BUSY, BUSY, BUSY

I will describe a typical day for you. I get up in time to arrive at school by 7:30. I am running, answering pages, meeting with students/teachers/administrators all day until about 3:15. I leave work and go straight to Oxford where I pay bills, make deposits, answer the phone, and update the accounting system. I leave there by 6:00 usually and try to figure out what is for supper. Luckily, Randy is a tremendous help around the house and helps me keep the cleaning caught up and laundry done. It's an exhausting cycle, but I've handled it pretty well. I began 1 day after school was out working at Oxford and things are pretty organized there. Megan and I have a system in place that seems to be working. I learn something new every day. It's been a huge undertaking for me, but challenges are new adventures, right? We still don't have the business legally separated. The accountants are working on it.

Jess, Andy and Hartley are gone for a week to Jonesboro so it's pretty quiet around here. I think they'll only be back for a few days before she leaves for El Dorado and Andy goes back to New Mexico. I don't know what their plans are after that. Jess still wants to get into medical school, but she has to get well first. She has a doctor's appt. on Thursday this week. We'll see what he says about her condition at that time. She's been a real trooper. She's been our walking every day for several weeks now. I hope her back is healing properly so she doesn't have to face surgery.

I've missed hearing from all of you. We went to Lydia's birthday party yesterday so we got to see the Warriors. Lydia is talking up a storm. She and Levi are both constantly going. I know that they are keeping Jeni and Necon occupied. Jeni was talking about another baby yesterday, though. I guess they'll have another one in the near future. Can you believe I forgot to take my camera to the birthday party? I hope Jeni posts some pics. I hate that I didn't get any pictures. I was just tired and not thinking. Well, I guess I've rambled enough now. I've really been missing Travis a lot lately and having lots of dreams about my deceased family members. God is giving me glimpses of the family I love. Take care, everyone, and keep in touch. Love you all.

Karen

Question

How is it possible that I have lived 2 years, 2 months and 3 weeks without my son? I thought that life would get easier as I got older. With experience I would be wiser and handle life's struggles in stride. I had no idea that my only child would be taken from me so suddenly and I would have to keep facing new days without his presence. I really miss him more than words can express. I ache to hear his voice, see his smile or feel his arms wrapped around me in a big bear hug. I guess I'm just feeling tired. Why? I really would like to understand how this could be my path.

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