a mid-week adventure. . . .

Wednesday night, after our younger children were all tucked into bed and sleeping Den and I left on a 24 hour adventure. We headed to Ft. Wayne, IN for a Vera Bradley Outlet Sale. We had planned on going early in the morning but decided to head out the night before and camp-out in our van! We were a bit worried we might get kicked out of the parking lot; yet once we arrived our worries were laid to rest! There were already people camped out only in their tents and in lawn chairs, waiting by the doors! We settled ourselves in, got comfy and Den set his alarm for 4am. When the alarm went off, I looked and there weren't too many more people out there so I slept another hour and got myself in line at 5am! By then there were about 500 women in line! We were allowed into the building at 6:15am to wait out the opening time of 8am! We were able to scope out our purchases, from a brochure of prices, as the excitement of the shopping time neared! A local radio station was broadcasting live from the Arena, and the DJ would do a countdown every so often.

After we checked out and began our walk back to the car we were shocked to see how many women were outside waiting in line, at least 2000+ with more coming from their cars! As I was getting into my car someone asked me what time we had gotten there to get in and out so early and I said, "1am" and their mouths fell open!

I have to say that I am so blessed to have a man who will shop in a sea of paisley and flowers for me! It was amazing and so MUCH FUN! Den went one way and I went another, we'd call each other and meet and head out again! Amazing deals; amazing prices; and we were on the road headed home by 9:45am!

This is the first time in 7 years we've been able to get away together and we slept in our van! It was a BLAST!

keep on keeping on. . . .

For the past few months I've been adamant about praying every day for the needs of our family; specific needs, specific requests. Some mornings I make myself stay in bed an extra hour just to lay in the quiet and pray (I know if I get up I will busy myself with duties and it will be pushed aside). This week God has answered a few of my requests, of course, not how I had thought He would, but He answered and I'm at peace with His will. Today a big prayer was answered. I've been praying (with the younger kids too) several times a day for a job for Branden. Today he went for an interview and was hired "on the spot". This company has no clue the gold mine they will find in this manboy of mine. He is amazing at so many things and I'm praying now, that they will see the value he will be to their company and take good care of him. I think, tonight, I'm starting my blessing book. I've thought about it many times but haven't done it and today seems like the perfect day to log in a blessing that God provided. Its so encouraging to get answered prayers, even ones that are answered differently than we expected. Its just cool to see God responding, letting me know He's here for me and my family.

check it out. . . .

Two of my boys were interviewed here
http://www.miperfectjob.com/news_detail.php?ContentID=93

again, and again!

We can't seem to shake the flu bug around here. Last week, on Monday, Victoria got sick and it took her almost the entire week to feel better. Friday night Colson got sick and hasn't felt good all weekend, this morning he seemed fine, sent him off to school, then I got a call, from school, that he was sick again! I also had to run and pick Brennan up from high school as he is also sick, only his is a kidney infection! Crazy sickness. . . . .be gone! I've been blessed, its missed me! yet I'm dealing with the dreaded hot-flash thing which is completely irritating and annoying! I said to Den one day, "I just want my life back" then a sweet friend says, "Yeah! maybe in 12-15 years!" that was some great encouragement! Anyways I'm taking care of sick kids, finishing up my last week of classes and ending the week with a ladies retreat! It's not a "stay over night" retreat but a retreat no less.

the food give-away

moving the shopping cars from pallet to pallet, filling each one with different groceries

Getting set-up to bag the food!

even the little ones helped! and not just once or twice, they helped the entire evening! everyone was so patient waiting as they put the groceries in each cart!

