I'm so glad you could make it

Today was Austin's family birthday party. I think it went well. My house looked nice. The yard looked good. The food was tasty. I introduced my mom, sisters and Aunt Di to wood chopping. ( Hopefully I will have pics to come at a later date) I think my mom will be getting a splitting maul for Christmas. She was out there rocking it. I think its funny because you never know what you will learn when you come out here. I said next time they come out they can learn how to shoot a rifle. LOL I think mom will do it but I don't think my sisters will be up on that one. Cake and ice cream went well. I had a little of both. Austin was funny, he was itching to get to those presents. I think he was ready to come out his skin. We told him we were going to play red neck hide and seek. He needed to go hide and we would guess were he was. Finally we let him sit down and open presents.

Austin is a WEBELO Scout. WEBELO means We BE LOYAL Scouts. Scouting is something that was very important to my dads side of the family. Not so much with my dad but my Aunt Di was a den mother and my Uncle Marlin and Grandpa Kelly were Den Leaders. There wasn't a time I didn't remember something related to scouting going on. There were popcorn sales and wreath sales. There were hikes and camp outs. People knew my Grandpa and respected him.

My Aunt Di gave Austin some scouting stuff. A compass, tin cup, mess kit and a collapsible cup. Then there was the gift that I KNEW was coming. I was "PREPARED" for this. Only I wasn't. Aunt Di had found Grandpa Kelly's old ALICE Pack. For those who don't know an ALICE pack is one of the packs that looks like a backpack on a metal frame. You can put your sleeping bag on there, canteen, etc.. Well, I was a little misty eyed when he got it. Then Aunt Di started to tell him about it and he was like "cool." He put it on and he decided to look inside. What we didn't know was that Grandpa hadn't cleaned it out. That was what I wasn't prepared for.

As my husband and my son opened the various zippers and pulled out different items my Aunt would tell them different things. I know it is silly but I could feel him there with us. Not just me but all of us. Grandpas love was there. His memory was as strong as the sun shining down on us all. The love he had for scouts was being handed down to my son. His love for his family was in the air. I know it sounds silly. It's like a movie, or a song, But there was so much emotion in the air, so much love it was beautiful. I believe with every fiber in me that my Grandpa was there today. I believe that for the first time in 5 years my Grandpa was alive.

Today was a very emotional day. It kind of made everything I stressed about this past week feel like it was "eh." But at the time it wasn't "eh."

I have been a bad record keeper this week and I haven't asked anyone for their mileage. I know it kind of feels hit and miss. But I think with school getting back into session its been a little off for us all. But I am going to get on myself and everyone this week to report at the end of the day so I can get us out of Louisiana. I would love to be in Mexico by the end of September.

I gained 2 pounds this week. I am not proud of myself. Originally it was like7. But I have worked off 5 of it. I think that 5 of it was from the wedding, lack of sleep and lots of booze and grease. So I am still up 2.

I am still working on my purpose. I don't know what it is. I am still looking. Tomorrow my purpose is to clean the barn and hang feed buckets. Not all that interesting. But its a job. I think I need to charge my camera battery and go take some pictures. I think Sandee needs a new picture for her desk.

Well I am feeling a little off right now so I think I am going to pray and re-read this to make sure it makes sense.

Dear God, Thank You for today! Thank You for the wonderful family that surrounds me. Thank You for small gifts of love that you don't expect. Thank You for my son. My wonderful boy who is such a gift. Thank You for bringing my Grandpa to us today. Thank You for good weather and good friends. God Please watch over those who are scared and alone. Those whose hearts are breaking. Please comfort and protect them. Please watch over the soldiers who fight for my liberties and for the laborers who have sacrificed themselves so that I may have so many of the things I enjoy. Please watch over those who are suffering. Those who are fighting demons they can not see. Please help them find peace. In Your name we pray. Amen.

Large ALICE Field Pack with Frame and Full Outfit LC-1 Green