730.484398 Days

I don't think there will ever be another September second that I don't think back to the one in 2008. There won't be another September second where I don't remember the phone call...the sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach...crying off and on all day long...the look on my husband's face when he got home from work...the wondering, "what are we going to do now?"...the crying out to God.

I am so glad that on this September 2nd, my husband is not unemployed...that we aren't spending this September 2nd "celebrating" another anniversary. I really don't think my body, my soul, my mind could have taken it...and my God knew that.

It was predestined before the creation of the world that on that day in 2008, my husband would lose his job...my big fear of "what if" would happen. My world, my marriage, my little family would be turned up side down. I would struggle with God, plead with God, until I finally learned to wait on God and trust His plan. I would feel lost, lonely, forgotten before feeling loved, surrounded, and remembered. I would spend countless days on the floor of my bedroom, with the door locked, crying in to the carpet hoping the kids wouldn't hear me, but knowing God did. I would sob out loud while driving home from work late at night hoping it wouldn't be much longer. It was a roller coaster ride that I would want to jump off of. It was a season in my life that was sometimes more than I thought I could take.

My God knows me. My God knew how much I could handle with Him. He knew what I needed in my life. He knew what I needed to learn and he knew just how He could teach me. I can stand here today and remember the pain so vividly that it brings tears to my eyes. I can think back on certain times and get that feeling in the pit of my stomach. But no matter what I remember, what I think upon the past two years, I. am. thankful. My God cared for me so deeply, so tenderly...wrote a story so beautifully...and I feel beyond blessed, beyond privileged to have been chosen to walk this road. Two years ago, I felt...I thought...that my world had ended. I have learned as I walked this road with my God that it's on that day that the restoration began.

I stand here today and there is so much more I could say...or try to put in to words...but there is part of me that just can't find the words. My heart swells with thankfulness. Satan tried and tried over these past two years to ruin us...to ruin our marriage, to ruin our hopes and dreams, to ruin everything. He wanted so badly, I know, to take this time and twist it to make us believe that God wasn't there, He didn't care, He left us. My love is too deep for the One who first loved me. He never left me, He cared for us and ever detail so tenderly and it leaves me speechless before Him. Just speechless.

Wordless Wednesday: Fun at Gammy's Park

Another CRIM

I just got home from a few days spent in Michigan and another CRIM under my belt. You can read about it here.

An End...

This week marks an end. It's actually bittersweet. Two years ago, I took a job...a job I despised, but I did what I needed to do. I worked there for six months, all the while praying that God would get me out of there. He did. I was hired in January of 2009 and have been there ever since. If I couldn't be at home, I was thankful to spend my evenings there. I am doing what I love to do with some fantastic people. Still, my heart longs to be at home with my kids, to fix my family dinner, to give baths, read bedtime stories, and tuck everyone in at night. As the end of our two years of unemployment was drawing near, I would walk the halls at work and pray that it wouldn't be much longer. And I could hardly believe it in July when my time came. So, after this week, I will be going to a PRN status at work. I will be working three Saturdays a month and every third Monday...picking up hours when they need me, but on my terms. I will also have two weeks off between the end of my regular schedule and the start of my relief position. So, again, I am feeling so blessed and so thankful. What am I going to do with all of my extra time?! There are about five things on my list so far and three of them start with K, L, and C. ;-) So good to be home!

Crowned (part 1)

We were told by our dentist that because of Landon's high fevers and being sick so much the first couple years of his life, his back teeth have no enamel on them and are like chalk. They are eroding away. So, we were sent over to a pediatric dentist (which I absolutely love!!!) for him to get two crowns put on his two top back teeth. He had the first one done yesterday.

My little guy was so nervous. He sat on my lap and clung to me in the waiting room. I felt terrible for him. They called us back and took us to a room where he would "be crowned". I was able to sit right beside him and rub his leg the whole time. He did fantastic. He followed every direction and did everything the dentist said to do. It helped that the dentist was singing and has such a calming voice that it almost put me to sleep. After his crown was in place, his assistant took Landon to look in the mirror and then handed him a ticket for a free ice cream at McDonalds. It had a sparkly golden arch on it so Landon called it his golden ticket. Thanks to that little ticket, Landon can't wait to go back to have his other side done.

Too often, I underestimate my little man. He was so very brave. We walked out of there and he turned in to a chatter box talking to me about everything...he was still numb so he had drool running out of the side of his mouth and was talking funny. After three shots in his gum, having his tooth shaved down, and having a big crown rammed on, I was and am so very proud of my little silver toothed drool monster.

Seven Dozen

I heard some wonderful news a few days ago. You can freeze eggs and they keep for up to a year in your freezer. I did not know that...and have never thought of doing that. The local grocery store was having a dozen eggs for 79 cents and I thought that now would be the perfect time.

The kids start school in a couple of weeks and I want to make the mornings go as smooth as possible. Over the weekend I made up a bunch of pancakes to put in the freezer to just pull out on school days. Eggs would be another great option. I also plan on doing french toast and waffles.

