Well its been an incredibly long ; hard year filled with plenty of blessings from the Lord. Currently we are praying for new employment. Our jobs are awesome in so many ways but its time to search out new options

The End is Near

Yep, yep it's been a while. This year has come & gone without my sharing all the wonderful stories that have filled my life this year. Part of that is because I have been miserable for a majority of this year. My battles have faced my family, friends and life in general has been tough. And thats OK because its part of life's cycle, part of our NEED for a Saviour. A need for understanding that this world is not our home so we shouldn't get too comfortable in it!!!

I plan to hop on here every now and again to share some of the blessings that God throws my way so I can look back on them in the future and rejoice that He does truly have a plan for my life!!!!!! And to understand that my here & now troubles are only temporary but neccessary in the long lifetime plan He has for me!

So, HAPPY NEW YEAR to each of you!!

Out with it

Well, I finally got to the point where I needed to take a minute or two and journal. These past few months, weeks, and maybe even years have been difficult for our family. Most recently the death of my grandmother just sent me over the edge a bit. Sam came into the room to see me on the couch with tears streaming down my face. "What's wrong hun?". I honestly couldn't put a finger on any one thing. I guess I just needed to get it out.

Yesterday we buried her ashes at the cemetery not to far from home. I couldn't help but think of all the people every where who may be in pain. The families from 9/11. Dear friends who lost a daughter recently; whom I think of daily. And so on. And though I hate to question God the mind still asks--WHY. Why was this necessary? Is it for God's glory?? Who can compare to God anyway that he needs the glory.

And then all the guilty feelings for questioning a God who provides for my every need. It was nice to be held by my husband. Loved on by my BFF through text and cared for by my two year old...who must have known I needed a little TLC. Malachi came and sat with me on the couch and brushed my hair, it was the sweetest thing ever.

My mind is on overload on the list of things that I need to change in my life. And I came to a halt and now here I sit writing a bunch of mumbo jumbo but I don't care; it feels good to get it out. And since it would take a year to actually write it on paper you all get the benefit of reading my goofy thoughts.

Is there a way to send pictures from your cell phone to here like we do on Facebook?

Silly Me

So we have on Nick...and they just announced that the grumpy old troll is getting married. I actually got excited. How silly is that?? You know you've invested time in cartoons when you're excited that someone is getting married. Good gracious!

It's still January??

Seriously, this month seems like its lasting forever. Not sure why I am so eager to see it go. Maybe it's the hardships that this month has brought to our family. Sicknessessssssss(many) & deaths...and now TAX time.

I know taxes really aren't/shouldn't be a hardship. But this is my first year filing taxes for both Mary Kay & 31. I will also be filing for taxes from working at Nazareth this past year. It's usually just one income & now we'll have the paperwork of four. Probably easier than it sounds to me!

So many changes over this past year & I still feel like my head is spinning. Tell me ladies; does it get better?? I don't think I had this hard of a time when we had each of our babies...even then I had a better grip. What the heck?? Anyone else feel like it's just too much?

I have so many things to be THANKFUL for and that is what I want to focus on rather than the nagging feeling that things will never change. I did order a new bible in hopes to get back on track with reading GOD'S word. It's one of those that are in chronological order & it's written so that you can read it in one year. Each day it shows what/how many pages to be read...so far so good. I forgot how intriguing the Old Testament can be.

Welcome 2011!!!

Whoa it's been a while. Thought that maybe today I'd take a moment to say Happy New Year to everyone. 2010 wasn't the best year of my life so I am greatful to have another day & looking forward to what the Lord has in store.

Many times over the past year I have felt like an Isrealite wondering in the desert...with no end in sight. At first the idea of it freaked me out. As I came to accept it I realized that not all desert experiences are bad & no know that I haven't been as alone as I've felt.

Maybe you're thinking-blah, blah, blaH who cares? If so that's understandable. But for now I am using this online blog as a journal. So sit back and enjoy my random thoughts & very random posts.

Hi ho hi ho; its off to work we go!

Our off time is slowly coming to an end & I'm not looking forward to a 14 day shift! It wouldn't be so bad but with a full house plus our three the entire day is one happening after another.

Just one more week & we're headed back for a two week stay at the cottage. Woo-hoo. It should be a LONG and interesting shift. Sam usually does all the cooking but I am thinking about what we should do for Thanksgiving dinner. They have already had one where they invited family on campus. What do you think?? Still do it or just relax all week?

Hey Mommas~

We're home for the next two weeks so CALLLLLLL ME!!! If we were rolling in the dough I'd do a road trip! I'll put up some pictures from our mountain trip soon. LOVE YOU LADIES!

