checking in!

Hello Friends.

I miss you! I'm really going to try to get better about blogging. I miss the therapy and I miss the community. And I love having a journal of the boys' lives. The last two years will just be sort of missing. :)

Things are going really well. Jonah has started Kindergarten (a post on that to come soon) and is totally in love with his school and his teachers. Because our school system would not qualify him as special needs, he would not have had an aide to help him (really just best not to get me started), so we opted to send him to a half day private school that we LOVE. Seriously, it is such a blessing. School is something I have been thinking about since Jonah was probably a year old, and has always been a source of anxiety for me. But from the first time I walked into this school, I have felt God's hand all over it and such a peace. It's where he is meant to be and we are so grateful.

G is mischievous, into-everything, sweet, rotten, snuggly, strong-willed, and hilarious. He writes on the table, puts my hairbrush in the toilet, and never fails to "help" load and unload the dishwasher. He has dimples that make you want to squeeze him and says "Mama!" every time I come back (even if I've only been gone 30 seconds) in such a way that melts my heart. Like I'm his everything. It's pretty amazing. I know you guys are dying to hear news of his adoption, and so are we! We have officially entered the adoption phase, but it's looking like it will be November or December before it finalizes. We are okay with this and are just so grateful that he's ours. But I can't wait to blow up the internet with his sweet face.

For now, here are a couple from the last couple of weeks -

From the fair this past Saturday. G wasn't technically 34 inches, but needed to be to ride most of the rides. So maybe I poofed up his hair a little bit to add half an inch. I couldn't rightly say.

Tonight he weighed himself whilst eating Doritos. We share the same health and wellness philosophy.

From the Greenway Trail in Boone. We went to visit my sister at App two weekends ago.

Jonah was a ring-bearer in Matt's cousin Jake's wedding last weekend (another post to come). He was maybe the cutest ring bearer on the face of the planet ever. And by maybe I mean certainly. He couldn't wear the dress shoes, too narrow for his bandaged feet, but check out his sweet Chucks!

The first day it was cool enough to wear fall clothes. I thought he looked adorable. Later found out these were girls pants. Whoever handed him down girls pants better watch out. You may suffer the wrath of my mother-in-law. Can you see it though? The ruffles on the pockets? My bad.

It's almost midnight and I'm off to bed because the thing about my sweet, peaceful children? THEY WAKE UP. And they need things. Lots of things. Constantly.

Love to all of you. I hope in all things you see that God is working them for good. He does, you know. He's faithful like that. He's a Redeemer of Stories. Make sure to take note of how He's working to redeem yours. Because I promise He is.

a sweet mercy

I have had a really hard time this week dealing with some of the things Jonah/we aren't getting to do/be a part of because of his EB. I have been bitter and resentful and really struggling. And even though I was being ungrateful and overly dramatic, God gave us a special treat today and I'm so thankful. We went up to Stone Mountain today with my Dad, Maw Maw, and Paw Paw. We went to the falls there (knowing it would be about 15 degrees cooler and bearable for Jonah). Although I had pre-discussed with Jonah that he couldn't get in the water because of his bandages (I had no way to do dressing change if he got wet) and he agreed he would be happy just watching, he got pretty sad once we got there. He, all of a sudden, got a really sad look on his face and when I asked him what was wrong, he said, "I just see all those other kids having fun and I wish I could have fun like that too." So you better believe I grabbed his hand and we headed straight for the water, bandages and all. He got a few extra blisters because of it and his bandages got soaked and filthy, but we just put a towel in his car seat, let him stay soaked for a few hours till I could get home and give him a bath, and the world did not end. So glad we got to experience life in this way. I grew up in the woods and going to the mountains and I have ached for him to have those experiences. Today was his first time ever in the woods! Thanking God tonight for possibly-bacteria-laden creek water, filthy sand-filled bandages, priceless memories, and sweet mercies.

(Don't miss the video. It's the best part.  )

"punkin" patch

"Hey, Mom! You like this boo boo punkin?" (And then we bought it.)

beach day!

Last week at had my annual girly doctor visit (stick with me), and they put me in a room but then made me wait forever. They had a sound machine in the room and it was playing ocean sounds. It was actually really relaxing and I may or may not have fallen asleep in my gown on the table. I couldn't rightly say.

Anyhoo, because of the sound machine, while still in the doctor's office, I texted Matt and said that we should come down to SC to his parents and see if his folks could keep the boys so he and I could go to Myrtle Beach for the day. We realized it had been over three years since we had been to the beach! Of course, Matt's parents said yes, and so today we spent the day, just the two of us, at the beach!

It takes an hour and 45 minutes or so to get to the beach from their place, so we got there around 9:30 or so this morning, ate breakfast, spent most of the day at the beach, stopped by the outlets, and then headed to Chesapeake House for dinner. Best. Hushpuppies. Ever.

It was relaxing and rejuvenating. We laughed a lot and talked a lot and had a really great day. And then came home to the two sweetest boys on the planet, who we missed very much. We are so blessed.

the fair!

A few weekends ago we got to go to the fair. One of my favorite Fall things... I'll let the photos speak for themselves. Both boys are asleep so I'm well on my way. :)

jasmine and juliana and the park

We got to meet Kathryn, the girls she nannies for, and her family at Hanes Park today. It's been a hard day and took us a while to get out of the house, but we had fun. Jonah LOVES Jasmine and Juliana, and we are very very sad that they will be moving away in about ten days. 

It hit me today that these girls are probably his best friends and the kids he plays with the most. We've had numerous play dates and have been to SciWorks with them a couple of times. He just loves them so much.

And they are just so so sweet to him and love him so much too. Kathryn says they ask about him and want to come over all the time.

We sure will miss you, Sweet Girls. You'll always hold a special place in this sentimental momma's heart. Thank you for loving my boy and seeing past his boo boos. Praying he will have many friends in his future who have wonderful hearts, just like yours.

And when you come back our way to visit, tell your Momma we better be on the list! :)

splash pad!

We got to come to Florence this weekend to visit Matt's parents, sister, and her kiddos. Last week was the big family beach week, so Kim and the kids are down from New York. They came to Granny and Grandaddy's for this next week, so Matt and I wanted to make sure we came for the weekend and Jonah got to play with his cousins (since we can't go to the beach anymore). Matt took off work today and we'll be heading back this evening around dinner time.

Yesterday, we took Jonah to a Splash Pad for the first time. HE HAD SO MUCH FUN! It was really nerve-wracking because if he had fallen, it would have been REALLY bad (he wasn't wearing bandages, only Tubifast garments). We just stayed right with him the whole time. Not the most relaxing thing, but fun, nonetheless. Worth it, for sure.