Wow, how did I let so much time get away from me? I like this so much better than facebook, and yet never seem to have time to just write my thoughts and update about our lives!:)
Things have been pretty wild around here. Chris is doing well. We are getting ready to kick off a permanent change in eating for everyone. I have told myself we would, but he really needs our support, so we are all going to switch to a diverticulitis diet and help him heal from the inside out. He tried it for a week once and really did feel better. It is a discipline thing for all of us, as regular food seems so good sometimes:)
Lets see, what else has happened since the last post. My sister has met a guy and they are planning on being married in about 5 weeks! My brother and his wife will be home for the week, so that will be nice! I am still working at Antioch Christian Preschool, however I am with the 4 year olds helping the underdeveloped kids be ready for kindergarten. My co-teacher and I are making some changes and hoping for a great year. I am teaching kindergarten sunday school at church and that has helped develop a really great friendship with a lady that has become very dear to my heart~!
Chris is kind of unemployed at the moment. He is on the rolls at Lifeway, but he took a job with Office Max, hoping that it would work out as it was a pay increase and offered good health benefits. They told him he wouldn't make the cut and to have a back-up plan, so he is working whatever shifts he can cover. This week he is only working 8-1 on Thursday. He got an email from a company called Crossmark, which are vendors for large box retailers. He is hoping that is a lead. We are holding on to the fact that God is faithful and He has good in store for us if we wait on Him.
Kids are well. Both the kids are planning on playing basketball this winter, so that should be fun! Nathaniel picked up two more subjects now that he is in 4th grade and it is hard. Teaching him how to study has been a challenge. He is really enjoying his science classes and Oklahoma history as well as US geography. I am so proud of how he is really trying to give God 100% at school. As he says, "Be joyful always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus...2 Thessalonians...you know Mom". I am so thankful for our involvement at church and the show God Rocks for the Word to be so ingrained in their hearts.
Hannah is doing well too. She began the year a little bummed as her previous classmates and friends weren't in her current class, but that has long passed as she and her new friend, Alex, have hit it off. She is broadening her friendships and ability to socialize and it is wonderful to watch her bloom and fly. So hard to believe we struggled so much when she was a preschooler at getting her to get out and try to make friends. She still loves horses and is hoping that by trying basketball, that maybe this summer she can have horse riding lessons. She is the queen of sweet notes and I love that she is just so thoughtful!
Other than that, we are here, survivng in the shelter of our God. We hope and pray that He is guiding our family and friend's paths as we look for his guidance in our own.
Until next time, we send our love!
Monday, October 18, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
Wow!!!
Ok, so I am not really doing well with updating this, but since I was on working on some of my online homework (Finals week, actually), I thought I would do some much needed computer updating. That's code for checking my email and family's blogs and stuff.
Since I last wrote, not much has changed. Kids are still enjoying school! We are so blessed to have them where they are. To have them in a public school where they can minister God's love to others and yet be under the care of so many dedicated Christian teachers and staff is Amazing!!! Nathaniel's teacher is actually showing on Fridays a Billy Graham movie!!! Whats even better is that the principal and superintendent totally don't mind!
I did think of one thing that has been new in our lives recently. Actually 2 and they are both pets. We got Percy a friend the 5th of March. She is a long haired calico kitty that Hannah named Melody. She is precious and we have come to love her a lot. Percy has decided she isn't that bad and might just enjoy having someone else around during the daytime while we are all gone.
Our other pet is an acquired winning at our church's annual easter picnic. We won a duckling. Now I never knew that a duck was more like a puppy. They are super social and imprint on people instantly. So "Peep" has decided that her parents are Hannah and Chris. She doesn't mind Nathaniel and I, but she LOVES them! She is now in her teenage duck years, or so I would say. She no longers follows you wherever you lead. Instead her half quack-half peep is given right before she tries to chew off your shoe, toenail, finger or other item nearby. We are lucky in that she did well in the kids bathtub until this past weekend when we moved her into the dog crate. She will now be enjoying her days on the porch in the sunlight until Hannah's teacher (who politely agreed to take her to their pond) is ready for her. It has been quite the learning experience. However, I will be ready for a clean, duck-free home. If we had the place for her outside, like if we had enough land to put a pond in or something like that, I think I would keep her as she wouldn't be such a punk!
I am still at the preschool and interview for a new teaching position in a week. Since I have been taking online classes and am so close to being done, they asked me to apply for a certified position. I won't be certified until I finish my BA, but I am the only teacher at the preschool who is close enough to counting. It would mean a class to myself and probably more $. I am praying about it as it would also be more of a commitment that might take me away more from the activities of the kids that I love so much to be a part of. Whatever happens, I will rejoice in that God is caring for us.
We got our garden in, or at least what we are going to attempt this year. We did a raised one as the clay here is impossible to grow anything in, except stickers. We planted potatoes, carrots, snap peas and strawberries. We have plans to re-organize this place and have a huge garage sale this summer in order to simplify and make some $ to pay off medical bills.
Chris is doing well at his job. He has a new manager over him who is looking to at least get him some health insurance. He is needing badly to go in for a check up but since funds are so tight and everyone wants $ upfront, we have just been praying that he can wait. When he gets approved for full-time status (since he has been listed as temporary this entire time), then all the benefits will follow! I might even get insurance. That would be awesome!!
We are enjoying our lives together and doing our best to acknowledge that God has given us all we have! We owe Him our every happiness!! Till next time, look to Him for all things and give HIm praise!!
Since I last wrote, not much has changed. Kids are still enjoying school! We are so blessed to have them where they are. To have them in a public school where they can minister God's love to others and yet be under the care of so many dedicated Christian teachers and staff is Amazing!!! Nathaniel's teacher is actually showing on Fridays a Billy Graham movie!!! Whats even better is that the principal and superintendent totally don't mind!
I did think of one thing that has been new in our lives recently. Actually 2 and they are both pets. We got Percy a friend the 5th of March. She is a long haired calico kitty that Hannah named Melody. She is precious and we have come to love her a lot. Percy has decided she isn't that bad and might just enjoy having someone else around during the daytime while we are all gone.
Our other pet is an acquired winning at our church's annual easter picnic. We won a duckling. Now I never knew that a duck was more like a puppy. They are super social and imprint on people instantly. So "Peep" has decided that her parents are Hannah and Chris. She doesn't mind Nathaniel and I, but she LOVES them! She is now in her teenage duck years, or so I would say. She no longers follows you wherever you lead. Instead her half quack-half peep is given right before she tries to chew off your shoe, toenail, finger or other item nearby. We are lucky in that she did well in the kids bathtub until this past weekend when we moved her into the dog crate. She will now be enjoying her days on the porch in the sunlight until Hannah's teacher (who politely agreed to take her to their pond) is ready for her. It has been quite the learning experience. However, I will be ready for a clean, duck-free home. If we had the place for her outside, like if we had enough land to put a pond in or something like that, I think I would keep her as she wouldn't be such a punk!
I am still at the preschool and interview for a new teaching position in a week. Since I have been taking online classes and am so close to being done, they asked me to apply for a certified position. I won't be certified until I finish my BA, but I am the only teacher at the preschool who is close enough to counting. It would mean a class to myself and probably more $. I am praying about it as it would also be more of a commitment that might take me away more from the activities of the kids that I love so much to be a part of. Whatever happens, I will rejoice in that God is caring for us.
We got our garden in, or at least what we are going to attempt this year. We did a raised one as the clay here is impossible to grow anything in, except stickers. We planted potatoes, carrots, snap peas and strawberries. We have plans to re-organize this place and have a huge garage sale this summer in order to simplify and make some $ to pay off medical bills.
Chris is doing well at his job. He has a new manager over him who is looking to at least get him some health insurance. He is needing badly to go in for a check up but since funds are so tight and everyone wants $ upfront, we have just been praying that he can wait. When he gets approved for full-time status (since he has been listed as temporary this entire time), then all the benefits will follow! I might even get insurance. That would be awesome!!
We are enjoying our lives together and doing our best to acknowledge that God has given us all we have! We owe Him our every happiness!! Till next time, look to Him for all things and give HIm praise!!
Monday, February 01, 2010
Life's been busy!
Wow, I can't believe its been since August that I have written on here. Things got really crazy here. I got hired on at Antioch Preschool, the kids started school and Chris went back to work full-time at Lifeway. That pretty much sums up what has been going on. Right now we are in the middle of a winter storm where we have been snowed/iced in since Thursday. It has been nice to just rest and be at home. Lots of time to think. Everyone has had their round to be sick. First Nathaniel with a migraine Wednesday night into Thursday. Hannah had headache and throwing up Friday, me on Saturday and part of Sunday and now Chris is in bed today. Luckily Lifeway closed up shop due to horrible road conditions.
Kids went up the hill to play with the neighbor kids. That has given me the chance to finish up sicky laundry, and straighten up the house from our vegging, movie watching, sicky fest.
Nathaniel has been playing Upwards basketball again this year and is getting really good! I think we have a basketball star in the making!! Hannah has been really interested in keeping up with her novel reading and is really hoping to take a mission trip to Montana this fall as well as go to church camp this summer.
I am hoping to start watching kids this summer to make up for the lost income due to the preschool being off for the summer. We are ok. Barely scraping by some months due to the medical bills and stuff. Our benefit account from the summer just ran out, so we are having to add all the medical stuff to our regular budget. That is why I am looking at things I can do with my own kiddos.
Chris is enjoying his job at Lifeway. He is ok. He still has his good and bad days, depending on how self disciplined he is. I have really been trying to get us all in better shape, but to change a family's habits is hard. The kids are willing to make the shift with me. Changing another adult is another story. :-)
Anyways, just wanted to make a current post and check in with everyone else. Facebook has almost replaced this, but on the other hand, getting to journal is better than the short updates you can put on there. I am going to try to be better at this, just for my own sake. Need a place to vent. :-)
Till next time, love to you all!
Kids went up the hill to play with the neighbor kids. That has given me the chance to finish up sicky laundry, and straighten up the house from our vegging, movie watching, sicky fest.
Nathaniel has been playing Upwards basketball again this year and is getting really good! I think we have a basketball star in the making!! Hannah has been really interested in keeping up with her novel reading and is really hoping to take a mission trip to Montana this fall as well as go to church camp this summer.
I am hoping to start watching kids this summer to make up for the lost income due to the preschool being off for the summer. We are ok. Barely scraping by some months due to the medical bills and stuff. Our benefit account from the summer just ran out, so we are having to add all the medical stuff to our regular budget. That is why I am looking at things I can do with my own kiddos.
