My Girl is 4!

These are a bunch of random pictures from Erin's birthday party. She turned for last Sunday but we were out of town and weren't able to celebrate until this Saturday. It was lots of fun and I love this girl soooooooooo much. I keep telling her she needs to stop growing and she tells me

"but God wants me to grow" and well.....I can't argue with that.

This is my boy (like you didn't know already) This day was so busy that by the end of the night I had realized I didn't get to see or snuggle my boy at all that day. I missed him.

This is a beautiful dress that Eric's mom made for Erin Marie to play dress up.

For some reason our camera was taking horrible pictures this day, but this dress is beautiful and full of glitter. We all agree this is better than any store bought dress up outfit. Erin asked me this morning if she could wear it to school today.

This is part of the crazy present opening process

We like to do art projects, so I picked up these cheap ceramic pony's for the girls to paint.

They had a good time

Cake Time!

The most expensive cake I have ever paid for. EVER!! I will never do that again.

This was actually before the party, little miss diva was giving me some poses.

Yet another pose, she is a precious girl.

Little Monkeys

So the kids and I have had a little too much togetherness lately. They were sick for about two weeks and Erin still has a cough. Which meant that we spent a lot lot lot of time at home inside together! I can't tell who was the crabbiest the kids or me. It was probably a tie. Anyway needless to say I have dealt with bad attitude, sever temper tantrums and the most unusual disagreements between a 2 and 3 year old. For a while I thought I might lose my mind. This however, makes it all worth it. This is why I stay home with my babies.

Oh My Gracious!! I love this Boy!

This is my boy! Aiden Nathaniel can melt my heart at times and other times cause me to completely lose my patience. This however is one of those times he melts my heart. The top picture we were at our church fall festival and were walking to the bouncy house. He stopped in front of me grabbed my legs and said in the sweetest little voice:
"I love you momma!"
Oh my word I just wanted to squeeze him and never let go.
Aiden has also started talking so much that he has developed a slight stutter. He just gets to talking to fast and can't get his words out. Yesterday he suddenly discovered that he has a problem and would get hung up on the word "you"
This won't be the same as actually hearing him say this but here is an idea of what it sounds like.
"yu yu yu yu yu....Ohhhhhh( in a growling voice) I bedder slow down" (giggle giggle)
It was so cute I couldn't help but laugh and smile at him. He's so smart it didn't take him long to realize that when we tell him to slow down we mean slow down his speech so he can get his words out.
I LOVE HIM!! Thank you God for this precious little boy!

Uncle Matthew.....he's kinda silly

The little girl you hear screaming is actually Ethan. Then there is Barnabas who is also screaming in the background

More of silly uncle Matthew. When we went to Ohio for our interview last week, there was a little boy named Ethan that was there for her to play with. On finding out that his name was Ethan she began to tell the pastor about her cousins, the conversation sounded like this:

Erin: .....I have an Ethan too, and there's Maddie, aunt Cindi and uncle Matthew...but he's kinda silly.

She loves her uncle Matthew.

Washable Markers

This is why we use washable markers. This is also what happens when mommy doesn't feel good and isn't paying attention to what the kids are doing. After he had done this he also filled is diaper and so as I was trying to get him clean with a wash cloth he began to get impatient with me, he started to get sweaty and the marker slowly dripped down his forehead. Then he got really mad at me because the wet washcloth was not getting it off of his hand quick enough and he started to cry. Now the marker is getting in his eye dripping down his nose and into his mouth. It was at this point I decided I was just going to put him in the tub and hose him down. As I was washing him, he was screaming at me because he does not like the shower head, he likes the bath better, so I used this as a nice teaching moment. This is how the conversation went between Aiden and I:

Aiden: (screaming) I want bath....I want bath....

Me: I'm trying to hurry up Aiden, I just want to get you clean, it's not really bath time.

Aiden: (screaming) NO!!!

Me: Aiden, are you going to write on yourself with a marker again.

Aiden: (in the saddest little tiny voice) no.

What am I supposed to learn from this?

