Many posts...

I've had lots to post about lately, which is rare, so be sure to keep scrolling and scrolling and scrolling. Update on life: Kevin continues to apply for jobs, I continue to be swamped at work, Stone continues to be as cute as ever and that's about all to say! :)

Fore!!!

Watch out Tiger, here comes Stone! Check out my little golfer... nothing like playing golf in your skivvies!! Hee hee...


Of course, golf is an action game, so video captures it a little better!!

Conversations...

...with 2 year olds and a four year old can be quite interesting. They go something like this:

Stone: "Ice cream?" (on the way home one day after school... I had stayed about an hour later to catch up on some work so I was starving by the time I left which was around 1:30... I drove through a fast food place, not chic-fil-a, which doesn't even serve ice cream, but that was what he was asking for. Why ice cream was on his brain, I have no idea.)

Me: "Sorry Stone, there's no ice cream here. Maybe we can get some at home."

S: "Ice cream? Ice cream? Ice cream?"

Me: (repeat of above with the added, "If you really want some, we can stop by the store and get some.") Now, I just don't give into his every wish; I actually had to stop at get a couple of other items, so I was going to see how badly he wanted it. Plus, it did sound good!

S: "Ice cream? Ice cream! Ice cream!"

Me: Repeat

S: Repeat (are you getting the jist of this conversation?)

So, we stop at the store, get other items and ice cream. Stone has a melt down as we walk into store, one while in the store and one as we leave the store. Of course, he wants ice cream right then, but we can't get it, cause I have nothing to put it in or a spoon. I hear "ice cream!" all the rest of the way home. Get home, get inside with groceries and rest of lunch. Get him ice cream and he takes a whopping 2 bites. Small bites at that. And that was the end of the ice cream dilema! That calls for a "WHUT?!?!" I guess he just wanted a taste... of course, he was more than ready for a nap too, but seriously, all that and then wouldn't even eat more than 2 bites! What's that about! One track mind.

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Recent conversation with my 4 year old nephew Nate went something like this: (on the phone of course, as he lives in WV).

Me: "Hello Nate! How are you?"

Nate: "Hello. I'm good. Can you come over to see me?"

Me: "I would love to come see you, but I can't today....it's too far."

Nate: "Why can't you come see me?"

Me: "Cause we live very far away."

Nate: "Oh. But can you come to see me??"

Me: "Nate, I can't come to see you today but in a few weeks we might come to see you. I love you buddy."

Nate: "Well if you love me, why don't you come to see me?"

Okay, broken heart here! He just can't quite get the concept that we live more than a few minutes away and it makes me sad every time he asks us to come over to see him! Ugh!!

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And the best is for last.... was over at my SIL's house last week. SIL and her hubs were at birthing class, Kevin was driving back from an interview, and FIL was at a music gig. So, my MIL had Cuz M at Mercy's house and I was bored so Stone and I go over. Stone and M are in her room playing and MIL and I are in the living room chatting. All of a sudden I hear M very loudly telling Stone to do something. MIL and I pause to listen and she repeats. Now, she's very good at "bossing" around Stone and telling him what to do. "Stone do this. Stone come into my room to play. Stone come outside. Stone eat your snack." You get the point. So, here's this conversation:

Mercy: "Stone, step into this." Pause. No noise or response.

Mercy: "Here Stone, step into this." Still a pause.

Me: "Mercy, what are you asking Stone to step into?"

Mercy: "A skirt."

At this point, my MIL and I look at each other and just smile. Mercy had on one of her princess outfits and I guess she thought Stone should dress up too. I quickly respond:

Me: "No, Mercy. Stone doesn't need to wear a skirt. He's a boy and boys don't wear skirts."

My MIL: "Remember Mercy, what your mom told you about how boys and girls are different and they sometimes wear different things? Like boys wear pants and shirts and carry swords and girls can wear skirts and princess type stuff."

Mercy: "But I'm wearing a skirt."

My MIL: "That's because you are a girl!"

Mercy: "Oh."

