Do you know how awesome it feels to still be in love with my husband. Let me explain myself. In this day in age, when the divorce rate is so high and everyone around us is divorcing, to still be with the 1st person you married is a very big deal. The odds are against us because both of our parents have also divorced at least once. I met Tim when I was a sophomore in high school. I knew he was the one I wanted to marry. I have been with him for 13 years, 9 of those married years.

We went to watch Tim play his cello in the Christmas program last night and I fell in love with him all over again. God continues to bless our marriage. I find myself "falling in love" with him all over again many times throughout the year. Sometimes it's just the little things I see in him that remind me that God knew exactly what I needed when he put Tim in my path. I am so thankful for him being a good husband, father, and provider.

Good times.....

I had the most fun time making Christmas cookies with my kids this weekend. We made such a mess, but we had a blast. I want to start making fun traditions like that for them to remember when they grow up. They made some really cute sugar cookies and we tried some new recipes this year. The yummy mint chocolate chip cookies were the best! I love Christmas and all the fun things that go with it. I love the Christmas songs and the present wrapping. I love all the baking and cooking. I love the shopping and the busyness. I love the candle light service and reminding my kids that this is Jesus' birthday and if it weren't for him we wouldn't have a Saviour. They wanna make Jesus a cake and sing happy birthday to him. How cool is that. We are so blessed. We have everything we need and almost everything we want. God is good!! Merry Christmas everyone!

Baby, Baby I've got the blues....

Ok, I seriously want another child or two. I really do. I am sure, despite having to start all over buying baby things. The only thing we still have is a crib. We have a 5 and a 7 year old and I never intended to wait this long to have the 3rd or 4th. I don't mind having 2 am feedings again, poopy diapers or potty training. I feel in my heart my family isn't complete yet. People don't quite understand that sometimes, especially when I have a boy and a girl and it's still one parent per child. I love kids and want to have them running around for a while longer. I am still a little sad that my last pregnancy test was negative. I have already had to wait so long. So many families around us have 4 or 5 kids and there are pregnant woman around me everywhere to remind me how badly I want another one. Even my kids are anxious to have a new brother or sister. It's sooo hard to wait on God's timing, but I knew he has a reason. I just really hate having that empty feeling. Some days I feel consumed by wondering thoughts of another child. I guess I will continue to pray about it and be thankful for the 2 God has given me.

Lately....

Well, lately I haven't felt well. And, I can't pin point the exact reason. But lately, there are quite a few illnesses going around and Kaleb actually had tonsillitis last week. I have been out of town for 2 weeks helping my sister with her new baby and that was a little stressful. Mostly just from being out of my normal routine with the kids. And, lately I have been having some behavioral issues with Kaleb that are stressing me. We have also been thinking of getting pregnant again. So, lately I am experiencing a roller coaster of emotions to say the least. You'd be surprised what stress alone can do to your body!! Tim has also been working a lot at his store to get it in order from the previous manager. Christmas is coming so that will probably only get worse. Despite all this, I am considering working seasonal help somewhere to help with gifts and pay on a few bills. We are still paying on Kaleb's ER visit for his broken arm. We do thankfully have temporary insurance now and our permanent insurance should kick in on November 1st. I will definitely go to the dr. then to make sure none of the things I am experiencing are due to a thyroid problem. But, lately I do just feel sick, easily fatigued and I have had a few headaches that keep me from conquering my day. I really wish I could just step out of reality for a few days and rest. Lol ok anyways, I know I'll be ok. I have a great hubby and some sweet new friends at church who are praying for me. We can only take one day at a time and rely on God's strength and not our own.

Expectations....

Have you ever wondered if your expectations are too high? Too low? How exactly is one suppose to set them and how do you know if when they are not met that they weren't too high to begin with? Living here in Odessa is not one of greatest places in the world but I did have some expectations. We have not had very good luck with customer service here for example. I thought maybe it was because the world is losing respect for other people. Then, I realized that is just Odessa/Midland for you. No one says hello, no one says thank you or even can I help you. It's so hard not to criticize businesses for that when your husband has been retail for 13+ years and he expects the highest standard of customer service. People who's job depend on their services to you even don't care. I have to admit, if you don't take good care of me at a restaurant, I am not going to tip you well. People won't hardly even speak to you if you don't speak first. This has been so hard and I don't want to have to adjust to it, but what do you do? I think a lot of people write it off as, oil is their business and they don't care about much else. Well, some of us do care and want and deserve the service they pay for!

Thankfulness

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good . His love endures forever.

Psalm 118:1

In EVERYTHING give thanks. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

I am so thankful that His love endures forever. I am trying to learn to be thankful in ALL things. I am glad He is good and has provided for us every step of the way. Our latest challenge is Kaleb's fractured arm. He fell from the bunk bed ladder and has a supracondylar humerus fracture. He did it 60 days before our new insurance kicks in. And, we have been paying out of pocket. Thankfully, it wasn't worse and we don't need surgery. Thankfully, it only needed a fiberglass splint instead of a cast. And, thankfully the doctor's office gave us a huge discount and is willing to work with us. I have to out right admit I am usually a pessimist. I always seem to find the bad first. Tim THANKFULLY is an optimist and makes me see the good in things and kindly reminds me how awesome God is! I am going to continue to fight this battle and pray I become an optimist. I am going to memorize Psalm 118:1 and 1 Thessalonians 5:18 and remind myself how good God is in ALL things.

Moving again???

I knew this day would come....I just didn't know it would be so soon. We only lived in Wylie for 1 year this month. I am sad to leave our new friends and church family in Wylie. We met some amazing families there and I am hoping to stay in touch with them. I know God must really need us here and I hope to grow and make an impact here. I prayed for a great apartment with good neighbors and God has blessed me with both. We have met an amazing grandma raising her grandson. She has reached out to me and helped me tremendously with her plethura of info. Despite only living here two weeks so far, I can see this place as home. I am anxious to see what God has for us in this chapter of our life.

As a side note, Kaleb fell off the bunk bed last night and fractured his arm. He was so brave at the hospital. I was incredibly proud of him. He is frustrated and wonders why God allowed this to happen, but was convinced God was going to heal him quickly. I pray He does! And, I pray He provides for us with no insurance at this time and at least a few more trips to the dr. for this incident.