Well, I know it’s been a few days … please bear with me!  I do need to visit more and post more, but packing will be taking a bit of my time and attention here in the near future!  Once we get moved, things will settle down and I’ll be much more consistant here!  In the meantime, don’t forget about me … I’ll do my best!  I’ll give a quick update and share a few photos from a highlight this past weekend, but first of all, they have had some terrific weather here in the midwest … north of us, because of some major flooding … many people lost all they owned!  Our prayers go out to them, and to the other families who lost loved ones yesterday during the storms!  Just the day before yesterday, it was almost 70* here … I can never remember it being that warm in January!  Strange, indeed, and not at all normal for this time of year!  How is it in your area?  It’s been warm and rainy here the past 2 days … and the sump pump in the basement is working overtime!  It’s been awhile since it’s been replaced, and we’re praying it holds up!  Hopefully the rain will stop soon … but then we have the cold weather coming in for the weekend … with a possibility of snow, which as you know, I look forward to!  Also, if you hadn’t heard, California has also been experiencing some bad weather, as well.  I spoke to Ian and he said the winds in his area were clocked at around 120mph!  There was significant damage to some buildings in that area, and the church also had damage to the property there where he works.  Their power was out for some time, but he is fine, and things seem to be back to normal now.  I’m thankful!  He also gave me some wonderful news!  He will be flying home on the morning of February 6th, and we’ll be pickin’ up our boy around 10:00PM that same evening!  We are so excited … he’s staying until the 18th!  He’ll be here in the midst of our packing, and I’m happy he’ll be here to help with that … we just don’t know what to keep and what to get rid of … I don’t want to throw something away that he would need when he gets home!  Oh…if you could only see the basement … no, I wouldn’t want you to see the basement!  All I can say about that is … life happens!   Anyway … 

… Tim came back to visit his family this past week, and we got to have dinner with them on Sunday!  It was so good to see him … it was a connection to Ian … if you know what I mean!  He was headed back out on Monday and we were glad that we were able to spend some time with them all!  We ate at their favorite Mexican restaurant, called El Pueblo … it had the best food, and very bright surroundings, as you can see from the photos!  You’ll notice the cheery colors and the carvings on the backs of the chairs, and on the table tops … very pretty!  Aside from the good food, that’s why it’s their favorite … the cheery atmosphere!  And yes … the walls were really that green!  We all love Mexican food!  Who doesn’t?!!  I can’t count the times we’ve all eaten at one Mexican restaurant or another, as the boys were growing up together!  So many memories!  Ian was so missed … it wasn’t the same without him … so Tim made sure a few of the photos would make him smile!  They did me too, as you can see!  As usual, we had a great time being with each other, and always the last ones to leave a restaurant … we never want to see it end!  Well, you all have a wonderful Wednesday, and go hug your friends!  They are a true gift to the heart!  Be blessed!  Hugs, Deborah <><

 The infamous ‘Birthday Sombrero’ …
{so, how many of you have had one of those on your head?!}
… well, no birthdays that day,
but Little Johnny thought the design looked like the emblem for the COLT’s team!! 
He wanted me to take a picture of it!



A Soft Chimichanga Dinner ~ this was Lewis’ …
… Mine was deep fried ~ O so bad!!



Tim & Little Johnny … 
 … there is true ’brotherly love’ here!! 



This is Tim being …. well, just being Tim!!



We love him!!



And this is Little Johnny being …. well, just like Tim!  
Ian will love these!  



Here is a carving under glass on one of the tables …
each table had a different carving to match the chairs.



… and again here, on the back of the chairs … very colorful!
Notice everyone’s gone?! 
Like I said, we closed out the restaurant!



And last but never, ever least …



Our special friends, with another sweet friend, Leah, (in the back and center) 
Left-Right: Tim, Hannah, Miss Elizabeth, Bob, Little Johnny, and Linda.
We Miss You, Ian!!

“I keep my friends as misers do their treasure, because,
of all the things granted us by wisdom,
none is greater or better than friendship.”
– Pietro Aretino (1537)

“We cannot tell the precise moment when friendship is formed.
As in filling a vessel drop by drop, there is at last a drop which makes it run over;
so in a series of kindnesses there is at last one which makes the heart run over.”
– Samuel Johnson