Castine Church of the Brethren has 28 lights on the ceiling in the sanctuary. At least this is what Joseph told me Sunday as he was squirming in his seat since Kids Worship was cancelled. Every few minutes he would tug on my dress in a whisper "Mom there are 28 lights on the ceiling" then another tug and "Mom I have 10 bumps on the bottom of my shoe". SSSSHH Others around us thought it was a hoot. I miss Chris in church. He has been in Col. every weekend for a month. I miss the order he seems to bring to the children. Joseph is the quiet one. At one point he tugged on my dress while we were all singing to show me that little sister was jumping across chairs like they were stones on the creek. Uhhgg. Ready for children's church I was.
This weekend Chris will wrap up this blessing of a job that he has been working on since the middle of Feb. in Col. We love the income from the job and praise God for it but it will be nice to have him home again on the weekends and get back to a more regular routine. Business around our home town is good too. Things are really picking up and people seem to notice our name more around town. Word of mouth recognition seems to be the key here.
We are ready for Easter. We baked some Easter cookies last weekend. This weekend is our church Easter Egg hunt and the kids are beyond excited for that. They jump up and down each time it is mentioned. Natalie is playing with 7 other kids in a bell choir for the Sunrise Service and Brianna is singing Jesus Loves Me by herself. It is my favorite holiday. So much less chaos and so much more peace I feel. I love sitting in church as the sun begins to shine and imagining the surprise that was. I can't wait.
This evening I took Bri to get her hair cut, then on to Penny's to find her something new to wear for Easter. She would come out of the dressing room to show me and all of the sudden I could see her as a woman. She's just so beautiful. She was wearing a white capri suit and she just looked like she could set the world on fire with the smile she had on her face. I am so blessed to be her mother.
Speaking of beautiful, I love the way Natty says it right now. When she says that word, the way she says it, it just sounds like a song. I ask her to say it sometimes, so she can put a smile on my heart.
Drippy, I know.
Hope all is well with everyone.
Love-Chelle
Monday, March 30, 2009
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Family Update
I have a few minutes today and decided to check in and couldn't believe how long it had been since I had blogged. Sorry, time has really been getting away from me lately.
Our family has been healthy finally for the past few weeks and we have been enjoying the warm days and the hopes of spring in the air.
I love that the kids have been able to get out to play outside. Seems to be good for everyone's soul. They have taken to playing everyday in the "Big Red Bus". Chris says for as little as we paid for it let them play in it all summer and build memories in their bus that will last a life time. Glad he feels that way because they have so much fun in it. Even Brianna played out there with them one day for hours.
Chris has started spring tree cutting. He cuts trees down in spring so they have enough time to dry out and season to burn all winter. We have quite a few trees that are growning into other trees and trees that are already dead, that will be a good start. God always provides the source. This year we only had to buy two cords of wood. So we were able to heat our house all winter for two hundred dollars plus the electric to run the blower. Wow! I bought green bean, spinach, and cucumber seeds on sale at K-Mart yesterday. So excited and ready to plant my garden. I love to garden and the thought and planning of it has gotten me through many a dreary day this winter. I'm going to try planting Lavender this year too. It is a perennial and is supposed to smell so good. A friend of mine and I try to think of things we can make for Christmas gifts and I thought Lavender dried and put in sachets sounds like fun or maybe lavender soap, who knows.
School is going well for all of the kids. Brianna has been hard at work bringing up a few grades that had fallen over the holidays. I call in to talk to the teachers and meet with them when she is not on target. They say to her "tell your Mom this and tell your Mom that" perhaps to let me know what is going on before it gets to a call, not sure if they like the calls or not. I have learned that if you are in charge of your child and you are kindly interested, things that are not right will change. Not sure if it is because of the feedback or preventative maitenance, I don't really care what the reason as long as it turns out to benefit my kid. I'm sure that sounds selfish but I'm postitive that nobody there has her personal interest at heart as much as I do.
