August 2012

August was a month full of many different emotions.  Summer vacation was winding down.  The kids were anticipating the start of a new school year, but we still had one fun surprise up our sleeves for the kids!  On August 7 we surprised the kids with a new puppy!  She stole our hearts!!  Upon Brady's suggestion of the name Lolo (after Olympic runner Lolo Jones), 

the kids decided it was a fitting name.  

So here's our sweet new addition to the family, Lolo.

We had school open houses, schedule pick up, and locker practice days for Emma.  Oh, and locker decoration was a must!  :)  Mrs. Hamner became the new principal at HPES, so there was a meet and greet for her as well.  August is Abby's birthday month so we were making plans for her party.  Abby and John Brady had finished up with the swim team in July, but Emma still had riding lessons.  As always, the Lawson household was busy as ever.

Emma's "fancy" locker

During all of this my cousin, Jimmy Darryl Sullinger, who had been battling cancer for the last year was suddenly admitted to hospice.  That call from my mom will never be forgotten.  We met the family at hospice right after we got the call.  Looking at a young man in his hospice bed is something no spouse, parent, child, cousin, etc. should ever have to do.  Later that evening, my sweet, caring, thoughtful Emma came to show me what she had written on her hand.  She didn't want to forget to include Jimmy Darryl in her prayers.

Two short days later he passed.  Emma, Abby, and I had been there just a few hours before and had said our goodbyes.  My mom was there with my aunt and uncle and heard him take his last breath.  The world lost a good man, husband, father, and son that day.  Heaven gained an angel.