Here's what we distributed (our pastor said this was the best truckload of food they've ever purchased)
bags of apples,
canned goods
meats/hams/turkeys/ground beef/chicken
gatorade/juice boxes/bottled water
cereal/breakfast bars/granola bars/fruit snacks
oreos
bread/buns
(this is all that I saw from my side, I never got to the other side we were too busy filling carts, we worked from 3-6:15; I took the kids and left early, food drive was from 4-7, on our way home Colson and Jacquie were just little chatterboxes and talked non-stop but Colson did say, "I'm exhausted from all that hard work!" too funny that kid, but honestly kids, young and old, did work! Awesome, truly awesome!)

what a blast!

I checked the younger kids out of school an hour early so we could get to the food give-away before the truck arrived. Upon arriving we found everything set-up, a group from church waiting for the truck and people already in line to get food. It wasn't too long and the semi pulled up and Den began to unload the pallets from the truck. There must have been, at least 20 pallets, stacked 2-high, shrink-wrapped. He placed them in two lines; my boys and a few other high schooler's went around and pulled all the plastic off, and got the pallets ready to be distributed. We each were appointed a station and then the fun began. Shopping carts were loaded with brown bags and pushed to each station and we filled each bag with the appropriate items. Many of us brought our children (I love how our church encourages families to participate in everything); many of the children doubled-up at a station and helped pass out the groceries. Victoria helped me, she was so cute putting cans of fruit into the bags, basically I was just there for supervision but it wasn't long and she had the system down! she rocked!! Lots of laughing, of course some horseplay, but we managed to get rid of all the food. So many people were so thankful. Den and another guy pushed a cart load of food to a gentlemen who was not able to attend, due to a foot injury, and Den said the man almost cried. Over and over people thanked us! Honestly we've got the best church family! I'm so extremely blessed that God led our family to Westside 4 years ago! I love being a part of a body that truly knows how to "bear each others burdens" and how to encourage and uplift. So many times we get caught up in our own little worlds and forget there's a whole world out there who needs to know and hear about Christ.

pre-empting our regularly scheduled program

Instead of church, tomorrow, we are heading downtown to Washington Park Elementary and giving away a semi full of food! Can I just say that our church is "Amazing?" They do some pretty cool stuff for the community and this is just one of many ways they show Christ's love to others. I'm checking the kids out early (elementary kids) and we're all heading downtown to help. I just love how we work at touching lives in our community. Sometimes its the hardest people to reach yet I've found it to be the most rewarding, not only in encouragement but for my own personal walk with the Lord. Its easy to get caught-up in the "stuff" of our lives; busy, busy, busy, yet God asks us to reach out, to help, to encourage to walk along side! I'm excited to work alongside of our church family, we laugh, chat and we take the opportunity to love on the people God brings our way.

in the homestretch. . . .

I can't believe how fast my semester has gone! This is my last full week of classes! can I get an "Amen" or a "Hallelujah!" To say I'm excited is an understatement. It's been a long semester as I pushed myself and took an extra class, 9 credits instead of 6. It doesn't sound like much but the work load was certainly felt. It worked in my favor as I moved a grade level, from Sophomore to Junior! sounds wonderful and I'm so excited! I'm not going to push through the last two years too fast. I still want to make sure my "mommy duties" are fulfilled as well as my "wifely duties". My family has been the biggest support system through all of this. I'm so blessed to have their encouragment and their smarts to help me out from time to time! now. . . . .I've got to get in-gear! time to get my kiddos up for school and then head out to the gym!!

rain, rain, rain. . . .

Its still raining, if it doesn't stop our house is literally going to float away. We live in a very low area so we have lots of standing water, running water. The upside of all the rain is everything is finally green, the trees are budding, the Hosta's are up (a good 8 inches) and my beautiful little "Lily of the Valley's" are almost budding! Have you ever smelled those delicate little flowers? Oh! they smell so good. Jacqueline and I check everyday to see if they've bloomed; we are anxious for a bouquet to put in a vase!

While at my in-laws on Tuesday, my mother in-law gave Jacqueline a cut-glass lead crystal vase. Its beautiful! She loves it! and is very anxious to put some "Lily of the Valley" into it!

