Today there was a shooting at an Elementary School of all places in Connecticut. 20 kids and 6 adults were shot and killed. Horrifying. Absolutely horrifying. There have been way too many shootings in general lately, including one at a mall just over the river here in Portland a few days ago. It is scary the world we live in today. So much good, but also so so much evil surrounds us. This shooting was by far one of the worst. The gunman, a 20 year old man, went into the school and shot and killed the principal, the school psychologist, then went into the kindergarten and first grade rooms and killed a few teachers and 20 children. 26 victims in all. He also shot and killed his mother at their home before hand, and killed himself at the school. Jackson is in kindergarten right now. I have been so heart broken and emotional over this today, as I'm sure many parents and anyone with a heart has been over the past few hours. I watched the news in horror and in tears and counted down the minutes until Jackson got home so I could hold him and Baron and Morgan tight. I cannot even imagine the pain and shock the parents of the victims are going through. It is 10 days before Christmas. There will be way too many unopened presents under those families trees and a huge void in their lives during the holidays.
The boys had a Dr. appointment today for their 4 and 6 year old checkups. I have been feeling extremely overwhelmed lately with all of Baron's food allergy issues. It has increased our monthly expenses drastically with all the special and expensive cheeses, milks, GF bread and special vitamins and pro-biotics. There are days where I am just at a loss on how to keep up on it all with such a busy life. After the shootings today though, I feel so blessed to have my children still here with me, that I will gladly take on any challenge they may come with! We were at Costco this afternoon and there was a kind lady we kept bumping into around the store and checked out right behind. Then as we got to our car, we noticed she was parked right next to us as well! I laughed and made a funny remark about her not being able to get rid of us. She responded that it was a pleasure to see such a happy cute little family. She told me how good the boys seemed to be and how happy of a mom I was around them. She then offered to take my cart back and we exchanged Holiday Greetings. I am usually so sensitive about how others perceive me as a mom because of my age. I get tired of the whole, "Who's kids are those? Yours?? But you look so young!" It was such a joy to have this women, a mother of a now 24 year old, share her insight to what we really looked like together. She never once mentioned my age or questioned my ability therefore to be in charge of these 3 young kids. What she saw was our happiness and that we have it together just fine. I needed that today. It reminded me how blessed I am to be a mother and how much joy it brings me each and everyday to learn and grow and be together.
I am so grateful for all that I have! I know I hugged my whole family tight tonight as I am sure many others around the country have as well. May the Lord comfort and bless those families affected by the shootings today. I hope they can find peace and feel of the Lord's love for their sweet children and loved ones. And may all these crazy shootings stop. I want my children to feel safe in this world!!
Cannot get enough of this little blue eyed bug
Or this smoothie mustache/bearded face
And this excited big boy
And can't forget this good looking guy who's been working his buns off for us!
LOVE THEM ALL!!
