VAN VOORHIS FAMILY BLOG

At least for a short while…..

Sunday morning was the first morning since June 23 that we woke up without house guests. We’ve got a few days this week flying solo, then my friend Jill and her kids come on Saturday and Sam’s parents come in on Monday.

We’ve had a great time with family the last few weeks. 4th of July was fun, although slightly chaotic as we all cooked out and made our way to the beach for fireworks. Sister in law Julie and her son Cameron left last Tuesday and my brother Steve & his family (the big boys) moved in and stayed till late Saturday night (early Sunday morning) before making the long trek back to Ohio. Lots of good food, family time and hanging out at the beach and pool. I never seem to just go out to the ocean and jump in the waves or sit on the beach unless we have house guests – but it always is so nice. I must try it some day when it’s just me and the kids. We did a lot of wave jumping, walking on the beach and looking for sharks teeth. We all got a little sunburned at times as well.

Late last week we realized that my cousin Marsha, her husband Benny and their youngest son Spencer would be in town (from South Carolina) visiting other relatives – so we were able to have them join us all for dinner on Saturday night as well as stop by today for lunch and some time chatting. A nice surprise to be able to see one of my favorite cousins.

Today marked the first official day of Vacation Bible School at Ponte Vedra Presbyterian Church and I’m heading up one of the 4 year old classes. We had a great morning and Anna & Ethan have proven to be invaluable as helpers. We’re all a bit tired, but we’ve got a great class of really sweet kids. The VBS as a whole has around 400 kids – so it’s a bit chaotic at times – but a good chaos.

Sam left today for a meeting in California, but as an added bonus he’s staying and playing Pebble Beach a few times – so I’m hoping that goes well for him. Kids & I both played tennis tonight and soon after we arrived home the rain started pouring down. I’m now enjoying a quiet evening with no tv, the sound of the rain and a nice hairy labrador at my feet. All is well. J

Cousins at the beach

Originally uploaded by SisterPV

Enjoyed the 4th of July with family today. Good tennis in the morning – played in a mixer with Sam’s sister Julie. Went to the club with the kids in the afternoon and got a bit too much sun after spending over an hour in the ocean. Mom & Dad and Sarah came over this afternoon and my brother Steve and his family arrived in time for the dinner cookout.

We all loaded up the wagons and walked to the beach at dusk to watch the fireworks. Always enjoy time with the family on 4th of July – and love living at the beach. We are blessed with the freedoms we enjoy in our country. J

Ethan at the beach

Originally uploaded by SisterPV

Love this picture of Ethan this week at the beach. We were out boogie boarding and skim boarding with the cousins. So nice to live at the beach and have family and friends visiting. My brother John and his family left yesterday and Sam’s sister Julie and her son Cameron arrived yesterday. Sam’s parents and his brother head back home tomorrow and my brother Steve and his family arrive on Saturday.

We love having house guests – so nice to have everyone come to us. We’ve been doing a lot of good eating and just hanging out at the house and the pool. All is well. J

Well, we’ve had a busy week at the VV bed and breakfast. My brother John and his family arrived in Jacksonville last Thursday and spent 3 nights at my parents house and 3 nights here – although a lot of time was spent by his family as well as my parents and sister over here during the last week. We’ve enjoyed good food, good conversation – and the cousins all enjoyed spending time together playing with their new Wii and swimming in the pool and the ocean. Along with them, one of Sam’s friends from Philly and his son stayed with us for 2 nights. Also, Sam’s parents and his brother arrived on Saturday and will be here through Friday. It’s been great to spend time with all of our family.

Sam’s mom had an appt. at Mayo Jax on Monday and looks like she’ll be having her surgery on July 23 here in Jacksonville, We’ll post more information regarding his mom as the time nears for her surgery. As always, we appreciate your prayers for her. She said she feels at peace, which is truly makes us happy.

Sam’s sister Julie and her son Cameron arrive tomorrow and my brother Steve and his family arrive in town on Saturday, so the in and out continue. We’ll try to post some pictures of the kids and their cousins. J

HAIR!

Originally uploaded by SisterPV

The cousins are here – and all their hair too! Ethan, Chien and Pak are all vying for the coolest hair of the cousins. Nice to have them in town – should be a fun week at the beach and pool. J

Sunset cruise in St. Augustine

Originally uploaded by SisterPV

It’s been a while since we’ve posted, but we’ve been getting back into the swing of things with tennis, golf, kids and friends. We’re getting ready for the arrival of numerous friends and family beginning tomorrow and overlapping through July 11.

Hopefully I’ll be better at posting pictures and information. Sam’s parents are coming in on Saturday and his mom goes in on Monday for her appointment at Mayo for tests and to meet with drs about upcoming surgery.

As always, thanks for checking in. J

pool float eating tree

Originally uploaded by samnjulievnz

We had a bit of a wind storm last night – our teak bench was in the pool and our pool toys were strewn around the yard. Not sure yet how I’m going to get this one down!

Thank you all for praying for Mrs. Van Voorhis this week and for the rest of the family as well. The surgery went as expected and they were able to remove the tumor from her bladder. She had a rough day of recovery, mainly from the anesthesia, but once it was out of her system she was back to her wonderful self again. The cancer is muscle invasive, so it has not been removed entirely. Please pray for wisdom as decisions are made regarding moving ahead towards further surgery to remove the bladder and/or chemo. Mr. and Mrs. VV will meet with their Greenville dr. next week to discuss the pathology reports and most likely decisions will be made following. We all want the best for Mrs. VV and for her to have limited pain and discomfort and peace with her decisions. Sam’s sister Julie and her son Cameron are up with them this weekend. We continue to appreciate all the support and prayers we’ve received. J

she was in good spirits and needed nothing for anxiety.

We recd a report from the operating room that surgery is underway and that things are going well.

We’re leaving this morning to head up to South Carolina to be with Sam’s parents this week. His mother, Millie, goes in for surgery tomorrow at 1:00. We would appreciate prayers for her this week. Thanks much. J