New Neighbors!

Michael's grandparents old house has been for sale for quite some time by the previous owners.  Whenever there is house near you for sale, you wonder who will buy it.  We met our new neighbors a few weeks ago and we couldn't have better neighbors.  We have prayed for good neighbors and God answered.  Our new neighbors are a pastor and his wife at a local church.  What makes it even better is that they attended the church we do now when he received his call to preach.  Very small world.  Their son was in youth with my best friend and I have heard nothing but great things about them.  They are the most precious couple.  They also have a granddaughter that E and M just love to play with.  We are so blessed with wonderful neighbors and just want to thank God for placing them near us!

Stormy Nights

The past couple of nights, we have had some very stormy weather here!  I have to admit.  I am a BIG chicken when it comes to storms.  I don't like them at all.  I thought I was doing better this summer but these storms were big ones and I was scared.  I think what made me more scared was the fact that Michael was working and the power went out just when the weather man said something along the lines of ... Tornados heading my way!!!!  I was terrified!  The kids were upset because we couldn't see and I was trying to guide them by the light of my cell phone to the basement.  Michael was texting and calling me and I was in a panic.  We got downstairs and sat and prayed till the storm passed.  Fortunately, we were skirted by the storm.  Once we went upstairs, we got flashlights and sat upstairs talking to family and friends on the phone about what was going on because they still had power.  Thankfully my mother-in-law came to the rescue!  I am so grateful.  If I have another adult there, for some reason I feel more at ease.  We all settled down and I finally got in touch with the power company.  Our power was on shortly after reaching them.  The night continued to be stormy and Michael told me to move things to the den in the basement and sleep downstairs.  We moved a mattress in the floor and laid and watched the weather alerts while the storms went through.

Getting ready to have a sleepover during the storm

After we got everything moved in for the night my mother-in-law took off to go to her house.  As we were walking her out we noticed one of Michael's co-workers came by to check on us since Michael wasn't able to.  Everything calmed down and we found out schools were on a 2 hour delay so we slept in a little.  It was an exciting night!  So thankful for God's protection and we are praying for those whose homes were destroyed by the storm.  The storms came up so fast!  It made you realize how quickly life can change!  It makes you appreciate each other alot more!  Thank you Barbara for your help!  It helped us out so much!  We love you!

Family Fall Festival!

Saturday, we went to my parents house and had a family fall festival with my brothers and my mom and dad.  My brother Matt's fiance, Nikki, came up with the whole idea and planned most of it.  She is like the sister I never had!  We had lots of fun!  We played games, ate hotdogs, carved pumpkins and had a bonfire.  We made smores and just had fun together as a family.  It was a great time and of all times I completely forgot my camera so my soon to be sis-in-law is going to send pics soon that I can post.

I did though take my camera out to take a picture before I left to go of the giant cookie me and the kids made that looked like a pumpkin pie but it is just a giant sugar cookies with icing on top.

It was a hit and our 1st Annual Family Fall Festival was a hit too!  We just started a new tradition I think.

Going for a Ride!

Michael has a love for old cars and trucks.  A couple years ago he found his dream vehicle.  A 1966 Ford Bronco.

He is working on it as he can afford it but it is running good now and has new tires so we had to take it out this weekend for a ride.

We had a blast and Michael was so proud to be able to take us out in it!

My Little Farmers!

This weekend Michael was working so I was by myself.  It seemed harder this weekend for some reason.  I don't know if I just get frustrated too quickly or if it is the constant whining and bickering that made it rough.  Anyways, I know it sounds weird but I am glad the weekend is over. That means Michael will have an easier schedule this week and will be off more.  Sometimes it is no problem but other times it is real hard.

The kids and me did run errands and we went to a bonfire last night at my parents which was alot of fun.  Today we went to church and had a great service.  We went to my parents for lunch and then went home for a little bit before I had to take the kids back to my parents house because I had a meeting for work I needed to go to.

While we were home, we were surprised by a combine that was cutting the soybeans in our fields.  The kids were so excited.  Michael went out to talk to Jerry, he plants some of his crops on our land, and he asked if the kids wanted to ride in the combine.  You better believe it!  They rode and rode on the combine.  I didn't think I was going to get them off the combine to go to my meeting but they finished cutting the beans and came home.  They loved it!

