I started Ryan’s caringbridge blog in 2005, which is hard to believe, and it has served us well over the years.  But it’s time for a change.  For quite some time now I’ve wanted to send out updates that are not so Ryan-focused but instead highlight our entire family and the events going on in all our lives.  So here it is.  Some of you may wonder about the title and how I came up with it.  Well, it’s quite simple really and pretty much speaks for itself.  I’ve always said “you have to learn to take the good with the bad” and that’s what life is really about…..learning to take those lemons, the tough situations none of us ask for, and turn them into lemonade, something sweet, refreshing and easily shared with others.  That’s really our goal as a family – to use whatever we are handed to impact others, make a difference, be all we are suppose to be and do everything we are called to do.  And sometimes that is easier said than done, but we try and give it our best. 

So here we are, turning a new leaf.  And just as school is about to start which means we are entering a busy phase again with sports, activities and so many holidays around the corner, I look forward to sharing what is to come in the next few months here with us.  We don’t know what tomorrow will bring, but we are doing our best to stay focused on today and the blessings it brings.

The kids are trying to cram in everything they want to get done before school starts in two short weeks; they actually go back on August 16th which seems so soon.  Every year in June I say how long of a summer it is going to be and by the end of July, early August, I say I can’t believe it’s time to head back to school already.  But they are ready.  Brad will be in 8th grade this fall, and Sidney will be joining him as a new junior higher in 6th grade which she is very excited about.  Trevor is heading into his last year in elementary school in 5th grade and is excited about all the field trips and fun events he gets to do in the months to come.  And Ryan will be in 3rd grade already; we will miss Nancy very much, one of his paras who has worked with him for the past four years but has moved on to bigger and better things.  The new school year is always hard on Ryan but he eventually adjusts; this year will be interesting as we get to know a new school nurse and also get the staff familiar with Ryan’s vagus nerve stimulator. 

So welcome to lemonade lane….we hope you will continue this journey with us!  There is a place to sign up for email updates on the right side just like we had with caringbridge so make sure you get that done before you leave.

Enjoy your day!