Thursday, January 22, 2009

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.

27 comments:

Household6 said...

Glad the support group went well. Wish there were more little girls for Julia to relate too.

So did you buy the house that you showed us??

Heather

Anonymous said...

Girl, your girls are sooo amazing! As I am sure, you already know that! :) And wow, that tutu is adorable! You go with your creative self! When you go into business, we will be the first to order! I had to smile once again at Julia's big heart and when I saw the picture of Eva, well the tutu was definetly not what made me smile about Rob, but Eva wow.....she has his look....amazing and how sweet!
Keep-up the great job you are doing and know you will always have many to help along the way!
Love you,
Karen

Nancy said...

Sounds like you have been busy... sorry to hear about all the paperwork... I suppose that will slow down in time, but it sure will be nice to have your own table to spread things out on. When is your closing date? I am so excited for you guys to have your own space again. Whew. That will really help, I'm sure.

xox

Anonymous said...

Hi Dena, just checking on you to see how you and your girls are doing.....don`t mean to be nosey, just wanted to see if your doing ok!....take care =]

Anonymous said...

I just LOVE the pictures! How beautiful it is to see your children grow and prosper. You are truly an inspiration!

Anonymous said...

Hey Dena, thanks for sharing the photos! I remember David as being much "younger"--such a nice kid! Glad your family was able to meet up with him again! I'm glad you're in the support group--It always helps to share with others who have been there-done that! I'm sure it will help Julia immensely as well. I contiue to marvel at your bravery--you are amazing! Keep up the good work. Love and prayers for peace for you and your girls.......Jackie & Joe

Anonymous said...

Hey all, glad to hear there is some exciting stuff going on for you. Hope you are all well. Don't dwell on the paper work to much. It gets better, as does everything, in time.
Take care,
Nate

Karen said...

Dena, you and Rob made the cutest babies EVER! I loved the pictures of them in their dance attire.

So proud of you, Girl. You are a wonderful mother. Keep your head up. We love you!

Anonymous said...

Dena,
I'm sorry that it has been awhile since I have written. I still check your page everyday to see how you and the girls are doing. We keep you in our thoughts and prayers everyday. Kaylee and Shelby ask about ya'll all of the time.

I'm glad to hear you and the girls will have a place to call "home" again soon. I'm sure that will help the girls to have familiar things around again.

Oh my! Eva looks more like Rob everyday :) I sure do miss her bright smile. She seemed to have taken to me since the first day I met her, don't know why...but it was adorable.

Glad to hear ya'll have found confort in your new support group. I'm sure it will help you as well to know Julia has an outlet when she is ready to talk.

Thank you for keeping up the page and letting us know how you and the girls are getting along.
We will continue to keep you in our prayers.

Miss ya'll down here in Texas!
God Bless!
Bree Loggins
(wife of SFC Loggins)

Anonymous said...

Dena,
I've been thinking about you a lot this week especially. The pictures of the girls are so adorable! Seeing Julia in her dance getup reminds me of your years in dance! Like mother like daughter. That was so nice of David to visit; I have missed him. You're an amazing mother Dena, God bless. I know your free moments are few and far between, but my e-mail is baldwinheidia@yahoo.com if you ever want to chat. Take care!

Anonymous said...

I'm glad to see you and Julia went to your support group. In time I hope it can bring you some peace. The girls are so cute. Glad to hear how from. Love Carol

Anonymous said...

Dena,
Thank you for updating your blog. You and the girls are always on my mind- I am wishing you the best and cannot wait until I get news of your moving date. Your post includes so many things- Julia is an amazingly bright young lady... everytime I've visited her I've been impressed with how bright she is and your posts confirm this.

Your exchange student friend is also inspiring. Even though we can read about different countries there is nothing like a personal connection to bridge the world.

Thanks again for updating. Stay warm and take those vitamins!

Hugs from the west,
Trisha

David M said...

The Thunder Run has linked to this post in the blog post From the Front: 01/23/2009 News and Personal dispatches from the front and the home front.