As I watched them going through the fields, I looked around and had to thank God for all He has blessed us with.  We have a beautiful farm and home and we have each other.  We are so blessed!  Sometimes, I am bad to look at others and wish I had their house or car, etc.... but I am overly and abundantly blessed.  I have been given so much by God and I am so grateful.

We had a great end of the day.  After my meeting, I went across the street to Krispy Kreme!  Had a coupon for buy one dozen, get one free!  Yay!  Gave 1 dozen to my little brother.  Everyone was happy!  Ended up a good weekend!

Finally Friday!

I am so glad it is Friday!  This week at work we celebrated our 10th year in business.  We had lots of fun stuff going on but I am exhausted.  So exhausted in fact that during our busy morning routine and rushing, I got both kids to their schools.  Walked out to my van and noticed my reflection.  I put eyeliner on 1 eye and not the other and completely forgot my mascara!  Too funny!  Had to laugh and had to borrow mascara when I got to work.  I couldn't go without it all day!  So glad it's Friday!  Hope you have a great weekend!

Busy, Busy, Busy!

Do you ever feel like you never sit down and relax?  That is how I have felt this week.  Michael is working alot this week and so I am having to do alot of stuff on my own.  Every night this week there has been something and I haven't gotten home till almost 9:00.  So glad tonight we were able to stick around the house but Michael is working off duty so he isn't here till later.

I have been struggling for the past several months with heart flutters.  I have noticed that they have been getting worse so I made an appointment with the doctor for next week.  I always get concerned because my dad has had heart issues and had a triple bypass last year.  Scared us all!  I feel inside though that it has alot to do with anxiety.  I have always been a nervous person.  I worry about everything and I try to plan things out that I have no control over.  Does anybody understand?  Some people tell me it could be thyroid issues too but in my gut I think it is nerves.  I try to give all my issues to God but I am human and struggle daily with that.   My prayer though is that it is something so simple as anxiety.  I can handle that better than something actually being wrong with my heart.  I have so much to be thankful for.  I know that my life is in His hands and He will take care of me.

To Infinity and Beyond!

Yesterday, I got to take the day off of work to go with my little man, M on a field trip to see Toy Story 3 on Ice.

We had a great time!  The show was awesome and the kids loved it!  So glad we got to go!

Resting in Him

The last several weeks have been very stressful for me.  My job has been extremely stressful with some changes going on and just being busy in general at work.  I am also constantly having mommy guilt for working so much but I enjoy my job but I just fill like I am never doing anything well enough for anyone.  I feel like I fail as a wife, a mom, daughter, sister, friend and the list goes on.  I try my hardest to do everything for everybody and never feel like I do enough.  My anxiety level has been so high I have had a panic attack and two sinus infections in the last couple of weeks.  My chest is so tight all the time I feel like I am going to pop.

Well this morning I did pop.  I went through our morning hustle and bustle.  Missed the bus AGAIN and dropped off both the kids at their schools and then I broke down in my van.  I prayed to God and asked for strength and peace.  I couldn't handle it anymore.  Then I felt God tell me that I don't need to handle all these things.  He wants to handle it for me.  I can't handle everything but if I hand all my stress over to Him, He will equip me to do what needs to be done but most importantly what He wants me to do.  I prayed from M's school all the way to work and when I got to work I read a devotion in my devotion book.  It was about resting in Jesus.  Sometimes we think our problems are insignificant to God but He wants to know everything and He wants to be able to take care of us.  A comment that really hit me hard in my devotion was "If it concerns us, then it's important to Him".  We just have to let go and let Him take over.  I am a major control freak so sometimes I try to hold on to things but this morning in my van I realized that I can't but God can.  After my time with God this morning,  my chest wasn't tight anymore and I realized what I needed all along was what I already had.  JESUS. I want Him to mold me and make me into the mom, wife, daughter,sister and friend He wants me to be.  I just have to depend on Him and not on Me. 

Go TIGERS!!

E and her uncle Tyler, my little brother.  He is a senior this year.

This past week E went to a cheerleading camp at our local high school and also the high school I graduated from.  Part of the deal with the camp was getting to cheer with the varsity cheerleaders during the 3rd quarter at the Friday night football game!  Even though I have been under the weather this weekend, I had to be there to cheer on my girl!  She had a blast!

E cheering her heart out at the game!

E having fun with friends at the game!

We had a great time even though we lost!  It was alot of fun!