Kansas

Well.
I don't even know where to begin.
First of all, the longer I'm away from my blog, the less comfortable it feels to share my life here.
I'm not good with words anyway.
I think that's why I enjoy photography so much.
It's my way to tell a story without having to get wordy.

Where to begin?
Maybe at the end.

We just got back from Kansas.

Tay, Jeremy and I.
{Tay because she is impossible to leave ;)}
It wasn't planned.
Truth be told, I never thought I'd make it to Kansas.
I've wanted to go ever since my dear friend, Amanda, and her family
packed up to move over there last spring.
Gah, that was excruciating ~ saying goodbye.
I remember the day I found out they were going to move.
Jeremy was at work.
I called him and asked if we could move to Kansas :)

Our families.

We shopped for homeschool supplies together.
We went on field trips together.
We berry picked together in the summer.

We lived life together.
And then they were gone. 

 

So.
Super long story short, last Friday I got a message from Amanda's sister-in-law
letting me know that Amanda's husband, and one of her sons was in a bad car accident.
That was all she knew, and she'd be in touch.

Time pretty much stood still, and we waited, and prayed.
Prayed, and waited.
Willing with all of our might for God to restore this precious family.

Amanda's husband was improving, but
on Saturday, her son went to be with Jesus.
Typing that out, I still can't grasp it.
It sends a pain right to my heart just thinking about it.
Gah.

I spent the next couple of days at a total loss over what to do.
I wanted to be there for the service, but I wanted to be there afterward too.

In the end, we decided to make a quick trip there.
We really felt called to attend the service.
We flew out on Thursday.
 

 

The service was Friday.
I knew I wouldn't have much {if any time} with Amanda while I was there.
So long as she could catch my eye and know that we were there.
We were supporting.
We loved them.
That's all that mattered.
 

I was so thankful to have some time with her before the service on Friday.
Time to listen.
Time to hold tight.
My mind cannot comprehend what this mama is going through.
What she will continue to go through in the coming months . . . and years.

What a celebration of a beautiful life.
Ryan James touched so many in his short, seven years.
 

 

Saturday morning we headed back out.
To be home.
To love on our own babies.
But we will go back.
Soon.

 

 

 

Please lift this family in prayer.
They are precious, indeed.


Some fun memories:

http://sugarplumcreations.blogspot.com/2012/06/field-trip.html

http://sugarplumcreations.blogspot.com/2011/07/wordful-wednesday-slumber-partyin.html

http://sugarplumcreations.blogspot.com/2011/05/test-day.html

http://sugarplumcreations.blogspot.com/2011/03/time-with-friends.html

http://sugarplumcreations.blogspot.com/2010/10/we-pumpkin-patch.html




 

 

 

 

 

Wordful Wednesday ~ Slumber Partyin'

Our dearest friends are preparing to pack up, and hit the road for several months.  We are going to miss them SO much!

We decided that a slumber party was in order before they depart.

Two mamas, eight littles, and lots o' fun!

But first, some preparation . . .

Making yummy breakfast breads.

Sierra is my "egg cracker"

And Kenners is in charge of the spatula.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Then, the big night!

Movie watching, late-night chatting, and memory-making with sweet friends!

Time with Friends

Yesterday we got to visit with friends. Is there anything better than a little time spent with friends?

It had been way.too.long. But these are the kind of friends you can catch up with in a matter of minutes. Close friends who know you well. The best kind of friends.

And if that weren't enough . . . they introduced us to the cutest, cuddliest animal friends!

The girls had a ball feeding these little lambs.

And snuggling with kitties.

And petting sweet little bun-buns!

So refreshing.

And speaking of refreshing, who is ready for Spring?

{Me, Me!!!}

I cannot wait for blue skies, rays of sunshine, sweet-smelling fresh-cut grass, and these beauties popping up everywhere.

Spring is a time of renewal, don't you think?

Best Buds & Cousins to boot!

Saturday afternoon we celebrated a very special birthday. My niece turned 13! She is now a teenager. Where the heck does the time go? Where?!

So . . . first things first. There was yummy food. I love food. Especially yummy food. Who's with me? My brother-in-law grilled up these delicious kabobs. Mmmmmm.

But, do you know what's even better than food? Friendship. These three girls love each other so much, and have the best time when they get together. So much fun that they actually had to be told to settle a bit. They were getting a liiiiiitle out of hand ;)

Friends and cousins, I love it.

Can you see the mischief? They were full of it!

And the birthday girl.

Hmmm, what should I wish for?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hope y'all had an equally fantastic weekend. We headed out yesterday for a mini vacay/girls trip with my mother-in-law. Right about now we are soaking up the sun and splashin' in the pool. Be back soon ;) With lots of pictures, no doubt!

Wordless Wednesday ~ Good Pals

Cousins make the best friends!

Prayer Request

Yesterday morning I got a call from a dear friend from my high school days. We had been out of touch for a long time, and have just recently found each other. We are supposed to get together next weekend, in fact. That's why her call yesterday surprised me. I could tell the moment I heard her voice that something was wrong. She was calling to give me news that one of our close friends from school {one that I, unfortunately, haven't been in contact with for years} is battling stage 4 ovarian cancer. The news hit me hard. She is only 29 years old. She only just found out three.weeks.ago. Three weeks. That the doctors don't expect her to live to see her 30th birthday this coming January. My heart feels heavy. I am so sad for her. For her family. BUT, here's the thing. God can work miracles. God does work miracles. If you have a spare minute or two today {and for some days to come}, will you please say a prayer for this strong woman? Her name is Stephanie.

And while we're saying a few prayers . . .

I know most of you are aware that Amber suffered a miscarriage last week. But, if, by chance, you did not know, would you head on over to her blog and give her some love? And say a prayer for her and her family? She could really use some love and support right now.

Let's create some love for our sisters in Christ with the power of prayer, y'all!