"But, But, That's Not Fair!!"

This last week has been a trying time for our family. We had something happen that was a little surprising - nothing horrible or upsetting to our lives - just something that was, well, for lack of a better phrase, "Completely unfair."

My dad always told me, when I would complain of something being unfair, he would say, "The fair only comes once a year and it's in September." It was just his way of saying "Life isn't fair, kid. Better get used to it." I used to hate, hate, hate that phrase. It made me feel like he didn't care about my feelings, like he wasn't on my side. But now, I am glad I learned that lesson because man, life isn't fair sometimes. It can be blatently, ridiculously, incredibly UNfair.

Last week was one of those weeks. Jason and I have had to deal with a number of things in our almost 5 years together that really weren't fair. Times when we would have to turn the other cheek or just deal with it, no matter how upset it made us or how unfair it was. But, we did it. This last week was just one of those times that just knocked the wind out of us and just reminded us that sometimes, even when you do all of the right things, life just isn't fair all the time.

Now, sometimes, life is very fair. Sometimes, life is more than fair. Life gives us gifts we don't deserve. Yet, for some reason, we tend to look at the unfairness more than the fairness. Today, we had to pray to God to just let the unfairness of the situation go, and move on with our lives. That we can't harp on this forever. There are those people in life who hang on to the unfairness and won't let it go and it hinders their entire lives from getting past it. (Pieces of all of our childhoods, perhaps?) But sometimes, you just have to do the best you can and then move on. That is tough. Really tough. But you have to do it, sometimes.

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." James 1:2-4

I just thought I'd write that today, if anyone is in a current situation or circumstance that you find "unfair." For those of you who feel like everyone else's lives are working out just fine and yours isn't. For those who are in a predicament that isn't the most ideal. You aren't alone and you aren't the only one who sometimes has to "suck it up and move on."

Now, with that said, here are some pictures of how our lives are more than fair, these three little blessings. Jordan starts middle school this year. MIDDLE SCHOOL. When I first met him, he was in the FIRST GRADE. How did this happen? He is the same height as my chin. He is starting band. He is going to a new school. He is getting braces today! I am just floored with how big he is!!