Blog Boycott is Over & Catching Up

It has been months since my last post.  I guess you could say I boycotted the blogging world for a while.  The Blog Boycott is over :)  I hadn't actually "boycotted" in the true sense of the word...just busy I guess you could say.  I mean..It's a lot to keep up with...Facebook, Twitter, uploading family pics to online storage, work, family, etc.  My last post was huge...one I had been working on for a while and took a lot of deciding as to whether I really even wanted to share.  You know.... as helpful as it may be for one to write during a hard time it is personal.  I did post it because I knew how much reading things like that helped me when I was in the thick of my emotions during the passing of my Dad, so I thought it may help someone else out there (as if I have soooo many followers, but if my visitor feed is correct it is being visited so who knows, right?)   Of course I'm still processing the events of this summer...probably will for a while, but going back and reading that post actually does help me on some of my hardest days.
So...back to the blogging...it's fun and hey..winter's on it's way..I need yet another hobby to keep me busy right? As if I don't have enough PINS on Pinterest to keep me occupied or activities lined up for my boys and I.
After this summer...life did go on.  I would like to say I've been an eager participant, but I'd be lying. Losing my Dad has taken a toll on everyone and changed me forever for sure.  Some changes have been good!  Some (on my worst days) have dampened my spark I guess you could say.  Couple that experience with the everyday changes a family faces during tough economic times and it is almost guaranteed to change you in some way. This fall I did choose to get saved (probably the best change of it all), but knowing God through the loss of a parent was, on some days, the only thing that gave me strength.  I like to think that I have a different perspective on some things if I really take the time to  look at what is important.  This summer time stood still and it allows you evaluate what things are most precious to you.  On other days I get really aggravated with the smallest things...and have myself a little pity party.  With all of that said, me and my family are slowly adjusting to the "new normal" and, just as many different kinds of life experiences do, the experience of losing a loved one to cancer has given me opportunities to help others in small ways (maybe big ways if I'm lucky).   The preacher at my parents' church preached a sermon just before Thanksgiving about "How do you give thanks when it feels like you have nothing to be Thankful for?" Good point right? What do you say..."Thanks God for giving my Dad a debilitating, horrible disease and taking him from us this year.", "Thanks God for making jobs scarce and depleting our bank account due to the higher cost of living.", or "Thank you God for allowing my Mom's kidneys to fail." but...it's all about perspective and we don't always know the big picture but we should trust that he does and his plan for us is plenty to be thankful for.
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Thessalonians  5:18


Here are some of the highlights of the past few months for our family...and what we really are thankful for!

• Lots of family time...we got to spend some time with our cousins that live in Idaho and Arizona, not to mention our KY family. 
• 
  
• My baptism and joining Bethel Christian Church.

• A great start to the school year...Braydon is feeling good about 1st grade and Rhett seems to be content with Pre-school.  The school I work at (and that Braydon now attends) is going through some renovations but because I work with such great people the changes are not that bad and the school year has been a good one so far.  The challenges we have faced together so far have made us even more of a family. 

• An awesome Fall Break in one of our favorite spots...Cape San Blas, Florida with two of our favorite people..Aunt KK and Mamaw!

• The love of basketball...Braydon has joined a training league at KBA in Lexington while Rhett practices his dribbling skills while we watch Braydon.  
• Garett got a deer during gun season and better yet, is becoming a top chef when it comes to cooking venison.  

• The fact that Garett and I both have jobs that are steady and provide what we need just in time.
• I have been blessed with more photo jobs than I thought I would ever be asked to do...and am still love'n it.

• My mom and sister are so close to going through with a kidney transplant...from all indications within the next few months.

• Braydon has lost a total of three teeth and both he and Rhett are in the "cavity free club". 
• Learning new things...Braydon can tie his shoes and is riding a bike with no training wheels.  Rhett has mastered his first round of swimming lessons and learning to write his name.

• Rhett's 4th birthday was a week long celebration! 

And.. many, many more little things, that when we look back on them, will be the big things we will want to remember the most!