So we all have our ways of coping with overwhelm. Clearly mine was to step away from this blog for several months and just….deal.
‘Cause that’s what I’ve been doing but now?
I’m back. 😋
Back on Track and Feeling Fine
To bring you up to speed and because not everyone’s on Facebook, here’s the briefest of recaps. May 1st was the one-year anniversary of my mother’s funeral.
Isn’t she beautiful?
And then in February of this year…just one week after my last entry on this blog and one day before my husband’s birthday…
My beloved papa joined his beautiful bride.
I had the profound honor of writing my dad’s obituary. You may read it here if you like: George Ethier Obituary.
I’m happy for them but sad for us! My siblings and I miss them so very much and cannot wait to see them again.
Also? I hope to write more about my dear papa’s funeral. It was absolutely beautiful.
No really, how are you doing??
So yeah, there’s been considerable overwhelm. Sometimes people will ask me, “How are you doing?” And depending on the time of month and/or the level of pollen in the air, I will either smile, sniffle and/or blink back tears.
Is it allergies or another wave of grief? Ah, that’s the question! The short answer to “How are you doing?” is:
Fine. 😊
The longer answer is “How much time you got?”
Friends, I can honestly say that this past year has been one of the hardest and yet, most amazingly grace-filled seasons of my life. Yes, there’s been considerable overwhelm but God’s love and grace abound, truly.
So as far as how I’m doing goes?
I couldn’t be better!
It’s Him. All Him.
And coffee.
And John, my ever-handsome husband.
***
In Other News
…I’ve got a couple announcements. One is that I’m not writing for Netflix anymore. It was fun (and frustrating!) while it lasted, but they’ve decided to discontinue the Stream Team and are moving on to other things.
I did, however, get a nice juicy assignment from Family Foundations magazine. (Thank you, Christina!)
You may read it here:
ccl_FF_may-june18_fnl[Click on or tap the image and that will bring up the PDF of the document. You can read the magazine right here within this post. My article starts on pg. 8.]
This was one of the hardest—and most satisfying—pieces I’ve written.
What else?
We are wrapping up the school year, my two little men and me, which is why (yay!) I’ll have more time for blogging. To that end, I’ve signed on with the folks at Unwinding Anxiety because (in addition to God’s good grace) Dr. Judson Brewer has truly seen me through.
(More on that later.)
What else, what else…
Well, I am heading into the busy season for Maggie B Photography and couldn’t be more…what’s the word here…anxious?
I’ve taken on my very first wedding come June. 😜
***
Finally, and I do mean FINALLY, I signed back on as an Amazon Affiliate because I love me my Amazon Prime SO much.
Here’s my first referral. Are you ready?
This game!!
Click on the link and make me rich, my friend!
Seriously. I love this game and so do my kids.
(I love you too! I’ve missed you!)
What a beautiful post! Thank you for sharing these precious pictures.
And boy, did you hit that cover story out of the park for Family Foundations! We appreciate your sharing it with your readers here!
Also, I had to circle back because I just read your dad’s obituary.
It’s the BEST obit I’ve ever read.
#goals
(Can I say that? Is that weird in this application?)
Thank you so much for sharing. I ought to read that regularly for inspiration on a life well lived. It tells so much more of a story than most do. What an honor it must have been to write. You did an amazing job!
Just randomly checking in and so sorry to hear about the passing of your parents. I remember seeing them on the blog through the years and they are precious.
I’ve been a reader since… 2007?!?! I loved your family foundations article and am copying it (Like, hard copy) for two friends that I know will like it.
I remember your kiddos when they were little and it’s so sweet to read and feel like you watched your family grow. Thank you for your candor. We cannot Force our kids to be Catholic. They have their freedom. You are amazing parents!!