June 27, 2011
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Challenge #1 for The_Koffee_Klatch
For those of you that followed me years ago you know that I was a member of a blogring called Kween_Of_The_Queens. I loved writing there and in fact the woman who moderated it was a good friend of mine. She handed over her throne to another a few years back and I slowly lost interest in the blogring and quietly left...
SHE'S BACK! My Kween started a brand new blogring The_Koffee_Klatch and I'm happy to present to her my attempt to complete the first challenge by royal decree!
The challenge is presented thus;
What have you been doing for the past 2 to 4 years?
I know that most of us more or less abandoned our blogging at least 2 years ago, and some longer...so, what has been going on in the past few years w/ you all? As long as we're all coming back together, we might as well do some catching up!
Write it anyway you want....include pictures if you are able, let us in on your joys, sorrows, accomplishments....just get us all up to speed!~~~~~
On April 11th 2009 my blogging life became something less than what it had been... It has evolved greatly since the day I joined xanga so many years ago, things have ebbed and changed with my lifestyles and interests. I used to write long blogs that wound with my thoughts... these slowly gave way to posts full of stories and pictures as Ryan and I moved to The Land of Fairy Tales in 2006...
In 2009 when we moved home to the states and then on to Texas I found that my life no longer held much I wanted to talk about...
I didn't like the town I lived in, I don't make friends quickly, life was changing and for the first time in a long time I didn't know quite how to change with it. The adjustment from living in Arizona for my whole life to living in a foreign country was hard but exciting... the adjustment of going from fairytales behind every rock to small town America almost broke me. And so blogging became something perfunctory a duty that I didn't want to do...
When life in it's ever changing way became blog worthy once more I was out of the habit and life was busy...
In the fall of 2009 my husband and I got the unexpected news that we were expecting.
We had been trying to have a baby for 9 years at that point and it was our fourth pregnancy. Our joy was unimaginable as we watched the pregnancy progress and began to understand that we would be parents after all of these years. I was stunned and busy dreaming and planning...
And then he came!
Isaac Orion Laube was born on May 9th of 2010, Mother's day!
He consumed me... in a good way! Just when life began to slow down and I thought that maybe I would come back we found out that Gandalf (my Newfi mix baby boy) was sick. In just a few weeks time we said goodbye to my soul's best friend... I came here and I wrote for him and then I couldn't come back for a while... and life went on.
Three short months later we lost Yoda (Our 13 year old Schnauzer) to a broken heart... He just couldn't live without Gandalf.
It took me longer to get here and write for him... and I just didn't have the heart to come back...
I came and wrote entries for Thanksgiving and Christmas... a cute face here a short trip there... first foods... first smile... Nothing with depth... but a few great pictures!
In January of this year I lost my mind and we adopted a new furry face into our family...
Meet Spock
I love him... he's a lot of work and my heart still aches for my boys but I can tell that Spock was a perfect choice for our little family.
Life went on with a bit more pee than before... but it zoomed by all the same...
And then suddenly... Isaac was one!
In the blink of an eye two years have passed since I was really here... since I worked at maintaining the relationships so crucial to my military lifestyle...
I don't know what happened but one day I woke up and realized that I wanted to be here again. That I wanted to share my life with you who have been with me for so long... and with those who are new... that I wanted my life to shine as a beacon of hope for those that have empty arms... as a light in the darkness for those seeking fulfillment and peace... I wanted to stop hiding in my anonymity.
So here I am...
My life is about to change again drastically... My husband is about to deploy to Afghanistan followed by a year without us in Turkey. Isaac and I are moving home to be with family in Arizona and we are a few short months away from learning where we will go once we're all back together again...
My life is like a breath held... and all the while my world keeps spinning... my son keeps growing... and my joy is overflowing...
I would be honored if you would join me on this new journey... and I'm looking forward to learning about yours!
