Riverbend Ramblings

We're spending Spring Break in Georgia. I'm enjoying the beautiful weather, visiting with friends, and sightseeing in our favorite small towns. Hopefully I'll get some pictures posted soon. Happy Wednesday!

Labels: Daily Life

This is my view from the hospital waiting room where I've been sitting for the last six hours. I got up at 4:00 this morning to take my mom to the hospital for a scheduled surgery. I saw her in the recovery room just a few minutes ago, and she's doing well. Originally we thought she would have to stay here overnight, but now the doctor said she might be released late this afternoon. I'll be very happy if that's the case. She needs a good night's sleep in her own bed. I have been in a number of hospitals over the last few years, either as a patient or visitor, and this hospital is the most impressive one I've ever been in. My mom has been treated as a guest, not a number. A staff member checks in with me every once in a while to give me updates. Someone even came through the waiting room with a cart and gave me a cup of hot chocolate and a danish. It looks and smells like a hotel, not a hospital. So far, a fabulous experience! If I have to be a patient in a hospital again (and I hope I never am), this would be the place I would want to be. On a completely different note, today is a very special day. My handsome hubby and I tied the knot 15 years ago today! Since I actually spent last night at my mom's house, I haven't even seen him today. Things have been crazy-busy this week, so we're briefly postponing our anniversary getaway. I'm looking forward to it, though. While I was away helping my mom this morning, he got the kids ready for the day and off to school. That's what marriage is--teamwork! I love him so much and am still amazed that he chose me to spend the rest of his life with. God is so good!! I hope you all have a wonderful day! Be sure to let your family know how much you love them!

Labels: Family Life, Special Days

Labels: Outdoor Life

Labels: Fun Stuff, Special Days

Yesterday's nasty weather hit close to home last night--literally. A tornado touched down in the subdivision right down the road from us while we were sitting down to supper. Fifty people are now homeless, but miraculously no one was injured. I didn't even know that anything had happened until I left the house this morning and saw all the emergency vehicles. We later learned that the same tornado hit a house just four doors down from my in-law's house. They never heard a thing, either. I am so thankful for the Lord's protection! I spent a couple of hours at the hospital today with my good friend Alesha. Her sweet little boy underwent emergency surgery this morning and is recovering tonight. I am praying that there won't be any complications and that he will be able to go home sometime this weekend. I'm sure that Alesha would appreciate your prayers for Isaac. These two unexpected events remind me that difficulties often arise when we least expect them. There are things that we have no control over. What a comfort it is to know that our Saviour has promised to never leave us or forsake us! We can trust His faithfulness. ~~~oOo~~~ I Know Who Holds Tomorrow by Ira Stanphill I don't know about tomorrow, I just live from day to day. I don't borrow from it's sunshine, For it's skies may turn to gray. I don't worry o'er the future, For I know what Jesus said, And today I'll walk beside Him, For He knows what is ahead. Many things about tomorrow, I don't seem to understand; But I know Who holds tomorrow, And I know Who holds my hand.

Labels: Daily Life, Hymns, My Thoughts, Prayer Requests

Here's the view from our sun room this afternoon. No sun, just clouds and rain. I've been enjoying a rather wet day at home with Bookworm. We spent quite a while this morning working on geometry and took Toby to the groomer. Bookworm also had an extra piano lesson this morning as she is in the final days of preparation for a huge competition. She's playing away as I type, and I'm going to indulge in two of my favorite things while I enjoy a private concert.

Labels: Daily Life, Favorite Things

Cinnamon rolls fresh out of the oven--yummy!

Labels: Daily Life, In the Kitchen

Despite fighting a lingering cold, I had a delightful weekend celebrating my birthday with my family. My wonderful mom treated our family to dinner Friday night. She gave me a couple of lovely gifts that I will share pictures of as soon as I get the camera batteries charged. Saturday my handsome hubby took me to my favorite restaurant for lunch. I splurged and ordered the fillet. Let me just say, it was delicious (and almost worth the $23). We spent some time shopping, and I picked out a new Vera Bradley tech case to carry my phone in. Those who know me know that I just have to coordinate! :)Sunday morning I felt lousy but still made it to church in time to teach my Sunday school class. Several girls who haven't attended in a while were there, which really encouraged me. I spent the afternoon resting and felt much better by the evening service. We enjoyed root beer floats at the ice cream social after the service. This afternoon the teachers surprised me with balloons and a birthday cake at our staff meeting. Chocolate cake makes an otherwise boring meeting quite bearable! I've eaten enough food the last few days to feed a small army, so now it's time to hit the treadmill! I hope your week is off to a great start!

Labels: Daily Life, Favorite Things, Special Days

"Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:" Psalm 103:1,2 I just want to praise my Saviour for His grace and mercy. I am truly blessed beyond measure! There is so much hurt and sin in the world today, but this world has no hold on me. Walking with Jesus gives me such peace. I am so thankful for the salvation that is in Christ Jesus!

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus by Helen Lemmel O soul, are you weary and troubled? No light in the darkness you see? There’s light for a look at the Savior, And life more abundant and free! Refrain: Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace. Through death into life everlasting He passed, and we follow Him there; O’er us sin no more hath dominion— For more than conquerors we are! His Word shall not fail you—He promised; Believe Him, and all will be well: Then go to a world that is dying, His perfect salvation to tell!

Labels: My Thoughts

I spent most of the weekend in bed with a cold. Curl Girl wasn't feeling very good herself this morning, so we've both been taking it easy today. We ate our lunch out at the picnic table and enjoyed the sunshine. Guess what we found in the backyard? Lettuce from last year's seeds! I wish everything in the garden would spring up with so little effort from me. I think we'll plan on salads for lunch tomorrow.These next two pictures are for my Northern friends. Flowers are beginning to bloom here. It's supposed to get cold again in the next couple of days. I hope these blossoms don't die. I felt good enough this afternoon to tackle my messy laundry room. It took me two hours to get it super clean. I have a tendency to let the clean clothes pile up on top of the counter, and the pile grows bigger and bigger. I'm determined to keep that counter cleared off!This little fur-baby makes me smile. He needs a haircut, but he's still adorable.Lord-willing our household will be sniffle-free tomorrow and I'll be able to go into the office for a few hours. I hope you have a wonderful week!

Labels: Daily Life, Keeping the Home, Outdoor Life, Pets