Reflective boo hoo pick me up :)

What an insanely ridiculous start to spring we have had. First the horrible stomach virus that hit at the end of February that pretty much kicked our butts and then March on and off again sickness that got passed around not only our home but our best friend's house also, and then allergy attacks from well, you get my point. Seriously, praying it out... OUT IN THE NAME OF JESUS! I COMMAND YOU TO LEAVE MY HOME, MY FAMILY, MY FRIENDS and RELATIVES! Nothing but healthy and strong bodies from here on out. Wow, I mean this thing has really weakened us and I'm over it. I want out of this house, I want to spend time with our friends and family again. I want to enjoy a day at the park, go fishing, go for a boat ride or even train ride, anything!

So John hasn't started the post office yet. We've been praying about that because John found out at the end of last week, they lost his paperwork apparently and the copy of his driver's license and social security card. Great, isn't it? His information out there floating around for just anyone to abuse, makes me feel so wonderful about how our government operates. Am I shocked, well not really. Actually not at all. We are so used to that being prior military. Anyways, I'm not complaining because we found out about it and they called today and told him it would only be a couple of day's because they had all the paperwork they needed after John hand delivered them the 2nd time. :) Ironically, John's supervisor from his other job called him after he got the call from them offering him work for this weekend. As grateful as I should be (being the good Christian wife) I did want to string his supervisor up, after all, he did ignore John and not return his call for nearly 2 months even after telling him that he would. Keep in mind that John was their #1 guy, the go to person for every call off, every training, every time they needed someone, they called him. Then when the company John was working the rig project on shut down in the area, that's when they decided to go into hush hush mode. No work, no pay. John collected unemployment while they twiddled their thumbs and played poker with our finances for nearly 6 months. But... DEEP INHALE, I'm trusting God will see us through. He always does, He never gives up, He never run's out on us. We are blessed to have wonderful family and friends who support us through every season of our walk and right now, though I feel we're being stretched a little (yes, just a little) I do realize that this too shall pass. I'm not worrying about today because tomorrow will take care of itself. Here's to a beautiful, stress free and joy filled week. Happy Tuesday everyone. Monday is gone so enjoy it!

Easter Weekend

This has been an incredible weekend. We had a wonderful time celebrating the resurrection of our Savior with good friends. Saturday was the CLC Easter egg hunt at Alameda. Our friends joined us with their 4 kids, after which we went to the Family Christian Book Store in Cranberry, ate lunch together, went to the park and finally to Saturday evening Easter service. We then went back to their house and hung out with them for a couple hours so we were together all day, quite literally. We were planning on doing eggs but somehow the day passed by so quickly that we weren't able to do so. It was a fun time for all of us and I'm glad we were able to spend it together.

This past couple months have been tough fighting off illness and dealing with Amgard screwing John around. They never did start the rig project up again even after they told John several times they were. Mark all the sudden stopped calling or returning messages to John. It's frustrating because John has been an amazing employee for them and now they just blow him off like nothing because they don't have any real work available. I don't understand how they even stay in business at this point, it's crazy. We are anxious for John to start his new position at the post office in Grove City. All he's waiting on at this point is the return of his backround check and drug test screening they did. We're hopeful that he will get his start date by this week. We've had some major answer to prayer and we are very thankful for it.

Promise me you'll Always Be

Most days I walk around pretending that I'm okay. I can put on this wonderful facade like everything is normal, like I don't care but I do. I shouldn't care so much, I shouldn't feel like this but it is what it is. I miss having you in my life, you being here to say hey, lighten up... don't act so serious. This isn't a big deal. Things used to be so different. I was different. It pains me that you are the only one who really ever knew me, you're the only one. I wasn't afraid to be weird with you, I could just be me and you really accepted that and I was enough. The laughter, the smiles we shared... the good times and the bad, we got through them together. There were fights, yes fights over mostly stupid things. I was right and you were wrong, well mostly :) I swore I'd never talk to you again and then BAM, there we were, right back at it... we could never fully disconnect. I miss you so much, so much more than I ever thought possible. You are a part of me that I can never really let go of. No matter, yesterday. Today. Forever. Damn I miss you. Always

New Beginnings

What a wonderful weekend we had. It's been nice to have warmer weather and to actually get outside and enjoy the sunshine for a change. I know that tomorrow it's supposed to be colder but that's okay because its only a hiccup before the sun decides to stick around for spring and summer fun. We had a rough start to this new year. After not being sick for so long, we all passed that horrible virus around for the better part of February and even into March. I was so tired of cleaning up puke and well... potty mishaps. The boys seem to be feeling much better recently and John and I have been getting healthier too. John and I have been struggling with sinus issue's and allergies but I'm hopeful that things will be better as soon as the weather decides to make up its mind. 

We've been so blessed even through the harshest winter in awhile, even with the lack of work and long nights, God has provided and has never failed us. John's unemployment ran out about 3 weeks ago so, right around the time he got interviewed at the post office. We were praying that he would get that job and last week we got the news that he was selected for the position of carrier assistant for Grove City. Up till that point we were still wrestling with the idea of possibly moving back into the Butler area. I'm so glad that we waited for God's response before we made that decision because obviously he has planted us here for a reason. We have made some wonderful new friends/family here and we enjoy being a part of something larger than ourselves. Our group is strong and faithful, we love each other and more importantly God. We met Joe/Christin and their family a few months ago and have since become the best of friends. It's like we've always known each other. Our kids play together so well and I just adore them. 

My Paparazzi business is growing, almost effortlessly. I do work hard at it but the jewelry simply sells itself so that makes it so much easier. I really don't have to talk people into buying, they just do :) I have lot's of interested girls who may start selling under me and am excited to be building my team. I have my 1st vendor event at Moraine on May 16th for the Bark for Life. 

The boys are in the last couple months of their 1st year of homeschool and Ian is beginning to read. They both know their site words well and are learning math, history and science. It's been a tough year without direction or curriculum but we've filled in the gaps well and they seem to be on track. I'm proud of their progress. Next year we are using Sonlight Curriculum. Well I'm exhausted. Time to put this girl to bed.