Week Nineteen

In recent weeks, I've repeatedly stated I would like to write the ending to hard stories for people I love. If only I could fill the gaps with redemption, compassion and grace, then perhaps the current pain would be bearable; possibly even worthwhile. 

Sunday, Greg and I trekked to church after a significant storm system blew through. We routed around downed trees and navigated debris in the road after preparing for church without power in our home. We arrived just in time for a message on the book of Job. My heart always skips a beat at the mention of this particular book in the Bible because the narrative between God and Satan leaves me questioning and struggling every time. I seriously wanted to creep downstairs to serve in pre-k where my spiritual maturity is likely better matched. I am pretty good at loving on littles. Accepting God allows suffering for what appears on the surface to be no reason, is not my area of expertise. 

I love redemption stories. The idea any horrible thing can be used for a greater good speaks to me. So in the aftermath of trauma, loss or grief, I watch for the God-wink; the part that says, "see, I've got this."

A daughter is in intense pain and we are in a station of support but have no control. As much as we seek restoration and health in this situation, we are unable to write that story. And oh how I wish I could. Prayer time during communion literally pointed out how strongly we want to write our own stories and how little we know about what God has planned. I've prayed for my version of a fairy tale ending and God peacefully told me once again to stand down. "We must trust GOD, not only WHEN we do not understand, but BECAUSE we do not understand." Dr. Stephen Lawson

She loved the Derby

None of us can get enough snuggles.

Miss Louisville

He likes "fast yoga and Mimi likes slow yoga."

When Aunt Kate and Hagan take him out, shenanigans are guaranteed. As it turns out, treats are too.

Monday evening, a bird flew into our sliding glass door during dinner and broke it's neck. Austin and I saw the little thing take it's final breaths and he was pretty torn up about it. He wished it's mommy had been there to fix it. He wished he'd been out there sooner so he could have saved it. He wished he could have kept it. I calmly explained it could not be kept and we needed to dispose of it. That did not go over well. Thank God his mom arrived within about ten minutes of the drama because Mimi worried she was going to say something wrong; more wrong than suggesting we needed to throw it away. Yes. I did that. I won't make that mistake again. It took quite a bit of convincing, but ultimately the dirt pile in the construction area behind our house became the bird's final resting place. 

I had the cutest lunch date today while his mommy had an appointment. After lunch, he shook down the librarian for Pokemon books.

Rumor has it he was running around to avoid a shower so Pops put him with the trash like the other rotten things.

Lauren and I had a float appointment after work today. She enjoyed it as much as I do. We agreed the other girls would hate an hour and a half of silence. It's a mom thing. They simply wouldn't understand.

Week Eighteen

The church requested photos of moms with their kids. Some willingly participated; others were bribed.

Lauren and I are sharing my car while I can't drive anyway. On Wednesday, I needed picked up early from work and Austin decided he liked doing that. He worked really hard to convince his mom they needed to go pick me up from work Thursday morning. Texts were exchanged confirming I was in fact riding to and from work with Amanda as planned. He misses nothing. 

These two worked together to dig a hole in Pop's yard. Neither experienced any remorse. Austin likes to point out how naughty Diesel is but fails to understand just how similar they are. Lauren swears Diesel is more obedient. I'm not disagreeing with her. Ahem.

Wednesday evening, Kate and I toured a college program she has expressed interest in exploring. As we approached the area we knew contained the school, we saw a giant playground on an elementary school yard. "I really hope that's it," Kate exclaimed. Sadly it was not. 

Makenna had her first evaluation this week and the results reflect her enthusiasm and love for her kiddos well. 

Erin's first big role as Miss Louisville has her working Oaks and Derby with an all access pass this weekend. She isn't disappointed. Whereas I will likely never understand or appreciate the events, Erin embraces the excitement and energy in the city. 

Does not like the emergency alert system 

Sadly, despite careful attentiveness, it appears our eggs are not going to hatch. We noticed tiny holes starting the process last weekend but nothing progressed. The parents have abandoned the nest but Austin and I are holding out hope we see them again this season.

