I think I struck a chord...

I posted this as my facebook status when I got home from a trip to the grocery store with both kids the other day:

Kelli is....never taking Noah to the grocery store again.
(Comments followed within minutes and even into the next day.)

Mandy: I feel your pain...I'd rather live off grass and leaves with no food in the house than take any of the kids...

Anitra: I do as well... I was the person with THAT child the other day. I wanted to leave Ayn at the store.

Jamey: I'd rather eat GLASS! Ditto to all the above...

Melissa: LOL! I wonder how many of us have the same threaten conversation with our kids before entering the store??

Melissa: Kelli--that conversation is similar to the one I have right before dance class!

Sonya: LOL ya'lls comments are really funny. I'm taking notes for the future.

Jamey: before entering the store... IN the store... after we LEAVE the store... all of the above.... lol =)

Rebecca: So glad I'm not the only one. How many boxes of food have been open on the way through the store in an effort to stall a screaming scene (by child or mother)?

Jamey: Waaaaay too many... Too many to count!

Jennifer: I can really relate to that one Rebecca. Hurry...pop a sucker in his mouth!

Kelli: My sentiments exactly...

I wish....

I wish I was writing this post about our fabulous new job offer, but we still haven't heard anything. These companies sure like to take their time.

In the meantime, we are still preparing for our move. We found a nice family to rent our house starting June 1st. (I feel like there was some divine intervention with that. We are so grateful.)I'm selling off most of my baby stuff, trying to clean out the attic and make a little extra cash. I haven't decided if I want to part with the crib yet. I'm 99.9999% sure we are done, I'm just feeling sentimental, I guess.

I'm trying to sell my beloved dining room table and chairs since wherever we go, I doubt we'll have a dining room. We're planning to rent either a small house or apartment for at least six months...and we could use the money.
Anyone interested??? :)

Pat did start a so-called"survival job" a couple weeks ago, and I've been substitute teaching when I can, along with teaching dance a couple times a week so at least that's something.

I know there are so many people in similar situations. I guess that's why I decided to post this. I've been hesitant to do so since I usually try to keep my blog more upbeat. Still amidst all of this, I am trying to focus on the positive, and I am hopeful that Pat will get an offer really soon.

Some days are just easier than others.

But who knows? We could get a call on Monday and everything will change for the better.

We're hoping and praying!

Until then, I'm grateful I've got my cute kiddos to help keep my mind off of things.
They are always up to something...
especially this little guy.



Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

Patience is a virtue. Patience is a virtue. Patience is a virtue.

I gotta tell ya, I am not feeling very virtuous. More like anxious, stressed, and experiencing heart palpitations every time I see Pat's number come up on my phone, hoping that he has some good news! I know he's feeling it too.

As those Heinz ketchup commercials used to day, "Good things come to those who wait." So if that's the case, then this job offer is going to be SPECTACULAR!!!!

Thanks for keeping us in your prayers.

Maybe tomorrow will be the day!

Cock-a-doodle-do!

I'm laying in bed this morning, half awake. The kids are sprawled out between us. (This is kind of becoming a habit. I think we need a king size bed.)I am trying my darndest to fall back to sleep and take advantage of the fact that everyone else is still zonked out.

After laying there for about ten minutes, trying to fight off anxiety inducing thoughts (we haven't heard anything yet), I start to doze off a little. Then all of a sudden...

"Cock-a-doodle-do!"

Noah is sitting up with this big grin on his face, "Cock-a-doodle-do!" he crows again.

We're awake!

Pat and I are cracking up. Abby is giggling too. Where does he pick up this stuff? I still can't recall any cartoons he's seen lately that have had a rooster crowing at the crack of dawn. And we obviously don't live on a farm.

"Noah!" I laugh. "Are you a rooster?"

"No, Mama," he says, very matter of fact. "I a chicken! COCK-A-DOODLE-DO!!!"

He's such a funny kid. I sure do love those kiddos.

Good Luck, Daddy!

