Monday

Our nice but nosy neighbor, Leon, has been wanting to give us some plants out of his yard. When I say has been wanting, what I really mean is has been aggravating us to death about it for several months. Walter did some landscaping this weekend and went to dig up some plants that Leon has been telling him about. He calls them "Stegaponds" so we weren't all that sure what he was talking about. After going over and getting a good look at them, Walter realized what Leon is trying to say is "Sago Palms." He doesn't want them anymore and doesn't want to throw them away, so we are planting them in our front yard and are now forced to call them "Stegaponds." But they do look nice and we appreciate the kind gesture of giving us the Stegaponds.



I also made myself useful and washed my car. Isn't she beautiful?

We went to eat bbq'd hamburgers at Brent & Cathy's last night and then came home to wind down before starting another busy week. Cameron came back from his dad's today and then I had my social work supervision in Baton Rouge after work that lasts until 5pm, which means I didn't get home until 6pm. I really do enjoy the supervision sessions though, so it's worth the headache of going after work. I also realize how lucky I am to get off of work at 2:30 every day, so getting home twice a month at 6pm isn't all that bad.

I'm also starting to firm up my plans for JP's trial, since it does seem to be starting on December 1st after 18 months of waiting and wondering. The first day will be for jury selection, so we will work that day and head for Houston that evening. Most of my family is going, which makes me extremely happy. The jury needs to see that JP has support. My friend, Lesley is planning to go if she is able to, as well as one of my sister-in-laws who has been writing to JP and has bonded with him. It happens that the week that the trial is scheduled is a week that Cameron is at his dad's anyway, so that works out conveniently. His dad will willingly keep him extra days now, but for many years he refused to keep him any day that he wasn't supposed to have him. Can you imagine that? I have always wanted Cameron to be with me ANY time, no matter who he was supposed to be with and have even resorted to trickery to get him extra when he was unhappy being at his dad's house (i.e. relatives from out of town are here this weekend, etc.). But, fortunately, now he will keep him if needed, and he has agreed to keep him the following week if the trial should go that long. The attorney estimates 4 - 5 days. I have long since gotten permission to take the days off from work. My boss, supervisor, co-workers are very supportive and I really appreciate that. Now I need to ask everyone for their prayers for JP. He really is a good young man who deserves another chance, so please, pray for the best outcome for him. God is handling this for us and will appreciate hearing from you!