Lauren and I took Austin to the movie theater this evening to see the Super Mario Brothers. It was his first movie theater experience and he loved it. 

We ended the week outside for dinner and playtime. Ty's teaching Austin how to dribble a basketball and Kate chases him with nerf guns. It's pretty sweet. 

Week Seventeen

He says he is only flying First Class from now on. We've ruined him. But seventeen hours of travel warrants some comfort accommodations.

That overnight flight caught up with her, much to the dismay of Diesel. He was certain she would forfeit her nap to play with him.

Friends have been sending gifts to occupy little man.

Lauren and Austin are here for a visit. Having them in our home is pretty sweet. Austin's energy matches Diesel's and I've already called them each by the wrong name. Welcome to the home with more than one child, Austin. 

No sooner than I got Lauren and Austin from the airport, I broke a toe on my right foot and potentially tore the plantar fasciitis in the left foot. Images revealed the source of constant pain in my feet with spurring of the plantar fasciitis and degeneration of the joints. I'm falling apart. I ended up with time off work that I couldn't spend doing anything fun because locating a shoe I could wear was challenging and walking looked like something out of an old Carol Burnett episode with Tim Conway as an elderly man shuffling in slow motion. It's completely ridiculous. But after the impact, I scooted across the garage floor and into the house on my rear end. Austin immediately declared I could still play Pokemon with him, so it wasn't a total loss. 

PS. Does anyone happen to have a flow chart to help me understand Pokemon? The book we are studying has over 500 pages and has left me with more questions that frustrate Austin. I'm not a dumb person but this is an enormous undertaking. 

With enough persistence, someone will eventually play with him. 

He is something else. I mean, why wouldn't you sit on the person in the spot you wanted?

We missed Greg when he served on the Men's Emmaus Walk all weekend. 

Her clay project had a pretty sweet ending despite the challenges of her creation. 

I'm getting a lot of bedside visitors these days. Some are needier than others. 

He needed me to draw the house, tree and flowers. He drew the chimney smoke, the sky and the fire next to the tree. He says it's "our picture". I'm so happy to have him here.

Ty wasn't necessarily thrilled to be assembling Austin's Legos but I pointed out the hours we all spent on his sets for years so he complied. Austin loved the result and carried it around the rest of the day. Of course, just like little Ty, he was often frustrated when the pieces broke. Lauren says we need super glue to eliminate the meltdowns. It could happen. 

Week Sixteen

Some fun facts I learned this week about my little mourning dove family. First, if the tree they typically nest in dies, they will adapt. Second, once you discover a nest with eggs in your hanging basket, you water VERY carefully. Third, hanging baskets with nests cannot be covered for frost advisories. Fourth, momma mourning doves lay the eggs. Daddies sit on them during the day while Momma brings food and supplies. Daddies then galavant all night while Mom takes her shift. I'm glad I'm not a mourning dove. 

He tries very hard to convince me to stay home in the mornings. 

Thursday after school he accompanied me for X-rays and a Costco run. We pre-gamed with Longhorn, where he devoured the bread before dinner. 

Diesel REALLY likes this new toy.

He is a big fan of this one too. Ty in Costco means Diesel gets new toys.

Someone was pumped about his snow cone.

This girl. No makeup, pony tail and big glasses at Miss Kentucky orientation. I love her.

Kate and Kam. I adore these two.

Greg is serving on an Emmaus Walk this weekend. He committed to meetings for it last Sunday and Wednesday before leaving on Thursday. We will get him back Sunday evening, where I am sure he will fall directly into a deep, necessary sleep. I miss him already.

Kate and her friends scored tickets to see Morgan Wallen Thursday night. I didn't love letting her go into Louisville but appreciated the opportunity to experience a bucket list item. The city has been fairly unsettled lately and my instincts often lean toward overprotective. I'm working on it. 

Since she was out so late, she scored a day off school today. I left a housekeeping list for Kate and Ty and came home from work to a clean home. I then promptly left again to nap and float in saltwater. A significant amount of inflammation was reduced. My weekend holds promise of less pain.