Patience

These past few months God has really been teaching me a lot of things.  Mainly how much I still need work (and will ALWAYS need work) at being more Christ-like.  I sometimes can run my mouth without thinking-one of my biggest struggles, but I am working on it.  It's a daily struggle between the flesh and the spirit.  Most days the spirit wins, but not always.  I am reminded that noone is perfect and that I have no right to judge another person.  I usually don't struggle with judging others, but it's always a good reminder that we are no better than anyone else.  Besides running my mouth, my other biggest struggle is patience.  I really don't have much of it, but God has REALLY been working in my life in that regard.  I have to wait for everything.  Wait for the house to sell, wait to buy something, wait, wait, wait!!!!!  I really think it is a good thing He is teaching me.  I need to just give it all to God, know that it will happen in His time, and then let it go.  Don't dwell on it, but just let it go.  I have a hard time letting go of things.  The good and the bad.  But I know that there is no reason to hold on to things.  Just let God handle it.  Try to do my best every day, and the rest is God's to do with as He pleases.  I am still working on it, but I have gotten much better.  I don't stress over things (as much) as I used to.  I know that God's way is better than anything I could dream up.   So for now, I will try my best not to worry about the house, or finances, or anything else.  Just focus on making my family's day the best it can be, and making sure every day is focused on the Lord.  That's what I'm trying to focus on. 

Good day

Tonight my (most of the time) very sweet brother in law took my husband and me out for our birthday's to Arigato's!  It's one of my very favorite restaurants.  It's a Japanese Hibachi Grill, where they cook your food in front of you.  Always a good show and always good food!!  We had a blast.  Thank you Aaron, if you read my blog :) We had a blast!! Domo Arigato!!!  *Thank you very much ;)
Also on a good note, I got a job today!!  I had been praying for a while now asking God if it was His will for me to get a job to help out with the financial strain we have while we wait (still) for our home in NC to sell.  I definitely wanted something that I could do and not miss the kids, maybe at night or something.  Well, I was at a MOPS meeting, and this girl was talking with my mom about looking into day care for her daughter.  I just said in passing that I would be willing to do it if the day care didn't work out.  I mean, once you have a few kids, what is one more, right?!  She was very happy because we are Christian's, and she knows my family, so I got the job for 3x a week!  I am so excited at how God just provided for both my family and her's!  His way is definitely best, and not always what we expect.  I am so thankful for this opportunity and I know that God had His hand in this!  There is nothing too big (or small) for God!  I am in awe of how He provides for us!  What an awesome God we serve :)

I can't wait!!

In just a few days, my sweet cousin Suwanee is coming to visit!!  I cannot wait!!  We will have so much fun going to the beach, doing touristy things, having great food, and lots of talks :)  I am so excited!!  I cannot believe it's been almost 2 years since we got together last.  Time flies by too quickly!  I can't wait to catch up!  She will always have a special place in my heart!  I love her like a sister.  :)

God is awesome!!

Today I had good news and bad news.  The bad news is that wonderful friends of ours went to our house to mow the lawn, but someone had broken into one of our sheds.  It was probably kids, and I don't think anything was taken, but the door is now broken :(  We are having people look at the house tomorrow, so hopefully that won't deter them.  I know it is all in God's hands.  The good news (besides someone looking at the house) is that I may have a job opportunity.  I might be watching a little girl through the summer.  That would be a huge blessing to us, since we could use some extra money with everything that has been happening.  You never know how God works, but His way is perfect!  I am so thankful for the way He shows me that He cares about me, and my family.  He truly is an awesome God!  I will keep you posted on what happens, but for now I am trying not to worry and I'm still learning patience!! 

Birthday!!!!

Today is Nathan's 29th birthday!  Unfortunately, he had to work today, but we had a great time planning a "surprise" party for him.  Marissa spent so much time decorating the house, even putting confetti all over the floor in the entry way :) It was so adorable!!  I made him a strawberry cake with cream cheese frosting, and Ashley made a chocolate cake with chocolate frosting (for the people that don't like strawberry!).  I also made chicken marsala.  I have never made it before, but it was SO delicious!!  Nathan said it was his new favorite meal.  So it was a huge success!!  The kids were great and made him their own presents.  Marissa worked for like a month making him pictures, a puppet, games, and a birthday crown.  Dylan wrapped up some of his toys and I love the look on his face when he watches Nathan open the gifts!  It is precious!  Ashley and I had a great plan to take a package that was delivered to Nathan today, and wrap it up as if we got it for him.  The picture didn't come out, but the look on his face was priceless!  It was so funny :)  We had a great night together, and I know Nathan really had a good birthday!  Here are a few pictures.  The ones of the gifts Ashley and I gave him were really blurry :( but here are some that tuned out:

Look at Dylan's face, I love it :)

Dylan gave Nathan his toys.

My beautiful family!

Marissa explaining the game she made.

The "pin the tail on Scamp" game.

Children are a blessing!

I am so blessed to be surrounded by children I love.  I cannot imagine how boring life would be without them.  They are so funny, especially when they don't know you are watching.  So honest, even brutally sometimes!  So innocent and sincere.  I love each and every one of my children.  They are each so different, yet so similar.  I can't explain how amazing God is and how blessed we feel because He gave us the kids we have, so we can train them and teach them to become godly Christians.  What better job in the world.  I cannot think of a better place to be than at home with my children.  Snuggling with them at night, teaching them during the day.  Answering questions, and also being challenged to find answers to questions I have never thought of on my own.  Learning to be artistic when I really have no idea what I am doing :)  Learning to sword fight which is actually really fun!  Learning to be a friend as well as a parent.  To help my kids to grow and to think for themselves.  I think that is a scary concept, but I know I can't always be with them.  They need to prepare to leave and raise their own families.  But I know that even when they are gone, they will ALWAYS be my children.  No matter what.  But for now I am cherishing every moment we have together.  I am so honored to be a wife and a mother. 

Homeschooling

As you all know, I homeschool our kids and I love it!  It is not easy, it's not always fun, but it's what God wants me to do, and I do it proudly!  I found on YouTube a little thing about homeschooling and I loved it, so I thought I would share the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2ambQ6uX4s&NR=1
I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!  I am so excited to see what God has in store this next year.  When I have a 7th grader, 2nd grader and kindergartner!  Wow, what fun we will have!  I am thinking of joining a co-op that has classes on Friday's from 9-1.  We'll see what happens, but I am excited to look into it!  I hope you all consider homeschooling.  It's the best way to know what your kids are being taught!!