Saying Goodbye to Our First Home

Well, it has hit me.  We are no longer home owners and the very first place we lived together and made our own is a thing of the past.  This morning, Connor and I dropped off Gloria (James' Mom) at her car, which was still parked at our old neighbors house.  (She was having issues with the starter, so decided to not start it unless 100% necessary).  Connor got so excited to see that house.  There was the big moving truck, moving in the new owners belongings and Connor started to run excitedly to the front door. 

I was floored.  Okay, I starting weeping right there and started my "melt-down".  I have been waiting for it to happen and it happened this morning.  The move is complete.  It is no longer ours.  The house where so many wonderful things happened-gone. Forever.  I had to stop myself so I could explain to him that this was no longer our home, but that we had a new house.  He sees our things in this new house, but I don't think it's all processed quite yet.  It was funny watching him see all of our things coming off of the moving truck yesterday.  He would point to something of mine and say "Mommy's" or his "Connor's" or James' "Daddy's."  This is the start of our military journey-new homes every 2-3 years and is something poor little Connor will have to get used to or grow to like. 

While I'm sad, I'm also excited about this next phase and I feel like I have to share this little story of God's grace and it is truly helping me through all of my emotions.  A few months ago, I got this push to sell the house.  I couldn't explain it, I just felt like it needed to get done.  James agreed so we listed the house by owner.  We said we would try that until December and then switch to a realtor if nothing happened.  Well, we then got to late July and just decided to try it with a realtor.  We were ready to be out of the house.  So, we listed the house on a Thursday and had an offer on Tuesday.  After much negotiation, we went into contract that Wednesday.  James had already left for SOS, so I was left to do all the packing myself-luckily his mom came out and stayed for 2 weeks to get me through the move.  In the process so many things happened.  First, we didn't think we would get to move into base housing right away-we thought we would be homeless for 2 weeks.  Then a house miraculously opened up and was ready on the exact day we needed it.  Praise God!  We're not homeless!

Then, our air conditioning broke at our old house.  The repair bill?  $1,450.  OUCH.  But, guess what God did?  The housing company here on base was offering a free move in for the month of August only.  That means, we get to keep James housing allowance for the rest of August and September.  Want to know how much that is?  $1,500.  How cool is that? It's almost like God knew we would have that repair and then he instantly repaid it once we trusted Him and followed right along.

We are all moved in and I am so thankful for everything that has happened.  I have learned to trust God because he knows what he's doing!

One Reason I love my husband...

I stole this from his Facebook page. He wrote a note concerning assignments. We both know what we want, but at the end of the day, this life is not ours. It is all HIS. I love that James is accepting of that and is at peace with whatever may come our way. I am equally excited for all that God has planned for us and can't wait to find out what that is!

Peace

25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own
--Matt 6:25-34

Father, guide me to the path you have planned for me and may my life be a sweet offering to you. I trust you to direct my path, and I'll rejoice in you no matter where that path leads. Please fill me with your spirit as I give you thanks for EVERYTHING in the name of Jesus Christ. My flesh and my heart may fail, but you, God, are the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Humbly at your feet I'm resting. Amen.

Connor's a Ham

We should have known then that he was going to entertain us all. It's so funny to me to go back and look at how he has always had the same personality. I keep thinking it's something we can enhance or create, but really, it's what you're given. He loves being in the center and keeping us all laughing-and this just proves it! At three months old, he could do just that :)

Ain't Life Funny?

I ran across this article last night in a random blog I was in and it just cracks me up.  Two years ago, I was exactly like the complainant.  I remember asking Laurel Krey and Danielle Haynes "What DO you do all day?"  Their response?  "Umm...I'm not sure.  We read books, play..."  Now I totally get it.  Time flies and you have no idea how to slow it down.  By the time you get a shower, it's time for lunch or sometimes even dinner.  My rule is that I have to be bathed and dressed by the time James gets home.  Thank goodness he's late so much!  Here's the article:

I remember when I found out my separation package was accepted and I knew for sure I would be a stay at home mom, I started filling up my days  with activities (like music class, play groups, Bible studies) since there was no possible way I could last 8 hours alone all day with Connor.  I'm glad that God has a sense of humor because that 8 hours normally turns into 14and I never know where my time goes.  I also learned to not fill up your days because what would normally take 5 minutes, usually turns into 30 because you have a toddler ruining anything you are trying to do (his favorite is to dive into my piles of folded laundry).  Do you want to know what a stay at home mom does?  Here's my usual schedule:

