Looking Back at the past and Forward to the Future

Every year I go through my FB memories and I'm reminded over and over again all the details and heartache of the accident.  But I'm also reminded of God's good and faithfulness.  Somehow he brought us through it all.  When I look back on pictures of my other kids still smiling I'm so grateful to God of how He held our hearts and emotions during those dark days.  Somehow we were able to handle our emotions and help our kids through the uncertain days.  We lived in one room at the Ronald McDonald House in Rochester NY from August 10- Dec 11!  Then we transferred to Jacksonville Fl where we lived in an extended stay hotel from Dec 13-Jan30.  BUT GOD!  He held us and walked with us.  

We'd go to the book store and other places with the kids.  We still had to give the 4 of them attention to 

and find a balance.  

One of my favorite with Sarah and Steve.  She looked so little!

 When I look back there is a peace despite all that was going on around us.  I really thank God for how He walked us through that time in our lives and kept us together.  

Recently I had a free day so I hit two parks on my own and walked about 7 miles.  I've paid for it ever since with my foot tendon being swollen (the joys of old age!)  But I had a great day and I really needed a day outside. 

We don't have much fall but it's looking as fally as Florida gets!

This rascal is Bruno.  He came up about 2 years ago.  A skinny feral tom cat.  We had to feed him by himself on the side of the house because he was so afraid.  It was week before we could pet him.  Somehow he learned to love us and to become a night inside cat.  He sleeps on the foot of the bed between Jon and me.  It's so sweet for this former street cat to have become this sweet old boy.   

Our little hobby farm now has 15 chickens! 

Sweet Roo!  This is the nicest rooster I have ever known.  He calls for the girls to come and eat when he finds things.  He never chases me!  Woohoo! Isn't he pretty

SW

I let them out in the late afternoon so they can free range some and I stay out and chicken sit them.

This silly girl has gone broody.....she is convinced she's sitting on eggs but I check her and take out any real eggs every day.  Amazon has everything including fake wooden eggs.  I've put them under her and lift her out several times a day.  I really do not know what to do with her  Most people say one day she'll snap out of it.  I hope so.  I lock her out of the compound during free range time and she just circles the enclosure over and over again.  

Last weekend we had a shower for Steve and Nichole at our church.  I hardly took any pictures and we had so many folks there including some of our old friends we hadn't seen in a long time.  I was just having too good of a time to take pictures!

But who will use it?  LOL

I love this picture of Steve- he laughs so hard and this picture caught that big laugh:)

they matched

Pretty girl!  

If you would like to order a gift for them here is their page. I've had a few people ask for this.   There are several things on here that have been given but need to be marked off.  You can message me if you have any issues.  SHOWER GIFTS

Well I've touched on just about everything.  I don't even know what to call this post....I guess the best title could be God brought us through and still is with us.....

God has been good to our family even through deep waters and dry deserts.....He continues to bring us through life- the good parts and the hard parts.  

Ten years ago I could have never imagined Selah being in a group home, Shad being an officer, Steve graduating from college with his BA and MA.....and now working as a tv producer and engaged!  

Sam and Sarah continuing to grow and learn at their own pace.  Nor could I have imagined Jon's heart attack and surgery and all the medical things our family has been through BUT GOD has been faithful...