where to start?

I was reprimanded the other day by a friend for not keeping up with this blog. I have been bad about it lately. Okay…for months!!! Just doesn’t seem like much has changed.

Dave is working at Lowe’s. Still doing very well with his sales. The hours are the worst thing about the job. For example, this week he is closing four days so who knows if he’ll even see Daniel for those 4 days!

Daniel is doing very well in school. He seems to enjoy it most days. I could tell that Isaiah loved having him home for Christmas break. So did Mommy. I miss my little man while he is at school. He has 2 loose teeth, which he doesn’t seem to care about wiggling…lol! He’s growing like a weed.

Isaiah is also growing like crazy. He enjoys being the “big brother” while Daniel is gone, but is always glad to have him home. He has a compassionate heart. If anyone is crying or in trouble he is there to reassure and comfort them.

Joshua, where do I start? He’s hilarious! Just his expressions alone crack us up. He is talking a lot (of course he has to keep up with his brothers). Here’s one of those expressions. He says “I’m GRUMPY”

And here is a picture of Brianna. My mom watches her during the day. She is almost 3 (May).

It’s hard to believe they will all have birthdays soon. 6, 4, and 2! Where has the time gone?

I worked a couple hours in the beginning of December and filled in for someone today, but otherwise, I’ve been back at home….which is where I truly want to be! A few months ago I started playing with some wire and making rings. What fun! I’ve made over 80 rings…hehe! I’m hoping to find some boutique type shops to sell them, but we’ll see. I updated my website as well (mostly the ring section right now). www.HeartsDesireByJess.com

We continue to seek the Lord’s direction in where we need to be. It’s hard to put aside our own plans and desires, but we’re working towards that. Continue to pray for His direction, but mostly for us to FOLLOW those directions and be willing to listen. We get frustrated when we have to repeat our instructions to our boys, I wonder how many times God is repeating His direction to us?

I’ll TRY to be better about posting, but I’m not making any promises!

individual updates

Dave has had the top sales in the store and has been salesman of the week for the last 2 weeks! Way to go!

Daniel is doing well in school. He really seems to enjoy it and has learned a lot already. Mom is still learning to deal with not knowing what he does all day long..hmmm.

Isaiah is so fun to watch with Joshua (and Brianna too). He is definitely more of a peacemaker (not always, but more so than Daniel). It is so fun to hear him explaining things to them or helping them understand why they should/shouldn’t do something. One of those times when I like to hear him repeating what I’ve said.

Joshua is talking quite a bit and is very animated about it all.

Oh and me…working less YAY! Making some wire jewelry…rings at this point, but plans for more once I get some more wire.

been awhile…

Good grief! Tomorrow is October already! Where has the time gone?? I’m not doing very well at keeping this updated either.

Daniel is still doing great at school and loving it. He came home early one day because they were playing hide-and-seek and he jumped up and bumped his head and it bled a whole bunch. It was a tiny little scrape, but just bled a lot because of where it was (just above his hairline). Then the very next week (to the day!) he got stung by a bee just under his right eye. He did stay at school that day, they called and let us know and said that it didn’t look bad at all. When he got off the bus you could barely tell, it was just a tiny bit swollen. HOWEVER, by the next morning it had puffed up quite a bit, but off to school he went. The 3rd day it was so swollen he could barely keep his eye open. Poor guy. But again, he was off to school. We were so proud of him for going. This was also a good learning experience. He mentioned one of those days that lots of kids were looking at him because his eye was all swollen. So we talked about how that made him feel and then why we don’t stare at others who are different.

I think he has grown just since school started. Clothes we bought for school are already looking too small/short. Whew! And of course he comes home STARVING!

Isaiah seems to be enjoying his time while Daniel is at school. He is also growing quite a bit. He is really starting to look more and more like a little man rather than a toddler. He has fun being the “big brother” while Daniel is away. He has quite the compassionate heart. It is so fun to watch him explain things to Joshua.