Chris is enjoying his job at Lifeway. He is ok. He still has his good and bad days, depending on how self disciplined he is. I have really been trying to get us all in better shape, but to change a family's habits is hard. The kids are willing to make the shift with me. Changing another adult is another story. :-)
Anyways, just wanted to make a current post and check in with everyone else. Facebook has almost replaced this, but on the other hand, getting to journal is better than the short updates you can put on there. I am going to try to be better at this, just for my own sake. Need a place to vent. :-)
Till next time, love to you all!
Saturday, August 22, 2009
August!
~~~~
Well, as you can see, things didn't go as I had thought they would. Here I am just now getting caught up. Chris is doing well. He got to go home from the hospital the Monday following his surgery. Last week was his first full week back. He is not allowed long distance travel as well as lifting anything more than 15 pounds until he sees Dr. suthers the 3rd of september.
Well, as you can see, things didn't go as I had thought they would. Here I am just now getting caught up. Chris is doing well. He got to go home from the hospital the Monday following his surgery. Last week was his first full week back. He is not allowed long distance travel as well as lifting anything more than 15 pounds until he sees Dr. suthers the 3rd of september.
Kids are back in school and it has been good for them to have something consistent in their lives. Nathaniel is enjoying it, even thought he was pretty sure he wouldn't. Hannah is glad to be making new friends as well as seeing and reconnecting with old ones. I am trying to get caught up on all the things I am behind on and not having much luck.
I am uploading a few picts from over the summer. A lot happened and so much time to fill in all the blanks. As for our fall, Chris is in the recieving department at work, which works out great for him as he can drink, go to the bathroom, sit and rest whenever he needs to, and yet is able to work 40 hours a week and help in a much needed way at the store. They have been so awesome to us this summer!!!
I am uploading a few picts from over the summer. A lot happened and so much time to fill in all the blanks. As for our fall, Chris is in the recieving department at work, which works out great for him as he can drink, go to the bathroom, sit and rest whenever he needs to, and yet is able to work 40 hours a week and help in a much needed way at the store. They have been so awesome to us this summer!!!
I start working at Antioch preschool again effective Monday. I will be working with another lady in the 2 year old class. I am excited about it as I am also taking online classes to finish my early childhood education degree. I am also coordinating the activities for the kids at our churches mother's group. It is called Mother's with grace and i am excited about being involved in it.
I don't have pictures yet, but Chris took me this past Friday out on a 10th anniversary date. Since we were in the hospital for our anniversary, he thought it would be sweet to take me to a place like where we met. It was a Happy anniversary, and thanks for taking good care of me this summer date. We went to a place called Cuppies and Joe. I will get picts on here ASAP. I took a good one of the 2 of us, which hasn't happened in quite a while!!
I am hoping that our fall will be full of peace and rest, and I hope you enjoy the picts!! Until next time!!
~~~
My little cowboy and cowgirl at the Tuttle rodeo. They both thoroughly enjoyed it!!!
The girl cousins hanging out in Ks.
The boy cousins hanging out in Ks.
Uncle Dave, Dottie and Nathaniel playing a game.
Everyone playing dinosaurs with Uncle Timmy.
Chris' first taste of real food after the 2nd surgery. His face says it all!
Our little sumo wrestlers. We all had a good laugh with them doing this. What you can do with pillows.
Playing with Jake at the dairy farm during our trip to KS in May.
Hannah and Ms. Colvin riding Socks and Critter.
Hannah and Grandma at the mall on "lego day".
Nathaniel and the Grandpas at the "lego day".
Kids by the finished R2D2.
Nathaniel receiving the 2nd smartest 2nd grader award.
Hannah made Chris a special cupcake for Father's day. She was the one most worried about his well-being.
I shouldn't have put this one on, but I wanted to take a picture and share so that people can be reminded that what you eat does have a dramatic affect on what happens to you. It is a reminder to us that life is fragile and each minute with each other is a precious gift from God. We cherish that!
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Wow, I am behind on updates
Ok, so it has been almost 2 months since my last post. As of this blog, we are back in the hospital, but for better reasons than last post.
Chris recovered well from the last post. We learned a lot about ostomy bags and his body has healed so much quicker than expected. He had a colonoscopy Friday the 17th and the results were good enough that Dr. Suthers scheduled the surgery for yesterday. The reconnective surgery went well. So well that she didn't leave a drain. They removed the catheter this morning and are hoping to hear bowel sounds today. When he can pass stool, he can go home.
My parents are here helping with some projects that have been needing some help. My dad is finishing up the dog fence that has been a thorn in my side all summer. He is getting help from Nathaniel, who was so excited to help yesterday dig holes. He is doing so well. Mom is going to teach Hannah how to sew today and I think a new dress is in the works as the boys work outside in the dirt.
Chris' parents are here too. They are staying with his grandparents and will be by this afternoon to give me a break so I can run home and see the kids and help my dad with the fencing.
Our church has been a blessing in all this, as 2 of the ministers were here bright and early yesterday to sit with us during surgery. I love and appreciate those guys so much!! And our sunday school class and our teacher has been such a God-send!!
I will try not to wait so long and will post some pictures of our summer, minus the medical stuff. :-) Hope this finds everyone well and staying cool!
We appreciate all the thoughts and prayers!! All our love to all of you!
Chris recovered well from the last post. We learned a lot about ostomy bags and his body has healed so much quicker than expected. He had a colonoscopy Friday the 17th and the results were good enough that Dr. Suthers scheduled the surgery for yesterday. The reconnective surgery went well. So well that she didn't leave a drain. They removed the catheter this morning and are hoping to hear bowel sounds today. When he can pass stool, he can go home.
My parents are here helping with some projects that have been needing some help. My dad is finishing up the dog fence that has been a thorn in my side all summer. He is getting help from Nathaniel, who was so excited to help yesterday dig holes. He is doing so well. Mom is going to teach Hannah how to sew today and I think a new dress is in the works as the boys work outside in the dirt.
Chris' parents are here too. They are staying with his grandparents and will be by this afternoon to give me a break so I can run home and see the kids and help my dad with the fencing.
Our church has been a blessing in all this, as 2 of the ministers were here bright and early yesterday to sit with us during surgery. I love and appreciate those guys so much!! And our sunday school class and our teacher has been such a God-send!!
I will try not to wait so long and will post some pictures of our summer, minus the medical stuff. :-) Hope this finds everyone well and staying cool!
We appreciate all the thoughts and prayers!! All our love to all of you!
Thursday, June 04, 2009
Setbacks!
Well, since I last wrote, Chris did really well on liquids. they got him up and movin and he was feeling good sunday and monday. by monday night, he was starting to feel nauseous and by tuesday morning, they couldn't get him to stop throwing up. they ended up having to put the stomach tube back in, which was uncomfortable. they were afraid that there was something up in his small intestine and wanted to do xrays wednesday morning.
he threw up on the xray table and was miserable all day, but the good news was that nothing was wrong in his organs. Other than the doctor said that his small intestine had decided to "go back on vacation". he had the tube in all wednesday and today. they were hoping to see progress, which they did. this afternoon they pulled the tube again and so far so good.
Tuesday was scary, as I could see in his eyes that he was giving up on me. He admits asking God to just take him home and get him out of his misery. I had to process the thought of the possiblity of him going back into surgery and not being able to make it. that was hard.
we don't know now when he will get out, but we are thankful that he is feeling better and that he is alive. we appreciate the prayers and will keep up to date as possible.
he threw up on the xray table and was miserable all day, but the good news was that nothing was wrong in his organs. Other than the doctor said that his small intestine had decided to "go back on vacation". he had the tube in all wednesday and today. they were hoping to see progress, which they did. this afternoon they pulled the tube again and so far so good.
Tuesday was scary, as I could see in his eyes that he was giving up on me. He admits asking God to just take him home and get him out of his misery. I had to process the thought of the possiblity of him going back into surgery and not being able to make it. that was hard.
we don't know now when he will get out, but we are thankful that he is feeling better and that he is alive. we appreciate the prayers and will keep up to date as possible.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
When it rains, it pours
It has been over a month since I wrote last. Chris was about to head to Tx with his overnight job last post. Well, the saturday before he left for tx, he got a call from Lifeway Christian bookstores and they were looking to hire him as eventual management. One of their managers is pregnant and wants to be a stay-at-home mom. He was looking to start filling her shoes after we returned from our 10th anniversary trip the end of June. Anyways, he started at lifeway end of April.
He was enjoying greatly his job there stocking books and doing his thing. I have been working for Rose Beattie and was getting ready to down my hours as the kids were going to be out of school and stuff. This past Friday, the 22nd, his grandma leach passed away. She hsa been battling Alzheimers for years and it was kind of a relief to let her go. So, the kids and I headed to ks, as my brother and his wife and baby were going to be there and my mom was also having surgery and I was going to help her prepare for her recovery. As we did this, he flew out to Nashville, Tn for the funeral. He called me sunday and said he didn't feel well and that his parents had taken him to the er and the decided he was dehydrated. They filled him with electrolytes and sent him home to OK. He went to work monday still not feeling well. I told him that if he was dehydrated, he wouldn't feel good and to keep up the liquids. Tuesday morning he decided he needed to see a dr., so he went Wednesday morning and they decided he was really constipated and needed to take exlax regularly. Thursday morning was my moms surgery and so after they had left and I was working on preparing meals and the house, he called and said the pain was worse. by this point, he was annoying me because I didn't know what was wrong and I thought he was just trying to get attention. Needless to say, i wasn't very compassionate. I plugged my phone into the car charger and continued with my day. meanwhile, he had gone into work and they said he looked like death warmed over and sent him away to go to the hospital. He decided he was just going to go home and lay down and on the last exit before reachiing tri-city, he saw a sign for community hospital and decided he had better give it one more shot and see if someone could figure out why he was huritng so much.
They ran a CT scan and an x ray and found out that he had a perforated colon and diverticulitis. They rushed him into emergency surgery. The kids were playing outside and heard my phone ring. I went to check the messages and it was Chris saying that he thought it was his appendix, that he had an xray and didn't know the results yet, but would call me when he did. So, I had already kind of had bags ready and started thinking about heading home. Around 7, I got a call from Susie Pendly, a family friend who was here with him, and she said they were rushing him into emergency surgery and she would keep me posted.
My dad was at the farm grinding feed, my mom was in the hospital hopped up on morphine from her surgery, so i loaded the car and ran down to grandmas to let her know what was going on. We left around 8. As i drove this way, susie as well as Chris' aunt brenda and our good friends Mark and Tammy self were callinig giving updates. As they were updating me, I was calling Mary, who was interpretting medical information to me.
