Mad, really Mad

I am sorry for the negative turn in my blog writing. It is my blog, however, and I need it to vent. I don't know why it makes me feel better but it does.

I am just pissed tonight. Sorry for the foul language but it is necessary. I am incredibly angry that Tonya has to go through all of this. I am also just pretty darn weepy about it all. My mom says we cry to bear one another's burdens and I think she is right. I have this huge hole in my heart that truly just aches for Blake. I guess because I know how much he truly loves Tonya. I love Greg like that. I cannot even imagine how it feels to have to walk through something like this. It really is just pretty darn crappy. I wish I could click my heals and make it all better. Maybe my sisterly gift is to bear his burdens. I wish it were that simple. So, that's my new prayer. That maybe, just maybe I can bear the burden that is on his heart. It's the least I could do.

"Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ."--Gal 6: 2

Prayers are still being accepted here. I'll keep reminding you if you keep reading. Love to you all.

The Joys of Childhood

I love getting to look through the eyes of a child again. I love the things that make them happy. All the grown up issues in the world don't matter when you are a child. If only we could always live like that....in the land of a popsicle making you soooo happy. :) These sweet children are such a joy.

I adore these moments. This one lasted for quite a while. A stick of cheese, a cup of milk, a blanket, and some curious george=one priceless moment for this mommy. :)

Life with best friends is so fun....although I might should refer to them as best enemies. :)

May we always find the joy of our children. I know I am learning to stop and enjoy it. :)

Changes

I learned a while back to never expect things that come my way. Things never work out quite how I want. I am always learning that God's timing is way better than my own. It is a hard lesson to learn but it has really been a good one. I have a lot on my mind tonight so please forgive me if I run on and on. If you are here for a sappy sweet update of my wonderful life I apologize in advance. :)

There has been a lot going on in the Olliff/Sartin household lately. Greg and I left church one Sunday in February and looked at each other. I simply said I would like to try another church. He simply 100% agreed with me. It has been something we have talked and talked about for years but I think finally God spoke to us at the same time. So, we visited a new church and really are enjoying it. It is a nice mixture of our two backgrounds and actually feels like somewhere that WE are choosing together. I am proud of him for stepping up and stepping away from his comfort zone. It is not something he likes to do. I miss my friends at our old Sunday School class with my entire heart. I hate so much I couldn't bring them with me. We just had to follow God's lead on this one and I really think we are making a good choice for our little family. Kennedy and Whit are loving it and that is really important to me too.

Drama seems to surround me. I have been upset at a few things lately. I was dealing with so much when we got the phone call about Tonya. Bam. Life changed.....Katie corrected. Drama ended. Life changed forever really. Things of this world are so trivial. We worry about what others think, we worry about how much money we have, we worry if we are making the right decision about something. It's all so silly when you think about it. Each day is a gift. Each moment is precious. Each breath that we are given to breathe should be used for His glory not our own. It shouldn't be filled with any type of negativity.

All this to say I am done. I am done being mad at a friend that hurt my heart. She didn't mean to. I am over it. I am done trying to be the person in the middle. DONE. I am done trying to make everyone happy. DONE.

I have people in my life that are hurting. I ache just thinking about what Blake goes through each night when he falls asleep. So each night when I fall asleep I pray for them. I pray for my brother that has always taken care of me. I pray that he has strength to walk through this with the one he loves so dearly. They are a pair those two. I have always made fun of how sappy in love they are. They've been together for like a 100 years now! Tonya always says it doesn't matter how your house looks, it matters if you are happy. Is our house clean today? Who cares? Did we have fun today? That's what is important! Maybe I should take on their philosophy from now on.

Life's about living. It brings changes that we don't always like. I know I learning through all this how special my whole family is to me. I would do anything to change all of this but instead I'll just pray. I'll pray that God changes things. I'll pray that He walks Tonya through all of this with strength she never knew she had. I'd love to change the circumstances completely and make none of this ever happen. But instead, I think each of us are changed.

Beach Trip!

We went to house sit for MeMe and Pops this weekend with the Prossers. The kids got to enjoy the beach on Saturday. It was FUN! I will say it was not my most enjoyable experience at St. Simons. There were some characters out to say the least. So, MeMe, if you could please talk to people ahead of time and let the learn a little beach etiquette I would appreciate it. It was crazy over there!! Here are some of my favs from the weekend.

Waiting to leave. Ha..ha!

My sweet boy...he HATED the water. Maybe it was too cold. He was SO scared of the water! We'll work on it I guess!

She LOVES everything about a beach day. I LOVE that about her.

Our girls....I love this one. They are going to be good friends. :)

Helping little brother. :)

DORKS :)

The only pic I have of Drew and K on the beach. They wouldn't stand still!

FUN!

Crazy Baby

This is what happens when I put water in the sand and water table.

It now only has sand in it. :)

LIFE

Spring is all about things coming alive. I love to see the flowers blooming. I love this weather with my entire soul! It just makes things happier. We received some hard news this week. My sister in law was diagnosed with breast cancer. She's 35 and she and my brother have 3 young children. You don't expect to hear something like that at this age. It's been a whirlwind of emotions among our families. It is funny how marriage unites even more that just two people. Every night since I heard I am praying hard for healing for Tonya. I am praying for her strength as a mom to be able to walk through all of this. I am praying for my sweet nieces and nephew. I am praying that my brother can continue to be a strong man of God as he has to watch the one he loves so much deal with all of this. And I know, that out there the same prayers are being lifted up by her family as well as mine....that along with the million dear friends that they have. I truly believe that prayers can change things. I don't like to ask why anymore, because I think eventually we are shown why. I will only ask for peace and healing right now.

Well, it's Spring now. Spring reminds me of LIFE. I don't think that is coincidence about the timing of all of this. Life is precious. Each day we have together is truly God given. I am always so thankful to see my kids grow. We should soak in each day. Not everyday brings joy, but God's love and blessings are in each one of them. We just have to find them. I'm going to spend this spring praying for life. We'll look to the future and the positive things that are coming.

Father Daughter Dance

In the corner of my kitchen sits a little tiny picture in a small red frame. You might have been to my house a million times and not noticed it. It holds a picture of sweet little Bethany Green. She is the daughter of our dear friends, Brooke and Boyd. I remember the day I got to meet her. I looked into the eyes of a newborn that we knew would not be here on earth long. I don't think I'll ever forget what that did to me. I didn't have children of my own yet. I didn't even know how that bond felt, but I did see the pain and strength of two parents that had to let go of their precious child. I am so thankful to have been able to meet her. She has been a huge part in my raising of my children. She taught me to be thankful for each and every day we have with our little ones. Not every Mommy and Daddy get this many days to see their little ones grow. I am truly blessed. Brooke and Boyd have a foundation called Bethany's Place in honor of their daugther. The hopes of the foundation are that they will create a hospice for children. Each year they hold the Father Daughter Dance in order to raise money. I absolutely adore this day. It is a day we celebrate our daughters. We shower them with pretty things and a magical night. They are precious gifts these little girls. I am honored to be the mommy of my sweet Kennedy. She danced the night away and is still talking about it. What a sweet, sweet night. :)

The boys...sending her off to the dance with kisses. :)

My precious, precious family

Bye! Have fun!!!