It's that day again...

Aidan's birthday.  He would have been 12 today.

Aidan David--May 24, 1999 - September 30 - 1999

Today we remember him.  And miss him.  And rejoice that he is safe and whole in the presence of our Redeemer.  And thank God for the ways we have been shaped because God let him come into our family, and because God let him come Home.

We love you sweet boy.  Happy Birthday.

Genesis 50:20 (from Joseph's story)

...but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done..."

Dear Neglected Blog:

painting by Bubba

Hello blog.

Remember me?  I use to visit you frequently.  Writing out my thoughts, processing my everyday life.

It was good.  You were an outlet for me.  I got to process with you.  I shared everyday ramblings and deeper musings as well.

What happened to us, blog?  I didn't mean to walk away.  It wasn't a deliberate decision.  We didn't break up.  It was a slow fade.  And the longer I stayed away--the bigger deal it seemed to come back to you.  So I put it off.  I didn't want to explain, because there was no one big reason or explanation.

But, I miss you, blog.  And I want to come back.  I don't know if I can be as faithful as I'd like to you.  I hope so.  But if not, I think I will get over needing to explain myself and just keep coming back.  You would want it that way, I'm sure.

Thanks for waiting for me.  Be back soon...

Saturday.

Saturdays are usually filled with chores, errands, Bubba's soccer or basketball games, and some procrastinating.  This Saturday was none of those things. (Well, maybe the procrastinating.)  There is much to do around here...and we had a whole Saturday to do it--but we didn't.  Guilt wants to creep in, but I won't let it.  We had a spontaneously fun day...and that is what we needed.

The morning started slowly, waking up leisurely, chatting and laughing long before our feet hit the floor.  Then we remembered that it was free-breakfast-day-at-Chick-Fil-A!  We hurried to wake up sleeping beauty and get dressed and ended up joining my sister and her fam and some friends for some chicken and visiting.

Pickle and I decided we wanted to attend an event at Focus on the Family where the Duggars (of TLC fame--19 kids and counting) were speaking and making an appearance that afternoon.  Pickle is a big fan and I figured there could be a lot worse choices of reality stars to meet, so why not indulge her?  We missed out on getting tickets to the event (I snoozed and lost--oops) so I agreed to buy Pickle their book so we could attend the book signing they were doing afterwards.

We had a great time.  They were all there (minus their youngest, Josie) and sat at a super long table, signing and greeting.  Pickle's first exciting moment was seeing the TLC crew filming and recognizing them from TV (from Jon and Kate plus 8 she thinks).  It got even better when they filmed her asking a question for the Duggars to answer on their show.  I had to sign a release for them to use the footage if they choose.  Then we spoke with and met almost all of the super-family, and they signed Pickle's book.  I especially enjoyed meeting Michelle Duggar, she exuded warmth and joy and genuineness.  And she looks fantastic for  a woman who has birthed and raised 19 kids.  It was a totally fun afternoon.

To top the day off, we got to visit with our friends who just had a baby.  Remember Becky and the shower I posted about?  Well, the little guy arrived on Wednesday and it was such a joy to meet him and hold him.  We shared an impromptu dinner together, played with his big sister (who is not quite two) and got to visit a good while.  He is precious.  There really is nothing like holding a new and tiny baby.

the only picture we took of baby Jackson

It was a lovely, unplanned, relaxing and fun Saturday.  My house remains a mess, but sometimes it's worth it.

What did you do this weekend?

pickle's new "music video"

She is learning the guitar.  She loves to sing.  She loves Justin Bieber.  She's 14.

She wrote a simple song about him the other afternoon.  It is partly the way she feels about him, and partly teasing herself about her crush.  (I love that she can laugh at herself.)

She recorded herself last night.  She put it on youtube.  My girl--who never really lets anyone else hear her sing put herself out there.  She didn't doll herself up, or wait until she was an accomplished guitar player or had a few more voice lessons.  She just did it.  And she said I could share it here!

So I am.  Cause I am a fan.