Moving on and Moving Home...

On July 21st our world changed in such a sudden and unexpected way. My mom passed away and it caught us all off guard and it felt alot like getting sucker punched in the gut. You always think that you have more time but alas the old adage that we are not promised tomorrow hit us like a ton of bricks. So, tell those you love that you love them, appreciate those who need to be appreciated now and not later and give and live in a way that says exactly what you want it to say now and not what you want to work up to being later. Mom did all of that. She lived life to the fullest every day and was loved by so very many people and we were so blessed to be able to celebrate her life with so many that shared the same feelings as us.

As for moving on...I am not sure how to do that yet. Some days are good and some are bad. For all of us it has been different but I know for me personally and for Trey these past three days have been terribly difficult. I guess because I have to focus so much of my energy on the kids and keeping things going at home that I just feel like I don't have the time or the right to grieve. Almost like it would be selfish. Cooper is having a tough time and I do not want to make things any harder on him than necessary with me getting upset. With  bad though comes the good too. I would be completely remiss if I did not mention all the blessing that God is continually putting in my path even through these tough days. Visits from friends bringing treats, help with the kids because work has been super insane and friends just taking care of me in every way imaginable. I can see Jesus in all of this. I really can and when I reach the point where it is intolerable to think about that always pulls me back to the fact that my HOPE is in the Lord and I know he has a plan for all of this and all of us! 

A big decision we have made since this has happened is that we will indeed be moving back to Florence. We tried to come home after Cooper was born and there were no jobs and have not been any jobs open until the past six months or so. But more recently in the few weeks before mom passed we knew of three with Trey's current company and had thought it quite ironic. Now it all seems like things are leading us home with a job opening where there have been none before. We  just feel a calling to be with family and to be back home where I left a part of my heart when we buried mom. As far as pieces falling in place on paper it does not all rationalize out  because we just bought a brand new house in Madison a year ago but it would show little faith to go strictly by numbers. God is capable of so much more than we give him credit for. So, we are taking the plunge and listing our home for sale as of this coming weekend. Our hope is to be back home by the end of the year but things could move alot quicker. Right now there is just no telling so this will require much faith and trust from us on all levels.

This is SO bittersweet. When we moved here we did not know many people but have since made some of the most incredible and best friends we could have ever asked for and become part of a wonderful church family. I know for sure we are blessed beyond measure with these friendships and these people who have come into our lives in many different times and ways. To all these people we will miss you and you will always have a part of our hearts and we will just be an hour away so we will visit often so you are not getting rid of us. Please know just how much we love and appreciate you!

So, for all those that want to know how you can help. Most importantly just be in prayer for our whole family as we all try and work through this individually and as a family. Secondly, as tough as this is on me and my siblings and our families it is much more difficult on my dad than any of us can understand. Just pray over him that he will be able to heal. Also, just be in prayer for us as we try and make this move and that if it is God's will that all the pieces will fall into place as needed for us to be able to make this transition happen. Thank you for your thoughts of love and concern as we are still working through all of this.