Destination: All Over the Place

This is our quick moment in blogland to recognize and be amazed at how much traveling we've been doing this summer. Here goes....

2 weddings in May
2 weddings in June
4th of July at the Beach
Litchfield Beach with the Family
Wedding in Spokane, Washington
Long Weekend in Ithaca with the Family
4 days in Charlotte for a Teaching Seminar
.....and that brings us to August 7th....whew

Despite all of these great trips. I cannot wait to be home long enough to grocery shop!

Litchfield Beach, Round Two.

We had another great week at Litchfield Beach! This time we headed to the coast with the family for what hopefully will become a tradition. Long days on the beach, puzzles back at the house and lots of wild rides on the golf cart made for great memories. New to the family was a game we are calling "Sand Ball Hole." You dig a big hole in front of a little hole and attempt to role bocce balls into each hole, from a distance, for points. First two-man team to 13 wins. Simple, yet brilliant for a low-key day at the beach. It was awesome.

Unfortunately, we did not take any pictures during this trip due to the immense relaxation occurring. But we did, like all families, head over to the traditional picture spot at Litchfield for a few family shots. As long as we avoid matching outfits, I think we're safe from humiliation!

The Thrifty Hippo

For all of you who love a great deal, one of my dear friends has started a blog for just such savings. She has all of the sales, freebies and markdowns posted for you! Check it out and pass it along!

http://www.thriftyhippo.blogspot.com/

4th of July Beach Getaway, Year 2

Yes, we headed back to Litchfield Beach for the 2nd Annual Henson Beach Getaway. It was wonderful --- great weather, great friends and great beach. The pictures below will give you a sense of how much fun we had as a group. We're hoping and praying that Chris' CPA exam schedule allows us to return next year for more memories with more friends.

Cornhole -- the sacred game of all serious beach goers.

Nemo made his first appearance this year!

Our 4th of July patriotism was at an all time high!

Date night out was amazing!

I couldn't resist putting the ladies up here. What fun!

We are so thankful for everyone that joined us. The friendships that permeate this tradition are at the heart of our enjoyment and memories. We hope that everyone can find time to come back with us next year, and we are praying that new friends will join in the fun. Save the date, 4th of July Week 2010.

So, back in June... the Doggie Adventures

Before the drama of losing Jackson, we did do all kinds of fun things with the dogs, back in June. This day in particular was hilarious. We took all four of them to the creek behind Mom and Dad's house. As you can see, everyone made themselves at home. The boys are uprooting things, while Ruthie investigates her own suspicions. This was a week after adopting Miss Hannah, thus she is standing beside me during this photo shoot. Hopefully, she will take part in future trips to the creek.

One thing that we truly cherish about having dogs is the list of unending activities that we can do with them. They always add a good laugh and some extra fun to whatever we decide to go do. I love their hearts to play!

So, back and June... Ryan & Whitney Wed!

Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Hsu, you're married! Chris and Ryan grew up together in Winston and the two of them love to play music together. Their wedding was a blast!

Kyle VZ, Hartley & Christopher -- high school trio!

Here we are on the terrace behind the club. This was a great moment to take new pictures in the exact spot on the terrace where we took our wedding photos together!

So, back in June...Another Gig

The Fruit Smoothie Trio Band played down town at Finnagan's. It was loud and lots of fun. The picture below was taken outside of the bar, looking through the window. It's great to watch Chris play drums and as far as I can tell, he loves every minute of it!

So, back in June...

Mr. & Mrs. Chad Hunter - married at Lake Lure. Being a family wedding, we saw a number of the Henson folk and it served as not only a beautiful wedding, but also a reunion.

This will be the first in a handful of "So, here's what happened in June" additions. I don't know what happenedto my bloggling conviction, but needless to say, its back and we've been busy.

Can you tell, we had fun?

Here is Christopher with thebest Grandmother in the world! We love any excuse to spend time with Grandmother Henson. Love you!

