Charlie Brown Kids

Julia and I attended the Charlie Brown Kids support group last week.  At first, Julia was clingy and didn't want me to leave her, but eventually she let me go to be with the adults and she was just with the other kids her age.  The adults spoke about how their spouse died and they gave advice about certain things they learned through their process.  It's nice talking with other adults who are in the same situation as me.  When Julia was done, I asked her how she liked it.  She said "It was good."  She didn't really say more on the subject which is pretty common I've been told since children internalize things.  Over time, I think she'll open up more.  She was the only girl in her group of about 8 children.  Most of the boys had lost their mothers to cancer.  One thing Julia did say to me about this was "At least they are boys and they have their dads so they can do boy things together.  It would have been really bad if you had died because daddy would NOT have known how to do my hair!"  Again, out of the mouths of babes!

Then this weekend we had a great visitor.  The exchange student from Sweden who stayed with us when I was a senior in high school had a business trip in California and stopped on his way to see us.  It was a quick trip but really nice to see him.  He told me that what happened to Rob really opened up people's eyes in Sweden to the war that was going on and how it can hit really close to home.  The last time I saw David was 8 1/2 years ago.  He came back from Sweden to be in Rob and I's wedding.  David is truly like another brother to me and I'm anxious to meet his wife and daughter.  We've made a point that it won't be another 8 1/2 years before we see eachother again!

As always, I'm up to my eyeballs in paperwork.  And as always, people have been amazing at helping me sort through it.  The days continue to be an emotional rollercoaster as I know they will continue to be for a long time.  But knowing we will be living in our own house with our own things shortly has helped some.  Even though I will still have the same amount of paperwork and stress at least it will be in my own home and Eva can pull out all the cans in MY pantry as I'm working instead of my brothers! :)  

The pictures are of David, Julia at dance, and Eva in a tutu I made for her 1 year photos.

Again, thank you thank you thank you for all your continued support and prayers.