Today I bought 7 dozen eggs @ .79 a dozen and a box of quart freezer bags. I put a half dozen in each bag and then in three of the bags I put 2/3 dozen for weekends when Dan is home for breakfast.

It was quick and easy to do and now all I will have to do on school mornings is pull out a bag of eggs the night before....not to mention, I am pretty set on eggs for now until another sale comes up.

Wordless Wednesday: Guess Who's Ready for School?!

My Little Man is a Whole Hand!

Five years ago my little man was born. Welcomed in to this world by a Kutless song...still reminds me of his birth to this day. I really can't believe it's been five years...five just seems too old.

My gorgeous boy has really grown up this year. He has become so helpful around the house. He is the best cleaner upper out of the three of them. He is the most giving out of the bunch too and really cares for his siblings, cousins, and friends. He has been really working on saying his t-h's and l 's the right way...all on his own. It's going to make me so sad when his little quirky ways that he says some words are all gone. He has also been counting past 100 all on his own. He is off to kindergarten in a few weeks...and although I worry about him because he is so shy, I am sure he will do very well. It's his Momma that is going to have a really hard time not having him home all day. He has really taken a liking to golf. Daddy cut down a few clubs for him so they are his size and he loves to go out in the back yard a hit a few balls around. He's actually pretty darn good at it. I am really looking forward to seeing what's in store for my blond hair, blue eyed boy this year. I am blessed to be his Momma.

My whittle Wandon, Happy Birthday, baby boy! You are such a joy and a blessing to me. I love how you wander in to my room and just sit on my floor by my bed and wait patiently for me to wake up. You are a patient little boy. You have been such a big helper to me and are such a good big brother to Collin. I have loved watching you take more of that roll this past year. I have loved watching you learn to give to others and put others before yourself. You are the first one to give up a toy or a seat that someone else wanted. You are always willing to share your candy or a special treat that you have gotten. I pray that you will always remember what a special little boy you are. I feel so blessed to be able to nurture you along in life and I pray that hugs and kisses for Momma will still be cool for a few more years. I love you Landon.

Super Mario Party

I have a little boy who is obsessed with the Super Mario Brothers. Other than his first birthday, he has always shared a birthday party with his little brother. Since he is turning five this year, I wanted to make it super special for him and throw him a Super Mario Brothers birthday party.

My in-laws graciously allowed us to use their house for the party...they have the perfect place :a big space, a huge deck, and a refreshing swimming pool! I kept the decorations simple...mostly primary colors. I did splurge on the plates and napkins though. The plates had Mario and Luigi on them and the napkins had mushrooms on them.

The centerpiece.

Landon (super excited) waiting for his guests to arrive and the party to start.


Immediately following lunch, all of his guests sat down and played Super Mario Brother's Bingo...I found a free printable file on one of my many searches. The game was a hit!

After a little swimming, I brought out "Mario" for pin the mustache on Mario. It was pretty funny to watch...and it was totally worth the time I spent drawing him.

Mario after all of the kids had a turn.

Homemade red and blue cupcakes!!

The birthday boy and his Momma

Takin a dip in the pool

The party went very well and Landon had a great time! I was so happy to give him a memorable day that made him feel so special.

She Did It!

It was decided that we would not pierce Kaitlyn's ears when she was a baby. I thought the younger the better, but Dan wanted her to be able to make that choice for herself.



It wasn't until recently that she started talking about it. She would ask where she would have to go, how bad it would hurt, and other things about having it done. Then, at the beginning of this week, she said that she wanted to get them done after they got their pictures taken at JC Penney. I figured that she would later decide not to so I didn't even have her ask Dan. Well, it wasn't just a passing thought and she mentioned something to her Daddy and ended up asking his permission...which was granted.



After the kids' pictures today, we headed out to the mall to get her ears pierced. I still was not sure whether she would go through it or not, but wanted to give her the opportunity. We walked in and she said she needed a few minutes to think about it. So, we walked around looking at the earrings, headbands, and purses. A few minutes passed and I asked what she had decided. She said that she wanted her ears done and she was ready. So, I got the lady, she picked out the green earrings (which shocked me that they weren't red or pink), and sat there as still as a statue...with a worried little look on her face. I signed her life away (ha ha) and then held her hand. The first one went in and she didn't scream, cry, or hardly even flinch...not even a tear came to her eyes. I was shocked...again. I held her other hand, told her how proud I was of her, and the lady did the other ear. Not one complaint, cry, or scream...again. She hopped down with a huge smile on her face and saw herself in the mirror. I almost started to get teary looking at my baby girl, who is not so little anymore.



We left and made our way back to where we came from. A few times I looked over at her and told her just how proud I was of her. She kept saying that she couldn't believe she did that and she said that she even surprised herself.

My princess and her pierced ears...she can't wait to show them off!

Thankful

SHOUT joyfully to the LORD, all the earth. Serve the LORD with gladness; come before Him with joyful singing. Know that the LORD Himself is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name. For the LORD is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting and His faithfulness to all generations.


Psalm 100:1-5

It's been one month since my husband started his new job...we are beyond thankful. It's a wonderful place to be.

Wordless Wednesday: A Bloody Lip