Wow! How time flies! I have for so long been meaning to get back to blogging and sharing our story with others. God has just blessed us tremendously, and I have wanted to soak up every minute of it. I want to start by saying thanks to all those who have helped us get to where we are. I don't know how we would do it with out you and all of your support. Thanks!
Well I am really behind from the last post.....whoops.
I guess I should catch everyone up. The last post I posted was the week after we got the boys. It has now been a year and three months since they moved in with us (wow! it seems like so much longer). May, June, and July from last year are all really a blur to me. Those months were some of the scariest, busiest times of our lives. But it was also a time that we had to rely on the Lord. As you know from the previous posts, my Uncle Ricky was sick. During this time, Rene and I would drive to Tuscaloosa and let the boys visit with him. My uncle was even able to come and watch the boys play a baseball game. This was a very hard time because Rene and I weren't really sure what our position was yet....parents? babysitters? aunt and uncle? We didn't want to step on any toes within our family, but we also wanted what was best for the boys and my uncle.
My uncle got really sick at the end of May. Thankfully the boys and I were able to go on a beach trip with him. It gave the boys a great last memory with their real dad. Tears just come to my eyes thinking about it...and how clueless the boys were. I don't know if clueless is the right word. The boys were use to people being sick and dying (so sad). They knew their dad was sick, and in their life when people got sick they went to heaven. In that past year, they lost their grandmother, a family friend who lived with them, their mom, and now their dad. They were so content with him being sick. I think it was through God's faithful love for us and them, because He was able to allow them to see past his sickness.
My uncle passed June 8, and it was probably one of the toughest things I have been through. Not only did my uncle pass away, but he left his precious kids in our hands! US! A 21 and 23 (at the time)! In the moment, everything just begins to sink in. God?? What are we suppose to do? How are we to be parents to two precious children who just lost both of their parents? Will they need counseling? Do I? In this moment, all we could do is trust in God's Faithful Love. He has a plan, and who am I to question what it may be? TRUST!
The rest of the summer was a blur. We had lots of fun. Really just spent time adjusting to life.
In August, I had several elementary education interviews, but God's plan wasn't for me to be in that setting. About five days before school started, I got contacted about a preschool opening across the street from the boys school with 2 year olds....I took it! It was perfect! It was half a day, and flexible enough for me go to doctor's appointments, field trips, etc. I was also able to take the boys to school in the mornings, which I loved. There is nothing like worshipping and praying with your boys in the morning. This is also where I met some great friends, who I still care so much about.
Jerry went to Kindergarten and Alanus 1st grade, and you never would have known they had lost so many family members. They were the most joyful little boys :) It was amazing to see God work in them and give them peace and understanding. Anytime their parents came up, they would just say "yea, they are in heaven with Jesus. I bet they feel a lot better." Then on to the next subject of birds, Ironman, or like all boys armpit noises. I grew up with five sisters, so all of these things were new to me. I had to learn and am still learning what is too much, what is too far, and what they need. These things came with time, and I know they were all from above.
That semester the boys played fall soccer....HA We thought we were being such smart parents because it was "fall." "Oh it won't be too hot or too cold"...HAHA It was freezing!!! I remember one game we went loaded with hot chocolate, sleeping bags, and hot hands. We on the side line were freezing, but the boys...they wanted to take off some layers. I may have put on too many I admit, but hey, I didn't want them to be freezing. They loved soccer though! Alanus was a beast! He would take hold of that ball from any player!! One day, he is going to be the best linebacker you know. Jerry, played goalie. He loved it and was quite good at it if you ask me.
For the holidays, it was different. Our first year of marriage was spent mostly at home with a few vacations. This year it seemed like we didn't stop. Our car came home a lot differently then when we left. It was LOADED down with presents. L-O-A-D-E-D!!! The boys were treated as if they had always been family. Now, the presents is not what made us or the boys feel so special. It was all the love they received. The hugs. The kisses. The time spent together playing, talking, and who knows what else. It just makes your heart melt. All of the kids on all sides of the family got along. It was like they had been cousins since birth. The boys were so happy and it made us happy too.
Right before the holidays, I guess around November, the boys started calling us Mom and Dad off and on. This took us by surprise. It seemed like it happened so fast, but it was affirmation too. If they were comfortable enough with us to call us those special names, they must be accepting of this being their home. At this time, Rene and I prayed about it and felt like we were being lead to be permanent Mommy and Daddy to these two boys. OUR boys. And to tell you the truth, I don't remember life without them. I don't remember not being called Mommy. I don't remember being just a married couple. Now don't get me wrong, we love our alone time, but we do miss them in it. Life just isn't the same without them. We are a family.
It amazes me to see God's faithful love through it all. In the beginning, we were so nervous and anxious for what was ahead. But He knew. He guided us, gave us the words to say, the actions to take, and most importantly the times to be silent and let Him guide. I am so thankful that I have a Heavenly Father who is always there to guide me.
Props to all you moms out there. And especially to the two who have influenced me the most, Nana and KK. Without your guidance, words of encouragement, and example in our life, I wouldn't know where to start. God blessed me with women who I could look up to and learn from. Thank you Lord for all of these blessings.
"Faithful Love flowing down, from the throne covered crown. Makes me whole, saves my soul, washes whiter than snow. Faithful Love calms each fear, reaches down, dries each tear, holds my hand when I can't stand on my own."
The rest will have to be put on hold until another post...Until then..
