Curveballs. Life has thrown quite a few at our family this year but we are blessed.
Life has been full. Summer camp for Rebecca, swimming and play dates for Emily, water park time for Samantha, and lots of baseball fun for Ben.
Ben’s baseball team won the 10 & Under State Championships and we are preparing to travel to California this weekend for a week long tournament. Ben plays first base and is a left handed pitcher. Ben is super excited for the tournament festivities, beach time, and hotel fun with his teammates. Jeff and I are taking Ben so it will be the first time with just the three of us. We are looking forward to loving on him and giving him some undivided attention.
When we return from California the kids will start school, we will pack up our home, and move all within a 2 to 4 week period. We didn’t realize that all of this would be happening all at once as that was definitely not part of our original plan. But do original plans ever work out? Mine don’t seem to happen like that typically.
I’ve missed you and this blog as I enjoy sharing our family stories and expressing my gratitude for the very air that I breathe. But I’ve really been listening to God’s voice telling me to sit and be still. Sit in that uncomfortable place of not knowing the details. I’m realizing that everything is going to be great even though I have no idea where I will be making dinner six weeks from now. As a planner and as a mom of 4 that seems to be rattling my nerves at times. I’m intentionally looking at it with more excitement than fear though.
I could tell that I was getting stressed over not blogging and hosting my link ups. I told Jeff that with all of life’s curve balls that I was unsure if I was going to complete my 39 list by my birthday in November. Jeff was sitting on the couch chewing on sunflower seeds, spit one into his cup, and in his normal calm demeanor he said, “Who cares?” You’ve already done double the number of things on your 39 list than you did from your entire life list in the six years after cancer. No one will remember if you don’t finish that list until your 39 and a half. Use that crazy writing tablet and just change it to 3 things by the time you are 39 and then you will have already completed it! Remember that the important thing is that you are living. Don’t lose sight of that, as that is what you are teaching me and the kids.”
He followed it up with, “Jenny, you have made great, genuine friends over the internet. Those relationships will continue despite taking a breather from posting 3.5 times a week and having link up posts.” Yes.
So I’m going to be pretty quiet over the next month as I want as much margin in my life as possible with all the upcoming changes: 1st day of High School for Rebecca, 4th and 5th grades for Emily and Ben, saying goodbye to our home of 9 years, and hello to a new home and neighbors. With all of these new changes I want to savor each and every quiet moment allowed. Even if there are only a couple of them.
So please know that I look forward to reconnecting with everyone more as the moving dust settles. I’m thankful for you reading this blog and for the love and friendship that you have extended to me this past year.
Lots of project life layouts, cupcakes, and other list items have been completed and just need to be written about. Looking forward to sharing them with you soon.
Blessings sweet friends – Jenny
I will be posting on my Facebook page and Instagram sporadically. I’d get lonely without any contact with you.
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Comments
Theresa
We will all still be here when you get settled. If you guys need anything in the meantime Casey and I are just an email away
Sarah
Will miss your thoughts and words….but look forward to new stories, new beginnings. I changed my 40 before 40 to 40 in my 40th, though Jeff is absolutely right! Love, hugs and prayers.
Nicky from Canada
Adventurous new beginnings – can’t wait to hear about them. Hope all goes well.
Blessings and prayers
Karen
The next chapter in this story is going to be so amazing, I can’t wait to read it. Just so you know, I don’t read many books anymore, but this keeps me intrigued and encouraged. So, I live just 3 blocks from you and I am MORE than glad to help pack, move, unload etc, etc, etc. Please let me know how I can help.
Segolene
Bonjour
I never left any comment so far, but I though it might be a good time to tell you how much I enjoy reading your blog. You are sharing an amazing story & you inspire me to move forward. I will be missing your posts for sure, but I know this is for the better. Va où ton coeur te porte (which translates to: go where your heart carries you – maybe my translation is not so good, because it is a bit different to me than just: follow you heart… but we can discuss that later!)
Nickie from Aunstralia
Hi Jenny
I have been following your journey since I saw your video Jenny goes to Washington on Becky Higgins website. You are an amazing and stong woman. You have inspired me to be more positive and life is what you make of it. You have inspired me to be more grateful especially for those little things that I have taken for granted for so long. You have also inspired me to try to be a better person. Thank you Jenny. I wish you well and look forward to reading your posts when you return.
