Brag post.....

"When we get to Heaven, we will find out that nothing that would have benefited us was withheld from us."
~Anonymous
Our new Pastor here preached a message yesterday that seemed to be just about us.  It was based out of the 80th Psalm.  We had actually decided that we were going to join this church yesterday morning since we don't know when we are moving and haven't belonged to a church for a couple of months.  So, I thought it was time I wrote a brag post.  Not on us, mind you, but on God.

When my husband first lost his job, I was terrified.  I constantly had a sick feeling of dread knowing that our very lives were changing and hanging in the balance.  We couldn't get unemployment because we worked for a church...so we had NOTHING coming in.  We did have some savings, but with a mortgage and 4 kids....you could go through that pretty quickly.

I can't tell you the number of times people would come up to us and hand us money.   Over and over and over again.  We would leave church just shaking our heads at what God was doing in our lives.  Like my sister in law said this morning, it is almost like God knew that you needed time with your husband.

And I did!  Shortly after he found out that he wouldn't have a job anymore, we found out we were expecting...SURPRISE.  I was not physically or emotionally prepared for that.  AT ALL.  I am not one of those people that glows while they are pregnant.  Nope, I do not glow, I get fat...and my nose grows, and I whine and complain...and then my feet swell and my fingers and I have a perpetual cold the whole time and for the first 3 months, I am in my bed wishing I could just puke already.  It isn't pretty, let me tell ya.  But you see, God knew that.  He knew that through pregnancy and the heartache I would need Justus.  We also began homeschooling this year.  I shudder to think what would have happened to our poor children if Justus wasn't here everyday helping them.  But again, that wasn't me, or Justus, that was God.  HE ALREADY KNEW WHAT I WOULD NEED.   And while it took me a while to come to grips with the fact that we weren't just going to go out and get a job at the snap of the finger, I did get it and I became THANKFUL that Justus was home with me.  


Now fastforward a couple of months.  We JUST NOW had to get into our savings...3 months later.  Just days before my husband landed a job!  God met our EVERY NEED.  Even the ones we didn't know we had.  We began putting money in an envelope...if someone handed us a 20 dollar bill, it went into the envelope.  If someone gave us a Wal-Mart gift card, in the envelope it went.  And everytime I needed something there was enough money in that envelope to take care of it.  Can you believe it?  God was even so good to me that a friend of mine sent me a Starbucks gift card just so I could occasionally have my fix.  


I am literally in tears right now thinking about it.  I could go on and on, name names, etc.  But I know that these people that blessed us so much did it because they let God use them.  Maybe it was through a still small voice.  Maybe they saw a need.  (Though no one took Isaac off of our hands yet, that's a need.  Any takers?)


So, there is my brag post.  Sure I could brag on the fact that my husband is such a tightwad :)...and he is.  But God gave him that ability.  


Back to the quote at the beginning...I still don't understand it.  I don't know why God had us walk through this valley, but I KNOW nothing that would have benefited us was withheld from us.  Not money, not a job....nothing.  


I hope you made some sense out of this.....thank you for those of you who even said one prayer for us.  It means the world to us.

2 observations I gathered while watching old family movies...

1.  I need to shut me yapper!  How aggravating is my own voice?  I feel like Izma on The Emporers New Groove when she is turned into a kitten... "is that my voice?"  "IS THAT REALLY MY VOICE?"   So, I vow, in front of God and all of you to stop talking while recording videos.  My little quips are funny....ONCE.  After that, they kinda lose something.

2.  My babies are growing up so fast!  Even videos from this past summer's vacation...wow.  They have grown.  Chloe's hair was much cutter short.  Ben had quite a few teeth missing.  Isaac....well, he was still Isaac, LOUD!  But he looked like a baby, now he is part man.  And Ty was so much fatter then.  I miss his baby fat...  I may cry.  He loved me so much then.  And now, sigh, I am an afterthought.

3.  (I know I said 2, IT'S MY BLOG!!!)  I hate winter.  I really do.  I want the sunshine to shine down upon our heads while the kids play in the pool out back whilst Sarah (the goat) roams freely eating the yummy green grass.  Summer, summer, wherefore art thou summer?

Best three months of my life....

