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I Am Still Here
Obviously I have been absent from the blogosphere for quite some time. Quite honestly, I ran out of any kind of motivation and hit a wall. I have wanted to blog for quite some time, but never had the energy or just flat could not do it.
Much has been going on since I last wrote. The kids continue to do quite well as we forge forward with our new life. Hallie is quite busy with school and athletics. She is getting all A’s and recently finished basketball season and is well into softball. I am really proud of her and she is working really hard at being the best she can be in all her activities and becoming quite the athlete. Jack is about to wrap up his first year of school (pre-k). He is signed up for a couple of summer sports camp already and is eager to get going.
Big news… Kendall is now potty trained! So after roughly 9 years of purchasing diapers, I am done with that (well for the most part… we still have to get through the nights). However a box of diapers will go much farther only using one per day.
Yesterday I bought a pop up camper. Julie and I had talked about doing it for years and we were actually looking when she was diagnosed. So…. I have been looking and finally found a deal and took the plunge. And I am glad I did. It is something I can do with the kids and it somehow gives me a connection back to Julie. She loved the outdoors!
So I picked it up yesterday and we headed to Aunt Sherri’s and Uncle Brad’s property about an hour away for our first camp out. The weather could be a little better but the kids are having fun playing with their cousins and we are enjoying the country air and the bluebonnets which are in full bloom.I took a couple of pics…enjoy!
This will be just a short post as I need to ease back into blogging. : )
I am so thankful to hear from you - the kids look awesome! You are doing a wonderful job obviously. I think the camping idea is a great one. Happy Easter
Hi Brendan-
I was so pleased to see a post from you. I even e-mailed Carrie about a month ago to find out how you and the kids were doing. I hope that you and your kids create many happy memories in your camper! Happy Easter.
-Jamie
Cool post … enjoyed the pics — of course, I had heard about the camper, but hadn’t seen it yet. Glad y’all had a good time… thought I might make it out there to check out your setup, but spent all day in Chappell Hill at my parents and then had to head back for church with Carrie and Nat/Johnny.
Also, I fixed your post because paragraphs are good.
I will be sure to give you the necessary technical support later now that you are back into blogging! 
Glad to read your thoughts… I remember you and Jules talking about getting a camper! Great that you were able to do it. Hope you and your kiddos had a good weekend.
I love it! Reminds me of the Pop Up Camper that spent the several years of my childhood in Julie’s driveway! We spent many a slumber parties in that pop up camper. The kids are looking so grown up. I know Julie would have loved to be there with you guys but I am sure she is so happy you did this!
Enjoy the camper!
Hi Brendan: Still checking in on you, thinking about you all often. I can’t get over how grown up and darling the kids are! I’m so glad you posted and hope you are able to ease back into it as you are ready.
Blessings,
Lynne Piper
AH…the pop up camper. Dad used to park ours in the driveway so we could have slumber parties in it. I guess a bunch of giggling girls in the house isn’t totally appealing?!?! It’s awesome Brendan; congrats on your purchase. Now you can plan a week long summer trip cruising through sites in Texas!
It’s so great to see an update from you and hear that you are all well and that the kids are doing great. Way to go Hallie on such great results and yay Kendall for the pottie trianing! And it sounds like Jack is in for a great time at camp!
The camper trailer looks like a great idea and I am sure it is the start of many new adventures for your beautiful family, with Julie watching over you all the way. We have often thought of doing the same thing and hopefully one of these days we will take the plunge too.
Welcome back to blog world
Jodene
(Western Australia)
Welcome back. It’s good to hear from you and to know that you’re all doing well. As an aside, I was trying to re-read your blog recently, and couldn’t seem to get back to the beginning (your archives only seem to go back to 2008) - is there something I’m missing?
What you aren’t capturing in the photo, Brendan, is how close the house is! If you zoom out and can see, oh, twenty yards to the right, you’d see the BoganVilla. GREAT campers that Lyons family - can’t wait to have them out again!!!
-Brad and Sherri’s Pondside Campgrounds (now taking reservations).
Brendan, it was great to see you guys again. Hallie, Jack, & Kendall all seem to be doing super and I am sure they will love camping out this summer. This is the weekend of the MS150. Remember when you & Julie did that about 12 years ago.
It certainly is wonderful to see a post from you. The camper is a great idea, and I know you will have a great time together.
Great American Dad!! The camper is so very, very much you and the kids! Really proud to have such a super Grandson Dad. Love you all GG
Brendan,
Great to see you blogging again! How cool to do the pop-up camper thing with the kids! You will create such awesome memories that will last a lifetime! As you know, I am not the “camping type”, BUT in a setup like that it just might be doable…. Very fun!
Looking forward to seeing you and the kids sometime soon…. y’all will have to come out for some swimming and BBQ when school gets out for sure.
I’m sure you will have some wonderful times in the camper. When I was about 10 my family travelled around Australia (where we live) for about 6 months. We all still have great memories. We used to read up on the history of the places we were going, seeing as we were missing school and all.
Sweet camper! Can’t wait to see it in the flesh. Will you be bringing it down to the river for the annual camping trip? Also, I hope ya’ll enjoy Hallie’s communion weekend! Wish I could be there to see it go down. Make sure to post pics!
Sherri, it’s a TANK! City people call a water hole a “pond”!
YAY Brendan! You should get a journal to chronicle all your experiences. I wish I had done that. That could be a project for the kids, starting with Hallie.
HAPPY CAMPING!
shirl
glad to hear from you…. cabritos looks great…… we are sure you are going to have a lot fun getting outdoor and enjoying camping….
It is so nice to see that you and the kids are doing ok! I bet Julie is so proud of you all. Best wishes.
Love,
Wendy
When did Kendall get so big???? Wow…the kids are growing up fast!!!
How is easing back into blogging working out for ya?
Happy Birthday to Kendall today!
Thinking about you and the kids today. Hugs
Guess you’re not coming back to the blogging world. Wishing all the best to you and your family.
Left a message for Care and will do the same for you. Although your life “in the blogging world” may be in the past, may God bless you and your sweet children in all that you do! Take Care.
Thinking about you and the kids. Hoping that you are finding joy in little things this summer.
Would be curious to know how you’re doing.
Just some good thoughts from a stranger who happened to find your blog while looking for another Lyons family. The best to you and your beautiful family.
BCS
Hi Brendan, just a lurker neighbor checking in on you. It’s now officially been a year since you posted last! I bet you can’t believe that! Hope you and the kids are doing well.
Hi Brendan, I am Carole’s mom and run her blog for her and Jimmie. I just wanted to drop in and say thank you! I read Julie’s story several weeks ago when Carole sent it to me and I just found your link in our comment section on the blog. I do hope you keep up your blog for inspiration to those around you. You know yourself that sometimes there are just not any words .. big big hugs from a mom
Sherrie Jo
Would love to hear how your family is doing - I followed your blog back when Julie was sick - and was amazed by your all’s strength!! Your family is precious and I would love to know how ya’ll are doing and see an updated picture of the kids!!! GIG “EM!!!!
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