Today was Lydia’s birthday part with her friends. It started with absolute heartbreak only to be rescued by God’s gentle hand of providence in the form of one of Lydia’s friends.

The heartbreak occurred around the time I was getting home from the chiropractor and a haircut. I had just come into the house when Beth and the girls pulled into the driveway with the van. I figured they were back to grab something before everyone arrived down at the pool. Beth came in and said there was a sign on our pool saying “Closed for Maintenance”. There were folks sitting on the pool deck, but no one was in the water, and they didn’t know why it was closed. Beth said Lydia was out in the van crying. I could certainly understand why, and my heart really went out to her. 

Meanwhile Beth was texting the moms who were on their way to the party. Jessie Callis happened to be at Party City, and she offered to grab some water balloons. Then, Stella’s mother texted saying they had a pool, and we could host the party there. What’s more, we checked the map, and they only live 8 minutes from our house down off of Westland Drive. What a relief! Beth quickly texted everyone else, and the party location was moved. Thank you Lord!

I worked in my office for about an hour. Then I headed over to the party. They had just finished opening presents. Max, Betty, and James were getting ready to head back home. I went around back to the pool, and everyone was having a grand time on this hot day. Beth put me to work handing out popsicles to everyone. I stayed for the rest of the party. The kids had a lovely time in the water while I got to chat with Beth and the rest of the moms. Stella’s father is the dad who works for SpaceX.

After the party, we got home around 5:30. I worked for another hour in the office. Then I went for a run in the ninety-three degree heat. Fortunately, a good portion of my run was in the shade, and that benefited me greatly.

Tonight Beth fixed a taco platter she had got at Kroger. This consisted of her heating up the pre-cooked chicken and laying out all the other ingredients that came on the tray.

One more thing: Ella made the cupcakes for Lydia’s party. Beth and I agreed they are the best thing she has ever made. The cupcakes were a rich chocolate cupcake. Then she added a homemade Nutella butter-cream icing on top. The icing was divine. What made it so good was it had a bit of salt which really balanced out the sweet and creamy chocolate flavor.