What Were We Thinking?!?

What oh what were we all thinking as we

were waiting for our Sam to set the

camera up to take our family pics such

a very short time ago?!? I know one thing

for certain our Jesus knows.  I would so

love those strong hands to be on my 

shoulders right.this.very.second to guide

and protect me as they always have.

Not a second goes by that I do not thank

the Lord for giving our wonderful

husband and Dad to us . . . even if it were

for a much shorter time than we had 

anticipated or wanted.  There are so 

very very many things that I miss about

our Dad, way tooo many to list.

It is a blessing that our good Lord 

quickly makes faint the thoughts of

suffering and pain and replaces them

with only pleasant memories and 

remembrances.  The wind has been taken

out of my sails, but I know that my

Jesus would not give me more than I 

can bear.  I am counting on that.

S.u.n.d.a.y.

 Our crew loves Spring Mountain Ranch.

We took a little drive up there this

weekend.  The boys and I agree that

our Family Sunday will most definitely

need major revamping.  We are not 

sure how to accomplish this, but we 

are seriously praying about how to 

make Sundays easier to navigate.  

Sundays were our family day. It is

our one day each week that we set

aside for each other before the hectic

week begins.  Sundays are full of coziness,

M&Ms, waffles, whipped cream . . . 

Pray as we think how to make Sundays

easier.  Tomorrow marks back to 

reality for Luke and I as school returns

in full swing.  Sam and Zach still have

another couple of weeks before their

classes begin.

We continue to be thankful for God's

grace which includes helping us

put one foot in front of the other.

Losing a wonderful husband and

awesome Dad is much more difficult

than imaginable.  Our boys and I continue

to be grateful for our many blessings 

which includes wonderful family and

friends.  We are grateful for those who

remind us that grieving has nothing to

do with our Christian walk and that

the pain of loss is real and intense. 

Balloons for Our Dad.

One month.  In some ways it seems 

like only moments ago.  In others it

seems like an eternity has passed since

our sweet husband and Dad passed

away.  Most of the time I simply 

do not believe it . . . at.all.

 Today the boys and I took balloons

to one of our very favorite spots.

We wrote notes and attached them

to the balloons . . . 

and let them soar . . . 

It was a bittersweet experience, as

most of them are lately.  Bittersweet.

I feel as though we deserved a "chip"

or something as do those who have

participated in any 12-step program

for 30 days . . . No chip, just a

reassurance that our wonderful 

husband and Dad is where he needs

to be and we are still here on this

earth doing what the Lord intends us

to do. Surreal. Most.definitely.

"As high as heaven rises above earth, so

his gracious love strengthens those who

fear him." Psalm 103:11

Breakfast.Lunch.Dinner.

 Our crew LOVES a big hearty breakfast.

Actually our boys can eat almost anything,

anytime, anywhere.  Mike and I have always

enjoyed getting up and cooking a big

breakfast for everyone to get the day started

and hopefully sustain them before pre-lunch,

lunch, snacks . . .

It has been crazy as the boys and I have 

stayed up until the wee hours of the morning.

Breakfast has been served about 2:00pm

lately!  We are in for a very rude awakening

as school begins next week!!  Yikes!!

Love my boys and love that they love to

be home and cozy as we navigate brand

new waters.  They have extended much

grace and mercy to me . . . I bet that they

had a great example!!!

More Angels.

Amazing, amazing, amazing . . . My Jesus

certainly knew just who to put in my 

life when.  It is so hard to believe that these

amazing women took time out of their

busy lives to minister to me!!!  Blessings

continue to flow in our home.  The pain is

real and intense.  Our Jesus experienced

pain and knows our heartaches.  I am so

grateful that He has provided me such special

gifts as these women.

These ladies are truly a blessing!

1 Thessalonians 5:11 "Therefore encourage one

another and build one another up, just as you

are doing."

Friends Are Friends Forever, When the Lord's the Lord of Them.

 So incredibly amazing!!!  I have known these

awesome women for decades.  They are truly

a blessing to me!!!  How could I ever . . .

I just don't need to answer that question

because the Lord has provided so many

WONDERFUL friends.  The Lord has been

so very gracious to me in so very many ways!!

Yummy, yummy pizzelle cookies to boot!!

So very grateful and thankful for my many

blessings!  So very grateful and thankful that

the Lord is in charge of my life and not me!!!

Timing is Everything.

Still reflecting on our beach trip, I continue

to realize . . .

Our God is so amazing!  Through all of this,

I am so thankful that our family and friends

know.just.when.to.call!!  Today the boys and

I were navigating through the first day of the

year after being at a party at one of the 

homes of our amazing church family, when

my brother called and invited us over for

dinner!!!  Perfect.timing!!!  We had the best

evening sharing a meal together and playing

cards.  I know that I have said it a million 

times and I will probably say it a bazillion

more times . . . I do.not.know how people

go through this without our Jesus and a

mighty terrific group of supporters.  We

know that we are an incredibly blessed little

group!!!  We continue to praise our Lord and

thank Him for the many, many blessings that

He provides our family moment by moment!!