Ha ha ha ha! Oh well, if you remember one of my posts a few months ago that included a poll about would you and should you buy your boys girly things, you see why I laughed at this whole scenario. Of course, Stone wasn't the least bit interested in putting on that pink, tu-tu, ballerina skirt, but the whole thing of her asking him to is what makes me laugh still. No son of mine is going to wear a pink skirt!! Love our kids!

Potty time!

Well, I thought the day would never come when we would actually have to start training Stone to use the toilet, but it did come, and then it went. Ha! This past Saturday, I wen to a baby shower for a friend (one of MANY who are pregnant or just had babies) and Kevin gives a call. He was all excited and told me that Stone went pee-pee on the potty. "WHUT?!?!? Really?" I asked. I couldn't believe it, but he did go with Kevin leading the way. When I got home, he went again, but hasn't gone on the potty since then. And that's A-OKAY with me....I've been told by several folks to not pressure him or push him. We have been practicing going to the potty and even bought him pull-ups, so we'll continue to work on it and see how it goes. That would be convenient if he was trained by the end of May, so it's one less thing to have to buy when we're jobless! Ha!

My dad...

...has given us a little scare again. He's had a history of health problems, including 2 heart attacks and a stroke, diabetes, and who knows what else! And with those, have come by-pass surgery for the heart attacks. Well, on Thursday last week, he went in for a check-up and stress test, which they found some blockage. The dr. wanted to do a heart cath right away, but my dad, stubborn as he is told him he needed to wait until today (Monday morning) cause he had a big weekend planned! WHUT?!?! I mean, we are talking serious stuff here, but he got his way anyway. Now I totally know where Stone gets his stubbornness! (Not to mention, he gets it from me as well and of course, Kevin!)

Anyway, they did the heart cath, found out one of his by-passes from long ago had collapsed and they put in 2-3 stints to fix it. The dr. said the vein(s) that had collapsed looked like they have been that way for quite a while, but dad said he didn't have a clue or any signs. He's doing okay and should get to go home tomorrow, but geesh, that's a bit too close for comfort if you ask me. Stubborn man! Love him though, and glad he's still around!

And on to some other medical news concerning me... have been debating on whether or not to blog about this, cause it is rather personal, but have decided to just put it out there. After a trip to my OB doc this past Friday she has determined that I do have that syndrome (polysystic something or another) which basically means I don't shed the lining of my uterus like I'm supposed to and then after blood tests taken about a month ago, has determined that I'm in the very beginning stages of diabetes. Okay, not fun news to process, on either end. The first is not quite as bad as the second. The diabetes, she said, is just barely on the edge of starting to become bad, so I'm thankful to catch it this early. She has put me on some medicine to help regulate my blood sugar and, to nobody's surprise, I need to eat low-carb, exercise, and lose weight. Well, this was a huge wake-up call, but not totally shocking. Not only do I have family history of adult-onset diabetes, but, being overweight and not eating healthily was obviously not helping matters. So, it's time for me to be serious about getting healthy and pray that I can do enough to reverse the blood sugar issue. Any volunteers to be my personal trainer/nutritionist!? There's a lady at our church who's going to begin a "boot camp" in June and wants me to do it. However, she's a Marine and I just don't know if I can handle having a Marine yelling at me like they do on the biggest loser!! Ha!!

Happy Birthday Sis!

Happy Birthday little sis! She is 28 years old today. I remember waaaaay back when we got the phone call from our parents at the hospital telling us that our new little baby was a girl. Oh, how I cried and told them to "Take her back!" cause I wanted a little brother instead! (Not proud of that, but it is what it is.) When she got older, we also told her she was adopted cause she had dark hair and didn't look like my older brother or myself. Come to think of it, I think we tortured her a lot. No wonder she turned into a counselor!! Ha! I'm glad to say that since we have "grown up" if you will, we've become much better friends. If anyone knows of any single, Christian young men out there who need a good wife, let me know and we can hook them up!! Love you Kerri!

Here's a pic of her and our nephew Nate back at Christmas. I can't believe I can't find a picture of the 2 of us together or a good one of her and Stone. Will have to work on that!!! (I think I actually do have some, but they aren't digital, and therefore are packed up somewhere in all our stuff.)

