Back to Life... Back to Reality

This summer has been a whirlwind of fun activities for us. We went camping in Michigan with the Miller clan, had our annual camping trip with Steve and his buddies and their families, participated in my brothers second wedding (public wedding that is), played in a corn hole league, hung out with friends and family, and last but not least went to Mexico for our ten year anniversary.

While we enjoyed the busyness and many fun times had, we were all ready to return to a routine. Our many activities kept us out of town often which meant we did not go to church like we would have liked and our house always felt chaotic.

Logan began 2nd grade this year. He loves 2nd grade and feels confident and secure now that he has been at his school for three years. He enjoys seeing old friends, going to the library, recess and getting a personal laptop from the school. Wow... some things have really changed since I was in school.

Gavin began preschool last week. He was quite fearful of starting school. He cried the night before and told me he was afraid he would not find the playground. The next morning he woke up with a positive attitude. When I picked him up to school he looked at me and said, "I think I will really like this preschool thing." I had to chuckle to myself. He seems so grown up now and loves the new routine of preschool.

Steve is still teaching at Ox-Bow in the fourth grade. He loves his job, but the first month is often quite an adjustment period for him... new kids always bring new challenges.

I am still working at the hospital as an aide/secretary. I do not mind my job, but continue to struggle with the work hours. I feel I am so blessed to be able to work the strange hours and still be with my boys quite a bit, but often feel unrested. I continue to pray that God will grant me patience, help remove my self pity and continue to lead me in the right direction in regards to work.

Enjoy the posted pics they are from a variety of our summer activities! Many blessing to you all!

1st trip of the summer-Hastings, MI

Here are pictures from our first trip of the summer.  The boys and I took off on a Sunday and stayed through Tuesday afternoon at my friend Lori's lake house.  We had so much fun relaxing by the water and playing.

The boys  got to learn some good fishing skills from a pro-fisherman Ryan.  They caught lots of Blue Gill and Gavin even caught a Chubb.

The boys enjoyed some fun pontoon rides, a fishing trip on a fishing boat, and laughed as Lori and I attempted to ride jet skis only to later lose both keys to the lake.  We are now looking forward to more lakeside trips to come.

Soccer Fun!

Logan has been playing soccer with GYSO for 4 weeks now.  He is enjoying the sport so much this year.  Gavin loves to go along all geared up and play on the sidelines.   WELL.... Yesterday Gavin got to play with the team.  They were short a player and so we donned a team shirt on Gavin and in he went.  

He has never played a team sport in real life so I was wondering how my little guy would do during the game.  Gavin can be quite reserved at times and this tends to immoblize him.  Not yesterday.  He may have been half their size, but my little guy jumped right in and played hard.  He even touched the ball quite a few times.  His face was so serious and he concentrated so hard, aside from being extra short though, he looked like he fit right in.  I had such a proud mommy moment, seeing my two boys play on a team together.  Steve was coaching so he had to remain calm and collected, but the minute the game was over he walked over to me and looked like he was going to melt into pieces.

Logan and Gavin had such a bonding moment they played outside till dark, acting more like peers than big brother little brother.  Gavin kept his gear on till dark as well, not wanting to shower because he did not want to take off his uniform.  

I am actually attaching photos of them playing.  I only had my phone so they are not the greatest pics.

Not much new

I have not posted in quite a while.  I guess it is partly because I want to post pics and my camera is still not cooperating, and also because we have been super busy with not a whole lot new to report.

Logan began playing soccer last week.  He is thoroughly enjoying himself and is actually touching the ball this year!  We are so excited for him and love to see him enjoying an activity.  He even said one time "Soccer is so my thing"  it was adorable.

Gavin is desperately wanting to grow up.  I desperately want to keep him as young as possible for as long as possible.  He is anxiuosly awaiting his 5th birthday.  He is excited that next year he will be in preschool and be able to participate in extra curricular activities.  For now though he readily engages me in his imaginary sports competitions where I can participate as the opposing team or a fan (whatever his imagination wills is how I become involved).

Steve is busy finishing off his school year.  He is also coaching soccer with Logan which he absolutely loves to do.  He and I are also busy with our "corn hole league"  I know pretty hillbilly but we love it.

I am just being.  Busy keeping the house together while working full time and trying to sleep at times.  I wish I could work days to join the normal routine of people around me, but for now I will continue on with nights and enjoy the small things in life as they come.

Just thoughts

To all who read this... my time of lent has been so meaningful.  I have spent less time isolating myself from the world and solely communicating via computer (though I am doing that now).  I still have a long way to go on connecting with people I think of often.  I have spent a lot of time in prayer.  I am praying for all of you who are experiencing grief of some kind.  I pray for the joys and blessings that I and others experience.  I also continue to pray that we all can sense the presence of God in the everydayness of life.  Those are my short thoughts and prayers for all of you.  I think of many of you often, my next step is to let you all know how much I do.  :)

My prayers and thoughts are with all of you! 

PS-soon I hope to have some cute pics again.  My camera is still not cooperating, but I am due to get pics printed and can hopefully download some here as well!  We are enjoying the warm weather and I would love to show you all the cute pics I am taking.

Good News!

Well, I am so grateful to send a new post so shortly after my other one.  I met with the Orthopedic surgeon today and all was great news!  I do not require surgery and apparently missed a major artery that may have required amputation.  Instead  I left with my "temp" stitches because I was healing remarkably and may even be able to return to work this week!  I am elated to say the least.  Praise the Lord!  Thanks all for your thoughts and prayers.  This was better news than I could have ever expected.

I was also told by the Colleague health nurse that they have been trying to get our department to get disposable surgery knives because I am not the first victim of an incident like this.  Hopefully change will come, since I am not sure how confident I will feel about removing a blade ever again.  I did everything right, that stubborn blade just did not come off, which is apparently a common problem.