A long silence...

It has been a long time since I have posted here.  It has been difficult to write.  There is so much that has happened over the 11 months since I last posted.

Let's start with the fun things:

• Daniel was born! Happy, healthy, and a pretty chill baby. He isn't our best sleeper but he is overall a great baby and a wonderful addition to our family.
• Both of my big kids had great years at school. They had wonderful teachers, they excelled socially and academically, and I am tremendously pleased with their new school.
• Justin really loves his job. It is not all sunshine and roses, and there is still office drama; but he is busy he loves his role at the office and really enjoys the work he does.
• Evan has handled the entire year of transitions really well. He did well with the move, his new preschool, and adding Daniel. He's a great 3 year old boy.
• Another great thing: We're NOT moving!!! Elizabeth asked me as the school year ended if she would be at this school again, "because summer is coming, and we move in the summers." Poor sweet girl clearly we've done that a lot.

Now onto updating issues discussed previously:

• Our house. We have renters, who hopefully in a few months will purchase our house. I will confess, I love that house but I am so ready to be done with owning that property.
• The contract issues with our previous employer have been resolved. It took lawyers, and a ridiculous settlement, but at least they are settled and we can put that behind us. I am really unsure as to what we are supposed to have learned/ be learning through this experience but I know God is with us even when things seem unjust.
• Our 2 family members with court dates have been to court. This has been a very difficult season as someone incredibly close to us has been sentenced to prison for 6 years. I am in no way upset by the justice system, but that doesn't make it any easier. We have seen God's wisdom & provisions for him and all involved. But, I cannot say that it has been anything but incredibly difficult. There are so many times I do not have words, or know how to help. Having to explain things to our children that I would much rather have shielded them from has been painful and hard. This will continue to be a hard and long process. There is still much that has to be dealt with and our lives will never be the same.

It has been a blessed year, but as I have said before it is not a year I would want to repeat. I don't know how many of you actually check this blog frequently, but to those of you who actually read this thanks for your patience with the update.