Venturing out...

Well, we got quite a bit accomplished today. The girls' rooms are nearly put together (including some fun wall decorations) and my wonderful hubby managed to put most of our room together. 


The girls and I went this morning to register them for school and HOLY MOLY is that school huge! I think it was once a high school or something...sheesh! Found out who the girls' teachers will be and where they are located. We will be able to meet their teachers on Thurs. night. 


After we went to their school, we decided to find Wal-Mart. It's not my favorite store, but I kinda knew where it was, so I felt safe going out on my own to find it. And find it we did! We got curtains for the kitchen, living room, and the girls' rooms. Well, there were a few things not right with what we got, so Big Girl and I ventured back out to return them and get what we needed. We decided to go a different route to see what we could find...well, low and behold, we found another Wal-Mart! (and Hastings, Hobby Lobby and Mardel!) Then we found a great little frozen yogurt shop with 14 or so different flavors!! Stopped at TJ Maxx and Ross and managed to find Big Girl some school shoes...she's so picky!


And the day is ending just perfectly! The girls and I went for a swim after dinner and then they ran off some energy in the 'yard' while the hubs and I chilled on the back patio. Now they are in bed and here I sit with a cup-a-joe...life is good!

Our yummy 'frogurt' concoction! Peanut butter/chocolate with chocolate chips!

The perfect end to a pretty good day!

He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8

D-Day

Today was the day. All of our belongings were loaded into a moving truck and our cars and off we went. We got on the road an hour later than I had planned, but then again, that always happens. Aside from getting a late start, the trip was quite uneventful...and that's a good thing! When we arrived, there were people from my hubby's work here ready to unload. We were unloaded and the truck returned within 3 hours. While the hubby was taking the truck back, the girls and I hopped in the pool, because it was HOT!! After a short break, we got back to the unpacking. My Angel's room is nearly unpacked and put together. Big girl has been working on hers and making it her own. I got into the kitchen and got some of it unpacked...and I broke a bowl in the process. It was bound to happen sometime...LOL! Our living room looks like a living room and the dining room...the only room not touched is of course our bedroom. Oh well, it will happen soon enough. We'll prolly go clear the bed, make it and fall in it in about 5 minutes!


But, "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord." For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends. 2 Cor 10:17-18

Rock and a hard place...

With my entire house torn apart, boxes loaded onto the truck and us 'living' in a hotel for the next few nights, this move is slapping me in the face. We will pull out of the town that has been home for the last 11 years on Monday. I know we will be just down the road, but my girls don't quite get that concept. My Big Girl has a pretty good grasp on the fact that she can keep touch with her friends. 


My Angel on the other hand doesn't get it. She's 7. She's already randomly started crying several times. When asked what she's crying about, she states that she doesn't want to leave her friends. Unfortunately, with the strain of the move that I am dealing with, I don't really have the patience for random crying spells. I don't have the time to just sit and talk through all of her emotions right now. It makes me feel like a horrible mom. How do I juggle catering to the needs of my children, while trying to take some of the strain and stress off my husband by making sure certain things are done so he doesn't have to worry about them? I'm sure there is a lesson in this too, and I will learn it eventually. I just hope that happens before my kids suffer and I burn myself out. I'm ready for a vacation by the pool...


I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Psalm 27:13

OVERWHELMED!

Not too sure what's going on here, but I woke with a huge knot in my stomach. Am I nervous? Am I afraid we won't get it all done? Today is the day we pick up the truck. There is still a lot to be packed in a box. I'm a little overwhelmed! Ok, so I'm a lot overwhelmed! Jesus help me today!


[To the Church in Laodicea] "To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:14,20 

The enigma that is my life...right now anyway

These last few days in town are super hard and super great at the same time. It sounds weird, but trust me on this. They are hard because, well, they are our last days. They are great because I have been spending time with a lot of my favorite people. It's going to be really hard to be away from all of the people who have helped make me who I am. Each of my friends have taught me something different and I am grateful for each lesson. It hurts my heart to know I won't see them for months at a time. It hurts my heart even more to know that I will not see some of them before I leave. It is so hard to know that my girls are going to be going through the same things I am...they are leaving all of their friends behind too. All of those friends that have become like brothers and sisters. It definitely is a hard thing to take as a parent. Sure, I can handle it, but they shouldn't have to. I guess it will help them to be stronger and better friends in the end. Guess it's time to become better friends with the One who will never leave us... Be blessed!


