Instead of blogging tonight, I’d like to ask my readers over to head over to my friend Erin’s blog to read about her precious daughter Bekah. She left her earthly body today and I’d like to help her story reach as many as possible. You can read Erin’s post here.
Category Archives: Everyday Life
August Photo Recap
Each month, I share how I did the previous month with my 365 goals and also share upcoming goals for the next month. I’m down to my last month of my 365. WHEW.
August Goals
- Reconnecting with friends
- End of Summer Fun
- Start of School
- Saying Goodbye to Big L
So, how did I do?
Reconnecting with friends
After visiting my family for a long period of time this summer, it was nice to see our friends again! However, August was still a pretty jam-packed month and we didn’t spend a ton of time with friends. But, the few times and few friends we did see, were well documented instances. Like Busker Fest.
End of Summer Fun
Yes, we had it! We had so much fun this summer, and one of my favorite memories towards the end of the summer was our silly string fights. It was a great way to laugh as a family and have fun!
Start of School
August marked the start of the school year for us. I am continuing my tradition of having the kids pose by the gate for their first day of school. This is an easy way notice their growth!
Saying Goodbye to Big L
I took so many photos in Big L’s last few days with us. And, I’m glad to have all of them.
September Must-Capture List:
- Gus’s start of school
- My birthday 🙂
The Heart-shaped Hole
The Friday before Big L left, we hung out with my friend Danae and her family for the last time with Big L there. I’m so blessed to have Danae as my friend. She’s the best kind of cheerleader and gift giver and listener and advice giver and I could go on and on. But, I’m sorry, she’s mine and I won’t share her. Just kidding, maybe if you’re nice.
Danae pressed a box into my hand. “This is for you and [Big L]. To give to her at the airport.”
And I opened the lid to find two necklaces. A heart and a circle with a heart cut out.
Flashback to a few days prior, another friend and I had been discussing gifts for Big L after she returned. My friend suggested necklaces like this and sent me a few links, but they were all either too expensive or not something I’d be able to get in the time we had. Danae had no clue I had been looking at these necklaces and I think she must have ordered it long before.
Big L loved this little gift, which I waited to give to her until just shortly before the goodbye.
They fit perfectly together.
And, it’s fitting with how I’m feeling. I handed over a big chunk of my heart to that kid.
The Goodbye
I woke up the next morning, exhausted. I had stayed up a bit too late putting the finishing touches on Big L’s scrapbook. Tired, but worth it.
Again, we went over to my sister’s house. She had brunch for us. And then, everyone looked through Big L’s scrapbook, recalling all of the wonderful memories.
And, far too soon, it was time to say goodbye to my sister and her family.
Tears and hugs. My nephew, Owen, who is the same age as Big L said, “This is a solemn moment in our history. All good people must say goodbye.” Truth.
Bags were packed. 😦
Last Exit in Pennsylvania. NO! Can’t we just stay in Pennsylvania?
But, no, we had to go to the airport.
When we arrived, there were many other host families there already. Many of the kids seemed to be congregating and catching up on their summers. But, Big L stuck with me and my parents, beyond yelling a quick hello to some boys from her school. I was a bit clueless about how this whole thing worked, but once again, Big L showed her maturity by going up to the chaperone and requesting her passport, so we could wait in line to get her boarding pass. And, I had to smile when we were at the ticket counter, checking her in. The agent realized that she was not old enough to travel alone, as many of the kids weren’t. He had already checked many of the host kids in, but perhaps they were all old enough to travel alone. She’s not. So, he asked where the chaperone was. My mom went to grab the chaperone, and Big L whispered “she doesn’t speak English.” Uh oh. The chaperone was very confused, but Big L did a bit of translating for her and sorted things out. Clever girl, speaking more English than her chaperone, meanwhile telling us that she does not speak English. Yeah, sure.
With my parents.
They didn’t coordinate wearing KU colors to go with Big L’s KU shirt, but it’s quite fitting.
And, the goodbye.
Wow. It doesn’t seem so long since they walked through security for our hello, and then, they were gone. 😦
My mom kept saying, “she’s not the same girl we picked up at the airport.” No, no, she’s not. Remember her? That girl was brave, but this girl truly opened up and is so very loved. I just keep praying she remembers that.
The Last Full Day
I’m sharing about Big L’s last couple of days with us.
I got Big L up very early yesterday morning and Aaron took us to the airport. I hadn’t slept— I had stayed up, adding to her scrapbook and packing her bags.
A hug goodbye from Aaron, and there we were, waiting in the airport. To quote Big L, this was a “very very bad” day. We sat and listened to music together while we waited. We sung the English version of Hosanna in church a couple of weeks ago and she was really excited when I showed her that there was a Russian version as well. It’s become a favorite of hers.
First flight down and we grabbed donuts. Because, a “very very bad day” calls for donuts, right?
One more flight and my parents picked us up. We did a quick detour to Hamilton Park, which is just across the Hudson River from New York City. When we got out of the car, Big L yelled “Look!!!” and pointed to a woman doing sit-ups. Not too overwhelmed by the NY skyline, I guess. She pointed out every passing helicopter while we pointed out the well known buildings.
Then, it was back to my parents’ house. She had a couple of gifts waiting there for her. First, a stuffed squirrel. She always says “squirrel!!!!” whenever she sees a squirrel. Such excitement over a common furry creature. So, my mom thought a stuffed one was only appropriate. And, she also got to open up a package from another host mom, some Ohio Buckeyes paraphernalia in her favorite color, red.
We didn’t stay home long, because we had PLANS. We would have taken her to New York City, if we thought she’d enjoy that, but even more than NYC, we thought she’d like to see my sister’s kids and go to the pool with them. So, we did.
After a month apart, their greeting was a bit awkward. The older boys all shook her hand, but my niece and the youngest two boys gave her a hug. But, they quickly jumped back into playing together. Big L had brought them all cards. Even the littlest.
(he was just getting over being sick, which is why he has a weird rash.)
The preteens. Still wrestling.
After the pool, we headed to my sister’s house for dinner and to celebrate my nephew’s birthday. His birthday is actually the next day, but they wanted to celebrate with Big L there.
My sister is awesome at the hospitality stuff. She has a big chalkboard in her dining room where she writes important things. For this day, she put Big L’s name on it. I took a picture, but of course, I am not sharing Big L’s real name on here. 🙂
My sister is also awesome at the cooking part.
And making cheesecakes. It was delicious!
Happy Birthday, Bram!
We spent Big L’s last evening with us eating cheesecake and prancersizing and watching my niece pretend to be a horse. Totally ridiculous, but just the sort of thing you do with family.
Then, we headed back to my parent’s house to pack. Which also turned out to be pretty silly, with vacuum sealed bags and Big L trying on almost every piece of clothing she had, and exclaiming “YUCK!” at a few items.
And then, I tucked her in one last time…
a moose in moscow 