One thing that I must say is that I love observing my kids - when they play, talk or just interact with each other. It is refreshing to see them get along and to take comfort in the fact that they will likely "be there" for each other when they are older.
Our "baby" is now fully potty-trained. It took less than a week, but she is even dry at nights. I think that this is partially due to the support and encouragement of her older siblings - they make such a big deal out of the fact that she is a "big girl" and she LOVES to impress them!
Yesterday was such a fun day for the kids - having the whole week off of school is fun, but paired with new Christmas gifts - what else can be better? I loved watching the two younger ones playing "grocery store/house" - they had food and boxes all set up on one of the couches in the family room and would "shop" and then go "home" and pack away all of the groceries into their little cupboard and then start all over again (sometimes making lunch in between!). They also got out their little cash register to "ring up" their purchases once the 8 year old daughter decided to join in too. What fun! :)
We have one more planned Christmas party - this Saturday. I can't wait - I LOVE giving gifts and this year is no exception - so much thought goes into each gift and I can't wait to see my nieces and nephew tear into it all, although I must admit that it's getting a bit harder for the older ones (17, 15 and 14!!) where as the 5 and 1 year old are still pretty simple. My mom and dad are always pretty easy, as are my brother and sister-in-law. Glad too, that it's not at my house this year - my sister-in-law graciously decided to host, so I don't have to worry about cleaning -YAY! Today I found some great clearance plates, napkins and cups that I picked up so we don't have so many dishes to do - should be a great time!
Last weekend was my dad's family Christmas (again, at my brother's house) and was loads of fun. Some of the aunts, uncles and cousins I ONLY get to see then. The kids got totally spoiled and love their gifts! Again, so thankful that my girls can share - they wanted a Littlest Pet Shop set (over $30) and got it - they are so well-behaved that they didn't even open the package until we got home - but I DID get some pretty good pictures of them all crowded around the box, peering in!! :)
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Monday, December 27, 2010
Death is rearing it's ugly head....
Last night we spent some time with our priest before he leaves to go back to India to be with HIS family. Unfortunately, he made this same trip just before Thanksgiving time as he was made aware that his father had brain cancer. His father is quickly deteriorating so he is planning on spending the next four weeks in his native country. In talking with him, I almost cried. He seemed a little lost, unsure as to what the future holds. As he said, "when our parents are here, we don't think much of it..." how true.
It's been only two short years since my hubby lost his mother and the hurt is still so fresh at times.
Father also said that he would need more support when he got back - I am so glad that we have a loving parish that offers him (and his family) up in prayer and will BE that support system not only in prayer while he is gone, but also physically when he comes home.
A cute moment though: at one point he was talking with our 6 year old daughter and says, "Will you miss me while I am in my country with my family?" She responds "yes" and then immediately "no.....I have your picture, so when I miss you, I can look at it!" Father responds, "ahh, good, good.....I will try to call you too, ok?" To which he received a huge smile and a yes!
It's been only two short years since my hubby lost his mother and the hurt is still so fresh at times.
Father also said that he would need more support when he got back - I am so glad that we have a loving parish that offers him (and his family) up in prayer and will BE that support system not only in prayer while he is gone, but also physically when he comes home.
A cute moment though: at one point he was talking with our 6 year old daughter and says, "Will you miss me while I am in my country with my family?" She responds "yes" and then immediately "no.....I have your picture, so when I miss you, I can look at it!" Father responds, "ahh, good, good.....I will try to call you too, ok?" To which he received a huge smile and a yes!
Saturday, December 25, 2010
We are done!
It seems that in our house, lots of things were "done" this month....
The kids are done with school for the year (and me too!!).
We were done wrapping gifts early (this is a major accomplishment - usually I "bag" the gifts because I don't like wrapping!)
As of 9 a.m. this morning, we are done with unwrapping gifts, the papers are all picked up and even lunch is done (well, it's the free ham I got due to "reward points" and it was pre-cooked, so I put it in the crock-pot last night on warm....it's ready to eat whenever we are!).
But the most important (to me, anyways!) we are DONE WITH DIAPERS!!! Waaaahooo!!! We've been potty "training" for awhile, off and on (mostly off, due to my schooling) but I decided 3 days ago that it was no more of this on/off stuff - we had to put forth a good effort. Somehow, "baby" understood this too, as we didn't put a diaper on her for the last three days and have only had 2 accidents - this includes a four hour shopping/grocery trip and a 2 hour church service last night - SO proud!!
The kids are done with school for the year (and me too!!).
We were done wrapping gifts early (this is a major accomplishment - usually I "bag" the gifts because I don't like wrapping!)
As of 9 a.m. this morning, we are done with unwrapping gifts, the papers are all picked up and even lunch is done (well, it's the free ham I got due to "reward points" and it was pre-cooked, so I put it in the crock-pot last night on warm....it's ready to eat whenever we are!).
But the most important (to me, anyways!) we are DONE WITH DIAPERS!!! Waaaahooo!!! We've been potty "training" for awhile, off and on (mostly off, due to my schooling) but I decided 3 days ago that it was no more of this on/off stuff - we had to put forth a good effort. Somehow, "baby" understood this too, as we didn't put a diaper on her for the last three days and have only had 2 accidents - this includes a four hour shopping/grocery trip and a 2 hour church service last night - SO proud!!
