I think I'm back!

I've been blogged out. After all the pitfalls of our last year, I stopped reading everyone's flowery, pretty, perfect life blogs and quit writing my own. I was in a rut in life (see my previous post) and it was hard for me to share our own journey and equally as hard to read about the perfect lives of those I were "following." So I quit - Yeah, I know, sounds selfish, self-centered and a little angry and I admit, I was all those things. It was definitely a time for searching my life through, and figuring out what was going on with me and what we were looking toward.

So here's an update since the last post: Jon got a new job at the University as the Coordinator of Scheduling (he schedules all the on campus classes for each semester as well as overseeing all of the technology in the classroom building). It all but makes up for our financial shortfall we found ourselves in last year and so far he is doing great and really settling in there.

I am now babysitting a sweet little boy about 15 or so hours a week. It's a double blessing! While I've enjoyed it (and so have the kids!), it's also been another provision from God - the amount I'm making each month just covers are current monthly payments for my jaw treatment.

We are still looking forward toward (and I can sometimes still let myself get a little overwhelmed and anxious about) my surgery next summer. We're still not sure how we're going to do it financially (and there's no backing out now!), but I'm trusting that somehow God will provide. This surgery isn't an option for me (even though insurance seems to think so!) and God has brought me to this point and I know that He will see us through it. Your prayers are appreciated!

All that to say, God has provided! There was a short time where I didn't feel Him in my life if I'm to be honest (despite my knowledge that He was always there), but He continued to provide despite my doubt and anger. Thank goodness for His grace. And slowly He's been bringing me out of my doubt and anger and showing me what I have to look forward to, which is so much. I feel like I've been enjoying my family more again and watching my kids grow and experiencing all sorts of new changes in our life...

Ok, enough rambling. Here are a few pictures from the last few months.

** Ok, some experienced blogger needs to help me figure out how to format these pictures a little easier. I have issues every time!

Celebrating Braeden's 4th birthday.







Above: Playing at Frontier Days this summer.
Far left: Emerson's first day of Kindergarten (she was a little nervous!).
Left: Aunt Katie and Emerson.






Daddy and Landen













Right: At the hospital while Landen was sick. We never did figure out what it was!
My mom and Landen at Braeden's birthday party.

Wondering Why

We have always had it easy. We've always been covered and taken care of. But lately I've been beginning to wonder... and even then we've continued to have a warm home, all the things we need (and even things we just want) and most importantly a family that is healthy. However, it seems like things began going downhill last summer. In August I visited a doctor that informed me that I had degenerative bone disease and a jaw that is on the brink of breaking because of some severe TMJ issues. The treatment I'm undergoing includes braces (again!) and some pretty hefty surgery (scheduled for next summer) that has us looking at $60,000 in medical bills (which insurance may or may not help with - we're not sure yet).

Shortly after, in September Jon was informed he was losing his job as youth pastor for our church (along with the another staff member) reasoned as a budgetary decision. We were surprised to hear the news and really sad. We really miss the ministry and community there. Thankfully, financially, we had raised enough support to help us through the next few months (starting in January).

We're coming up on our last several weeks, however, of our savings and Jon hasn't been able to find a job to replace all of our missing income yet (a job in Laramie is hard to come by!). I've been really beginning to wonder what is next for us.

Most recently, though, on March 9th, we found out we were expecting our fourth little one. We were a little surprised, to be honest. It wasn't something we had planned, but something we welcomed! We love our family and our babies, so we began dreaming of a family of 6. We had our first ultrasound and our little peanut was healthy and looking good! Our follow up appointment a month later, May 12th (at 14 weeks along), came and we went in for our quick listen of the heartbeat. However, the doctor couldn't find the heartbeat.

Moments later an ultrasound confirmed our fears and worst nightmare. Our little one wasn't with us anymore. Jon and I were both devastated and my heart was breaking for my family. I have known other familes who have lost babies to miscarriage. I always knew it was a tragedy. I never understood, though, the depth of the hurt, pain, and the broken dream of a having a baby. I have been crying for the loss of my baby, for the loss of a little brother or sister for my other babies, and it has brought about fears of pain and suffering for my little baby as well as deep feelings of guilt. I know some of these emotions are normal and healthy and some not, but it's made me think about, struggle with, and question God and His reasons for letting things like this happen. It's been one of the most painful seasons of my life and leaving me with a desire for firm ground to stand on.

It's even made it really hard for me to get on facebook. Isn't that crazy? Sometimes I can't read status updates of friends that tell of happy events and lives that are put together and perfect. I am so so so thankful for my family, but it just feels like things have been falling apart sometimes and it's like a kick in the gut to see people enjoying their lives (as they should!) when for me, it feels like the world should stop. Unfortunately it's brought about really ugly parts of me.

I can't go on, though, without also saying that I do know deep in the depths of my heart, that I have a God (whether I understand all the why's or not) that loves me and is THE ultimate comforter. It has really been a process of reminding myself to accept the peace that comes from Him and knowing that He carries my burdens. Sometimes I really do rest in that and sometimes I don't, but it's always a journey, isn't it? (Beth Moore has a bible study about Esther. It reminds me of "If ____ (fill in the blank), then God." for anyone else who has read that particular study)

Anyway, our family covets your prayers. And I thought I'd pass along the news to the FB friends who hadn't heard. And thank you to those who have shared love and encouragement with us while we've been pondering all the why's.