Thankful

Paul has a job! At least until October. Even though it's temporary, we feel like it is part of God's plan for us. We both have a peace about it. This whole experience has been such a faith building exercise for us. Paul has interviewed at several different places, feeling good about a couple of them and knowing that some of them were definitely not our answer. He has networked like crazy and tried really hard to find something "permanent." The opportunity that he has accepted was offered to him several weeks ago. Then, I was not really excited about it. I just knew that this was hope that God was giving us. That He would give Paul a permanent job before he would have to commit to this one. Well, I was wrong. This job involves Paul being gone during the week. If you know me well at all, you know that I'm not the greatest at spending the night by myself, my love language is quality time, and I count on Paul for a lot. Well, guess what? I'm going to have to trust that God is going to take care of us even though we'll be apart during the week. Know that even at night, I won't be alone...God will be there wrapping His arms around us and keeping Paul safe. I'm going to have to be extra thankful for the time that we actually do get to spend together. I'm going to have to remember and be super thankful for all of the things that Paul does for me and the girls. He's not your typical Husband or Daddy. I know that I'm biased, but my husband is the best. He loves me even in my ugliest moments. And I have many ugly moments...sadly. He's my best friend. He does so much. He helps me with laundry, does dishes, makes dinner every now and then, vacuums, and does other random things that I ask him to do. He even does some of those things without being asked. I know...close your gaping mouths. It's true! Even better, he's the best Daddy. He loves our girls with everything. He plays with them, cuddles, kisses, and hugs them, and he shows them what a true Daddy looks like. Even better than that...he totally loves Jesus. His faith through this whole situation has never wavered. He's the best!

Back to the job stuff. A couple of weeks ago Paul was offered a permanent job. It wasn't what he wanted, it wouldn't pay our bills, it would require overtime and working on Saturdays. It would've stunk. At first, Paul thought he would go ahead and take it. It would be something that would get us through until something better came along. Of course we wanted counsel and the best we get is always from my Dad. Both of us were crying by the time we were done listening to what he had to say. Not a shocker for me, but Paul isn't a crier. Dad asked us if we had a peace that this was God's answer to Paul's job situation. No. He said many things that reminded us of how God had provided for us so far and that He would keep providing. He said that we needed to step out in faith and not in fear. Taking that job was stepping out in fear. Paul called the company the next day and declined. The job that he has accepted is not the one that we'd pictured God would give him. It's temporary and it takes him away from us for a few days at a time, but here are the positives. By the time he starts this job, he will have been home with us for a little under three months. More time than he has ever had off with us before. He gets to come home every weekend. His first assignment is in Shreveport, so it's close enough to drive if we want to attempt it. He will make more money by the end of this job than he did last year. He has two assignments...one in Shreveport and one in Indianapolis. Between the two, he gets a month off. This job will give him experience "managing management." That's something that he doesn't have on his resume'. This job could be what leads him to a permanent job. There are so many good things about it. It's provision.

We still don't know what will happen when his assignment ends, but we know that God will provide. That's enough. And, we're thankful.



I love this song. It's so comforting. I love Sister Act 2 too. But, that's another post. Thank you to everyone who has prayed for us. Please keep praying. This will be tough, but we know we can get through as long as we keep holding on to the One who watches over us.

My Baby Girl at Four Months Old

My sweet Molly is the most content, happy, and loveable baby! She's so easy to get a grin out of and her precious laugh melts my heart! She definitely fits her middle name -- Joy! My third pretty girl!

My Spunky Girl at Two

Sydney is a little more cooperative about getting pictures done. She's definitely a girl who will smile at anything! I think she'll turn in to a little poser herself. She's my spunky, sweet girl who's 99% sweetheart and 1% stinker! My second gorgeous girl!

My Big Girl at Four

I'm a little late in sharing these, but had to anyway. Here's my oldest baby girl at 4! She's not a big fan of getting her pictures done, but I can always count on her for some great poses. Isn't she beautiful?! What I'm most proud of, though, is how beautiful she's becoming on the inside!!

Trials

I've been having a hard time with Paul's job loss. The weirdo downstairs keeps hitting me with lots of things. I've dealt with anger, doubt, and more anger. It's hard to admit and it's so tempting just to keep writing sweet posts of how trusting I am, but the truth is I'm struggling. But...I AM so thankful that I serve a Lord who will carry us through anyway. He is still in control and is completely faithful. He continues to show us that through this trial (which I know seems so menial compared to what others are going through right now) that He loves us and has not forgotten us.

"I will not forget you. I have written your name on the palms of my hands. Your walls are never out of my sight." Isaiah 49:15-16

This morning was one of those mornings that I was struggling. My sweet husband shared with me some scripture that I really needed. Here it is. It's long, but so worth it.

My brothers and sisters, you will face all kinds of trouble. When you do, think of it as pure joy. Your faith will be put to the test. You know that when that happens it will produce in you the strength to continue. The strength to keep going must be allowed to finish its work. Then you will be all you should be. You will have everything you need. If any of you need wisdom, ask God for it. He will give it to you. God gives freely to everyone. He doesn't find fault. But when you ask, you must believe. You must not doubt. People who doubt are like waves of the sea. The wind blows and tosses them around. A man like that shouldn't expect to receive anything from the Lord. He can't make up his mind. He can never decide what to do. A believer who finds himself in a low position in life should be proud that God has given him a high position. But someone who is rich should take pride in his low position. That's because he will fade away like a wild flower. The sun rises. Its burning heat dries up the plants. Their blossoms fall. Their beauty is destroyed. In the same way, a rich person will fade away even as he goes about his business. Blessed is the man who keeps on going when times are hard. After he has come through them, he will receive a crown. The crown is life itself. God has promised it to those who love him.

