Summer Week 1

An unexpected blessing has allowed us to have our first week of summer spent together as a whole family. We have decided to utilize this "time in between" to enjoy what God has given us.... to spend the time we always wished we had investing in our kids and growing our family. It's been such a blessing, too! How many times do we really take the time to look around us at what God has provided? The beautiful kids; the financial provision thus far; the promises of His word; His creation around us?

It's hard to not get caught up in what people expect: the fear and panic of not having a paycheck come in every two weeks. We got Jason's last work check today in the mail, and that did kind of make a new set of reality sink in.... But then I remembered God's promise to me and my family - "I promise to give you a future and a hope." (Jer. 29:11)

In the midst of filling out numerous applications, visiting dealerships (and actually having an interview at one!), cleaning and preparing the house for my momma's visit, we decided to STOP..... and enjoy each other - to encourage and build each other up - to remember the things that are imporatant in life....

Here's what we did this week:

We rode bikes and played with chalk

Helped daddy unload his toolboxes

Played with waterguns and bubbles

Someone didn't like being hit with the watergun...

Practiced getting ready for Pre-K!

And best night of all - we got to go over to one of my closest friend's pools and hang out. The kids had a BLAST!

 

Is it me, or does Josh look entirely too grown up in this picture??!! Where's my little boy?

So in the midst of the storms of life, remember to be thankful for the rain it brings, and the refreshment you get out of it - you always come out renewed and stronger than before...

{Update}

 The toolboxes came home today. Gives one a sense of reality. It's time to freefall - time to open our wings and fly. As scary as this adventure is, it is also exciting to have a "change" and to know that nothing that is going to happen is going to be from us, but from God.

When we are at our lowest, we can only look up and raise our arms up to give Him glory. There's no turning back now. We choose to get into the trunk of God's car and allow Him to drive. As my husband says, "From the trunk we can't be a backseat driver and tell God where we think He should go - we have to simply trust Him."

Some people have asked how they can help. If you are lead to help and are wondering how, there's a "Donate" button on the sidebar of our blog. Please do not feel obligated. Our God promises that He will supply ALL of our needs and in that I find rest.

Time to clean out the garage to make room for the three toolboxes that came home today...

The Coaster of Life

I love roller coasters....The anticipation of you climbing to the top and looking over the huge drop with fear and excitement all rolled into one. Then you go over the first drop and you feel like you're freefalling - but you're safe inside the car. That's how today has been....

We got on the roller coaster of life and we didn't know what to expect. Life has many twists and turns; rises and falls; but you are always safe in the hand of God. My sweet, hard-working husband lost his job today. He's been with the company for over 10 years, 6 here in Texas. It's funny because for a couple of weeks we've felt like we're going up the coaster - hearing the "click, click, click"....praying for God's direction in a new way. We have felt like God turning our family in a new direction for some time now, but didn't really know where or when. Its the anticipation of it all... Then you see over to the first drop....

It's as if a huge weight was lifted off today. Like when you fall on the first drop. That scary, but fun ride has begun. There's no safety net now. Time to lift your hands up and let God take you on this roller coaster....He'll never let you go. It sounds funny to be a little excited about this, but we are. This means that God has something AMAZING in store for our family - and I can't wait to see what it is!

The cool thing about roller coasters is that they dip, and turn, and twist in so many different ways - no expectations there.... The only thing we expect, is God to show up in a mighty way....and He will get ALL the glory.

Until next time - when our story takes a new turn....

Storytime with Josh {Video Post}

Josh will be starting Pre-K in the fall at the school I teach at, Legacy Prep. Christian Academy. He has been with me there since I started teaching there, 4 years ago, which means he's technically been a Legacy Lion since about 11 months. He will be five in September....and CAN'T wait to start school. Recently he has wanted to learn how to read...

I mean R-E-A-D....not just baby stuff...He wants to learn the words to his story books. He wants to read everything he is around that has letters on it.

Since I teach 5th through 8th graders math, do you think I know how to teach someone how to read??? I honestly thought that I'd be lucky and just let his wonderful Pre-K teacher do it next year.... HA! I was wrong! He has my zest for learning and also picks up things very easily.

I picked up a book while at Kroger for Kinder readers. It's a "Step 1" book and has many sight words in it for beginner readers. I thought this would be a good idea to learn the sight words first and at least expose him before starting school. Plus it makes for a good inscentive for good behavior. Tonight was night #3 with the book. I was planning on teaching him one new word each night...First we learned "go", then "he" and tonight "is". After reading with him tonight, I had to get the camera and record it again...I was amazed....

The video doesn't do justice - he was trying to read "through" the camera at times and also started to not pay attention. So after you watch the video (grandma, tell grandpa to click on the link in the email to the blog so you can watch it on the computer, and make sure your speakers are on), keep in mind that this wasn't as good as the time right before.. Leave a comment, I'd love to read them!

{Movie Overload}

Since my memory card on my camera is almost full, I've been avidly editing the thousands (literally) of pictures that I 've been too busy to deal with the past few months. But school is out for the summer, so I am planning on getting back on top of the blog circut again, and I'm starting with a few cute movies I uncovered from this month of the munchkins. Enjoy....

Jayden: 6 Months {Update}

Six Months.... November 16th, 2010 was the day God's promise came true.

He's been such a joy to have as a part of our family and not a day goes by that I can't imagine him in it.

Sitting up, rolling over, eating like a champ and learning to crawl are checked off the milestone list....

16 pounds and 26 inches tall - he's just so perfect and loves to be held and talked to...

His smile is intoxicating, and his eyes light up the room....

My littlest munchkin is six months old.... Such a handsome little man - mommy loves you!