Finding Balance

I took this on Mackinac Island

I find myself doing a balancing act lately.  I really feel like this summer was a bummer for our family and that really upsets me.  I am trying to see the bright side of things, like getting to spend tons of quality time together under one roof while taking care of Dayton and his needs.  Just last week he had his last appt. with the surgeon and she lifted all of his restrictions, he was thrilled and wanted to go immediately to tennis practice.  This poor kid is going stir crazy!  Unfortunately, over the past few days he has developed quite a bump at the bottom of his 7 inch scar, we asked his physical therapist about it  and he told Dayton it was time to take a rest, grab a megaphone and pom poms and cheer from the sidelines, he was not happy about this at ALL!!  And as his momma my heart was broken too. The surgeon wanted to see him and she determined that he either has a stress fracture or that he has an infection due to irritation by the hardware (screws and plate).  She wants him to not do anything physical for 2 weeks, then we go back in and see what she says.  It has been 3 months since he broke it and had surgery.  To say he is frustrated is an understatement but he does not complain, EVER!  Bless his heart!  So please pray that after this next 2 weeks he will be able to resume to normal activity without any complications.  If we do then it looks like the plate will have to come out, something we had not planned on for about another year or so (if ever). 

So inspite of all of the medical issues we have dealt with this summer we are trying to squeeze in a few small activities before school starts next week.  I feel the need to clean and organize, a summer with all of us living here around the clock has taken its toll on the house but oh well, it can wait till the kiddos go to school!  I am going to have to adjust to not having any children at home, Myah will be going to all day kindergarten, except for Fridays, that is her day off.  I am really looking forward to some peace around here even though I will miss them terribly!  It has been a LOOOONG summer! 

Mom and I this past weekend

We have another situation in our family right now that has our family on our knees.  My mom has been working for 32 years and is retiring at the end of September!  We are so happy for her!  She has worked full time since I was 8 years old, I can't wait to make some memories with her finally!!!   As she puts it "her timing is impecable, unfortunately,  she went in for a colonoscopy and cancer was found.  She has had a few procedures in the past 2 months and we are awaiting a cat scan and an appt. with the surgeon to learn about everything going on and when the surgery will be.  Of course this all happens to be at a time when she should be celebrating, Why are things always so bittersweet?  I hate to see her retire under these circumstances but we are trying to see the bright side, she will be able to not use any sick time at work, or feel obligated to rush back, she can take all the time she needs to recover.    It does scare us but we have faith that they caught everything early but we will know more in a few weeks.  I ask that you please keep her in your prayers.   I really did not think that this is something we would have to deal with so soon after losing my Dad but we know that  our faith and trust will get us through.  These are the times when I wish I did not live 2 hours away.

So as my first month in my 40's has passed I realize how patient I have become over the summer.  I have discovered that I am much stronger than I ever imagined.  I have learned to just "let things go" and to "go with the flow" so much easier than I used to.  I can be content at home and just "be" without finding a million reasons as to why I need to be on the go.  I have learned that I have such a beautiful little family, my husband and children make me so happy ( so frustrated too at times), but I have been able to enjoy sweet time with them that I will never get back again, I loved staying up late at night watching tv with Dayton while we had to sleep downstairs.  I learned so much about him!  I think it gave him a new perspective on us too, he wrote me just the sweetest thank you note that made me cry. 

The last day in their house, the movers were there packing.  Taylor, Lora and Rachel were left to clean up!

We also are bummed because Mark's older brother Scott and his family just moved to Iowa, he received a great promotion and decided to leave.  We are missing them so much already!!  I will miss Lora's sweet advice, she is an amazing Christian mother and wife, she has been a great role model for me!  We are learning how to Skype so that should help close the gap between us.  We can hardly wait to visit them! They just moved out there last week, Scott has been gone since May, Lora and Rachel were finally able to join them.  Myah told me last night that she misses Rachel, and that Rachel told her that whenever she misses her Myah can call her, she is so sweet!  Nate and Taylor are both at college now in two different states, I don't know how she balances everything the way she does. 

 I realize this post has become lengthy but I finally had time to put a few thoughts down.  I ask that you cover our family in your prayers, we have so many areas that need it right now.  Now I am off to enjoy the last week that is left of summer!!!

For some reason this picture cannot be removed!  Maybe it is a sign that I need to really find some balance,ha ha!