Chris was in surgery for over 2 hours. They took out his appendix, and 7-9 inches of his large intestine. They disconnected his small intestine from his large intestine and poked the small intestine out the side of his stomach to drain into a bag. In doing this, the large intestine is allowed to rest and heal and his body can still eliminate waste. We got here and saw him, even though he doesn't remember it. Thats ok:-)
His doctor has been in every morning and his is recovering really well. Yesterday they took out his catheter and clamped off the tube going down into his stomach to see if he could handle the water in his stomach without being nauseaous. This morning they completely took the tubes out of his nose and he is on clear liquids for the day. If he is passing enough urine with the clear liquids he is consuming today, then he will lose the IV tomorrow and with that, the morphine. So this afternoon, they are planning on getting him onto some oral meds for pain. Tomorrow, a specialist in regards to stomas (the small intestine dripping into a bag) and will teach me how to keep clean his stoma and how to properly drain it and watch for infection. They are hoping today and tomorrow to have him up and down the halls.
His friends at Lifeway are saying he still has a job, but they are going to postpone the management training until he heals. They want him better before they want him a manager. that brings a lot of peace of mind.
The kids are doing well. They spent the first night with Hannah's first grade teacher, which they loved. last night and tonight they are staying with some friends from church and Noel is headed this way today and is going to take care of them this next week.
Anyways, so if you could continue to pray for us as we keep on trusting God, that He will continue to show himself faithful? We appreciate the prayers we have recieved so far and I will attempt to keep everyone updated.
Oh, final note, the bag is temporary. They are shooting for Labor day as a time frame to do the reversal surgery and put all his organs back where they belong. I forgot that part. :-) His spirits are good and we thank all who have come by to visit!
He was enjoying greatly his job there stocking books and doing his thing. I have been working for Rose Beattie and was getting ready to down my hours as the kids were going to be out of school and stuff. This past Friday, the 22nd, his grandma leach passed away. She hsa been battling Alzheimers for years and it was kind of a relief to let her go. So, the kids and I headed to ks, as my brother and his wife and baby were going to be there and my mom was also having surgery and I was going to help her prepare for her recovery. As we did this, he flew out to Nashville, Tn for the funeral. He called me sunday and said he didn't feel well and that his parents had taken him to the er and the decided he was dehydrated. They filled him with electrolytes and sent him home to OK. He went to work monday still not feeling well. I told him that if he was dehydrated, he wouldn't feel good and to keep up the liquids. Tuesday morning he decided he needed to see a dr., so he went Wednesday morning and they decided he was really constipated and needed to take exlax regularly. Thursday morning was my moms surgery and so after they had left and I was working on preparing meals and the house, he called and said the pain was worse. by this point, he was annoying me because I didn't know what was wrong and I thought he was just trying to get attention. Needless to say, i wasn't very compassionate. I plugged my phone into the car charger and continued with my day. meanwhile, he had gone into work and they said he looked like death warmed over and sent him away to go to the hospital. He decided he was just going to go home and lay down and on the last exit before reachiing tri-city, he saw a sign for community hospital and decided he had better give it one more shot and see if someone could figure out why he was huritng so much.
They ran a CT scan and an x ray and found out that he had a perforated colon and diverticulitis. They rushed him into emergency surgery. The kids were playing outside and heard my phone ring. I went to check the messages and it was Chris saying that he thought it was his appendix, that he had an xray and didn't know the results yet, but would call me when he did. So, I had already kind of had bags ready and started thinking about heading home. Around 7, I got a call from Susie Pendly, a family friend who was here with him, and she said they were rushing him into emergency surgery and she would keep me posted.
My dad was at the farm grinding feed, my mom was in the hospital hopped up on morphine from her surgery, so i loaded the car and ran down to grandmas to let her know what was going on. We left around 8. As i drove this way, susie as well as Chris' aunt brenda and our good friends Mark and Tammy self were callinig giving updates. As they were updating me, I was calling Mary, who was interpretting medical information to me.
Chris was in surgery for over 2 hours. They took out his appendix, and 7-9 inches of his large intestine. They disconnected his small intestine from his large intestine and poked the small intestine out the side of his stomach to drain into a bag. In doing this, the large intestine is allowed to rest and heal and his body can still eliminate waste. We got here and saw him, even though he doesn't remember it. Thats ok:-)
His doctor has been in every morning and his is recovering really well. Yesterday they took out his catheter and clamped off the tube going down into his stomach to see if he could handle the water in his stomach without being nauseaous. This morning they completely took the tubes out of his nose and he is on clear liquids for the day. If he is passing enough urine with the clear liquids he is consuming today, then he will lose the IV tomorrow and with that, the morphine. So this afternoon, they are planning on getting him onto some oral meds for pain. Tomorrow, a specialist in regards to stomas (the small intestine dripping into a bag) and will teach me how to keep clean his stoma and how to properly drain it and watch for infection. They are hoping today and tomorrow to have him up and down the halls.
His friends at Lifeway are saying he still has a job, but they are going to postpone the management training until he heals. They want him better before they want him a manager. that brings a lot of peace of mind.
The kids are doing well. They spent the first night with Hannah's first grade teacher, which they loved. last night and tonight they are staying with some friends from church and Noel is headed this way today and is going to take care of them this next week.
Anyways, so if you could continue to pray for us as we keep on trusting God, that He will continue to show himself faithful? We appreciate the prayers we have recieved so far and I will attempt to keep everyone updated.
Oh, final note, the bag is temporary. They are shooting for Labor day as a time frame to do the reversal surgery and put all his organs back where they belong. I forgot that part. :-) His spirits are good and we thank all who have come by to visit!
Monday, April 13, 2009
Prayer request
Just wanted to post a quick one before I crashed for the night. I am not sure if I wrote about Chris' new job of working overnights, but he worked 2 nights last week as kind of an introduction. It is with Crossmark, which does resets for Home Depot. He is really enjoying it, as it is familiar to him. Anyways, he found out tonight that he will consistently work four 10 hour nights. And along with that, they need him to travel some with them as they do more store resets. This week and next week they are in the city, but the last week of April and maybe the first week of May they will be in Texas for the week. Arlington to be exact. He is a little worried about juggling this and his school work, as he has taken on going back to class online. If you would pray for him as he starts this new job and commits to his schooling and tries to juggle us as well. I know we all would appreciate it.
Hope you all had a good Easter. We did, as we enjoyed time at Aunt Glendas. Until next time, all our love!
Hope you all had a good Easter. We did, as we enjoyed time at Aunt Glendas. Until next time, all our love!
Sunday, April 05, 2009
Its been a while!
Just thought I would catch everyone up. I am finishing up my first online class this coming week. I have really enjoyed it and it hasn't been nearly as hard as I thought. Just need to time manage.
Ok, first of March, I recieved a call from a lady in our church. Her mother is in her 70's and is an insurance agent. They were looking for someone to help file papers and doing other simple office stuff a few days a week. I told her I would interview and we would see where it went from there. After the interview, we decided on Tuesdays and Thursdays. After going there to get a tour of the place and help do a little clean up, they wondered if I would be interested in doing some cleaning as well. They wanted me to help Tuesdays through Fridays, paying me $10 for the office work and $13 for the house work. I couldn't turn that down, as Chris still isn't working anywhere. He ended up just quitting Sonic. He interviewed with the state again the first part of March and got another "we are so sorry" letter. He also interviewed with Crossmark, a merchandiser who sets up resets for Home Depot. And lastly, he had a super-great interview with Lifeway Christian Stores. He hasn't heard from any of them yet.
He isn't discouraged, as of lately. He was asked to speak at our church's men's retreat this past weekend and was really blessed by that. . He has decided with his free time to go back to school online as well. He figures he might as well. With the credits he has, he has decided to finish it up in Religion.
As for the kids, they are doing well. They are making straight A's and are ready for summer break. We spent a week at my parents over Spring Break, and that was really nice. We hung out with my grandma a lot and saw both of my sisters as well as spent a day at the dairy farm and a bunch of time with my mom and dad. It was good. The only down side was our last day there. We were enjoying a great day with my cousin and her two little ones when shortly after they left, Ben, our dog, got hit by a truck. Upon looking at him, he had some pretty good scratches and he was hurting, but didn't appear to have any serious injuries that we could tell.
We took him to the vet when we got home, just to check and they said he had some really bad bruising, but from how they felt him, he didn't have any internal injuries. He and I had some really good snuggling, chillin out time together. I wish we had more time to do that now and I wish we had a place condusive for that. We brought them both in when we thought we were going to get 8-16 inches of snow a few weekends ago, and only ended up with less than 1/2 inch.
Lets see, other events. I had my 31st birthday and we celebrated with some friends from church. On my actual day, we took some of our tax return money and got ourselves a dining table again!! yeah, no more sitting on the floor to eat! I opened my gifts and got a craft from the kids that we did and some vanilla candles we burnt while doing our craft. I will have to download some picts when I get a chance.It was fun. They also took me out to Ted's, yummy!!
And the only other thing I can think of is that we did April fools' jokes this year. Nathaniel was reallly pumped about playing some tricks., so he vasolined the toilet in our bathroom before heading to school so that Chris would sit on it when at home alone. However, during him doing this trick, he noticed that we had gotten him first. Chris and I painted his toenails while he was sleeping. He was not happy about it at all. We told him we were being nice because he could cover that up with his socks and wouldnt' be embarrased at school. He agreed, but still wasn't happy. Oh, and Chris never sat on the toilet. He saw the huge amts of vasoline and used the other bathroom. Instead, Hannah got it that evening. Nathaniel was thrilled.
Thats about it. We are still resting in the goodness of God. Actually, we realized just a few days ago that even though Chris has been jobless for the last 7 months, we have received huge amts of generosity from others,and with that plus our tax return and some leftovers from our financial aid, we were able this week to pay off ALL our debt, (minus our house payment and student loans). We have been working on that for almost 9 years now. That cuts our monthly budget down to a small amt, that I currently with my new job, am making at least half of. The stress for Chris to find a huge paying job is reality to him and I think that helps. We are so thankful for our parents and their help and for others who have helped supply Nathaniel with the meds he needs as well as groceries and meat and other things that have kept us a float. During this time of Easter, it is good to look back and see how we have made it this far.
Anyways, I feel like I am rambling on now. A totally different post from the last time. Thank you all for your prayers and hoping to post again before summer is here. :-) Our love to all!
Ok, first of March, I recieved a call from a lady in our church. Her mother is in her 70's and is an insurance agent. They were looking for someone to help file papers and doing other simple office stuff a few days a week. I told her I would interview and we would see where it went from there. After the interview, we decided on Tuesdays and Thursdays. After going there to get a tour of the place and help do a little clean up, they wondered if I would be interested in doing some cleaning as well. They wanted me to help Tuesdays through Fridays, paying me $10 for the office work and $13 for the house work. I couldn't turn that down, as Chris still isn't working anywhere. He ended up just quitting Sonic. He interviewed with the state again the first part of March and got another "we are so sorry" letter. He also interviewed with Crossmark, a merchandiser who sets up resets for Home Depot. And lastly, he had a super-great interview with Lifeway Christian Stores. He hasn't heard from any of them yet.
