“Annual” Update

It seems that my posts have dwindled to the frequency of a Christmas newsletter. 🙂

The last year has been surreal.

My oldest son finished high school. Our first homeschool graduate. Then, last minute, he changed his plans and joined the Marines.

He didn’t leave before our newest addition was born, though. Simultaneously, for a time, I snuggled a newborn baby and encouraged a high school senior.

A new bird entered our nest, changing everything. Shortly thereafter another left the nest, changing everything.

Seasons shifted. Again.

I cherish every one.

Old trials persisted. New trials blew in. Some resolved. Some still seem as if they’ll never move out…but I am aware that my perceptions are clouded. God is always in control, always trustworthy, and always knows best.

We prepared another pregnancy announcement to give in February, but before the announcement was made, we discovered the pregnancy was ectopic when my fallopian tube ruptured and I was taken into emergency surgery. That sweet little one is dearly missed. I’m still here. I easily could not be. We’re thankful.

I keep learning. I keep realizing how much I need to learn. How much I don’t know or understand.

I keep reading. And listening. As much as I can in this season.

Baby Bear will be one year old next week. That’s an adventure all of its own. I’m unbelievably thankful for the chance to embark again, knowing now a little more of what I wish I knew back then. Back when the others were little.

I keep writing. I write to process. I write to understand. I write for myself.

I write to share. To explain to my teenagers what I’ve learned. I write various letters and emails to encourage and to share what God has been teaching me. I also write with the hope that sometimes I’ll have time to review, edit, and publish some of those things here – in hopes that some of what I’ve learned will bless some of you, and that you will sharpen my understanding with your questions and with what God’s been teaching you. When we have the time. Obviously our families and local brothers and sisters and friends “in real life” demand our attention first. But I miss blogging. And I miss the blogging community. So I hope to pop in more regularly, if not frequently. 🙂