New knee reassurances/Jude and John/Jesus in our crosses and storms!

 Walking a mellow cooperative cow this morning after washing her and her calf, whom Simon had walked ahead of her.

The fair lies ahead the second week of August, so the work on animals and projects is gearing up on  the farm.

Spending time with this sweet boy while John works on his Anatomy class and mom is at work.  John expresses how nice it is that he is getting to know his dad more now, and grandma feels likewise!

He is so very good to care for with lots of smiles and eye contact, and eating and sleeping and smiling!

 Joy and Luke watching their hard working momma on a very special beautiful morning.  How we pray that we can have drying weather to get the hay baled.  Lord, hear our plea!

Ruth got some pictures of Joy in the FFA jacket handed down from her older sibs!  LOVE!

I am just back from seeing my ortho doctor to investigate why my new knee grinds when I stand up.  I was very worried about it, and am assured that it is merely some scar tissue behind the knee cap, and not that my entire knee is going to pot.  Whew!!!  So maybe with some strengthening exercises it could get better and I will not need a new knee again.  The thought was so scary!  Doctor was even nice enough to assure me that my weight has nothing to do with this.  In my current state of being down on myself - I was sure that this would be the issue.  Sigh!!!

I do take heart in my kids noticing that I am much more active and doing more and better when I am with them!  I am on the path to being a better old lady...

 The youngest Lanoue - Joy is 2 now and loves to be outside with her mom and grandpa Pat!  People say that she looks like her pretty pretty mommy, Ruth with her grandpa Larry's red hair.

 One more for good measure... Joy is fitting for her name as she is such a happy girl for the most part.  When she is crabby or mad they call it a "ginger snap!"

 Love this memory from 5 years ago on the Big Lake Michigan with the then 11 going on 12 as Maria was just a few months from having Romeo on Grandpa Pat's birthday in September.  Now the grandkids have reached 18... the girls had baby girls next, and now Maria had #6, Nancy had #5, and John #1... all boys!

 Together 2 weeks ago!  Hopefully they will come together again at Christmas... a  grandma can have fake plans and pray, pray, and pray some more.

It is kind of mind blowing to think about George being 5 months in 2 days!  Hector was 4 months a couple days ago and Jude is 3 1/2 months...

The 3 boys make our love grow bigger not stretched more thin.

Thriving boys with their mommas.

It is fun to read the story of Joseph in Genesis 44...when he reveals himself to the brothers that sold him into slavery today … it is striking to hear him say that there was a deeper reason behind their actions against him..."I am your brother Joseph, whom you once sold into Egypt.
But now do not be distressed,
and do not reproach yourselves for having sold me here.
It was really for the sake of saving lives
that God sent me here ahead of you."

Just as when John was struck with brain cancer after his half-hearted prayer for Faith, and we realized this WAS his answer to that prayer... Jesus is in control in the storms and crosses in life!  His plan is mysterious and not as we would have ever imagined that plan being for us.  Just as Joseph could see the Lord's hand in his suffering and rejection by his brothers.