As I catch up, I will keep you updated in real time but the pictures will be old. This group is from the time my family was here. The first set is the infamous shed. If you were at the memorial, you know about the shed my Dad got but never put up. The three boys decided to finish it while they were here.
This is M doing the Dave rub the hands together when you're happy.
I may have found a guy on craigslist selling a TON of legos. And I bought them. They were a big hit while everyone was here and have been great therapy for all of us since them.
The pool and hot tub were in constant use.
We spent a couple of the afternoons at the lake.
Kayaking was the big hit. We have two of our own and we borrowed a couple others so we could have groups of people out all at the same time.
The boys may have exceeded the recommended maximum weight for a single kayak. :-)
Some of the kids you won't recognize are the children of my brother's college roommate/best friend and my sister's roommate (yes, they met through our family) and we have adopted them as part of our family. And of course, J, from Socal is part of our family as well.
So this is my side of the family - Yes, all of us - No, Erickson's we don't number in the hundreds!
Mari and I were playing lions under the table.
My sister is not that much taller than me! She is taller but, come on, she has boots on and I am barefoot. he he. K is going to be vertically challenged like her momma.
Honestly, it was a good visit by everyone, I just wish it would have been under better circumstances so I could have enjoyed it more.
So, the constant question: How are you doing? Me: Well, after we came home from our trip, I kept waiting for my Dad to get home from his trip so I could finally talk to him about all the stuff that has happened this summer and the craziness that is the universe right now. I keep wanting to see his concerned face and hear his encouraging words as I lay it all out on the table. I want to pray with him and know it will all turn out all right. And then I want to argue with him about something stupid. You see, I have these thoughts all the time and then I realize he is not coming back. And I cry. This week I have been crying the same as I did when I found out he was dead. Because this week I realize that he is never coming back.
(Long pause as I cry again).
But, and this is a BIG but, we stand on God. We rely on Him for strength every day and we wait for Him to heal us. I know this takes time, so I don't fight it. I let the time pass. Do I wish it was over? Yes. But I don't want to miss the lessons I can learn only in this time, so I listen and quietly wait for my Lord to speak. God is good. All the time. This world sucks. But my God is GOOD.
God Bless!
