I do realize I have almost abandoned this blog.  In my defense, I have been sick for the past month.  Yes, month.  With Ethan in public school now, we are catching everything germs have to offer.  It's been a long ride with lots of snotty noses, puke, and other things that are just too gross to mention.  Yesterday, I felt well, for the first time.  I cleaned my house and baked a pie from a pumpkin.  It was nice.  Today, I have just enjoyed watching the rain.  Cool, rainy days remind me of Robin Hood, yes I do mean the cartoon version.  Maybe I will take a stroll down to Hastings to see if they might possibly have it on dvd.  Ah, this is the life.  Three beautiful children, a handsome, helpful, loving husband, and everything that goes along with my role as a suburban housewife.  Yes, even the times when I have to pause writing this blog to take Adelyn some toilet paper, dig dog food out of Alex's mouth, and get the button on my sweater stuck in my hair as I am pulling it off.  And now that I am sitting back down, I have completely lost where I was going with this.  Oh well, that's life.  God is so good.

Ready to be still for a minute...

It's been an exhausting week.  After what ended up being a nine hour drive with some crazy stops, we made it to our new home in Arkansas last Thursday.  By crazy stops, I really only mean one crazy stop for coffee at a country gas station.  We stopped only to realize Alex had pooped all over himself, literally all over.  It was on his head.  And after two bees and a rambunctious labrador puppy tried to hitch a ride with us, were finally able to get back on the road.  I don't want to make a drive like that again anytime soon. 

Ethan started school Monday.  I can't say that he loves it, but he's adjusting okay.  I like the staff, they are all sweet, Christian women.  I have to say that it hasn't been easy on me either.  I miss my boy like crazy.  And even though I am enjoying the extra time I am able to spend with Adelyn and Alex, I feel like I haven't spent any quality time with Ethan this week.  I suppose this new schedule will take some getting used to.  I will give it a year and see where we stand from there. 

We have been in a semi-empty house all week.  Brian is in Alabama today to oversee the movers pack up the rest of our things.  I can't wait to have all of our stuff delivered.  To finally just be settled for a minute. That's only about how long things last in this world before something changes.  I am not complaining.  I know how very blessed I am.  I am so Thankful for the changing seasons of my life. 
Just imagine how boring life would be if everything always stayed the same...

We found a house.

It has been a busy couple of weeks, and they are not over yet.  We made a second house-hunting trip to Arkansas last week.  And what do ya know, we found a house.  Actually, it was all God, just like I knew it would be.  I could attempt to explain the way it happened, so easily and perfectly, but I just don't think I can convey it in words.  Our house is perfect for us.  It sits up on a hill and we can see the lake from the front yard, which is less than a five minute drive.  It's not a huge house, it's just the right size for our family.  The two things I love about the house though, the two things that God knew I would love, are the hardwood floors and the wall-to-wall shelves in the living room. 
I was also able to get Ethan into the school I wanted, even though it was out of our zone.
Yeah, I've decided to give up homeschooling this year, but definitely not forever.  I just need a bit of a breather for now.
Now, all we have to do is wait to find out when the movers are going to be packing up our stuff.  I can't wait to get settled in our new home.
I know God has big plans for us and I just want to enjoy them. Life is good.

"Growing Up" doesn't end at 18

   I'm not sure where to begin this morning.  I have had a couple hours to myself to really think about my life, past, present, and future.  When I think about my past it's not a pretty picture.  My childhood was pretty rough, but I don't have any anger or even negative feelings over the first 17 years of my life.  Sometimes people just don't have the best circumstances.  The anger and shame starts to seep in when I think about the decisions I have made since becoming an adult.  The bad examples I displayed in front of my 1 year old.  The crappy wife I was to my husband.  The alcohol I consumed in my body so often because I thought it was fun.  The kind of people I let myself get caught up in.  Why did I make such shitty decisions?  After everything I had been through with my own parents, why would I put myself on that kind of path to destruction?  I really don't know.  I don't think I will ever have an answer as to why I was constantly running away from my family to hang out with people who never cared one bit about me as a friend.  I know that God has forgiven me. I think it is always hardest for us to forgive ourselves.  So, I will say it, moving away from what I picture still as our home is the best possible thing we could have ever done.
   Let's skip ahead to the present.  I have such a beautiful life, even though there are times when I don't always recognize it.  I get so caught up in the little frustrations of my day.  My home is never completely clean, no matter how hard I try to get it that way.  My kids eat a lot of junk food, even when I attempt to force veggies down them.  My husband and I never, ever get alone time.  I think these are the things that most moms deal with from day to day.  I feel like I grow a little every day.  My children amaze me in the most unexpected ways.  My husband proves his love for me through so many small gestures.  I am growing in my Faith.  I may not be perfect, but I am sure not who I used to be, and that is an accomplishment all in itself.
    For our future, I want to be thankful ALL of the time, not just when things are going good in that moment.  I will pray more and complain less.  I will appreciate every moment I have with my children and husband, even when we are in the midst of total chaos.  And I hope that one day we will be able to make it back home to be close to our family and true friends.
Enjoy this day.

Oh Happy Day, the Baby is Better and Life is Good!

After a very stressful two days, the baby finally woke up with a smile this morning.  It was 3a.m. when his fever broke and he was ready to play, but I didn't mind.  I was both exhausted and incredibly relieved!  :)  I don't have much else to say this morning, other than I have the best husband.  Even when I am completely stressed out and feeling like I am on the verge of nervous breakdown, he stays calm.  I can be quite mean sometimes, and he just laughs at me, gives me a kiss, and says, "You know you love me."  And he's right, I do love him! So much!  My love for him has grown every day for the eight years we have been together, and it continues to grow.  I don't know what I would ever do without him.  Happy Hump Day Everybody!  I can see the weekend from here, and it is going to be So. Much. Fun.  Peace and Love and all that!

1 Peter 4:8                                                                                                                                           Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.