How to deal.....

I haven't written on here in quite a while and, I apologize for that. Those of you who are parents, you KNOW how busy life can get...especially if there's 3 children running around and one of them is a 10 month old wanna-be walker/crawler. EEEEeeeekkkkk! Anywho, I wanted to get everybody caught up (somewhat) of what life has been like around here. The past couple of months have been CrAzY busy but, pretty much, in a good way. Jeff FINALLY got to meet my parents in person in May. It's the first time they got to see Lex as well and it had been three years since they had seen J or R. It was a nice trip over all but, we won't be staying in a hotel in Taccoa next time we go back (THAT is a whole ballgame in itself!). Also got to see some of Jeff's cousins in Birmingham (which is always great) and R got to spend some one-on-one time with one of her favorite people. :) The kids and I also spent the week with K and G while Jeff was in the Dominican Republic on a singing/mission trip in June. We were able to be there for Father's Day and to help celebrate K's birthday and Margie (G's mom) birthday as well. The week had it's challenges but, overall, a good week. On Father's Day, Jeff was able to talk to K a little bit and wish him a happy Father's Day as did I. The sad thing is, he was on auto pilot. It was very obvious that K didn't want to think or feel anything so, like most people who don't want to face (or deal with) their grief, they go on auto pilot. It will be 5 years come December and the signs are showing up in K (complexion, lack of sleep, weepy, etc). Of course, they both have their plates full. K's brother Jay, has been mentally going downhill at a fast rate. Six months ago, Jay was functioning on a 4 or 5 year old. Now, he's functioning on a 1 or 2 year old. Margie has started refusing to eat at times or to take her meds so, the facility that she is at has to call G and then Margie will eat for her (or meds, shower, etc). I am worried of how they will cope when Jay passes. K hasn't allowed himself to completely grieve from Donovan's death or his dad's passing 2 years later. I'm sure that they both tackle with the "If Only" game.... If only we had done this or that. Life would be much more different than it is now. I used to do that until I finally just took this life for what it was, let the Almighty deal with whatever consequences that other people had, and just do the best I can for Him and His glory. I constantly see on FB (there are three groups specifically for widow's/widower's and I see this "What if" mentality over and over again. The truth is, no matter how much wishing you or I do every day, our lives have nowhere else to be but with us. Too many times, we all fall into the "what if" and waste time by either wishing or wondering the day away. God hasn't jumped ship on us and we shouldn't jump ship with Him either. If we do, Satan has won the day. It's each of our choices whether we get back up on our feet and keep trusting and obeying Him or let Satan keep us down. Keep your head up! :) Also, please keep K and G in your prayers and thoughts. It's going to be a rough road ahead and they're going to need all the love and support that they can get! Thanks! More to follow.....