I'm sitting here with this blank screen watching a blinking line waiting for me to start typing...I don't quite know where to start again.
I have written over a thousand blog posts in my mind during the middle of the night hours but they never make it on here. They never make it anywhere.
I've prayed and prayed and prayed about this blog.
Many days I had plans to take it down. Or simply just be done with it and let the hours of thoughts sit online and not worry about it again.
Those two plans have been back and forth in my heart but all the while as I would pray, I consistently felt the tugging to keep writing. Keep sharing our story. Keep going.
Can I just say, writing our life and being vulnerable, it's not easy. I do it. I'm always an open book and if you ask, I won't shy away from sharing with you. If I'm struggling, I'm not going to pretend I'm just fine-that's not me.
BUT
writing on here where anyone can see and have their own opinions about our life and even take my words the wrong way, that is hard.
I also have thoughts rise up about how self involved the idea of having a blog all about us is. Yet, whatever excuse I come up with the tugging is always there.
And every single time I actually think "I'm just going to be done" I get an email from one of you.
Every single time.
And it's been like that for years now!
You encourage me.
You challenge me.
You bless my socks off.
You remind me that while this is about my family on the surface, it really is all about Jesus.
So friends, once a week I'll be posting here...I may not have anything big to share but as always, it'll be real and raw and us.
If you want, you can grab a cup of coffee and spend a few minutes with me as you read whatever is pressing on my heart.
A quick update about us for now-
Grammy- Is doing well here. I love that so many of you ask about her and how she has transitioned here. She is getting ready to travel for a couple weeks so we'll miss her-especially Nora. Those two have the sweetest bond.
She is still sewing and making things for her business. I'll have to post her shop on here. Or have I done that? Not sure but I can repost if not. :) She is also working at our church. I would never take the position she did-organizing nursery stuff...yikes. Especially at a new church (she took it last summer) and not knowing many people. It's totally her though. She does it and does it well.
She also adores my kiddos and loves being Grammy...which we love!
Nora- oh Nora. This girl. I love her so. She is nothing how I pictured her being at this age. She is wonderful though. She is spunky and wild and free. She's hilarious and smart. She's sweet and has a huge heart. She is her. Ha. She still loves dinosaurs. We thought it would be a passing interest but it has been over a year and she still looooooves them. She also loves pretty things. She finished her first year of preschool in May and in just a few weeks she'll be starting again. I remember as it was approaching time for summer to come and school to end, I was thinking, what are we going to do all day?! Well, we've actually really really loved summer. We always do. With having Easton now, I was a little more nervous but it has gone so quickly I'm not quite ready to give up our play all day-summer life. Although...I'm ready for routine again. I think our family thrives on having a routine and preschool during these little years helps with that. :)
(Her first time meeting E!)
Easton- He is the sweetest. His smile is a heart melter for sure. He's crawling everywhere and climbing on everything. He walks around when he's able to push something or hold onto something. He so badly wants to play with sissy all of the time...and she's not so into that. He recently endured chicken pox. It was AWFUL. I know it used to be the norm for everyone to get it but yikes. That was NO BUENO. He's 9 months and ready to go!
Cale- He's doing GREAT! We went back to Washington for a visit in June. It was so fun listening to everyone tell me how good he was doing and how much better he looked. Sled hockey ended in March but is about to pick up again in September. He loves getting to play and has missed it during this break. Theres a guy from our church who hangs out with Cale about once a week and a couple other guys from our Bible Fellowship Group who have taken him out. This is a HUGE blessing!!! A lot of you have prayed with me asking for men to come into his life and invest in him. His life is confusing and hard for him to navigate. He needs men to come alongside him who aren't forced but will truly enjoy him and pour into him. He loves being daddy. I have some very sweet stories to share for another post...it's hard but he's amazing. He also just started with a trainer at the gym. his first day was yesterday and so far he enjoyed going. His trainer was also in the military which is always a bonus! Thank you to Semper Fi Fund for providing this!!!!
Kathleen- I love being mommy of two. It has been exhausting but so so so wonderful. It's nothing like what I pictured. Easton is a terrible sleeper. This is one thing I didn't expect. With Nora, I was able to help get her on a good schedule and all though we had difficult nights, those were normal and expected. Before having Easton, I was actually very confident with the sleep part. I knew what to do. Well...he changed everything and month after month passed by while I still waited for him to become a better sleeper. Many many nights he's up for hours during the night...which means I'm up as well. It has been hard. Hard. Thankfully these two kiddos are cute. Ha!
God is all about building character.
Friends, I'm excited to start writing again. I'm excited to share with you the things that God has been growing my heart and stretching my way of thinking.
I'm excited to have you come along with us as we continue on our journey.
I'm sleep-deprived excited.
ha.
I'll see you next week!
<3 p="">
3>
God bless you Kathleen. I understand the kids different sleep patterns. My 3rd daughter was up all night. I read every Harry Pootter that was out back then. (2000)
ReplyDeleteIt can be rough, but it will happen. Hugs! God bless, Casey Q
I'm super impressed you read! My brain can't even handle reading a book while we're awake at night!
DeleteOh, my Dear!!! I check every night, and was SOOO blessed to find you had written.
ReplyDeleteI am glad Cale has another trainer at the gym and that he has friends who genuinely love being with him. As a grandma, I can appreciate the sweet relationship with my little jewels....well not so little. Lily the six year old would NOT like me using that word. She is going to be EXCITED about new pictures of "Little Nora."
Thank you for writing. I needed you.
Hugs and much LOVE,
Marion
Yes! I told you it was on my yes list...just had to wait for the timing :) I've missed you! I know we still email and we've chatted on the phone, but it doesn't feel often enough! Haha! Love you!
DeleteKathleen,
ReplyDeleteYour family's story has so many twists and turns.
But it is how you handle all of it that is so inspiring to all of us!
THANK YOU!
And I was drinking my coffee with you.
❤
Lorri C.
Yay! I love that you were drinking coffee with me! :)
DeleteLovely, precious and beautiful family. You are a special woman, Kathleen. Love being able to keep up with you and yours. Numbers 6:24-26
ReplyDeleteThank you for being a part of our life! It's such a blessing!
DeleteWow! I already had my cup of coffee in hand, and I enjoyed every sweet word! You have been missed, and I've failed miserably at being in contact, but you've definitely been on my heart! I enjoyed every sweet word, and I look forward to another cup of coffee with your family!
ReplyDeleteYes! We're back so more coffee dates to come! ;)
Delete