Monday, December 13, 2010
"It's been awhile...." continued
So, we were at the point that we knew hubby would have to look for a different job, or I would. When I suggested that I find something part time his words were: "Jessica, you are our future, you have to keep up with your school work."
We sent out many, many prayer requests that all works out to the Lord's will.
The next day, he went up to Medford to a hiring agency. While we have never used one before (and truth-be-told, they make me a little nervous) this was the only way to apply to the company (it's also the ONLY way that they have hired employees for FIFTEEN YEARS!!). He was hired on the spot! The pay is lower than we can currently make ends meet - but there is also much overtime, so that makes up the difference, for now, until he is hired with the company.
He enjoys what he does and it is sooo nice to have dependable work. The only downfall, at this point in time, is that he works second shift - he's gone from 1:30 p.m. until 12:45 a.m. It means that the kids and I have had an adjustment period, as household duties, homework, family prayer time, etc has changed.
I thank God for my parents at this time - they have the capabilities to loan us the money we need to make bills while the transition period between paychecks takes place. They also "forwarded" us our Christmas money so that I could still purchase some Black Friday deals and some "extra" gifts for the kids for Christmas - yes, my "stash" would have been enough, but there are usually a few items that are "new" on their list that I like to pick up as fillers.
So, that's OUR Christmas Miracle - the Lord truly watches over us and has a plan....we just need to pray and know that we are cared for and that our needs are taken care of before we even know what they are!
We sent out many, many prayer requests that all works out to the Lord's will.
The next day, he went up to Medford to a hiring agency. While we have never used one before (and truth-be-told, they make me a little nervous) this was the only way to apply to the company (it's also the ONLY way that they have hired employees for FIFTEEN YEARS!!). He was hired on the spot! The pay is lower than we can currently make ends meet - but there is also much overtime, so that makes up the difference, for now, until he is hired with the company.
He enjoys what he does and it is sooo nice to have dependable work. The only downfall, at this point in time, is that he works second shift - he's gone from 1:30 p.m. until 12:45 a.m. It means that the kids and I have had an adjustment period, as household duties, homework, family prayer time, etc has changed.
I thank God for my parents at this time - they have the capabilities to loan us the money we need to make bills while the transition period between paychecks takes place. They also "forwarded" us our Christmas money so that I could still purchase some Black Friday deals and some "extra" gifts for the kids for Christmas - yes, my "stash" would have been enough, but there are usually a few items that are "new" on their list that I like to pick up as fillers.
So, that's OUR Christmas Miracle - the Lord truly watches over us and has a plan....we just need to pray and know that we are cared for and that our needs are taken care of before we even know what they are!
Saturday, December 11, 2010
It's been awhile....
It's been awhile, so I guess it's time for an update.
At the beginning of October, we bought a new car for Hubby. A few years back he had a Dodge Intrepid that he LOVED - well, my brother had found one for my niece - but she decided it was too big and too expensive for her, so we bought it from her - only $2700 - and it books for over $5000 yet - no rust, VERY low mileage - and best of all - it's NOT teal!!
As usual, the Lord has been working on some HUGE things in our lives. At the end of October (into November) we were just finishing up 3 of the 5 kiddos birthdays. What a riot that always is! We ate out with our eldest daughter and a couple of her friends at a local buffet. Our son decided to forgo the party and get a newly released Wii game he'd been wanting. Our 3rd daughter had a princess tea party at our house - which ended up being TONS of fun!
About a week before Thanksgiving, the "bad news" hit. I say this with tongue-in-cheek though, because so often what WE think is bad is just a small step or turn that the Lord wants us to take so that he can bring us to a better place. So the news was this: due to the amount of layoffs last year, the amount of Hubby unemployment fell to only $200....his job takes off the week of Thanksgiving not to mention two weeks off during Christmas. Last year they were also laid off during most of Jan and Feb - this was just not possible for us! I was nervous because the numbers weren't making sense, but still felt a sense of peace - I knew the Lord had a plan, I just didn't know what it was!
I hate to leave you hanging....but I will continue more later (today or maybe tomorrow!)
At the beginning of October, we bought a new car for Hubby. A few years back he had a Dodge Intrepid that he LOVED - well, my brother had found one for my niece - but she decided it was too big and too expensive for her, so we bought it from her - only $2700 - and it books for over $5000 yet - no rust, VERY low mileage - and best of all - it's NOT teal!!
As usual, the Lord has been working on some HUGE things in our lives. At the end of October (into November) we were just finishing up 3 of the 5 kiddos birthdays. What a riot that always is! We ate out with our eldest daughter and a couple of her friends at a local buffet. Our son decided to forgo the party and get a newly released Wii game he'd been wanting. Our 3rd daughter had a princess tea party at our house - which ended up being TONS of fun!
About a week before Thanksgiving, the "bad news" hit. I say this with tongue-in-cheek though, because so often what WE think is bad is just a small step or turn that the Lord wants us to take so that he can bring us to a better place. So the news was this: due to the amount of layoffs last year, the amount of Hubby unemployment fell to only $200....his job takes off the week of Thanksgiving not to mention two weeks off during Christmas. Last year they were also laid off during most of Jan and Feb - this was just not possible for us! I was nervous because the numbers weren't making sense, but still felt a sense of peace - I knew the Lord had a plan, I just didn't know what it was!
I hate to leave you hanging....but I will continue more later (today or maybe tomorrow!)
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