New Blog, New Beginnings

A little bit ago I started a new blog. I call it Thoughts from the Other Side of the Mountain. I like to keep this blog mostly focused on our family fun - it's the one the kids read and the relatives come to when they want to find out what we're up to but I was feeling the need to express some of the realities of raising a large family and raising kids with special needs. I can't count the number of times people have said, "I don't know how you do it", "you must have a lot of patience", or worse "really? She/he looks so normal and is doing so well". We have some challenges to meet here on a daily basis that most people cannot fathom. They sometimes feel like climbing mountains and this blog will let you be a fly on the wall - even on the really bad days.

In addition to having a place to vent my daily frustrations, I wanted to share with the world the adventure upon which we are embarking in our spiritual lives. This afternoon Tad requested a release from his vows to the priesthood and the acceptance of our resignation from the CEC. We've been headed down this path for a couple of years now and have come to the realization that we can no longer support the mission of the ICCEC. So where do we go from here? Well, looks like Orthodox. The orthodox church is a strange new world and we are going to be slowly taking it in as the months unfold. I wanted to share that journey as well. So, come on in and enjoy the ride with me! You can get to the other side of the mountain by clicking on my personal profile to the right here and following the link.

For those of you who may be feeling left out, left behind, abandoned, angry or just saddened, please know that we love you very much, will continue to love you and welcome your correspondence. We are sorry to lose your regular fellowship at church but welcome continued fellowship. We apologize if we have hurt feelings and welcome the opportunity to seek out your forgiveness. Life here is busy and hard and I have always had trouble picking up the phone so don't take our silence as intentional please. Just give us a call, drop us an email or stop by some evening. I hope that those who have already taken the opportunity to do so have been met with open and sincere hearts. We do truly love you and cherish your friendship.