A Weekend for Friends

Our Summer is winding down yet we still find ourselves busier than ever.  I've taken a small break from updates on here just because we've been so busy with everything going on (and a little stressed as well).  We have been really focusing on dog training the last several weeks and have started having Sunny stay a couple nights/days each week so she can get accustomed to our house and us in general.  Hoping by doing this it will make the transition to living with us full time a little easier for everyone.  And that transition to full time should be happening very soon.  Within a few short weeks.  

Some time away from our usual chaos was in order.  We spent this last weekend in Wisconsin with some dear friends of ours. We pulled our camper to their house and had some much needed relaxation and soul searching.  We met these friends 5 years ago when our boys were in the NICU the same time their youngest daughter was.  There's no mistaking God puts certain people in our lives for a reason.

We couldn't have asked for better weather and our boys were so busy and having fun.  All the kids played so well together.  And Charlie was so content.  There were no meltdowns all weekend.  ALL.  WEEKEND people!  It was like his body and his mind were able to relax and regulate with no problem at all.  It helped that he had one of his most best friends with him too.

Charlie had Brinley by his side all weekend.  These two have been on such a similar track their entires lives and their bond is so untouchable, it's incredible really.  

One of Brinley's sisters captured some great pictures this weekend and you can see their happiness shine.  These genuine smiles are just beaming.  And they were like this the entire weekend.

We enjoyed an outdoor movie, friendship and fun through the entire weekend and it was just what the doctor ordered for our family.  We needed this.  

But of course, the transition to leave and go home was too much to handle and resulted in an hour and 15 minute meltdown on the car ride home.  I was sad to go too, but Charlie just doesn't know how to handle transitions and these tough emotions like most people do.  He has since been doing ok at home but has asked for Sunny a handful of times and has looked at the pictures from the weekend more times than I can count.  I keep reminding him these are great things to do when we are missing our friends.  He has also asked numerous times to buy some new trains....a good indication he is trying to hold it together as best as possible as trains are a coping mechanism, a stress reliever for him.  So, as we launch back into routine we take a deep breath and keep marching.