The last of the First's

Yesterday was a bitter sweet day.  Our dearest Ashlynn Sterling turned 1!  She is our youngest and most likely our last so we savored the family time enjoying her, knowing this would be the last 1^st birthday we celebrate. 

                Ashlynn came along at a time when we weren’t quite sure how we would manage another child.  Finances were tight, putting it in the brightest of lights, and our home is only 3 bedrooms.  Let’s just say there was a lot of stress between me and my dh, and had I not had the faith in my Lord and Saviour, probably would be a lot of resentment as well.  But I looked up and told God that in all times and reason, He has a plan.  Despite my hubby’s lack of confidence that “things will work out”, I persisted in prayer and faith.  And He has never let me down!! 

                She has been nothing short of a blessing to our family J  I look back and realize just how much stronger my marriage is, how much more involved daddy is with the kids and more present in our family life in general.  His patience has grown and he loves her beyond any description.  Our home life is not as crazy as you would think, but I owe that to my hubby’s persistence with routine. Financially, crazy enough, things are better!  We are blessed in the fact that we do not use daycare/childcare.  I work my 2 days a week and Josh is home those days.  He’s a great dad and “house husband” on those days, I am so blessed!  Don’t get me wrong, there is the occasional time when we utilize a home child care, and she is absolutely wonderful with the kids!!  Dana, you are a God send!

                Ashlynn has taught us that love and faith will overcome any obstacle.  She has a loving personality, is LOUD, easy-going, and smart.  She knows how to get everyone else to do it for her.  Including walking.  She could walk, if she thought no one would carry her instead!  She has the stubbornness of a mule when it suits, but when nap/bedtime role around, there is nothing sweeter than seeing her curl up with her blankie, stick her thumb in her mouth and fall asleep.  Ashlynn ,we love you and we are so blessed that God chose us to be your loving parents.

In Him, Forever Blessed...

    Jenny

Time for a Quick Note!

It’s back again.  That nagging feeling that God is about to do something big and bold in our lives.  Not sure what, need to keep praying so that when it is revealed I will have a good pair of glasses on and my miracle ear in.

I love spring!  However, I do not like all the weeds that have made a home in my yard this year.  I am patiently waiting for my dh to pick up the super-duper weed killer (knows a guy who knows a guy) so I can get to work on making the yard “playable”.  Then I will feel more like planting some color and veggies J

Well, we are calling it a loss with the Kia.  Now it is in my hubby’s hands in finding a cheap used car.  And might I re-iterate CHEAP. We have finally paid off both of the vehicles so it pains me to know we will have another car loan.  But Ian needs to drive, he starts work this week at La Hacienda and we can not commit to picking him up so late at night, especially with the little ones.  He will, of course, get his dad’s car.  Which might I add, is nicer than my van!  Somehow, he is making out like a bandit this year.  But with as good of a kid as he is, I’m okay with it.

 

I found a yummy easy (and only 4 WW Points plus!) snack:

Cream together (I used a food processor):

                1 oz fat-free cream cheese

                ¼ cup part-skim ricotta

                ½ medium banana

Toast 2 cinnamon-raisin English muffins (I prefer Orowheat) and evenly spread mixture on each half.  Top with remaining sliced banana and strawberry (or whatever fruit you want). Tada!!  4 open face yummy snackwiches.

 

It’s quite filling and hits that ever present sweet tooth.  I would have taken a picture, but by the time I thought about it, they were about gone J

 

In Him, Forever Blessed...

    Jenny

 

 

Melancholy

Blessed be the name of the Lord, Blessed be your glorious name….

 

Funny…I had this song stuck in my head and when I plugged my phone in to listen to Pandora, it’s the song that came on J I love the chorus “Every blessing you pour out I’ll turn back to praise, when the darkness closes in lord, still I will say BLESSED BE YOUR NAME!!! “  It truly encompasses every time we should look up in faith, open our heart and praise Him.  The good, the bad and the ugly.  In everything we do.  Every single aspect of our life is connected to God.  Let’s embrace every moment we are given.

