I have to agree with Mom on their blog at 2partners - this is a WONDERFUL FALL!!! Of course, Mike & I wake up to these beautiful mornings and say WOW - a colorado morning - when actually it is a BEAUTIFUL OKLAHOMA MORNING!!!

We are having a blast getting into the full swing of a fall schedule. Mike is enjoying playing golf a couple of times a month while getting to know different guys out at the course. He is even playing in the church tournament on Saturday. Working with me in Premier and with Randy Bates in the nursing home ministry and keeping up with kids and bonus kids (dont you LOVE that phrase?) house & cars he stays hoppin. We'll have to let ya know how his chili cook off goes Friday night as Mike makes his GUNSMOKE chili and I provide MISS KITTY BROWNIES!!!

I am LOVING our childrens choir program at Emmaus Baptist and its fun to see the creativity spring forth as directors and teachers have the leg work supporting them. We are beginning to work on our Christmas musical in adult choir - which is a brand new one that focuses on coming home. Premier is going well as we continue to do jewelry shows and work with ladies in how to be free and enjoy communication on all different levels.

Now our kids: Terri (25) is LOVING her teaching schedule of 87 students of flute at 4 or 5 different locations down in the North Dallas and metroplex area. She and Gabriel have set a date of December 21st 2007 for a wedding and want to do it up here in Norman at Sharla's chapel. FUN FUN FUN!!!

Ty (23) is trained and ready to work at the new FIRELAKE Casino that is opening out in Shawnee and is living with a couple of friends right across from OCCC and talks of beginning
classes soon.

Ryan (22) is learning about our justice system and the whole process while moving in with a friend who has moved back into the OKC area. Mike really enjoyed his time with Ryan last week and is thoroughly enjoying staying in touch with his 20 something boys.

Dal (turns 21 in Nov) and Megan are talking of getting married Oct 26th here in Norman and are excited about becoming parents in June!!! WOO HOO!!! Cant WAIT for grandbabies!!!
Dal is still enjoying working at Newcastle Casino while Megan is working at the brand new RiverWind just a mile from where we live.

Chase (19) is LOVING his classes at OCCC and is talking of becoming an EMT. He LOVES rock climbing and rides his bike EVERYWHERE - enjoys competing in both sports.

Dara (18) LOVES her senior year although it will be a challenge to keep up with classes while getting integrated into the medical community here. Off to an ultra sound today - she is facing 2 surgeries in the near future and coordinating all the doctors and procedures is a bit daunting.

She is now on SSI and learning how to manage a check book and providing all her own living supplies. Dara is looking forward to becoming an aunt and cracks up in thinking about Brett (her favorite uncle - sorry Wade & Tony & Troy) being a GREAT uncle in June.

Dara just sighs with contentment almost EVERYTIME we drive up to Emmaus (which is a minimum of 3 times a week and sometimes 4 or 5) She LOVES our church family and feels loved and accepted and valued - a part of community there.

Please be praying for us as we begin looking for a house between north Norman and South Oklahoma City so that we can facilitate her during surgeries while keeping our business and ministries going.

We love you guys and LOVE keeping up by phone, blogs and cant wait to get together. We had a SMALL taste of family Monday night as the boys came over and shared a meal then played games while celebrating Megan's pregnancy. I think Mike was on the winning team each time!!!

Off to serve here at home, in the car and at church today.
Cherri

Hi!!! If you are ever in Hastings - you might want to pick up ROCK & ICE - a climbers magazine. Chase has an article in it!!! He called last night and was excited about it. We will find out the issue and let ya know on that.

Dal & Megan stopped by yesterday and visited with Mike while I was out and about. They had come down by Goldsby and had a few minutes and just stopped by. LOVE THAT!!!

I will get a chance to visit with Terri & Gabriel this next Saturday on my way down to Fredricksburg TX. Terri said Gabriel wants to get back from their dinner out with friends early enough so we can all play boggle. Grams, you have started quite a craze!!!

We just might have to hunt down Ryan & Ty so we can visit with them a bit more and hope they are doing well.

Dara is THOROUGHLY enjoying school - says it could be her best year yet. When asked why - she said because she LOVES all her teachers - in the past there has usually been at least one or two teachers that she struggles with a bit.