Its been a while!!

Well ladies, I don't really expect much feedback since its been FOREVER since my last post. My head has been spinning ever since I started working. So far things are going well. The cottage I work in is up in numbers so that is good job security. We only need on more in order to be filled to then brim! I still haven't completed training so there are LOTS of things that I don't know. But I am getting a little more used to interacting with the guys and that is making it much easier. Malachi hates it because sometimes he has to stay in his room. He will stand there screaming at the top of his lungs...MOMMA! MOMMA! MMMMMOOOOOMMMAA.

Since we are off most of this week we spent the day rearranging rooms. We decided to swap with the boys so they can have the bigger room. With in the next 6months Malachi will be climbing out of the crib so we are working toward putting him in a big boy bed. Step one: carpet it their room. Originally they were in the room with carpet so yesterday we(dad & Sam) put down carpet in our old room. It is AMAZING how much new carpet can change the feel & look. The "dungeon" looks more like a home every day. Today we will do more arranging because everything is still in disarray.

If a few weeks we will be headed to the mountains for a weekend trip. Oh I can't wait!!! We are hoping to be there at the right time to see the leaves at their peak. The weather is so wishy washy though you never really know what you're going to get. Last week here we had a high in the 90's & some in the 60's. A thirty degree difference!

Really liked this quote~

Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.


I am the type of person who tends to give up a moment too early. When I was in Mississippi with Staci her pastor also said another quote that made an impact on me. I can't remember it word for word but the gist was this:

The distance between success & failure are just one step away.


SO, I tell myself- press in. try again. keep it up. don't back down.

And all the while I wait patiently know that everything has it's time; it's season. And every circumstance is allowed by God if not ordained by God.

Woo hoo~

Finally got my license!!! Yay!

Hello All, still alive but nothing new to report.

Changes. That's the name of the game these days. Yesterday & today I had interviews to work at Nazareth with Sam. The first one was a breeze and the second one today was with both Sam and I together. It ended up being more conversation than interview. Things seem to be going smoothly toward getting the job with the exception that I don't have my license. Which is a requirement.


SOOOOOOO. I'm practicing driving. It's nerve racking. And today I drove with my babies in the car. The first time was a success. (not wonderful but I wasn't in tears afterwards either.) But this afternoon we went to get a prescription from CVS. And our lovely windshield wiper switch is on the same side as the blinkers. Take a moment....I'm attempting to turn...and click on the correct blinker...left or right whichever way I needed to go when I miraculously turn of the flipping wind shield wipers. Attempt to pull over out of the way(so I can turn of the dang wipers) but in the process I am not in position to go through the CVS drive thru ....so I need to back up. My current driving nemesis. BIG mistake to do while already flustered. Nothing terrible happened. I did hit the curb. Scary as crap. But the rest of the way home I just was on emotion overload & not driving my best. The end. It wasn't fun. But in the end still somewhat a success....b/c no one got hurt. Or dead.

I drove some yesterday. Follow by tears to get out all the stress of it. Conquering your fears is harder than it sounds!

Sometimes my ignorance overwhelms me. Today is one of those days. I did drive some today so I give myself a pat on the back. Go me.

Ready for big brother!!!!

Hello All! We're back from VACA & I'm swimming up to my ears in messes. We finally have the money to start back up on the bathroom which I can't remember if I've mentioned here or not. Well we're getting a bathroom in our basement apartment!!! The
"dungeon" will eventually be a home.

Vacation was a blast. This year be rented beachfront property. And I hope we will always be able to do it. It's more expensive but SO worth it. Whenever Mal needed a nap I just walked back to the house instead of waiting for everyone to pack up to go. It was quite when we needed it to be. And convenient.

Next week we'll be celebrating Zeke's 4th birthday! And Sam's birthday too! (not his 4th hehe) And Staci will be leaving me. :-( Fortunately we will be having a road trip together so I have something to look forward too.

Considering doing correspondence college. And getting my goals together. As usual getting a license is at the top of the list. Then I will be able to work with Sam or some other job. And lots of other things on my "to do" list of life. Also as usual it's all just dreaming until I "just do it" and DRIVE!

Sam is gone for a eight day shift so I am mentally preparing to be mommy/daddy for a week. We will have a couple of breaks in the week. Gonna go to a 31 party & the boys will stay with Sam for a few hours. And we will all go to see the fireworks for the 4th and see the parade. It's always great to do family activities and break up the monotony when Sam's on a long shift.

Running out of time here. The indians are getting restless. Toys are flying. Gotta go....hope to post a few pictures soon.

Yuck! Nasty headache & yucka sinus problems. I hate allergy colds!