So... I've had 41 million things going on...

Since the last time I posted, we have been running like chickens with our heads cut off! aahhhh!!! We hit the floor running in the morning, and literally fall into bed at night. But, through it all... God has been gracious and given me the peace that I needed.

Just to give you an idea of the things that have been going on...

My dad celebrated his 50th Birthday! Happy Birthday Papa! So, I and my friend Melissa were going to go to Illinois for the weekend to surprise my dad for his birthday, and to be an encouragement to him. Well, on the Friday we were going to leave, somethings happened (explain later) at home, and I needed to leave alot earlier. Phil got off of work in a hurry, and we packed and drove home. We pulled in at about 12 am slept until 5:30, and went to breakfast at IHOP. (Sidenote: the time was my sisters idea) We were suppose to all meet there at 6 am. All the siblings were to be there to go to breakfast with dad for his birthday. It was so cool. We got there (on time), and of course Mom and Dad were late... So Phil and I went and hid in the back part, and when they walked in, Mom ran to the bathroom and Dad came in and started huggin the other kids. I jumped in line... He got done huggin Opey, and thought he was done, then he saw me. (I'm tearin up just thinking about it!) Lets just say, I got a long hug. It was great. So we spent the morning with Mom and Dad... while the others went their ways. We went and saw Bro. McAdams in the hospital... so very sweet. God has really given them a special place in our heart. So, about 1 pm Phil and I had to keep Dad away from the house. So we went to some yard sales, and went and saw my Grandpa, and then ended up at Wal-Mart. Yup. I made him ride in a wheel chair the whole way. It was kind of nice to pay back all those many years of embarassment from him... He was blushing! He had a button on that said he was "over the hill" (see picture) Anyway, I cold tell you much more about this day, but this is already getting long! It was a good day.

The reason we had to hurry home, was because Grampa Rowell got really bad... On Friday the 6th, they gave him less than 6 months to live. That weekend, it was looking more like days... Then they talked to the doctor on Monday he said he could probably make it a month. This has been so very hard on my family. If you think about it, please say a prayer for them. On Monday, I went in early in the morning in hopes of getting there before anyone else did... I made it! :) I got him ready for the day, and combed and washed his hair and his cleaned his face... Then we sat and I read all the cards to him that everyone had sent... When I didn't know who they were, he would say "Oh, thier from Tremont..." lol it was great times. It was something I needed. I will always have memories, but this was probably the greatest. Grampa never would just tell us he loved us, but we always knew he did. This time however, I would say "Grampa, I love you" and he would come right back with "I love you too, Emily" Oh how precious!