I can’t believe we are just a few weeks before school
starting again. This summer went by quickly- the first half being a whirlwind
of events (two weddings and a trip to the Dominican) while the second half was
quiet and uneventful.
The month of July turned out to be a hard month after all. I
was doing great up until Andrew’s birthday, and that week the sadness swept in
all at once. This year we didn’t continue with our traditions- like
volunteering as a family on his birthday, or planning our balloon release
(which we did a few weeks later), or even just taking time out of our day to go
through Andrew’s things. His birthday came and went like every other day… and
that began my sadness. Looking back I know
now that no matter how much time has gone by since he was here, we really need
to take that time to grieve as a family. If we don’t grief has a funny way of coming up in
unexpected ways. And sometimes it sticks around for much longer than it should.
This month has been more joyful and busy as we get ready for
fall. This year I’ve stepped back from leadership at Jack’s preschool and our
MOPS group. Since last spring my desire has been on focus on getting out of my
comfort zone, to find a tangible way to invest and give to the poor and orphans
in our community. Although respite foster parenting didn’t turn out to be
something we could do long term, it was eye opening to see how much of a
need there is from children to have basic physical and spiritual needs met. Hundreds,
if not thousands of children right here around the corner from where we live.
So there are some things we are doing and I may share them
at another time. I can share I’m excited about where God is leading us and I
know He is up to great things! Besides my disappointment in that foster
parenting didn’t pan out the way I had pictured it would, I know that God is going
to use that experience for something good and purposeful, even if I can’t see
it quite yet.
The boys are doing well and growing quickly. Palmer is
finally starting to talk more, although he’s not saying full sentences quite yet.
He is full of funny and unexpected moves, quite the charmer he will probably be
one day. And Jack is quite funny as well, these days he’s busy with anything
Star Wars related, swimming whenever he can, and coloring as his favorite past
time. He is a little man and I can’t believe he’ll be FIVE in just a few short
weeks!!
That’s my update for now, hope to post more regularly over
the next few weeks. I love writing, but with neither one of the boys napping
these days it has become quite the challenge :)
