The Latest

We're all just one big family now-a-days. Jess and Andy probably will stay with us through Labor Day. She's heard that the back brace will be continued for another 6-8 weeks. Jess has added a new member of her family. His name is Hartley. He's a precious little Yorkie which will grow to 5 pounds total. She's enjoyed his company and the two of them are working hard on house-breaking the little guy. He's getting very playful and alert about everyone and everything that happens around here. He sleeps with Jess and keeps her company. I'm really glad that she found him. Andy has been busy with her finances and trying to make arrangements with insurance for her care and pay the bills. He's been very attentive and they are extremely close.
Randy and I have been conquering the new business. I work at school and leave for my second job afterwards. It's been a very busy week. I've enjoyed my late sleep today and doing things around the house. I think we'll go for a walk around the lake later. Love to you all. Come see us.
Karen

Just Thinking

It seems that I'm missing Travis more now that Jess and Laura have been around so much. I'm so thankful that he brought such loving young adults into our lives. He accomplished so much in his short 25 years. Every day I hear something new from one of his friends that uplifts my spirits. He not only spent time with people, but touched their lives with love, kindness and laughter. My Trav was an amazing young man! I miss him more than words can express.

I don't know how anyone can suffer a loss and not be in a relationship with the Lord. My comfort and strength from my Father in heaven have kept me breathing and moving forward each day. Thanks to everyone who's remembered us in your prayers. They are definitely making a difference in our lives.

Love to all,

Karen

Jess is home

Jess and her dad, Andy, moved in with us on Tuesday evening. We have filled our rooms with friends and more friends. Jess has so many friends who've been with her since the wreck on July 12th. Every day she's had friends visiting and encouraging her during this very tragic time. It's still so hard to believe that we'd lose Travis and Hartford within a couple of years. They were both such gentlemen and filled with potential. I can't begin to explain to Jess the reasoning behind her loss, but at least we have the support of many loved ones to keep us moving forward. She is getting stronger every day, but still has a long way to go due to her surgery to address the ruptured intestine.
I've been trying to help Randy with the office work from home this week as much as I can. He's been very tolerant of my absence there. Things at work still have not been officially divided. Hopefully, we can accomplish that by the end of August. It seems like this ordeal has gone on forever. Keep us in your prayers, please.
We've been visiting Westover Hills Presbyterian church off Kavanaugh. The members there have been very friendly and supportive. At a recent informational meeting, Randy, Jess and I were all given prayer shawls that were blessed in that day's service. I feel like God has placed us in a new place for worship and study. It has been a long search, but I think we've found the church where we feel comfortable and nurtured. Love to you all.
Karen

Sorry I Haven't Written Lately

Things have been going fast and furious around here. We had a birthday dinner for Randy at Shorty Small's. It started out as an invitation to dinner from Megan and turned into 30 people. Thanks to all of you who came out for Randy's birthday. Boy, he was really surprised!! I'm glad Megan had a birthday get-together. He'd been a little down since Father's Day. He was very quiet and solemn. I'm not used to seeing him like that very much.

We've been working very hard to get our NEW Oxford business up and running. It was official on July 1st with a split of liquid assets and working with customers, but there are still a lot of details to be worked out before the final split of everything. We are now operating a business with hardly any knowledge of bookkeeping. Amazing! I'm learning all kinds of new things every day. It's been a HUGE challenge to my math-limited brain. It's a good thing Randy and I compliment each other with our talents. Somehow I've managed the computer system that he's never learned and he's the numbers wizard. Remember us if you need any printing done! Or just come by and look at our new offices and logo on the front window. Check out the website I created when you get a chance:

http://www.oxfordscreenprinting.com.

I have to return to school on August 11th. I recently learned that our principal is not returning. Pray for a strong and compassionate leader for our school, please. I want someone who loves kids as much as Becky. Our new principal will need some strong leadership skills to get the morale going in a more positive direction. Our staff is so large and divided by portables, it's hard to unite everyone.

I've missed visiting with all of you this summer. That was my plan, but it got de-railed by my summer job. Sorry. Love you all.

Karen

Father's Day

Today Randy and I visited Westover Hills Presbyterian Church in the Heights. Nancy Sherman, one of my former teacher friends, invited us to join her. It was a very nice service and similar to the Methodist order of worship. I also got to see Don Jordan, a retired counselor from PCSSD. The pianist was wonderful and the choir's harmony very nice. After church we went to eat at Mexico Chiquito on Cantrell. We found some golfing shorts and shirts for his dad.

Randy got a very touching card from Laura that made us both cry. It was so sweet of her to write such loving thoughts. Proud Papa was always so loving.

After our trip to the Wilsons and the grocery store, we came home for a quiet evening. Randy has caught a glimpse of the U.S. Open at every stop today. I think he's done well. He hasn't had much to say. Hope all of you dads had a day filled with amazing memories. Love to you all.

Karen

Enjoy the show

Picasa Web Albums - The Wilsons

(Double-click on the link above; let the site download and click on slideshow)

Second Anniversary

Several of you have asked how we handled the second anniversary of Trav's death. It's taken me all week to be able to put it into words. We began the day with several text messages, e-mails and calls from our friends and loved ones offering their prayers and love to us. We are blessed to have so many of you who continue to keep us in your prayers and thoughts.

Randy and I started the day together by lighting the candle that we used on the first anniversary. Amid many tears we read several passages from the Bible which provided us with comfort and assurance that God is faithful and has a purpose, plan and home prepared for each of His children. After our readings, prayer and tears together we blew out the candle and decided we must move on with the day.

We went to Burns Park to watch Laura play tennis. She won the state championship in her division along with her teammates. Her focus, determination and endurance that day were a real inspiration to both of us. God not only blessed us with an amazingly gifted and loving son, but also an equally talented and devoted daughter.

We received a beautiful bouquet of flowers from Beth, Manuel, Tasha and Josiah. God is so good. The picture of the flowers is at the top of this post. We love you all.

Karen