This Is The Year

One year .  It was one year ago today that my oldest daughter walked away from a church dance with a headache that would completely change her life.  That's not where it all began though.  It began long before then, with a girl who had a passion for soccer, and an extremely competitive nature. I haven't posted much on social media, or at all on my blog about her situation.  I don't like to publicly dwell on and lament about my family's trials.  I don't want to seem like I'm fishing for sympathy, or like I'm needy.  Maybe I'm just too prideful and don't want to seem weak.  Also, I know of others who are going through far worse trials and I feel guilty talking about ours.  But enough people know bits and pieces of her story and wonder what exactly is going on, so I thought it was time to get it all out there.  Perhaps her story will reach someone else who is going through a similar trial and help them feel less lonely.  And it will be go...

Five thoughts, five pictures.  Easy peasy.  Today I'm linking up with Emmy for Friday Five. 1 - I have too many kids.  Seriously.  I'm not saying I'm willing to give any of them up...but with 3 of them in their teen years and involved in so many activities for church, school, and their music - I honestly need a clone to get them all to the various places they all need to be throughout the week, often their commitments overlapping each other. My oldest does drive, but we are a one car family at the moment! Sometimes I feel like I'm losing my mind!  2 - I will have one less to chauffer around by the end of summer.  I don't know where time went, but Kaden will be turning 18 and leaving on a 2 year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints .  I don't even know what to do with this yet.  I'm excited and proud and can't wait to see where the Lord sends him.  But I cannot even imagine life without him in this household eve...

It's been such a busy past few months!  I'm going to recap just a bit of our crazy, fun filled life.  I think I have way too many kids!  They keep things interesting, crazy and hectic!  But I have so much I want to blog about that I'm just going to keep trying to get back here, no matter how much time gets away from me between posts! The end of September and beginning of October brought the birthdays of these beautiful girls.  What a blessing they are in my life!  Ambria turned 15, and then 6 days later, my spunky Brielle turned 9 (posted a litte about that last time). Halloween came and (thankfully) went! And although I loathe the "holiday", I actually enjoy helping my kids get all dressed up. As always we had a plentiful Thanksgiving, followed by a bit of Black Friday deal snatching.  I know a lot of people are disgruntled about the commercialism of it all, but I've got to say I was able to get something really nice that was the only thing...