She Likes to be Independent

Every Thursday after work Beth and I go grocery shopping. Sometimes we don't need very much but most of the time we fill our carts. Beth is pretty independent, we each grab a cart and then we go our separate ways. We sometimes pass in the aisles, I'll say to her, "Hey! I know you!" and she'll smile as she walks by or she'll ignore me and pretend like she's never seen me before in her life.

 

She pretty much buys the same things every week but is trying to cut down on the amount of junk food she buys. We're also trying to get her to go dairy free but this week there was a huge, family-size block of cheese in her cart. I had to remind her that it's the cheese that causes her stomach aches and digestive issues. She wasn't happy about putting it back but she did.

 

Whoever finishes first waits by the registers until the other one arrives, then we check out together. This last Thursday she wanted me to check out first. Then she unloads her cart, pays for it, unloads all her groceries in the car, then unloads again at home. I'm thankful she's so independent when it comes to grocery shopping.

 

I happened to spot her as I walked by one aisle.

 I think she was making more room in her cart.

Shoes, Needles, and Pretzels

 Beth and I spent the day running errands on Friday. She had to get some follow up lab work done, we went to DSW for shoes and socks, Big Lots for an ottoman for her room, dropped some things off at Goodwill, and we walked around the mall.

 

We weren't on a timeline, we weren't rushed, it was just a nice, slow-paced afternoon.

 

She does so well at the doctor. This was before she had the blood draw - look at that smile! She always talks to the phlebotomist, she can be so chatty in there! I can hear her tell them about her job... how her mom doesn't like needles so she goes in for her blood draw by herself and that she doesn't mind getting them... Miss Chatty Cathy!

 

 We left there and headed to DSW. I needed some socks and while we were there I asked her if she wanted to buy another pair of shoes. She loves the shoes she has so she bought a pair just like them. Quick and easy!

 

While we were at the mall we stopped at Auntie Anne's, we hadn't been there in such a long time. We used to go a lot, in fact she used to work there! Not long after graduating she used to hand out samples. She was there a few months then moved on to something else, I don't remember what. She was in a job training program that found her jobs throughout the community. That's how she ended up folding boxes at Little Caesars. I think that's been her favorite job so far. I don't have any pictures of her working at Auntie Anne's, but here she is at LC. She worked there 5 years and used to fold upwards of 1000 boxes during her weekend shift. Some of you might remember when she worked there.

 

 And this was Friday - 

 

 More walking, then a little break. I was really proud of her for walking the mall. We didn't do the whole thing but she did a good amount. Even went into a couple stores to look around. She was on her feet for quite a while.

 

 We got the lab results today and her thyroid levels are 'back to normal.' Thank you Lord! I believe the changes we're making are helping a lot.

Fall, Old Cars, Graduation Gift

 We woke up the other morning to this...

 

 

Today we have blue skies and it's gorgeous out but it's cooler than it has been. You know when 70 degrees in July is different than 70 degrees in September? I think it's time to put the comforter back on the bed.

 

I went to our local car show last weekend. I don't know a lot about cars, but I sure love lookin' at 'em! Especially the older ones.

 

 

 

Do you see the Queen waving from the hood?

 

 

My first car was a 1969 Mach 1 Mustang. My dad gave it to me for my graduation. I only had it for a couple of years but I sure got a lot of attention when I drove it around. Didn't know why at the time. Now I know! I sure wish I had taken better care of it.

 

 What was your first car? Did you have it for a while?

 

Breakfast, Like Germany, and Swings

The kids arrived safely last week. Their seats were near the back of the plane and Adelaide spent a lot of the time watching the people go back and forth to the bathroom. She absolutely adores people! She cried for about 5 minutes of their 6 hour flight and was happy and content the rest of the time. A direct answer to prayer!

 

 We went to the park; went out for breakfast; drove up to Leavenworth, a Bavarian-style town up in the mountains east of us. We all spent most of our time just watching Adelaide. She's a character! Growing so fast, and learning so much. She can wave goodbye - she doesn't just move her hand, she actually moves her fingers up and down; she talks to anyone and everyone who will listen! She's absolutely adorable.

 

 

Yelling to the kids playing in the splash park

 

The scenery heading up to Leavenworth is just stunning. 

Well, some of us are captivated by it!

 

 

 

The girls tried to get some pictures but it's hard with an active 8 month old!

 

Me, Chuck, and our granddaughters

I love this picture more than I can say

 Back at home she found the bin with the winter hats and scarves

 

 

This was her first time on a plane and she did so well coming here and going home.

We played cards, took walks... it was SO good having them all here! They pulled out of the driveway on Wednesday and I went into the house and cried. I'm so grateful we get to see them for Christmas!