This past weekend, was another busy one. But, I know that we expect nothing less :~).

On Friday night I had agreed to participate in the weekend retreat at our church for our youth group. The focus was on Sexual purity. The lessons weren't just about God said and so it should be, which should be good enough, but, they shared on the fact that there is over 30 sexually transmitted diseases now! The number has increased from 5 in the 50's and 60's to 30! Some of these can lead to cancer and even death. So pregnancy and emotional issues were clearly NOT the only thing we talked about. The speaker, Pam Stenzel, was a video taped message. Her message was given to us on Saturday morning after being up nearly all night. She was passionate and an excellent speaker, so we had no trouble staying awake for that one. It is pretty intense stuff. Praying that my girls will see the importance of sexual purity for themselves until they can give the gift to their future husbands. What a blessing that would be.

I went home in time to say goodbye to Bugg, she was heading out with the volleyball team to Jesuit for the play off game. Took a brief siesta with Peanut and then showered and off to her soccer game. She played great! Muddy, wet, messy, but great. They won that game. After the soccer game, we headed up north. Nana, Puddles, Hubs and I to the Jesuit game to watch Bugg's volleyball team. The team we played was unbeaten. They were still unbeaten when we left! We stopped for some food and headed home.

Sunday, I got to be with the kiddo's for children's church. I am so praying that that ministry gets an overhaul! Another story! So we headed to Peanut's soccer game at the high school.
The team scored against us back to back in the first half. We scored and then scored our tying goal in the final minutes of the second half. The games are part of a tournament, so we can't end in a tie. Shoot out time. Thankfully, Peanut was not the goalie. Our first girl went up and made the shot, theirs did too. Our second girl made the shot, theirs didn't. Our third girl (peanut) hit the goal post and it ricocheted off, their girl made the shot. Our next two girls didn't make their shots, their next one didn't and the last one did. So they beat us by one. It was so sad. The girls' haven't lost all season. It was a sad day. There were some tears and some heartache, some serious depression from my little peanut, she even made her Nana cry. It was heartbreaking. Anyway, we recovered and we are better people today. Right! Isn't that what they always say?? Enjoy, til next time.

Brandi

Trunk or Treat

Our church does this "trunk or treat" event on Halloween each year. It is very well attended and is usually a hit. This year, I decorated the back of the burban and took some pictures of some of the other "trunks" as well as, a few of my favorite little people. :~)

This is the Morrow "natural" trunk

The feast of the Lost Son

Our Pianist

Tractor Treat

The Spider lady...my "neighbor" trunk

Thomas

Daniel

My other "neighbor" trunk

My Favorite Prom Queens

Little Fi-Fi

One of Peanut's friends

The Nerd, the Pirate and the Super Hero

The Beaver Fans

We had some that were happy that we were there,

but we had quite a few stop at the "trunk" that was watching the Duck/USC game.

It was a fun night, even though it rained :~)

Thursday....

We got up to the sounds of people getting ready. We had stayed another night at Hubs Aunt's house and the girls were getting ready for school. Up we got for coffee and showers. We packed our bags and headed to Grandma and Grandpa's house. Grandpa spends his time in bed. He is weak and tired and hangs out in the bed. He isn't able to get up because he is so weak. There is a chair that sits by his bed so anyone can sit a spell and visit with him while he is awake. He will call out for something to eat like ice cream or pudding. He still has an incredibly funny sense of humor and to see him giggle is priceless. He was visiting with Hubs and I asked if I could kiss his forehead, he pauses and says, "No, I have poison oak"

Hubs is cracking up and nearly falls off the chair!

Grandpa likes to tease me.

Hubs had good times with grandpa over the last few days. Saying goodbye was incredibly difficult. Hubs kept telling grandpa he loved him and he just wouldn't say it back.

The uncertainty of his future is incredibly tough for us, we know not where his heart is.

But, we know that Hubs gave him all he needs to know to be certain.

As we left, tears fell from our eyes. I was rather surprised at my emotional state, but as I looked at my husband and saw the pain in his face, it tore my heart. What an incredibly difficult time as we drove away.

