Family Update and my so long to Facebook

So much has changed since my last post. We have moved from our wonderful home in NC to beautiful (and busier) VA. The summer was filled with traveling from NC to TX and back to NC then to VA. As a family we have found to really enjoy National State Parks trails. The kids had a blast seeing wildlife and I saw one too many snakes. I loved visiting our amazing family & friends across the U.S. that took us in while we were waiting for base housing. We thankfully got a call two days before signing a lease on an apartment (phew!) My family truly does live by Semper Gumby, "Always Flexible." The kids have started school and after a bumpy few weeks, things seem to have settled into a routine. Isaiah has decided to join band this year, and I'm excited for him. I don't have a musical bone in my body, so I love that he is trying it out! Julianna is still adapting to school schedule and the longer bus ride to and from school. I believe the move has been the hardest for her. Gabriella is the bright and cheerful kindergardener! She loves school and I love sitting and hearing about her day!

I wanted to let my friends and family know that I've deleted my facebook account. In short, I became a person I didn't like and facebook fed into a part of me that was ugly. It's been 2 days and I still miss checking it. I will miss the instant updates from family. I miss having access to all the blogs I like in one spot. There was a lot of negative things that I let get to me and really started to impact my loved ones. I don't intend on going back on facebook. *** Bonus to deleting it, I've gotten a lot more accomplished in the past few days than I had in weeks-ha! I told myself to start planning to do those cute projects I've pinned on Pinterest. I can't decide whether to make cute glitter rain boots for Gabriella or try a painting for our guest bathroom. I'll post family updates on here and not let months go by before writing a post.

I started reading 'Life without Limits' by Nick Vujicic this past week when I was having a really bad day. Martinez and I came across this book over the summer and I was just inspired how this man could have so much joy spite his obvious disability. This one sentence he quoted in his intro from the bible struck me, "Consider it pure joy, whenever you face trials of any kinds." Julianna is going thru some weird mood swings. Crying or yelling for no known reason and sleep was only a few hours at a time. It was taking a toll on us as a family again. How can I consider this pure joy? Then a few hours later I glimpse over to Julianna and I'll find her belly laughing and running from Martinez, or dancing with her brother in the living room, or a rare moment she gives me a kiss so I will open a pudding cup for her. Pure joy. I may not understand why my daughter is Intellectually disabled, Autistic, and non-verbal. But I have faith the challenges we face ahead God will give us strength and show us joy in it.