Lake Time

Summer has officially begun for the Krull family.  We spent Memorial Day weekend at the lake with my parents, my brother and his new bride.  It was a wonderful time and we all left wanting more.  I've said it so many times before but the lake is my happy place.  It's where I am most at peace.  Every time I leave I feel a little peace of my heart behind.

Lucy came home with another eye infection and we made an unexpected trip to St. Jude yesterday.  We are so blessed to have "our" hospital so close.  I sure didn't expect to be there yesterday and needless to say we weren't thrilled to spend our first official day of summer vacation stuck inside the walls of a doctors clinic.  I hope we have caught the infection early enough this time and maybe we will avoid the horrible time she had last go round.

My heart is heavy today for some friends who we have met along this horrible cancer journey.  Ava is having surgery today for a tumor recurrence.  As this brave little girl and her family begin to start this battle again I beg you to pray for them.  Pray for strength and understanding for Ava, pray for peace and perseverance for her parents but most of all, please pray for complete healing for Ava.

Welcome Summer

                                         

Dear Today.  I am so glad you are over.  I left the house at 8:30 this morning and didn't come back home until 6:15 tonight.  Seriously.  It was like I entered the Twilight Zone this week.  The chaos of the last week of school is worse than the week before Christmas to me.  Only 1/2 day left.  We can do this!

The girls both got their report cards and SAT-10 scores back today.  I have been smiling and praising God all day, thanking Him for His blessings.  Ella, well she is just really, really smart, and Lucy---she's probably the hardest working, determined child I have ever known.  Her test scores---take that cancer!

It's hard to believe that we have made it through another school year.  I look back on the year and think about how much all the hard work, tears and prayers have paid off.  We have definitely earned our summer vacation!  We are ready for lake trips, swimming in the pool, movie nights and our annual trip to the beach!  Most of all, I am ready for 8 weeks with my babies and no obligations!

In other news….

Pictures from our school's recent St. Jude Trike-a-Thon.  I'm so proud of all the money our little school raises for a hospital that is obviously very near and dear to our hearts.  Go Eagles!

Under the Sea!

This video does a number on me.  I smile, I laugh, I cry..but mostly I just stare at it amazed at God's miracle.  This is a video of Lucy and Ella in their church musical last night.  You might not understand what a big deal this is but Lucy!  She was in a musical!  She stood up, she sang and she danced.  She never missed a beat.  

Last year at this time she could not even stand for the duration of a song, much less have learned the music and the motions.  I am just absolutely amazed and extremely grateful.  God has answered so many prayers for healing in Lucy's life.  While she still has a long way to go, she is making strides every day.

As if I didn't need any more emotion in my life today, I found this picture in my Instagram feed.  I think my mind instantly came up with at least 15 titles for this picture and about 10 blog posts that I could write regarding what this picture means to me.  I was moved beyond words and into tears.  Emotions welled up in my soul from way down deep.  You know, that deep place that you don't like to go very often at all. 

In happier news, Ella has started swim team again.  Yes, they did swim in 65 degree weather today…in an unheated pool.  No, they didn't last very long.  Only 30 minutes and she was purple!  Her blue teeth are her medal of honor for being so brave and dedicated.  Blue raspberry ring pops were the gold medal today!

Being a Mom

My friend, Emily, has recently run a series on Moms and I am honored that she asked me to participate. Being in front of the camera is an awkward place for me, so I was obviously uncomfortable having my picture made.  I never know how to smile correctly…I always look as if I am sniffing a rotten egg!

Bad picture aside, I feel very unworthy to be a part of the wonderful group of ladies that were chosen for this project.  Being a mother is the hardest, most challenging job I have ever had.  Most days I feel as if I fail miserably.  I yell too much, my house is usually a wreck and most mornings I'm digging uniforms out of the dirty laundry!

But some days….some days….I get it right.  I wake up a few minutes early, make breakfast, actually find clean clothes and make it out of the door for school without yelling.  But most importantly, I never, ever, forget to tell my children I love them.  I am so blessed to be a mother.  It is my greatest accomplishment.  ds

Mother's Day

What an interesting Mother's Day it was this year.  We seem to be on a rather unfortunate streak these dates.  Mother's Day will always be a little bittersweet for me, as last year's Mother's Day marked the last time my Grandfather was ever at his home.

This year, we tried our best to celebrate as he would want us to.  We had a fish fry in his shed, soaking in the smell of memories and catfish.  Even my sweet Ella went to bed with tears in her eyes as she remembered her great-grandfather and the fun times they had together.  Ella loved his fish but loved watching him in his element even more.  He was a master fisherman and an even better "catfish and hushpuppy chef."

The picture above is the only picture I took all day.  I didn't even get one with me and my girls.  I felt like poo most of the day and just didn't care to remember through pictures how dreadful I looked and felt.  I managed to make it through lunch and then slept off and on around the pool.  Luckily there were lots of eyes on the kiddos!  When we got home I managed to do a load of laundry so that the kids would have uniforms today and then I hit the couch.  Literally, I fell onto the couch and then slept for about 13 hours straight.

My husband gave me the best gift yesterday, and that was his willingness to take over the house and kids while I slept.  I just couldn't put one foot in front of the other.  Today I have felt a little better, but my darn allergies are getting the best of me this year.  Even still, I had a nice Mother's Day and I am so grateful for my children.  It is an honor and privilege to be called Mother.

Happy Mother's Day Mom and Judy.  I have been blessed with an incredible mother and mother-in-law.  I'm not sure why I am such a lucky woman, but I count my blessings daily.