6:30:  wake up and lay in bed for a bit before Connor wakes up.
7:00:  Connor usually wakes up screaming, so I go to the fridge, grab some milk, bring it to him, lie back down while he drinks it
7:30: Get Connor up, change a diaper, go make coffee
7:30-8:30:  Breakfast time and getting Connor dressed.  I usually make James' lunch in this time as well
8:30:  get dressed to go to the YMCA to work out, pack a diaper bag and change the diaper one more time
9-10: Get to the YMCA, drop Connor off in the nursery, work out, leave
10-11:  Quick shower, while keeping a strict eye that Connor doesn't climb on the bathroom counter, get dressed, and then it's play time
11-1ish:  Connor naps.  This is the time I have to make phone calls, check emails, fold laundry, put laundry away, sweep/mop, clean bathrooms, or nap
1:  Connor wakes up, change a diaper and feed him lunch
1-5:  Usually play time.  Maybe change a few diapers or go run errands like dry cleaning, groceries, pick up prescriptions, etc.
5: Start work on dinner and make sure Connor isn't climbing on anything
6:  Feed Connor and myself
6:30:  Sit down and watch Wheel of Fortune (hey-it's educational...he's learning letters!)
7:  Bathtime!
7:30:  Time to turn off TV's, radios, etc and wind down.  We usually sit and read some books.
8:  Prayer time and bed
8-10:  Fold laundry, clean up toys, wash dishes, put dishes away, pay bills, catch up on phone calls or do any other cleaning that I can't get done while Connor is awake
10-12: Focus on James time.
12:  BED! 

I am so lucky to be doing what I do everyday.  I love being at home more than anything! Yes, there really isn't any me time in here, but who needs it?  I usually take my "me" time on Saturday mornings when James is home (and usually it's sleeping in). 

Where's the baby?

Connor seems to think he can find it hidden under my shirt.  I am now 21 weeks along (these pictures are from two weeks ago, so I've grown a bit) and am really starting to feel pregnant. The sleepless nights have started, unimaginable back pain, swelling feet, and hunger. All normal and beautiful once you look back on it all, but rather annoying in the midst of it.

I started feeling kicking a few weeks ago.  It's funny, becuase with Connor I had that "ahah" moment where I wrote down his first kick that I felt.  I haven't had that this time around-maybe I'm busier and running around and just haven't noticed, but the kicks are definately stronger now than they were four weeks ago. 

I have been steadily keeping up with my exercise routine when my back permits and have enjoyed a slow weight gain so far.  Let's hope and pray I can keep it up and keep the weight gain reasonable.  I know that I will not fully make the 20 lb mark, but 25-30 this time is doable.  With Connor, I had far passed the 25 lb mark at 20 weeks.  Oops :) 

James and I have also decided to not find out what this baby is.  I'm not sure I can handle the suspense, but it definately will make it more fun when she arrives.  It also keeps a handle on my spending pre-baby!  We hired Martha Tesermann (http://www.joyinbirth.com/) to be my doula to aid my natural childbirth desires.  James and I are pretty excited about labor this time around, since we definately know what to expect.  Can't wait to meet this new one, but I'm not sure what we're going to do with TWO!!  It is sure going to be a wild ride.

I am so thankful for Pastor Brett because....

he is one of the strong, courageous pastors who I know will never back down when times get tough. The Bible teaches us that there will always be opposition when you choose Christianity as your path. It saddens me that in order for us to separate church and state, people want to completely remove Christianity all together. It also saddens me that there are pastors who are not willing to stand up and speak the Truth every Sunday. Please visit this web-site to see how you can take part of this movement-to keep the government out of our churches and out of Biblical teaching.

Church Project Video from Alliance Defense Fund on Vimeo.

Summer Days!

Connor and I have been having an awesome summer.  We got season passes to the local water park Castaway Cove and love getting to float around in the lazy river.  So far, he has gotten over his timidness in the water and this week we started learning to float, blow bubbles and even got to some kicking!  I think he will be a little swimmer by next summer.  These pictures are from our trip to the Iowa Park Splash and Spray Park with Jude, Jenn, and Brooke.