Jedidiah is 9!!!!

This morning while we were getting ready for school, JD asked about the game called “Life” I explained it to him and then said….” it can be hard”. 

Right at the moment I thought about the parallel between the game and the REALITY of Life….and I thought to myself “yes it sure can be hard”.  Obviously I thought of the many ups and downs of my life, and the hardest moment of all…8/3/04 when Brandon went from this earthly life to his heavenly life, but I also thought about JD & Desi’s life…how their beginning was so very hard.

And yet in all of that….GOD HAD A PLAN!

It amazes me of what I couldn’t see then, but has and continues to unfold now.  How God was healing my heart in that first year after Brandon died, and at same time he was working his plans for hope and a future for my other son that was to be born 13 months later.   Even in my suffocating darkness God was with me and yet he was also walking this sweet little boy through a very rough start in life.  Most of the time I know without fail that God is always so faithful…sometimes if can be a battle getting it from my head to my heart.  But today, JD turning 9 is another reminder of how much he loves me and my children and how faithful he has always been to give Brandon, Jordan, Seth, Jedidiah & Desi a hope and a future!!!

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11

Happy Birthday my sweet 9 year old!  WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH!

3,650 days

5,256,000 hours
10 years

Since I heard your voice telling me I LOVE YOU, I WILL SEE YOU IN A LITTLE WHILE.  At times, it still feels like yesterday when you were telling me that and holding my hand as you were drifting off to sleep for another "procedure".  Sometimes those many days, hours, and years can feel so suffocating.  It can be so hard for my earthly mind to comprehend heavenly "stuff".  But GOD!!! 

He is still faithful to make all things work together for my good, and those suffocating moments do pass quickly at times.  And those times they don't....well God gets me through it.  Even in all this missing you, wondering what you would look like and what you would be doing....there has been A LOT of good stuff A LOT of living, and A LOT of LOVING!!!

For right now, I will keep counting time (God made me that way), keep living, keep loving, keep hoping, keep believing
and keep HAVING FAITH!

I love and miss you my sweet silly 1st born son!
xxooxxooxxooxxooxxoo

Long time

Long time.....HARD DAY!
Working to get back to that place of peace in this moment.

It's coming, soon maybe

Yeah, so about that post....it's coming.  After all...the Princess turned 5 on Saturday...a whole hand!!!!

A MESS

Feeling broken, disoriented, disillusioned, confused, "missed the mark", discouraged & not quite sure how to handle it.

Life Happenings

So my goal is to try to get back to journaling.  I really enjoy getting my thoughts out, or just talking.  I know I know!  Talking in person or on here...I love it!  No wonder God gave me 2 more children that talk more than me!

We have been trying to get into a more RELAXED rhythm since coming back from Jamaica.  Seriously, life should really be more relaxed and enjoyed.  Steve and I are committed to try to keep that "vacation vibe" going, and staying on island time would be great too!  But I will admit, the farther we get from our vacation, it can be hard not to get caught up in the stress of busy, or just general negative feelings.

One area, that I know that would take care of that is.....MORE GOD!  I know that I am a better person, wife, mother, and friend when I don't let stress or irritability consume me.  And since I don't live in a resort on a tropical island, but in the real world.....God has shown me consistently since I have been home....that, THAT is the vibe he wants for me ALWAYS.  Even in the hard places....let him have my stress, anxiety, and big on the list...MY TIME!

God has been faithful always to show me that when I give him those things  I struggle with he ALWAYS replaces them with...Peace, Peace, more Peace, Joy, Trust, Hope, Courage, LOVE, and MORE TIME!  After all, time is his.  And he just wants more of that with me!

So today, while I am home with these two small bundles of non stop energy, talking, and motion....I will not become a stressed out mommy!  I am going to PRAISE God that I get a "re-do" and that he trusts me with a son and daughter that are very much like their talkative, swirling motion of a mama!

 Lamentations 3:22-23

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Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

And oh yeah.....Steve would prefer that, as well as my "adult babies" Jordan & Seth.  And I am sure that Brandon would really want me to "get it" 

Thank you God for trusting me with this life....I will continue to try to steward it well with you!

 

Peppa Pig

Got to LOVE her!

Aaaah the sounds of the house while I am cooking dinner.  The sweet little english piggy.  Although I am sure that Desi would be offended by my love of bacon...even the english peppa pig!

Happy Evening!

Those Beautiful Stars

Okay God....I am listening.  What are you trying to tell me or show me.  I am ready.  Yes Lord!

UUUUUGH ! :-(

Had a dream last night that was so real, wish it were true.  But I have to say...today, remembering it....HURTS REALLY BAD.

I still HATE this

I AM here!

WOW....I have neglected this for a VERY long time!  So many reasons why, but one of the major ones is now gone, HEALED!  I feel so much better after the surgery on my back.  I feel like a new person!  One that wants to get back to her journaling.  And one that will!  Until then...(soon)....HAPPY DAYS!

Love,

Dawn

Jordan's Summer ~ Drum Corps Style!!!

Practicing in the Parking Lot....I LOVE the smile on his face in this photo!

Jordan on the far right playing the quads (4 drums)



That's Jordan in the center

So very happy that he has had this adventure for the summer.  It has been A LOT of  work...and we are VERY PROUD!!!

