The squirrel~

We were enjoying lunch, celebrating Joel's birthday when we looked out the window to see this little squirrel enjoying his own lunch... a pear which had been picked from our neighbor's tree being eaten in such a "comfortable position." :)

It was really funny to watch him all sprawled out, hanging on with his hind legs whilst he munched contentedly on a fruity snack. We all got a good laugh watching his antics!

Air Conditioning Adventures~

Caleb & Dad accomplished the task in a little over 2 hours. Everything is up and running like normal.

Inside of the cavity beneath our A/C furnace.

Caleb & Abby confer about what tools will needed to repair the leak.

Here's the story: On Saturday August 2, I was walking through the hall towards Mom's room. I was barefoot, and I noticed a "wet spot" on the carpet near the intake vent of our A/C. "Oh great!" I thought, "we have plumbing problems, again!" Two and a half years ago, we had major plumbing problems, the front yard was completely torn up, a whole new line of pipe had to be laid down, two new clean-outs, and lots of frustrated Kautts trying to figure the "easiest" way to fix the mess left behind by the plumbing company!

Now you see my exasperation! I called Phoebe into the hallway to "take a look" at something mysterious. We opened the door (see above photo, where Caleb's legs are sticking out) and removed the smaller vent and sure enough... there was standing water right before our eyes! Err!! "Didn't we pay LOTS of $$ to get this problem fixed?!" I asked a bewildered Phoebe as we sat staring at the light reflecting on the standing water. "Oh boy, we'd better not tell Dad tonight, because it's Saturday and he has to finish studying for his sermon." Well, long story short, Dad did find out and on Monday night August 4, he and Caleb embarked on a task neither were very familiar with.

They made a couple of "late night" trips over to Lowe's and purchased the necessary tools and pipes they required. The "bad" thing about this whole scenario was that the A/C was broken during some of the hottest weather we've had all summer! Thankfully, Dad & Caleb were able to accomplish this task and the A/C is working just fine! Praise the Lord! Thanks Dad & Caleb, we all appreciate it SO much!

Pray for Carol Paul

Please keep Ron Paul's wife Carol as she is hospitalized in serious but stable condition.

Thank you for your prayers! Keep her husband and children their families in your prayers.

May the Lord guide & direct the surgeons as they perform surgery on Carol, may their hands be skillful and may the Lord's will be done with regards to a full recovery. Amen.

Update - Carol's surgery last night was successful and the doctors are considering removing her breathing tube soon. Continue to keep your prayers lifting to the Father of all healing, for her complete recovery!

Fall Cleaning Adventures~

Grandma & Phoebe discuss what stuff to throw out. We spent several Thursdays (Joel's day off) down at Grandpa & Grandma's helping them get things cleaned up & organized. The garage was our main point of "battle" and we worked hard to get things in order.

Caleb & Jaden fixed Grandma's tri-bic-ole. Now it is up and running! Grandpa took it for a spin after Caleb had finished. Works just fine now!

Last Thursday Joel, Jaden, Johanna & I went once again to Dallas to see if we could "finish up" our cleaning up work in the garage.

It was hot, around 106 degrees and we were all sweating by mid-afternoon. Grandma suggested we take a break, and head up to Sonic's for a slushy (icy-fruit drink). We had fun sitting under the canopy talking and laughing. The drinks were SO cold and SO sweet, that we had to drink them s-l-o-w-l-y. :)

I am very happy to report, that thanks to Grandma, Jason (our cousin), Joel, Jo, Phoebe, Caleb & Abby the garage is looking simply very nice! I was actually looking out the back windows and could see from the floor all the way to the ceiling! For years that garage has been so packed, that you could barely walk through at times.

Grandpa & Grandma, we were so happy to serve you in this way and we had fun in the process! We love you both!

~Abby for the rest of the Krew :)

There off!

Yesterday morning, we bade half of our household goodbye for a short 4 day vacation to visit relatives in north Arkansas. Dad, Dad's mother Faye, Caleb, Johanna & Jaden packed up and headed for a wonderful time of visiting with relatives whom we hadn't seen in 3 years. They arrived safe and sound yesterday evening, and had a great time at Dad's Uncle Paul's after their arrival.

The main reason for this trip, was to visit with our Great-grandma, Una Mae who is 93, and not in the best of health. She has declined lately, and so Dad thought that a short trip up would be a good thing. We all agreed with him! :)

Hopefully, those of us who staid here will accompany Grandpa & Grandma as they go up for Labor Day weekend later this month. We are looking forward to the beauty of that region of the country.

Praise the Lord for their safe travel and for the time they are enjoying getting to visit with relatives they've not seen in a while! I am so excited that Dad especially is taking a short break before church duties kick-in to full gear this fall.

I hope to post some more this week, but if not, please excuse the absence, I am ever so busy with a multitude of household related tasks.

On another note, we got close to 2 inches of rain yesterday afternoon & evening! It was such a blessing from Providence, because everything here has been baking in 100+ degree weather for the last 2 and a half weeks. Phoebe & I danced in the rain for a little bit; it felt so refreshing!

Blessings to all of our readers!

~Abby

Quotable Quotes!

Here are some funny senarios that Mom recorded, that involve Jaden (Mom is the one writing):

August 2, 2008

Jaden told me he made his bed & I commended him. "When I fill my chart (chore chart), guess how much money Caleb will give me?" "A quarter?" "No. Four quarters, in paper form." :) "With a one on it, right?" I asked. He grinned.

"So what else is on your chart besides making you bed?" I questioned. "Mmmm. Taking out the trash. (He helps Caleb) There's a spot on there for washing my armpits." (It's a cartoon picture.) He smiled wryly. "But I don't need to do that. Here, sniff." And he held up his arm & opened the sleeve.

I declined

He went on, "Of course, if you don't smell anything, it might not be that it doesn't stink, but that you...ummm...your smell buds don't work." :)

August 6, 2008

I had some dishes I needed to haven taken from my bedroom to the kitchen. I called Jaden, from the next room, to come get them. He appeared. But I wasn't about to ask him to do the job; his whole backside was wet, & his legs were spattered with muddy water. He had been playing with his "hot wheels" track & cars on the driveway, in a puddle.

I told him I'd get someone else to carry off the dishes.

He said, "If I was clean, I'd do it!" The he cheerfully added, "and I wouldn't charge you a penny!" (I said, "That's especially nice, since I'm your Mother!")

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Jaden is so funny sometimes, and yet, he can be so serious. He is also very smart, sometimes too smart! Jaden, I love you, we love you buddy!

Phoebe