Dinner with our pastor

Last night, we got the privilege of hanging out with our pastor, his wife, and 7 of their 8 kids. Yep, you read that right, 8 kids! We have been trying to do an informal dinner together not long since after I started working there last September. But between our 2 family's schedules, this was the first time we could actually do it. We were thankful to be put on their schedule, as I'm sure they are quite engaged on a regular basis.

The oldestson is in college and was studying for finals, so he couldn't make it. However, the other 7 were there in great form and kept Stone completely entertained the whole time! I asked Ken and Pat if we could "hire" their kids every night to wear Stone out and they said sure! We had such a great time and when it was time to go, Stone started crying! I might add that he's "fascinated" with their youngest child, Susanna, who is 6. Stone gets to see her just about every time we're at the church, including during his "preschool days" and so has developed quite a fancy for her. She loves him too and asks about him all the time, if she sees me and he's not in tow. She kept a close eye on him last night!! But, all the kids (except the next oldest who was doing homework) paid very close attention to him and played with him and everything. It was fun and we are glad we got to go.

I took a picture, just to prove that there are that many children. Oh, and all their names start with "S" so they said Stone fit right in!


Names: Samuel, Stephen, Simeon, Shaun, Sarah, Silas, and Susanna and Stone on the front. Seth is the oldest who's in college and not pictured.

Tailgatin'

Nothing in particular to blog about, so it will be random things again. First though, enjoy the pics of Stone enjoying the truck that his GiGi got him around Easter time. He loves it! However, he loves it when you push him (he hasn't gotten the hang of him walking himself in it yet) or he likes to get behind it and push it. Cuz M got in on the action too one day.




No news to report on the job front. Kevin actually had an interview today, but after getting there and discovering more about it, he doesn't think it will be a good fit. This job hunt is going to be intense, which means God has something interesting planned. We keep trusting.

The "WHUT?!?!" moment of the weekend: To quote my friend Beth who loves to say "WHUT?!?!" in disbelief of something, that was exactly what I said and how I reacted to my 2 year old Friday night. He was in the bathtub playing around. Kevin got a call from a good mentor friend, but was walking around in the bathroom area, so I was entertaining Stone. My SIL calls to discuss plans for the night (we literally helped her throw together some semblance of a garage sale since the neighborhood was having one on Saturday).

So, both K and I are on the phone, but still in the bathroom with Stone. I turned my back for about 5 seconds and when I turn around, Stone is up on his knees, leaning over the side holding something in his hand. It's pretty common for him to hand us things when he doesn't want it any more, with the following phrase spoken about 10 times until you get whatever he has in his hands that he wants to give to you: "Don't want it." (At least he doesn't just chunk things down, right??) Or sometimes, while in the bath, he'll hand us toys to play with, etc. So, at first glance, I'm telling him (while on the phone with SIL) "No Stone, just --" Then I stop mid sentence and look again. By this time K had come over and was looking down at him as well. It took just a minute for our brains to register him saying, "Don't want it." and connecting what that "it" was. It was POOP! Yes folks, POOP! Gross, eh? Mind you, I was still on the phone with SIL so I hastily said, "I gotta go!" and hung up on her. Apparently, he had pooped in the 5 seconds I turned around and somehow either caught it or got it up from the water to hand it to me. Cause of course, he "didn't want it." Wow. That was something new for sure! Maybe time to potty train? Not sure he still "gets" all that, but he knew that the poop wasn't something to play with, that was for sure. And of course, we are all the time telling him what a "stinky" is when he makes one. Oh well, just had to blog about that (as well as my SIL encouraging me to, cause she laughed her head off when I called her back to explain my hang up.) That was a definite "WHUT?!?!?" moment!

Praise in the midst of the unexpected news

Sent all this out on an email to most of my "away" friends and family, but thought I'd put it on here as well, to try and keep everyone in the loop.