Joseph is reading pretty well now and his writing is improving. He is a wiz with Math, praise the Lord for I am not. He got his first library card last week, he was so excited. He has a different air about him when he is there, picking books to read to me, then books for me to read to him. Makes my heart sing watching him. Natalie's teacher tells me she is so good everyday and that she just loves her. I know she does, she loves on her every morning. We will sure miss Mrs. Hollinger when Natalie moves on to Kindergarten, but that is still a year or so away. Natalie know most of her alphabet and can write her name. She has also been working on counting to
twenty.
Our business is great. We have been very busy, so far God brings it in a way that between Chris and I we have been able to handle it. We will have to hire some help for a job Chris is doing this weekend, then I will help him next weekend while the kids get to go for a vist to my Mom's. Chris brought in a job that is every weekend in Col. until the first weekend in April so once we get through that then we can take a breath and evaluate everything. For now we are in major work mode getting to all the jobs that need done. To be honest I do not know how full-time working moms do it. I am in envy of their organization skills. I am trying to get caught up on house cleaning and laundry today and feel quite overwhelmed.
Well better get to it.
I hope you are all well and miss all of you.
Love-Chelle
Our family has been healthy finally for the past few weeks and we have been enjoying the warm days and the hopes of spring in the air.
I love that the kids have been able to get out to play outside. Seems to be good for everyone's soul. They have taken to playing everyday in the "Big Red Bus". Chris says for as little as we paid for it let them play in it all summer and build memories in their bus that will last a life time. Glad he feels that way because they have so much fun in it. Even Brianna played out there with them one day for hours.
Chris has started spring tree cutting. He cuts trees down in spring so they have enough time to dry out and season to burn all winter. We have quite a few trees that are growning into other trees and trees that are already dead, that will be a good start. God always provides the source. This year we only had to buy two cords of wood. So we were able to heat our house all winter for two hundred dollars plus the electric to run the blower. Wow! I bought green bean, spinach, and cucumber seeds on sale at K-Mart yesterday. So excited and ready to plant my garden. I love to garden and the thought and planning of it has gotten me through many a dreary day this winter. I'm going to try planting Lavender this year too. It is a perennial and is supposed to smell so good. A friend of mine and I try to think of things we can make for Christmas gifts and I thought Lavender dried and put in sachets sounds like fun or maybe lavender soap, who knows.
School is going well for all of the kids. Brianna has been hard at work bringing up a few grades that had fallen over the holidays. I call in to talk to the teachers and meet with them when she is not on target. They say to her "tell your Mom this and tell your Mom that" perhaps to let me know what is going on before it gets to a call, not sure if they like the calls or not. I have learned that if you are in charge of your child and you are kindly interested, things that are not right will change. Not sure if it is because of the feedback or preventative maitenance, I don't really care what the reason as long as it turns out to benefit my kid. I'm sure that sounds selfish but I'm postitive that nobody there has her personal interest at heart as much as I do.
Joseph is reading pretty well now and his writing is improving. He is a wiz with Math, praise the Lord for I am not. He got his first library card last week, he was so excited. He has a different air about him when he is there, picking books to read to me, then books for me to read to him. Makes my heart sing watching him. Natalie's teacher tells me she is so good everyday and that she just loves her. I know she does, she loves on her every morning. We will sure miss Mrs. Hollinger when Natalie moves on to Kindergarten, but that is still a year or so away. Natalie know most of her alphabet and can write her name. She has also been working on counting to
twenty.
Our business is great. We have been very busy, so far God brings it in a way that between Chris and I we have been able to handle it. We will have to hire some help for a job Chris is doing this weekend, then I will help him next weekend while the kids get to go for a vist to my Mom's. Chris brought in a job that is every weekend in Col. until the first weekend in April so once we get through that then we can take a breath and evaluate everything. For now we are in major work mode getting to all the jobs that need done. To be honest I do not know how full-time working moms do it. I am in envy of their organization skills. I am trying to get caught up on house cleaning and laundry today and feel quite overwhelmed.
Well better get to it.
I hope you are all well and miss all of you.
Love-Chelle
Friday, February 20, 2009
We Miss Daddy!
Chris comes home tomorrow morning....Yay!!!!
He has been working on a job in Col. since Tues. morning. I can't remember the last time I have been away from him for four days and I hope it doesn't come again anytime soon.
