an emotional day

I haven't gotten much sleep over the last two weeks. The worst thing is, there's not any real reason that I haven't been getting sleep. I just can't sleep, it's so frustrating! Either I can't fall asleep or I when I wake up in the middle of the night I can't go back to sleep. Last night Steve was so sweet and rubbed my neck and back to help me fall asleep, and I slept so well for about six hours. It was the longest stretch of sleep I've gotten in at least two weeks, and it felt so good!

I felt amazing when I woke up, and got dressed up and even had my hair curled and some make-up on before Riggs woke up (that is a true miracle). I had to run a few errands in town, so I decided to eat breakfast with Riggs at Turkey Red in Palmer. It was fun to have a date with my little man, and we were the only ones sitting down to eat so it was really quiet and relaxing.

It was a great way to start the day, but I was nearly worn out by the time we got home. I got on my computer to look for a recipe, and to check our local news. I was devastated by what I found there. Early Sunday morning an Alaska State Trooper Rescue Helicopter went down after picking up an injured snowmobiler near Talkeetna, Alaska. I had heard about the crash Sunday evening, but they hadn't released the names yet.

Today I found out that the pilot of the helicopter was Mel Nading, a man whose daughters I went to school with from kindergarten all the way through high school. I can't imagine what they are going through, and my heart is just hurting so badly for them. I remember Mel from elementary school mostly, when he was always so friendly and involved in his daughters lives. His had three daughters, each the same age as me and my sisters, and as a result we've all been sort of inter-connected for as long as I can remember. I haven't seen any of them (in person) in years, but I follow Nichole's blog regularly and I know they are a very close family. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers as they go through this hard time!

I had to get outside and go on a walk in the sunshine to clear my head. It was a pretty emotional day, with lots of highs and lows, and I just feel so tired. When I was putting Riggs to bed this evening, I couldn't keep the tears from flowing as I thought of the families of those killed in the helicopter crash yesterday. And I just prayed and prayed that Riggs won't lose his daddy too early. Steve's job is such a big part of our lives and I'm so proud of him and how hard he works, but it can be very dangerous. I try not to think about that too much, but it's at times like these that the statistics do start to creep into my mind.

pictures Steve texted me from work today

On my walk today by the river I just let the sunshine soak into my soul and warm me all the way through. There was so much beauty all around me that it was hard to remember all the ugly things that happen in this world, that there are so many people hurting very deeply. I'm so glad to have a heavenly Father that loves me and comforts me even when I'm at my lowest.

'God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble'

 Psalm 46:1