A {little} Busy....

You're probably wondering what I've been up to lately. And if you haven't, that's okay because I am going to share it with you anyways! :)

Other than the fact that the fall semester at school is well underway and I finally have found a good routine for keeping four munchkins entertained AND completing Joshie's homework, we've been quite busy with little projects around here!

Here's the BIG one I just finished:

Yea, that's NINE Cheer bows! And as I was writing this, two more orders came in! I've been having fun with this, and am thankful that it's FINALLY getting off the ground....You can check out my facebook page or Etsy shop

I've been also trying to keep on top of the laundry, dishes, vacuuming and daily stuff that I NEVER have time for, grading, lesson planning, playing and entertaining munchkins, making lunches and dinners, blogging, and spending time with the family.....

It's a busy life, but it's my life. And I wouldn't trade it for the WORLD!

So when's my personal organizer arriving?? :)

Meet The Teacher

 Thursday evening was Meet the Teacher night at our school. Normally I have the kids stay home with Jason. This year, Joshie is starting Pre-K at Legacy, so he got to meet his wonderful teacher, Mrs. Kim Wright. We kind of laugh because Kim actually was in the childcare dept. when I started, so she has known Josh since he was 10 months old! Are you ready, Kim, for our spunky little guy?

Here's his classroom where he will be taking Kinder math, Kinder language, learning bible, science and history.

 He is excited that Sage, Jenna's best friend, is at his table for class....

 Math meeting board

He woke up today and said: "Today is Saturday, which means tomoorow is Sunday, and then MONDAY!!!!" Can you tell he's excited?  ;)

"Suck It Up"

If you've played sports, then you probably have been told to "suck it up" at some point. It comes when you think you can't give any more... when you have to be pushed to go beyond your physical limits an press on.

That's how I've felt the past two weeks. As I mentioned in my last post, it's inservice, end of summer school, teacher training and school is starting on Monday.

Needless to say, things get neglected

I stay up until 1 am

But I have to press on for them

Let's do this....AND PRESS ON!!!! Because the rewards outweigh the sacrifices....

It has come time....

To put up the baby gates again to block access to the kitchen.....and doggy food....

Turning A New Leaf.....

So it's been THREE WEEKS since the change in our lives started. I have to admit that yes, it's been hard at times to keep my end of the deal with God and remembering that He does have a plan for us and that his plan is better than my plan. It has challenged me because I am a logical, planner. I like to have everything organized and ready-to-go. I like to know that my children are taken care of. And do you know that God has created me like that?! It's part of my role as a woman, wife and mother. And of course it's in my husband's DNA to want to provide and ensure that his wife and children are provided for.

About 8 days ago, Jason got a call from Planet Ford. A company he really didn't have a desire to work for. That's where I think God has a sense of humor. Don't ever tell God you won't ever do something because then he'll challenge you and delvelop your character through that and remind you that it's not about you anyways! The service manager wanted to do a background check and said he "may" have something coming up, but wasn't sure.

Then he called back and said, well, we might as well do the drug test too...

And yesterday he called and my sweet husband is now an auto technician for Ford!

The cool God-thing is that every part of his flesh wants to say "no" because he went from working on "luxury vehicles" to "everyday vehicles", but everything in our spirit (that inside voice) says, "Go, becuase I have a plan for you there - a plan to use you for Me". So not only does he have a job, but he is starting at the same pay he was at Lexus with, AND it looks promising for quick promotions within the shop.

So we loaded up the tools....and borrowed a 6 x 4 trailer...

Discovered that the toolbox was a half inch too long!

Prayed about how to make it fit....and then asked our neighbors to help us push it up the ramp....

God made it fit just right :)

We're so stoked to be starting this new chapter in our lives and it has been so encouraging to SEE God go before us these past three weeks and eliminate any fear, doubt, and worry. It gives you a new found faith in what God can handle. He created the heavans and earth in six days, you think he can't provide for you? :)

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...

Makin' It Monday

Yesterday was Jayden's baby dedication @ church. I had dressed the kids up cute and had Jayden all ready (he wore Joshie's outfit that he wore when he was dedicated).  I had it all planned out (because us math people are logical planners too)....

We were going to go to first service and "hang out" and then attend second service since that was when the dedication was and neither Jason nor I were ushering or serving in the coffee shop. My dad, his wife, my sister and two neices were also planning on coming down for the special day. Then we were going to go to lunch together and enjoy some family time together.... Of course that's EXACTLY how it went...

Here's how the day ACTUALLY went:

We enjoyed a first half of fellowship during first service. Jason was needed to usher and help serve communion, so he volunteered to help lead the team. He's really good at it and enjoys it, so it's always a blessing for him to be involved. I was needed in the coffee shop for first service, and was going to shut it down for second service until the person running could return. This way I could still make the dedication. Then my sister called.... "Dad locked his keys in the house and mom is at church still. We might be a little bit late..." As I am serving coffee, ringing up books, and introducing myself to some new peeps at church, I text Jason to go get Jayden and the other kids for the dedication. Then I notice a line of people at the front of the church just as Jason is walking into the sanctuary.... I finally have no customers and then I rush over to him and we barely make it for the prayer of the dedication of the babies....

Then my sister calls again... "We can't get in, can you come and unlock it for us?" I drive home to pick up my house keys that has my parents house key on it and drive up to their house to unlock them. I pick up my sister and her two munchkins and we drive down to church to meet everyone else. Dad decides to join us too now that he won't make his meeting on-time (which was a blessing to me). We head out to lunch together....

The kids are cranky and tired from a full day. I want to go to the park with my family, but the kids NEED a nap. We decide to head our separate ways and let the kids get the rest they need before they turn in to little godzillas.... And before I know it - it's Sunday night and I've done NO grading for the school day tomorrow.... Then I remember...

"My thoughts are not your thoughts. Neither are your ways my ways. As the heavans are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts..."

The day is not just about me and my plans. I was frustrated that the day did not go according to MY plan, but I was humbled at the blessings that came out of all the chaos. It's true that there's beauty in the chaos. Sometimes you have to step back and look for it, but when you do, you see a much better day than you could have imagined it. Now I see a day that was blessed because I was able to unlock the house for my dad, I was able to spend some quality time with my sister on the ride back from church, and I was able to meet some sweet new people at church while serving them coffee. I also was able to encourage my daddy, have lunch with my neices, sister and parents. On top of it all, God blessed us with the most beautiful day too... Perfect weather and a gorgeous sunrise in the morning.

I am glad that my day didn't go according to my plans. I would have missed out on some blessings...Instead of getting stressed about it, give thanks for it and find the hidden treasure blessings. :)

This is Julianna writing....

 Mommy didn't get around to writing "Makin' It Monday" because I got spoiled while with daddy last week and it's been a little hard adjusting into a routine. I also kept mommy up all night last night because I didn't want to sleep in my room, but with my daddy.....

 This morning I threw a tantrum on the kitchen floor because I didn't get my way...I had to go to bed and take a nap. It's so hard being almost two! I missed my mommy and my brothers and sister though and it's so good to be home....

Sorry mommy about the house being a mess too.... :)