No, Kevin doesn't have a new job yet, but there was some good news today... I went back to the apartment complex to turn in our keys and tell them that we were going to wait until Kevin found a job before staying in a new place when we weren't sure if we could continue paying rent or not. And since we have a free place to stay, we really can't pass that up. So, as I mentioned below, there is the "30 Day Love it or Leave it" clause that this complex has, and the girl we signed everything with had talked with Kevin yesterday and knew all the news. When I went in this morning to turn in keys, and sign the lease break agreement, I asked her if we would get any of the money from yesterday back. I was stunned when she told me we'd get EVERYTHING back, including our rent deposit, application and processing fees, minus one day's rent for yesterday!! What a huge praise!!! (That will be a little over $500 if I add correctly.) I'm thrilled! So, I told the leasing girl that she was a blessing and that I've already told everyone about this apartment complex and how awesome they were. She reminded me that just about anywhere else in the area, we would have been locked in for a year's lease and would have had to probably pay about 2 months' rent worth. I again told her what a huge blessing she was and that we'd be back once Kevin found another job.

Several people have asked a few questions, so I'll try to answer them all here:
1) What does Kevin do and what kind of job is he looking for? This is rather hard to answer, as it's not just a simple thing like "lawyer" or "doctor" or "IT" person. He has a finance background and would LOVE to get back into that realm again. But, for the past 4-5 years, he's been in logistics/customer service with 2 different manufacturing companies. I think he'd love to be a financial adviser, auditor of some sort, or something along those lines. If you're local here and may have contacts, you can email him directly and he can tell you more specifically what he's qualified to do or not to do. His email is: khallquist@gmail.com

2) Are you looking outside of Greenville? Well, yes and no. Ideally, we'd love to stay here and it sure would be a lot easier than moving yet again to another new city. However, at this point, he's applying almost anywhere. I say anywhere, but really just in the Southeast. If we'd have to move again, we would rather try to move to NC area, as his parents have relocated there and there are other Hallquist family there. However, like I said, since I have a great job at a great church and since Kevin's sister and her family are here, our first choice is to stay of course. We will just see what God opens up.

3) How did the lay-off happen/what was behind it? It's nothing he did or didn't do. The company he works for is German owned and operated. They have been laying off people since before December I think and several folks have just quit and found other jobs because it had gotten so bad. As I've told some people, this really is a blessing, in the midst of the scariness and "not knowing what's next or how to pay the bills." I mean, for the past 3-4 months in particular, he would work his tail off (sorry for the language), but take an emotional and mental beating just about every day. I honestly don't know how he has done it for the past 15 months, but sure am thankful to be married to someone who is that hard of a worker, despite the daily "crap." Some of the stuff he'd come home telling me what pure insanity. Seriously, I don't even have a business background, but some of the stuff just didn't make sense. Anyway, the company, as a result of very poor management, has been losing money, so they have been downsizing. And, I'm figuring since he's only been there 15 months, it wasn't a hard decision for them to ax his job. (Although, to make us "feel better" his boss was also let go and he had been there almost 10 years, and there have been others who have been there years who have been laid off as well. So, who really knows why?)

Just wanted to share that bit of info and I appreciate all the prayers from everyone as we apply and search out the next steps. I'll try to keep everyone posted.

Unexpected news for the day....

Well, wasn't expecting to hear this today, but Kevin called me a little while ago and told me that he was layed off from his job. This all just an hour after I went and signed the lease for our new apartment. Thankfully, he has until May 31, which gives us a little time, but please pray for a job (at this point, almost any job) to open up quickly. We are going to have to decide what to do about the apartment and everything else within the next 24 hours. Kevin's parents have again graciously offered for us to continue staying at their place until it sells, but I hate to give up this apartment, after waiting this long for it. I guess it was all in God's time, because we could have already moved in and then be facing all this on top of not being able to pay rent! Ugh, and I was so excited about seeing our new place!!

I wish the wall wasn't there

Cause then I wouldn't have to title myself as "the worst mom ever." See the first 2 pics below to see what I mean....


Do you see the goose egg on my poor baby's head??!! You see, there is this little brick wall right outside the playground area and one of the exit doors at our church. It's only about 3 ft high at it's highest and goes down from there, so it's not a huge wall by any means. All the kids love to jump off it onto the grassy side after they are picked up from preschool or after church services, etc. Stone has picked up this "fun" habit too. Normally, it's no problem, because we make sure he waits on us and I'm pretty annal about watching his every move while he's up on the wall "jumping" into our arms. I say jumping in quotes cause he really just falls, like dead weight, instead of jumping.

