Here I chronicle the struggles, blessings, and daily life of our family.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Jumping Bean Gymnastics
Little Bean started gymnastics about a year ago. She took one summer session this year and at the end of summer sessions, they do a little performance. The theme was Circus and she was very excited to receive a t-shirt and ribbons/awards.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Weekend Trip
A couple weekends ago, we made a weekend trip. With a newborn for the first time in 6 years, packing was quite the undertaking. Sweet Baby proved herself to be a champion road-tripper on the 3 hour ride.
We went on the trip to celebrate my husband's family birthdays this summer. We stayed with my friend and had a great time. It was the first time in weeks that our lack of sleep was from staying up and goofing around rather than Sweet Baby's late night feedings.
We had such a good time, we were already talking about "next time" before we left. Hoping to get back to see my friend again this fall. My husband REALLY wants to make the trip's main activity a medieval dinner-joust outing, where you watch medieval entertainment during dinner.
Still praying and trying to trust in God's plan for the finances of our family. My nine months of hormone therapy did not result in a pregnancy, so we are waiting on God's will in more than one area. I did smile at His ultimate sense of humor in bringing home Sweet Baby after 9 months of hormones to try to have a baby :) SB's plan right now is to return home. If that doesn't work out, the goal would change to adoption. For right now, we're focusing on getting her big and strong and letting God handle how long she'll be a part of our family.
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| Dinner on the move |
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| I've taken everyone else's picture.... |
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| LB making friends with Deacon the dog |
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| Snuggling with her new buddy |
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| The grown-up boy's toy store |
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| Musicians at the family party |
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| Posing after the party |
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| "Look at me Mom!" |
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| Helping give Deacon a bath |
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| Deacon, the ghost dog :) |
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| Posing after tacos |
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| My sweet girl |
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| Eating snack crackers on the way home |
We had such a good time, we were already talking about "next time" before we left. Hoping to get back to see my friend again this fall. My husband REALLY wants to make the trip's main activity a medieval dinner-joust outing, where you watch medieval entertainment during dinner.
Still praying and trying to trust in God's plan for the finances of our family. My nine months of hormone therapy did not result in a pregnancy, so we are waiting on God's will in more than one area. I did smile at His ultimate sense of humor in bringing home Sweet Baby after 9 months of hormones to try to have a baby :) SB's plan right now is to return home. If that doesn't work out, the goal would change to adoption. For right now, we're focusing on getting her big and strong and letting God handle how long she'll be a part of our family.
Friday, August 19, 2011
"Work"ing It Out
If you've been following along, you know my husband was laid off in April. In July, my husband accepted a promising position at a local company. Unfortunately, the position has turned into part-time as often as it is full-time....meaning life has become even more tricky on one income.
Every time we face a financial hardship or blessing, I pray and offer up our finances to God, the author of all good things and the keeper of all promises. When my husband was first laid off, a verse from Jeremiah was sent to me by two friends: "For I know the plans I have for you" says the Lord, "Plans to prosper you, not harm you, to give you hope and a future." These words have been a lifeline for me during this time. The frustration I feel with myself perpetually is the desire to take up the worries of our finances after giving them over to God. I find myself continually stepping back up to take the reins. The continual struggle with this has been truly evident these last four months.
God has been so faithful in taking care of our family, and yet, the worry sneaks back in.....what if? what if? what if?
I also struggle with knowing my role in our family during this time. Am I called to be the homeschooling stay-at-home mother with the occasional instructional design project thrown in to help finances, or am I called to step outside of this safe and comfortable haven and be a helpmate to my husband and find a job that can see us through until he has landed in a stable job?
Short of getting a direct line from God with the answer to this question, I'm working at it with prayerful action. I have applied for two positions. One of them would be enough to support our family in full and would be based on the school year with summers off. When I take the step out to apply for jobs, I pray that God guide me to the place He wants. The words usually run something like, "God, you know my heart is in my home, but if you truly want me elsewhere, make it clear." Last time I said this prayer in late May, I was pleased to NOT be offered a position. Now, I wait again on God's will........sometimes I think I must be a super slow learner on resting totally in God's will.......He sure gives me lessons repeatedly and I still seem to fall short.
