Wordless Wednesday- In Honor of Gigi Weekend

Family time

This has been one of the strangest weeks of my life. Both Brett's promotion and my Gigi's passing seem so surreal. My parents got into town on Wednesday and we have been enjoying each other's company so much. This is uncharted territory for all of us in regards to grieving. I had no expectations for this visit, wasn't really sure what it was going to look like. Thankfully, my parents and I share the same hope and faith and that's really what gets you through these tough times.

In honor of Gigi we are spending time together and making new memories. On Thursday we went to the Pumpkin Patch and on Friday we headed out to the beach. Luckily, none of us are the type to sit around and be sad. Yes, we all have our moments of sadness but overall, we try to live as Gigi would have wanted us to....with the joy of the Lord as our strength. My dad goes home on Monday and my mom gets to stay another week which will be nice.

Brett was blessed to have his new role as property manager start on Monday so that means he had a 4 day weekend with my parents. So amazing. We are going to church tomorrow morning as a family and I'm so excited. I know that as I worship in God's presence, my Gigi will be up in heaven singing along.

Thanks again for all your well wishes and prayers....they are really helping. My biggest concern has just been being there for my parents and taking care of them. Emersyn just loves her MiMi and Grandpa and it brings me so much joy to hear her laughing and playing with them while I am doing various things around the house.

I'll post more pics later but here's one of my favorites from yesterday. Have a great weekend everyone!

Wordless Wednesday

Thank You

Emersyn says, "Happy Fall!"

Wow, what an incredible emotional roller coaster yesterday was. Looking back it seems like a dream. I'm so grateful for everyone's sweet comments, facebook messages, texts, etc. I truly have a wonderful community of friends and I treasure each and every one of you.

Last night my brother and his wife came over and we had a nice evening of just being together. I've never experienced any grief like this before, other then when we had to put our dog to sleep, but this obviously has a much more emotional impact. The hardest part for me to process is that my Gigi wont get to see any of my future kids or my brother's kids. I can't dwell on that though and I need to just be SO grateful that her and Emersyn got to spend two wonderful years together and I know Emersyn will never forget her. My parents get into town tomorrow and I have been able to stay busy. I went to Bible Study this morning where I got my butt kick and heart challenged by the study we are doing. :) Afterwards I went to lunch downtown with Brett. I am taking the week off for bereavement leave and I'm so grateful.

The exciting news that came yesterday regarding Brett's promotion seemed so anti-climatic and I felt bad for him. Brett was wonderfully supportive though and offered to come home but since they are still ironing out the details of his promotion, I thought it would be best for him to stick around. We are still waiting for the salary proposal but I know that God is faithful. If everything goes as *planned*, I will be able to stay home with Emersyn by Christmas time. Wow.

Yesterday before any of this happened, I had mentally composed a blog post about how I was at peace with whatever decision that the Lord had regarding the promotion. Just as I have to encourage my various friends to accept the place that the Lord has them, I too need to do the same thing. I HAVE to be okay with the fact that I *might* need to work part time while my kids are little. Once that acceptance comes, freedom accompanies it. It's not an easy thing to accept, just as I once had to accept that I *might* not ever get married, *might* not ever own a home, etc. And as usual, my God is faithful. I know that being a SAHM mom isn't a vacation. I know that I am lucky that when my current job is slow, I am essentially getting paid to read blogs and surf the internet. I know that a toddler can be far more challenging then any co-worker I have ever encountered. I am challenged to be a good steward with my time and learn how to do that. I might need some of ya'all's advice...I've never been a SAHM before. :)

I'm so excited to see my parents. I hope we can make some fun memories, head out to the pumpkin patch and take some pictures and just enjoy each other.

Thanks again to each of you who took the time to express both your sympathy and congrats. XOXO

Bittersweet

Today I got a phone call that my husband got the long awaited promotion without even having to interview, praise God.

I also got a call that my sweet Gigi went to be with Jesus this afternoon. I am rejoicing that she is pain free but saddened for her absence here on earth. My parents get into town on Wednesday and will be here for a week.

God is faithful.

More prayers needed!!!

As if this week wasn't emotionally draining as it already was, today I got a phone call that induced a whole other kind of flood of emotions. Brett's property manager has accepted a promotion, meaning her position is available. Brett, being the assistant manager, is really the ideal candidate. He has been there almost two years and has done a great job. He recently got a glowing review that stated that he is completely ready for a promotion. However, per company protocol, the position has to be posted within the company and other candidates will and already have interviewed.

This is the phone call I have been waiting to receive for a long time, however, both Brett and I are kind of overwhelmed. With this promotion, I could have the opportunity to stay home full time with Emersyn and do real estate on the side. This is my hearts desire and has been since I became a mother. This would also let Brett work M-F, another great opportunity for our family. We could start going to church again on Sunday mornings, Brett wouldn't have to miss so many birthday parties and family functions, etc.

I am so nervous to hope, to believe. I need to though. God has been so good to me so far in my life and no matter what happens with this opportunity, He is still good. I get so used to encouraging others to trust in Him, believe that He wants the best for our lives....yet, when I am called to practice what I preach so to speak, I often have those same worries and fears that plague many of the friends I try to encourage.

Brett will be interviewing either Monday or Tuesday. I would appreciate your prayers. The timing of all this with what's going on with my grandma is a little unsettling emotionally like I said, but no matter what, God is good and I truly want His will for my life, even if *gulp* that means I have to work a little longer. I am so so blessed. Please pray for favor for Brett within his company. Thank you!!!

Have a wonderful Sunday everyone.

Friday

Let's be honest....I've been kind of a downer on here lately and rightly so, I've got some very real, very sad life issues going on. Today I'm having a great day. My husband has been amazingly wonderful and supportive for the last few days (and really for our entire marriage but especially lately). Apparently he reads my blog because yesterday I came home from work and ALL, yes ALL the laundry had been washed, folded and put away. I swooned when I saw the empty chair in our room that had full of clean laundry when I had left that morning. Thanks babe.

I've been in touch with my parents and they are hanging in there. I desperately wish I was there to take care of THEM. I am praying for them though constantly and my dad said that they can feel it. I'll keep you all posted. I've gotten so many sweet emails, texts, etc. and I am so truly thankful for my wonderful friends.

Tonight we are hanging out with our neighbor's kids so they can go on a much needed date night. Emersyn misses them as we haven't hung out in awhile and I'm happy she will get to play with them. I'm sure she'll be in a great mood too, she has slept for almost three hours this afternoon! I've enjoyed a low key afternoon of video uploading, working on my Bible Study and just relaxing.

Happy Friday everyone!