Urgent and Continual Prayer Request

Ryan's brother's step-son, John McDonald, was deployed to Afganistan on July 3, 2008. This is his second deployment (previously in Iraq). He is now an Army Specialist and they have changed his job to, Security as a Guard Tower Sniper & a Checkpoint Guard. This is one of the most dangerous positions to be in. To make matters worse, he was not sent to the area they had originally told him. He is now in a 100+ degree desolate area with no running water or electricity and his only means of communication is USPS(mail). He leaves a wife and 3 mo. old daughter back in Nolanville, TX. She has family in GA and TN but decided to stay in TX. Ryan's brother, John Reed, Jr., has asked for anyone who has a church prayer list, to please place this family on such list. Also, I encourage anyone who feels a desire to send letters or care packages please let me know, I can give you their addresses or send it out to them myself. I know both John & Cindy need encouragement in this difficult time.

Dollywood Adventures!

We got in another visit to Dollywood this past week. With Ryan off all week it was a nice break from our cabin fever. The nice thing about season passes is, we can come in later and not kill ourselves trying to ride everything. We had a day full of veggies, heat, water, rides, heat & water. The veggitales were at the park and got to enjoy a live show in the AC of their theatre. Hopefully we can go back before Zaboomafoo leaves.



Joseph & Daddy pose by the Dollywood Express that we got to ride.



Thomas & Daddy pose too!



Here the train engineer is loading up the coal in the fire to prepare for the ride ahead. The last two times we rode we sat in the first car and since it's an open car, we ended up with coal dust all over us. It's also very loud up there.



There was a sandcastle making exhibit. There was actually a person there making this castle as we watched. And believe it or not this was 100% sand & water. Incredible!



Joseph finally got up enough guts to ride these cute little duckies after seeing Thomas go alone. Joseph, Joseph, Joseph...What are we going to do with you?!





Here are the boys at the Beaver Creek area of the park. It's a great place for little ones ( and Mommys ;) to cool of in the running water. Both boys managed to break the no running law and both left with bumps on their heads to prove it.



Here Ryan and Joseph rode together on the 50s style Rockin' Roadway. Ryan was sure glad he didn't get the pink, purple or aqua car.



Thomas drives Mommy around on the Rockin' Roadway. AAAAHHH!

The Kitties are Here, Jen!

Yesterday evening "Lady" went into labor with her kitties. She insisted I stay and mid-wife the whole thing as she followed me anytime I left her. So for 3-4 hours straight she labored and birthed three cute grey kitties as I assisted. I know I must sound like some crazy animal lover who thinks cats are human, but really they pretty much do the same thing we human-women do. I have to give it to them for birthing multiples and some other gory stuff they have to do that I won't mention. She's been a good mommy cat and doesn't get to bothered when we handle them. At one point I was handling a kitted who started to scream and "Lady" gave me a genlte nip as to tell me, "I really don't mind you holding them, but I think I should take over now." Unfortunately the first one was still-born even after my attempts to revive it. I think she just labored to long with it as it was the largest of the three. Here are the pics.:



This was kitty #1 who didn't make it


This is kitty #2 who is the laid back of the two.


Joseph was excited at the chance to hold this wiggly kitty as Mommy-Cat birthed #3 (He was also hyped up from all the chocolate ice cream Daddy gave him)


Kitty #3(left)who is feisty and a little more slender. He gave me a scare as he struggled to breath at first. Good Mommy-Cat nurses one baby while cleaning up the other.


By the way there are plenty more yucky pictures if anyone is teaching biology! ;)

My Crazy 24+hrs. with Four Kiddies In Tow

(Quentin's hiding inside the yellow sleeping bag as Thomas pounces him)

My sister called about a week in advance and was desperate for someone to watch her kiddies, Quentin-7 & Cheyney-5. I gladly accepted and got out the pool for the first time this summer (I'm kinda lazy about outdoor stuff this year). It took me more than an hour to pull out the pool, blow it up, fill it with water and swim toys & catch my breath! It took the kids 20 mins. to have their fill and muck up the water with grass clippings, oh well! We also made fourth-of-july cookies and went to the local park. They are two good kids and were eager to help for the most part, as much as kids can be I think. Thomas was actually the most difficult to deal with as he learns how to share his toys. So please, we invite all to come over with your kiddies so Thomas can learn how to play with others. The great thing was that I caught myself telling Ryan, "This isn't so bad, I think we could handle four kids." So praise the Lord for showing us he will always give us everything we need to care for our children or future children. Above are the pics of our outdoor fun & the 2 hour long going to bed process(whew, they wore me out getting them to go to sleep):

Obama, please do explain!