Pat is on interview overload this week! So to wish him luck, the kids and I made this giant "Good Luck, Daddy!" sign and had a special breakfast yesterday morning to start this week of interviews off right! Hostess chocolate donuts (Pat's favorite), bacon, and eggs. I even tried to fry an egg for Pat. (Definitely not my forte, but it was edible. Scrambled eggs are so much easier.)

He had two follow up interviews with two places yesterday, and then today (actually in about 20 minutes) he has his final interview for the position in NC. Then on Thursday, he's being flown out to Alabama for another final interview with different company.

The anticipation of it all is driving me crazy!!! But I really believe the odds are in our favor. Any of these companies would be lucky to have Pat working for them.

We said a family prayer before Pat left this morning. Noah wanted to say it. He was so cute. "Tank you for Daddy's inta-vue," he said all on his own.

We really are thankful for all of these interviews and possible opportunities. It's just crazy that they've all ended up being scheduled for the same week. Whew!!!

So please keep your fingers crossed for us!

Right now, I think I need some chocolate...and to breathe. Big deep breaths.

"A Perfect Love"

I was listening to Hilary Weeks (I Will Not Forget) this morning as the kids were playing with their Easter baskets and hiding eggs around the living room. I love this song and just wanted to share...

A Perfect Love
(written by Hilary Weeks and Doug Pincock)

How can I understand
What He Gave just for me
I look up and I breathe the air
Smell the rain and feel the earth beneath my feet.
I touch the breeze and it fills me

With His Love
It's all around me
His perfect love
Lifting me up
He gave his life to His last breath
He lived that I might see
How a perfect love could be

Stars fill the endless sky
As sand slips through my hands
I can't count all His creations
But somehow in the vastness of the worlds He's made
He knows me and He fills me

With His Love
It's all around me
His perfect love
Lifting me up
He gave his life to His last breath
He lived that I might see
How a perfect love could be

Tiny hands and trusting heart
I hold this child in my arms
And I begin to understand what He feels
What He must feel...


The music leads back into the beautiful chorus from there. Every time I hear this song, especially these last few lines, tears well up in my eyes. Just knowing how much I love my kids, the infinite love that mothers have for their children, I am reminded that this love I feel is only a glimpse of how much Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love each of us.

Such a perfect song to celebrate this significant day.

Happy Easter!

The one that ALMOST got away...

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

The other day, Pat and I took the kids fishing over at the little lake by my dad's house. Dad meets us over there, tackle box and fold up chair in hand. I bring a blanket and some snacks for the kids.

I debate bringing my camera.

I have quite a few fishing pictures of the kids holding on to their poles and waiting for that unsuspecting fish to bite. But honestly, we hardly ever end up catching anything. We mostly go just to be outside and let the kids reel in whatever the hook happens to snag - sticks, leaves, weeds...

So I decide not to take the camera. I even decide to leave my "back up camera" (cell phone) in the car. That is how sure I am we aren't going to catch anything.

Ten minutes later, I am huffing and puffing, running back to the car as fast as I can (about 40 yards) so I can snap this picture with my phone -

To think I almost missed capturing the look on Abby's face when she and "Papa" held up that fish...

She even reeled it in all by herself! (Unfortunately, I missed that part while I was running to get my camera.) Daddy and "Papa" were very proud...and probably a little envious. I don't think either one of them have ever caught one that big!

We went again a few days later hoping that maybe Noah would catch one too.


Of course, this time I brought the camera.

***Today just so happens to be my dad's birthday. Happy Birthday, Papa! We love you!***

And speaking of fish, swim on over and check this out!

Sentimental Sunday - Easter Past

Plastic eggs, marshmallow chicks, a groundhog sweater vest, a yellow Easter dress, and a BIG squeeze for Noah! (March '07)

Such little cuties.

I'm so grateful to be their mama.

Go Fish!

Inspire Optimism and Positive Thinking in your child.

I'm just became a "parent ambassador" for Fishful Thinking.
(Thanks to Cecily for sharing this great site and opportunity!)

Click here to check it out!