He isn't discouraged, as of lately. He was asked to speak at our church's men's retreat this past weekend and was really blessed by that. . He has decided with his free time to go back to school online as well. He figures he might as well. With the credits he has, he has decided to finish it up in Religion.
As for the kids, they are doing well. They are making straight A's and are ready for summer break. We spent a week at my parents over Spring Break, and that was really nice. We hung out with my grandma a lot and saw both of my sisters as well as spent a day at the dairy farm and a bunch of time with my mom and dad. It was good. The only down side was our last day there. We were enjoying a great day with my cousin and her two little ones when shortly after they left, Ben, our dog, got hit by a truck. Upon looking at him, he had some pretty good scratches and he was hurting, but didn't appear to have any serious injuries that we could tell.
We took him to the vet when we got home, just to check and they said he had some really bad bruising, but from how they felt him, he didn't have any internal injuries. He and I had some really good snuggling, chillin out time together. I wish we had more time to do that now and I wish we had a place condusive for that. We brought them both in when we thought we were going to get 8-16 inches of snow a few weekends ago, and only ended up with less than 1/2 inch.
Lets see, other events. I had my 31st birthday and we celebrated with some friends from church. On my actual day, we took some of our tax return money and got ourselves a dining table again!! yeah, no more sitting on the floor to eat! I opened my gifts and got a craft from the kids that we did and some vanilla candles we burnt while doing our craft. I will have to download some picts when I get a chance.It was fun. They also took me out to Ted's, yummy!!
And the only other thing I can think of is that we did April fools' jokes this year. Nathaniel was reallly pumped about playing some tricks., so he vasolined the toilet in our bathroom before heading to school so that Chris would sit on it when at home alone. However, during him doing this trick, he noticed that we had gotten him first. Chris and I painted his toenails while he was sleeping. He was not happy about it at all. We told him we were being nice because he could cover that up with his socks and wouldnt' be embarrased at school. He agreed, but still wasn't happy. Oh, and Chris never sat on the toilet. He saw the huge amts of vasoline and used the other bathroom. Instead, Hannah got it that evening. Nathaniel was thrilled.
Thats about it. We are still resting in the goodness of God. Actually, we realized just a few days ago that even though Chris has been jobless for the last 7 months, we have received huge amts of generosity from others,and with that plus our tax return and some leftovers from our financial aid, we were able this week to pay off ALL our debt, (minus our house payment and student loans). We have been working on that for almost 9 years now. That cuts our monthly budget down to a small amt, that I currently with my new job, am making at least half of. The stress for Chris to find a huge paying job is reality to him and I think that helps. We are so thankful for our parents and their help and for others who have helped supply Nathaniel with the meds he needs as well as groceries and meat and other things that have kept us a float. During this time of Easter, it is good to look back and see how we have made it this far.
Anyways, I feel like I am rambling on now. A totally different post from the last time. Thank you all for your prayers and hoping to post again before summer is here. :-) Our love to all!
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Trying to make the best of it
My title describes how I feel at this juncture in our lives. It has been over a month since I wrote and so many different things have happened. Last week of January we had an ice storm which trapped us here for 4 days. It sleeted on a Monday night, and all day Tuesday. It looked like snow outside, but was shear ice. Pictures are of us enjoying the weather on Wednesday and Thursday.
The first week of February looked promising as Chris got a job at Sonic and he also got word from Lowes that the guy who terminated him was under investigation for several wrongful terminations and for him to be aware that he might be contacted. My sisters came down for the weekend, as they had generously bought us Brian Reagan tickets for Chris' birthday. They watched the kids and we went downtown for that. He was hilarious!! The guy that opened for him was awesome too!! It was a full 2 hours of laughing. My sisters got out of here near 10 and they went home in a storm that was pretty wild. That following Tuesday was a day full of several tornados in the area. It was either that night or Tuesday night that we ended up with pieces of our neighbors doghouse in our siding. Insurance will be out sometime to see how much it will cost to get that part of the house repaired.
Lets see, what else. The kids had Friday before valentines out and monday after, so I was off Friday and Chris was off Monday to hang out with them. We spent valentines night with our friends the Mills and the Tripps. We have also really enjoyed our Saturdays with Upwards basketball. Nathaniel is doing so well. This past Saturday was his last game. We were kind of sad. His awards ceremony is tomorrow night. If I knew how to upload videos on this, I would add a clip of him. When I get a chance, I will do that. I did include some pictures of him, though.
What else. Chris' job at sonic isn't making him happy due to the fact they are working him like 2 days a week for 2-3 hours. I am still working a ton at Mazzios. I have actually resorted myself to the fact that they are really good at working with me and I do a good job at what they have entrusted to me. I should rejoice in the blessing that God has given me.
There are days when I miss terribly our old life and when I got to be involved in the kids lives. I am so unsure of what the summer holds, as we really still need the income and obviously with me working 40 hours a week at minimum wage and Chris working at sonic for less than 15 hours a week, that just isn't going to cut it. Chris is still looking for other jobs, but we are sitting at month 6 of no job for him. It is so discouraging. We all are wishing we would have stayed in St. Joe.
The kids have spring break coming up in a few weeks and we aren't even sure what we are doing then. If Chris has a better job by then, which I doubt, then I will need to work to pay our bills. If he does, I would really like to go and see my grandma in Kansas. And the idea of taking college classes online is starting to overwhelm me. I can barely handle my life and schedule now, let alone add to it the responsiblity of classes. From what they are transfering in, I won't be done until May of 2012. I think I would rather work at Mazzios the rest of my life than go crazy doing that. I don't know..
Anyways, I hope everyone out there is doing well. We are barely hanging on. I had an interview with our church as a possible candidate for the church office position, but when they asked about childcare for the summer and I told them I really didn't know, I am pretty sure that put me out of the running for that. That's about it. Besides Spring break, march is pretty bleak, as well as April. In may, Hannah has her birthday as well as my sister graduation from Ft. Hays. Hopefully we will still get to go on our Hawaii trip for our 10th anniversary. I told my mom to go ahead and book it. We will pray for steady income and time off for that as we head over there and then stop in Oregon on our way home to spend some time with my brother and his family.
Well, I need to head to bed. It is after 10 and I have to get up at 5 to go to work tomorrow. Just wanted to update our blog. Until next time, all our love. Thanks to you who have been praying! We are so appreciative of it.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Well.......
Let me see, since I last wrote:
- Nathaniel has made a basket at one of his games (he got the ball and ran to the other teams basket and shot and missed, he got the rebound and his coach whispered, "the other basket", to which he ran down and made a shot. He was so proud.)
- Chris got a letter from DPS. They decided to go with someone else for those jobs. So, he is back to square one again. Really down hearted and that has caused him to go down with yet another sickness, head cold or something.
-My parents came to bring some good cheer. They wanted to refill our cabinets and buy us a months worth of groceries. They also wanted to just do something fun, but since Chris was still fighting off junk, we stayed here and played and watched movies and just hung out. It was a good time. As Nathaniel said, it was "encouraging", and he was thankful that "Papa likes to ride bikes.". Such a sweet time together. Thanks mom and dad!!
-I have decided to go back to school online at Ashford University and get my degree in Early Childhood Education. I will start soon. I need to finish up some financial aid stuff. I am excited. I want to be doing something that will better off kids, especially mine.
- I have re-learned how to drive a stick. I haven't driven one since I quit driving the farm truck when I was a junior and I was supposed to back the truck up to a hay wagon and killed it. Chris' truck's heater is still being a stinker, so he is taking the car with heat and I am driving the truck to work. So far, we aren't complete enemies, (me and the truck) so it works.
I think that is about it. Looking forward to warmer weather. I should say, consistent warm weather. We have 65-70 days that are followed with 28-32 . My poor bulbs don't know whether or not to come up. I am looking forward to seeing them. Hannah and I talked about how we miss the really pretty wild flowers that we were so happy to see when we moved here.
Hope you all are doing well. We are surviving!
Till next time...
- Nathaniel has made a basket at one of his games (he got the ball and ran to the other teams basket and shot and missed, he got the rebound and his coach whispered, "the other basket", to which he ran down and made a shot. He was so proud.)
- Chris got a letter from DPS. They decided to go with someone else for those jobs. So, he is back to square one again. Really down hearted and that has caused him to go down with yet another sickness, head cold or something.
-My parents came to bring some good cheer. They wanted to refill our cabinets and buy us a months worth of groceries. They also wanted to just do something fun, but since Chris was still fighting off junk, we stayed here and played and watched movies and just hung out. It was a good time. As Nathaniel said, it was "encouraging", and he was thankful that "Papa likes to ride bikes.". Such a sweet time together. Thanks mom and dad!!
-I have decided to go back to school online at Ashford University and get my degree in Early Childhood Education. I will start soon. I need to finish up some financial aid stuff. I am excited. I want to be doing something that will better off kids, especially mine.
- I have re-learned how to drive a stick. I haven't driven one since I quit driving the farm truck when I was a junior and I was supposed to back the truck up to a hay wagon and killed it. Chris' truck's heater is still being a stinker, so he is taking the car with heat and I am driving the truck to work. So far, we aren't complete enemies, (me and the truck) so it works.
I think that is about it. Looking forward to warmer weather. I should say, consistent warm weather. We have 65-70 days that are followed with 28-32 . My poor bulbs don't know whether or not to come up. I am looking forward to seeing them. Hannah and I talked about how we miss the really pretty wild flowers that we were so happy to see when we moved here.
Hope you all are doing well. We are surviving!
Till next time...
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Well, its been a week!
It has been a week and I survived. :-) Things at work have been super slow. The change of pace has actually been really nice. Getting stuff done and not having to rush around is a nice change to the frantic chaos of last week.
Chris had an interview with the department of highway patrol yesterday. He applied about a month and a half ago to be a communications officer or dispatcher. His Aunt Lisa told him about the opening. He went in and had to take a lie detector test and had to bring over 10 pages of paperwork with lots of background stuff with him. He was interviewed by a board of 5 officers and he was asked a lot of questions and information about what he observed in some things they presented him. They told him at the end that he would either get a phone call, which would be a "you start tomorrow", or a letter in about a week saying, "we didn't want you". So, we are waiting for the results of that.
On the same day, I recieved my evaluation and the possiblity of a raise. I just don't know what to do about all this. I feel a little confused as to what's next. If Chris gets the job, depending on what they want him to work, that will change my schedule possibly in regards to the kids. I havn't mentioned any of this to my managers because I dont know what to say. I have already been debating what to do for summer break. Surely Chris will be working by then. He needs to be for our livelihood. but I am not going to expect someone else to watch them everyday so I can go earn peon money. I know people do it every day, but the choice between my family and Mazzios comes more and more obvious and I feel torn.