So, you can see where this is going, right? Today after school, I had to finish up some things before leaving, so by the time we left, almost everyone else was long gone. There were a couple of moms in the parking lot talking to each other, but that was it. So, I knew he'd want to get on the wall. I laid down my load of things and helped him up. I told him about 10 times (literally) in about 10 seconds to "wait on mommy" and "don't move" until I got around to the grassy side. No sooner did I let go of him and turn around when I hear this "thud!" My heart stopped and I already knew what has happened. He must have either fell off backwards and turned in the fall, or somehow turned that quickly and fell, but either way, his forehead and nose broke the fall. Fortunately, he fell off the lower end of the wall. UNFORTUNATELY, it was on the concrete side and not the grass. Well, you see the damage. I'm the worst mom on the planet! I felt so bad and still do... he cried all the way home (about 15 min or so) plus the time before we got in the car. He also cried once we got home. I debated on whether or not to call the doc, but after giving him some tylenol, calming him down, and watching a favorite video, he seemed okay. He even started running around the house some. So, I let him take a nap for some rest. Ugh... I know this won't be the last of head or other injuries, but still, I take the responsibility and hate that I let it happen. No more of me letting that happen again!

We also kept cuz M tonight, as G and J continue their birthing classes. She was pretty much non-stop talking and I think that started to hurt Stone's head again! Ha! We had fun....ate dinner, went on a long walk, and then had a bath. Here are a few pics from our fun together. Notice in the second picture Mercy's mix-matched shoes and in the last picture, matching mohawks!

Who are you?

This is what I want to say to my child: "Who are you and what have you done with Stone?" Why? Cause he's just been strange as of late. Nothing big, and I'm not worried, it's just been little things that have not been much to his character. For example, he ate some carrots the other day... what?!?! This is the child who won't even TRY something new and he was chomping on them like nobody's business. Not that I'm complaining or anything, (I was actually happy about it) but it just took me off-guard and I thought it a little strange.

Today for lunch, he ate a whole bag of chips, half a grilled cheese sandwich, juice, and then half a slice of strawberry pie. Bottomless pit, as he acted as though he still wanted to eat something after all that. He usually doesn't eat half of that at any one given time.

Then this afternoon, he slept for about 20 minutes and then woke up screaming. I then spent the next 30-40 minutes trying to calm him down, but to no avail. Finally, I got him to watch one of his favorite videos, which finally got him to stop screaming. What is that? (He's done this several times before, so this is not the first time.) I couldn't figure out if he was hurting (like a head-ache), had a bad dream, or something else entirely. After the video, guess what... wanted to eat again! (This is AFTER the fact that he had some milk right before the video). So, some fruit snacks, cheese puffs, and juice later, he STILL wanted to eat. I wouldn't let him, as it was getting close to dinner time. So, maybe a growth spurt? Any ideas?

Truth in a country song....

Beware, this is a rather long post!

I used to be a big country music fan, in my younger days, and still like to listen to it on the radio every once in a while. Found this one song which has just echoed my thoughts as of late. Read on...

Trace Adkins, "You're Gonna Miss This"

She was staring out the window of their SUV
Complaining, saying "I can't wait to turn 18"
She said "I'll make my own money, and I'll make my own rules"
Mamma put the car in park out there in front of the school
Then she kissed her head and said "I was just like you"

You're gonna miss this
You're gonna want this back
You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast
These are some good times
So take a good look around
You may not know it now
But you're gonna miss this

Before she knows it she's a brand new bride
In a one-bedroom apartment, and her daddy stops by
He tells her "It's a nice place"
She says "It'll do for now"
Starts talking about babies and buying a house
Daddy shakes his head and says "Baby, just slow down"

Cause you're gonna miss this
You're gonna want this back
You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast
These are some good times
So take a good look around
You may not know it now
But you're gonna miss this

Five years later there's a plumber workin' on the water heater
Dog's barkin', phone's ringin'
One kid's cryin', one kid's screamin'
And she keeps apologizin'
He says "They don't bother me.
I've got 2 babies of my own.
One's 36, one's 23.
Huh, it's hard to believe, but...