Lee Currie
Good for you, enjoy the process of your dust settling. And, good luck to Ben and his team at the tournament! Looking forward to hearing from you whenever you’re ready
Marilyn Johnson
Jenny,
It such a busy time of year isn’t it? So many of us are doing summer vacations and then getting ready for school. Take heart in that we are all probably spending less time on the internet. I know I have had to. The friends you have made will not go away. I have mentioned you and your mission several times at work and to my friends. I refer to you as my “blogging friend, Jenny” and tell them about what you have accomplished. Just LIVE, yes! and when you have time let us know how you are doing. Take photos, journal-even if it is short notes and when the dust settles you will have so much to tell us! I can hardly wait! Congrats to your son. I am thinking of adding “going to the college world series” to my life list. Omaha isn’t too far and Kyle and I love a good baseball game! Take care!
Ashley
Curveballs is the perfect way to describe my family too! I am 30 weeks pregnant, trying to get our home ready to put on the market, pack and move our family two hours north! On top of that, we are soon starting our first year of homeschooling! You are so right though: God is definitely working in this majorly uncomfortable time of unknowing. Our future is a big mystery, but I know if I give it all to Him, everything will work out as it should. Prayers for you and your family!
Betsy
Jenny
You are doing awesome!!! Enjoy these moments in your family’s life-Ben in CA, Rebecca’s first high school experience and Emily and Samantha too.
One of the great things about moving is that you purge stuff you don’t want anymore-and think of the all the great new people you will get to meet.
Enjoy your life and share when you can.
kelly barton
oh jenny! so happy to find your blog.
and i have to say i think i would really
like your husband. happy moving preps
and all of that. can’t wait to here more.
i have been swimming again and i think of
you as i glide thru the long course.
smooch.
k
Melissa
We’ll miss you, sweet friend. But years from now it won’t matter how many blog posts you missed or didn’t write. The only thing that matters is being there for your children. Be present in their lives. Every single day. Don’t let that be a regret! Perhaps you could add that to your “39″ list instead of something else …. “Be there for the kids”. Oh, and if you need moving advice … I can help you with that! I’m a pro!
jenn shurkus
you’ve got a very smart husband right there
listen to him! and good luck with life’s next adventures!
Jen Kinkade
I love Jeff!! The End.
I will be praying for you, my friend.
Wish I could be there to help you.
And that picture of Ben through the rainy glass? Brilliant!!
Have a blessed summer!!! xoxo
Stacy
You are so busy!!! I don’t know how you do it all! Your blog was wonderful and I look forward to reading more of your encouraging words when you are back up and running with it. Thank you soooo much for your help with Richard too, when I was having a hard time at work. Things have gotten much better that way and if it wasn’t for you both, I don’t know what would have happened! Best of luck on your travels, wherever they may lead. I know you will make the most of it and look forward to learning more from you. It has been a pleasure working with you
Catherine
You take all the time you need! Let you blog friends know if you need any help filling i the gaps too. Good luck with the move!
Brooke Johannsen
I will miss your wonderful writing while you are away, but I completely understand! We will all be cheering for you along the way and waiting for when you come back. I hope your time is super-blessed!
cathy stolze
Can I just say, Your picutures are amazzzing! They capture your life so beautifully. I admire the way you ride the wave of life’s challenges and turn them into adventures. You remind that no matter what, to keep trusting God, taking pictures, enjoy the moment, cherish my family and friends and to stay grateful for each breath, hug, smile, cupcake, kind word, baseball game, every splash in the pool,etc. Your husband is correct. You are teaching us all how to live life. Don’t sweat the small stuff and let your type A personality relax. : ) The way you live life speaks for itself. Your realness is what we love. Enjoy Cali and all your new adventures coming. I too am on my surfboard riding the waves as both my kids will be moving out of the house into apartments for college next month.How did that happen? When I get stressed or sad, I’m just gonna shoud COWABUNGA DUDE!! Life is Good!!!
Nicole
You will be missed Jenny and I will be thinking about you and your family lots! Enjoy your break and your trip to Cali. Huge congrats to Ben and the team too.
So cool!! XO
donna g
Contests on the new house…..awesome!!!!