I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. Ps 119:14

Another last...

So tonight was my last Monday night prayer before we move. This is the beginning of my last week here. It's a little sad, but also very exciting at the same time. I think I'm just about ready to begin this new adventure. I know that the connections that I have made here will last through all of this change, so I'm not scared about that. I am a little apprehensive about finding a new church home and the girls' school and just getting around in a new town. But I also know that God is going before us on this journey, so I know it is what is best for our family. In my flesh, it's scary as hell! But in my spirit, there is a calm and peace that I just can't describe!

I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. 1 Cor 1:10

Good times...

I think I have decided that I need a photographer to follow me around. Let me explain. I can pretty much have fun wherever I go. Lots of fun. The last few days have been spent with some great friends. My camera made the journey every stop, but alas, I have no pictures. :( I always tend to forget I have the camera and never take any pictures. Good thing I have a pretty good memory. I just wish I had some pictures to go along with all the great memories...it would make them all that much better! (I will try to take some pictures over the next few days) Be blessed!!!


Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Luke 12:6-7

Hate to say goodbye...

I really dislike saying goodbye. I mean, it's so permanent. I'm more of a later tater, hasta luego, see ya soon...well you get the picture....kinda girl. I've had to say see ya later to my sweet cat and my annoying but loveable dog in the last few days. With only 9 1/2 days left until we leave, it is beginning to hit me that I have a whole lot more 'see ya laters' to say. Bleh. I love all of the people that are in my life, and it's times like this that make me appreciate them all that much more. I just hope that you all know how special you are to me...and you always will be. This will not be a goodbye for me....it will definitely be a see ya later!


(One good thing about see ya later's is you get a whole new perspective on the people you love. You begin to appreciate them so much more...and you get to spend extra time with them!)


Here are a few pics from today!

Friends since Kindergarten!

One of the best friends anyone could ask for...no really, she is!

I love that you can see their personalities in this picture.

All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal. Ps 119:160

Knock it off!!!!!

I have managed to shake the funk off of me from the other day, but it seems to be contagious. My hunny is feeling the exact same way I was. So, my conclusion? I feel that it's a spirit the enemy is using to try to get and keep us down. Well I'm here to say it ain't gonna work mister!!! You will not cause us to be ineffective! We will be victorious in this battle! I claim our victory in Christ! Thank You Lord for helping me to realize the enemy's silly games and giving me tools to be victorious! And putting people into my life who will help us fight this fight!


This is what the LORD says, he who made the earth, the LORD who formed it and established it-the LORD is his name: 'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. Jer 33:2-3

The first of many...

Yesterday we said our first 'see ya later.' Amid all the craziness of packing and living in a house, our poor cat was FREAKING out! I had already arranged for her to go to a new home, and I realized yesterday that she needed a sense of normalcy...so, off she went. It was not a happy time. My Big Girl was actually the first to cry. My Angel was next and then...I'm pretty sure my hubby did too. He's worried about her being happy. I reassured him that the people she went to will love her just like he did...she's a great cat. The good thing about where she went is that we can go visit her and I know we will get lots of updates on how she's doing. I just hope she realizes that we all still love her...and always will. :(


But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. 1 Sam 16:7

Overwhelmed...in a GOoD and bad way

The last few days have been, well, interesting. Between swim parties that got rained out, so much rain I thought we'd float away, night meetings at church, a surprise phone call from my Daddy, I'd say we haven't lacked for things to do...just time to blog about them. It's getting to be just about time to disassemble furniture and begin coming up with a battle plan for packing the truck. Ah, the truck...I reserved that today. Just made the reality of the move that much more real. You know, talking about the move doesn't make it real in my mind. Just something that is theoretically going to happen in the future. Reserving the truck...now that made it really seem real. It will be even more real when we pick up the truck...


