Camping @ Canyon Lake

I forgot to post the last entry before we left for the weekend, but we had a great time.  It was the first time any of us had been to Canyon Lake.  The lake isn't a really large one, but it is very pretty out there.  The water seems to be clear, so no worries about swimming in it.  I have an issue about swimming in water where I can't see my feet.  LOL.

I want to share some of the pictures from our trip.  : )

The park was almost full when we arrived.  There was one site left - a screen cabin.  We opted to set up our tent anyway, considering we didn't bring an air mattress.  Sleeping on the concrete didn't sound like too much fun.

It was wonderful to be outside and have such a beautiful view of the lake.

Here's Ben - sitting at our picnic area, just enjoying the scenery.  

As you look out across the lake, the water is a pretty blue-green color.  The water level is really low right now though, so we will pray for more rain! : )

We went for a walk, to check out our surroundings.  The girls were looking for fresh water mussels.

We also enjoyed watching the deer.  There were several in this little patch of trees.  They stayed over there most of the evening, but did come across the street into the small field behind our camp site.

We always enjoy getting to see the sunbeams as the sun peaks out from behind the clouds.

We also enjoyed watching a beautiful sunset through the trees.

This little guy came to visit for a while.  He was enjoying the trees just above our picnic area, and I was able to get a few pictures.  I don't know much about birds, but I think this is a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher.  It was a very pretty little bird.

This picture was taken at the swimming area.  This should give you an idea of how low the water level is right now.  You can see where the water is generally about 4 and a half feet high on that gauge.  Being so early in the year, the water was REALLY cold also.  The girls enjoyed it anyway.  Ben refused to go out there, LOL.  I went out, but didn't stay long. 

Overall, we had a great time.  We didn't really decide we were going to go camping until the Thursday evening, so we weren't as prepared as we should have been.  The girls got a little bored at times; primarily because we forgot to bring a ball for them to play with.  We ended up playing a game of charades before bedtime.  That was quite entertaining, LOL.  Next time, we will bring some more game ideas to play in the evening.  Hopefully we will get some good rains to bring the water levels up as well.

Ben just downloaded a geocaching application to his android.  We are really looking forward to going out again and trying it out.  I think it will be a great way to keep everyone busy while getting to see more of the beauty nature has to offer.

^{Psalm 104:10-15}

¹⁰ He makes springs pour water into the ravines; 
   it flows between the mountains. 
¹¹ They give water to all the beasts of the field; 
   the wild donkeys quench their thirst. 
¹² The birds of the sky nest by the waters; 
   they sing among the branches. 
¹³ He waters the mountains from his upper chambers; 
   the land is satisfied by the fruit of his work. 
¹⁴ He makes grass grow for the cattle, 
   and plants for people to cultivate— 
   bringing forth food from the earth: 
¹⁵ wine that gladdens human hearts, 
   oil to make their faces shine, 
   and bread that sustains their hearts. 

Traveling, Traveling, Traveling, & Doctors Appts

Whew!  In the last month we haven't been home much on the weekends.  Abilene to see a friend's son get baptized, Houston for my dad's birthday then to Denton to drop the girls off for Spring Break with their mom, Abilene again to pick-up some furniture and back to Denton to pick up the girls.  I think it will be a while before my back forgives me, LOL.

Ben had three appointments on Tuesday: one with his primary about his knee and hip [Ben had knee surgery after being discharged from the Navy for an injury to the left knee.  Years of compensation seem to have led to problems with his right knee and hip], more labs, then a meeting with nephrology.

His primary felt a little helpless, since he can't really prescribe the usually pain medications due to the negative side-effects on the kidneys.  He also said he would like to do an MRI, but he can't because they could need to use contrast - also bad for the kidneys.  So, for now, it is a waiting game.  His primary wants to wait until after the transplant to look further into possible damage to Ben's right knee.

Ben's appointment with the nephrologist was scheduled for 2:15.  I'm not sure how long we waited, but we ended up being seen by Katherine, the P.A. in the nephrology department.  She knew that the nephrologist was behind and that we had been waiting for quite some time, so she offered to see Ben because she is familiar with his case.  It is always a pleasure to meet with Katherine.  She is a "straight shooter," which leads to some pretty amusing visits, considering Ben's sarcastic sense of humor.  The labs had not come in yet, so they just discussed symptoms and such, to see if there has been any changes with which to be concerned.  She called the next day, after she received the lab results.  Everything continued to be stable, but she still isn't happy with where his blood pressure is hovering.  As a result, she instructed him to cut out one of his blood pressure medications and to begin taking a whole pill of another medication he had previously been cutting in half.  We just have to be extra careful about potassium intake now.

