A "JOYE"FUL LIFE: "Memorial Weekend 2013".....

Memorial Day has been forever changed in our family. Memorial day/weekend, used to be a weekend that we all looked forward to as we gathered with family and friends to grill out, swim, and catch up on life. It was a special weekend, one in which we said "goodbye to Spring" and "hello to a fun Summer". Last year, May 28, 2012 - which happened to be Memorial Day - we said "goodbye" to our precious Elliot for the last time here on this earth. However, she said, "hello to Jesus and her Heavenly home". We said goodbye to one of the bravest soldiers we have ever known....,. a young, vibrant, and beautiful daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, cousin, niece, and friend. She fought as hard, as valiantly, and with as much courage and determination as any man or woman on the front line of battle. She was on the front line of battle, battling against a ferocious army inside of her body. Memorial Day has been forever changed for us, but our family has vowed that we will continue to celebrate the day together, honoring and remembering our brave soldier, Elliot.

Am I a Soldier of the Cross?

"Sure I must fight if I would reign, increase my courage Lord,
I'll bear the toil, endure the pain, supported by Thy Word.

Thy Saints in all this glorious war, shall conquer though they die;
They see the triumph from afar, by faith's discerning eye.

When that illustrious day shall rise, and all Thy armies shine,
In robes of victory through the skies, the glory shall be Thine".

Some family friends of ours, who have known me and my sister since we were 3 and 5 years old, had a death in their own family over Memorial weekend this year. They were in Florida with their family and offered their lake condo to my family since they would not be using it that particular weekend due to their own family circumstances. It was a rather last minute decision to go due to the death, but we decided it would be a good way for us to be together as a family during this most difficult weekend. While you cannot escape a loss or grief like this, a change of scenery sometimes at least gives you abit of a moment to refocus, and realize that you are indeed still breathing. Chris and the children had already made plans to do something else that weekend so they were not able to join us. Jay couldn't join us until the following day after we left, but I went ahead with my parents, Elijah Brooks, and Ellison. I kept thinking that Ellison acting not quite like herself all morning while I was packing, but assumed she was just really tired from being up so much the night before. Well, when we got to the lake and parked the car, I walked around to unfasten her carseat and realized that she was running a fever! Seriously. We had just come off the heels of some major sickness in our family so I all but panicked when I realized she was feverish - again. I debated whether or not to just turn around and go home with her and let EB stay with my parents, but then thought, "well, if she is going to be sick, why not be sick at the lake with some beautiful scenery all around her"! So, I decided to stay and see how she did through the night. If she became worse, I would take her home, but if it seemed like she would rally and be able to enjoy being there, we would stay and I would just treat her symptoms as they became present. She was miserable at night, but during the day she would perk up and have a good day. We decided since she wasn't getting worse to just ride it out and stay the weekend. She enjoyed being there - she just couldn't sleep (so, there went my rest too)! Long story made short, when we got back home from the weekend, we took her to the doctor and her ear infection that she has been treated for a month prior, had returned. So...., with a one dose oral steroid and a new antibiotic, she turned a corner within 24 hours. Felt really bad that I didn't take her in a few days before, but really thought she just had a head cold. Oh, the decisions a parent has to make in regards to their child. It's so hard and I am forever second guessing myself.

Well, besides having a sick toddler, we actually enjoyed being there. God was very gracious to us. We laughed, we cried, and we vented. We cried some more, and laughed some more. The children had a fabulous time, even little Ellison who rallied so well even though I know she didn't feel great. EB enjoyed the change of scenery so much and there was much smiling to be found on his sweet little face.

We are forever grateful to our dear friends who showed us such hospitality and grace allowing us to use their beautiful home for several days. Our hearts break for them as they are now experiencing a loss similar to ours. Their brother too, was a courageous and valiant soldier who also was on the front lines in the battle against cancer. He, along with my sister, is more alive today than we are here. What would we do without the hope of the Gospel?
"Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!" 1 Corinthians 15:57

Yes, this is her "silly" face! She started doing this, and then I would laugh so hard at her, so she started doing it all the time just to make me laugh, and then she would laugh too. So, I call it her "silly" face, even though she looks completely ticked off at me right now!

I love this picture of my sweet Daddy.

The sunsets were absolutely stunning

Bebe and Elijah Brooks!

We were able to get away for a quick dinner out together - thank you Mom and Dad for keeping the kids for us!

And this sweet boy was waiting up for me when I got home :) We didn't stay out late clearly! We are old and tired!

Love this picture

"Thumbs up" for his 1st tubing experience!

We had a blast - understatement of the year! Had such a great time.

Even E-Daddy joined the fun! All I could think about watching my parents on the tube was how Elliot must be smiling so big. She would be so proud of them for doing this with the grandchildren. She would have been proud of us for smiling this weekend.