I miss the essence of him. He protects us and takes care of us just the way the Lord intended and I can't wait for him to be home, safe. My heart is always a little uneasy when he works to the wee hours of the morn with nobody around on Col. east side. I so appreciate you honey. I miss him settling many of the weekly challenges between me and the teenager, he's the buffer and ultimately the one who lays down the law in a way that she chooses not to challenge, he keeps me sane in this area. He loves us up daily, and we are starving for it now. Oh yes in the 4 degree weather he has all the tricks to keeping the wood furnace working just right that it is 70 or above and I can't seem to get it above 66, so I miss his warmth literally. That is just the tip of the iceberg on all that he does around here, mostly I just want his strong arms around me hugging me.
I have battled bronchitis all week, and it is finally starting to go away but was a lot to handle being the only one here with the kids. I had to be careful of the med. prescribed because of how tired it made me. One day I had gone to pick up Natty from school and fell asleep in the car waiting for her teacher to bring them out like she always does. I looked up and there she is taking Natalie back into the school because she thought I was late. I jumped out of the car parked 10 feet away from them and ran to the door, explained and swiftly collected my child.....how embarrassing.
I did manage to do some good business this week and the kids and I have had good days for the most part.
But tomorrow he comes home and I am soooooo thankful.
Hope everyone had a great week!!
Love, Chelle
He has been working on a job in Col. since Tues. morning. I can't remember the last time I have been away from him for four days and I hope it doesn't come again anytime soon.
I miss the essence of him. He protects us and takes care of us just the way the Lord intended and I can't wait for him to be home, safe. My heart is always a little uneasy when he works to the wee hours of the morn with nobody around on Col. east side. I so appreciate you honey. I miss him settling many of the weekly challenges between me and the teenager, he's the buffer and ultimately the one who lays down the law in a way that she chooses not to challenge, he keeps me sane in this area. He loves us up daily, and we are starving for it now. Oh yes in the 4 degree weather he has all the tricks to keeping the wood furnace working just right that it is 70 or above and I can't seem to get it above 66, so I miss his warmth literally. That is just the tip of the iceberg on all that he does around here, mostly I just want his strong arms around me hugging me.
I have battled bronchitis all week, and it is finally starting to go away but was a lot to handle being the only one here with the kids. I had to be careful of the med. prescribed because of how tired it made me. One day I had gone to pick up Natty from school and fell asleep in the car waiting for her teacher to bring them out like she always does. I looked up and there she is taking Natalie back into the school because she thought I was late. I jumped out of the car parked 10 feet away from them and ran to the door, explained and swiftly collected my child.....how embarrassing.
I did manage to do some good business this week and the kids and I have had good days for the most part.
But tomorrow he comes home and I am soooooo thankful.
Hope everyone had a great week!!
Love, Chelle
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Happy Valentine's Day
Happy Valentine's Day to everyone!!!
This morning the little ones woke me up at 7:00. By 8:30 we were out the door and headed to Eikenberry's grocery in Greenville. They make the best donuts in town and I had promised to take them for a treat since it is just the three of us home today. They were so wide-eyed seeing all of those donuts and getting to pick out the ones they wanted. They were very polite to one another and couldn't wait to get home to eat them.
Shortly after we got home Joseph wanted to work on his Collection 100 school project. We spent much of the day cutting tissue paper for his masterpiece. It was fun. They were so exhausted from getting to bed so late from our fun last night and getting up early this morning that they didn't want to go to the movie I had planned. Joe said we could wait for another time and then Brianna could go with us too. They fell asleep a little bit ago watching the Friends and Heroes show on TBN. I'm getting ready to make tacos for supper and set up the UNO game they wanted to play until it is time to go pick up Brianna at 7:30. I'm guessing she will be worn out from the 30-Hr. Famine event at our church last night.
Chris will be home at about 8:00 and I'm sure he will be tired too. He worked until 12:30 last night until he finally went to a motel for some rest and then back at the job today. Business is good, praise the Lord I am so thankful for it but I miss him just the same.