The Anterior Cruciate Ligament, we all have 'em.

The vet determined today that Jackson has torn his ACL. Poor fella. Not knowing what Jackie encountered while he was lost, the injury could have occurred any number of ways. Research articles artibute canine ACL injuries to slipping on a surface, sudden twisting of the leg or being hit by a car. All of these are possibilities for Jackson. I'm almost glad that I do not know. My imagination is already worried enough about what went on during those six days and seven nights.

Chris and I are content to have Jackson home under any circumstance, including leg injuries. It's amazing the extreme desperation you experience when you are longing for something that you love so much. Phrases such as, "I would give everything we have, just to get him back," or "Nothing else matters right now; he means the world to us," flow from your lips.

Now, on the other side of the story, the same themes ring true in our words and hearts, but with much more gravity. We have him back, but now we have to help him heal. Chris and I without question will have his ACL surgery done soon. Our concern is the recovery that follows. How do you immobilized the most active and energetic dog known to man? Post-surgery, Jack will need to literally sit still for 2 weeks, followed by another 4-6 weeks with restricted walking and therapy exercises to strengthen the knee and not re-tear the ligament.

I'm not sure how we are going to tell Tex, Ruthie and Hannah, "Hey, don't touch your brother until October!" It will work out and if the Lord can miraculously put Jack back in our life, then He can certainly help us through an ACL repair.

Pray for blessings! Here we go, my first child to go in for surgery!

Yay, Jackson is home!

Jackson is Back!

Look what God did! So here is what happened:

For the last two days, we had heard nothing regarding Jackson. Chris and I had searched and walked with no result. This morning on the way to work we were sharing with each other our current state of desperation and complete lack of direction. We determined that Jack must be in a different area of the neighborhood, due to finding food and shelter. Despite our discouragement, we both felt at peace this morning, focusing on the Lord's call to trust in His plans and to persevere.

As I sat at my desk this morning, I began writing a lengthy update on the past 72 hours and how things were progressing. I was wrapping up the email with the sentence, "Please pray that Jackson takes interest in someone's backyard, garbage can or anything that will bring him closer to being found by someone." At that moment, Chris came by my office and told me that a woman had just called him because she thought our dog was in her back yard!

We jumped in the car and began hoping that it was Jackson. It was the longest 6 mile drive of my life! When we arrived, he was standing in the back yard, dirty and tail wagging. The woman said that her dogs had noticed the visitor and when she came outside, Jack was laying in her kiddie pool swimming. (This is very typical of our Jack). She was the sweetest woman and could not have been happier to reunite us with Jack.

He was on the opposite side of the neighborhood from where we were looking! 7 nights and 6 days on his own --- he survived! I still cannot believe that this just happened! It's surreal. God is unbelievable. Look at what He did!

Jack seems fine overall, but his two back legs are in bad shape. His back right foot is cut significantly, showing tendons and infection. And he is limping due to the left leg; which may be a torn ACL. We went straight to the vet. They have Jackson with them now for a full body check. Regardless, he is safe and we are celebrating!

In fact, tomorrow night is Jackson's Welcome Home Party! With local friends, we will celebrate together and watch 101 Dalmations in honor of Jackson! The best way to conclude this adventure is with friends as we celebrate God's faithfulness!

Chris & Kate

Pray for us. Jack is lost.

This will be quick and to the point: pray!

While we were at the beach this week, Jackson got out of the dog-sitter's back yard and ran off. He's been missing for four days. We have posted him on every website possible and have friends, family and even strangers praying for us to find him.

Please pray for us to trust God's plan. Chris and I have come to a place of incredible peace. We have discovered that it IS possible to have a broken heart and peace at the same time! The Lord is going to write this story perfectly. We are praying in confidence that Jack will be back in our house soon, but also trusting in faith that Jack is taken care of regardless of where.

Pray for a miracle! Jack on my back porch tomorrow morning!