10 days have passed...

Hi everyone...it's Karen.....I was surprised to see we still have 1200+ visitors a day!...you haven't left us!....thanks.

It is kind of weird having you all not know what goes on every day in our home....I miss trying to think from a 4-month-old's perspective.....Jacob sure was funny.....me, not so much.

Last week was preparing for the service Thursday....getting things printed, organized and together.....it was beautiful but lots of work (THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT!). Friday, Jason and the boys hung out with Jason's family and I went out with some friends who drove in from Delaware and then hung out with my family. Saturday, I went to my cousin's baby shower and then my sister Juli (from FL) came back to my house to visit for a bit before having to leave town. Sunday, we made an attempt for church. We drove there, had some issues with Jonathan and finally got him into his class. Joshua went into his class and the first thing out of one of the other kid's mouth was "I heard your baby brother died." The teachers were chatting and didn't field it for him....it seemed so loud to me and just rang through my ears....I hurt for Joshua but he just trudged through and ignored it. Then as we were on our way to our class, we were stopped at least seven times.....nothing bad, just questions like "How are you doing?" and statements attempting to be encouraging.......our church has been amazing and I do not make these statements to make it sound as though they are at fault.....it was just the first place we have all been as a family while dealing with this all....it could have been any other crowd. It is us, the sensitive and hurting, that magnify everything. I've always said "I don't know what I would say to a mother who just lost her child" so I understand that people don't know what to say and want to support us in some way. But, I was tired. We never did make it to class. I broke in the hall and pleaded with Jason to take me home. He asked if I was sure and I was and he went and got the kids, I canceled our plans for the day an we headed home. I needed to be home with my family....something I hadn't done in a while without craziness. For the next few days, we just hung out as a family, swam in the pool and enjoyed being a family.

So, it's been 10 days since Jacob passed. We've had our ups and downs just as life normally goes but it seems as if there is this super sensitive button....my Jacob button. This button is always triggered....sometimes it is as if someone just bumped it a little bit and then other times it is as if someone smashed their fist on it.....regardless, it is always triggered, tugging on my heart. I have realized that many people's advice to us is that "it gets easier". I am not really sure what this means. My son is gone....there is nothing easy about it. This is hard and there is nothing that is easy about it.....and although time passes, my arms are empty and that is not easy. Monday birthday parties are no more....that is not easy. My nights are no longer on the couch with a snoring 6 pound baby boy.... that is not easy. I sleep at night only to be awakened by my own dreaming of holding my baby boy.....that is not easy. My nursery closet is no longer full of needed feeding tubes, syringes and formula....that is not easy. I have dirty laundry in a basket that after being washed, will never be dirty again....that is not easy. What will get easier? I am a mother of three beautiful children with only two to hold......I do not wish those two away, oh, but how I long to hold all three.....that is not easy. Jacob Ryan was God's tool and has changed me forever.....I don't want it to get easier. I want to learn what God has for me in this season.....so I don't have to repeat any classes. I am changed. As a mother, I hug longer. I stare longer. I spend more time listening. Jacob has given his brothers a better mother.

The struggle for me right now....not to be run by fear. I went to the grocery store today by myself. I haven't been much of anywhere by myself since I drove away from my house 10 days ago leaving behind my 4 boys....I didn't realize the fear that I had inside me. It sucks. That is not me. I am not a fearful person. It is crazy what Satan will play on. He saw me drive away 10 days ago and he saw how I came home to only 3 of my 4 boys.....he seized the moment, contemplated his attack for 10 days and hit me hard as I drove to the store today. He hates the fact that there are people who are brought closer to Christ because of God's Hand in our family. Satan is looking to tear me down though and I am so thankful for the "God View" that God has given me to spot Satan's ploys. Satan wants me to become a hermit unable to reach others and live a beautiful testimony of God's Unfailing Love.....he wants me to fail in the truth that my strength comes from Above. Man, he is good at what he does. But My God, the One who has given me the strength to praise His name through the worst storm, Who now holds my baby boy in His arms, is better at what He does and He will prevail.

I was invited to join 6 other blogger moms who have lost their babies. They are going to the Deeper Still ladies conference in Georgia. As soon as I was invited I was excited about the opportunity not only to be fed the Word by these amazing speakers but also to be hugged by these other mom's who know way too well what I am going through....it just would be so healing. I looked up the tickets.....Sold Out. Did Satan win this battle?...God is in control and those ladies are going to have such a blessed time and God will be glorified.....so no Satan is a big loser even though I will not be there.

Wow...and I thought I talked in circles before things went all crazy on me....So, I am not sure where I am going with any of this.....that is why I always hesitate to write....I am just brain barfing....(you like that mind picture, don't cha)

Do I wish I could go to Atlanta?....YES! Do I understand God's timing?....not all the time but I will obey...there are times as parents we say "no" and our children do not understand why....that's just how it is. Do I feel major spiritual warfare?....YES!....it's scary.....I have to be solid at such an easy time for weakness. Am I up for the challenge?....YES....if it will bring me, my family and friends closer to God and help lead others into a relationship with Jesus Christ, then I am up for it.....

....strap on my armor and charge ahead without a thought of what is left behind.


(someone get the Clorox to clean up this mess!)