Isn't It Amazing...

I find it amazing that God gives us the perfect friends at the perfect time. A few weeks ago, I sincerely felt like things were crumbling. Everywhere I turned somebody wanted more money out of me, the checking account was pathetic, I was trying to figure out how we were going to afford the food during our "business" trip to Hawaii, then the guy at the school district tried to tell me I couldn't home school my kids, I missed my dear friends, family and old neighbors so very much, I missed my time at the grocery store late at night, alone - and not having to tell my children for the 49th time "keep your hands to yourself, walk calmly, watch where you are going". Better said...no matter what it was it was overwhelming and I kept thinking "I just want to go home!!"

Then we went to church and some really great people we have met made us feel like we were really wanted and needed at the church. They continue to tell us how thankful they are that we have moved here and we are truly an answer to their prayers. Wow!! As I got up the next morning, I reflected on this. I was truly humbled at what these sweet new "friends" had told us. This move truly is turning out to be bigger than me (and all my whining). And at this point, God begins to pull me out of my pit...

I was able to pay the bills, put food on the table and actually enjoy the dinners we were eating. Wow...God is taking care of us!!

I talked to a lady who confirmed that I can home school my children in California. Anyway, when you live in a state that is about to run out of money - how in the world do they have the resources to educate all these home school kids anyway - a very good point - sad, but a good point.

Now, I am only a week away from crossing the Oregon border and getting to see some of my sweet friends and family and to watch my son be baptized by his grandpa. Then, Phil and I are off for a week in Hawaii and God has provided the money we need for our food. Wow...how time truly flies!!

Now, I must say I haven't gone to the grocery store by myself, but that is because I live in California and that is NOT something you do down here - unless you decide to be armed. (I am really not sure if this is true - but it is what Phil says and I am listening to him). So, I continue to go to the grocery store and continue to tell my three cherubs "keep your hands to yourself, hold on to the cart, watch where you are going, blah, blah, blah!!" But, my perspective is changing - this is just more quality time with my kids (wow - we have had a lot of quality lately!!)

Today, as I was talking to my friend who kept me out of the mental ward a few weeks ago with her constant, "it's going to be okay, you guys will be fine", I realized the tables were turned. She is now going through a tough time and I found myself saying to her "it's going to be okay, you will be fine, the dog will be okay, at least your husband has a job and health insurance". I realized that God gives us strength sometimes not for ourselves, but for our friends. Because I truly believe, that if she would have been going through this a few weeks ago we both might have ended up in the mental ward (and not even the same one at that!!). But instead, I can be reassuring and positive for her just like she was for me....

I have learned that God is so much bigger than my mind can comprehend and I am so thankful for that!!

As I sit typing this, my kids are listening to music (the chorus is this):

"The Lord is my Shepherd, He's my Father
I don't have to want for anything
He's my Father, Great Provider
I don't have to want for anything"

I pray my children will always know this is true (before they turn 36!)

The changes that come in one short month...

Everyone says, kids are so resilient. And you know what...they really are. With all the changes that this move has been to us, the kids are just going with it as if this is the way life is supposed to be. I must say, they have bonded as siblings like I have never seen before. I love to watch and hear them playing a game together and enjoying each other - however short that might be at times. Let's be truthful, they are still my children and continue to fuss at each other. But, they seem to realize we are a bonded unit and can make it just the five of us...

So, here is a quick recap of the few changes that have happened since becoming Californians

Victoria has lost her first two teeth at the sweet age of 6 years old. And as a friend of ours said...she is still as pretty as ever!!

And little Miss Mariah learned how to tie her own shoes....on her own!! I showed her one time and then we went to the park. After playing at the park for about 10 minutes, she sat down in the middle of the tennis courts and spent the next 20 minutes working on her "shoe tying" skills (while I tried to remember how to hit a stinking tennis ball!!)....Now, she is a pro - a slow pro, but a pro!! Yes, there are many times I just want to snatch those laces up and tie the shoes real quick, but what would that teach my sweet little girl???

Then, Logan decided to lose a molar...."Isn't he too young for this???", I said. Nope, they start losing them between 9 and 11 - guess he's an early bloomer - or loser!! And because of my craziness over my kids' teeth I even called their old dentist to confirm and they said everything was okay (maybe they ARE glad we moved...they are probably thinking "crazy mother!!"). So, now I say - let 'em fall out and bring on the braces!!

Part 3....Thanksgiving with 16 Wonderful People!!