Joshua is starting to talk a lot. He has to keep up with all the other jabber boxes around here…lol! His expressions are priceless! Right now he is loving all the Little People “guys” that grandma has. He puts them on his finger and makes them talk.

Dave’s job is going well. He is working full time, but the hours can get a little rough. We are thankful that he has a job though.

I am only working 2-2 1/2 days per week. Which is still more than I would like to work, but again, we are thankful that God is providing.

Continue to pray for us as we search for a church home.

a weekend in indy

We headed to Indy on Friday after Daniel got home from school. We had a very busy, but very fun weekend. Thanks to all of you who fed us all weekend…lol…it felt like all we did was eat, but it was all in good company!

We stayed with Daves grandma in Whiteland. Had lunch with Linders on Sat. Our boys were so excited to be able to see them. Then stopped in to see the Coates’ for a little while. Then off to see Mike and Sara. The boys crashed in the van on the way home!

On Sun. Dave went to Deputy’s to do the youth Fantasy Football draft, while the boys and I went to the Charles’. We finally got to see little Shane! Daniel and Isaiah spent several hours swimming. From there we went to Southeastway Park for a cookout with Hannums, Wires, Renshaws, Cables, and Haags. Again a very enjoyable day.

Dave’s mom and dad were at his grandma’s but we didn’t see them until Sun. evening, so the boys stayed up a little while to visit with them (I couldn’t believe they didn’t go to sleep on the way back).

Monday morning we packed up and headed up to the Henry’s to do the adult Fantasy Football draft, which was intended to be online, but for some reason it wasn’t working so several others ended up coming over to do that. I felt bad that we took over the Henry’s, but we had a great time. Heather and the boys and I put together a couple lamps and then tackled a dresser. It took us longer than it should have since all the boys were “helping” and with the two of us deciphering the instructions (which were only black and white pics). We got it mostly finished by the time we left.

Needless to say, everyone was pretty worn out when we got home. We ate supper, gave baths, and played for a bit and then put them all in bed just after 7. Then mom and I hit Meijer to get some groceries.

Well, there’s all the details…lol…probably more than some actually care about, but there they are. I’m trying to decide what to work on today. Might just take it easy for today and not do too much.

I’m looking forward to the fact that I only have to work 2-3 days a week this month. Dave started his job today.

praise the Lord!!!

For those who haven’t read it on Facebook….Dave got the job at Lowe’s. Yay! It will be full time and will have benefits in a couple months or so. God always provides! I was talking to someone the other day who said something like “God always provides, but it never seems to be early or too late…it’s always just in time”. I’m sorry to whomever said it, but I can’t remember who it was. I think that seems true, but that is according to our time line…according to God’s it always happens just when he intended it. He will start the Tuesday after Labor Day. As for the just in time, that is about how it feels. I told them at work that I really can’t work full time next month. It’s just more than I can handle right now. I am thankful I’ve been able to have the hours I’ve gotten, but it is wearing on me. I’m ready to be back at home more often with my boys and to be able to help out more around here.

I’m looking forward to having this weekend off too. It’s been awhile since I’ve had a Sat. off. And I enjoyed my day at home today. Got lots of baking done, which was great fun! I’ve missed being able to do that. So I made up for it a bit today. 2 loaves of zucchini bread, beer bread, soft pretzels, granola, russian black bread and monster cookies. I had the help of Isaiah and Brianna (my niece who is 2) too. They also did a great job picking up their toys. They picked up quickly and with no fussing about it.

Here is a little note from Isaiah:
33333hhhhuuuu999999999999pppppppp77777777777777777gggghjhgygbjjkkkkkkkjjhjhgffff xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
ffffffffffhhhhhhccccccccccccccccccccnn……………..;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ssssssssssssssssssssssvvvvvvvvvvvnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

off to school

Dave, Daniel and I went to Madison for a couple hours yesterday. I am already very impressed with Daniel’s teacher and aide. They will also have a student teacher until December, as well as, several others who will be helping out in their class. There are 30 kiddos in his class…WHEW!!!