Of course I would choose my family, but I would feel terrible leaving them without one of the few people they can trust to get things done for the day shift. I am pretty sure the store manager wants to move me up to day shift manager, but if I need to be there for my kids, I can't accept that. I don't know. It is confusing. Just keep praying that whatever God wants for our family he will make abundantly clear. I am not sure if some of this stuff is God opening a door or testing me in my faithfulness to what he has called me to. Lots of personal questions I have to answer for myself. Lot of soul searching.
We are looking forward to this coming summer. If we still get to, we are hoping to celebrate our 10th anniversary in hawaii and Oregon. I sure hope things work out for us to still get to do this. I would bawl if we get shafted again out of another wonderful trip because our lives have taken a turn for the unexpected. Chris already had his vacation approved at Lowes for the trip. We laugh about that he is rehireable in March for Lowes, so if the DHP doesn't work out, he can just go back to Chad and ask to work for him. :-)
Anyways, Kids got their grade cards today. both are making straight A's. Nathaniel is conducting a science experiment on himself about hot and cold air. Ask him about it the next time you talk to him. :-) Hannah has been working on her design your own horse that Aunt Lisa gave her for Christmas. She is enjoying that.
Oh, and one more thing. Thanks to my animal loving husband, we have a new member to our family. A friend for Ben. We had talked about getting another dog to keep him company for when we are gone. Chris found on freecycle, which he scans everyday, a lady who needed to get rid of a puppy or it would have to be put down. If you know any of the situations in our acquiring animals, it is a familiar story. He brought home this 9 wk old half pomeranian half collie black fur ball that Ben absolutely LOVES. Their sizes are so different, but they were meant to be together I think. Ben take his red blanket and drags it on the ground so "Snuggles" can catch it and then they run together. They sleep together and share food and water with no issues. Considering he hasn't been a part of our family for very long, he has fit in really quickly. The kids named him Snuggles because when you pick him up, he nuzzles in your ear. He is really sweet. Just as goofy as Ben, so they are good together. Now we really need a good pen for them to run in. They are both chained up most of the time with extended leashes but it is not the same. Maybe when it warms up and we have an income can we make them a real home. :-) I laugh about having my cousin come down with his fencing company and asking him to do it. :-) At least he wouldn't mess it up like we would.
Well, I need to go to bed. One more day of work before a weekend off. Ooh, which reminds me of one more story I didn't tell. Last Saturday was Nathaniel's first upwards basketball game. How wonderful and fun!! He loves it and it was so fun to watch all of them learning. They play 6 6-minute quarters, with a devotion after 3 quarters. All the kids get to play at least half of the game. They run in through a tunnel that has lights and fog. Their names are announced in the gym as they run out with their team. No scores are kept. The referees were really great at working with the kids last week. They would stop the game and help the kids learn where to run to and what to do. It was really neat. He plays again this saturday at 8. Most of his games are saturday mornings at 8. He will do this until the end of February, when they will have an awards ceremony to celebrate a good season. I am so thankful for it. It is a good bible based activity and Nathaniel loves playing and learning a new sport. I will have to post pictures when I can next.
Ok, I think I am caught up. Until next time, all our love!!
Chris had an interview with the department of highway patrol yesterday. He applied about a month and a half ago to be a communications officer or dispatcher. His Aunt Lisa told him about the opening. He went in and had to take a lie detector test and had to bring over 10 pages of paperwork with lots of background stuff with him. He was interviewed by a board of 5 officers and he was asked a lot of questions and information about what he observed in some things they presented him. They told him at the end that he would either get a phone call, which would be a "you start tomorrow", or a letter in about a week saying, "we didn't want you". So, we are waiting for the results of that.
On the same day, I recieved my evaluation and the possiblity of a raise. I just don't know what to do about all this. I feel a little confused as to what's next. If Chris gets the job, depending on what they want him to work, that will change my schedule possibly in regards to the kids. I havn't mentioned any of this to my managers because I dont know what to say. I have already been debating what to do for summer break. Surely Chris will be working by then. He needs to be for our livelihood. but I am not going to expect someone else to watch them everyday so I can go earn peon money. I know people do it every day, but the choice between my family and Mazzios comes more and more obvious and I feel torn.
Of course I would choose my family, but I would feel terrible leaving them without one of the few people they can trust to get things done for the day shift. I am pretty sure the store manager wants to move me up to day shift manager, but if I need to be there for my kids, I can't accept that. I don't know. It is confusing. Just keep praying that whatever God wants for our family he will make abundantly clear. I am not sure if some of this stuff is God opening a door or testing me in my faithfulness to what he has called me to. Lots of personal questions I have to answer for myself. Lot of soul searching.
We are looking forward to this coming summer. If we still get to, we are hoping to celebrate our 10th anniversary in hawaii and Oregon. I sure hope things work out for us to still get to do this. I would bawl if we get shafted again out of another wonderful trip because our lives have taken a turn for the unexpected. Chris already had his vacation approved at Lowes for the trip. We laugh about that he is rehireable in March for Lowes, so if the DHP doesn't work out, he can just go back to Chad and ask to work for him. :-)
Anyways, Kids got their grade cards today. both are making straight A's. Nathaniel is conducting a science experiment on himself about hot and cold air. Ask him about it the next time you talk to him. :-) Hannah has been working on her design your own horse that Aunt Lisa gave her for Christmas. She is enjoying that.
Oh, and one more thing. Thanks to my animal loving husband, we have a new member to our family. A friend for Ben. We had talked about getting another dog to keep him company for when we are gone. Chris found on freecycle, which he scans everyday, a lady who needed to get rid of a puppy or it would have to be put down. If you know any of the situations in our acquiring animals, it is a familiar story. He brought home this 9 wk old half pomeranian half collie black fur ball that Ben absolutely LOVES. Their sizes are so different, but they were meant to be together I think. Ben take his red blanket and drags it on the ground so "Snuggles" can catch it and then they run together. They sleep together and share food and water with no issues. Considering he hasn't been a part of our family for very long, he has fit in really quickly. The kids named him Snuggles because when you pick him up, he nuzzles in your ear. He is really sweet. Just as goofy as Ben, so they are good together. Now we really need a good pen for them to run in. They are both chained up most of the time with extended leashes but it is not the same. Maybe when it warms up and we have an income can we make them a real home. :-) I laugh about having my cousin come down with his fencing company and asking him to do it. :-) At least he wouldn't mess it up like we would.
Well, I need to go to bed. One more day of work before a weekend off. Ooh, which reminds me of one more story I didn't tell. Last Saturday was Nathaniel's first upwards basketball game. How wonderful and fun!! He loves it and it was so fun to watch all of them learning. They play 6 6-minute quarters, with a devotion after 3 quarters. All the kids get to play at least half of the game. They run in through a tunnel that has lights and fog. Their names are announced in the gym as they run out with their team. No scores are kept. The referees were really great at working with the kids last week. They would stop the game and help the kids learn where to run to and what to do. It was really neat. He plays again this saturday at 8. Most of his games are saturday mornings at 8. He will do this until the end of February, when they will have an awards ceremony to celebrate a good season. I am so thankful for it. It is a good bible based activity and Nathaniel loves playing and learning a new sport. I will have to post pictures when I can next.
Ok, I think I am caught up. Until next time, all our love!!
Thursday, January 01, 2009
More...
As I sit here waiting for our hot water heater to repenish the warm water so I can soak in a warm bath. ( I have felt like trash the last 24 hours) I was on to catch up and realized I didn't get to mention that an anonomous person from our church had been extremely blessed this year and had asked Bruce for names of 3 families in our church who were hurting this holiday season. Our name was one listed, so we were supposed to give Duane, our associate minister, some interest the kids had and a list of our bills. We did and on December 23rd, Duane called and said that the people had brought by the church some gifts for us to put under the tree for the kids and if we could come by, that would be great. We got there and they had gotten Nathaniel a new bike, a speed racer track set, an air hog flyer , winter boots and gloves, and a $25 gift card to walmart. They had gotten Hannah a huge dry erase board, a huge coloring book, some snow boots and gloves, and an easy bake oven. They had also bought really neat paper and ribbons and gift tags. We put, "to hannah, from God; to nathaniel, from God." on all of them. They also gave us an envelope with $400 to help pay our utility bills. The kids were overwhelmed. We had Chris' family here that week also and I don't know what they thought of all of it. It has seemed easier, (so it feels) for them to just bypass the thought that we are surviving completely on the kindness of others and God's blessing through those people. I think they were overwhelmed with the generosity of our church and the people around us here. They were here when we had to leave to go and get all these things from the church. We were very thankful and still are. But with it being the beginning of another year and the holiday season over, we are facing the reality that we are still unsure of the future. WE are so grateful for all the kindness of others and I don't know how we would have made it through all of this without the kindness of strangers and others. We had our friends, the Mills family over last night to share in our plenty of food. We cooked off our ham and some veggies. They brought over some drinks and cookies. it was nice.
the kids and Chris have enjoyed the last few weeks just being together. I have been working extra hours at mazzios. so many, I am afraid that is why I was feeling ill all last night and all day today. Every ounce of my body was sore, and cramping. I got to thinking that I go in at 6:45 and have my vitamin water and either some toast or oatmeal, but the next chance I get to eat or have something to drink is when I get off. I have been the only cook in the back and this week, that has meant rolling dough, making dough, making all the food products, watching the buffet, cutting pizzas for orders and buffet, and watching the drive thru window. I haven't had time to stop and go get a drink. When I get off, i crash at home. Eat supper with my familty and maybe have one or two glasses of water. Otherwise, I am in bed by 9 and up to do it all over again. And this week, I have been staying until after 5. When I got off yesterday, I just left. There was a super rush right at 5 and the night crew was just getting there and weren't in the game to get in there and get the orders done. I had no energy left to help out. I just clocked out and left. I was worried I would fall over. I think most of my problem is that I am getting dehydrated and am working so long without a break to stop rushing around. I don't know how much long I can do this. It physically hurts. That is why I stayed home to rest. I slept all night and was up at 8 with the kids only to go back to bed around 9 and I slept until 4pm. I am still not feeling 100% so I am not going in tomorrow either. I am going to get a bath when I have hot water and am going to rest as much as I can the next few days. I know you all are praying. Continue to do so. This is so hard. We know God will get us through. The waiting for it is the worst. At least we have a wonderful church family and friends who are so wonderful to us.
