Moving On...

The events of the last two months have been trying, testing, and to say the least, devastating but through it all God has stayed by our side and brought us to a new place in Him.  Though the wounds are still fresh and we all still have our moments they are becoming fewer and farther between. Our family trip to my 10 year reunion was another look at what I've come through and a good chance for my family to see where I've been and a tiny glimpse of who I was. I can't even count the number of doors the Lord has shut the past two months, all of that past is now a big pile of wood, set ablaze into a giant bonfire so that now there is no turning back, nothing to go back to, and nothing to look back on.  Praise God for HIS plan, HIS purposes, HIS will. Lord I thank you for this opportunity to burn it all and move forward with you wholeheartedly once again.

Joshua is 4 & caught his first fish!

Joshua turned 4 in February. We recently went over to spend some time with MaryEllen & Eric and Mr. Eric took Joshua fishing on the green belt. None of us expected him to catch anything, especially since he didn't have any real bait but he did.  My iphone couldn't take pictures fast enough but I caught a little glimpse of his excitement and surprise when he reeled in a big mouth bass. It was priceless, sister squealed and even touched Bubba's fish. Mr. Eric showed Joshua how to take the hook out and let him go back in the water. Joshua's main concern was if the fish was hurting and if he would be able to find his family again. SO SWEET! He is still my chunky boy, my cuddler, and all around mommy's boy. If you ever need a good hug, just ask Joshua, he'll melt your heart.

He didn't stop smiling for a long time.

Hope is 3!!

Can't believe my baby is 3 already. She is still tiny but full of spunk and getting taller by the day. She is my snuggle bug most days but others she is Miss Independent.  Its great to have a little girl around, even if she doesn't like to have her hair fixed. :0)

Happy New Year!

It's been a while since my last blog and due to recent requests I am updating but in list form since I am exhausted tonight so, here we go...

Since Christmas.....

1. Matt & I were officially ordained as Youth Pastors at our new church (more to come about this later)

2. My very best friend got married to one of Matt's very best friends and Hope was the flower girl. (pics to come later)

3. Noah has returned to first grade and is sort of liking it.

4. Joshua is almost 4 years old! And he is only 3 pounds shy of his 6.5 year old brother.

5. Hope is still petite but has a sense of humor that you wouldn't believe and an attitude to go with it.

6. I LOVE being at home with my kids and having a couple of days a week to work up at church.

7. Matt's mom is home and recovering miraculously from her stroke.

8. Too much other stuff to list so when I'm not so tired I will write a real blog :o)

*Just for you BFFL*

God is good, ALL the time

So we've been out of touch for a while now.  No excuses or explanations this time, I'm just thankful to have made it through this last shift we went through with my family, my sanity, and a little bit of joy.  One word sums it up: Sonic.  As much as I hated this brief stint, it seemed never-ending at the time, hindsight is 20/20 and I learned a lot.  

I learned that I can handle my children and my household on a day to day basis as needed and do a good job by myself.

I learned how much I miss my husband when he's not here and how much I appreciate what he does when he is here.

I learned to be patient and wait on the Lord, that He really is ALWAYS faithful (that's one of those things you know but at times wonder)

I learned that the phrase "this too shall pass" applies to even the most bleak and hopeless looking situations.

I was reminded that staying in God's timing brings blessing upon blessing and makes things much easier in the long run.

I now know that we are doing what God wants us to do, at least for right now, and we are moving forward in joy and peace and blessing.

So, to sum it up, no more Sonic, whoo hoo!!  The next chapter has just begun.....more to come soon.

Noah on Two Wheels

So my firstborn has taken the first big step toward eventual independence, he took off his training wheels and took off on his own for the first time.  No pushing or running beside him, he just fixed his pedals and off he went.  The celebration that followed was in true Noah style of jumping, spinning, wide-eyes, and tongue hanging out. (see picture below) 

With this exciting event also comes the sadness that every mom faces when a milestone is reached that makes her realize that her kids are growing up and aren't going to be little forever. 

Now, if I can just get him to ride to home from school safely.....

Our Un-Halloween

So most of you that know me understand why we don't do Halloween so I am going to save myself some time and energy and just post cute pictures of my kids in their new dress-up stuff since this time of year is perfect to get dress-up clothes/costumes for cheap. We did go to Matt's parents Harvest Carnival this year because they were working it and they had a train pulled by a riding mower which is my Joshua's favorite thing, besides tractors of course.  The kids had fun and didn't have to see any scary stuff and Mommy didn't have to deal with trick-or-treaters at my door. (Daddy had to work late that night)  

However, this is the first year that Mr. Noah, the big 1st grader, had an issue with us not "doing" Halloween and not trick-or-treating, which we have never done anyway, and all the other peer pressures of public school and 6 year old boys.  We plainly explained to him why we don't "do" Halloween but with that wonderful 6 year old attitude it was not enough and he was still fussy about it but oh well, he'll get over it and thank me when he's older. It was definitely one of those times that I wish I either had the patience to homeschool or that all the kids were old enough to homeschool (any openings at the Petersen school Jenn?? LOL)  

So without further ado, my cuties!

Hope: Pink Giraffe (a "Raff") she had a tail and everything

Noah: Larry the Cucumber

Joshua: Bob the Tomato