All the Senior Feels

My baby big girl is graduating HIGH SCHOOL this week! To say I'm over emotional right now is the under statement of the year. I took her to school last Friday...her last day of high school since she got to exempt all her exams because of all her smarts!  Well, actually, I didn't. She drove the "twins", and I was the lead car headed to McDonalds for one "last breakfast before school". People warned me this year would go by fast.  People warned me I'd cry, but I am crying ALL. THE. TIME! Oh my goodness...I cried at McDonalds.  I cried at the senior banquet at church last week.  I've cried jamming all these latest blog posts into the past few days- ha. I'll cry the rest of the week.
I am quite confident!

Abigail, this is for you. You are a miracle. You are my first born. You are the big sister and guinea pig of all things parenting! I can say we've sought the Lord in our decision making when it comes to parenting you.  We've done many things right, and we  probably did more things wrong. We've tried our best.  We've had to make some hard decisions- decisions that weren't popular with you at times and ones that weren't popular with others.  Baby, the road is narrow and few walk it.  Walk it!  Live it! We've prayed with you and for you through gaining two siblings, health crisis for you, Chan and me, faith doubts, living overseas, friendships, emotions, college decisions...and SO MUCH MORE.  We've seen each other on the highest of mountain tops and the lowest of valleys, but God has been there the entire time! You know my greatest desire for you is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. 

As you enter this new season in life, may God continue to richly bless you. I know I mentioned this at the senior banquet this week, but the most exciting thing for me personally this year as your mom was seeing you (and trying to hold my tongue and be patient!) make your college decision...and it was a big one.  God changed your heart (and mine) about where HE wanted you.  Thank you for being open to the Holy Spirit.  Thank you for allowing your dad and me to speak Truth into your life.  Thank you for listening to where God was ultimately leading you.  Do you understand how big that is?! Your walk with the Lord is the most important thing...ever.  Always and forever.  No questions.  Do what pleases the Lord in all you do.  Seek Him in all you do.  HE wants what is the very best for you and what will glorify Him. I cannot wait to see what God has in store for you at Samford.  New experiences, new church, new ministry, new roommate, new friends, new city, new state, new volleyball (?), new or renewed interests and independence, and new dependance on God.  You will see God in a NEW way in this next stage of life! Allow Him to work. God always stays the same, but may He change you and draw you closer to Him. You are a stunningly (is that a word?!) beautiful, young woman.  May your heart be even more so.

Words cannot express how much love your Dad and I have for you.  

photo credits: https://www.jettpics.com

Emotions on HIGH alert!

NEVER did David and I discuss one time when we dated or were engaged how hard parenting would be. I just couldn't even imagine how emotionally draining (because of joy and difficulties!) marriage and parenting would be as a teen/young adult! If I had one dollar for how many emotions I've had or how many times I've ridden the roller coaster of emotions in almost 20 years of marriage and 17 years of parenting, I'D BE A VERY RICH WOMAN!

My next post will be more about my thoughts on Abigail graduating, but let me fill you in with Audrey An and Chan news. AA tried out for soccer this season, and she absolutely loved it!  TBH I had serious doubts she'd like it at all, but being the good parent I am (ahem!!) I gave her facts before try outs...not a lot of encouragement (I know, I know...terrible!). Fact #1: soccer season is outside during rainy and cold weather. Fact #2:  AA hates cold and wet.  She says she's cold in 75 degree weather. Fact #3: AA doesn't like to run.  Fact #4: Although she's becoming quite the little athlete, AA is a girly girl (aka sweating and playing in the mud has never appealed to her!).  Fact #5: Mom was tired from volleyball season. Fact #6: Mom hates cold and rainy weather. Did I mention mom hates cold and rainy weather?  Fact #7: I really did want her to try something new...I just preferred it be inside! Fact#8: AA gives everything her all, and she did great as a first time soccer player!  They made it to the first round of play offs!

She sacrificed her face for the sake of the team...way to go Audrey An!  

Proud soccer mom moment.

Chan has been busy as a beaver with robotics club, tech team at church and winning team chess tournaments.  He was undefeated in his first tournament! 

In February, David and I took Chan to Delaware to see some specialists I'd learned about through various facebook adoption and special medical need groups.  This particular set of doctors names kept popping up so I decided to give them a call, send his file, and waited several months for an appointment.  Honestly, it was one of those times we had no idea what to expect.  We hoped to learn maybe something new or different but didn't really think we would.  WOW, was I wrong! David and I were so incredibly thankful for God leading us to this team.  They were fabulous.  They spent lots of time with us over a two day period, and they included Chan in the discussion- as they should! We even got to stay at the Ronald McDonald House.  That was another unexpected blessing. Long story short, our boy is going to need another surgery.  This time on his back.  IT's not a matter of IF but WHEN. It's going to be pretty intense, but we are so grateful to God for the new information we gained in Delaware.  We've been in contact with his orthopedic here so he's in the loop and putting another set of eyes on this latest MRI.  We will see him soon.

SO.  MANY. EMOTIONS- grateful, sad, grateful, overwhelmed, grateful, peaceful, frustrated, grateful...and over again.

SO...maybe my stress levels can be explained a tad (and a flare up of my dermatomyositis to go along with it!)- first born graduating and moving away along with facing another surgery and recovery with my favorite boy plus being single mom many many days because my man is flying ALOT lately.  I've had to really scale back on my "extracurriculars" right now since the prom organizing is now over.  I'm praying for God's strength to sustain us all during yet another crazy year.  It's all exciting and daunting at the same time.  God has seen me through so many seasons like this.  I do trust He will again!  "Thy will keep in perfect peace; him whose mind is stayed on Thee." Isaiah 26:3 The Lord is my strength and my song.  A strong deliverer in times of trouble.