You're gonna miss this
You're gonna want this back
You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast
These are some good times
So take a good look around
You may not know it now
But you're gonna miss this"


And then there's this one, which has been out much longer, but I love the words too....


Kenny Chesney, "Don't Blink"

I turned on the evening news
Saw a old man being interviewed
Turning a hundred and two today
Asked him what's the secret to life
He looked up from his old pipe
Laughed and said "All I can say is"

Don't blink
Just like that you're six years old and you take a nap and you
Wake up and you're twenty-five and your high school sweetheart becomes your wife
Don't blink
You just might miss your babies growing like mine did
Turning into moms and dads next thing you know your "better half"
Of fifty years is there in bed
And you're praying God takes you instead
Trust me friend a hundred years goes faster than you think
So don't blink

I was glued to my tv when it looked like he looked at me and said
"Best start putting first things first."
Cause when your hourglass runs out of sand
You can't flip it over and start again
Take every breathe God gives you for what it's worth

Don't Blink
Just like that you're six years old and you take a nap and you
Wake up and you're twenty-five and your high school sweetheart becomes your wife
Don't blink
You just might miss your babies growing like mine did
Turning into moms and dads next thing you know your "better half"
Of fifty years is there in bed
And you're praying God takes you instead
Trust me friend a hundred years goes faster than you think
So don't blink

So I've been tryin' to slow it down
I've been tryin' to take it in
In this here today, gone tomorrow world we're livin' in

Don't blink
Just like that you're six years old and you take a nap and you
Wake up and you're twenty-five and your high school sweetheart becomes your wife
Don't blink
You just might miss your babies growing like mine did
Turning into moms and dads next thing you know your "better half"
Of fifty years is there in bed
And you're praying God takes you instead
Trust me friend a hundred years goes faster then you think
So Don't blink

Naw, don't blink, don't blink
Life Goes Faster Than You Think
Don't Blink...


Why the reflection? Cause it's so true... as I wrote on one friend's blog recently, when her twins turned a month old and she couldn't believe it, you remember when your child is born, then you blink and they're 1, you blink again and they're 2 and now, I blinked again and he's 2 1/2 (officially), which has made me wonder where in the world has the time gone??? Oh, I will miss these days, days that are smooth, days that are frustrating, days that are exhausting, days that are filled with sickness, joy, questions, and wonderment, all which are days that are PRECIOUS. I sometimes "wish away" days and later regret that I had those thoughts. Especially those days which are frustrating with your child! I remember when I was pregnant, several folks telling me to enjoy each and every day, each and every moment, because it flies by too fast. I tried to take that to heart and not have the mindset of "I can't wait until he (fill in the blank here)." I try to capture moments on camera (much to my hub's dismay!!). I try to fill my memory with little details, funny moments, scary times, everything surrounding being a wife and mom. I think the first song is so true... we're in such a hurry sometimes to get through things that we don't just enjoy the moment... I constantly have to remind myself to slow down, relax, and ENJOY. I guess that is why I blog about all kinds of things.. so I can remember it later. Right now, I just try to take it all in.

One of those funny moments came today while riding in the car with my SIL, and Mercy and Stone in the back. Gini and I are having this deep theological discussion about God's healing, prayer, why we don't see God working here (as in the States) as He seems to do in other countries and a whole host of questions, to which we don't really have the answers. In the midst of this discussion, we hear Stone saying, "No! No! No! No! No! No! No! No! No!" Gini looks back and he has his hand put up (as in "stop") towards Mercy. To which Gini then says, "Mercy, stop telling Stone what to do!" Ha ha ha ha! I was confused at first, but I asked Gini what Mercy was telling Stone to which she answered that it didn't matter, but she must have been telling him to do something, cause he didn't want to do it!! Those two kids crack me up! Why we haven't rigged a video camera in the back of my car when we travel together is beyond me, cause we miss some of the funniest moments.

I am thankful for my SIL... even though we're family, we've become good friends too. I commented on her blog that 1) who knew that we'd get to live near each other and raise our kids together and 2) that we'd become such good friends? Not everyone who is related to each other are good friends. Some people just tolerate family! I am blessed and I'm pretty sure she feels the same. We both pray for each other to find a "best girl pal," not because we're tired of each other, but because we both still need that special "best friend" in our lives, in addition to each other. I pray God answers that hopeful request soon.

