Final count down

Last weekend for Memorial Day my parents and my brother came into town for the races.
It was really good having them here and seeing everyone again. The races were rained out.
My parents had bought each of the children season passes to Carowinds.

My sister and her family are coming in for Warrior's graduation and they are staying a week. They have passes too.

I am so excited to go with them again!

We went the last time they came to NC.

As of May 29Th we have had 21 days of rain.

THAT is 8 days in the month of May it has not rain and we have seen the sunshine.

I think my soul feels that way too.

I am grateful for the rain. Last year we were in a severe drought so I am so thankful for the moisture!

We have had so much fun in the rain.

Dash is playing rec baseball and on the challenge team and we were just told that he made the All Star team!

We are excited.

We have less than 2 wks left of school.

Sweetheart received for the first time all A's and the her lowest A was a 96.

Her teacher went out on maternity leave.

New teacher arrives.
Sweetheart thrives again for learning.

Her first teacher about squashed her desire for learning.

Yeah, it wasn't good.

I have one graduating elementary school and one graduating High School. We are so excited and very busy.

Still unemployed in NC.
So, very grateful Mr. Incredible is working for my parents.
I had to break out the powder milk from our food storage.

Mr. Incredible can't stand the stuff but I think it is because he had to drink it when he was young.
We are livng unassisted but I fear we may need assistance soon.
If that comes that will be a huge serving of humble pie.
I know I will cry.

IF it happens, I will learn and have sympathy and empathy for others who have had to walk that path.

I know its not a path untrodden.

It has been 5 months. I had no idea I could stay so positive for so long.

I had no idea of my spiritual strength, my mental strength and physical strength.

I am SUPER WOMAN!

I have peace.

My cup may be running empty, I'm starting to feel a lull. It's just a new transition we have to go through.

The hardest cross that I have had to bear is not being a single parent. My children are older so things are so much easier. My biggest cross to bear has been material things. My focus was on new things, no regard to how much food cost. I just threw it in the buggy and whatever the cost was, it was. My heart pangs a bit when I see things on the children that I would replace or thrown out. But, instead we mend and make do.
The blessing is I know we can do without and we can do with less. What a wonderful lesson. I like the frugal person I am becoming. I have peace but I want to be a happier person.
Another cross is having to face a cold empty bed each night. The blessing is the warmth that it is filled with each time Mr. Incredible comes home. :) I'm just saying....

Warrior has helped out so much. My heart truly aches at the thought of him leaving and I know the children will feel a HUGE void as he goes off to start a new season in his life. He has truly stepped up and taken the role as the priesthood holder of our home when his dad is away. Perhaps, that is his biggest cross to bear. He has truly been there for his siblings and he has shown so much more patience and love for them. What a beautiful thing.

Mr. Incredible is indeed, INCREDIBLE!! The hardest cross that he has been asked to carry is not driving a truck, taking a big cut in pay, or the work. He can do all those things. His hardest cross to bear is missing out on all of the activities that we do. Listening to a ball game over the phone, listening to the children having fun, and having to miss family prayers. That is his hardest cross to bear. He has recognized blessings of not taking things for granted. A job that allowed him to do all those things and be such an active part in our children's lives. Blessings of true prayer and blessings of prayers being answered instantly. God, has not left us alone.

Beauty. Now, she's a tough one. She asks for nothing but I know the cross she bears. It's too personal to share. But, I feel her cross and I see the blessings that carrying that cross has brought. She is more tender and more patient. She is more helpful and more accepting.

Sweetheart, her cross to bear is she takes on all of the emotions of the family. I swear she may end up with an ulcer! She probably misses Mr. Incredible the most. She worries so much about his safety, she worries about school, she worries when I have to go to work, she worries if she will get up in time. She worries about her grades. She worries about friends. She worries! which makes me worry.

Dash, his hardest cross to bear has been responsibility. He is the baby of the family and he has been given much leniency with his birth order. His responsibility and accountability has been increased. He was comfortable just floating by and letting everyone tend to him or throwing fits and getting out of things. Fits no longer work and people no longer can cater to him. It's time to put on your big boy britches and walk the line. and GUESS WHAT???

He has stepped up to the call. He does what he is asked to do and there are no complaints or wailing or carrying on. He does it and he is quiet and ok with doing what is asked of him. Our house has been more peaceful because of his cross that he bears, silently and willfully.

Bottom line we are so blessed

Bottom line.... WE ARE SO BLESSED can I say it again,

WE ARE SO BLESSED!! Thank you Heavenly Father for blessing us with more than we deserve.

AND

I wouldn't trade our crosses with anyone! These blessings from this trial are specifically meant for us. WE are better because of them.

WE ARE FAMILY!

Sometimes, I think that we are being tested like Job. But, I will not sulk or feel sorry for ourselves for their are others with so much less and their worries are heavy and their crosses are more.