A New Leaf

With Spring in full bloom, I wanted to comment on personal renewal as well. As a family we have struggled through the winter, almost unaware that we were in jeopardy of losing our sense of family through lack of communication, lack of awareness, and a growing sense of apathy. Do you ever see that happening around you. You trudge through the days, just working on making it through the day.....instead of making each day count.

It has been like that for us lately, just getting through. It is sad and disappointing, but one of those necessary lulls in life that you eventually have to snap out of.

The girls and I have been avoiding John Mark.....not for anything he has done personally, but because the tension around him has been palpable and hard to bear. When you are married to someone whose business revolves around how the economy and the state of Wall Street are doing....it is really hard to not walk on eggshells. The lack of sleep, stress, and just making it through has been tough. It has taken it's toll on all of us.

To add to the stress I have been so worried about the character development of Rebecca and making sure that she understands that she is so much more than a pretty girl. She has to be a genuine person who sticks up for others and empowers those around her. To raise up others and glorify her talents to God instead of basking in her own self worth. You can read more here.

The brilliant side to all of this is I can feel us turning the corner. With the advent of spring has come the birth of a renewed family, and it feels wonderful. John Mark called me from California (where he is taking a much needed break for a few days) to apologize for his recent stress and tension. He can't wait to come home and be with his girls. He sounds so genuinely happy and carefree for the first time in a long time.

Rebecca went to an end of school dance this weekend, where she danced with several boys, that before she would have turned her nose up.....and yes even that particular one aforementioned in "that" post. She told others who started to comment or poke fun to stop it immediately. I am hoping this is the blessing we have prayed for.

Oh by the way, Regan all of a sudden in her obsessive ways decided since her hair color and skin type resemble Bella of "Twilight", that she is going to grow her hair out of it's current rock star shortness. She assures me she is going to learn how to brush it and care for it herself. We are still working on proper face washing techniques to compliment the best acne treatment....oh those teen years!