Update

For those of you that have not yet heard, I did not get the position that I interviewed for. I am still excited though because this just means that God has something else in store for us. Not only that, but I get another year with Declan in Kindergarten that I get to spend hanging out with Alaina and having some more one on one time with her. I would have been very happy to get the position, but I'm also happy that I am able to stay home a little longer with my kids.

On another note, I am going to continue to pursue my photography business. So don't forget, for every person you refer, you get $10 off your next session, refer 10 friends or more and you get a free session!

Perfect Day

Today was the perfect day for the kids to play out in the snow. It got up in the 40's, the wind wasn't strong, and I got to shovel the driveway and the walkway. They got to run around and get out all their energy, we purposely skipped nap time today so that they would crash tonight and it was VERY successful!!! Other than waking up to another inch of snow on the ground, it was a good day. Apparently we're supposed to get more snow tomorrow, Monday, and Wednesday. I love winter, but I'm ready for spring. So, with all the snow we have received lately, the plows have been coming through the subdivision frequently and pushed all the snow into the yards as best as possible, but apparently it wasn't good enough for the mail person. We haven't been receiving our mail because he/she can't get to our mailbox, so I guess we'll have to make daily trips to the post office (which I don't even know where it is in Wentzville).

On another note, I just realized that I have a midterm on my birthday next week and a regular exam on Valentines day...BOO! Oh well, such is life, not too much longer though!!!!!

New Possibilities

I applied for a position and have gone through two sets of questionnaires and I have a phone interview on Saturday at 3:00. I am super excited about this position but I am extremely nervous about the interview. Any prayers would be greatly appreciated! Not only would this job be perfect for my type of personality, but it would be a great place to work as well as people to work for!

On another note, Pat is so close to finishing his BA!!!! I couldn't be more proud of him. He has done such an amazing job with school, family, work, and everything else life has thrown our way. He is my hero! He graduates in May with his BA and will possibly be going for his MBA immediately afterwards. He is still undecided on that.
I finish in June and I am SOOO happy! I feel like these last few years we have accomplished so much, but we couldn't have done it without God by our side! I have learned so much and feel like I have grown so much spiritually and mentally. I can't wait to see what God has in store for us this upcoming year. I am so excited!!!

Declan's head is looking worse (it's a HUGE blue bruise now) but the swelling has gone down so there is no longer a bump on his forhead. He's such a trooper. He told me that he was "very brave" for letting the nurse put an ice pack on his head :o) We are signing him up to play t-ball this spring/summer. A friend of ours is going to coach the team and Cohen (their son) will be on the team with Declan. He seems excited about it now, but we'll see. He still talks about wanting to do gymnastics, which he loved, but there aren't too many places out by us that offer that. Anyway, that's our life at the moment!

Today it happened

While out shopping, I got a phone call from Declan's school saying that he had an accident. At first I thought they meant in his pants, but they didn't. He was running into the bathroom and ran smack into another kid's head. He has a HUGE goose egg on his head, poor guy. They said he cried and they put some ice on it, they also had their nurse look at it. His teacher said that this looks good compared to what it looked like when it first happened. Here are some pictures of his first school related injury :(

It's that time of year again

It's the new year, once again, and even though I am a little behind I feel the need to list my 2011 goals. So here they are for your viewing pleasure...I know you're all just dying to know what they are:

* I want to give more to people that are in need whether it be financial, time, or material things

* I want to tithe 3% more than we did last year

* I want to lose 30-50 pounds this year

* Once I graduate I am going to put ALOT more effort into my photography business

* I want to go on a vacation with my family

* I want to go visit my brother and sister in law in CA

I know it seems pretty typical, but I am one of those people that always makes the resolutions and never seems to be able to stick to them. So far this year, we have been able to bless 3 different families in need with clothing for their children and I've lost about 3 pounds since the end of December. So far, so good. I will try to keep updating as much as I can remember to do so. I hope you all have a blessed new year, I anxiously await to see what God has in store for us this year!

Please pray with me

A family in our church has just experienced a loss that I can't even imagine. This woman and her husband have 2 children already and were excited when they found out that she was pregnant again. She had many complications throughout her pregnancy, but they had faith in God that he would carry them through and keep their baby healthy. Earlier this week her water broke (six weeks early) and she went into the hospital. The doctors gave her steroids to help develop the baby's lungs and they had scheduled a c-section for today at 3pm. This morning she had some complications: the baby's heart rate dropped and she started bleeding so they did an emergency c-section. The baby has gone home to heaven. I can't imagine what this family is going through right now, but through it all, they still continue to praise God and keep their faith. Please pray with me for this family during this difficult time.

God is in control and God is good.

The coming year

With 2010 coming to an end, I can't help but look back to see all the things that have happened. I've learned so much and I also am looking forward to what God is going to do in 2011!

Here are some of the things I thought of while thinking about our past year starting from January:
*We stepped out on faith with telling our apartment complex we weren't staying, uncertain if we would be able to rent the house. We had faith that God was going to bless us.
*Pat lost his job and was able to stay with us for 4 months. Even though it was tough at times, I felt blessed just as much!
*I started my photography business
*Pat got a job working for Camden, only 10 minutes from our house.
*Declan started school, and learned how to write on top of everything else he's learning.
*Alaina's speech is improving weekly
*God has given us more than enough this year so that we could be a blessing to others, whether it was through our time, finances, or just a helping hand.
*I was able to quit my job to stay home with my kids as well as help out a friend of ours by watching their baby while they work.
*Met many new and amazing people through serving at church.
*Learned ALOT on forgiveness, patience, and compassion.
*Alaina is potty trained!!!!

These are just some of the things that have happened over the past year. I am anxious to see what 2011 will look like, especially since Pat and I will have our bachelor's degrees, Declan will be in kindergarten and Alaina will hopefully be in preschool. I know that God is going to do some amazing things in the upcoming year! I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and trust that you will have a blessed and Happy New Year!