....our decision....

Ben's job has been worrisome to us for awhile. When Ben started working at Sullivan, he told the boss's that he wasn't planning to say any longer then 3 years. It hasn't been three years, but we were faced with a decision recently with his job. He has been laid off (and paid vacation) once already and called back, but the manager approached him last week and asked about his commitment (because he knows he wants to enter into ministry and such), and he was honest and said that he isn't going to make working there a career.
Our friends Adam and Kelly are coming in May for a much needed visit. We have decided that living on unemployment in our current situation would never work. We just simply can't afford to stay where we are. Our plans are to pack our apartment, and follow our friends home (to PA) for a visit.
We're going to store our belongings. I am so happy for this decision as a whole. Looking very forward to spending time gaining a new perspective.
I am very thankful for people understanding in this. I decided to not blog on this until now, because we of course wanted to share w/ our families first. I am so thankful because my sister called me today and we are making plans for a visit so she can come stay in PA, and we can visit NYC!
If you could, please pray for us in this time of change, it has had it challenges already, but will take endurance to push through packing/organizing/cleaning in the next month to make a smooth transition for us.
Thanks so much!

Last weekend...

WAS SO MUCH FUN!

Until I got sick

my dear sweet husband was sick too :( And away from home :(

Ben and Wyatt went to Emily's for the weekend. At first I thought I thought I would be sad, but it turned out to be fun to go out to girls dinner w/ Adi, Amanda, Rachel, and Nancy. So much fun. We had Gram over and cleaned and organized a bit, which helped me feel good. We visited "Doms" in the hospital, which was actually quite hilarious because she was determined to find something fun for Adi to do, so eventhough she was in pain, she wanted to blow up the latex glove.... so Ok then... :P the nurses doted on her, and told her she was so adorable and brought her tons of snacks. I got together with my sister and Rachel and watched Twilight, I wasn't sure how I felt on the subject of watching that movie, but I did end up kind of liking it. Yeah, it was oK...
I ended up with a touch of the flu yesterday, fever, chills... all that... but am doing a bit better today :)

This is the kinda stuff we do in the afternoon :)

Wyatt has his froggie lantern in the dark stairwell

They are sneaking away from me...

They love putting on their gollashes and splashing in the mud and water outside. This was a perfect day for that! I was skype-ing with Kelly, and when the kids came in, Adi literally had mud splattered on her face. So adorable! They slept good that night :)

Speaking of sleep. I am pretty sure that Wyatt is out of the nap stage. He hasn't been sleeping great at night on days that he takes naps lately. Bummer, kind of, but he is so peaceful and sweet in the afternoon, I am not worried about getting chill out time with him in the afternoon. I am so greatful for this little guy. He is such an amazing blessing. Hopefully he won't have such a struggle to go to sleep at night once we take out his afternoon naptime. I think that we are just going to see how he seems around naptime. Sometimes the boy just does need a rest in the afternoon. We'll probably only let him sleep for like 1 hour tops though because he doesn't get tired at night otherwise!

Pics from Adi's b-day at Moms

Look at that kitty in Adalai's Princess chair. I think that is Kir's fav, Daisy.

I was obviously excited for Adalai to take my photo :)

This is Adi and Oma and Opa... Opening her second birthday presents.

Cheese

Bible Study today. Simple.

I had a wonderful time at Bible study today. It is such a blessing to get to know people, and be able to learn more about God. We are studying Acts, and it reminded me of the time when the journey was starting up. We were really striving to have that type of living, like in Acts 2. I really pray that our church works to adopt that type of lifestyle. I worry that we have moved more toward the "standardized" way, like it must be this way to qualify as something that our church finds acceptable or something. I am confused by this change, but am learning more and more that church isn't about the building. That we had church today in our small group.
I am so thankful for the ladies that I can share with. We stopped at the bakery today and had the most delicious bread (flax seed organic, and cranberry walnut) and it is just perfect.
Talked about the fact that the BIC came from a very simplistic background, and for me, that is how I want to try and live... more simple. (also because we have outgrown this place so long ago!)

I went thrifting the other day... and should take some pics of the stuff I found. I think that it is lovely to go and find something that you want/need and have it be second hand. Now, our family is working on getting rid of extras that we have the people might be able to use (Ben contributed two coats, the kids are helping clean through toys, and I have been trying to purge other things from our place--simple :))

Anyhow, it is time for the children to lay for their nap now. I need to start next weeks lesson for perspectives, and look into what I am going to do for my Integrative project, because Perspectives is almost at it's end!

Peace

Conference

We went to regional conference for our congregation this weekend, and it was so much fun~ We got to ride with my father in law (step), (new) head pastor, and another couple from the congregation, and the time was truly a blessing. It was hilarious too! We all joked around and enjoyed the time. I got to see Michael and Elizabeth (and Christopher and Jacob) and really enjoyed the time with them. I wish we could have stayed longer of course, but am thankful for the time with them nonetheless.
i talked to a couple friends at church today and am considering re-joining the worship team. I love to sing, and it is one way that I really like to praise God. I am terrified to be in front of people. Like seriously to the point of extreme nausea and numbness of my fingers and toes! Not good! My friend Christy mentioned maybe for a good way to ease back into it to maybe put me in the sound booth. That way, no one would be able to see me singing, but could hear my voice. SO love that idea. I know that the singing part is not what I am most uncomfortable with, it is the spotlights, but the pastor's wife said, that maybe we could have the spotlights off for the first couple times until I am used to it a bit more. Good idea times 2~ So looking forward to it. I am hoping the worship team will have me back though. I feel so silly complaining about things like that, because no one else seems to struggle with that. We'll see what happens.
Today we are home, and I am working on getting my homework finished so I can go thrifting tomorrow! YAY~
For now, I am off to take the kids outside! :)

Today

was a wonderful day... to spend with my lovely children. I am so blessed.
We leave in the morning for Ohio, and are so excited to spend time with our friends.
Gram has surgery next week. Please pray for her...
I was really hoping to get a walk in or physical exercise of some sort, but I don't know if I can pull it off today. I had to shop and blah blah blah before leaving tomorrow morning. Early.
Going to pick up a knitting book to start a new project. Maybe a hat?
I am actually improving with my coke habit. Have only had one today, and one yesterday, which is, sadly, an improvement.
I am also going to start a new book tomorrow. Since I am inbetween right now, I am going to try and read something on our seven hour drive tomorrow. I would usually take a few different things to work on in that time of driving, but because we are riding with other people this time, I think one book will be sufficient. (Hearfelt Discipline, maybe?)
I have really been having a blast with the kids lately. I am so thankful. Sometimes we are so busy during the week that when I get to bed at night, I feel sad, as if I spent all day doing silly chores and work around our house. That must end now. My mother-in-law has always told me that the chores need to be put aside sometimes. I am so trying to heed that advice lately.
I hope you have a blessed weekend!