I gotta say, since my husband has been out of work since November 1,
life has been pretty good.
A dear friend of mine told me that the only thing she regretted about the time her husband was laid off of work was that she worried so much and didn't enjoy his time at home.
I determined to try my hardest not to worry.
But to ENJOY ENJOY ENJOY my husband.
And while we haven't had money to go do anything, we enjoyed just being with eachother.
Doing things like laundry.
Cooking.
Dishes.
Homeschooling.
Etc.
Ok, maybe didn't enjoy it, but enjoyed the time it gave us together.
I am so thankful for a husband who loves me.
He has done the majority of the laundry and dishes and homeschooling while he's been home.
To be honest, I feel pampered.
I don't want him to go back to work.
EVER!
Can't he just stay here and do all my work while I laze around?
Please?

But seriously....
I am gonna miss him when he goes back to work.
And, I am going to have to clean...and cook....and fold laundry....and teach.
Pray for me, will ya?

Discontentment in Children

I have a child, who shall remain nameless, who is never happy.
Someone is always getting to do more than them.
Someone always has the seat this child wants.
"Why did you give him soup, you NEVER make soup for me."
"I'm hungry."
"Can I have candy?"

ALL DAY LONG.
I need help.
Do you have any ideas?
I have tried to talk to this child and explain that there will always be someone out there who has more, who gets to do more, etc.

I know what my Mom would say "Amy, she's just like you."
And I know she is, but I don't know what to do about it.
It's a hard way to live your life.
I've had to learn my contentment lesson the hard way, I'd like to ease her into it a little better.
Whoops, I said "her."
But I guess that is part of the problem I don't understand.
She is the only girl in our family for crying out loud.
She has her own room.
She always gets special girl privileges....
I looked at a newborn dress yesterday and said "Chloe, look at this for the baby!"
She gave me the evil eye because I wasn't looking for her!
SOMEONE HELP ME PLEASE!!!!!!!
Any ideas would be appreciated.

Just tried my hand

At designing my own blog header..

Anyone know why this picture is so grainy????

HELP~

200th post....

You'll be happy to know that I found the most delicious addition to my morning cuppa joe.

First and foremost, I use Starbucks breakfast blend.

I used to use the Espresso blend.

But then I got pregnant again and caffeine (in large doses) makes me ill.

Sad, isn't it?

So, back to the topic at hand.

I use the breakfast blend.

From Starbucks.

 I use my espresso machineto froth the milk....

2% of course.

Put it in a Starbucks mug.

I have 3. 

Don't use them for something that isn't Starbucks related.

My children would NEVER use it for hot chocolate.

NEVER

Pour in some Peppermint Mocha Creamer.

Those are my options.

Don't really like any other flavor.

Sad, huh?

I used to like the Coconut.

Not anymore.

I think I threw it up once.

You can't go back after that happens, can you?

So, anyway, back to the topic at hand....

Stir in the Creamer.....yummy....drool.....

Top it with whipped topping.

The kind you spray on.

I don't know if it's real.

I don't care.,

I really don't.

And then while visiting the amish a while ago, I found the most delightful Candy Cane sprinkle!

Well, I had every intention of making Christmas cookies.

Until I went to visit my sister.

I ate 3 of hers in about an hour and figured I had better not make any at home.

Better safe than sorry.

Right?

Told my kids and hubby that if they wanted Christmas cutouts they better shove some in their pockets cause Mama ain't makin' them at home.

(Sorry Michelle)

Anywhoooo....

These sprinkles not only look like mini candy canes but they taste like them too!!!!! 

OH YUM.

And that, folks, is my 200th post.

Thank you very much....

Wisconsin

We took a lil' trip to Wisconsin.

Who am I foolin'?

It weren't lil', it was big.

12 1/2 hours big.

OY. 

We did have a great time though, once we got there.

We got to see my husbands sister Sonja and her husband Mike.

They have a great mall.

Had to check that out.

You know me.

The kids loved the play land.

Isaac wore this hat literally the whole time we were there.

It was cold, don't get me wrong.

But literally the WHOLE TIME WE WERE THERE.

This pic is at the house we were staying at.

It's the staff house of the church there.

Really nice, old house. 

You know me and old houses, I am a sucker.

Can't help it.

