Be Joyful Always!!!

To be perfectly honest, I am getting pretty bored.  I am so used to running around from different activities with the kids, involvement with church things, school commitments, and such.  It is such a strange feeling to have NOTHING on the calendar.  As a matter of fact, I don't even have a calendar here.   Before we left I looked at the calendar on the fridge made sure I cancelled all dr/dentist appointments and other commitments  and left it there.  I'm not sure why I left it there.  I think mostly because I didn't know where I would put it here at the new house.  I did that with a lot of my stuff.  I didn't have time to think about anything so if it wasn't a no brainer it didn't come.  So here I sit.  My days are long.  I find myself wishing the time away.  Wishing that is was 11:15 just so I can have something to do. (pick up Jude) From there I wish it to be 3 (time to pick up Madels) and so on throughout the day.  When I look at the week ahead I laugh at the fact that the appointment for a plumber to come fix a few things is a highlight.  But I don't want to wish this time away.  I was talking to my mom and she reminded me again that God has me and my family right here right now for his purpose.  She said "isn't it exciting to find out what it is!"  It is so exciting! I want to see his will played out in my life.  But guess what?  I won't see it until I seek it.  Until I take the time, the crazy amount of time that I have, and do what he calls me to do.  And that is,

¹⁶Be happy [in your faith] and rejoice and be glad-hearted continually (always);

¹⁷Be unceasing in prayer [praying perseveringly];

    ¹⁸Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will].  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Amplified Bible

A few years back I claimed this verse as my verse for the year.  I'm not sure what I thought that meant, having a verse for the year, but it has really stuck with me.  I love how the amplified bible.........well, amplifies everything.  To me being unceasing in prayer means not only setting aside time day after day, but I also want to have His name on my lips all throughout the day.  It can be so simple.  I can be unceasing in prayer by just simply speaking His name, speaking a breath prayer, or singing a worship song   I want to daily spend time in prayer and His word.  I want to seek His will for me every day.  I am thanking God for this experience.  My kids are loving being here, they are making lots of great friends and are having the greatest time riding their bikes, walking to school, and eating dinner with friends.  I am thanking God for providing me with a ridiculous amount of time.  And even though I am not loving being away from Matt for the time being, I am thanking God for an incredible hard working husband who is doing everything he can to make this transition smooth for us. 
God's will for me right now, is to be here.  But it is also for me to be praying and thanking him.  And as I do he will reveal exactly what it is we are doing here. :)





And here is a recap in pictures of my time filled week. 

Fun evening with cousins for dinner!!!

A bike ride to the park

Pretty awesome slide

If only there were two of these my problems would be solved.

And only if this was as bouncy as it looked, it would be way more fun.

Talking on the phone with Daddy

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.  

I don't think Jude realized he had his helmet on and I decided it wasn't a bad idea for him to keep it on. 

Then right before we left he said, "mom you know why I still have this helmet on? Because I thought there might be a merry-go-round here and I didn't want to get hurt"

Sure Jude you just keep telling yourself that. Ha

What a beautiful little cap! 

Madels wanted me to take a picture of this and i was being lazy and didn't want to get the camera out so I said no.  Ever the drama queen, she said "What? I have never seen one of these before, so you are going to take this memory away from me? How am I supposed to remember this?" WOW Madels.

So here you go child.  Enjoy. :)

Pretty sky just before a large storm came through.  The kids had a great time watching the lightning.  

We just can't get enough of Baby Anna and the rest of the Stutzman Crew!

Both Mark and Matt are gone so Carly and I got together at their place for dinner.  It was so nice spending time with Carly and having adult conversation.  They actually have TV so my kids were glued to that!  And when they could pry their poor television deprived eyes away from it they had lots of fun playing in the backyard with Jackson and Waylon in the sand box and running around in the grass. 

Carly also made some yummy stir-fry and the most delicious strawberry-raspberry sherbet EVER!!!  

Madels discovering that she has outgrown baby swings.

And here's my favorite thing.  Loose teeth.  Gag!

   

How awesome is this?!! I was so sad that we had to leave our tomato plants at home before we even had a chance to enjoy any of them.  But I was happy very that my cousin has been watering them and enjoying them for me. And then guess what? Here came my neighbor with a basket of cucumbers and tomatoes! Yippeeee There is nothing quite like tomatoes from the garden.  

This is where I drop the kids off for school in the morning.  It is about a 10 minute walk from our house to here.  And a much shorter walk on the way home when it is just me. :) most of the kids in the neighborhood walk to school so we all kind of travel together.  It takes a little bit of extra effort to get out the door in time. (especially considering that we are already starting 45 minutes earlier than last year) but it is a nice walk and I know all too soon the weather is going to be super cold and I will be missing these nice warm days and walks outside. 

I would also like to add that Jude despises having his picture taken.  Basically any picture you see was preceded with a bribe or a threat or I used a sneak attach method.