(This post was originally shared on my personal blog on September 21, 2011. I am re-posting it here to begin my new public blog, Turtles and Cheeseburgers. I hope you enjoy and stay tuned. God bless!)
Life is very different now. This year has brought on such a dramatic change in my life and my families life, it is overwhelming to think of all the ways our world has shifted. I am still very much grieving my father's passing, and I'm not sure if I'll ever not grieve for him, but I am still comforted by the truth of his faith and devotion to our Father and Savior, and thus his warm acceptance into a place of peace and health. Since my return to Colorado in April (after my dad's March 27th passing) has taken on a whole new appearance. In June, we celebrated Abbigail's fourth birthday, and (back in Missouri) my mom's 60th birthday. In late July, packers came and boxed up our household goods in preparation for our move back to Missouri. Matt officially separated from the U.S. Navy on August 1, 2011. That same day we drove back to Missouri with my sister, Mindy and her husband, Bryan--our helpers in the move. A week or so prior to our move, my brother, David and a family friend, Chuck also visited us in Colorado to pick up a few items we would need immediately in MO.
After our return to Missouri, Matt started his new job with his step-dad, Bryan, working as an assistant in Bryan's Snap-On franchise. He enjoys the job, though we are looking for something a little more permanent that can utilize the skills and abilities he acquired in the Navy. On August 25th, we celebrated Madison's first birthday. She's such a wonderful little girl. Petite she may be, but she is so smart and entertaining. The most exciting and unexpected recent event actually happened the weekend before Madison's birthday. On Sunday, August 21, I found out I am pregnant with our third child. That same morning, my sister, Mindy confirmed that she is also pregnant (with her first child). Matt was out of town at the time of the discovery, but due to be back that evening. He was so excited when I told him over the phone that morning. That afternoon, Mindy and I decided we'd both tell my mom at lunch. We'd planned to go to the Olive Garden with a couple family friends, Chuck and his mom, Louise.
How we told her:
I had Abby come over so I could tell her something. Whispering in her ear, I told her, "I want you to tell Grandma something, but you have to go over and tell it to her in her ear." I said this because it was noisy and I wanted to make sure mom heard what Abby was saying. "Go over there and tell Grandma in her ear that mommy's got a baby in her tummy." Abby immediately pulled away and looked at me then at my tummy with big eyes. "You do?" "Yeah, now go over there and tell Grandma in her ear that mommy has a baby in her tummy." Abby did as I said and my mom paused after hearing the message then said, "No she doesn't." Then turning to me, "do you?" "Yeah, I guess so. I mean, I took a test and it said I was." Her eyes got real big. "You are?!" Then a few moments later after the shock began to settle, I said, "And you know that other thing about how I'm always pregnant with a sister....?" She just looked at me. There was a big pause. (When I was pregnant with Abby, my oldest sister, Teresa was pregnant with her twins. They and Abby are exactly 6 weeks apart. When I was pregnant with Madison, Matt's sister was pregnant with her little boy, Eli. He and Madison are exactly 3 weeks apart.) Mindy chimed in here after giving mom a moment to think about what I was saying. "I'm pregnant, too," Mindy said. Mom turned her head toward Mindy who was sitting to her left. "You are?! What? Are you kidding me? Is this a joke? (extending her arm) Somebody pinch me!" My mom was SO shocked. Laughter and shock was shared by everyone. It was truly an amazing experience.
Since then, I found out my due date is April 14, and Mindy found out her due date is May 2--two weeks and five days apart. Ridiculous and amazing. I am truly in awe of God's timing and blessings! Matt and I want more children, but we didn't expect it to happen this quickly after Madison.
We are in such a strange place right now. Matt's out of the Navy, working a new job, different than anything he's ever done before, hoping to start school in the Spring. Abby is now four years old, attending pre-kindergarten here in Lee's Summit, and now enjoying children's church on Sunday mornings instead of playing in the nursery. Madison is now a year old and walking (when she wants), and learning so very much. I am STILL only five classes shy of my bachelor degree in English, hoping to get back to working on my memoir real soon, and praying for an interested publisher. And now I'm pregnant...again. We are truly excited. We are, however, still living with my mom until we can get everything in order to purchase a home. It can be difficult to do this when Matt's got such a new job, and, despite having a reliable job, to be honest, his income is remarkably less than his allowances and income were in the Navy.
Life is very different for us. Amid all these physical changes, there are plenty of emotional and spiritual changes taking place as well. For me, these changes are an affect of my dad's life. My dad left such an inspiring legacy. His life was God-centered and uplifting, despite his circumstances with cancer. Cancer didn't define my dad. His faith did. This truth cuts me to the core with grief and love. I miss him dearly, but I am SO VERY happy that he was my father, my dad, an important role model in my spiritual life. I am SO grateful for him.
I LOVE the words of What a Wonderful World sung through the raspy, gruff voice of Louis Armstrong (as referenced in the title to this entry). And truly, what a wonderful world this is. Our Creator definitely knows what He is doing. He gives us exactly what He knows we need when we need it. This world is so crazy and amazing and beautiful. Pain and love, death and life. God is good, isn't He? What a TRULY wonderful world, it is!
No comments:
Post a Comment