Divorce

(Max 2008)

Some say I took the easy way out...

this is anything but easy.

Gil and I seperated when Max was only 2 years old.

Now he's 5 - and last night he broke down.

It was a normal night...we read a book, said our prayers, and laid down to fall asleep. And I started to hear Max whimper. It started out so softly that I thought I was only imagining it. But it quickly turned into full-blown sobbing.

I asked him what was wrong -

and my heart broke when he cried "I miss my Daddy!"

It caught me off guard because it's been so long since he has done this.

99% of the time Max is the most well-adjusted, happy, carefree little boy.

But I am often reminded that the choices that his father and I made are STILL affecting our sweet little boy every single day of his life.

Even if I don't see the effects all the time.

Even if I still feel this was the right choice for all of us.

Even if it still hurts.

No one should ever say divorce is the easy way out.

It's HARD and it's BRUTAL...and it's our reality.

Our hearts are still healing and probably always will be.

Preschool Graduate

My little man is now a Preschool graduate! Holy moly - where did the time go? He makes me a super-proud mama and I just don't know where I would be right now without that little boy. There have been times in his little life that he was all I had and I was all he knew. This bond will never be broken...if I'm sure of anything in my life that is the truth I hold on to. He looked super sweet in his red cap & gown...and acted incredibly grown up as he led the pledge of alligence and sang songs on stage with his classmates. Here is a short clip of the program:

Max has some really close friends from his class...and this is him with his buddy, Aiden.


There is no doubt in my mind that Max is ready to kindergarten in August...the amount of progress he has made in the last few months of Preschool is really amazing! At the program they recited their ABC's, counted by 5's and 10's, said the days of the week and months of the year, and even memorized a few nursery rhymes.

When we got home, Max had a graduation present waiting for him - and he was so very excited about it!!! A NEW BIKE - without training wheels:) Of course we had to try it out right away!

Baseball season

Max's baseball season is in full swing - we usually have 2 -3 games each week and I somehow got roped into keeping the book! It's been busy, but an easy-going type of busy which I love. Most of my evenings as a child were spent at the ball park in Odon, and getting back into that routine has been relaxing. Here are a few photos of my little man playing ball:

My "little" cousin Jessica had a sweet baby girl last week, her name is Dailee Jo Echavarria. We love her so much already and I just think she is the most precious little thing! We visited her in the hospital, but Max didn't get to meet her until yesterday, when we took them supper. He was so very excited and couldn't wait to hold her - I think he was practicing for his baby sister who is due in just 3 short months! I think baby Swartzentruber and Dailee Jo will be the best of friends and I can't wait to watch them grow up together!

Yesterday morning my cousin Chas's little man had his first communion, so we went to church with them and helped the family celebrate afterwards with lunch & cake:) He is such a big boy and growing up too fast...what a sweetheart! We just found out that Chas is expecting - so this already large family will be growing even larger!! We are very excited!

Later this week Max has his Odon Christian Church Preschool graduation - so be sure to check back later in the week for lots of pictures in his cap and gown:)