Liz said...

What a cute comment from Julia. I'm glad you found a support group. You are always on our minds. Good luck with the move and hopefully this paperwork will be over soon.

Anonymous said...

Hey Dena,
Jane tells me that you're moving real close to Matt and I! If it's the house I'm thinking of, I actually work with your soon to be next door neighbor. We're only about three blocks away so if you need ANYTHING, give us a call or just stop over.

Take care,
Kelly Roberts

Anonymous said...

Dena,
That Julia, she is so wise beyond her years! Thank you for the updates as well as the pictures. Hope all three of you feel the compassion of those who continue to follow you through your blog and hope your families know we continue to care about them as well.
Hugs and prayers,
Mitch and Vicki :-)

Anonymous said...

Our family so appreciates the men and women who are fighting for this country. We are sorry you had to sacrifice so much and we do thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We are keeping your family in our prayers. May God bless you all.

Anonymous said...

Dena,

I'm glad you got to to the support group. Right now you have a sea of people who are willing to stop the world to help you out, but I am sure the one thing that we are all lacking is the "I've truly been there" ability to support. I hope you find that with the other adults and children in your group.

Tim and I look forward to seeing you. Just let us know when your social calendar opens up so we can come visit you and (hopefully) see your new house!

Sincerely,
Tim and Kim

Hopeful Hilary said...

I have been following your blog and my heart goes out to you. My boyfriend is currently in Iraq as an infantryman. In my quest to have as much information as possible, even about the worst case scenario, I came across your blog. I truly think you are amazing. I am a child psychologist and you are doing a phenomenal job with your children. You are doing everything right, really. Even though we do not know each other I think of your often and send you strength-to add to massive amount you already posses.

Jodi Lilly said...

Dena,

I just wanted to stop by and let you know that I am still thinking of you and the girls. You are always on my mind. Keep your head up and stay strong. Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you.

Love,
Jodi (Seifert) Lilly

Anonymous said...

Dear Dena,
I don't think anyone can understand why you have to go through this and I know you still have a long road ahead of you. I just wanted you to know I haven't forgotten about you and I think of you daily and wonder how you are really doing. I just hope and pray God has his arms around you and the girls everyday and you all can feel at peace again one day soon. Brittney and Char keep me updated on how you're doing, and I hope you know you are prayed for and loved. This is the part of life that just sucks. I just wish you didn't have to experience it. The girls look great! I couldn't believe little Eva!
Hang in the sweetie. You really are loved by so many people. You are welcome to come to Florida anytime whenever you need a change of weather or scenery.

love you,
Ardi Fletcher

Anonymous said...

I am so proud of you...How is the weather there? I hear it is pretty nasty!! Take care and congrats on your new house and moving forward.
Best Wishes,
Angela and Bryant Hunt

Long-time RN said...

Hi Dena,

Just stopping by to say you're in thoughts and prayers. The girls are adorable in the photos! Hope the support group continues to be a benefit. You're doing a marvelous job. Blessings to you and the girls.

Unknown said...

When I taught at C.A.P.S. (BryanLGH), I had several students who were able to get through some very tough times by going to the Charlie Brown support group. I'm glad you're also able to enlist the support from the group.

Your family is continually in my prayers and thoughts. I had an email from Barb today. It was so nice to hear from her.

Your girls are so precious and beautiful like their parents!

Kathy Jo

kayokat said...

He Dena,
I just wanted to pass along a website to you. I came across it in yesterdays Stars & Stripes. If you haven't sold your house yet, you might want to check it out.


militarybyowner.com


You can list with them whether or not your home is listed with an agent.


Hope this helps!
Katrina

Household6 said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY baby EVA!!!! You are such a big girl!!!

Love,

The Spencers

Anonymous said...

Hi Dina,
I have something that I would like to give you. My mother is an artist and I had her make something special for you and the girls. Please let me know the best way to get it to you.

Laura Stratton

lekholmstratton@yahoo.com