Off and Running!

We are off and running on a new school year. It is hard to believe that summer ended, but we have managed to get into the groove of this new year. It is the first time that we have had kids in all school groups- preschool, elementary, middle, and high! Talk about juggling time! Sometimes I feel like a taxi driver! It will be so nice when the Big J can drive himself!

I am blessed with a great class this year. I have wonderful students and families. B is the only one with me, so we are having some fun in the morning- There are no fights over the front seat anymore and that is nice! M catches the bus to our school in the afternoon, so I have a little time to plan and get things done.

Basketball ended (not really- it seems we are in a jamboree Saturday) and we have enjoyed a few quiet weekends at home. Football for the Big J starts Friday, so again FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS begin. It is still so hot here-- even at 7pm the air is hot and humid. With all the rain we have had, the bugs seem to be worse, but the Little J loves these games.

The girls are starting back to dance next week- that is going to take some serious juggling, but I think they are ready to be back in the studio.

More frequent posts to come... and more pictures.. finally getting the hang of it! HAHA

What is the right "THING?"

Father let the world just fade away

Let me feel your presence in this place
Lord, I've never been so weary

How I need to know your near me

Father let the world just fade away...

Father let your Holy Spirit sing

Let it calm this storm inside of me

As I stand amazed

Lift my hands and say

He is,

He was,

He always is to be

Even when it feels like there is no one holding me

Be still, my soul

Through every fear

and every doubt

And every tear I shed

Down every road, I'm not alone

No matter where I am

He is

He was
He always will be

So after almost 3 months with no visit, we finally had a visit. It may be the last- I will tell you after this visit I felt terrible - and God just led me right to one of my oldest and very dear friends! We have known each other since 3rd grade! He just allowed us to visit for almost an hour (even though she was busy trying to close her shop - thank goodness her daughter was there!) It allowed me to see how great HE is through everything he has done for each of us in our lives over the last 40ish years! Time and time again I could see how he just wove the perfect pattern for both of us! His love never fails! I left there thinking.. wow! these two little girls from the Westside have really come along way :-)

Our attorney has met with the DCF attorney and it seems like we are in yet another holding pattern- this case is just wait, pray, wait, pray... scream, pray, etc for the last year and 1/2. It appears that a great aunt in Alabama is trying (as she has been for the past 2 years) to take guardianship of the boys. This way, the mother's rights would not be terminated as it would be considered a relative placement. It's considered less destructive to the boys. But we question a great aunt raising 2 young black boys. An aunt who is approaching 60- We are a little disappointed, we are a little angry, and we feel that this "system" has basically jerked us around for the last year and a half. But at least we know now what the realities of this case are. Our attorney has done everything she possibly can- it is really in God's hands. We believe that he still has the perfect plan for this situation and these two very precious boys. It may not be what our intentions are- but His will is not always what we desire. And it brings to mind the lyrics

There's a peace I've come to know

Though my heart and flesh may fail

There's an anchor for my soul

I can say "It is well"

Although, I would be the first to say I am actually feeling a little unwell about the entire situation- a little miffed to be honest. It has just been a constant battle for the last 15 months- I vacillate between a wide range of emotions which really put me in a mood that varies minute by minute it seems- Anger is such a terrible feeling- it just sucks the life right out of you .When I feel that anger starting to rise, I immediately start to pray and just ask God to take away that feeling- I don't want to cry about this situation- I want true release and the ability to give it back to Him. We never anticipated 3 boys- and yet those boys were brought to us by the Guardians and the Children's Home Society. So we ask.. what was the lesson- how will we explain this in a few years? Our minds just can't fully wrap around it or understand it. While we cling to the knowledge that God ultimately has control over all situations, it is the feeling of the flesh that make us feel most defeated. We don't understand the journey- and the feelings of loss and disappointment. We know we went on the journey for a reason, but right now we just have a lot of confusion which results in a lot of sour moods and shortness- We have prayed a lot, and we have once again just said "Lord, it's in your hands- you know what is best for our family, and you know what is best for the Little J's siblings- please just bring us peace- give us wisdom. That is really all we can ask for at this point.

We will get updates every 3 weeks from DCF via our attorney- until the ICPC passes or doesn't - who knows! In the meantime, mom isn't seeing the boys because of a failed drug test AGAIN- the whole situation is just sad- but we will keep the faith, even if it is smaller than a mustard seed, that this situation will resolve and bring us peace.

For with God, nothing shall be impossible

Luke 1:37

While all that has been going on.. time just keeps rolling on. I have been to my room already, and have a few more days to get things ready before the actual pre-planning starts. I need to try and purchase some fabric this weekend in between a wedding shower, getting kids ready for camps and yard work! The Big J starts full football camp next week 8-5 and that worries me too! It is HOT here-- but he has a great team of coaches and no worries are their words to us! Stay hydrated are my words to the Big J!

The girls start dance camp next week. It is a little different this year- only in the evenings. I am thinking that might actually work out better for them.

No wonder the guy from leather fixers asked me, "Are you sure no one is laying on the pillows?" I mean, lady the entire pillow has been torn off- that is NOT normal wear and Well, here's the thing.. at least he used to wait until we were not at home, and now.. he is up there all the time! I guess he is taking his guard dog job seriously! I'm not sure when this behavior started, and I am not sure how to correct it-- after all he is one of us.. but REALLY Stitch.. you are now costing us lots of money!!!


I have one more week of summer, and the kids have 2! It has really been a jam packed summer- not sure if I want to be gone that much again for awhile. It will be routines, dance, football, and all kinds of school functions for the next few months. Hopefully Fall will usher in some cool temperatures and great colors. When you think that Christmas is just 4 months away that puts a lot into perspective, and my next summer break then would only be 10 months away- put that way time really seems to be a vapor!

He is the ROCK, his works are perfect,

and all his ways are just.

A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is HE.

Deuteronomy 32:4