Are there moments in your life you wish you could 'freeze frame'? I could think of thousands of them over my 51 years on this earth. Times I've spent with my mom, dad, and brothers, as well as my grandparents and extended family. Of course, when I met Chris and we got married, and when I gave birth to my girls are moments that stand out in my mind, too. All are snapshots in time of what has helped mold me into who I am today.
As most of you know, I thrive on time with my family...mainly when we go on vacation and step away from the usual daily demands and reconnect with each other. That's what I loved so much about our summer vacation in July to North Carolina. Here are a few shots I forgot to share of when we went white water rafting. Loved the adventure, the fun, the excitement, and the smiles and laughter...
It was yet another moment I want to have remain just as it was on that day. However, as we all know, that's only wishful thinking on my part. Time marches on. Things change. Nothing remains exactly as it was yesterday or even a moment ago.
Today marks a day I truly never thought would arrive. It's the 2nd 'anniversary' of Abby and Austin's relationship. I thought for certain that when Abby made the decision to move back home on May 7th, the relationship between her and Austin would start to wither like a wilted flower. However, it seems that the opposite has happened. Now that she's home, it's as though absence truly has made their hearts grow fonder. They aren't around each other 24/7 like they were for seven months, so they don't have the same pressures facing them like they did before. Now, thankfully, Abby has made many positive strides. She is working part-time in retail and is enrolling in a local college for the spring with plans to transfer to a larger university next fall that's an hour away. She dreams of becoming a NICU nurse or a teacher. We really hope and pray she makes it happen. However, Austin has this hold on her that I can't explain nor understand. Do we continue to be concerned? Absolutely. Is there anything we, as her parents, can do about it? Absolutely not, other than PRAY. Pray that He will continue to allow us to be positive role models for Abby, that we will continue to surround her with love, and that her eyes will be opened, eventually.
So, if I could, I would 'freeze frame' our lives two years ago before Austin and Abby met. Life was so much simpler then...we just didn't realize it. These two years have been challenging, at best, and who's to say that more challenging times don't lie ahead. However, our trust and our hope remains in God and that alone is enough to see us through whatever comes our way.
Today marks a day I truly never thought would arrive. It's the 2nd 'anniversary' of Abby and Austin's relationship. I thought for certain that when Abby made the decision to move back home on May 7th, the relationship between her and Austin would start to wither like a wilted flower. However, it seems that the opposite has happened. Now that she's home, it's as though absence truly has made their hearts grow fonder. They aren't around each other 24/7 like they were for seven months, so they don't have the same pressures facing them like they did before. Now, thankfully, Abby has made many positive strides. She is working part-time in retail and is enrolling in a local college for the spring with plans to transfer to a larger university next fall that's an hour away. She dreams of becoming a NICU nurse or a teacher. We really hope and pray she makes it happen. However, Austin has this hold on her that I can't explain nor understand. Do we continue to be concerned? Absolutely. Is there anything we, as her parents, can do about it? Absolutely not, other than PRAY. Pray that He will continue to allow us to be positive role models for Abby, that we will continue to surround her with love, and that her eyes will be opened, eventually.
So, if I could, I would 'freeze frame' our lives two years ago before Austin and Abby met. Life was so much simpler then...we just didn't realize it. These two years have been challenging, at best, and who's to say that more challenging times don't lie ahead. However, our trust and our hope remains in God and that alone is enough to see us through whatever comes our way.