This morning the little ones woke me up at 7:00. By 8:30 we were out the door and headed to Eikenberry's grocery in Greenville. They make the best donuts in town and I had promised to take them for a treat since it is just the three of us home today. They were so wide-eyed seeing all of those donuts and getting to pick out the ones they wanted. They were very polite to one another and couldn't wait to get home to eat them.
Shortly after we got home Joseph wanted to work on his Collection 100 school project. We spent much of the day cutting tissue paper for his masterpiece. It was fun. They were so exhausted from getting to bed so late from our fun last night and getting up early this morning that they didn't want to go to the movie I had planned. Joe said we could wait for another time and then Brianna could go with us too. They fell asleep a little bit ago watching the Friends and Heroes show on TBN. I'm getting ready to make tacos for supper and set up the UNO game they wanted to play until it is time to go pick up Brianna at 7:30. I'm guessing she will be worn out from the 30-Hr. Famine event at our church last night.
Chris will be home at about 8:00 and I'm sure he will be tired too. He worked until 12:30 last night until he finally went to a motel for some rest and then back at the job today. Business is good, praise the Lord I am so thankful for it but I miss him just the same.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Mall of America and Monkey in the Middle
Today was an awesome day here. Sunny and fairly warm.
I helped out in Natalie's class for her Valentine Party. Her teacher was sharing the meaning of Valentine's Day of being a way to show God's love to everyone. It was fantastic listening to the preschoolers respond to her and how they turned it into prayers at prayer time.
Just before the kids got to share their Valentines they got to participate in a wonderful lesson with the rest of the school. The fifth graders have been hard at work learning about our fifty states, what makes each state unique in the sense of area, terrain, commerce, and tradition, etc.. Each team of kids were assigned a state with its own table. They made posterboards and descriptors about the state, each was also to come up with a way to make money at their state station. Put it all together in the cafeteria and it made the "Mall of America" where each student was given "$10" to spend any way they wanted. At the end of the lesson they will see which state made the most money. A great stimulus package if you ask me. I had a group of four 4 year old girls to take through the "Mall". Interestingly enough they had their nails painted in New York, their faces painted in Maryland and slushies in New Hampshire and they spent every last dime like any good woman in the mall would do. Great time spent with Natalie and her friends.
Two nights ago I just could not calm my children down from bickering with one another. I began to explain to them that family was kind of like glue, can be sticky and fun, sometimes messy, but in the end they always stick together and I said to them that is exactly what you three need to do stick together instead of picking each other apart. Jose with his little grin says "if us three stick together then I guess that makes me the monkey in the middle". Where does he come up with this stuff. I was explaining the practice of Lent to him tonight and he let me know very seriously that he had decided to give up handwriting for Lent and I had better let his teacher know because he wouldn't be allowed to write there either. We must follow the rules you know him being such a man after the Lord. I had to laugh because my son would do just about anything to get out of schoolwork. I had no idea to what level this was true.
Bri and I took in a Jr.High boys basketball game last night. Our team the Tri-Village Patriots was playing Arcanum which is where a lot of Bri's friends from church attend. It was a really good game. It was fun, ultimately we wanted our team to win which we did 46 to 27 but we also wanted to cheer for some of the kids on the other team and we did no matter who was watching. It was great to spend that time with just Bri. She is growing up so fast and I cherish those moments between us when their is no challenge to be met and can just pal with her. I know my years with her as a child are very numbered four to be exact and my heart grows weary of it so I know I must make the most of this time which can be difficult because this age brings many challenges.
Daddy is out of town until tomorrow, Bri is at a church overnight until tomorrow evening so the little ones and I have a date of going to a movie and McDonalds, I can't wait.
Hope all is well with everyone. Love, Chelle
I helped out in Natalie's class for her Valentine Party. Her teacher was sharing the meaning of Valentine's Day of being a way to show God's love to everyone. It was fantastic listening to the preschoolers respond to her and how they turned it into prayers at prayer time.
