Angie and Bunny

My little brother, Vin, and his girlfriend Marcie, just had a baby girl and they named her Cleo December James.

It's hard for me to picture my rascally brother as a dad, but he is and I'm sure he'll be great. He always had that sweet tender side to him.

Congrats Vinny, she's beautiful! I love and miss you.

For lack of anything better to post about, here are some pictures from a party my sister Jenna, and brother-in-law Ruben, dragged me to yesterday at the Redlands Country Club where I used to work. I got to hang out with some old friends, dance, sing karaoke and eat tacos. Good times.

I got to pick Kyle up for the day, and we went to the store to buy sand toys for a day at the beach. On the way home he found 2 band aids in the truck and stuck them onto the inside of the passenger window.

Then he said, "mommy, promise me you won't take these down. I want them to help you remember me when I'm gone so you don't forget that you have me."

I couldn't talk for the next 5 minutes. I needed those band aids for my heart.

How on earth could I ever forget?

Happy Lefthanders Day! Didn't know you had a day huh?

Today we celebrate your uniqueness and may you enjoy many long years of left-handedness, although we right-handers will probably live longer than you.

You're only 10% of the population, so lets hear from you. What's the most annoying thing about being left-handed. The best thing? I've always been curious.

Hip, hip hooray.

For those who don't know, yesterday I was in court for a case conference and the judge changed custody, so on Saturday Kyle goes to live with his dad. I'll see him every other weekend and every other Wednesday afternoon.

Kyle has been with me since birth, so of course this has been difficult and I've been treasuring these last few days with him. Jesus has given me amazing grace for this and I know it's due to everyone's prayers. My email box has been flooded with notes and messages of encouragement and I've been so touched by the support shown.

There is so much love in The Family and despite what ignorant people may say, people in The Family are amazing, through and through. Thank you so much! I can't tell you enough how thankful I am for you and how much I love you. I have felt your prayers upholding me and I couldn't do this without you.

I know people probably feel very badly for me and can't understand why the Lord has let this happen. I just want you to know that I'm grateful. Even though it's been the most painful thing I've ever experienced, and I cried more yesterday and today than I have in my life, I've never felt the Lord so close, so real and so alive.

This world can be scary and cruel but I have full faith that He is going to come through for me and Kyle and that He will never let us go through anything that isn't for our ultimate good. He's that solid and that sure and He holds everything in his very capable hands.

The GN Apples of Gold has been my salvation, but I read this this morning from Gold, Roses and Thorns and I just wanted to share it with anyone who may be struggling with why this had to happen.

(Jesus:) Let not your heart be troubled. Just as I am with you in your deepest depths, so do I journey there with others. Maybe their depths seem darker and more painful than your own and you wonder how they can make it. But even in the darkest night and the most difficult depths I am still a lamp unto My children and a light unto their path. It doesn't matter how dark the way, My light is always shining. While you only see the dark tunnel they are going through from the outside, I am there in the darkness with My precious child, and each step is brightened with My love. The light is not only at the end of the tunnel, but it journeys with them through the tunnel as well.

This custody decision isn't final, the final hearing is coming up in a few months. So, I just wanted to ask for your prayers that the Lord has his perfect way. Please pray for Kyle as this transition won't be easy for him and he'll be starting public school next month. I know I'm biased because I'm his mom, but he's an amazing little boy with such a sweet spirit and he needs all the prayer he can get.

Thank you Angel, Connie, Claire, Paula, Amy, Niki, Jackie, Laurie, Steph, Jamie, Cassie and all of you who have emailed, called or prayed for Kyle and I and are helping us get through this. Jer, thank God I have you, you've been amazing.

I love you all.

Here are some pictures we took of our camping trip last weekend.