Above: A view off the interstate near our house, My Papa & me today celebrating Father's Day

Below: Jackie & I enjoy Adventureland--Aunt Colleen, Cole, & I get on the "Raging River" (I still cannot believe we got Aunt Colleen on a ride at all--too funny.)

Below: Dad & me celebrating Father's Day today--The Racoon Valley Girls Softball Fields--the concession stand is the building showing--only about 1/4 of it is sticking above the water. Hard to believe I played ball on those fields & now they are a lake!--the last picture is the Saylorville Dam before they shut it off to spectators. The water was unbelievably forceful. They have closed it off for fear it could break.

WOW--Des Moines has been a happening place lately. Yes, it is true that we are flooded. I have received several phone calls in the past couple of days, which I appreciate, wondering if I am needing a boat to get around! Unfortunately, my Dad's house was hit pretty hard with the flood. His basement (which my Gpa & his siblings just finished a year ago) is pretty much ruined from water & will have to be almost completely redone! BIG BUMMER!! But, we are lucky as we did not lose belongings or our whole house as some in Iowa have, so I guess finishing the basement again is nothing compared to what others are going through & having to do.

I'm still battling health challenges, but I am optimistic that the doctors I have are the best & will get me where I need to be...it just takes time. Last Tuesday I had another procedure, had an ER visit on Wednesday, and have more doctor's appointments this coming week--it is certainly a test, but I keep reminding myself that God doesn't give us anything we cannot handle & He always gives us the Grace to get through the challenges we face--so life is good.

I have, however, had some fun. I was able to enjoy a day at Adventureland with my Aunt & cousins, spent a whole day with my great-Aunt working on geneology research, helping Dad with the flood, & spending lots of time with family--so I guess my time isn't completely useless (though there are some days I long for the stress of a deadline--I'm weird, I know).

Today was a good day--Father's Day & since I'm pretty sure I have the best Dad in the world, it was an awesome day! (HAHA) We enjoyed a laid back day--which I think we all appreciated after all the happenings of this past week. Tutu grilled out (I enjoyed my Ensure & watery mashed potatoes--gotta love this nursing home diet I'm on, huh?) steak & we enjoyed the day talking & watching the Cardinals play & just being together. We were pretty sad that the Cards catcher was seriously injured during the bottom of the 9th--I am still waiting to hear the final report of the injury, but he was hit from behind by the Phillie's runner coming home and was flipped onto his head & neck. He didn't move at all & was carried out on a stretcher--so sad. So, we're waiting to hear what exactly happened to him. Poor guy. The Cardinals certainly cannot afford to lose another player to injury this season, that's for sure.

Today was a beautiful day outside & all Iowans were thankful it didn't bring any rain. I was grateful to have this day with my Dad. He really is such a wonderful man, who has one of the most generous hearts of anyone I know. I am so very lucky & grateful to have him!

Hope everyone enjoyed their weekend. Sorry I slacked again on posting, but my Grandparents FINALLY have wireless internet, so it is much easier for me to blog now, so I'll try & do better. Enjoy the pictures---they are kind of hodge podged everywhere!

Oh---I bought "The Bucket List"--it was released yesterday, I love it more than the first time I saw it! WATCH IT--what lessons it holds!!

Goodnight!