Wow~ what a wild and crazy school year! You can read this post and think.. man that is a lot of stuff, or you can think while if HE puts you in the fire, he pulls you out refined and shining!
August started with an illegal felony take down of our family in the driveway of our home after summer football practice one day. While a simple apology was all we asked for- that request turned into a 7 month battle with the Jacksonville Sheriff's office that FINALLY resulted in the discipline of three officers - Hickey, Leaveritt, and Willbanks. While I have much respect for the work that the JSO does- it does not in anyway excuse poor judgment and failure to acknowledge when you make a mistake. Nor should you have to fight an agency that thinks their officers can do no wrong- Most people would have chalked that up to a bad experience- but what happened to our family was more important to me than just a "bad experience." That event has triggered many emotions for my family- through LOTS of prayer and counseling I think the only lingering effects of that incident is the anxiety that occurs when a police officer pulls behind our vehicle. That in time will subside we are told, but the discipline of those officers was absolutely the most healing for our family.
November ended an 18 month battle for Jackson's siblings- Enough said about that- I can say 7 months removed we know God's plan for our family is GOOD!
December turned into an even bigger growing experience for me- Probably one of the biggest of my adult life. One of my friends made a poor choice that has resulted in a lot of stress, grief, anger, and sorrow for not only her, but her family, our church, and our school. While her decision was not an individual decision- it was one that broke the law. And none the less, one that has divided our community. As a person who finds great comfort through her faith, I find it amazing that forgiveness has been so slow to come- While there are no excuses for the situation- we are reminded that as Christians we are called to love - NOT JUDGE. As one of my wise friends said - you have heard all the lessons, you have set through many sermons, Sunday School lessons, and bible study groups - you have now been given the opportunity to demonstrate all that you have learned. For me I think the struggle was the hatefulness that has been shown to not only her, but her family as well. I guess that I have learned that many people will only accept you if you are "not a problem"- What a shame! I would just suggest to all those that struggle to really read Crazy Love- by Francis Chan- what an amazing piece of literature work!
January - April is pretty much a blur! Lots of appointments - when I look back at my calendar I think God was good during that time- while it was busy- many things were resolved in our favor- Proof that while going through fire can be a refining process, but the finished project is always better than the beginning.
May-- what a fun month! Wrapping up a great year!! Right?? A new job as the Varsity Coach- Something that I am finally doing for an outlet for me- not cheer- just the coaching aspect- intense cheer tryouts, closing out a big year and in the process of all the fun I broke my foot! Have no idea how that happened- or even when it happened- but I do know when I realized I had broken it! HAHA! Let's just say I am thankful for pain management! And, I am also thankful for a great doctor who understood that I needed my foot for the next 4 weeks - in a BIG way!! It was so good to look back on that appointment and laugh now--The Doc- " So let me get this straight-- you are not crying because your pain is so high, you are crying because you have so much left to do and you don't think you can deal with this right now??? Yep-- that about wraps it up in a nutshell! Oh the joys of bones, they are such funny things! Even through a broken bone I can say God was again faithful- The bone that broke just took TIME :-) and the time is almost up!!
June- what a welcoming friend!! A crazy time really! Last Friday in the midst of all the holiday weekend fun Jap was offered a full ride to Clemson- and then he had such a great write up in the Tiger Beat at http://www.tigernet.com/view/story.do?id=9671- How perfect are God's plans for him- wow we thought 2 and 4 God knew 2 and 15! And that was his second offer! We think of course as his parents he is good- but when colleges come knocking we say to ourselves in amazement- WOW- he REALLY is good! And he is a great kid! Smart and HUMBLE!!!
As I sit and watch Macey and Briley at all day recital practice today I think - WOW- It is REALLY Good in the our house! I have two amazing girls that have just grown into amazing little dancers!! What a true gift each one of them have been given.
So while reflecting on these last almost 180 days I think- while I may not have written the script just that way- I can honestly say that after coming through the fire- I can say it was scripted beautifully!
Looking forward to the next 4 1/2 days to close the school year! Then no more schedules, no more clocks! Just weeks and weeks of fun!
Jasper getting his Gateway Conference Football Award! I was so proud of him! I hope he gets 2 next year~~~
Cheer tryouts! A grueling hot process- but the good news I was able to get a great base tan!
Jackson on his birthday - 4 years old!
The Macer!- I think she is about 5'5! Cannot believe it!!
Action Jackson! Always going...
Briley Bri who turned 9 exactly 1 week later!
Look who's 4!! 37 pounds-
Jackson before surgery! In May Jackson had total baby teeth restoration- There is a correlation between giving a baby a bottle for 2 years and tooth decay. It is amazing that he was in State Care and that care was so lacking at times- teeth, shots, sibling placements- I mean I could go on and on- but I will just say... GOD HAS BEEN FAITHFUL TO JACKSON!! From his tiny 2 pound start to the 37 pounds he is now 4 years later God has been right there leading him and guiding him to his family. We thank God everyday for Jackson!
The new varsity squad minus 2 girls!
Lawrence and Jackson- taking a quick nap before the big game!
Jap had a great Spring Football game! Still #3
And in the same weekend placed 2nd in an AAU tournament winning MVP :-)
The party invasion! This was the best idea ever- Constant fun from 9-9!
Just a few of the birthday cupcakes- I think that Jackson probably ate 10 of them...
Jackson and his best bud Walker Man!
Briley and Kelsey!
Jackson's new lunchbox!
This had to be the funniest thing EVER... the car quit running, so what are boys to do??
point, talk,....
touch, listen...
touch some more!!!
We hatched chickens at school this year! How much fun was that. We were able to keep two in our room for a week- Meet Buttercup and Banana- They have since returned to the farm-
Next year I am taking a turn from teaching traditional students and will be working with students that are 2-3 years behind in an accelerated program. I am very excited to have the opportunity to work with these kids and know it is WAY more than just not doing good in school. I can look back over the last ten years and just sit back and watch the movie of how God has shaped my heart and my passion for these students! I am excited about the challenge but more importantly excited about the opportunity to make a difference!
Looking forward to summer fun!
We will certainly do some grilling! We have been busy working in our yard all summer. Jackson is such a great little gardener! He has had quite a few tomatoes this year already. We are going to move his garden from containers to the ground soon! Next year he wants to plant watermelon!
We are so fortunate to live by the beach! I think this is one of my kids favorite places!
This week is VBS at our church and we are having SO MUCH FUN!!! It is really one of my favorite things in the summer! It is great to see all the kids get excited about GOD! And by Wednesday they know their songs- they are having a blast!!
Next week I will be in DC with my Patrols. Love this trip!! Love DC :-) It's one of the places I would like to live if we didn't live here.
The wildfires here are awful! It has made outdoor fun a little light a few days already. The smoke is so thick! It is hard to breathe and the ash is just awful! I don't remember the fires being this bad since 1998- when a trip to the Gulf Coast proved to be very interesting! We are expecting rain - Thursday - Sunday so hopefully many of these fires will receive the water they need. It is just so dry here-
