It's time...

It's time to end this story and begin a new one.  A lot has happened, and life has not turned out quite the way I ever expected.  There was an end, and then what I thought was a new beginning.  That new beginning turned out to be a life lesson that lead me to where true happiness is.  I will post a link to the story of my true happiness when I am ready.  Until then.... THE  END

Summertime....

Ahhhhh.....school's out!!  Summer break has begun.  Josh ended 8th grade with his promotion ceremony.  We celebrated by heading to St. Louis with Josh, Jake, 2 of Josh's friends, Clinton, and his twins, Abe and Abbie.  Saturday was spent at the City Museum.  We had planned to stay late for the highly anticipated "late-night-lights-go-out" fun, but were disappointed that very few lights were dimmed.  The museum was hot, and everyone was ready to head to the hotel by 10:30.  The big event for me was braving the Ferris Wheel on the roof....I was terrified!  There were deep fingernail marks in my palm from gripping the bar so tightly.

Sunday we made our way to Six Flags.  It was a wonderful, sunny, hot day.  The kids had a blast, and we stayed until they were exhausted.  The biggest dilemma we faced was how to get the 2 HUGE penguins that the boys won home....see below.

Brass Choir 2011

Jake's Solo

Is it Spring yet?

March.  Shapespeare wrote, "Beware the Ides of March."   It's been a long month so far.  I had a friend get the news she has been waiting to hear for over 5 years.  I celebrated for her, rejoiced and shared God praises.  Then, just like that, in a matter of a few hours, it was taken away from her.  I ache for her. 

Then, within the same 24 hours, a family I care about faced the escalation of a situation that backed them into a corner.  A very tough decision had to be made.  And, while they wait to see if the decision is the right one, they live with the torture.  My heart agonizes for them.

And, more concern for a mom-to-be, whose little muffin is not quite done baking, but may need to be taken out of his toasty warm oven before he is ready.  I worry about them.

And there is nothing I can do for any of them.  I have offered my ear to listen, my shoulder to cry on, and my help, as useless as it may be.  But, the one thing I can do, is pray.  And that I have done.  And will continue to do.  It is all I have.

And, maybe, I will read more Shakespeare.

ITHI

I just arrived home yesterday from the annual ITHI conference :)  As always, I had a wonderful time, enjoying the opportunity to spend time with like-minded people.

A nice little hiatus...

I have taken a break from blogging, but it is time to get back to it.  Since I last posted, there has been some changes.  Jake is in 7th grade, playing the trumpet.  Josh is in 8th grade, and just finished the basketball season, ending as regional champs.  Now, as the many inches of snow are finally melting, and spring is right around the corner, it is time to look forward.

Soccer will begin soon.  I am almost looking forward to it, at least looking forward to seeing good friends and having a great excuse to be outside.  This will be Josh's last season with the park district team.  In the fall he will have the opportunity to try out for the high school team.

Jake's Concert Band is competing this Friday in Organizational Contest.  Then, in a month, he will compete in solo/ensemble contest.  This year, he is playing a solo, a trio, and as part of a brass choir. 

In June, the boys will be going on a mission trip to the Dominican Rebpulic with their dad.  I am very excited for them to have this opportunity, but also frightened about them being that far from home for that long.  I am sure I will be trying to find ways to keep myself busy.....which leads me to....

The baby boom!  Three friends at work are pregnant, all due to deliver baby boys within 2 months of each other!  I am so excited to get to play "auntie"!!

With any luck, I will be posting more often, and have more interesting things to say, but, for now, this will have to do :)