Whew!

It has been a rough couple of weeks around here.

March is a difficult month for us every year. 

We lost Justin four years ago, but the wounds are still so fresh.

And then, on April 3rd, just days after the anniversary of the accident, we got news

that my brother had suffered a massive heart attack.

To the hospital we went:

 

 

There has been a lot of prayer. 
A lot of waiting.
A lot of driving {the hospital is an hour away}
A lot of hand holding.
A lot of tears.
A lot of praise.
A lot of recovery.


I won't go into all the details, but if you pray, we would love prayers.
This will be a long journey back to health.

 

 {A little view out one of the hospital balconies}

 

 

 We've had good days too.  And I'll post about those soon.

Days of sunshine, and tulips, and nature walks, and family.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Life

Life is out of control these days.
Day after day zooms right by.
It's got me wondering how I can simplify a bit ~ truly enjoy every minute.
Because, at this rate, I'll be blinking my eyes and Sierra will be grown :/

So. I figure I'd better keep track of what we've been doing.
My memory . . . not so good.

Right before we left for Kansas, we took a little trip to the ocean.
 

 

Nana and Grandpa had had it planned for awhile.
 

Honestly . . . I wasn't in the mood.
I was so torn up over our friends' accident.
Trying to plan how on earth we were going to get to Kansas without taking out a loan.
 

 

But in the end I figured I could either sit at home and be miserable
{and probably make my girls miserable as well},
or we could all go to the beach for a couple of days, and regroup.

 

So we did.

 

And guess what . . .
It was supposed to pour rain the entire time . . .

 

. . . but it didn't.
The sun shone, and we got to enjoy it!

 

And the girls, as always, brought a smile to my heart.

 

 

We ran, we explored, we cuddled.
 

 

Sissy found a hermit crab!!!
She begged and begged to keep it.
I gave her the long lecture about how they live longer in the wild, blah, blah, blah.
"Go return him to his home, Sierra".
So she does, and not 5 seconds later, a sea gull swoops down and eats him!
Sigh.
 

 

We got home from the beach, and immediately packed for Kansas.
And then, in the blink of an eye, we were home again.

The weather is starting to turn, ever so slightly.
We get sun breaks.
It's hit 60*!

So, we've been outside a bit . . .



Discovering all sorts of treasures.






Enjoying the little things.











What have you been up to?
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Life

 

There is never a dull moment here.

Sometimes I feel so overwhelmed, trying to keep up with everything.

I want to document all of it. 

The every day moments.

Life.
Like I used to.
Before life got all crazy.

But that's not an option at this point.

So, I'll take what I can get.

And that is typically several update posts a month.

 

Here we go.

 

My brother got married!

And that means that family got together.

Which means that my sister came up for a visit!!!
 

Y'all.
Life has been difficult for awhile.
Really difficult.
But there is something about having my sister around . . .
it just makes things better.
It's like finding money in the pocket of pants you haven't worn in ages.
Or better yet, finding chocolate!
Not old chocolate, mind you.
And not in your pants.
Oh geez.  You know what I mean.
It's like being surprised with chocolate.
Except better.

Because my sister . . .
she's memories, and love, and trust and uncontrollable giggling . . .
all rolled into one.

What makes it even better . . .
My kiddos love her kiddos. 

  

 

It's just a LOT of love, if you can't tell ;)

One of the best parts?

Miss Mona thinks I look like Barbie.
This is an actual picture of her with her Barbie named . . . Liz.
 

I don't think I need to tell you how that makes a lady with 402 eye wrinkles feel.

So.
They are gone.
They left for home on Sunday.
But we'll be reunited again in July at our family reunion campout. Woohoo!
And we've got plenty to keep us occupied until then.

Today Sierra and Makenna have end of the year testing.
If you have a minute and would like to say a little prayer, it would be greatly appreciated.
They're a little anxious.
But excited to be wrapping up another homeschool year.

And this weekend we say goodbye to our precious friends, as they head off for new adventures in Kansas.  Our hearts hurt, but we are trying to find joy, knowing that they are being called to bigger things.

 

 

 

He Lives!

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16

On this Easter day let us remember the gift that we have been given, life everlasting.