Here are some pics before we left yesterday:

Having a little snack/breakfast at school:

I wanted to take a picture in his classroom. He wanted me to take it so we could see some of the other kids

He got to go all day today. Here are pics from this morning and getting on the bus:

Watching for the bus:

We saw the bus coming so we walked out towards the road. He was rather surprised when she drove right by…lol! She went past and turned around. It’s kind of nice because it will give us a bit of a warning that she’s coming back and it also puts the door towards our drive so he doesn’t have to walk around.

Isaiah waving bye to the bus:

I’m glad I am off today so that I get to hear all his stories and see how today went. Of course I got teared up when he left (as did my dad who was out with us as well).

Back to school

Daniel got to meet his teachers for a couple of minutes tonight. He will have an aide and a student teacher, as well as, the “regular” teacher. All seemed very nice. We bought him a lunch ticket and I signed up to volunteer for a few things. Tomorrow he goes to the dentist. It will be his first visit…and I will miss it. I know it’s not that big of a deal, but I’ve not missed too many of his firsts! Wed. we take him (and stay with him) for about 2 1/2 hours or so. Then Thursday he is off and running. He attends all day every day. I’m sure I mentioned that in a previous post, but I’m still trying to get a handle on that one. I know he will be fine, but it will be a big change for him…and for me too.  He is so excited though. He has been counting down the days for over 2 weeks. I still need to find out what time his bus will be coming; I meant to ask tonight, but forgot.

I am still working full time through the end of Aug. But am planning to cut back a bit in Sept. I’ve reached my limit when it comes to full time.

Dave had an interview at Lowe’s today and goes back Friday for a 2nd one. I am praying that it will work out for him. He also has the opportunity of working at Bashor Home (school for troubled teens), but that is only part time and no benefits, so I’m hoping the Lowe’s position will work out.

Let’s see…what else has been going on? We’re keeping busy, but who knows what we’re doing. A little of this and a little of that I guess.

We are planning to head to Indy for Labor Day weekend for the all-important Fantasy Football draft…lol! I am excited to be able to see some friends and enjoy a weekend away!

We are missing our friends in Indy so much! We pray for you often and are thankful for all of your prayers and encouragement as well! God is providing. It may not be in the ways we want, but His ways are always better. I can’t wait to be able to look back and see why all this happened. Some days are rough and frustrating, but we know that God is in control and wouldn’t have it any other way. We are so blessed to have family who are willing to let us live with them and who do so much for us. I am blessed to have a job. I try to remember that each day, but it’s hard when it’s not where I want to be.

We are continuing our search for church. At this point we have it narrowed down to 2 and will probably visit each at least one more time before deciding. I miss being involved!

new memories/old memories

I took Daniel to Madison today to get him registered for kindergarten. Wow! How is he ready for kindergarten already?!?! I sat and filled out a few forms and when we finished we took the papers back to the secratary and ran into another girl that I knew from when I was in school. Her brother was in my class. So the secratary took Daniel and I and the other family on a tour of the school (she has a K and 1st grader).

A few classrooms have been switched around a bit, but otherwise a lot looks the same. Daniel is soooooooooooooo excited to start. He is counting down the days (14). We take him for K orientation on Wed. the 19th from 9-10:30 and then they are off and running on the 20th. He will go all day, every day. I’m thinking that will be an adjustment for him. I was thinking they still did half day, but guess not. He was excited because that means he will “get to skip naps” LOL! 

I still need to get Daniel to the dentist and get that form filled out, but I think otherwise we are pretty much set. I took Daniel and Isaiah to Target and Walmart tonight to get some clothes for school. He already knows what he wants to wear for the first day of school…lol! I was so glad to find out that the school provides the supplies they need (pencils, glue, etc). So that saved on some of the stuff we needed to buy.  He found some shoes he wants for gym, but we forgot to stick them in the cart. He will also need a new pair for everyday wear, but we’re gonna look a bit more first.

