Great Waves

The Great Wave off Kanagawa - Hokusai  1832

The past month has been a tumultuous sea of emotions.  My family has felt devastated and happy, and everywhere in between, and at times, both extremes at once. On April 24th, my stepdad unexpectedly passed away.  My husband was out to sea at the time.  As soon as I found out, (on top of emotionally dealing with the news,) I was trying to price plane tickets for the girls and me.  A few days passed and T was able to come home and take emergency leave.  So, thankfully, we were all able to fly home to Texas for about a week and a half.  It was good for me to be with family.  I'm so glad we were able to help my mom out, and I was able to get some closure.  I could literally see God working and providing for all of us every day.  He never fails to amaze me.

After we returned to Virginia, T had to go back out to sea.  I was busy getting the girls back into a routine, then the following Saturday started my mom's visit here.  We had actually planned this visit months back to coincide with C's 5th birthday and her first ballet recital.  Only God knew well in advance how much we would both need that time together.

My mom and I took advantage of every single moment together.  We laughed, we cried, we talked (for hours!,) we played with the kids, took them to the beach, we studied the Bible, we worshiped together, we enjoyed the little things, and the BIG things.  It was so fulfilling.

C turned five this past weekend.  If my mom hadn't been there, I probably would have been an emotional wreck... ok, a BIGGER emotional wreck!  C's birthday fell on the same day as her ballet rehearsal for which she had to get dressed and made up.  I put as little makeup as possible, and yet I cried.  It was so hard to see her looking so grown up.  My emotions were really out of control that day.  Thankfully, C didn't seem to notice too much.

We only had to stay for C's class' dance, so afterward we came home to get ready for her birthday celebration.  My grandparents drove in for the weekend as well.  C felt so special to have everyone in town to celebrate her birthday and recital.  Since I didn't get a chance to plan the birthday party I wanted to give her, we had a small family dinner at the house, opened presents, and had C's requested strawberry cake.  I'm so grateful my family was here.  It really meant so much to C and me.  They all truly made C feel so special.

The next day, after attending church together, we all went to the recital.  C was beyond cute on stage, and I was very proud.  She had a blast.  The afternoon brought goodbyes to my grandparents as they had to go back home.  We enjoyed a Japanese take-out dinner and a family movie at home with my mom.  Then early this morning, we said goodbye to her as well, as she also had to get back home.

And now the house is quiet.

Ha! Who am I kidding?  The kids are as active and energetic as ever.  They are always who keep me focused and busy.  So, this week, we will get caught up around here.  Get back to our normal schedule, and patiently wait for Daddy to get home soon.