This Abundant Week - Family Gathering, Bug Sculptures, A New Pet and Exploring Maymont

My plan was to have this post up and ready to publish yesterday but I'm a little late! Better late than never though. I do hope to make this a regular Saturday post however. Every week is an adventure and  abundantly blessed and I want to share the journey. This past week was busy and fun so here we go.

SUNDAY

Saturday evening Austin, Michael and I traveled to Augusta, West Virginia for a family gathering. We stayed overnight and were there for the day on Sunday. While this gathering was nowhere near the whole family it was wonderful to spend time with those who could be there. Here are just a few pictures from the weekend. 

MONDAY 

I had promised Michael on Friday that we would have pancakes and eggs for breakfast Monday morning and he didn't forget. So he helped me cook breakfast and did an excellent job mixing and flipping the pancakes and cracking the eggs.

After breakfast we decided to go for a ride and see where we ended up. We ended up in Dayton at a little park I used to take Austin to when he was a toddler! Hanging out there brought back so many memories. Right next to the park there were these metal bug sculptures that were pretty cool. The praying mantis looks like it's tapping Austin on the shoulder. Every time I look at this picture I imagine I can hear it saying "Phone please!"

For awhile now I've been wanting to get Michael a dog but I knew it couldn't be just any dog. It needed to be sturdy and patient but also energetic and playful. And then there was Cody (short for Dakota) and I knew she would be perfect. So Monday evening we brought her home with us and Michael is so happy with her. It's good for him to have the responsibility for her daily care and to have a friend to run with in the evenings.

TUESDAY - FRIDAY

Tuesday through Friday were typical weekdays. I have the best job ever as a personal care attendant for two wonderful kids who have autism. Both are homeschooled so we spend our days playing and learning and having fun. Sometimes there are rough patches in our days and dedication and a sense of humor are definitely needed. But the good times certainly outweigh the difficult.

SATURDAY

Several weeks ago we visited Swannanoa Castle on Afton Mountain and really enjoyed our time there. As we were researching the history of this beautiful place and the couple (James and Sallie Dooley) who built it we discovered that Swannanoa was only their summer home. The rest of the year at Maymont Estate in Richmond. So Saturday morning we headed out to explore. The mansion was beautiful! We saw the servants quarters in the basement and then we were able to tour the first and second floors with a tour guide. Then we explored the grounds. There were beautiful grounds with Italian and Japanese gardens, a farm with gardens and farm animals and various rescue animals - bears, bald eagles, a bobcat, a fox and various other animals. 

We came home happy and tired. Other than a bit of a scare when MapQuest instructed me to turn the wrong way down a one way street in Richmond we had smooth travelling. 

So, this is an overview of our abundantly blessed week. I'm looking forward to seeing what this week brings.