMT training course. Mick did his overnight in the ER last night and we are anxious to hear the details. He and Jer seem to be really liking this choice even if the course work is very intense. The paramedic training begins in mid- Sept. and goes for nine months culminating in an internship of 6-9 weeks somewhere in the country. After that Mick will have one semester at USF to finish. He and Jer are quite competitive with each other so I would dare to say that this is a great arrangement for both of them! Tara and I decided that we could never do this type of work but God has given each of us different bents so we are glad that there are those who can do this important work. Dan and I are both very supportive of them getting this "hard" skill to add to their resumes. God please bless them in their studies!

One of the big highlights for us this weekend has been some time with our dear friends Rick and Val. Val came for coffee on Friday at Tara's Office.... then last night we got an added bonus having them for some of Jer's wonderful ribs! They were here for the evening so it was a great time for visiting and catching up! There is something outstanding about old friends with a shared history to be a balm to your soul!!! We have journeyed many miles with these dear friends... we have shared every kind of joy and every kind of sorrow. They know our souls... they have helped comfort and encourage them. They have helped shape our souls and have let a stamp on them that is there for life.... what a privilege that God afforded us in this friendship! Talk about getaway long weekend for November is now the works! Watch out when Val and Lynn "make a plan". ...move over!

Today is brunch for lunch, family "mini golf" if the weather holds and church at the Crossing... my heart is full just thinking of it! All that is missing is Hannah, Abby and Ben....

Lynn and her Bud