Spring?

Spring, the excitement is in the air..........

I am so excited that the warm weather has finally come to Ohio, not that it will stay around very long until May. Anways............ The kids have loved playing outside. And it is much more fun when you are at home and can get outside. I have even walked to pick Jude from school twice this week, which reminded me out of shape I really am. My legs were hurting after completing the 1.8 mile round trip. Next week is Jude's spring break and we have decided to take a road trip. The kids and I have decided to head to Mamaws and Papaws for a couple of days and the down to Tennessee to Nana's and Poppy's to finish the week out. Delilah will be at home, trying to build up extra hours at work and to get some spring cleaning finished. I'm sure it will be a whirl wind kind of trip and the kids will be worn out by the time we get home. Jude and Elise are so excited to go. They have already packed their toy bags and are waiting anxiously for tomorrow to leave. Jude even asked me if I would pack his clothes for him. I told him he would have to wait for mommy for that, I'm sure I would leave something out.
Friday will be a busy day. I have an interview with Prudential at 9 in Mayfield Heights and Jude has a half day of school so I will be running back and forth to get the final things together for the trip. On Tuesday I cleaned the van out and man did it ever need it. I didn't think it was to bad until I looked under the seats. I removed the rear seats and vacuumed, and cleaned the sides of the van down. It looks much better and even smells a lot better. While I was at it I replaced the fuel filter which was way beyond due. I was told it was an easy job, I just didn't realize how easy it was. I took about five minutes all together to replace it. I wish I would have taken care of it last year when it needed to be replaced instead of waiting so long.
I don't think that I mentioned this before, I have decided to work with the youth at church. I have done it for two Sunday's now. It is going well, I think. It is a small group but I think it is important to have something for the youth to be involved with. I am also coaching Elise's soccer team this year. The director called me up and said that he noticed I had marked down that I would be an assistant coach and went on to tell me that he had something better for me. of course I knew what that meant right away. Now I am coaching Elise's soccer team and our first practice is March 28th.
I think this post has caught you up on everything. See ya later.

A productive day and it's only.....

I must say that I am having a productive day and it's only 10 am. What gives? Actually I have had a fairly productive week. I think this happens when I am able to keep myself busy. How have I been doing this you ask. Well, let me tell you. I have been looking into going back to school, starting a business, leading the youth on Sunday mornings, leading a small group and co-leading a men's group with my good friend.

First things first, school. As you all probably know, I recieved my Associates in Arts: Liberal Arts from Upper Iowa University in December. I am looking at 3 options to continue my education. Upper Iowa, Malone, and U of Akron. I am weighing the options of all 3. I desire to finish up my bachelors in Public Administration or in Finance, both of which I enjoy.

I am looking into starting my own home based business cleaning out foreclosed homes. I need to develop some contacts with banks and realtors who hande the foreclosed homes and would need purchase a truck and trailer so I am able to haul stuff to the landfill. I would try to save anything I could to resell or donate. I would also need to have a partner working with me because I'm sure I would need help moving larger items.

I have taken on an active role at church. It started with co-leading a men's group which meets at our house. I am currently leading a small group which also meets at our house and am in the process of planning the next series of study. Starting this Sunday I will be leading youth during the Sunday morning service. I am a little rusting at leading youth but I am confident it won't take long to get back into the flow of things.

So I/we have been busy with multiple items. When I resume working outside of the house I may have to curtain a few items but I will cross that bridge when I get to it. As far as being productive today............
So far:

• the kids have had their bath (usually done at night)
• balanced out accounts
• filed our receipts
• fed the kids breakfast (Elise ate a ton... 2 eggs, cereal, and a bunch of cheese)
• wrote a post on the blog

Well, now that I actually look what I have accomplished so far it really doesn't seem like that much. I do have alot more on my agenda to finish today. Such as......final prep for men's groups tommorrow and sunday morning, complete 2 apps for jobs, call several banks and realtors.

And here I goooooooooooooo

Speechless

I have been pretty much speechless the last two days. On Thursday I lost my voice and I am still very hoarse today. It has been an interesting week for me. Between having my emotional up and downs regarding employment and fighting off this sickness that is trying to get at me it has me well, pretty much speechless. What else can I say.......

Often times I get frustrated at situations around me and feel that I am letting my family down. I so much desire to be able to provide for my family financially. We have been able to keep our heads above the water the last 11 months but it wouldn't take much to change. I guess I am tired of just barely making it. I realize that things could be much worse for us. Am I growing inpatient waiting on God? I think I might be. I realize that God has a plan and he has brought us through this far. I am often reminded of this from Delilah. Specially during my times of frustration.

We have been blessed with a great church. They have been supportive of us during this time. I have also been able to be more involved with our church. I have been involved with a men's group that is called MENtality that meets at our house twice a month and I have also been leading a small group that is studying "Experiencing God". I have recently decided (with a little nudge) to do some work with the youth on Sunday mornings.

I was speaking with a guy from church the other week about Great Danes. They have one and are looking at getting a second. I have never paid much attention to Great Danes. I've always been partial to Chocolate Labs. Well, I started researching Great Danes, they are very good dogs. The kids and I were watching You Tube videos of Great Danes the other night. They are HUGE. I think I have convinced Delilah that we should eventually buy a Great Dane (we are in no hurry to buy another pet). Now only if I can convince Jude, he wants a Chihuahua or a Poodle. What is wrong with that kid?

I guess I really wasn't very speechless after all.

Attack of the Avery Girl

Avery has a thing for getting into the cereal cabinet. She loves to grab a box a cereal and grab a handful out of it and then walk around the house eating it. In an attempt to break this little habit of grabbing a handful of cereal I decided to pour some of it into a bowl for her. It worked well for about 45 seconds until Jude ran into the kitchen to tell me that Avery was making a mess with her cereal. This is what I found........

Avery also has a thing for getting into the onions and peeling the skin off. As soon as I put one back she is back into the onions. Don't turn your back when she has a onion because this may happen..........

Such fun advertures with Avery. Everyone things that she is such a good little girl. She has you all fooled. She is the most determined of the 3. She is set in her ways and will let you know how she feels about it. Last night after her bath I was putting her pj's on her and she was just screaming away at me. She is my Avery Girl.