Getting Emotional

Getting so emotional with:

1.  Summer closing (way to FAST)
2.  Seth getting ready for his freshman year at the University of Delaware (REALLY FAST)
3.  Jordan getting ready to head back to California (this past year with him home...again TOO FAST)
4.  8 years ago today last day I heard Brandon's voice when he said..."I LOVE you, I'll see you in a little bit"
5.  August 3rd...8 FULL years of him being GONE! (FASTER & SLOWER than I can even comprehend)

Good things:
1.  Seth gettting ready for freshman year at UofD ~ So PROUD of him, exicted for his next new chapter!
2.  Jordan getting ready to head back to California ~ So PROUD of him, excited for his next adventure!
3.  Jedidiah getting ready to start 1st grade ~ SO PROUD of all that he has accomplished!

4.  Desi is 4 ~ a very sweet, but also sassy DAUGHTER who loves to sing and dance!
5.  August 3rd ~ Celebrate Brandon Day ~ 8 FULL years of him being HEALED & living with JESUS!!!
6.  August 13th ~ Seth's Eagle Scout Ceremony ~ VERY PROUD of this accomplishment
7.  August 15th ~ 1 FULL (and I do mean FULL) year of completed adoption of Jedidiah & Desi!!!
8.  August 19th ~ 3 FULL years (again...FULL) that Jedidiah & Desi first walked into our/their home!!!


Wow ~ I am a wreck good/sad, but GOD is ALWAYS FAITHFUL.  Sometimes I just have to really press hard to get my heart to KNOW IT & FEEL IT!!!  But even still...God is always the same, and that helps me through the tears of joy or sadness.

Isn't She LOVELY!!!

May 18th ~ The BIRTHDAY of our PRINCESS!!!

Desi turned 4 and had a Birthday Weekend.  Friday night (her Birthday) was nice and we just did some playing outside...and lil' mama rode the motorcycle with one of her brothers and her daddy!  We had her Family Celebration on Sunday.  It was a DISNEY PRINCESS BIRTHDAY!  This is our 3rd birthday with her....but SHE was and IS definitely OUR GIFT! 



yaay!



driving Daddy's "bike"

Ya have to blow out candles on your BIRTHDAY!!!

The LOVE of her life...Dustin.  We got to see him at the Lincoln Church Graduation Celebration.  She CONSTANTLY says that he is her boyfriend and she is marrying him!  He is one of Jordan's and our family's long time friend.

MAKEUP!

Birthday Girl

Birthday PRINCESS!

Happy 4th Birthday!  And yes, she is glammed up with a bow & fake hair!

Teaching Danica how to apply gloss!

Her lips/face were VERY GLOSSY!  She loved that makeup!

WE LOVE YOU DESI!

Last Days of High School

May 14-18, 2012 ~ Seth's last week of HIGH SCHOOL....YIKES! 

This came way to fast!  It is so weird how fast those last 4 years of school go by.  I can remember each freshman year (Brandon, Jordan, & Seth) and how much I thoroughly enjoyed everything they were involved in, and their friends.  I guess that is a part of what makes it go by so fast.  BUT, I guess I get to do it all over again with Jedidiah & Desi!  I just pray for the energy level of me to be the same!

Senior Awards Night

AP Honors Math Award!!!

Last Band Concert

He did Dance Team for Senior Year! 

Ms Boone we LOVE you & will MISS YOU!

Senior Cruise!!!

Shirts OFF now!

Carol Argo & "LEECH BABY" :-)



Lincoln Church Celebrates the Graduates!
Ethan, Haley, Seth & Jesse (he had to work)





Seth getting anointed and prayed for by Carol, & Jack & Karen Fitzgerald.
They have all watched Seth grow from infancy & have been very important as some of the people that have Sown into Seth's life Spiritually!

 So glad you had fun Seth & did what your brothers Brandon & Jordan told you to do...."MAKE THE MOST OF THIS TIME"!

3rd Overall!

So yeah....missed a few days there!  BUT.....

May 11-12th ~ Henlopen Tennis Conferences.

After a VERY strange year with tennis (Seth started out 1st team doubles, then moved to 3rd team singles), AND after a very hard fought battle during finals....Seth finished 3rd overall in 3rd Singles!  It was a long hot weekend...but WORTH it!  So PROUD of you Seth!

1st day, getting court assinment

discussing game with dad

LOOOOOONG Match!

2nd Day ~ waiting to be called

Concentration!

Medal Ceremony ~ They actually called him up by the name BRANDON HASTINGS!!!  Too funny!

Seth Joseph Hastings ~ 3rd Overall in 3rd Singles ~ Henlopen Conference

May Days ~ or DAZE!

So now that we are pretty much half way through June...I figured I would update on the month of May.  Oh what a busy month that was!  I feel like I am still trying to "settle down" from it.

As you may be aware, this has been Seth's senior year of High School, and it seemed that May was a very busy month for the family of this Senior...and the Senior himself!

On May 5th was his Senior Prom ~ I did post on that...remember????

Then on 5/8 ~ Jordan reminded me of this sweet date...5/8/12, and yes I did a post on that too (5 = Brandon, May, 8 = August, Jordan, 12 = December, Seth).

But that is where life just got so busy, and there was no time for posts!  So let's begin a "recap a day"!  So starting tomorrow...I WILL do that!

But for now, I am "reminiscing" and trying to "be still".

Happy Wednesday to YOU!