Just before the kids got to share their Valentines they got to participate in a wonderful lesson with the rest of the school. The fifth graders have been hard at work learning about our fifty states, what makes each state unique in the sense of area, terrain, commerce, and tradition, etc.. Each team of kids were assigned a state with its own table. They made posterboards and descriptors about the state, each was also to come up with a way to make money at their state station. Put it all together in the cafeteria and it made the "Mall of America" where each student was given "$10" to spend any way they wanted. At the end of the lesson they will see which state made the most money. A great stimulus package if you ask me. I had a group of four 4 year old girls to take through the "Mall". Interestingly enough they had their nails painted in New York, their faces painted in Maryland and slushies in New Hampshire and they spent every last dime like any good woman in the mall would do. Great time spent with Natalie and her friends.
Two nights ago I just could not calm my children down from bickering with one another. I began to explain to them that family was kind of like glue, can be sticky and fun, sometimes messy, but in the end they always stick together and I said to them that is exactly what you three need to do stick together instead of picking each other apart. Jose with his little grin says "if us three stick together then I guess that makes me the monkey in the middle". Where does he come up with this stuff. I was explaining the practice of Lent to him tonight and he let me know very seriously that he had decided to give up handwriting for Lent and I had better let his teacher know because he wouldn't be allowed to write there either. We must follow the rules you know him being such a man after the Lord. I had to laugh because my son would do just about anything to get out of schoolwork. I had no idea to what level this was true.
Bri and I took in a Jr.High boys basketball game last night. Our team the Tri-Village Patriots was playing Arcanum which is where a lot of Bri's friends from church attend. It was a really good game. It was fun, ultimately we wanted our team to win which we did 46 to 27 but we also wanted to cheer for some of the kids on the other team and we did no matter who was watching. It was great to spend that time with just Bri. She is growing up so fast and I cherish those moments between us when their is no challenge to be met and can just pal with her. I know my years with her as a child are very numbered four to be exact and my heart grows weary of it so I know I must make the most of this time which can be difficult because this age brings many challenges.
Daddy is out of town until tomorrow, Bri is at a church overnight until tomorrow evening so the little ones and I have a date of going to a movie and McDonalds, I can't wait.
Hope all is well with everyone. Love, Chelle
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Busy Weekend.
We had a great time with Papaw and Memaw last night. They are heading back to Florida for an entire month so we had them over for a proper send off. We made them a nice dinner in the new old dining room and had a great time serving them on our pretty china dishes. The kids and I enjoyed making a big deal for them, they do so much for us. The kids all made homemade Valentines and had put them on their plates before supper.
After supper the children put on a show. Joe had some cool dance moves to show off and a new little song to share he made up called "Follow the Light". Natalie also had a new song to sing about the snow. Brianna delighted all of us with her beautiful voice singing some of the songs she has been practicing for her upcoming choir show "Disney Magic".
Later we played the Apples to Apples game and laughed really hard. A nice evening with those we love so much. We'll miss you Memaw and Papaw.
Today has been a day of running around. Bri had to be at church at 9:00 to decorate and prepare food for the youth fundraiser Valentine Dance being held tomorrow night. I ran errands: bank, groc. etc. until she was ready to be picked up. As soon as I got home at 1:00 Chris left for work and should be home sometime early eve. I'll be glad when he gets home, I miss him today. I haven't felt like doing anything I should be doing today so I guess talking to him would just make me feel better.
Tomorrow evening is the Valentine Dance. The little kids are headed to my sister for some horse back riding while Chris wisks me away to another world of romance. I am very excited and the kids will have fun too.
Hope all is well with your families! Love, Chelle
After supper the children put on a show. Joe had some cool dance moves to show off and a new little song to share he made up called "Follow the Light". Natalie also had a new song to sing about the snow. Brianna delighted all of us with her beautiful voice singing some of the songs she has been practicing for her upcoming choir show "Disney Magic".
Later we played the Apples to Apples game and laughed really hard. A nice evening with those we love so much. We'll miss you Memaw and Papaw.
Today has been a day of running around. Bri had to be at church at 9:00 to decorate and prepare food for the youth fundraiser Valentine Dance being held tomorrow night. I ran errands: bank, groc. etc. until she was ready to be picked up. As soon as I got home at 1:00 Chris left for work and should be home sometime early eve. I'll be glad when he gets home, I miss him today. I haven't felt like doing anything I should be doing today so I guess talking to him would just make me feel better.