Friends, if you would, please keep our family in your prayers. Pray that God make the path known to us so that we may serve Him where He wants us....and pray that we remain restful in Him during this time, knowing we are striving to remain obediently where He wants us. My husband is also pursuing some other job leads and I would appreciate it if you would join your prayers with mine that he may soon find a stable job that allows him to sustain our one-income lifestyle.
Know that I will be offering up the anxiety that clings to me up for your prayer intentions.
Every time we face a financial hardship or blessing, I pray and offer up our finances to God, the author of all good things and the keeper of all promises. When my husband was first laid off, a verse from Jeremiah was sent to me by two friends: "For I know the plans I have for you" says the Lord, "Plans to prosper you, not harm you, to give you hope and a future." These words have been a lifeline for me during this time. The frustration I feel with myself perpetually is the desire to take up the worries of our finances after giving them over to God. I find myself continually stepping back up to take the reins. The continual struggle with this has been truly evident these last four months.
God has been so faithful in taking care of our family, and yet, the worry sneaks back in.....what if? what if? what if?
I also struggle with knowing my role in our family during this time. Am I called to be the homeschooling stay-at-home mother with the occasional instructional design project thrown in to help finances, or am I called to step outside of this safe and comfortable haven and be a helpmate to my husband and find a job that can see us through until he has landed in a stable job?
Short of getting a direct line from God with the answer to this question, I'm working at it with prayerful action. I have applied for two positions. One of them would be enough to support our family in full and would be based on the school year with summers off. When I take the step out to apply for jobs, I pray that God guide me to the place He wants. The words usually run something like, "God, you know my heart is in my home, but if you truly want me elsewhere, make it clear." Last time I said this prayer in late May, I was pleased to NOT be offered a position. Now, I wait again on God's will........sometimes I think I must be a super slow learner on resting totally in God's will.......He sure gives me lessons repeatedly and I still seem to fall short.
Friends, if you would, please keep our family in your prayers. Pray that God make the path known to us so that we may serve Him where He wants us....and pray that we remain restful in Him during this time, knowing we are striving to remain obediently where He wants us. My husband is also pursuing some other job leads and I would appreciate it if you would join your prayers with mine that he may soon find a stable job that allows him to sustain our one-income lifestyle.
Know that I will be offering up the anxiety that clings to me up for your prayer intentions.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Lucky Ducky Gets Married
So, I may have mentioned, or perhaps you already know this about me - but I'm from a large family. There are 9 of us siblings. I have two older brothers, 5 younger sisters and one younger brother. My younger brother is sandwiched between 6 sisters, 3 older and 3 younger than him. He is the 6th child and when he was very small, my mom made up a song and used to sing it to him about how he was a "Lucky, ducky baby boy". A good number of us could probably recite this song at a moment's notice, it was sung a lot.
Well, to my knowledge, none of the rest of us got a song......perhaps this is why we have yet to let the Lucky Ducky live down his famous-in-our-house serenade.
That being explained, let's move on to the wedding pictures. It was a beautiful and elaborate ceremony, complete with mariachi band for the Mass.
Well, to my knowledge, none of the rest of us got a song......perhaps this is why we have yet to let the Lucky Ducky live down his famous-in-our-house serenade.
That being explained, let's move on to the wedding pictures. It was a beautiful and elaborate ceremony, complete with mariachi band for the Mass.
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| Getting favors ready |
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| Finalizing the seating arrangement |
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| Making brownies for the rehearsal dinner |
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| The accessories are ready! |
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| She's a professional |
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| A sweet walk in the rain |
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| Getting ready to rehearse |
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| Beautiful family - 2nd brother |
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| The cousins goofing |
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| Posing flowergirls |
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| Bridesmaids at the ready! |
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| Helping out the smaller ringbearer |
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| Time to eat! |
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| Preparing the hall |
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| A candy table! |
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| My nephew hard at work |
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| Considering the arrangement... |
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| Finishing touches |
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| The happy couple |
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| The dining area |
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| Cocktail and dance area |
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| Flowergirl preparations |
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| The girls are ready! |
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| So sweet |
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| Ready to go |
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| Hand games to make the time pass |
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| Sisters getting ready |
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| He just saw her! |
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| One of my beautiful sisters with her guy |
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| Cake time |
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| Congrats to Bob on the catch :) |
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| Uh-oh |
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| Partying late into the night |
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| ....and later still |