Anyways, I am starting to feel weak again, so I am going to go and check on the water. I hope the new year will bring you all God's goodness and mercy!
the kids and Chris have enjoyed the last few weeks just being together. I have been working extra hours at mazzios. so many, I am afraid that is why I was feeling ill all last night and all day today. Every ounce of my body was sore, and cramping. I got to thinking that I go in at 6:45 and have my vitamin water and either some toast or oatmeal, but the next chance I get to eat or have something to drink is when I get off. I have been the only cook in the back and this week, that has meant rolling dough, making dough, making all the food products, watching the buffet, cutting pizzas for orders and buffet, and watching the drive thru window. I haven't had time to stop and go get a drink. When I get off, i crash at home. Eat supper with my familty and maybe have one or two glasses of water. Otherwise, I am in bed by 9 and up to do it all over again. And this week, I have been staying until after 5. When I got off yesterday, I just left. There was a super rush right at 5 and the night crew was just getting there and weren't in the game to get in there and get the orders done. I had no energy left to help out. I just clocked out and left. I was worried I would fall over. I think most of my problem is that I am getting dehydrated and am working so long without a break to stop rushing around. I don't know how much long I can do this. It physically hurts. That is why I stayed home to rest. I slept all night and was up at 8 with the kids only to go back to bed around 9 and I slept until 4pm. I am still not feeling 100% so I am not going in tomorrow either. I am going to get a bath when I have hot water and am going to rest as much as I can the next few days. I know you all are praying. Continue to do so. This is so hard. We know God will get us through. The waiting for it is the worst. At least we have a wonderful church family and friends who are so wonderful to us.
Anyways, I am starting to feel weak again, so I am going to go and check on the water. I hope the new year will bring you all God's goodness and mercy!
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Christmas blessings
Well, since I last wrote, that saturday morning a friend of ours from church called and asked if we would be there a little while. We said yes, and she came by with a food/supply donation that the school had taken. Over 10 boxes of groceries, shampoo, toilet paper, and other basic supplies. We were overwhelmed. We headed up to the reunion a little late, but realing in the generosity of others. When arriving, we had a surprize. Noel had driven up just because and so we got to spend the afternoon visiting with relatives we had never met. We went to Grandma and Grandpa's after that so Noel, Clyde and Chris could replace the brakes on the car that were going out. And just in time, the weather turned ugly Monday. Temps were -4 when i headed to work so Chris kept them out of it. Forgotten to me, Chris' truck has no heat in it, so he didnt want to risk Nathaniel's asthma.(which Chris recieved money from my Grandma to help fix that asap!! Blessings!) then, tuesday, the ice came in and so everyone but me was home. by wednesday, nathaniel was throwing up and everyone was getting really tired of being stuck together, minus me, of course. All this time, I was working like a mad person at mazzios. Most of the people have either quit, or just didn't show up. A usual day this week was me, shirley, a manager, and a cut person. Maybe a cashier once in a while. it was crazy.
Anyways, nathaniel was feeling better thursday morning, which was good considering he was in a christmas play that morning, which I missed. Chris said he did well. since thursday was Chris birthday, he went to a friends house to play computer games while the kids were in school and i was at work. we hurried home to bake a cake and decorate. we then splurged and took him out to eat something other than ramen or rice and came home and passed out. Friday i was actually off, so I let Chris sleep in and took the kids to school. I did some cleaning around the house and enjoyed being here doing things. i got a call from the kids principal around noon asking if I could come into her office before heading to the kids party.
A little worried, i agreed. Chris went to blanchard to use some anonoymous donated money to take care of our car tags, which was another wonderful blessing. I headed to the school, Chris planning on meeting me there. I went into the office and the principal took me into her office and closed the door. she sat me down and said, "you know anyone here is family and your family is our family. We take care of family. And we know how hard it has been for you guys and we really wanted to help." She pulled out a card that basically was a reminder that Christmas is about Gods love and showing it to others. Inside were 3 gift cards. 2 to walmart and 1 to Target. She then said, "we heard you don't have health insurance and the kids weren't going to get gifts this year. there is over $500 in there. we hope it helps. We know you and we know that when God brings you back to your feet, you will pay it forward." I began to sob. A $20 gift card would have been more than enough, but 500 was overwhelming. Then she pulled out a bag and said that the kids teachers had instigated the whole donation and had gotten the kids gifts. Inside was a huge plush horse for Hannah and a container full of dinosaurs with play mat and nountains. I gave her a huge hug and cried somemore. After leaving the office, i ran into chris who was just arriving. He went into the office and gave her a hug and then when we went to the parties, we thanked the teachers.
Also this week, I recieved a card in the mail Wednesday from my sisters. they knew we were hard off and that i wouldn't be able to afford to even get Chris a birthday gift. The purchased tickets to Brian Reagan, Chris' favorite comedian, who is coming to OKC in february. they sent the tickets and said to give them to Chris on behalf of us. I was overwhelmed.
Overwhelmed is the only word for all of this. I am really having a hard time processing all that God is doing. There is no answer to why, but I am trusting in that he is working. I don't know what the future holds, but I know who holds the future. I appreciate the generosity of others and am looking forward to when we can reciprocate the favor. it is just so humbling to have everyone helping provide for our needs and even some of our wants. My parents and their help with the utility bills and the generosity of everyone will allow my measly paycheck to pay the mortgage and everything else is taken care of. I am just hoping that the love shown to us will carry us all through this season!! All our love to all of you who check this!! merry christmas!
Anyways, nathaniel was feeling better thursday morning, which was good considering he was in a christmas play that morning, which I missed. Chris said he did well. since thursday was Chris birthday, he went to a friends house to play computer games while the kids were in school and i was at work. we hurried home to bake a cake and decorate. we then splurged and took him out to eat something other than ramen or rice and came home and passed out. Friday i was actually off, so I let Chris sleep in and took the kids to school. I did some cleaning around the house and enjoyed being here doing things. i got a call from the kids principal around noon asking if I could come into her office before heading to the kids party.
A little worried, i agreed. Chris went to blanchard to use some anonoymous donated money to take care of our car tags, which was another wonderful blessing. I headed to the school, Chris planning on meeting me there. I went into the office and the principal took me into her office and closed the door. she sat me down and said, "you know anyone here is family and your family is our family. We take care of family. And we know how hard it has been for you guys and we really wanted to help." She pulled out a card that basically was a reminder that Christmas is about Gods love and showing it to others. Inside were 3 gift cards. 2 to walmart and 1 to Target. She then said, "we heard you don't have health insurance and the kids weren't going to get gifts this year. there is over $500 in there. we hope it helps. We know you and we know that when God brings you back to your feet, you will pay it forward." I began to sob. A $20 gift card would have been more than enough, but 500 was overwhelming. Then she pulled out a bag and said that the kids teachers had instigated the whole donation and had gotten the kids gifts. Inside was a huge plush horse for Hannah and a container full of dinosaurs with play mat and nountains. I gave her a huge hug and cried somemore. After leaving the office, i ran into chris who was just arriving. He went into the office and gave her a hug and then when we went to the parties, we thanked the teachers.
Also this week, I recieved a card in the mail Wednesday from my sisters. they knew we were hard off and that i wouldn't be able to afford to even get Chris a birthday gift. The purchased tickets to Brian Reagan, Chris' favorite comedian, who is coming to OKC in february. they sent the tickets and said to give them to Chris on behalf of us. I was overwhelmed.
Overwhelmed is the only word for all of this. I am really having a hard time processing all that God is doing. There is no answer to why, but I am trusting in that he is working. I don't know what the future holds, but I know who holds the future. I appreciate the generosity of others and am looking forward to when we can reciprocate the favor. it is just so humbling to have everyone helping provide for our needs and even some of our wants. My parents and their help with the utility bills and the generosity of everyone will allow my measly paycheck to pay the mortgage and everything else is taken care of. I am just hoping that the love shown to us will carry us all through this season!! All our love to all of you who check this!! merry christmas!
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Our update for the last 2 weeks!:-)
Well, as you may have guessed, the lack of updating is due to the fact that I have been so busy at work. I have been opening the store myself. I was given a key and a security code. I have been going in at 7 and starting all 3 batches of dough, then rolling out all the pizza shells and by 9 I am joined by Shirley, who sets up the front, and another person in the back to help set up prep for the lunch rush. Depending on who the manager is, Tony and Scott usually show up around 8:30 to set up the registers and take the money to the bank.
As for the rest of my family, they are doing alright. Chris is still looking for a job. He has been really good at helping around the house. When i get home, i am so sore and tired from all the stuff at work, it is nice to know that i don't have to worry about dishes and laundry and all that. I have helped him out, but he has been workiing really hard. He takes the kid to school in the morning and I pick them up. He had his christmas musical last weekend. it was titled "I'll be home for Christmas" It was a powerful program centered around Pearl harbor and how a christian family deals with the ups and downs of a spouse being over seas and not knowing of their return. Trusting in God and that His dreams are better than ours was kind of the theme.
My parents were down to go to the Oklahoma City train show at the state fair arena that weekend. They got to go to the Saturday evening program. it was nice for them to be able to go to his program.
We had a great time. At the train show, Nathaniel got to drive a few trains in an area they called switching control. The guy was really helpful and he had a good time. My dad had a great time seeing all the new scenery and getting new items and ideas.
Hannah had her first grade program the following Monday. Her program was super sweet. All the first graders walked in with jingle bells and they were all dressed up. They had their teachers out dressed like the chipmunks and sang with them for a few songs. Their principal came out dressed like "polar pup" too. they sang silent night and her good friend Courtney got to sing a special part. Hannah did a great job! We took her out for a special drink at sonic afterwards. That night was also Nathaniel's first night of Upwards basketball. Chris took him to that since it started at 6pm and Hannah had to be at her program at 6:30, for it to start at 7 and that was when Nathaniel's practice was over. He was really excited about practice. He is number 8 and he is on the team "Flash". His 2 coaches, chris said, were really encouraging and are really big into them learning their skills and the bible verses that go with their training program. it is really neat. I can't wait to go and see this coming monday night. They will practice every monday night at 6pm and his games will be all the month of January and february on saturday mornings at 8am. their games are a half an hour, with 6 minute quarters and a half time. Every child is guaranteed to play 2 quarters. he is really loving it.
Lets see, what else... We can't believe that this coming week is the kids last week of school and that Chris' birthday is this coming thursday. since we are struggling financially, we won't be able to do gifts for anyone, especially each other, so we are trying to come up with fun things we can do to with each other for gifts. Thanks to my parents, they brought about 4 or 5 gifts with them when they came, so the kids will have something to open on christmas day. I am off today, but there is a huge Crosswhite family reunion in Dover, and Grandma Crosswhite wanted us to come up. they would help out in anyway they could, as long as we would be there.