As much as I'm not looking forward to leaving, God has really stirred my spirit the last few days. He has renewed in me my calling for the youth. I know this may sound crazy, but I'd rather spend time with a bunch of teenagers than with a bunch of adults. Even those teenagers that try your patience. I just love them. God has given me such a passion for them...all of them. He has given me promises about the harvest I will help to reap for His Kingdom. Last night He just overwhelmed me with the vision He has for me. I also got a little more confirmation about our next church home. I really am getting excited to once again to be used by God to speak to the next generation.


I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Phil 3:14

Packing, packing, packing....

Well, we've kinda been on a packing frenzy all day today. We've packed just about everything we can absolutely live without....that's the good news and the bad news. :( My house looks so weird. Oh and every time I pass by something, I think can I live without this? Can I find a box to put it in? I had to make another run for boxes today because we ran out. Our front room is full of boxes. It's a little sad to think that almost all of the stuff in our house can fit into boxes that barely fill 200 sq. ft...not kidding.

This is pretty much our whole house.

She's not sure what to think...

Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice. Ps 112:5

A little bit of this and a little bit of that

I have sat in front of this computer 3 times since my last post trying to write something....anything. And I've got nothing. Not that there isn't anything going on...quite the opposite actually. There are so many things going on right now I can't decide which one I should write about. Hmmm, let's see...


1. My friends are amazing...no really they are. I love having a great group of girlfriends who get me. (and still love me) I mean everyone has their quirks. Take me for example. According to my great friends, I say all those things that everyone is thinking. You know, I'm pretty sure I'm totally ok with that. I just think that it's great that all of us can look past our flaws, quirks and "just me's" and still get along like sisters. I know God has put all these women in my life for a purpose. And I love you all!!


2. My Big Girl isn't such a little girl any more. I know I call her my big girl, but she's still young...just my oldest. Well, there was a moment, a few weeks ago, where I looked at my Big Girl and realized that she doesn't look like a kid any more. Every day, she's looking more and more like a teenager. She passed a milestone recently that I had hoped was not coming for at least another year. :( But I must say that I'm looking forward to teenage-dom. I know that sounds totally crazy, but hear me out. She and I don't connect as easily as I do with my Angel. I think it will be very helpful to our relationship to be able to go out and do 'girl' stuff together...just the two of us. So, I can look past all of the hormones, attitudes and other teenager-ness that comes with the territory just to be closer to my not-so-little girl.


3. The packing is coming along pretty well. Still haven't gotten back into that kitchen...ugh! It's difficult to pack and live in a house...but we will weather this storm too!


I know there's more, but it's not really blog worthy. So for all of you (all 8 of you) that's the update on my crazier than usual life. Many blessing and lots of love to you all!!


I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws. Ps 119:7

A much deserved break...

I busted my tail today getting the kitchen sorted and mostly packed and even cleaned a little. You know, you never realize how dirty things get until you move. Take for example the top of the refrigerator. Now I'm sure there are some people out there who clean it like once a month or whatever, but I am not one of them. So, living in this house for almost 3 years, you can imagine how disgusting the top was. EW! Scrubbed the top and the inside. I packed several boxes of dishes. Then I got a call for one of the pieces of furniture I have posted. So I had to stop the work in the kitchen in order to go clean the armoire in the bedroom. Lemme tell ya, that was DIRTY! Electronics make so much dust! (It doesn't help that I have so many other things that I spend my 'dusting' time on...LOL!) Well, armoire cleaned and sold, kitchen half packed...I headed to the grocery store to get some things we had to have today. Did that and stopped at Sonic for dinner. The rest of my evening will consist of sitting right here in this recliner doing one of three things (or some combination of the three)...1) playing around on the computer 2) watching a movie or 3) reading a book. Somewhere in there I might just send my hubby to DQ again...twice in one week, oh the insanity! (but I deserve it!)


Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. James 1:21

Slowly but surely...

I am getting this house packed. I have sorted more stuff and posted several things on Craigslist. (you know to make a little extra that you always seem to need when you move) I have had lots of interest and we are praying that we get the price we ask on all the other stuff. I know God will come through on that part. :)


My girls have combined rooms for the next month in order to pack up and paint a room...one less thing to worry about right before we move. After packing everything, taking out the furniture and vacuuming the room, I got a little sad. I remember when we signed the papers for this house almost 3 years ago. I love this house. I loved this house the first time I saw it. This house has been and will forever be home. It will be hard to leave, but we know we are leaving it in capable hands. :) And we are looking forward to the adventure we are sure to have in WF.


Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Phil 2:9-11

Did you see that? That was the last month flying by...

Isn't it amazing how quickly time flies by? Now, sometimes, I am a fan of the time flying by...others, not so much. Right now is not one of those times. I have 4 boxes packed (and taped), just 4. We have a 3BR 2BA house. Oh did I mention we have about 40 days? No, well we do. HOLY COW!!!! Where has the time gone? Needless to say, I'd better get busy on the packing business...or I'm gonna be scrambling come 3 weeks from now. I reckon I could take advantage of all this "lovely" weather we've been having and get to it.


Did I mention 40 days? Oh boy...this is really happening, isn't it?


I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word. Ps 138:2

Sometimes I just need to be reminded...

As I have said before, I'm not looking forward to leaving my friends behind. Well, the following has come out of my mouth..."I'm not going to try to make any friends. I'm gonna just keep to myself. I have all the friends I need." Or something along those lines anyway. Well, yesterday at church, a friend of mine let me know what the Lord thought about that. She told me that it broke His heart to hear me say that. That I impact so many people in so many ways just by being who I am. There are many people, close friends, who have come to know the Lord through me. Not because I am some great preacher, but because I live and LOVE as the Bible says I should. I'm no saint...and Lord knows I'm not perfect, but I try. Well, He wants me to continue to do that. So, Lord, I lay aside any aspirations (or lack there of) that I have for this upcoming move and I will walk where You want me to walk, speak what You want me to speak, love who You want me to love. I know that this is all Your doing and I will listen before I go/do/speak. Thank You for reminding me when I need to be reminded...and thank You for GREAT friends and sisters in Christ who are willing to tell me the truth in love. May I be more like them. Use me Lord!! In Jesus' name, Amen.

By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. Jn 13:35

When reality hits, it hurts...

Well, the reality of this move is really starting to sink in. I know, I know...one would think with all the boxes, that would help...not really. Today as I sat with some of my crazy friends, I began to think that in just a few months, I will not be near enough to just 'hang out' like we always do. I won't have a friend to call if I can't make it to the school on time to pick up my girls. I won't have anyone to sit and chat with while I wait for the kids to get out of school. I won't have my Thursday lunches and prayer time. It just kinda hit me like a brick wall today. I know I will make new friends, but none like the ones I have now...and it's just not something I'm really looking forward to. I really am trying to cherish the last of my time with my friends, but the more time I spend with them, the more I realize how little time I have left.


Ok, I'm done crying now...ok well maybe not, but I'm done writing about it anyway.


The LORD will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one LORD, and his name the only name. Zec 14:9

Is it over yet?

So this packing thing just sucks. I'd just like to be there and settled already. Packed up my Angel's room today...well most of it. I packed up everything except the clothes and toys...and it all fit into one box. I think about a week before, I'll pull out a couple of weeks worth of clothes and put the rest in boxes. My Big Girl on the other hand was harder to pack up. She's an artist and gifted, so her room is a MESS! (even though we just cleaned it a couple of weeks ago) We had to get through all the trash again to get to the essentials. Poor girl is going to have to live without her art supplies for the next couple of months. I left her with one sketch pad and a travel set of pencils and crayons.  We got one box packed in her room, but there are many more boxes to go...I think I'm done packing for the day though...I just don't want to think about it any more. :(


The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Pet 3:9