Our trip together was good. Hubs and I spent a lot of time talking and getting reacquainted as we have been so busy with the girls we could forget who we are.

We stopped at Cave Junction at Taylor's. It is hubs favorite place to stop. I think it is a Luiz family tradition, because any time any of the family goes through, they stop there. It is the Portuguese in them I guess.

We came home to Bugg waiting on the porch, headed out to her volleyball game. Papa on his way with Peanut, from basketball practice.

We got Peanut ready and headed to the high school, for volleyball and for a choir concert!

Thankfully, they were both at the same place.

Here are just two pictures from the evening. But, the girls are great. I am so proud!

Bugg~the Junior Varsity team won the conference.

She played in the varsity game as well and they are in 2nd place. A play off game will be on Wednesday.

Peanut in advanced choir. They sang some original songs by a local musical composer about dust bunnies and socks, but oh well.

It was entertaining.

Right Now

Right now the hubs and I are sitting at his aunt's house in California. This aunt is only a couple of years older than hubs and they get along tremendously. She is a fabulous cook as well; so she is teaching me many things about cooking. I am enjoying this immensely. We are here in California to visit with Grandpa. In June, while we were on vacation, Grandpa Joe was admitted to the hospital and diagnosed with Lung Cancer. They told him he had weeks to months. Well, here it is months later and he is hanging on. He chose not to do chemo or radiation, it was unnecessary. So Hospice comes in twice a month to check on him, because that is all Grandpa would allow. The kids have set days they stay with Grandpa and Grandma, most of them live here. There is one that is in Portland and one that is unknown. The unknown would be hubs' dad. Anyway, the kids rotate shifts of taking care of grandpa. He hasn't been able to get out of bed for a couple of weeks now. He is just too weak. He sleeps a lot and eats ice cream and rice pudding and jello pudding. He sips some water, visits with the family a little and then sleeps some more. His mood was a little off today. He was good yesterday and better this evening. But, this is a rather challenging time for this family. They are a good family and rally together well. It is impressive to watch them work and care for Grandpa. He doesn't let me do anything for him, so I watch from a distance, make my observations and share them with the family when they ask. Hubs has had some really good time alone with Grandpa and that has been special to him.

The girls are home, they are staying with my dear dear friend. Bugg had her "poster night" volleyball game tonight. She said she had fun! She told me that her wrist was sore from signing her name so many times :~). Peanut was there to watch. Nana and Papa are being big helps in getting them to and fro and keeping them supported.

God is here with Hubs and I, we know it. We just pray that Grandpa would welcome the arms of Jesus and not close Him out. I will write again soon.


Brandi

Homecoming 2009

After a day of volleyball at North Medford high school, inwhich the jv team took the first place prize, a hurried trip home and quickly getting ready. This is what we got. Shane's sister Riley came with them, they had a great time. Enjoy the pictures.

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Volleyball 10.1.09

Last night our volleyball team played Sheldon. Sheldon is always a great team to play. They are so athletic, so competetive and such a great team it is worth the time to watch, every time.

This is the JV team getting ready to start. Bugg is the second from the right.

Our youngest fan last night, was 3 month old Maddie Jo. She thought she would hang with Nana. I had her for a little bit, but I get so excited, I think I scared her. Imagine that??!!

Her Nanie Sherri is by Nana.

Bugg in position

Bugg Serving

Blocking

Team meeting

Serving

The Varsity team played 3 out of 5 with the Sheldon players taking the win with 3 games to 1.

It was an intense fun rival. The games were close and they made it awfully fun to watch.

Just a couple things from this week

I wish I had a photo shop element so that I could fix this picture, but the reason for it is Hubs beard, not me. So, please look at his beard. He returned home from his hunting expedition on Sunday evening. He had a great time, no meat, but a great time. He is ready to do it again. Not really looking forward to heading back to work. He took Monday off so he could regroup and I was getting ready for work, so we took this picture, before he shaved. Oh well, now I look different without my glasses rather than with my glasses.

Tuesday night, Bugg played during the JV game against South Medford.

Then, she got to play game 3 of the varsity game as well.

Heading up for a block, I am always delayed on my camera, maybe one of these days I will do better. :~)