Missing in Action

Where to begin? The abscess tooth? The partial root canal? The raging infection? The massive doses of 5 different antibiotics? Yogurt for sissies?

Yes, this is my lovely face the day after my tooth exploded...literally. Nice huh? I won't gross you out with the nasty details, but one day I was fine; the next day I wanted to blow my head off with a shotgun. Four weeks later I am still fighting the infection and waiting for August 30th to roll around in hopes that the partial root canal can be completed. Your prayers for no more infection and root canal completion are greatly appreciated. :-)

You know what happens when your body is pumped full of strong antibiotics???? Yes, information that we will all just keep to ourselves and knowingly have sympathy for the one taking them. Yogurt, being one of my least favorite things in the world, is recommended to offset some of these side effects. I've tried them all...gagging with each brand by the time I get to the 2nd or 3rd bite. Then I found this little miracle - what I call "Yogurt for Sissies". I can actually eat this and sort of halfway tolerate it! I have 3 a day AND Lo and Behold - it actually works! So, for all you yogurt sissies out there - there is hope! I think I should do a commercial for this brand. Can't you see it now...

Yogurt For Sissies

Okay, let's not dwell on the negative. Suffice it to say that the last 4 weeks have been somewhat miserable and frustrating, but I think I am on the mend now and hopefully after Aug. 30th when the root canal is completed, all will be right with the world again!

Now, on to my two favorite things - family and nature! Through all the tooth abscess fiasco, I still managed to play with my sweet little kiddos and play Miss National Geographic Photographer.

So to catch up on a much overdue post, I will simply let the pictures speak for themselves!

*Family Time*

Ayla's First Swim

Ayla and SawyerBuddy Loves SawyerParker, Ayla and Natalie (Parker bumped Ayla's head)Little DivaPool Stud #2Pool Stud #1Miss NatalieNatalie's First Time to Sing for Church!Riding Shorty With Poo-Paw

*Miss National Geographic Photographer Rises From the Ashes*

Our Swimming Partner - he decided to join us in the pool! Gorgeous Sunset
ButterflyHummingbirdsJailbird (like he can't just go down the steps?)

I'm Trying to Pray
And my personal favorite - a brilliant lightning display during a recent thunder-storm!

Lighting Up the Sky

God is so good. His grace, mercy and blessings never cease to amaze me! I hope you will take the time to notice the things around you and thank the One who has given you everything and more!

Blessings!

Giving Thanks

Well, another Thanksgiving has come and gone for the Millsap family. We cooked, we ate, we played, we looked at my tadpoles and cleaned their tank, we cleaned dishes, we celebrated my birthday, the guys had to go out and pull a calf after dinner...you know, the usual Thanksgiving activities. For those who don't know what "pull a calf" is - the cow is trying to have her calf, but either it is too big, turned backwards, or has some other difficulty and must require assistance. It is not a pretty situation - messy, smelly...not something you like to do just after a huge meal. It often ends with the calf having already died and needs to be pulled to save the cow. Such was the case today, but hopefully they were able to save the mama. So, thanks to Matt and Stuart for helping Rick with that unpleasant task.

Even with that unfortunate event, we still had a good day and have so much to be thankful for. First and foremost, Rick and I are blessed with each other, 2 wonderful children (Matt and Sarah), a beautiful, sweet daughter-in-law (Susan), a loving, kind son-in-law (Stuart...affectionately known as "Stubert" or "Stuball"), 2 darling grandchildren (Natalie-4 and Parker-2, both Matt's and Susan's) and 3 wild and crazy Yorkies (Buddy-ours, and Spanky & Scrappy-Sarah's and Stuart's). And, as if this wasn't enough, Susan is expecting another baby in May and Sarah is expecting hers and Stuart's first in July!!!!! Yes, 2 more grandchildren on the way!! God has blessed Matt and Susan with another child and God has answered our prayers in giving us a miracle with Sarah's pregnancy! She is almost 8 weeks along, which is still very early, but we feel at peace that this is going to be "His chosen time" for Sarah and Stuart. God's grace and faithfulness have seen Sarah and Stuart through some very difficult trials. He has matured them and nurtured their spiritual walk with Him, and He has found favor with them. We are trusting in His timing and His will. She is not posting much right now because she is experiencing much nausea and fatigue, which did put a little damper on her festivities today, but she was a trooper - no complaints. She has waited for this day to come for so long, she is taking the nausea and fatigue in stride. Hopefully this will soon pass and she will be up and running at her usual non-stop speed!

All of your prayers have sustained them, encouraged them, and carried them through - we are all eternally grateful and humbled that you have traveled this journey with them/us. Words can hardly express the gratitude in our hearts! Thank you all - faithful prayer warriors!

Can you imagine what this summer is going to be like??? Can you imagine what our family get

togethers will be like with 6 adults, 2 toddlers, 2 babies, 3 dogs! Oh my goodness! Praise God and give me some energy!

The only thing that could have made the day more complete was to have the "Pledger's" (my side) here. This is the first year ever that my family has gone their separate ways for Thanksgiving. Last year was our very first Thanksgiving without both of our parents, so we all felt that deep desire and need to carry on, so to speak, and have our usual Thanksgiving celebration together - feeling that somehow Mother and Daddy would want us to. It was bittersweet, but we needed to do it...wanted to do it...to find comfort and closure I guess. Though it felt sort of empty and strange this year, it seems the time has come that as our own families continue to grow, it is harder and harder to schedule holidays where we can all be together. However, we have vowed that at least once a year, we will set aside a designated time that my 2 brothers, their kids & families, and mine will all gather to spend time sharing, remembering, celebrating and rejoicing in all that our parents gave us and made us through their love and their lives. I miss them every single day...sometimes more than I can fathom.

So, I thank you, Father, for my beautiful parents!

FAMILY TIME

Weekend photos of family fun! We had a great time...even though Parker wasn't feeling well for his belated birthday party. It's pretty wild and crazy when we're all together, but that's half the fun! Enjoy the circus!

Playing With Wax Lips

Random Fun

Wiggles Cake

Birthday Boy