Tomorrow evening is the Valentine Dance. The little kids are headed to my sister for some horse back riding while Chris wisks me away to another world of romance. I am very excited and the kids will have fun too.
Hope all is well with your families! Love, Chelle
Monday, February 2, 2009
Family Update.
Sorry it has been so long since my last post. It seems someone has been sick in our home every week for the past month. Between that and all of the bad weather and re-arranging schedules to meet the kids needs with days off for snow days I just haven't taken the time.
We have been dealing with the sicks, stuffy heads, coughs sore throats. Three weeks ago I thought that I had just gotten the same of what everyone else had and was taking over the counter stuff for a week, extremely exhausted, a sore throat like swallowing broken glass. Finally when I woke up one morning with my jaw swollen shut from infection and in so much pain I just cried and cried. I went to the doctor to find I had strep throat and I had let it go so long that it was in my lymph nodes. They shot a nice sized vial of antibiotics in my hip and gave me a 10-day prescription. I spent the following week getting over that. Last week Chris was down with Bronchitis and Joseph was out with an ear infection. We didn't wait to go to the doctor, learning from my experience and they both were put on antibiotics. Today Natty is home with a nasty cough that popped up over the weekend.
Oh, I pray and pray that my home be sick free, it is getting very frustrating. I pray, I clean, I spray lysol, I administer vitamins each day and still we are sick. Ugh. I am very sick of winter and we still have two months to go.
My husband is wonderful, he is steadfast with his help. He does whatever needs to be done to help out, runs kids who are well to school and home, washes floors, gives meds, washes sheets, whatever needs done he does with no complaining. We are both trying to stay in good spirits with our business. Jan. is always the slowest month of the year for us and because of the weather many of our regular jobs were cancelled leaving us with less than a string budget to work with this month. We continue faithful giving and somehow the bills get paid. We keep our hearts facing forward and our preparation to spring when our business really
bounces back. Chris was quoting Joel Osteen to me this morning, he watched his program last night after I went to bed. God was speaking to him through that program and I was so happy to hear the hope in his voice for both of us. I didn't realize until my husband gently showed me that my negative attitude towards the bus. at times really is not Godly and then gave me a new outlook on the situation. I sure needed that kick in the pants again gentle but needed.
We were very blessed to get to go on two dates this past weekend. Chris' Dad and stepmom wanted to have the kids overnight Fri. since they will be going back to Florida soon until the middle of March. How nice it was to have a break and get refreshed and recharged. We went to a Dayton Bombers hockey game with a group from church. Our friends have a nephew that plays for them and was able to get everyone tickets for $6. What a deal. It was a lot of fun and we laughed much. On Sat. we both slept in for a change. The kids were not due back until early evening so we went to Richmond, IN. to catch the matinee at the $1 movie. We finally got to see Fireproof. What a great movie. I left feeling so thankful for my marriage, and thankful for how God has brought us through the fires over the years. It reminded me of how important it is to honor my husband with all I say and do. Our married couples Sunday school class is now on this Fireproof series. I wish I would be able to finish it with Chris. I got to sit in on the first session and it was so good but it is now my month to teach Sunday school to the four year olds so I will miss the rest of it. I have decided that I will not teach next year and give my attention to my husband and growing our marriage through Sunday school together. This has been a very hard and prayerful decision for me. I really enjoy teaching and very much enjoy the children this age. This is my second year doing it and have come to know so many kids and their families because of it. I want to do my part, our children all take advantage of the programs at our church and I know those programs have to have volunteers to exist so that is why I feel a little selfish. I will continue to serve as a teacher for pre-school on Wed. nights and continue to serve with VBS. I am starting to feel peace over it. I feel God asking me to work on a new Mom's ministry idea but more on that when I see what he wants me to do with the idea. I want to know what it is like to be with Chris every Sunday learning about the Lord together in a class setting and not just during service. I love the conversations we have and the way we connect after the classes. It lasts in my mind all week long and I just want to know what that feels like every week because I miss it so much the months I teach. That does sound so selfish when I read my words that way.
