Memories Last Forever

Today I saw two friends from the past who I hadn't seen for years. It still feels strange to see them continue on with their lives, when things are so different for me since I last saw them. It's difficult to describe. Life goes on, and pretty "normally" for most people. Sometimes I want to scream, "Todd died! Does anyone remember or care?" I know they do, but life seems so normal for them.

It was pretty awesome, however, to hear our former neighbor talking about her two year old twin boys, and saying how she remembered Todd doing things with our boys (she was a teen and spent a lot of time with us at the condo, our first home) and teaching them different things, and how she was doing the same things with her boys now. That was pretty amazing. You never realize what an impression you have on people. Obviously Todd made a big impression on her, and I'm sure countless others.

As life continues on for everyone, I have to realize that mine will never be the same as it was. Accepting the new "normal" is not easy. I'm thankful for Todd. I'm thankful for the lasting memories. I'm so glad he was a part of our lives. I think I will always miss him, but I'm trying to accept life as God has it for me now. Not easy, but God's grace is sufficient.

Clear Day For "Launching" Balloons!

My precious 5 year old made a card for Daddy on Father's Day. She asked me, "Can we send this up to Daddy with balloons, or should I wait until he comes back in the clouds with Jesus to give it to him?" How does a Mom answer that one?

We decided to send her card up with balloons, but Sunday was cloudy and rainy. She told me we couldn't send her card up that day, "because the rain will make the balloons come back down."

So, early Monday morning, a very excited little girl woke up yelling, "It's sunny! Look at the sun! We can send Daddy's card up today!" So we did...

Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to all you wonderful fathers out there. Found some pictures yesterday that I wanted to share of one of the best Dad's ever...

Loneliness Hurts

Have you ever felt alone? I mean totally alone? The room could be crowded with people, or you could have family members all around you, but yet you felt alone? I’ve felt this way countless times since Todd died. It’s an empty, sick feeling….to be totally alone in this world. Many times accompanying this loneliness comes an ache in your gut, in the deepest part of your being, that makes you feel like you are literally going to break in half. It hurts. Your stomach hurts so badly that you want to throw up (and sometimes do). Those are the times when we MUST remind ourselves of God’s Word and His promises. God will never leave us. God will never forsake us. He is always here, standing beside us, and walking us through, even through the darkest, deepest valleys in life.

Deuteronomy 31:6 tells us: “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”

I never want to be disrespectful to our Heavenly and Most Holy God, but in the words of Rascal Flatts, “He Ain’t the Leaving Kind.” I love this song, so I decided to put some pictures to the words and music.

Congratulations?

Well, I labored for weeks/months on a video for Nathan's graduation in anticipation of this monumental event. Hopefully, congratulations are in order soon. He's "working" on self-pace courses that need to be completed by the end of the summer for his official graduation and diploma from high school. Anyway, in great anticipation and much prayer, here is Nathan's graduation gift from me. You all get a sneak preview before he even has seen it! But Lord willing, he will see it soon and another Radle child will have graduated. phew. Here's is Todd's "special boy!" :)

Awards!

Both Winter and Toby received their year-end C-Club awards at church tonight. I am so proud of them.



Today the girls went to an orientation for enrollment at another cyber school, and both Winter and Toby had to be tested. I had no doubt about Winter, who did very well in 5th grade, and easily passed her tests to enroll in the 6th grade, after my home-schooling attempt this past year. However, I was a little more concerned with the Tobster, after I failed so miserably at home schooling her in Kindergarten. I wish you could have seen her smiling from ear to ear, when she learned she is officially enrolled in FIRST GRADE! Yay, Toby!

I'm still deciding what will be the best for the children in schooling next year. I don't like decisions...especially such huge ones. I know God will lead. He always does. I pray I am tender and open to what HE wants us to do next year! Right now, I am thanking Him for a successful year of school, despite my short-comings! God is good.