She sure is a trooper as we keep scheduling more appointments. This Friday we will be going to Norman Hospital for some scoliosis xrays so we can go back to the orthopedic guy next Wednesday and discuss what is next. And urology is next Thursday as we begin discussing THAT surgery.

Mike is hurtin a bit in the chest from the crud - but hates being still so totally cleaned the house and mowed the yard while he didnt feel good yesterday.

I went on to the nursing home without him and met a couple of new residence - one was a car salesman for 26 years on S Western and BOY does he love the Lord. His daughter was there with them and was thrilled to see Emmaus adopting the nursing home as part of our community.
There is also a gentleman there who was a circuit preacher around Norman & Blanchard way back when. AMAZING!!!

Our childrens choir program begins tonight and I've got BUTTERFLIES!!! A GREAT year ahead - in family, biz & church -

Love you guys!!!

P S - We DID enjoy our Lonesome Dove marathon on Monday although not quite as we expected since Mike was a bit under the weather.

Hi, Guys!!!

I dont know about you, but I am REALLY looking forward to Labor Day. Mike started a tradition of watching Lonesome Dove Mini Series all the way through on Labor Day while he lived in Colorado. Last year I joined the tradition and we are looking forward to our 2nd time together of setting everything aside and spending a day together lost in the old west of struggles, honor & relationships.

Dara is excited about "serving" us. We are getting snacks and meals ready so that all we have to do is ring a bell and Dara is determined that SHE is going to "serve" that whole day. We shall see!!!

Speaking of the iron chair princess. We have entered a new world. Gone are the days of luxuriously sitting in an office while some of the top name experts of different fields come to us as they review the records of each other as they care for Dara's specific needs. We are now "in the system" where our primary caregiver "refers" us to specialists. OH MY GOSH!!! I'm NOT sure how we are going to survive Dara's senior year - and I DONT know how special needs kids survive without Scottish Rite or the Shriners. The community service offered by these organizations are TOP NOTCH!!!

This past week we have connected with a orthopedic specialist who has confirmed that the best course of action is to move toward surgery of straightening Dara's back (and he has prescribed a new wheelchair - which now is taking phone call after phone call between vendor, primary care giver, specialist AND Dara & me - sigh!). We have xrays scheduled as we begin the process one step at a time.

NEXT will be urology specialists that we will have to coordinate with orthopedics (in the past all this was done FOR Dara - and now it is up to us - THANK YOU, MIKE for joining in the coordinating of appointments, rides, tests & doctors while managing a growing business and becoming involved with a couple of different ministries at our church).

Of course we havent even TALKED with a neourosurgeon yet - who will have to coordinate with the orthopedic surgeon - AND finding named experts who will work with medicaid (SoonerCare) patients.

Once again, Dara and I are learning to relax and enjoy the adventure that is taking a bit of turn NOT to our expectations and yet in some ways out of our control and I must say that Mike is a WONDERFUL anchoring kind caring protective supportive humorous factor in this bend of our journey.

In the middle of feeling overwhelmed and out of control with scheduling, we are LOVING keeping up with our "grown & gone" kids. Chase is THOROUGHLY enjoying work and college and Ryan is looking forward to new living arrangements with a friend who has moved back into the area and is LOVING his new job. Ty has put his application in at FireLake Casino since Thunderbird has slacked off QUITE a bit and Ty was QUITE enjoyable as we celebrated his 23rd birthday just a week ago. Dal is learning the process of ownership of a car 5and working with agencies of state in being responsible as an adult and has a fun companion in Megan who is KILLER at Trivial Pursuit!!!

Terri & Gabriel are doing quite well in Dallas as the news of Terri's competition win is beginning to open doors for BOTH Terri & Gabriel since Terri's performance was notably improved (I believe I'm reporting this correctly) and recognized by two of her college professors. A couple of opportunities may be opening up for Terri to work on her masters and Gabriel to be an instrumental coach as well as continuing his performing career.

That's a quick update on the 8 lives that "turn" around this household. Now - must get back to finishing the 420 handwritten postcards I am sending out to the children of Emmaus about our choirs starting!!! THAT is a whole nuther story!!!

LOVE YOU GUYS!!!

Cherri