four months...

That's how long it's been since I've written anything on here.  I figured I'd write a few things...because writing is therapeutic...not that I feel like I have anything that I need to talk to a therapist about...not right now anyway.

So much has happened in the last four months.  Here's a few pictures (starting from where I left off):

I went to the Miss Oklahoma pageant in June with my best friend Amanda.  We had a blast!

 My main purpose in going was so see my beautiful niece perform in the Outstanding Teen pageant.  Even though she didn't win, she did amazing!

We attended the Music Theatre Wichita throughout the summer with the extended family.

We went to the midnight showing of eclipse.  

Brickman made his shirt just for the occasion.

We celebrated the fourth of July with lots of family and fireworks.

We went to Jerad's best friend's wedding in Texas where he and Nick were groomsmen.

My niece won the Miss Alva pageant which qualified her to compete in the Miss Cinderella pageant during homecoming, where she received 2nd runner up.

And the kids had fun at the homecoming game. (Or at least Brickman did.  Braylon was in a mood most of the day and didn't participate in much.)

So, those are a few of the events from the past few months.  Despite all of this that looks so happy and jovial, we've had extreme sadness that we will, without doubt, continue to fight for a long time.  In July, we lost Jerad's dad in an unexpected accident.  I guess all accidents are unexpected.  This has been something that has not only jarred us, but also affected the entire town.  Myron was an incredible man who would drop anything to help you.  Few could call him a stranger.  Many called him a friend, which was proved by the amazing service celebrating his life.  Knowing the months that lie ahead, normally the most exciting time of the year, I'm sure that we'll face some emotional times being void of his presence.  I rejoice in the memories that we had with him, although we'll always yearn for more.  And I praise God that we'll see him again, though not in this world that we know now.  It's still so hard to wrap my mind around what happened, and it seems like we've been without him for so long yet it seems like we just lost him.  It's crazy.  We continue in our daily lives knowing that there's definitely a piece missing but realizing that this is the new normal.  I praise God for his love and grace and for friends and family that have helped make this transition...not easier (as that can't be done)...more bearable.  What an amazing group of friends and family we have!

Now that I'm up to date, maybe I'll stay that way.  Or maybe not...we'll see.