it's been a long time

Some of the most fun of our move has been unpacking boxes that I haven't been into for 2 1/2 years!  When we first moved to Woodburn we thought we'd be in our own place within a few months.  So why unpack all of our unnecessary things?  Little did we realize that the market here was not like good old Lewis County's.  A few months turned into a year and then another year.  I just knew that if I got into those boxes I'd be packing them up again....and at times I seriously considered doing that just to see if it would work!  Looking back BJ and I realize our mistake in not making our rental more homey. We spent too much time feeling sad about being in transition mode still.  Thankfully the Lord didn't turn His back on us even when we were like the grumbling Israelites.  Looking back, it was definitely worth the wait and we are so grateful to have had such a nice rental within a few minutes drive of the church.  All that said, I need to have some pictures printed!  I unwrapped the picture boxes and I don't have any framed pictures of our youngest three boys!  :)  

Work Day!

Yesterday we took the boys to work around Grandma Carolla's property. My boys worked hard and I was proud.

J.R. really got into his job. I know the walking back and forth on uneven terrain was good for his legs.



Here is Jud dreaming about working with the big boys someday! :) I enjoyed visiting with Carolla and chasing Judson. He is a busy little guy...into everything!

I was glad the boys had a chance to work off some of their energy and use their muscles again. We do miss our home in Centralia...a place never lacking in outdoor chores for the boys. :) Our rental is very nice, but there is nothing for the boys to do here. (No garden to weed, no firewood to stack, no pinecones or rocks to pick up.) We are excited to get our Centralia home sold and invest ourselves into a place here. Probably with any move there are mixed emotions. Our new church family has been so loving and supportive, but it is always hard to leave friends behind. I have yet to meet another homeschool family in this county. We pray that the Lord will introduce us to other families that we can have fellowship with and even join up with for a few field trips. We know the Lord is in this move and will take care of us. This may sound a little trite, but at least we have each other.

It's been a year.....

Today is our one year mark of being out of ministry. It is hard to believe that a whole year has gone by already. This time in our life has been longer than expected, but looking back on it, we have learned.......

....the art of asphalt seal coating :) and all the ins and outs of setting up your own business.

....lots of construction stuff (I even learned a few things by visiting the job site so often!)

....the value of a father's home time. It has been hard to be as involved as we were when attending every church function was part of BJ's job. Family time in the evenings and on Saturdays goes by so quickly. When back in ministry, we don't want to waste our congregation's time....having activities for the sake of having them or the expectation that everyone should be there supporting it.

....a greater appreciation for a pastor's day off. I miss having BJ home on Mondays.

....how other churches do things. It has been fun to visit different churches when BJ was asked to fill in.

....that daddy still ministers to others - even when he isn't paid to do it.

....God provides.

....how to wake up earlier in the mornings. :) (Especially BJ starting work at 6am.)

....or re-learned the blessings of a new baby...and the time and energy required. :)

....all about rabbits and 4-H. (FYI- they reproduce very quickly!)

....that we are loved. We appreciate so much the love, support, and encouragement we have received. Thank you. :)

"Many things about tomorrow

I don't seem to understand

But I know who holds tomorrow

And I know who holds my hand"

Jesse's shelf

The countdown for our new little guy is getting close. A couple of weekends ago I kind of started worrying about where we will put all the clothes, blankets, burp rags, etc. for our baby. Life has been so different lately. I honestly thought we would know where we would be moving by now and our home would be in a transition of being boxed up. Well, we are still here....and I like order! Jesse knew of my concerns and announced that he was going to make me a shelf for the baby's things. He ran into a little trouble trying to cut the boards and had daddy come help. I was so impressed and proud of the work he did. BJ said the only part he helped with were the cuts. Jesse measured, marked lines, and nailed it together. Just to help me out and make my life easier. :)

My cute woodworker!

After I painted it, we moved the shelf upstairs and stocked it with a few blankets, bibs, and hats waiting for baby's arrival.
Watching Jesse nail away gave me perspective on life. These boys do take a lot of work, energy, and storage space, but what a blessing. The thought dawned on me that even if my child was born and everything wasn't perfectly in order...it will still be okay! :)