Last day of summer

Today is the last day of summer. It's been an interesting one to say the least. This summer our family has faced our most difficult challenge to date. One week from today it will be four months since Eric lost his job. While our family should not be the poster child for how to handle unemployment (SO far from it) we've tried to get through it the best we can. I think we have succeeded in some areas but failed in most. We have tried to do some fun things this summer and think we have really made the most of our summer. The girls and I took a trip to Wenatchee and to Oregon early in the summer to visit family, we've gone on three camping trips, been to the zoo a few times and done the usual berry picking and festival attending we do every year. Although these trips are not under the best circumstances and the stress of what we are going through always seems to veer it's ugly head we are trying not to sit back and let unemployment dictate our lives. That is the one thing we have tried to do that I think has been good for everyone. What we haven't been able to get a handle on is the stress and disruption from it all. None of us had a clue that this would be so long term. We knew it would be hard for him to find something but we thought it couldn't possibly take months. We were wrong. I don't want to go on and on about it or feel sorry for myself but it really has been incredibly difficult and the support of family and friends has been more appreciated this summer than ever before. Thank you all for your kind words and prayers.
I meant this post to be positive so forgive me for the direction it turned. Fall is normally a time of dying and dormancy. I'm praying the opposite happens for our family this fall and Eric can get a job which will allow us to get back to something that resembles normal. It's quite certain he won't be getting a job that pays as much but, at this point, we are just praying for something that gets him working and is full time. I continue to apply for part time jobs and I am starting school on Wednesday. If he does get a job it might mess up my schedule for class but him getting a job is much more important right now. We are thankful for so many things and incredibly grateful for unemployment, our savings account, our faith and our amazing girls who continue to show me what is truly important.
So, here's to a full summer with amazing memories and a fall to come with a renewed sense of peace and appreciation for the true riches of life.