Grasslawn Park---and looking ahead...

Last month we went down to Redmond with grandma and grandpa to have lunch with daddy. Grasslawn park had just had a grand re-opening of their playgrounds and WOW, what a park! My boys think it is the coolest, ever, and I think we all agreed. Grandma's comment was "even the bugs have respect for this place--I haven't seen one yet!" and later, when we dropped some chips she told us to pick them up quickly--we wouldn't want to mess up the park! It really was immaculate. But the kids didn't care about that--they love the playground with its sprinkler park, saucer swings, cable merry-go rounds, etc... So fun. Also, the park is huge and has trails around it so they like to ride their bikes around. Micah is so stinking cute on his little bike with training wheels. none of the other boys had a bike so tiny, so it is so fun to see him ride it. And Mr. Gabe, who finally got his training wheels off this summer. poor kid! because we don't have anywhere to ride bikes at home, it is not often we get out with them, so they didn't ride once last year. Of course, mr. natural needed only one day to get used to it, and off he went. He looks pretty cool with the new helmet :-).

The picture of Micah deep in thought, I just love. He has a little ride-on toy which he adores and spins around the kitchen in daily. It belonged to Rob when he was Micah's age. We've had it for all of the boys, but none has fully appreciated it as Micah. Rob LOVES to see him enjoy it, as it was his favorite at that age. It is called the "Explorer". When I saw Micah thinking so deeply, I asked him what he was thinking about.

"I'm thinking about my 'Ma-splorer". (gotta love the consanant substitution!) I could just imagine his thoughts--spinning around the house in his little explorer. so cute!

I am slowly making my way through lots of fun pictures, so these are a month old, but worth sharing :-). trying to blog more than once a month, too. Thanks for visiting!! I love comments, so if you're looking, please drop me a note--it encourages me to share more!

Friday this week is October 24th. Rob is going to take the day off and we hope to take the boys to a pumpkin patch for some family time. While we try to have perspective in explaining to the boys the significance of the day--I have told them in the past that it is Timmy's heavenly birthday--it is, of course, a very hard day for us. We would appreciate your prayers. Last year the rain was relentless and dismal, which seemed appropriate, but I would much rather some sun, or at least lack of rain this year.

How is it possible that three years have passed? How is it possible that Daniel is now the age Timmy was when he entered the hospital for the last time, four months before his 6th birthday? How is it possible that I have four boys here on this earth, and yet my family will never complete?

I am so thankful for the TRUE healing that comes only in Jesus. He is my comfort and my strength. I cannot imagine the empty pain of living through this without Him and without the promise of eternity. We are not okay--it will never be okay. We will always ache for our boy and each fall will bring days of bleak remembering. But the hurting is cushioned by his goodness and blessing and his promises. I still long for more healing. But I cannot wish for the hurting to go away. He is worth crying for. I'm sure this sounds selfish, but I wish that everyone would still cry for him sometimes. Three years really isn't that long.

and yet it sometimes seems a lifetime.