It's been a while

We are good. I have just been kind of busy with normal life happenings...diaper changing, laundry washing, road-trip driving (with crying/screaming children), etc. I had a wonderful time visiting my bestest friend Holly and her family as well as my dear friend Angela and her daughter Katy in Texas last week. Then, I had a fun anniversary night...dinner and a movie! I love my husband. He didn't have to work on Thursday or Friday; it was such a treat to be able to spend so much time with him and the boys. We all went to my grandma's for Thanksgiving along with my parents, my brother and sister-in-law, a cousin I haven't seen in 2 years, and some more extended family. It was a great time, complete with a craft I kind of made everyone do (I have become more crafty since homeschooling started)...we made a Thanksgiving tree...even the adults participated!! It was fun! What was even more wonderful is that all I had to take was sweet potatoes, well, and 4 children and a husband, a booster seat, toys, diapers, a port-a-crib...etc. It was a relaxing weekend! We even played the game Life with Nate and Kyle on Saturday night. It was a fun time. It was awesome to see how excited Kyle was when he "got married" and had a son, twins, and daughter...or something like that! He said he definitely wants to get married one day and be a daddy...it was cute. Of course, I had to say something about marrying a wonderful young lady who loves Jesus! He said something like "duh." I love that kid...definitely my favorite 4-year-old in the whole world!!

I have been very blessed to be given an opportunity to lead worship again. I am the interim worship leader for the church I grew up attending. I feel so honored that I can serve my God in this way. I leave each service feeling so blessed, renewed, challenged, and spiritually fed. God is so good. In spite of me and my shortcomings, He allows me to serve Him and I am amazed by His goodness and grace. I truly don't understand how anyone can doubt Him or His existence. I feel His presence everywhere...He is my sustainer and provider and I am so blessed.

Lately, I have been seeking to "let my gentleness be evident to all" (Philippians 4) and in this "all", I must include my children...which proves to be my biggest challenge in my quest of gentleness. Sunday, God revealed something new to me in a passage that I have heard over and over again. I love when that happens. Matthew 11:28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." Jesus is the ultimate model of gentleness and humility. Seeking Jesus is how I will learn to be gentle so that my gentleness is evident to all. Yes, going to Jesus to learn gentleness...duh. :)

Oh Jesus, may I learn to be more and more like you. Amen.

Backyard fun

Caden's latest feat is figuring out the slide. I don't think I would have let any of my other boys try this at such a young age...but he's my fourth!! I still can't believe that it is November and this is how he is dressed OUTSIDE! It was close to 80 degrees yesterday. Crazy.





And here is a picture of Nate and Kyle. Nate is confused...am I Batman or Luke? The boys are really into Star Wars right now. I think this is supposed to be his scary face or something...not for sure.

Nate is quite a character these days. He is really starting to amaze me with how sweet and thoughtful he is at times. I love it! All of the boys are starting to open the door for me wherever we go...which is all sweet and cute except for when they start fighting over who is going to open the door. Then it's a little frustrating!!

Christmas Tree

Today, we picked our Christmas tree. It is a beautiful 9 1/2 feet pine tree. We went to the local Christmas tree farm, dressed in our t-shirts, shorts, and sunglasses, and tagged our tree to be picked up at a later date. When we go to get the tree, we will take a hay-ride down to the field where it will be cut down. They (Mike and the guys who work there) will then throw it up on the wagon and take it to load it up on our van. We will sip hot chocolate, take lots of pictures, and enjoy the fun Christmas decor. I am so excited!! There is a very good chance that this will all occur in 70 degree weather, but it will still be fun!! I know the kids will be so excited and this is definitely our biggest tree yet!!!!

But first, we will take time to celebrate Thanksgiving and give thanks and praise to our Father for all of our blessings and for His constant care and provision! My God is so GOOD!

Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever. 1 Chronicles 16:34

You are my God, and I will give You thanks; You are my God, and I will exalt You. Psalm 118:28

Mike's job

It is 6:24pm and Mike still isn't home; again it is at least an eleven and 1/2 hour work day. Absolute craziness. I would have really liked to go to church tonight, but I just didn't feel like going by myself with the kids...sounds more like work than fun. I am continuing to pray for relief from this. On a positive note, we did get to see Mike this afternoon because he locked his keys in his car and I had to go unlock his car for him! At least the kids got to see him for 15 minutes today.

My mom was here the last two days, which was a real blessing and provided some break-time from my "job". Also, I have been getting a small break from the kids during my work-outs at the YMCA. They have a good child watch program that the boys seem to enjoy.

I know that my kids are so much work, but I truly am blessed by them. My dear friend has been trying to get pregnant for 3 years. Last week they tried in-vitro and found out yesterday that she isn't pregnant. It's one of those times when I really question what God is doing. I know that He is so big and has a plan, but it is absolutely heart-breaking. I wish I lived near her just so I could give her a big hug. Okay, now I am crying, again.

wow

Monday 5:30am - 10pm
Tuesday 6:30am - 8pm
Wednesday 6:30am - 8:30pm
today 5:30am - well, it's already 5:20, so sometime later tonight

These are the hours that Mike has been away from the house this week...working. Yes, you read it right, 5:30am to 10pm, that means he worked 6am to 9:30pm on Monday. Because of his 30ish minute commute, he is gone from the house 1 hour longer than what he works.

I am tired. I am tired for him. Someone commented lately that I always seems joyful. Well, I do have joy in my Jesus and know that He always will take care of us, but I am weary, again. I know that Michael is exhausted and is completely unhappy with his job. I am just praying for some relief from this...I just really don't want to live like this. I love my kids...they are awesome, but this really, really, really makes for some really, really, really long days. Oh, I really don't mean to complain; I'm just tired. I am praying for strength for my husband because at least I love my "job".

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4 something

Halloween fun

Our family has never really "celebrated" Halloween. Last night, for the first time ever, we went to a Halloween party down the street and then all went trick-or-treating together. We all had a really fun time. We only went down three streets in our neighborhood, but the kids got TONS of candy. The kids really enjoyed dressing up...Nate and Kyle were both Spiderman, Ian was a monkey, and Caden was a frog. Mike, sadly, missed the festivities because he was stuck at work, again. We are praying for a job change, soon. Anyway, here are some pictures!

Kyle and Nate...I mean, original Spiderman and Spiderman 3

The boys wanted to wear their costumes during school time.
The four of them at the party.