The Last Hoorah....

Today was perhaps the most beautiful day we have had in months. The sun was out... birds and bugs frantically worked and played... There was not a whisper of wind... but best of all - It was warm. Dee and I opened all our windows and doors and let the house breath one last time before winter returns (probably tomorrow). I went out to watch Ireland lose to Argentina in the Rugby World Cup, but not even this loss could keep me down today. I threw off my long sleeves and took a nice walk home.

Dee and I celebrated this last hoorah of summer by cooking out! I dusted off the ol' grill (only used once), fought off the neighborhood dogs, and grilled up some steaks (Go Iron!)! In honor of the great weather I am going to post a picture I took this week of some wildflowers on our road. Hope you enjoy.

Today's Random Pic...

This one is for Tim & Mel....

Oops

Ok..... So... I didn't realize that I didn't put the guys name.... YES! It was James Cromwell!

(not my picture)

The funny/scary thing is that last night I clicked on the TV show '24' and there he was as Phillip Bauer!




Ok.... enough of that.... but good guess you guys! Jen gets the point!

No Picture (this time)

Sorry to say that I didn't get a picture this time... but... I did see another famous person. I was walking along the docks when I saw him. We passed each other and caught eyes for just a second... not really long enough to realize who he was or to say anything. It took me a little while to place him... but then I remembered that he was the star of 'Babe' (the story of the pig that wanted to be a sheep dog). After thinking about it... and looking on the Internet I realized that he has also been in some other big movies: Spiderman 3, Revenge of the Nerds, Star Trek: First Contact, L.A. Confidential , Deep Impact, Species II, The Green Mile, The Sum of All Fears, The Longest Yard, The Queen, Becoming Jane.


Sure enough... news of him being in town was in this week's newspaper.

Roller Coaster...

The past few weeks have been a real roller coaster. There have been the mixed emotions of joy – getting to see family – and grief –Kim’s death. I feel blessed that we were able to be with Dee’s family during this time. One of the costs to being overseas is that we miss out on many important occasions in our families’ lives. We are sad to see birthdays, recitals, anniversaries, and family gatherings pass us by, but it is truly devastating to not be with our families when tragedy hits. Thankfully, our four and half years in Ireland have not seen much tragedy……… I think – also – that it was just time for us to go back for a little while. We would have gone two years without being home…. That is just too long. I do not want my nieces and nephews to grow up not knowing us. I do not want to become out of touch (even though I already have) with my home culture. I am grateful that on this trip I was able to really come to know Dee’s family. I have been around her cousins, uncles, and aunts before, but it has always been for a single event (a party or celebration). I have never really had the time to see their humor… to pray with them… to play with them… to be a part of their lives. I am so grateful that I was able to come to know and come to really love them these past two weeks.

Dee & "the girl cousins"

A few highlights from my time in the states!

More to come soon!

Back... Today's Random Pic...

Just a quick note to say that we made it back to Ireland. We are both really jet lagged but we made it back without any problems. It is a cool 52 degrees here... and I saw four rainbows on the drive home. It is in honor of those that I give you this random pic (taken while my parents were here).

Update from the states...

Dee and I would like to thank all of you that have been praying for us. This past week has been a roller coaster of emotions. There have been moments filled with hope and anticipation followed by loss and grief. Dee’s aunt passed away early on Sunday morning… she was surrounded by her husband, father, and brothers and sisters. We will be in the states the rest of the week…. And we appreciate your continued prayers. I’ll update again soon.

In the USA...

Just a note to say that after 24hours of travel we are back in the USA. Kim's (Dee's aunt) condition continues to not look good. I'll update you just as soon as i know something... as for now - we are off to the hospital for the day...