I worry.  I know I shouldn’t.  It’s all in the hands of Christ.  But if I didn’t, would it mean I didn’t love him?  Josh.  Oddly, I think his non-belief is teaching me to love in the moment.  See, I have a tendency to look a bit to far into the future and try to figure out how I will react to different situations.  To prepare myself. For death, disability, illness, you name it.  Lately, though, I am realizing that no matter what, God will get me through it and I can not change what is to come nor can I protect myself.  So rather than worry about Josh’s salvation, I am just loving him.  I’m delighting in every moment I have with him (with the occasional marital mishap, of course!)

The Kia still isn’t fixed. UGH!!!!  I called this morning (day 2 at the shop) and it’s “still up in the air, trying to figure out the problem”. Patience, Jenny and Ian, patience.  Stupid check engine light.

Good news!  Ian landed his first real job.  Yea!!  He was hired as a host at La Hacienda Ranch and he is very excited J  I love the boy.  He is such and awesome son, brother, friend and loyal to everyone he cares about.  I still haven’t met McKenna.  Maybe in time.  I’m split on his decision to step down from Varsity football next year.  Part of me really wants him to play.  He’s a starter for pete sake!! But I know it’s his decision to make.  Coach H says they have until August 1 to convince him otherwise.  I pray for Ian to be following Gods intended path for him.

I’m waiting on my transcripts.  The plan is to start the bridge program to my BSN in August.  I figure if I wait until the start of the school year, I will only have the baby home during the day, and if I have to get a sitter it will be easier.  Need the quite to work on those dang papers!!

 

Well…another busy day tomorrow.  Can’t wait to see how God uses me J

 

In Him, Forever Blessed...

    Jenny

 

 

Yikes!!

I did it again.  Did I not say a multitude of posts back that I was going to make a concerted effort to be diligent and consistent with my blogging??  Well, please forgive me.  Read on as I am sure to have a lot to say J

First, let me say how happy I am at Christ Fellowship.  I have been led to more knowledge and growth than I have had in the last 3 years of my own attempt at bible study.  We are embarking on our second study this year, Movement to Multiply Our Heart which I am so excited to start!  I found myself peeking through the study guide (which I purchased the day they became available) and wanting to reference scripture.  I took a deep breath and CLOSED IT.  There is a process.  A week of daily study (Monday thru Friday), reviewed on Sunday through Sermon and then revisited and discussed in Life Group on Sunday afternoon.  It’s a perfect setup to a threefold of learning.  I can then go out and cover the 4^th part of the cross, my community.   My LG is led by my friends and neighbors (of 4 years) the Stubbs.  They are an awesome family!!

Work is great!  I’m back to my part time hours and now I feel like I’m not there enough. What! You say.  Yea, call me crazy, but I kind of miss my overtime hours.  It was a great time for me.  A great feeling of accomplishment and self worth.  But, Josh is happy to have me home as are the kids.  I’ve pretty much left it in his hands as to whether or not I pick up shifts on the extra week day that is free.  His hours and lessons are getting busy so he needs that extra day to study, golf and schedule extra lessons.  Keara responded with, “I don’t want you to work at all, mommy!”.  Well, dear daughter, we do have to eat.  At least Ian does.

We also had a long discussion of every aspect of my interest in a management position, and after much prayer and contemplation, decided together that this in not the right time.  God has other plans.  I have other desires that would not be able to come to fruition if I take on a full-time position.  Now I just await the blessing from my dh that I can start on my BSN and then bridge to my MSN.  Advanced Practice…here I come!

Ian’s 1999 Kia Sportage is nothing short of a headache this week.  I finally get the title transferred, the registration done and the darn thing won’t pass inspection!!!  The check engine light bulb had been removed and put in the glove box (pre our ownership) and now it won’t turn off.  So we are now 1 replaced sensor into this and praying it will pass the next attempt.  Which we can do in 50 miles. Yep. We have to waste gas to try to get it passed.  Poor kid, he just wants to drive and I want him to drive!!!

Well, my neck is tense, I’m getting tired and the dryer buzzer is going off.  I have my first weigh-in tomorrow for Weight Watchers which I am doing through work.  Wish me luck.  Just a mere 2 lbs of it at least!!

In Him, Forever Blessed...

    Jenny