Random Thoughts On Grieving

Grief is such a weird thing. I can talk about Timmy to just about anyone at just about any time. As long as I don't have to explain for the 100,000,000th time that he's already gone, it feels SO good to talk about him. It makes me feel like he isn't forgotten. But when we went to Red Robin this afternoon, I didn't realize until we got there that it was the first time I had been there since Timmy died. When the hostess asked how many people were in our party, it really bothered me. Who knew? I'll have to go again now and see if it's better the next time around. I mean, we go to Outback all the time and that same question never bothers me there.

Oh, Brutus!

Job update

So in case you haven't heard, I (Lara) found a job. God is so good! I am working as a co-teacher in an early childhood special education classroom.

In the meantime I have applied for a program to get my masters degree in early childhood special education. That way, as I get more training I will be able to have my own classroom and I will be able to go into kids' homes as an early intervention specialist. My goal is to be able to support young children with special needs and their families. So far I have been accepted for non-degree status, and I am working on taking some pre-requisite tests and a community college class to apply for degree status in December.

Please keep us in your prayers as I apply for financial aid and as I take tests and start my classes in mid-September. Please praise God with us for this opportunity to use our experiences with Timmy to help other families.

Timmy's Gravestone

For those of you who wanted to see it...

Overdue update

OK, so my friend Kathie and I made a deal to both blog this week, so I am trying to figure out where to start...

I would say that we are finishing up the first phase of our transition. We have found MOST everything in the boxes of unpacking. The house is pretty settled. We have a trip coming up to celebrate our 10th anniversary. The renter on our Idaho house is moving out, and we are working through our options on what to do with the house next. (We do wish our former renter and good friend the best in his new adventures, however, and are looking forward to visiting him in his new location!)

Marshall is settled in his job and liking it a lot. We thoroughly enjoyed watching the keynote to the developer's conference this Monday, and Marshall has been back and forth to San Francisco several times this week for conference sessions. Now I really want a new phone!

I have had 3 fabulous trips to visit with some friends and family in SoCal, Western NY, and Idaho. I am applying to temp agencies to see if I can get some temporary work. I am hoping to find something that will pay some bills while I figure out what I REALLY want to do next. I am doing a writing group and an "uncover your calling" group. I have been volunteering at the Center for Employment Training Immigration & Citizenship Program. When I was in Idaho, I took a seminar to learn the Simply the Story Bible study method, and I LOVE it! (Another good site on storying: here.)

On a Timmy note, I think that we are finished with funeral stuff. Thank-you notes are done and sent. (I am almost afraid to say that in case we missed someone, but I hope not!) We recently sent the approval back to the funeral home to have his gravestone made. This week also marks the one-year anniversary of "Diagnosis Day" (sadly just in time for Father's Day :-( although that is a week later this year than it was last year), as Timmy started losing his strength. So I've been thinking a lot about that and about that fateful night when he stopped being able to hold himself up anymore.

Last, but not least, is Brutus. He enjoys being the center of attention again. He still barks at other dogs when he is on his leash and he is very much the neighborhood watchdog. He welcomes us home with the greatest excitement. He likes his peanut butter. He loves to play ball in the evenings. He loves to snuggle on the couch with us when we watch movies. He has now moved up to sleeping on the bed whenever I am home, and he takes up as much space as I'll let him have. But he is the cuddle dog, which is just fine with me!

Well, that's the deal on us. What about you???

Sleep smile

Snoozin'

Jackson Latham Bromley

1:01 pm
8 lbs. 14 oz.
20.5" long
Mom and baby are doing well.