6 more weeks?

So the other day, I'm told, the groundhog saw his shadow so there's a potential for six more weeks of winter. I would love to have more snow - the pure, white powder is beautiful - but once the cars start driving in it and it begins to melt, the beauty is gone! And, with three dogs, the muddy mess begins. But, on a day like today with the sun shining, and not a cloud in sight, it is hard to believe that winter isn't over.

Retirement is right around the corner for someone in this family! All the details are coming together. I still need to tweak the invitation list - and pull together all the addresses - but hopefully that will be done soon. Bill has all the key players in place and now can hopefully focus on all the out-processing he has ahead of him and figuring out what he wants to do come the first of May. Of course one of the pieces to this puzzle is his health. It looks like he will be facing a medical board in the next month to six weeks. Whatever comes of that remains to be seen, but knowing that God is in control makes all of this easier.

Melissa now has her own blog, so you can keep up with her. There is lots going on in her life - the two big things are her health and her plans for next year. As much as she has loved teaching, she is ready to take a little break. She is investigating an opportunity to teach someplace in the United Kingdom next year through Blue Wave International. It would be lots of fun. One of her absolute best friends and family recently moved to Ireland where they are spreading the Gospel with CrossWorld. And, with big sis moving to Italy later this summer... at least family and friends would be close by. The major issue holding her back is Melissa's health. She has been seeing an ENT specialist for the past 6-8 months trying to figure out why she gets sinus infections every 2-3 months. Hopefully this latest treatment will do the trick and she will feel good about leaving her doctors for a year. The bottom line is that Melissa continues to put her trust in the Lord for this next year.

Laura returns in another few weeks from her extended visit to see her husband in Korea and a much anticipated vacation toThailand. The phone keeps ringing from the public schools wanting her to sub, so I suspect she will busy upon her return. I can't wait to see all her pictures and video! They are still on track to move to Italy this summer - sometime between June and August.

John met a a selection board this morning for National Cadet Special Activities with Civil Air Patrol. He would love to go back out to Evergreen Aviation this summer as part of their staff. John is still waiting to hear back from all the colleges and ROTC to know what and where he will be next year. Meanwhile he is staying busy working on his Senior Thesis for his school.

Enough of this - the sunshine is beckoning me outside. The hot tub needs to have its weekly maintenance - just in case anyone wants to enjoy the outside later today - and the one of the dogs has been sitting here patiently with a ball in her mouth! I think I get the hint....

and from Bill's Facebook status this morning - "I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love, for you have seen my troubles, and you care about the anguish of my soul." Ps 31:7