Our kids so enjoyed camping out on the floor.

And then in one fell swoop it all went wrong.

Ha.

Poor Ty.

He's had enough of being the youngest.

He's had enough of being Isaac's younger brother.

He's really just had enough.

Of it all.

He wants out.

Is there anyone out there with no children that would be willing to help?

He likes to cuddle.

I will add more pics later. 

These are just a few of the 300 and some that I took.

I might need to scaled down on the whole picture taking thing.

Amy

Pain in my belly....

I have been having this odd feeling in my uterus area.  

Couldn't figure out what it is and I am too busy to stop and think about it.

So today, I stopped for a few minutes and sat down while it was going on.

And realized its our baby moving.

Awww!

I'm so dense.

On February 9th, I go for the ultrasound to find out what this little wee one is.

That is my husbands birthday.

If he is not able to go with me, I think I am going to make his birthday cake either blue or pink according to what me and the four kids find out.

That should be a fun visit.

I never was creative at finding ways to tell him we were expecting.....

and...alas, this time I threw the test at him, which wasn't really creative. 

I couldn't think beyond "WHAT????"

Ha.

Any other ideas????

And, those are my random thoughts for the day.

I downloaded a new way to comment, don't let it scare you.

It should be easier to use for you, I hope.

And if you haven't become a follower yet, please do!!!

Sweetness....

Did you ever know one of those really sweet people? 

Like they are just naturally sweet.

I am naturally sarcastic.

I don't know if you noticed that or not.

It oozes out of me.

Anyway, my Sister in Law, Mary is one of those sweet people.

She's also funny, and loving...

But when I think of her, I think sweet.

It might have something to do with her being the youngest of 11.

Everyone doted on her.

From the moment she was born.

And that in turn has made her a very loving, caring person.

Anyway, she asked my husband to come to Indiana to help her re-do her bathrooms.

And when he came home, she had sent this vase home with him.

The blue one, not the coffee cup.

I love blue and white pottery.

I collect it, in fact.

And so when I pulled it out of the bag it was in, I was really happy to have another piece in my collection.

Then Justus said "did you get that Starbucks thing?"

I said "no, what Starbucks thing?"

You don't just leave Starbucks sitting around like that.

He doesn't share my love though.

It's the heartbreak of my life.

Pray for me.

Well, I got to looking at the vase and it says Starbucks Coffee Co. on the bottom!!!!

I about jumped up and down!

How cool is that?

I had no idea Starbucks made pretty stuff.

Did you?

I mean, I know they made yummy stuff....but this boggles my mind.

They are such talented people!

And so, since I was taking down all my Christmas decor...I thought I'd let this little beauty be the center of attention for a while.  

I LOVE IT!

Thank you Sweet Mary!

New Years Resolutions

I don't know what's wrong with me.

I have no motivation.

I don't care about resolutions.

Or "Word of the Year."

I think I need therapy.

Or coffee in IV form.

Maybe this mundane feeling is due to the fact that I am on my fifth pregnancy.

Or maybe it's because I'm old.

I feel old.

Old and fat.

And old.

Maybe it's because I am in the house all day.

Homeschooling.

And, it's winter.

No parks in winter.

I mean, I guess we could go, but I don't like to be cold.

Man, I am depressing myself.

So, I will tell you the blessings instead.

My husband "probably" has a job.

Praise the Lord.

I am anxious to get into a good routine. 

It's hard to do that when everyone is home allllll the time.

We found a great church.

A older man came up to my husband on Sunday morning and asked if he could pray for us with Justus.

What a blessing.

The Pastor is a sweet, caring man.

His wife is funny and just a lovely lady.

Every time we go to church we feel blessed.

Our kids are all healthy.

I can't overlook that.

I read quite a few blogs throughout the week.

It seems I can look back on this last year and remember several families who lost a child.

I won't ever take for granted our health.

I remember with my Mom....

she got cancer.

She was so healthy until that DR appointment and then for the next 2 1/2 years

she was just sick...

or hurting.

I know how quickly it can happen.

I can't ever stop thanking God for good health.

So, I hope you are having a wonderful New Year! 

Make lots of resolutions and think up a good word for the year.

I'm just gonna sit here in my rockin' chair and eat.