We are hoping that God will show himself faithful to us this holiday season. We are trying to rest in His presence, since we think back on the last year and wonder why all these things have happened. Chris loved his job at lowes and was on the way up, we bought a property we love, we have a church home we love, Nathaniel got baptized this year, and yet, here we are, barely able to pay our morgage and bills, were denied health insurance and food stamps, and aren't able to do hardly anything this holiday season. We know that God is in it all, so we appreciate your prayers more than anything at this time. Satan is definately on the prowl. We want this all to be about Christ, more than any time in our history for all those reasons. We hope you are having a good time and enjoying the time we remember God's greatest gift and hope you are staying warm and dry.
will hopefully write again before Christmas!! If not, have a great one!!
As for the rest of my family, they are doing alright. Chris is still looking for a job. He has been really good at helping around the house. When i get home, i am so sore and tired from all the stuff at work, it is nice to know that i don't have to worry about dishes and laundry and all that. I have helped him out, but he has been workiing really hard. He takes the kid to school in the morning and I pick them up. He had his christmas musical last weekend. it was titled "I'll be home for Christmas" It was a powerful program centered around Pearl harbor and how a christian family deals with the ups and downs of a spouse being over seas and not knowing of their return. Trusting in God and that His dreams are better than ours was kind of the theme.
My parents were down to go to the Oklahoma City train show at the state fair arena that weekend. They got to go to the Saturday evening program. it was nice for them to be able to go to his program.
We had a great time. At the train show, Nathaniel got to drive a few trains in an area they called switching control. The guy was really helpful and he had a good time. My dad had a great time seeing all the new scenery and getting new items and ideas.
Hannah had her first grade program the following Monday. Her program was super sweet. All the first graders walked in with jingle bells and they were all dressed up. They had their teachers out dressed like the chipmunks and sang with them for a few songs. Their principal came out dressed like "polar pup" too. they sang silent night and her good friend Courtney got to sing a special part. Hannah did a great job! We took her out for a special drink at sonic afterwards. That night was also Nathaniel's first night of Upwards basketball. Chris took him to that since it started at 6pm and Hannah had to be at her program at 6:30, for it to start at 7 and that was when Nathaniel's practice was over. He was really excited about practice. He is number 8 and he is on the team "Flash". His 2 coaches, chris said, were really encouraging and are really big into them learning their skills and the bible verses that go with their training program. it is really neat. I can't wait to go and see this coming monday night. They will practice every monday night at 6pm and his games will be all the month of January and february on saturday mornings at 8am. their games are a half an hour, with 6 minute quarters and a half time. Every child is guaranteed to play 2 quarters. he is really loving it.
Lets see, what else... We can't believe that this coming week is the kids last week of school and that Chris' birthday is this coming thursday. since we are struggling financially, we won't be able to do gifts for anyone, especially each other, so we are trying to come up with fun things we can do to with each other for gifts. Thanks to my parents, they brought about 4 or 5 gifts with them when they came, so the kids will have something to open on christmas day. I am off today, but there is a huge Crosswhite family reunion in Dover, and Grandma Crosswhite wanted us to come up. they would help out in anyway they could, as long as we would be there.
We are hoping that God will show himself faithful to us this holiday season. We are trying to rest in His presence, since we think back on the last year and wonder why all these things have happened. Chris loved his job at lowes and was on the way up, we bought a property we love, we have a church home we love, Nathaniel got baptized this year, and yet, here we are, barely able to pay our morgage and bills, were denied health insurance and food stamps, and aren't able to do hardly anything this holiday season. We know that God is in it all, so we appreciate your prayers more than anything at this time. Satan is definately on the prowl. We want this all to be about Christ, more than any time in our history for all those reasons. We hope you are having a good time and enjoying the time we remember God's greatest gift and hope you are staying warm and dry.
will hopefully write again before Christmas!! If not, have a great one!!
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Life
Well, it has been a while. I now live at the Blanchard Mazzios. :-) No, seriously, I helped clean and set up before training the week before thanksgiving. It was a lot of fun. training went well. The kids went home with a friend from church who has a son and a daughter. Chris picked them up after work. They had a great time. I trained from 4-10 on Thursday, 7:45am-noon, and 4-10 on Friday, 7:45am-6:30pm on Saturday and 2-6 sunday. Lots to learn. much like Pizza hut was in high school, except that Mazzios has so much more on their menu and corporate office wants it to be a mix of pizza hut and olive garden, so that is fun.
Chris by the end of his first week was no longer working there. He has been working with Aunt lisa on the possiblity of working a govt. job. For right now he is at home, which he is enjoying, but is hard.
We went up to Kansas Tuesday morning to hang out with the family for Thanksgiving. We had a good time. Wednesday we went down to my grandmas to see her. She had me cut her hair and the kids helped her clean and Nathaniel helped her peel apples in a spiral. Chris went with Dad to the dairy farm to help him grind feed. He said it was really neat to see how that was done. He got to get a good visit in with Uncle John and Aunt Joy as well as Erin and Tryon. Karen and Mary arrived Wednesday night. Thursday we had turkey, noodles, rolls, green bean casserole, sweet potatos, mashed potatoes, and a sweet dessert, thanks to mary. It was chocolate galore!! We went outside to have a tire race and came in to eat some more. Jon was able to make it for a few hours and that was a lot of fun to be able to hang out with him for a while. We played some board games and then went to bed. Friday we got up and packed up the car to head to Grandmas for the big cousin thing. It was supposed to be come and go, but ended up everyone being together, which I was super thankful for. Kristen and Cory weren't able to make it as well as Yachal, but it was so good to see all the babies. Everyone's family was so precious. For me, to see everyone and how they are with their kids is such a blessing. I don't feel as alone anymore.
We left around 5, as Lorrie and her kiddos did as well. It was her birthday and she was meeting Yachal in town to go out for her birthday. Everyone was so much fun to visit with and watch. I wish it could have lasted longer, but....
We got home around 11:15 and put the kids to bed. I had to be at work this morning at 8am. The store manager is hoping to train me to be one of their shift leaders since I am the only one with pizza experience. We were hoping to get to some of that today, but with the Bedlam game, we were steady with business all day long. I headed up the make table area as well as some of the dough with the assistance of another worker named Mike and the store manager from Anadarko. It was good to get back into the swing of something I knew. Minus finding where things belonged and where to find stuff, it went pretty smoothly. I got home around 5. I need to go in for register and safe (the money) training tomorrow morning, so sadly I will have to miss church. This will be my last weekend to have to work, so that will be nice. On my availability, I put Monday- Friday 8-2 and they are going to honor that. They just want to complete the training proceedures before settling into a routine. Seemed today they are evaluating who works best together doing what also.
That is about it. I am doing a little housework tonight and then heading to bed. I am tired!!! I am sure I assisted with the making of over 100 pizzas today as well as at least 15 pastas and sandwiches and prepping 5 batches of dough. Hope everyone had a great thanksgiving and I will write again soon, when I have another break in my new schedule.
Please continue to pray as the kids are having to adjust to my working and we will be pushing it pretty tight as the Christmas season comes on. Kind of sad in moments when I think that this year we won't be able to do much. Takes me back to not understanding why God is allowing these things, but then I have to encourage myself with the verse that says, "These light and momentary troubles are achieving for me an eternal glory that far exceeds it all. So I should fix my eyes not on what is seen, for what is seen is temporary. What is unseen is eternal."
Chris by the end of his first week was no longer working there. He has been working with Aunt lisa on the possiblity of working a govt. job. For right now he is at home, which he is enjoying, but is hard.
We went up to Kansas Tuesday morning to hang out with the family for Thanksgiving. We had a good time. Wednesday we went down to my grandmas to see her. She had me cut her hair and the kids helped her clean and Nathaniel helped her peel apples in a spiral. Chris went with Dad to the dairy farm to help him grind feed. He said it was really neat to see how that was done. He got to get a good visit in with Uncle John and Aunt Joy as well as Erin and Tryon. Karen and Mary arrived Wednesday night. Thursday we had turkey, noodles, rolls, green bean casserole, sweet potatos, mashed potatoes, and a sweet dessert, thanks to mary. It was chocolate galore!! We went outside to have a tire race and came in to eat some more. Jon was able to make it for a few hours and that was a lot of fun to be able to hang out with him for a while. We played some board games and then went to bed. Friday we got up and packed up the car to head to Grandmas for the big cousin thing. It was supposed to be come and go, but ended up everyone being together, which I was super thankful for. Kristen and Cory weren't able to make it as well as Yachal, but it was so good to see all the babies. Everyone's family was so precious. For me, to see everyone and how they are with their kids is such a blessing. I don't feel as alone anymore.
We left around 5, as Lorrie and her kiddos did as well. It was her birthday and she was meeting Yachal in town to go out for her birthday. Everyone was so much fun to visit with and watch. I wish it could have lasted longer, but....
We got home around 11:15 and put the kids to bed. I had to be at work this morning at 8am. The store manager is hoping to train me to be one of their shift leaders since I am the only one with pizza experience. We were hoping to get to some of that today, but with the Bedlam game, we were steady with business all day long. I headed up the make table area as well as some of the dough with the assistance of another worker named Mike and the store manager from Anadarko. It was good to get back into the swing of something I knew. Minus finding where things belonged and where to find stuff, it went pretty smoothly. I got home around 5. I need to go in for register and safe (the money) training tomorrow morning, so sadly I will have to miss church. This will be my last weekend to have to work, so that will be nice. On my availability, I put Monday- Friday 8-2 and they are going to honor that. They just want to complete the training proceedures before settling into a routine. Seemed today they are evaluating who works best together doing what also.
That is about it. I am doing a little housework tonight and then heading to bed. I am tired!!! I am sure I assisted with the making of over 100 pizzas today as well as at least 15 pastas and sandwiches and prepping 5 batches of dough. Hope everyone had a great thanksgiving and I will write again soon, when I have another break in my new schedule.
Please continue to pray as the kids are having to adjust to my working and we will be pushing it pretty tight as the Christmas season comes on. Kind of sad in moments when I think that this year we won't be able to do much. Takes me back to not understanding why God is allowing these things, but then I have to encourage myself with the verse that says, "These light and momentary troubles are achieving for me an eternal glory that far exceeds it all. So I should fix my eyes not on what is seen, for what is seen is temporary. What is unseen is eternal."
Monday, November 17, 2008
Chris' 1st day at the new job
Ok, so many of you want the scoop on how his first day went. Well, here it goes...
He was super nervous about the title "store manager" because he has never had that title before. And over a company that he is unfamiliar with made him even more nervous. I reminded him that God doesn't give us more than we can handle without Him and that God had fully equipped him for every good work. So, I sent him into OKC after prayer around 11:30. He was ok, but feeling a little overwhelmed.