My dear brothers and sisters, don't let anyone fool you. Every good and perfect gift is from God. It comes down from the Father. He created the heavenly lights. He does not change like shadows that move. God chose to give us new birth through the message of truth. He wanted us to be the first and best of everything he created.

My dear brothers and sisters, pay attention to what I say. Everyone should be quick to listen. But they should be slow to speak. They should be slow to get angry. A man's anger doesn't produce the kind of life God wants. So get rid of everything that is dirty and sinful. Get rid of the evil that is all around us. Don't be too proud to accept the word that is planted in you. It can save you. Don't just listen to the word. You fool yourselves if you do that. You must do what it says. Suppose you listen to the word but don't do what it says. Then you are like a man who looks at his face in a mirror. After looking at himself, he leaves. Right away he forgets what he looks like. But suppose you take a good look at the perfect law that gives freedom. You keep looking at it. You don't forget what you've heard, but you do what the law says. Then you will be blessed in what you do. Suppose you think your beliefs are right because of how you live. But you don't control what you say. Then you are fooling yourselves. Your beliefs are not worth anything at all. James 1:2-12; 16-27

I'm sure I'm not done feeling anger and doubt every now and then, but I'm so pumped to be reminded that He will give me and Paul the strength we need to continue. I don't want to be "blown and tossed away." I want my faith to grow deeper and stronger and be excited to see what our awesome Father has in store for us. Thanks to all of you who have prayed for us and continue to. Your faithful friendships are part of that strength that He has given us to continue.

FYI--We still haven't heard about the job that he interviewed twice for last week. We're hoping to hear something on Monday.

I Love Them

What Gracie Claire Thinks

Stolen, but fun!

1. What is something mom always says to you?
Oh My Goodness

2. What makes mom happy?
When I clean up my toys.

3. What makes mom sad?
Making a mess at lunch.

4. What makes your mom laugh?
When I make a funny face.

5. What was your mom like as a child?
Like a princess.

6. How old is your mom?
3

7. How tall is your mom?
28 feet tall

8. What is her favorite thing to do?
To get me up and get me dressed.

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
You miss me.

10. What is your mom really good at?
Pulling the curtains at night time.

11. What is your mom not very good at?
Getting the butterfly kite to go in the air.

12. What does your mom do for her job?
To be a mommy.

13. What is your mom's favorite food?
Macaroni and Cheese

14. What makes you proud of your mom?
That you let me color a princess picture in my princess coloring book.

15. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
Pinkie Dinkie Doo

16. What do you and your mom do together?
Dance

17. How are you and your mom the same?
We have the same chin.

18. How are you and your mom different?
We don't have the same clothes.

19. How do you know your mom loves you?
Because you give me kisses and hugs.

20. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
To Emily's house.

More Prayer

Paul is at his second interview right now...so, I'd love it if you'd throw a prayer up for this whole thing when you read this! Thanks to all of you who do! We know the more going to the Lord for us the better!! :)

Prayer Request

UPDATE: The interview went really well and he has a second one tomorrow at 3! YAY! Keep praying...we know this isn't a "YES" yet!

As I write this, Paul is on his way to a job interview with a company that he would really love to work for. We know that God has a plan and He is in control, but we also know that "our Father in Heaven gives good gifts to those who ask Him!" This job would be an amazing gift! We know He can also say "no" and that this may not be a part of His plan for us, but we're asking those who love us the most to please take a minute to pray on our behalf. His interview is at 3:00 today. We love and appreciate all of you!!

Molly & BigPa

I promised a Molly post today, so here it is! Molly, as do all of the grand kids, loves her BigPa!

Molly Being Sweet with BigPa

I'll save it for a different post, but we have a picture of Dad doing this with Gracie Claire, Sydney, and Me when we were all about this age. And yes, I have a special frame with all of the pictures in it. :)

Let's Go Fly A Kite...

Or at least try! We took the girls to our little neighborhood park and took the kite along. It held their attention for, maybe, 2 minutes and 24 seconds. It held Paul's attention for 30 minutes...seriously. It probably got a whole 10 feet up in the air -- if that. It was fun to try though. Gracie Claire kept herself busy asking if she could go play on the playground by herself about 26 times, Sydney kept herself busy with grass, and Molly kept herself busy gasping every time the wind gusted in her face. Is gusted a word? Anyway, it was another fun/funny time with our little family.

She tried holding on to the line while Paul threw the kite up in the air...a good idea until he yanked it out of her hand. :)

Still interested...

Sort of interested...

Sydney noticing that the grass might be more fun!

Paul getting the kite to it's highest height -- it was too windy.

Where should I sit to play in this stuff?

Daddy, stop trying to get me to look. I'm looking for a nice patch of grass.

Ahhh...I found it!

Striking a pose...ANTM would be proud. She was using the wind to her best advantage!

Somehow I didn't get any pictures of sweet Molly. I'll dedicate a whole post to her tomorrow! :) Even though it wasn't successful, we still had lots of fun!

Wonderful & Magical

On the way home from church tonight, Gracie Claire told us she'd learned about the blind man in her class. We asked her what she learned about the blind man and she said, "Jesus did a wonderful and magical thing. He opened the blind man's eyes!" Oh, how I love that girl!