Courtney
Comments (16)
My joy overflowed as I read of you learning about Isaac, and giving birth, my heart sank and my eyes filled with tears as I thought of Gandalf and Yoda who, if I'm honest, I miss like friends I used to see every day. I love that you're back and want to be here and post. I love you so much, my dear, sweet friend and I love reading everything you post whether it's a month or two between or several months.
What a great snapshot of the last couple of years! Loved the pictures...especially the one with cake smashed all over Isaac's little face. So cute!!
I'm glad you're back!
Even though I knew all of this, it still got to me. I think for a few reasons. One, because I COMPLETELY understand the feeling that went along with your pregnancy and Isaac finally arriving, but then, you already know that. Two, because I am approaching the time when it will be time to say goodbye to my own furbaby. It may be a few years yet, it may not. But oh, how I am dreading it! And third, well, the whole deployment thing is getting to me this time in a way it never has before. Praying so hard over that one. Be safe Ryan, be strong, be canny...and come home. Love you kiddo. See you soon.
Yeah, pretty much what sulimb said up there. It's been an awesome thing watching your baby (who looks nothing like his Daddy *gs*) grow, and you as well.
I find it pretty uncanny that all of us have the urge to blog again, at about the same time. That is pretty awesome synchronicity. It's like we all got really busy the last few years, and now everyone is at a more peaceful time...spirtually I mean.
xxoo
You did such an amazing job of summarizing your time and showing things through your photographs. I love that you called Germany the Land of Fairy Tales. The shot you took just backs up the title. I hope we get an overseas assignment next.
I'm looking forward to using this blog ring to journey with you in this time apart from Ryan. I'm here for you, please know that, despite the miles between.
@CndFrnd - I was thinking the same thing about the blogging thing, I bet Jeri is too. Should this be a goosebumps moment? I think so!
What a lovely entry. I know I had read your blog before a few times but apparently lost you somewhere along the way. Thank you for making the effort to reconnect. Maybe we all can make new blog friends this time around.
@sulimb - Yes. I would think would be along the lines of global consciousness(sp?). I got booted from a spelling bee with that word, it's always caused me trouble. Grrr. Anyway. There is something about the connectivity of us right now, there's a purpose.
My lovely, sweet friend...you have been linked! Thank you so much for participating!
Well darling, I have to say that this "attempt" was a total success! And I'm just sitting here blushing and hoping that this blog ring will be up to snuff for you! Those are such kind words that you've written about me. A wonderful entry with great pictures...and as much joy as you are having now with your beautiful little boy and new puppy (who is adorable by the way), I feel your pain at the loss of your other boys...mine have just reached "official old dog age" at 7 this past March...they are small and have many more expected years, but one just never knows. They are my family and I would just grieve so much should anything happen to any of them (4 of them,,,,yikes!) They become our friends and family and that's fine, it hurts just as much too though! Hugs Courtney and thank you for making this so much more compelling for me to be here....
Courtney...I love it, and I love that you and I have been Xanga friends for so long! I really have enjoyed getting to know your adventures through this blog and I'm so glad you are still around! It warms my heart
I know it's going to be a rough time with Ryan gone, but we will all be here for you.
Loved reading your entry! Hope to stop by again!
Isaac is adorable and so is the puppy! What a sweet little family you have. It's been a whirlwind few years for you, and you have a difficult time ahead.
I, too, am glad that Jeri started the blogring back up. It's good to meet new people.
Its lovely to meet you Courtney. You have a beautiful family. LIfe does move pretty fast and can change in the blink of an eye. I look forward to getting to know you better thru the Klatch. Thanks for your lovely comments and for stopping by.
Oh... I'm so sorry you lost 2 treasured friends in such a short time. How heartbreaking. And how difficult to be in a place where you don't feel at home. But look at this beautiful family! Your baby boy is adorable! I'm glad you've found a new furry family member. He' s a cutie. Also glad you will be back with family for a time. I'm wishing your husband a safe return and that your family will end up in a place you love. peace always
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