Well, we are all looking forward to going out to the lake this weekend.  We are going to go visit Canyon Lake.  We are planning to check out a couple of the campgrounds and will hopefully be able to camp tonight and go swimming for a while tomorrow.  I will be sure to take pictures to share later.  I hope everyone has a wonderful and blessed weekend.

Update #3

Ben, the girls and I went to Abilene to visit with some very dear friends of mine.  My best friend and her husband have a 10 year old daughter and a 5 year old son.  The five year old recently announced that he wanted to be "babpabatized," so we made the 4 and a half hour trip to be there for it.

Truthfully, we went up a couple of weekends ago, but the minister that was going to perform the baptism was sick.  Everything was rescheduled, so we made a second trip a couple weekends later.  Both trips were great.  The kids all hit it off really quickly.  They spent the weekend jumping on the trampoline and/or playing the Wii.  We were all very happy to see the kids get along so well, and the adults all had a good time also.

The baptism was wonderful.  I was sure I would lose it and start bawling.  Thankfully, I was saved from that by being asked to take photos.  I don't have any of the pictures to post, but it really was a great ceremony.

On our second trip to Abilene, my bestie took some engagement photos for Ben and I.  Here are a few of our favorites:

The obligatory kissing picture.  We actually have a lot of these, LOL.

The wind was crazy that day.  I still like this picture though.

We had a really good time.  Thank you Darlyn for the beautiful memories!

Update #2

Ben had an appointment with the vascular lab on March 2nd and then with a vascular doctor on the 3rd.  His fistula still looks okay, but there is a little concern about some narrowing at one end of the vein.  The doctor said things are okay right now, but she wants him to begin doing some exercises with a stress ball, or something similar, to help get the vein to grow.  The objective is to reverse the narrowing, because if the narrowing continues, they will have to go in and fix the problem by using a balloon stint. The main concern about doing that is that the dye they have to use is hard on the kidneys.  Considering that Ben is at the end of Stage 4, we don't want to do anything that may push him into Stage 5.

He was also finally able to go to the dentist.  Everything checked out well there also.  The surgery coordinator called to let us know that she has all of the paperwork she needed.  The package should be on its way to Washington already and we are praying we hear good news soon!

Quick Update #1

Things have been pretty busy around here, so it has been a while since I have updated.  I'm going to do a few updates right now.

First of all, I finally got everything packed and moved to San Antonio.  Talk about a busy week.  I spent a week packing the rest of my stuff, then spent all day Friday and then Saturday morning loading a U-Haul trailer.  Thank you Lord for the help of a very wonderful neighbor, that pretty much helped me all week, and for my parents, who stopped by to help on Saturday morning.

I drove the trailer to San Antonio on Saturday and Ben and the girls helped get everything unloaded that evening.  I am still amazed at how much stuff I had stuffed into that tiny apartment!  After unpacking the trailer, it looked like my apartment had exploded here in San Antonio, LOL.  I spent the next week getting things put away.

The most awesome part of getting here happened later that evening.  Ben and I were sitting out on the back patio, enjoying the evening and relaxing for a bit.  After a while, he got up and went inside for a bit and then brought his laptop back outside with him.  I didn't really think anything of it.  Then, he called for the three girls and had them come outside as well.  Okay, I knew something was up at that point, but still didn't know what was going on.  Ben proceeded to read something he had written for me.  A proposal!  It was fantastic - I will post it, of course.  The girls were excited too.  One of them was squealing very loudly while the other two hugged one another and jumped up and down in a circle.  It was too cute!

So, here are a couple pictures of the ring.  I absolutely love it!

I picked out this ring a while back, but I had no idea he had already ordered it.  Apparently it arrived on Friday, so he officially proposed on Saturday.  Ben isn't too good at keeping gifts a secret for very long, LOL.
















The setting is called Open Arms.  I think this setting is absolutely perfect, considering Ben has three beautiful daughters that have welcomed me with open arms.










And here is the proposal he had written previously and read to me that evening:
"I love you more then words can describe. This has been a surreal experience.  God has truly moved through our relationship.  And has answered our prayers.  I am asking you right now Naomi Cox if you will join me on a Journey.  This journey will not be easy nor will it be anything we can’t handle with Gods help.  With Gods hand holding ours he will guide us through.  This journey will be a wonderful adventure.  So I am asking you today to take my hand and be my wife and share this adventure with me.  Through all that life brings, bad or good, may we grow together in love eternal, and grow in our faith and love in Jesus Christ.  May we be a light to those that live in darkness, and an example to our kids as to what a Godly house should be.  I want no one other then you to share this journey with me.  Till we reach the end and are taken to see our maker may we bless each other with our love for one another and our love for others.  It would be a great honor if you would become my wife.  Will you Marry me I love you."

Of course, I said YES!  : ))