Flexibility

So now we have moved most of our posessions out of our current house, in preparation to moving into our new home. Due to Kyle's work schedule, availability of those willing to help us (which we are so grateful for all the help), bank rules, etc. We needed to move out about two weeks before we can move into the new house. So here comes the flexible part...we are living with my mom. Which is really great, it just gets us out of our routine. So I have to say no to all the extra treats here at Grandma's since being here for two weeks is different the a day or two. I have to keep an extra watch on certain areas of the house that aren't exactly kid proof (once again, Mom, we are very sorry about the broken candy jar), and for some reason start at the beginning with potty training (sorry about the wet spot in the living room, Mom). Also sharing a bedroom with our youngest has sorta kept me up at night, as I hear each shift in her bed she makes. Not that I was sleeping all that sound the last month as it was. Even though all this has my head spinning and I am sure my mom's, I am really having fun and feel so blessed. We spend weeks at a time with my husband's family as they live far away, but we rarely spend this much time at my parents' as they live relativly close. It feels good to share the ins and outs of our lives for awhile. I am sure that all parties involved will be glad when things are back to "normal", but I think we will also miss this time too.

Helping My Husband

Once again I am joining in on the Homemaker Moment over at Homemaker Chronicles. This Friday's theme: Helping your Husband. First of all I want to answer the question she posed, "Do you think helping your husband is important?" Yes I do, since we are called to be his helpmate after all. So here is a little list from this week.

1. Arranged a friend to watch the children so we could look at carpet in peace.
2. Had a hot home cooked meal ready each night. (Except when we treated ourselves to free Roast Burgers at Arby's...which happens to be one of his favorite places to eat.)
3. Washed and put away his laundry.
4. Baked home made cookies at 8:30 at night because he was craving them.
5. Asked about his mock drill he had at work, and then listened intently to his answer.
6. Prayed for him.
   

Finding Refuge

So we are still in the process of trying to get a closing date for our current house and in turn our future home. It seems to me that some of this stuff would work out better if both parties would sit down in the same room and talk it out. Actually face to face. I know it could be more awkward, but then I would get to skip the part where we wait, wait, wait, feeling like my future is in the hands of people I have never met. Then I remember my future is not in their hands, but rather in the hands of someone that I have not only met, but who knows me better then I know myself. The waiting is still very hard for me. I enjoy making my home a place of refuge for my family and these past months of living in "showing" mode has left me a little frazzled. I'm ready to reclaim a house and make it our home. Invite friends over, do crafts with the kids, and scrapbook...all without the fear I will have to frantically clean up to be ready for a showing. So I have been reminding myself of what the following scripture tells us:

As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. Psalm 18:30

So even though this planner has to put some of her plans on hold, God is still working out his plan.

My Wedding Story

A fun blog I love to read has a homemaker moments each Friday and I am excited to get to join in the fun. The theme this week is telling your wedding story. I love weddings. So here is my wedding story. I married my high school sweetheart. Kyle was 22 and I had just turned 20. We had been engaged for almost 2 years, so we were very ready for our day. The college pastor and his wife had taken us through premarital counseling (which I highly recommend no matter how well you think you know your future spouse). They helped us not only have a very special day, but a successful start to our marriage as well. We planned an early wedding followed by a brunch reception. What can I say we didn't want to wait any longer. Our colors were blue and yellow, the sky was so clear, and we were surrounded by tons of family and friends. It was a beautiful service and after following great guidance from the Landon's we truly relaxed and enjoyed each other that day. Jeff gave a great message on the ABC's of marriage: Acceptance, Belief in one another, and Commitment. I often reflect on that message. The scripture focus we chose was from Colossians 3:12-17

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Our first dance was to When I Fall in Love. After the reception we drove through Steak and Shake for some food, we had been too busy to eat. Kyle ordered his food and then said, "My bride would like..." It made my heart smile. We headed to Columbus, OH for the night. Then drove to the Poconos in Pennsylvania for our honeymoon. We had an amazing time.

We had no idea that just a few short years later Jeff Landon, our college pastor, mentor, and true friend would be called home unexpectedly. He passed away studying God's word. His impact on us goes way past our wedding day. So when we learned our first child would be a son, we knew his name would be Landon. We pray our son will have a heart for the Lord just as his namesake did. So I guess that is a little more then just our wedding day story, but I can't help but include Jeff's legacy when I share about our wedding. We pray our marriage would leave a Spirit filled legacy too.

Thankful

I am thankful

• for good friends and an amazing family.
• for a good workout.
• we can buy groceries.
• I have a few boxes packed.
• my husband takes care of so many details, so I don't have to.
• that my God is taking care of things, before I even know they need attention.
• for spontaneous sharing of fruit snacks from big brother to little sister.

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. Psalm 28:7

Roller Coaster

I have been debating about jumping into the blogging world for quite some time. I have a "site" for family and friends to keep updated on our family, but have felt somewhat pulled to truly blog. I just wasn't sure I had much to say, but today I feel like jumping in so here goes...

The past two weeks have truly been a roller coaster for me. We found out on June 25 we were expecting our third child. We were beyond excited. We had always hoped our kids would be close in age and with about 22 months between our first two and our third coming 22 months after the second how perfect was that? So we spent a week celebrating, only to wind up in the hospital July 4th to learn I was loosing our little one. Talk about devastated. It was a long two days for the miscarriage to be "complete". Whatever that means, because I didn't feel complete I felt very much like something, no someone was now missing from my life. I was confused, extremely sad, and actually felt physically ill.

In the midst of our loss, we learned we had an offer on our house which we had been praying desperately to sell. So our minds were now caught up in coming to an agreement with the prospective buyers, while my body was still recovering. I would cry each morning, spend the day caring for my two beautiful children, loving husband, and all the other details of life, and then fall into bed to cry myself to sleep. Then I woke one morning very peaceful. I was filled with a peace that passes all understanding. I knew I was and so was my family in God's hands. We started the process of gathering paper work, inspections, appraisals, etc. This house buying process has been anything but smooth, but I know there are no surprises to God. The repairs the inspector found at the house we want to buy hadn't been hidden from God, he knew all along.

So this story is no where near over. As I was beautifully reminded by two close friends, I am free to mourn our loss and rejoice God's provision all at the same time. So I begin my journey into blogging...