Messy

 

 

Whew.

 

It is a mess around here.

 

I'm not sure how else to describe it, really, other than life is real messy right now.

 

A couple of weeks ago we lost my father-in-law, tragically, and suddenly.  To say that we are lost, and having trouble knowing how to go on, is an understatement. We were *just* finding our way after the last tragedy, four years ago. Just beginning to smile again.  Just finding the joy in the new memories being made. And now . . . what?

 

That's been my question for the last two weeks.  'What now?'  Of course, I just want to scoop up my mom-in-law, and move her right in with us. But, I'm not real sure she'll go for that.  {Orrr ~ has anyone searched mother-in-law cottages on Pinterest? Adorable!}  But I think our first step is just that, a step.  One step, and then another toward living again.  I am reminded how short this life is. How little time we have with one another.  So my goal is to do MORE.  Even when I feel like doing less.  To make more memories with my daughters and husband, my mother-in-law, and my own parents. More sleepouts on the living room floor. More nature walks. More time with my girls in the kitchen.  More life, less stress. More trust, less control.

 

That's the plan, Stan. To seek out a little bit of joy in this world of chaos and confusion.

 

Big hugs from me to you, in case you are feeling lost too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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




 

 

 

 

 

Saying Good Bye

It's been a long, sad week, and we're only on Wednesday. Not too promising.

I've actually been debating since yesterday whether to write anything at all. Do I keep it all inside, or get it out in the open? But in the interest of being real {not every day is sunshine and roses, after all}, and to help the healing process, I need to get it out.

We lost our dog yesterday.

Wow, that just doesn't even seem to begin to cover it.

Grizzly was a friend and family member for 12 years, and it's so hard to say good-bye. So much harder than I thought it would be. Jeremy and Grizzly were together longer than he and I have been together :) My girls haven't known life without him. One of Kameryn's first words was Grizzly. I didn't even think I was a "dog person" for pete's sakes!

Life is different. My heart hurts. And I am sad.

But I'll be back.