Well I better go, I have some laundry to do and supper to start.
I hope all is well with everyone. I pray for safety on the roads and good health to all and I pray Melissa has that baby soon. Love ya sister.
Love to all of you, Chelle
We have been dealing with the sicks, stuffy heads, coughs sore throats. Three weeks ago I thought that I had just gotten the same of what everyone else had and was taking over the counter stuff for a week, extremely exhausted, a sore throat like swallowing broken glass. Finally when I woke up one morning with my jaw swollen shut from infection and in so much pain I just cried and cried. I went to the doctor to find I had strep throat and I had let it go so long that it was in my lymph nodes. They shot a nice sized vial of antibiotics in my hip and gave me a 10-day prescription. I spent the following week getting over that. Last week Chris was down with Bronchitis and Joseph was out with an ear infection. We didn't wait to go to the doctor, learning from my experience and they both were put on antibiotics. Today Natty is home with a nasty cough that popped up over the weekend.
Oh, I pray and pray that my home be sick free, it is getting very frustrating. I pray, I clean, I spray lysol, I administer vitamins each day and still we are sick. Ugh. I am very sick of winter and we still have two months to go.
My husband is wonderful, he is steadfast with his help. He does whatever needs to be done to help out, runs kids who are well to school and home, washes floors, gives meds, washes sheets, whatever needs done he does with no complaining. We are both trying to stay in good spirits with our business. Jan. is always the slowest month of the year for us and because of the weather many of our regular jobs were cancelled leaving us with less than a string budget to work with this month. We continue faithful giving and somehow the bills get paid. We keep our hearts facing forward and our preparation to spring when our business really
bounces back. Chris was quoting Joel Osteen to me this morning, he watched his program last night after I went to bed. God was speaking to him through that program and I was so happy to hear the hope in his voice for both of us. I didn't realize until my husband gently showed me that my negative attitude towards the bus. at times really is not Godly and then gave me a new outlook on the situation. I sure needed that kick in the pants again gentle but needed.
We were very blessed to get to go on two dates this past weekend. Chris' Dad and stepmom wanted to have the kids overnight Fri. since they will be going back to Florida soon until the middle of March. How nice it was to have a break and get refreshed and recharged. We went to a Dayton Bombers hockey game with a group from church. Our friends have a nephew that plays for them and was able to get everyone tickets for $6. What a deal. It was a lot of fun and we laughed much. On Sat. we both slept in for a change. The kids were not due back until early evening so we went to Richmond, IN. to catch the matinee at the $1 movie. We finally got to see Fireproof. What a great movie. I left feeling so thankful for my marriage, and thankful for how God has brought us through the fires over the years. It reminded me of how important it is to honor my husband with all I say and do. Our married couples Sunday school class is now on this Fireproof series. I wish I would be able to finish it with Chris. I got to sit in on the first session and it was so good but it is now my month to teach Sunday school to the four year olds so I will miss the rest of it. I have decided that I will not teach next year and give my attention to my husband and growing our marriage through Sunday school together. This has been a very hard and prayerful decision for me. I really enjoy teaching and very much enjoy the children this age. This is my second year doing it and have come to know so many kids and their families because of it. I want to do my part, our children all take advantage of the programs at our church and I know those programs have to have volunteers to exist so that is why I feel a little selfish. I will continue to serve as a teacher for pre-school on Wed. nights and continue to serve with VBS. I am starting to feel peace over it. I feel God asking me to work on a new Mom's ministry idea but more on that when I see what he wants me to do with the idea. I want to know what it is like to be with Chris every Sunday learning about the Lord together in a class setting and not just during service. I love the conversations we have and the way we connect after the classes. It lasts in my mind all week long and I just want to know what that feels like every week because I miss it so much the months I teach. That does sound so selfish when I read my words that way.
Well I better go, I have some laundry to do and supper to start.
I hope all is well with everyone. I pray for safety on the roads and good health to all and I pray Melissa has that baby soon. Love ya sister.
Love to all of you, Chelle
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