Good news about several other details in our life was revealed, and to those which will remain unspoken, we give God great praise.

Last Friday, I took my car in for an oil change and tire rotation. $532.00 later, I got my car back. What!?!?! Yeah, turns out that I also needed 2 new tires, alignment, alternator belt, and rear brakes in addition to the oil change. Ugh.. what a hit financially. Thankfully, God has blessed us with great parents; the inlaws have been letting us live in their house over the past month and a half and my parents loaned us a little money (before all this happened) to help us with paying off some debt. Also, God has blessed me with a great husband who has been very strict and on task about us managing our money better. Otherwise, I don't know how we would have afforded this little trip to the shop. So, God is good and has taken care of us in many ways, especially financially, especially when I'm not so great when it comes to managing money.

Speaking of money, taxes have been done and looks like we will break even. By this I mean that we owed this year, but with the tax refund that we should be getting from the government, it equals out. Another huge blessing, since we really didn't have an extra $1500 laying around, and since we just spent $500 on my car, which wasn't planned. I tell you, God takes care of you, even when you don't ask and even in the small details as well as the big ones.

Such a long post... guess I was catching up. I continue to be stressed about work, but that is nothing new. I think that will always be the case, at least as far as I can see. K continues to also be stressed, but also continues to look for other job possibilities. My dad had an interview at his church (in WV) for a part-time position and hopefully, that will work out. He's glad to be retired and not be "in charge" any more, but I think he still has lots to offer in ministry. He should know something soon.

And that is it for now.... :)

Free Advertising....

...for my favorite restaurant....To my child's detriment, I introduced him to my favorite drink of all times, sweet tea from my favorite restaurant...chicfila. He likes the sweet tea just a little too much... :) Oh well, he is my child after all.

On sleeping....

For those who know me well, know that I have trouble sleeping. Well, getting to sleep and then staying asleep without waking up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom. I think I can pretty much date this back to around my junior year in college.. I have my theories, but as Kevin will remind me, I'm not a doctor, so who knows what the real reason(s) is. Anyway, I envy people who can just hop into bed and knock off after saying goodnight, not giving it another thought. Or, for those who can do this:



Yep, that's my hubs, who fell asleep while READING! (Yes, I do have his permission to post this pic!) I mean, I'd have to be drugged up pretty good to fall asleep with a book on my face. Nevertheless, I still envy being able to do that!

So, I end up taking a sleeping aid, waiting for it to kick in, and see what creative things I can get into in the meantime. This is how I came up with a list of names for my SIL's baby boy who is due in June. And thus why I'm posting this update so late tonight.

Let's see, I last left off having taken Stone to the doc because I inadvertently gave him bronchitis. We just emerged into the real world on Wednesday morning and I took him to school this morning. Of course, I still had to work on Sunday, but Kevin kept him home again... he was still way too sick to make it to church. We both have been on antibiotics, still have a lingering cough, been cooped up way too long in this house, and have had "too much time together" over the past 3 weeks! He didn't even fuss when I took him to school today! Ha! Been a long time since he threw a fit after leaving him. That tells me it was time to get out!

I've missed lots more work than I intended and thankfully have a wonderful, understanding pastor/boss. I have plenty to do to keep me busy for quite a while. Missed a wedding Saturday night because I was still feeling pretty awful.

Poor Kevin; he's been living the life of a bachelor (or maybe that's to his advantage??!!) We haven't slept in the same bed in forever, because we don't want to keep exchanging germs back and forth. That's probably too much information, but thought it was funny to mention because even when we sleep in separate quarters, we still manage to get each other sick. What up with that?? Oh well, we try anyway!

Let's see... we move into our new apartment in about 2 weeks! We are very excited about that, although dread the moving part again. But, it will be nice to be settled again. My FIL has an interview tomorrow (which it's almost tomorrow at the time I'm writing this), but we pray that goes well. My dad has an interview on Wednesday for a part-time ministry job at their church as well. I think the job will be perfect for him and hope all goes well with that too.

Not much else to say... just taking one day at a time to get better so we can enjoy Spring and hopefully some nice weather in the next few weeks.