finding JOY in the every day....

I love that this little girl talks about Jack regularly. Never forget him, Miss Molly.

Thank you, Levi, for always finding ways to add Jack to our everyday life. Legos, drawings, whatever....you are awesome!

Ethan, thanks for letting me cry at weird times or remember things. You have to know how important that this is to our story.

Melanie, you find JOY in the everyday...thank you for living the JOY filled life with me.

Will, you dream of Jack often and you share them with me. Sometimes, they are weird dreams, sometimes scary but always cool to hear about. Then, you let me cry. and you cry too.
priceless moments of my life.

We DO wish you were here, Jack Oliver Young, but we wouldn't wish you back from where you are for any thing!
Thank you for being our heavenly ambassador.
You're so strong.

It seems weird to think that we're coming up on Jack's 18th month away.

If he'd stayed, he would've LOVED opening presents this past Christmas. Surely, he would've loved the wrapping and boxes as much as his sibs used to. Whatta little force he would be.

How cute he'd be in his Christmas Eve jammies or with wild hair on Christmas morning, eating frittata and aggravating everyone by getting into their presents.

He would've had his share of sugary snacks and foods that are NOT light in the caloric department. He'd still need a nap and we'd all rejoice when he fell asleep for a bit.

He would've been enamored with the snow, I know it. He would want to go out and play in it, and last for about 15 minutes. But I don't know...his siblings have always been pretty tough when it comes to cold, sledding, snow down the neck etc. I won't lie...I imagined him in every instance and if I get that far away gaze, that's probably what I'm thinking about...and how each moment of our lives is a treasure. One that I regularly take for stinkin' granted.

Jack, we miss you more everyday but I know we are one day closer to being with you and with our Savior. Praying for friends who are missing their kids too...I think of Sully, Lydia, Greyson, Savannah, Boston, Riley, Brycen, and so many more...

Even living thru such tragic and sad events, we forget, we move on, it becomes our new "normal"...and yeah, we may feel a bit more and cry easier but even we, those that have lost, begin to take things for granted again.

I never want to be a "take it for granted kinda person" again. I have lost a child and I have lost one of my closest friends (to what? I'm not sure.)...I know where my boy is...not sure where my friend is...doesn't life seem too painful sometimes? does it make me mad at God or want to turn from Him?

no.

not at all. It has caused me to want to run to Him.

My job now is to really, truly figure out how to cherish these gifts that are in my face...In the midst of grief and rising from the ashes, daily struggles, chores, blessings, it is so very difficult to find a "balance". I will admit that life has proved to be more challenging than I ever could have imagined...was I simply delusional before June 30, 2011?? just not sure.

All that to say, cherish your loved ones. Turn from the ways of the world and embrace Hope. Hope that is only found in Jesus Christ and His saving grace. The world will disappoint, laugh, mock, destroy.

It may seem fun for a minute...living in your flesh, getting your tattoos, drinking your weight in alcohol, rejecting the ways of the Lord, soaking up skanky images and off color comedy, looking down on people that aren't in the same place as you, whatever it is...heart matters.....I can't stress enough how important it is to flee from this. it will only eat away at your soul. it's not funny...it's sad.

I feel very very burdened by so many situations around me right now...thank you for letting me use my blog to convey the importance of seeking after the Lord.

Praying for my parents as they head south today...they only had to endure one real snow day and waaaa laaaa, they are off on their Gulf Shores adventure till the end of March. We will head down to visit in early Feb and it can't come soon enough....

Praying for friends whose daughter had surgery today. Hugs and love, Cara.

Praying for friends navigating life after loss for their first Christmas...love you, M family.

Praying for one of David's employees as he ministers to his girlfriend's family after the sudden loss of her dad to a stroke. (this hits close to home for us, doesn't it, Tory?? still praying for you and your parents. daily)

Happy birthday to my neighbor, Tashena, today. THIRTY-ONE. (so dang young)

Praying for my dear friend, Shellee and her family of 11 as they await #10 on the mission fields in Japan. (I need to blog your Christmas pic, my friend. Do I have your permission?)

Time to get on the tready, against my will....fight the ol' flesh. Be back later with Christmas posts and hullabaloo....

Peace & Joy