Wow it has been a very stressful day for me. I don't mean to sound selfish it has been a stressful day for many in my family today and my heart is hurting for them. I'm just not sure where to begin with all that is going through my head today. I have this feeling in the pit of my stomach, like I have a boulder sitting right in the middle. I feel at any moment I could "toss my cookies", I'm a little shaky as well.

So here's the story. I told you in my last post that Eric and I were going to Indiana for an interview. What I didn't tell you is that Thursday before we went I was in a small car accident. It was very minor and no one was hurt, just very inconvenient. I was actually on my way to get Erin from preschool. It was at a four way stop and of course there is a disagreement as to whose turn it was. Anyway long story short today is the day that I took my car to get it looked at by the other persons insurance. So far things have gone very easy and it seems even her insurance carrier agrees it was not my fault. I just got a little nervous that it wouldn't go well this morning, this is all new to me because my last car accident was when I was sixteen. I had to go by myself with my two kids, who by the way were extremely well behaved. Turns out it went very well I didn't have to answer any questions, he basically checked out my car and gave me the papers. We still have to wait for the police report and for them to finish the "investigation". (I'm not really fond of that word, it makes me feel a little like a criminal)

Back to the interview. Friday morning we had our interview and it went well....I think. I am always second guessing myself after the fact. I judge myself pretty harshly. I want this so badly for Eric and for myself and our family. After talking with the pastor we really felt like this is a family and community oriented church. It seems to be the perfect fit for us. Who knows the other six people were probably thinking the same thing. So after we left we were told Monday or Tuesday we should hear something. So here we are Monday at 4:11p.m. and still haven't heard anything. My mind is wandering and I know you won't be surprised by this but here are a few thoughts I have had today.
"we haven't heard because he doesn't want to disappoint us."
"They have probably already called the person they want and are just holding off on telling the rest of us."
"did we say something that would have completely changed his mind"
"We've been out of the ministry for a year....who's going to want us now."
So now if we don't hear anything by the end of today, I have to go through this another day.

On a side note: this is also Eric's birthday. I am feeling bad because we have had so much going on this last weekend that I haven't had time to plan anything. I realize that birthdays are not all about the presents but I am also feeling bad because I haven't gotten him anything either. He is always so good at making sure I feel celebrated and loved on my birthday. I want so badly to one year really surprise him and make him feel loved and supported. On top of that because we are down to one car the poor guy has to take the bus home from work. Now I don't mean to sound like I am complaining I am just explaining my feelings of "why God why?"

Now for my last and final concern for the day. My uncle is in the hospital today. He went in last night and has been in for the day. I know it has to do with his heart but that it was not a heart attack yet. I have not heard an update but I'm sure I would have heard if things had gotten worse. As far as I know it's good he went in and that they have caught this in it's early stages. I know that for any family it is hard to hear a loved one is in the hospital. I just know that even though we all don't see each other as often as we would all like, we are a very close family. It is hard because my grandpa died at such a young age and I know that this thought has probably crossed other minds today. We are all praying for you uncle Charlie and love you very much.

I am blessed to be a part of such a strong christian family that we can ban together and lift each other up in prayer. What touches me the most is that even in this unexpected occurrence with my uncle, I am still getting messages from aunts and cousins that they are praying for Eric and I as well.

So in all of this I am wondering what is the lesson today? What should I take from this all? I know that I will make it through this day, maybe even a little bit stronger than I was. I know that I am thankful for this day even in all the trials.

" Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,..." Psalm 105:1-5

A prayer Request

So for all my blog followers, (which I know are mostly family and friends) I am asking for a little prayer for Eric and I. We will be driving to Terra Haute Indiana tomorrow morning in the very early hours to meet with a pastor about a potential youth pastor position. I am anxious and excited about this. I have such a good feeling about this church and am fearing disappointment. God has gotten us this far for a reason and I am praying as well as Eric that this turn into a job for him. I'm not sure if I'm making sense, I've had a long day but wanted to recruit some prayer warriors on our behalf. We are one of five candidates they are looking at and things may change after tomorrow but as of right now we are both excited about the possibility of taking this job. We shall see. I will keep you updated. Thanks in advance for the prayers. Oh and our meeting time is 9:30 a.m. Indiana time and 8:30 a.m. Illinois time. Also pray that we make it there safely.