I'm heading outside to peak and see if they are blooming! if not today, maybe tomorrow!! (we're hoping the forecasters are WRONG. . . . .snow is predicted for today!)

cute little puppy......

Victoria and Dallas!

spring break continues. . . . .

Yesterday we made the two-hour trek to Den's folks for the day! The day started out gloomy, with drizzly rain but we decided to head out anyways. We went through some torrential downpours on our way but rain wasn't going to stop us from enjoying our day away! It continued to mist throughout the day but the kids (2 friends too) had a great time in spite of the rain. I love how my kids adapt to anything and don't let the weather dampen (ha ha) their spirits! They were able to shoot various type's of guns (I have no clue all the particular names), even Jacqueline and Colson shot! Out came the 4-wheeler; more added fun! We had a great dinner, lots of laughter, and fun with Den's parents!

Victoria and Colson had a "blast" with the two little Yorkies that my in-laws were dog-sitting! They wouldn't leave them alone! It was adorable to watch Tori, she just fell in love with one dog in particular. She was like, "ahhh they are so cute!" she spent most of her day chasing after the dogs and loving on them, even kissing them! It was so precious. More than likely we will be getting a Yorkie (perfect inside dog for my younger kids) and not overwhelming like Scotties Alaskan Malamute either!

We got home late into the evening, the younger kids slept all the way home and crashed shortly after we walked through the door! In spite of the rain we had a wonderful day!

ahh........spring break!

We had an absolutely fabulous Easter; not only was our church service "spectacular" but so was our time afterwards at our friends house. We've spent the last several Easters at their home. They are wonderful hosts, making everyone feel right at home. The food (lots of it) and fellowship is the best and the kids just LOVE their annual Easter Egg Hunt. They put a lot of time, effort and $$ into the eggs and getting them all placed around their property (about 5 acres worth of land). It was a gorgeous day, with full sunshine! We left, in time, to attend our monthly inner-city church service. The place was "packed out" and the service was awesome! Once home we just crashed, snacked on whatever we could find and watched "Survivor" and "Amazing Race." I think I went to be about 10:15! Great end to a great day!

the Ledges. . .I

Ben and Megan

I just LOVE this picture! so precious!!

the Ledges. . . .II

great looking bunch of hikers!

Blake

We hike underneath this train bride and just after we passed we could hear a train in the distance and as it got closer we could feel it!

the Ledges. . . . .III

Isn't this just the cutest picture ever? My parents met us at the Ledges yesterday and hiked the trail! Honestly, it is spring here, however you can't tell from this picture!

off to the Ledges we go. . .

WOO HOO its our first day of spring break and we are blessed to have an 80+ temp day on tap! AMAZING! we are going to take full advantage of today too, as we're heading to the Ledges. We have such a blast there! I have a "to do" list of items I need to get ready for the day; we're packing a picnic, grilling out! I'm so blessed that our kids never complain about not going to Florida, the Bahamas or somewhere else, perfectly content with the small day trips we go on. I hate to say it but I'm usually the one who "wishes" we could go somewhere awesome for spring break; God and I do some serious chatting over this issue (not about going) but about helping me change my attitude and perspective. I am so blessed to have this time with my family and it doesn't matter if its on the beaches of the Atlantic Ocean or on a trail at the Ledges having them by my side is a "sheer gift!"

beautiful sunshine!

We've been blessed to have a week of amazing sunshine! it's nothing less than a miracle for Michigan. The windows are open, a soft breeze is blowing, sheets are, soon to be, hanging on the clothes line and the yard is nearing the "spring clean-up". However I broke my leaf rake, my hands are full of blisters and there's a massive amount of leaves to be picked-up! My sweet son, Branden, brought home subway and MickeyD's for Victoria and I! gonna take a break and head out for more of that "great physical labor" (sure beats a boring treadmill/weight machine)!!

(can't you almost just feel the warmth from this sun? brightens my day just looking at it!)