I’m thinking that Isaiah will be a bit upset the first few days or so that Daniel goes to school. He loves his big brother and wants to do what he is doing. But, at the same time, it will be so good for him. It will allow him to be Isaiah and not always do what Daniel does or what Daniel says. And he’ll be able to have his voice a bit more….lol! Daniel likes to be the first to tell us everything.

While on the topic of Isaiah…continue to pray for him especially with all these changes/transitios. He is doing well, but I can see him struggle a bit more than Daniel. He is doing better about going to bed at night, but he doesn’t like to be anywhere by himself. We walked in from the van, in the dark tonight, and he asked “What if there is something out here?” He said he saw something in his closet the other day. He won’t go in the bathroom or other room and turn the light on if it is dark and he doesn’t like to go up/downstairs if no one else is there. I know much of this is pretty normal, but just the fear in his voice. He even said something like “What if there are bad guys at Daniel’s school?” Awwww…poor guy. Of course we do our best to reassure him, but still hard.

I keep thinking about things I would like to write about, but then never get the chance or time to do it. God is teaching me a lot about myself through all of this…I didn’t expect otherwise. I hate to leave everyone hanging, but it’s after 11 and I have to get up for work tomorrow. I will try to get some of it written down one of these days. We are so thankful for all our friends and family who have poured out love, prayers and gifts beyond our expectations! THANK YOU!

NO MORE TRAINING WHEELS!

Well, Daniel kept asking to take his training wheels off today. Dave took them off around lunchtime and I expected lots of frustration from Daniel…just because he can be that way. Well, he wobbled around with his feet down for a bit. We told him to do that for a bit to learn to balance a bit more. I decided I better go get the camera so I went in to get it and answered the phone while in there. I talked a few minutes, looked out the window and there was Daniel going around and around the cement pad! Holy cow! Just took him a couple of minutes. I was so PROUD!!! As of today he is only able to go around in one direction. He is not ready to ride out on the driveway either,  because of the rocks. Can’t say I blame him there. So he just goes around and around and around and around….you get the picture. Dave tried to get him to go the other direction and he couldn’t do it. He kept falling or whatever…lol! He’ll get it, I’m not worried.

He must have ridden miles today…lol! We were out at 8:30 this morning and then went in for about an hour or so for lunch, went back to riding, then laid down for naps for a couple of hours, back to riding, short break for supper, and then MORE riding! ’round and ’round and ’round and ’round….he was making us dizzy watching him. But he is super excited. It is so fun to watch him.

I was SOOOO glad that I was home from work today and able to watch him.

On a side note…Dave has an interview tomorrow morning at a construction company. My cousin is going at 8 and Dave goes at 9…hehe. I’m praying that the job will work out for him.

Beautiful morning

By 8:30 everyone had breakfast, got dressed and went outside. Daniel and Isaiah are riding their bikes…around and around and around….on the cement pad in front of the garage. Joshua is coloring with sidewalk chalk and luckily avoiding being run over by his big brothers. He is now grabbing handfuls of dirt and rocks out of the driveway and laying them on the edge of the cement…lol!

Dave left a little before 8 to go apply at a few places that dad told him about. So, hoping that one of those will work out for him. He also got the bed back on his truck this weekend. I think it is ready to drive now. But he still has some other things he wants  to do to it.

It has been nice having several days off in a row. And now I don’t want to go back to work….hehe! 

We went to Winona Lake Free Methodist church yesterday. We liked the church, but it took about 45 min. to get there. A little too far for us to be involved like we want to be.

Well, guess that’s all for now. Gonna have to go in soon and start some laundry. It’s nice to sit, but still have to get some things done too.