August 10
The Mercy Me concert awaited us the day after we arrived home from our Michigan vacation. I had been in contact with Stephanie – a blog follower from West Virginia who we met for the first time last year at the same venue! She and her family were in town again, so it was only natural that we would meet up! Kelly was with us too, just as she was last year!
It didn’t seem like an entire year had elapsed since we had been together! I was so touched by little Josie who is the same age as Nora would be. Josie kept looking at me and smiling excitedly. Stephanie explained that Josie recognized me from a photo that was taken last year of all of us together with Baby Nora. So so SWEET!
This was a whole new experience for William, Gavin and Greta. Kelly and I remembered how perfectly such an unlikely experience had unfolded before us last year. Even though Nora wasn’t with us in person this year, she certainly was in spirit. There were plenty of hearts and bird trios. Almost as soon as we sat down the band began playing “Happy Birthday”. It was a band member’s(?) birthday, I think? It’s not every day you get to hear Mercy Me sing “Happy Birthday”!
It was so great to see you Stephanie, Neil, Jacob, Jonah and Josie! Let’s do it again next year!
August 12
✔️Last minute school supply shopping
✔️Clothes and shoes that fit, meet the dress codes, and don’t have holes in them
✔️ Kids put to bed early
✔️ Lunches packed
It’s the first day of school and the transition back into a regimented routine. I worried about this. God gave us the 3 months of summer to sleep in if we wanted. It was nice – even with the company of a broken heart.
I survived my first walk down the steps at 5:30 AM. The sky still dark, the painful quiet awaited. The familiar low murmur of the TV or radio, oxygen concentrator, the nurse. I miss them so so bad. I hate this quiet. There was no one to turn the porch light on for, but there was a sleepy headed little boy who needed breakfast made and a lunch packed. Gavin is in middle school now. Being at a different school requires him to be up much earlier. He has a 6:37 AM bus to catch! This is the sweet boy who distracts me from the void of the mornings. I’m so thankful for him and for his new schedule, and for my husband who joins him at the breakfast table before leaving for work.
I have 40 minutes to take a breath before I have to wake Greta up. I know better than to climb back in bed, so I spend it watching or listening to Joyce Meyer.
Waking Greta up in the morning is no easy task. She hates to be extracted from her warm “schnoogy” nest. I warm our breakfasts up in the microwave that I premade with Gavin’s and we have a nice relaxing morning without any sibling shenanigans or teasing.
The first week back to school usually coincides with both of their birthdays. Greta turned 9 on August 20th and Gavin turned 11 on August 17th. We celebrated with the family that weekend.
Parker must have called Gavin from his Leapfrog phone to see what he was wearing!
Happy birthday to my sweet kids.
the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.
(Numbers 6:25-26 NIV)
iwillcarryyou 
Gavin & Greta are just growing up too fast! Slow down!!! I am thankful that Gavin’s new routine helps somewhat. And how neat to meet up with a blog follower again year after year at the same concert & venue. I did not even know about this concert, back in August!
I’ve been listening to The Message on my XM radio for some months now. I hadn’t really before. I think my listening started shortly after Nora gained her angel wings. I wanted to hear “Praise You in this Storm” more. So I’d listen as I drove to work, everyday this summer. Now I listen almost every time I’m in the car (unless I have Payton with me, b/c she just wants to listen to the Kids Silly Songs CD). I’m particularly a fan of For King & Country’s music. “Fix My Eyes” has become one of my favorites.
Alesia,
It was so great to see a posting from you and finding out how all of you are doing. I wanted to let you know that Miss Nora and the rest of her family are thought about and prayed for each day. I really loved it when you posted your Nora updates and how the family was faring. It feels like a piece of my heart is missing. I feel awful telling you this, because she was your child, your “sweet Nora”. She was not a relative, etc. But she sort of belonged to all of us who became part of Nora’s army. We laughed, cried, prayed, and loved that sweet little girl with you! I miss her each day, but it makes me happy to think of her walking around with God and family members that went before her. It makes me smile to think that her heart and lungs are healed and not working so hard to sustain her. And I feel blessed to know that a small child who had so many health issues to overcome, had the strength to bring so many strangers together to love, cherish, grieve, and rejoice her and her family. Nora left a legacy of love, and a legacy of hope. Bless you all!!
Love,
Jamie Guy
Alesia,
My day always brightens when i see a post from you. Thank you!! Happy belated Birthday to Greta and Gavin. Greta shares a birthday with my son. Continued prayers daily.
Thanks for posting again! Happy Birthday to Greta and Gavin. Gavin is so handsome and grown up in that picture. Lovely! Please keep posting and know that we are here supporting you.
You have allowed your family to be a blessing to so many. And God continues to be glorified. Please know that He keeps your family on our hearts and lifted to Him in prayer. And though your sweet Nora is gone from HERE, she is playing in His presence with the radiance of love she was showered with each day of her life here. Hugs to all gathered around your table.
love, pam