Today is one of those days. It actually started last night. Got some disturbing (to say the least) news over the phone about someone I really, really care about. About someone I love. As I tossed and turned in the night, my prayers for this person were my waking thoughts. I'm glad God can make perfect sense out of those twisted, half-awake prayers.
But before I even went to sleep I received another disturbing text from a friend whose Granddad was dying. He may or may not have a personal relationship with God. News like that seems to sprinkle my heart like black dust that you wish you could just wipe away with an old rag.
So today began with a heavy heart, which caused me to lay (or lie? I never know.) under the covers longer then normal. There's nothing like a sweet husband to crawl BACK in bed with me in those moments, though.
As the day has progressed, the weight of the world looms like a cloud over my head. The text confirming the death of my friend's Granddad this morning, the text of a family member facing huge disappointment with their job, and continued battle over the news of my struggling loved-one makes for one of those days. It's no wonder I'd rather curl up on the couch with my new favorite quilt and do nothing but watch Christmas movies. Sometimes life feels like it's just too much.
Vacate
It had been a year and five months since the whole side of my immediate family had been together until last weekend. Our previous gathering was Chuck and I's wedding, and since then another family member has been added. Meet Rocky, or rather Rockford Glenn. He is just the sweetest, chubbiest little guy you will ever meet. Much bigger then his brother was at seven months.
Our destination was a house in Western VA that belongs to Chuck's side of the family. It's pretty much the ideal vacating spot because it's warm the majority of the year, yet surrounded by beautiful farm land AND mountains. Literally surrounded. The view there is breathtaking. I even contemplated getting married on "Granddad's" land.
So there we landed, all 9 of us in one big happy house. We were able to exchange Christmas gifts (for those who won't be together for Christmas), and celebrate November birthdays.
Much of our time was spent sitting around the fireplace that Chuck kept a close eye on. The great thing was, the weather was in the 60's during the day, but cool enough at night to still have a fire going! We enjoyed our family dinners and played games. We shared about our lives and prayed for each other. We walked around the property and the guys shot guns. We even had our own display of fireworks, compliments of Johnny.
And of course we spent lots of time with the babies. It really touched my heart anew to watch my parents with Chail and Rocky, their grandchildren. There is this fierce, unspeakable love for those boys that can not be explained on paper. To watch them care for and love on the boys was a gift for me to see. I felt even more blessed to be apart of a family that is full and overflowing with unconditional love for each other.
I, as well, was a doting Auntie. It was almost more then my heart could handle waking up in the morning and having Chail toddle over to me ready for a huge hug. When he whispers, "TaTa" I would do almost anything in the world for that sweet boy. I mean just look at him!
There is no place like home, Dorothy. And home is where my family is.
I am not at liberty to share the complete family photo as I believe it will be sent out on certain Christmas cards, but I'd say this one just about sums it all up. I love you guys dearly!
So there we landed, all 9 of us in one big happy house. We were able to exchange Christmas gifts (for those who won't be together for Christmas), and celebrate November birthdays.
