Leavin' on a jet plane!

Last month was full of a lot of busyness. Due to the tragic loss of my cousin I got to make a last minute trip to Southern California to go to the funeral. The day before our flight I was sick as a dog. Well, actually everyone in our house got sick as dogs. Except for Adrian. Luke wasn't there at the time, but the next time he came over he got sick, too. And yet, Adrian still never got it! Must have the strongest immune system ever!

Jonathan got sick first, but he only spent two nights throwing up over the weekend prior. Then Monday I wasn't feeling so hot, but I went to work anyways. I had to leave early and didn't make it home! I haven't been that sick in a while. It was awful. Andrew came home to take care of me and within hours he was worse off than I. Adrian was the most help ever! He made dinner for Jonathan and him and helped with Reagan while Andrew and I tried to cling to life. By evening I was feeling somewhat better and had to get up to get the kids ready for bed and pack for my trip. Of course Reagan woke up having thrown up all over herself in bed and proceeded to throw up 3 more times throughout the night. It was awful and ranks as one of the worst 24 hour periods of my life. In the end we all survived and I even got packed for our trip and we made it to the airport on time and everything!

I am so blessed to have some pretty fantastic friends that helped out with my boys so that Andrew could go take his finals and I could go down to California to be with my family there. Reagan was the best baby ever on the plane and pretty much slept for every flight. She was a trooper given the fact that she was still not 100%. Sadly, she did act as carrier monkey for Aunt Ashleigh who then came home and gave it to her boyfriend Nick. Sorry guys!

The opportunity to see my family was such a blessing. I wish the circumstances had been different, but the trip was still filled with some good moments. There is nothing like the unexpected loss of someone too young to be gone that brings people together. I don't really have words to adequately describe my feelings and thoughts surrounding this loss of my cousin. So, instead of trying to express it in my own words I am going to share the words of the song that my brother Chad sang at his funeral. (P.S. all of the cousins were able to sing "Families Can Be Together Forever" at Joey's funeral. It was pretty amazing to be able to sing that song with so many family members I will be with forever. Even Reagan sang her little heart out!)

Heaven's Embrace

When shadows gather
When shades of night descend
I kneel to lay my burdens
At the Father’s feet again
I offer up my sorrow
Entrust to Him my grief
And at His touch my heart is filled with peace

Borne upon a prayer
My soul is lifted up
Enfolded in the arms of everlasting love
Cradled in His kindness
Sheltered by His grace
Like a child in heaven’s embrace

When heartaches linger
And tears I cannot stay
I find my hope and refuge
In His presence as I pray
No hurt beyond His healing
No pain beyond His reach
And at His touch my heart is filled with peace

Borne upon a prayer
My soul is lifted up
Enfolded in the arms of everlasting love
Cradled in His kindness
Sheltered by His grace
Like a child in heaven’s embrace

When Chad was practicing this song up at the church the night before, I was able to go up and listen. I was so touched by the lyrics and the emotion behind this song. My mother and cousin found it online and instantly knew that it was the song. Whatever Joey was silently suffering through I know that he is now in heaven't embrace and was able to turn over all his sorrows to the Lord. We love you Joey and we will be together forever someday!