So, I got a little off sequence on my dates, but I wanted a whole post dedicated to the wonderful Thanksgiving we had. The week before was busy, but fun. I continued to have my fun days with friends and enjoyed every minute of it. I was also counting down the sleeps until Phil would arrive (LATE Wednesday night). I enjoyed one last sign practice, one last "Panda Express" lunch with my dear friend Tina, one last mid-week Bible Study at church, and soon to be one last Thanksgiving at my house with all my loved ones with me! We were so privileged to have 16 people total at our table for a truly awesome day. I would not trade one minute of it.


The Guests of Honor: We have been priviledged over the last several years to have my grandparents come to our house for Thanksgiving. They live about one hour away and willingly come to our house, even with all the bustle and noise of my children (a nice way of saying chaos!!). They genuinely love and adore my children and I am so thankful for that. My kids are always going to remember their "great" grandma and grandpa. Not all of us adults can say that so I have made sure that my children know and understand how precious it is.


From the East and From the South: My aunt and uncle flew out from Virginia and my cousin and her family came up from California to make the weekend even more special. We thoroughly enjoyed being with them and the kids had a blast with their cousin Parker. My grandparents were thrilled to have both their daughters and son-in-laws, 2 grandchildren (4 included the husbands!) and 4 great grandchildren all in the same house.

And Then Those From Not So Far (At least at this point!!): Phil's parents came to join us in the festivities and alway fit right in. I count it a privilege to be able to combine my family and Phil's family for holiday celebrations. For some families, this just doesn't work, but I am so thankful that it does for ours. We have wonderful memories of ALL of us being together...


The best thing for me was that everyone felt bad about asking me to do this while I was getting ready to move, so all I had to do was provide the house and everyone else cooked - woohoo!! I might have to plan moves around the holidays more often. Little did they all know, this was such a privilege for me. I love having my family around and knowing that this might be the last time to have "16" people at "my" table I wouldn't have missed it for the world.

The rest of the weekend was priceless. The four big girls took off (without any kids) and went shopping on Friday - not "black Friday" shopping, just shopping. It was so much fun and we laughed till we cried. We couldn't remember how long it had been since we had been able to do this together. Now...since both my cousin and I live in California, maybe we will have to do a Disneyland adventure with everyone (hint, hint!!).

The goodbyes were terrible, of course, but as I keep telling my children...in order to never know "loss and sadness" you don't know true love. I would much rather know love - and lots of it - and experience some sadness in life. My family means so much to me and my kids and that is what life is all about.

A very merry Christmas....a tad bit late!

What a blessed Christmas week we had. I was so thankful that my mom and Michael flew down and spent four days with us. It wasn't long enough, but I will never complain...just thankful to have them at our house. The days were a flurry of activity and relaxation all at the same time.

We enjoyed a fun-filled day at Holiday in the Park at Six Flags and Logan finally reached the height for the Medusa. He went on it and LOVED it....oh how fun it is to see that big grin on our kids face when they have done something a little scary and out of their comfort-zone and then realized they loved it!!

On Christmas Eve, we made a quick trip to Santa Maria to see my aunt, uncle, cousin and her family. Quick trip isn't the best way to describe it since it is a 4 hour drive ONE WAY! But, we are so glad we went. My mom and aunt were so happy to see each other - sisters...there is really no relationship quite like it. No matter how many times I try to explain it to Phil, he just doesn't get it. But, I get it because I have a sister and understand the true desire to just be together (oh, how I miss my sweet sister!!!). Anyway, we had a blast and the kids loved being with Parker - my cousins son. It was wonderful, tiring and relaxing all wrapped up into one great day!

And then, the kids got their wish (well, we really don't "wish" for things, but I am not sure that they actually prayed about it, but I know they REALLY wanted it, so I guess I will use the word wish). They received a Wii from Nana and Grandpa Michael. They were so excited I thought they would hyperventilate. This was a big deal for our house because we have NEVER had any form of video games for the kids...believe it or not - no playstations, nintendos, DS, etc. We felt like it would be too consuming for the kids. The closest thing they have had is games on the computer - and normally those were learning games (smile!). So, we spent the entire day on Christmas trying to see who was the best bowler (Mariah), golfer (Michael), baseball player (not sure!), etc. and of course we ate, ate and ate some more. It was lovely!

Now that the beginning of the year has come and is already zooming along, we hope this new year brings joy, peace and love for each of you (and a lot of wonderful memories). Love to all!