In visiting with him tonight, he said the day was full. Full of trying to learn something foreign to him from a lady who was doing her best to show him all they did, all the while speaking in spanish, since the store he was at was mostly hispanic. He said the most stressful part was the fact that he had no idea what anyone was saying. "How can I learn when I don't know what they are talking about? "So, that is how it went. Right now he is taking a super hot bath and just vegging. Continue to pray for him. He has been so anxious to get into a job and do something and now that he has one, he is frustrated that he has no idea what is going on. Considering he is going from a multi-million dollar company to a small business, it is a hard transition for his mind to make.
Anyways....
I filled out paperwork for Mazzios Sunday afternoon and recieved my shirt, apron and visor. I will go in this week to help them clean up after the construction workers and attend my first orientation. I am excited. They seem to be really flexible and organized. There is a possiblity that I will be able to work the morning dough shift, considering I have pizza experience. If I do that, Chris will take the kids to school and I will work 7am-2pm and pick them up. We will see. They haven't gotten that far. Right now they are just trying to get the building built and ready for training and setting an opening date.
We are planning on heading to Kansas some time thanksgiving week. I am excited to see all my new baby cousins and their parents!! Finally the family has family!!!:-)
Until next time, thank you for all your prayers and we will keep you posted!
He was super nervous about the title "store manager" because he has never had that title before. And over a company that he is unfamiliar with made him even more nervous. I reminded him that God doesn't give us more than we can handle without Him and that God had fully equipped him for every good work. So, I sent him into OKC after prayer around 11:30. He was ok, but feeling a little overwhelmed.
In visiting with him tonight, he said the day was full. Full of trying to learn something foreign to him from a lady who was doing her best to show him all they did, all the while speaking in spanish, since the store he was at was mostly hispanic. He said the most stressful part was the fact that he had no idea what anyone was saying. "How can I learn when I don't know what they are talking about? "So, that is how it went. Right now he is taking a super hot bath and just vegging. Continue to pray for him. He has been so anxious to get into a job and do something and now that he has one, he is frustrated that he has no idea what is going on. Considering he is going from a multi-million dollar company to a small business, it is a hard transition for his mind to make.
Anyways....
I filled out paperwork for Mazzios Sunday afternoon and recieved my shirt, apron and visor. I will go in this week to help them clean up after the construction workers and attend my first orientation. I am excited. They seem to be really flexible and organized. There is a possiblity that I will be able to work the morning dough shift, considering I have pizza experience. If I do that, Chris will take the kids to school and I will work 7am-2pm and pick them up. We will see. They haven't gotten that far. Right now they are just trying to get the building built and ready for training and setting an opening date.
We are planning on heading to Kansas some time thanksgiving week. I am excited to see all my new baby cousins and their parents!! Finally the family has family!!!:-)
Until next time, thank you for all your prayers and we will keep you posted!
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Ok......
Ok, here is where I update you on all the things that have happened in a week that has seemed like a month.
The mcdonalds thing fell through, which, oh well. I looked into preschool stuff, since that is all that is on my resume, and I need an associates in child developement to do any more with that. I can't sub for more than a week, a month unless I am a certified para. So..... I have an interview with Mazzios on thursday. if that turns out, awesome. if not, I think I am going to have to go back to school.
As for Mr. Chris Crosswhite, he was asked saturday to run the Your-tel store in Oklahoma City. He is excited but really nervous. He doesn't know much about phone service. I have reminded him that he knew hardly anything about mowers when he started at Lowes, so I was sure he would do great. He went in yesterday to do a background check and a drug test. If all that turns out well, which it should, then his first day will be the 17th. He will be working Monday through friday 9:30-6:30 and alternating saturdays 10-2. He is really excited about that.
I helped with our church's first ever children's clothes swap last friday and saturday with a friend of mine. It was a lot of fun. We had 7 full tables of girls size 4-5. we are planning on doing another one in the spring. Just in time for everyone to pull out their clothes to rotate and toss the small ones. It is nice to know that rather than go and invest a few hundred dollars in clothes that we as a church family can just trade with one another. And the best part is that you don't have to bring clothes to take them. We had such a blast. I really enjoyed it.
Yesterday I went in to resolve my situation with DHS in regards to the kids medical insurance and also to get us on food stamps. We should know something in 10 days.
That is about it. I am super behind on the house work and yet here i sit typing on my computer. :-)
Our only event coming up is a trip to Kansas for Thanksgiving. and a birthday party the weekend of the 22nd. I hope this finds all of you doing well.
I need to get some laundry done and vacuum, so until next time.....:-)
The mcdonalds thing fell through, which, oh well. I looked into preschool stuff, since that is all that is on my resume, and I need an associates in child developement to do any more with that. I can't sub for more than a week, a month unless I am a certified para. So..... I have an interview with Mazzios on thursday. if that turns out, awesome. if not, I think I am going to have to go back to school.
As for Mr. Chris Crosswhite, he was asked saturday to run the Your-tel store in Oklahoma City. He is excited but really nervous. He doesn't know much about phone service. I have reminded him that he knew hardly anything about mowers when he started at Lowes, so I was sure he would do great. He went in yesterday to do a background check and a drug test. If all that turns out well, which it should, then his first day will be the 17th. He will be working Monday through friday 9:30-6:30 and alternating saturdays 10-2. He is really excited about that.
I helped with our church's first ever children's clothes swap last friday and saturday with a friend of mine. It was a lot of fun. We had 7 full tables of girls size 4-5. we are planning on doing another one in the spring. Just in time for everyone to pull out their clothes to rotate and toss the small ones. It is nice to know that rather than go and invest a few hundred dollars in clothes that we as a church family can just trade with one another. And the best part is that you don't have to bring clothes to take them. We had such a blast. I really enjoyed it.
Yesterday I went in to resolve my situation with DHS in regards to the kids medical insurance and also to get us on food stamps. We should know something in 10 days.
That is about it. I am super behind on the house work and yet here i sit typing on my computer. :-)
Our only event coming up is a trip to Kansas for Thanksgiving. and a birthday party the weekend of the 22nd. I hope this finds all of you doing well.
I need to get some laundry done and vacuum, so until next time.....:-)
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Correction
Ok, so went to orientation and found out that I didn't have the paperwork I needed, so they sent me home. I went to the store on hwy 9 and another manager forged all the paperwork so they could get me into the orientation tonight. I mentioned that I wasn't ok with their documents and that I was unable to attend tonights orientation because I had church commitments, to which they said either tonight's orientation or not at all. So, I am NOT employed with Mc. Donalds and am still looking as well as Chris.
I am contemplating just moving in with Mom and Dad and I can sub at USD 251 and we can help out at the farm in place of my dad. Seriously, that is a thought in my head, but it is not a plan in the works as of yet. We are waiting to hear from the Yourtel people. We are just praying that an answer will be obvious to us soon. This is wearing on our emotions, especially mine.
Thank you for your prayers and more to come soon!
I am contemplating just moving in with Mom and Dad and I can sub at USD 251 and we can help out at the farm in place of my dad. Seriously, that is a thought in my head, but it is not a plan in the works as of yet. We are waiting to hear from the Yourtel people. We are just praying that an answer will be obvious to us soon. This is wearing on our emotions, especially mine.
Thank you for your prayers and more to come soon!
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Since last time...
Well, since I last wrote, I subbed for Ms. Colvin's 1st grade class, which was a lot of fun. The kids were great. The end of that week was the Book Character parties. I spent the 2 days I had before them getting ready. Hannah's class did Curious George. A dad came dressed as the man in the yellow hat. Nathaniel's class did Gingerbread Baby by Jan Brett and they decorated sugar cookie babies. It was a lot of fun. We were also in on the planning of a surprize retirement party for Noel. Brent, Sarah, and their kids as well as us were going to meet in Gainesville, Tx to decorate a hotel room for Noel. Lorna was going to drag their trip out as long as she could to give us time to be ready. It was a fun time. He didn't know about it until Lorna started getting all kinds of texts from Brent and I about how we were progressing on getting there. We went out to eat at the Main street grill and then went back to the hotel for cake and to toast him with juice. Then all 11 of us went swimming. It as a lot of fun! We were home Saturday in time for the Texas vs Texas Tech game, as there were church commitments that kept us from celebrating the whole weekend. What a game!!
In coming home from Texas, we stopped at the Mc.Donalds on Hwy 9 so that Hannah could go to the bathroom. There were signs all over begging for help during the day, so I asked the lady for an application while I waited on Hannah. They didn't have one in english, but told me to take a 20 questionairre to see if I needed to bother. After doing that, the asst. manager visited with me and told me she would like to hire me, she just needed paperwork. So, sunday after church, I went to tri-city to their mc.donalds and picked up an app. I then ran it down to hwy 9. She scanned over it and handed me all my paperwork and said to be in OKC Wednesday morning to fill out final paperwork and attend orientation. They will have me work 8:30-2:00 whenever the kids are in school. She said they would work with whatever I needed.
So, starting tomorrow, I am employed at Mc.Donalds. Chris is still waiting. Trying not to be discouraged, as he has had many emails saying that companies are "going another route". Much more has gone on at Lowes, meaning he has gotten calls from the Oklahoma Business association and the ethics commision for Lowes. He is hoping for the best and trusting that God is challenging his faithfulness. He says, "God gives and He takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord. I just want to be found faithful."
Kids are doing well. Our next day off is thanksgiving break, which will be here before we know it. Anyways, will post picts when I get more photo disks burnt and can upload the photos from my camera of Book character day and the trip to Gainesville!!
Till next time, all my love to all of you!!
In coming home from Texas, we stopped at the Mc.Donalds on Hwy 9 so that Hannah could go to the bathroom. There were signs all over begging for help during the day, so I asked the lady for an application while I waited on Hannah. They didn't have one in english, but told me to take a 20 questionairre to see if I needed to bother. After doing that, the asst. manager visited with me and told me she would like to hire me, she just needed paperwork. So, sunday after church, I went to tri-city to their mc.donalds and picked up an app. I then ran it down to hwy 9. She scanned over it and handed me all my paperwork and said to be in OKC Wednesday morning to fill out final paperwork and attend orientation. They will have me work 8:30-2:00 whenever the kids are in school. She said they would work with whatever I needed.
So, starting tomorrow, I am employed at Mc.Donalds. Chris is still waiting. Trying not to be discouraged, as he has had many emails saying that companies are "going another route". Much more has gone on at Lowes, meaning he has gotten calls from the Oklahoma Business association and the ethics commision for Lowes. He is hoping for the best and trusting that God is challenging his faithfulness. He says, "God gives and He takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord. I just want to be found faithful."
Kids are doing well. Our next day off is thanksgiving break, which will be here before we know it. Anyways, will post picts when I get more photo disks burnt and can upload the photos from my camera of Book character day and the trip to Gainesville!!
Till next time, all my love to all of you!!
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