I know, I haven't been here in almost two years. They say writing is therapeutic and soothing to the soul so I should probably come visit more often. Not that my soul is unraveled or anything. Everyone needs therapeutic soothing every now and then.
So much has happened in the past two years:
- I am still in school. It feels like I will be in school forever! But that is o.k. Graduation will come soon enough, then it is back to work for me. But at least I will be doing something amazing while working.
- My sweet grandbaby, the one who makes my heart do flips, she is now 2 1/2. She is talking so much now and I crack up laughing when I hear some of the things she comes up with. Toddlers are so hilarious.
- I have been blessed with two handsome boxers. Buckley and Wilson joined our family in February 2013 and they are now 6 months old. They are a lot of work, but so worth it. Sometimes I say to myself "what was I thinking getting two of these huge chewing machines." But honestly, it wouldn't be the same experience without both. They each have different personalities and so many things that I love about each one. They are like two peas in a pod following each other around everywhere. I am so glad that I was blessed with both of them.
- Lisa, David, and the baby moved out to their own place. It was bittersweet. It was the first time Lisa left me and her dad. It wasn't like she was going off to camp. I knew that she would not be coming back to live with her mom and dad again. Life had certainly taken a curve ball; one that was joyful but also difficult at the same time. Barry and I both find joy in watching her blossom in adulthood as a wife, a mother, a student, and a child passionate or Christ. Maybe we were not perfect parents, but I think we must have done something right. She is a beautiful person inside and out.
- Brian, my baby boy, is not a baby anymore. He turned 21 years old this year. Seems strange in a way to think that my youngest baby is an adult. He is busy getting his t's crossed and i's dotted with paperwork to attend college this fall. When he sets his mind to doing something, there is no stopping him. Determination is a good quality to have. He is such a sweet soul. A friend was over on Thursday picking up a box of coop items and he was so sweet to help her without being asked. I am so proud to say that he is a gentleman. A gentleman with tattoos and an eyebrow piercing, but a gentlemen nonetheless.
- Barry and I celebrated our 24th wedding anniversary this year. We didn't do anything too crazy. However, June 2014 will be awesome. We are planning something wonderful for our 25th. It's gonna be fun!
- I didn't plant a garden this summer. The boxers, being big babies, eat and destroy everything. I have to watch them very closely. The backyard is the only place I feel like I can let them run free. Had I planted a garden, they would have surely dug up every plant and eating every last leaf and stem. I guess it wasn't a completely bad idea to not plant a garden for the first time since we have been married. The Georgia rain this summer has been tremendous. I think it has rained everyday this month so far. The only complaint I have is the mud that gets tracked in from dirty paws and soggy flip flops.
Rain, rain, rain...everyday. Despite the rainy weather, it has been a beautiful summer so far. I have joy overflowing knowing that God in Heaven loves me and protects me. What have I done to deserve his love? Nothing. But it is comforting. If you want to know how so, then it is simple. Just make him your friend. Talk to him like you would your best friend. Thank him for something. And ask him for help. He will surround you and love you. That I can promise. It is not about "being good." It is not about "I have to do better and follow rules." It is not about that at all! It is only about having a relationship with him. Trying to be good is what we do to show him we love him. But we are human and we will mess up all the time. So remember, just make him your friend and talk to him. The rest will come.