**pictures of Christmas are coming**

Part 2 of our lasts and firsts

Disclaimer: A lot of these lasts and firsts are not going to be real interesting to most people - they are lengthy and a little sentimental, but when I started this blog I decided to use it as a way to journal our life. As you all know, this move was a big part of our life and this is my best way to journal it for our family. Feel free to read on and hopefully you won't get too bored.

I think one of the hardest things about the two weeks following Phil's departure for our new home was having to go see friends for "one last...dinner, dessert or kids' playdate". Phil was off in California and the kids and I were going from house to house to enjoy our friends and family one last time. Going to Bryan and Kelly's was especially hard. I had cried over all my church friends already, but when we went to their house that night, I knew it was our last.

A little history as to why we are such close friends....Kelly and I became friends through Phil and Bryan working together in Junction City. She was my first "I'm a mommy!!" friend. I had worked full time until I had Logan and quit my job to stay home with him. Kelly had done the same thing and I think we both wanted a friend that understood the life we were living (oh so different from working full time with adults!!). So, when our boys were young (Hayden was almost 1 and Logan was 7 months) we became friends - good friends right away. We endured a lot on those first playdates - screaming kids, fit throwing, hitting, biting, Logan getting stuck in a Little Tikes car and Kelly and I laughing too hard to help him, the famous words "when it is time to go - it is time to go"...etc. But over the last couple years we have been able to just sit back, drink coffee, enjoy each others company and let the kids play. I am so glad we endured the "not so fun" playdates and made our kids decide to get along!! I don't think there have been many birthdays for either of our kids without the other family there (even when I was too lame to have a real party - they were always there to celebrate with us!).

The evening was wonderful, and we had agreed beforehand to not say "good-bye". Well, it was time to leave and we all knew what we weren't saying. All it took was for Logan to jump in Bryan's arms and hug him as if he was his best friend or second dad - and the tears came. So, here are a few of the fun pictures we took...

Bryan was definitely missing Phil that night!!

I definitely miss the Saturday mornings when both Phil and Bryan were at work (while every other family was out having a family day) and we would decide to get together just because. The happy thing is that I still get my morning call. As soon as the phone rings, I know it is Kelly. And now they have a place to take vacation. We are so excited to have them this spring. The kids can hardly wait to have sleepovers together and share rooms.

We have so many memories and fun stories to share. I can still hear the laughter filling the house when we would all get together. I am so glad that our friendship is much stronger than the miles that separate us. Just know that I miss you Kelly and am so glad you are my friend!!

We went to Autumn and Sean's house for dinner and let all the kids play. Sean was more than happy to play on his computer while Autumn and I sipped coffee and talked about all the changes (for me and her - she seemed to inherit a lot of my jobs at the church because I was taking off - have fun my dear friend!!) and play referree with the kids. Unfortunately, the coffee was caffeinated (should have know with Autumn - she doesn't believe in decaf!!) and I didn't sleep that night. The nice thing when we left was that I knew I would see her on Sunday. So, the goodbye was painless.

There were plenty of other people we saw, but I was not good at picture taking (which I regret terribly), but we sure enjoyed being with everyone. The surprise visit with our old JC neighbors was especially nice - the kids had a blast!!

Several of the girls in church have the same dress. On Victoria's last Sunday the moms kindly dressed their girls in the same dress. How sweet - I told Phil through tears "how are we ever going to make friends that will dress their girls like ours again!!" (Oh, how dramatic I became the last few days).

Then, Chad's birthday party and all the time our kids spent playing across the street at their house (I am not sure we could have finished packing the house without my kids being over there!!). I realize that the last two houses we lived in were so unique because of the lasting and close friendships we started. When we left Junction City, I thought we would never have neighbors like we did there. Then, we moved to Eugene and became friends with Chad and his family as well as several other neighbors. What a wonderful neighborhood that was. We sincerely miss everyone from there and look forward to visiting soon.

The last night we were at church I was able to sign one last song with our sign team. This was also my first time to sign with my dear friend Autumn. I had tried for a couple years to convince her to join, but she didn't decide to join until about one week before we found out we were moving. Then, the whole team decided to work hard so we could sign together before I left. I have never in my life had so much fun doing something. I absolutely love to sign and have loved working with this group of people. My most memorable holiday seasons were when we put together the most awesome Christmas programs in sign language. I will miss this dearly...

And...one last hurrah at Papa's Pizza. What a blast we had....