The Great Adventure

August 19, 2010

Wow! God sure is good! What a day of big changes for our family. Today is Todd's last day at his "old" job (he begins his "new" job on Monday), Emma went to middle school for the first time, Sam is starting his 3rd grade year, which is his last year in elementary school (intermediate school for 4th grade), the kids are having to ride the bus on a daily basis for the first time and I am beginning my journey as a stay at home mom, for at least a year.

I have never been a stay at home mom so this is a new experience for me. This is something God has called me to do. When He first gave me this idea, I thought, "That is crazy! I love my job and I can't imagine doing anything else." God kept calling...so I finally shared with Todd what I felt God calling me to. He was completely supportive from the moment I shared it with him.

God has continued to reaffirm to me that I am doing what He wants me to do. It sure feels peaceful to be obedient. God just continues to bless us during this time of transition.

I want this to be a year of growth and servanthood to my family and others. I am going to be involved in Bible Study Fellowship studying the book of Isaiah, volunteering in Emma and Sam's schools, spending time in God's word and whatever else God brings my way.

After I sent Todd and the kids off to school this morning I wanted to spend some time in God's word and prayer. I had no idea what I was going to be reading in the Bible when I opened it. I was just thumbing through and happened to stop at Psalm 128. (By the way...this kind of thing doesn't happen to me very often, but God spoke!)

Blessed are all who fear the Lord,

who walk in his ways.

You will eat the fruit of your labor;

blessings and prosperity will be yours.

Your wife will be like a fruitful vine

within your house;

your sons will be like olive shoots

around your table.

Thus is the man blessed

who fears the Lord.

May the Lord bless you from Zion

all the days of your life;

may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem,

and may you live to see your children's children.

Peace be upon Israel.

WOW! Another confirmation for me that I am following God's will. The theme of this Psalm is God, the true head of the home. It was often used as a marriage prayer at Isaelite marriages. God will reward your devotion to him with inner peace (study Bible words, not mine). That I most certainly have! The psalmist wrote that a good family life is a reward for following God. The values outlined in God's word include love, service, honesty, integrity and prayer. These help all relationships, and they are especially vital to home life. Is your home life heavenly or hectic? Reading and obeying God's Word is a good place to start to make your family all that it should be (again, words from my study Bible).

I want a heavenly home here on earth for my family and myself, not a hectic one. How about you? That is what this time is all about for me. I am so incredibly blessed to have the husband and kids I have. I love them so deeply and I am so proud of all of them.

Things About Me

I have been tagged to list some things about a few of my favorites and wishes.
So here goes...

8 things that happened yesterday:
1. went to Sam's 8:00 AM soccer game (brrr...cold)
2. went out for breakfast
3. went to my mom's to make applesauce (pictures to come soon)
4. took a nap
5. went to Hacienda with some friends for "Girls Night Out"
6. went to see "Nights in Rodanthe"
7. cried at the end of the movie
8. snuggled with my kids

8 favorite places to eat:
1. Hacienda
2. Carrabba's
3. Hanna Yori
4. Stacey's
5. Giordana's Pizza in Chicago
6. Chick-Fil-A
7. Bonefish
8. Antonio's

8 TV shows I love (like) to watch:
1. House Hunters
2. Monday Night Football
3. Sunday NFL
4. College Football
5. Jon and Kate Plus 8
6. Rachel Ray
7. Good Eats with Alton Brown
8. Wheel of Fortune

8 things I am looking forward to:
1. going to a Colts football game
2. tailgating at Notre Dame
3. field trip tomorrow to Kercher's with my kindergarteners
4. having the day off of school Friday
5. going to Chicago Saturday for a girls' day out
6. reading the next Magic Treehouse book in the series
7. finding out what happens in Emma's Young Hoosier book called "Room One"
8. going to bed tonight

8 things on my wish list:
1. go to Hawaii
2. go on a Disney Cruise with my family
3. go to Australia
4. go on a Meditterranean cruise
5. for my kids to get along and not fight and argue so much
6. for a maid to come to my house every day
7. to be able to balance all my duties more effectively
8. peace in the world

Friends I tag
1. Rose
My other friends who have blog have already done this

Amazing Acres

A few weeks ago we had a fun family outing to Amazing Acres near Edwardsburg. What a great place we have so close to us. They have 2 corn mazes, hayrides, gem mining, a huge slide, a goat "playground" and a bunny town. We had a great time being together on a gorgeous fall day.

Sometimes I think maybe they were born here!!

The bunny town. The bunnies would go in and out of these store fronts.

Who are these crazy animals?

Doesn't she resemble the Miss Pumpkin?

He kind of resembles her, too!!

My favorite family in the corn maze.

Can you tell they are on a mission?

He's my favorite!

The picture in the header is from there as well. I thank God for the fun day we had. We topped it off by going to Stacey's for some great steak. Yum! Yum!

Back to School

Hey I'm back for another try. I went back to school today. It felt good to get back. We had our school open house tonight. It was good to see my students again. I had met all of them during my home visits. They are so excited about school. That's what I love about kindergarten!

Sam will be in Mrs. Ahonen's class. Along with several of his friends. Look out Mrs. Ahonen! We then went to Heritage to meet Emma's teacher. She will be in Mrs. Miller's class. She knew several kids in her class as well. None of her really good friends, much to her dismay.

Todd is thrilled that college football has started. He is in a vegetative state on the couch right now with his eyes glued to the game. I have to admit, I'm excited about football too! He has a great wife, doesn't he?

I haven't had a chance to figure out how to put pictures on yet. Maybe with the next post.

Darla

World of Blogging

What am I thinking? Do I really have time to be doing this? Not really, but it looks like it could be a lot of fun. I can't guarantee how often this will be updated or what it will include, but I'll give it a try.

We are getting geared up for school. I go back next Thursday, Aug. 28. The kids start Sept. 3. A routine and structure will be really good for the kids and I. Sam will be in 1st grade and Emma will be in 4th grade. She will be at Heritage Intermediate which is new for all of us. She is ready for the independence from mom. I bet she will miss me more than she thinks she will!

Todd is really liking his new job as a technical director. Things are going well for him. He is just as cute and handsome as ever. He is involved in our church's worship team, which he really enjoys.

Emma is taking piano lessons. She is quite good if I do say so myself. Sam is currently playing soccer and loving it. He has had 1 game so far. Me...I am just doing the best I can at being a wife, mother and teacher. And all the things that go along with those roles.

How was that for my first blog? I'll try to include pictures next time. Haven't had a chance to figure that out yet.