an unexpected twist

Life has a way of taking unexpected twists and turns.

And Tuesday afternoon, my very active boy

who likes to jump and catapult off most every

surface imaginable decided to jump from a rather high tree.

He didn't land right and his right arm bent in under the weight of his body.

Leading to a clear break right through both bones.

I happened to be testing out a babysitter when it happened.

When I got home I could see it was more than a sprain.

And that landed us in the E.R. for much of the night.

And on the phone with health care providers

and in doctor's offices for much of the next day.

So this day became a science lesson

about x-rays and the chemical reaction that takes place

when the bandage coated in fiber glass meets water

it warms to the touch and starts to harden.

Pretty cool.

So the cast will be on for six weeks,

with no activity for a total of eight.

So much for basketball season that was about to start.

But if I'm going to look at the silver lining

I figure maybe God knew that it was going to be one too many

things on our schedule for the fall.

And now my son knows he's breakable.

That was one of the first things I said to him once it was a confirmed break.

"You thought you couldn't break didn't you?"

And he replied, "yes."

I truly think he thought he was invincible. 

But now he knows, we all break.

And that's why mom and dad say, "Be careful."

And I guess it's kind of a rite of passage.

This weekend was a full one for us.

One which included a boy camp out in our backyard.

That then inspired our girls to want a family camp out the next night.

And so we did.

I hardly took a picture.  Leaving everything behind.

I really wanted to just disconnect.

It was pretty cool. 

And honestly I wondered why we had never done this before.

The boys told me the day before how awesome the sunrise was.

And to think I'd never gone to our deck to see it myself.

In all the years we've lived in our home.

I was rather embarrassed

that I had never seen such a stunning display of God's beauty

literally in my own backyard. 

One rather loud bird

which my husband deemed God's alarm clock

woke us a little before the rays peeked out above the mountains.

The pictures hardly do it justice.

The white ethereal glow over the fog before

the orange rays emerged. 

It was breathtaking.

Once the sun broke through the warmth grew tenfold

and the sheer brightness was overwhelming.

My husband so lovingly went and made coffee to bring up.

And the morning was perfect.

It was like a vacation.

Only we were steps from home.

And so we begin week two for our homeschool.

Tomorrow begins our co-op.

I'm excited and hope the girls both find it fun too.

Mostly I'm praying each of them connects with at least

one friend that can be close for them through this year.

Because although we're still friends with old school friends.

This new journey is a little different and they won't be seeing

those school friends day in and day out.

So to find a close homeschool friend, well that's 

something this mama heart really wants for them.

Because I know how much friendships are important

to us girls.  Especially through our growing years.

409. that gorgeous sunrise

410. a dodger game family date

411. baby shower preparations

412. pretty bird songs

413. the stillness in the air

414. green moss

415. burlap

416. white yarn

417. neighbors with a dog for the girls to play

418. fun math games

419. not having tests to stress about

420. a great sermon

421. lessons learned

422. lime green casts

423. watercolor

424. inspiration

425. the kindness & generosity of other artists

426. plans for october