This past week we escaped away to the mountains with Chris’ parents. We had such a wonderful time away. We hiked, we swam, we read, we played games and truly had the most relaxing time.

On our last afternoon we took a little walk around the villas. There is a golf course that wraps itself around the resort and while walking along the road back toward our villa our little Abby was hit by a golf ball.

It came out of nowhere. We were just singing and walking together when all of a sudden she started screaming out in pain.

Last Friday we were coming home from an afternoon at the lake when I pulled up to park the van in the garage. I noticed that one of the kids scooters had not been put away properly. I was worried that I might drive over it so I asked Evan to hop out and move it. After he did, I drove forward to park in my spot when all of a sudden I heard a loud *BAM* – not the kind of sound that one wants to hear when they are diving. Cringe. I turn my head and saw that our sliding door had hit the garage door frame. Evan hadn’t closed it when he hopped out, and I hadn’t checked to make sure that it was closed. Nooooo!

My mistake had cost us dearly. The automatic sliding door was now broken.

This could not have come at a worse time. We just don’t have any extra to be able to cover a car repair. I was so mad at myself for being so absentminded. It would have taken 2 seconds to turn around to make sure that the door was closed. Why oh why didn’t I check that? 

The next morning, as I sat at the dealership waiting to hear what my mistake would cost us, I flipped open my bible. This is what I read:

“In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me.
From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, and you listened to my cry.”
Jonah 2: 2

And in that moment I wrestled. I was certainly feeling distressed…..but did I believe that He would answer me?

I remember that day, 8 years ago, like it was yesterday. When they put her on my chest for the first time and I saw her, brand new, oh how I fell in love.

It was a typical day.

The morning flew by with math lessons, reading practice, writing prompts and morning chores. A few groans were heard here and there and even more giggles as books were opened, worked on and then put away once again.

We had just finished lunch and the girls and I were stepping out to meet some friends at the library when I found it.
A surprise gift on our doorstep.