Change of Plans Pt. Two

Back in May I discussed how plans change.  Well it looks like plans have changed yet again.

As each day goes by things change.  There are many times I wake up with an agenda but at the end of the day I see that agenda was not completed or even started.  Sometimes I wonder why bother keeping a schedule or making lists if they don't work.  But the truth is I am a type A personality so I will always make lists and have an agenda.  Even if they don't get completed I feel responsible because I wrote it down.  LOL!

Over the past few months our world has definitely been shaken around a bit. I will not lie my faith was greatly tested over the past few months and there were times I was at a loss and overwhelmed.  I remember wanting to crawl into a hole.  I was so afraid to go to sleep after Carl's surgery because I didn't know if he would wake up.  The mortality of my child's life smacked me right in the face and I must say I had a difficult time coping.  I put on a brave face but inside I was scared out of my mind.  Thank God though I have an amazing support system.  And most importantly I knew God was there, even though I questioned Him and became frustrated with Him I knew that He would see us through.

So here we are a couple months after Carl's surgery, our world seems like it is settling for the time being.  But with that settle comes change.  This change was me going back to work.  As I mentioned back in May I made the decision to stay at home.  Well as much as I wanted to continue this path it was made clear after his surgery I would not be able to do this.  Because unfortunately even with medical insurance surgery comes with cost.  I knew that I would need to find something.  Fortunately after much talk we realized I needed to only find part time work.  But then it turned into the question, Where?  I prayed and I knew God would show us the path.  Well I must say God knew all along what He was doing.  A good friend of mine sent me an email to see if I would be interested in temping at DHS (Department of Human Services) two days a week.  I couldn't believe it.  I of course took the opportunity.  And now I am employed as a Caseworker.  I get to utilize my education and learn so much more.  And I only work 16 hours a week!!

In addition to finding good work.  God also opened the door for a good friend to come to our home and watch Carl while John and I are at work!!  So even though the plan was to stay at home the plan changed but God had it already figured out.  I would find myself thinking too much and getting worried but when I pull out and look at the big picture it is amazing to see how everything fell into place.  I couldn't have worked it out better by myself.  Which just goes to show I need to stop trying to work it out and give it to God.  Because this is definitely a testament to His power.

I am so thankful.  And I appreciate Timisha and Wendie so much!  Thank you ladies for being part of our lives.  God has utilized you both tremendously and I know He will continue to do so in many other ways!

Everything that has happened in the past couple months has brought a scripture to my heart.  Ecclesiastes 3:1

For everything there is a season,
a time for every activity under heaven.

Sometimes our seasons will be joyous, other times they will be heartbreaking.  But in all seasons God is there loving, listening, and providing.

Where Have I Been? Pt. Two

Hey so a couple weeks ago I posted what has been going on and where have we been. Here is the second installment, and hopefully the last. It depends on how much I get on here before I get tired or Carl wakes up.

So I just want to say in doing this update I am looking at pics to remember what has been going on! Thank the Lord I am a compulsive picture taker and chronicle our lives in pictures.

I have tried to give a monthly update on Carl. The June update was a lot different compared to the July update.  And now I find myself a couple days shy of 6 months and I realize I didn't do a 5 month update.  Since Carl's surgery it seems like the days have been flying by.  And he is growing so much.  In August we started Carl on rice cereal!!  Here is a few pictures to tell that story.

Carl's first time in his chair, I think he is happy with it.

Really happy!

So how are we gonna do this. . .

Here comes the first bite!

Hmmm. . .

Well this is new and interesting!

Another first for Carl in August was going swimming!  I unfortunately did not take any pictures since I was in the water too. To clarify Carl didn't actually swim lol.  His cousin Alex had part of his birthday at the Clackamas Aquatic Park so we got Carl in some little swimmers and his swim trunks and sat in the water with him.  He thought it was the funniest thing ever.  The waves would splash up against him and he would giggle with delight. I am looking forward into getting this little boy into swim lessons!!

Shortly after Carl turned 5 months we went camping with John's Uncle Gary and Aunt Sherril for Labor Day weekend.  That was a learning experience.  I learned don't go in with expectations.  The weather was deceiving.  It looked nice out but it was really cold. I learned that though the fishing might be really good one moment, the next moment not so much.  I learned that people will steal at anytime and any place.  Someone straight up took Aunt Sherril's canoe.  We got it back, John and Gary found it on the other side of the lake.  But really, who takes a canoe for a joyride? LOL!  And on this tripped I learned Carl was ready to move to solids.  He was literally eating every two hours and at night he was eating every hour!!  So despite some lessons learned.  We enjoyed ourselves.  It was Carl's first camping trip.  Our first time camping with Uncle Gary and Aunt Sherril.  And my first time fishing since I was 13.  And on the way home from the camping trip I got my first speeding ticket!! Yay for lots of firsts!! LOL!  Here some pics from camping.

Caught my limit in an hour!!!

Hanging out in the Pack n Play!

John was happy to see the tent set up by the time he got there!

With my little boy who is mesmerized by the fire.

Aunt Sherril with Carl.

Three Creek Lake (looked warm huh?)

Hanging out down by the water.

Look at my big boy!

Stewie was having the time of his life!

The place was beautiful.

Kisses from Daddy!

Family Photo Op

Getting ready to go on the canoe!

So there it is for now.  Summer is over and Autumn is here.  Soon very soon Carl will be six months.  I hope everyone had a wonderful safe summer and here is to the rest of the year!!!

Where Have I Been? Pt. One

Wow! It's been a month since I last posted! Where have I been? What has been going on? Let me tell you! It's been go go go! And when I wasn't go go go. Carl was!!

So where do I start? The past month has been busy and great! Early in August (from the 7th to 14th to be exact) the best brother in the world came for a visit!
It was a great visit. This was the first time my little brother was meeting his nephew! And talk about love at first sight!
The week was full of baby love and keeping my brother busy. Sunday was a day full of church and then wrapped up the day with Capture the Flag, the little brother got some good exercise!






















That week we went to the zoo. It was a full family affair with my sister in-law and her fam! It was good to take all the kids. It gives us a preview of things yet to come! Carl is super fortunate to have a couple cousins close in age! And in Lucy's word we got to see "Raffiki!!" and "Simba!". Carl did alright it was his first time in his stroller without being in the carseat! I think he did pretty good. Here are some pics from the zoo visit!






















































































During the week my brother was here there was a short visit from my friend Shay!!! Can't wait until she moves here. She got to meet Carl. Pics describe best the evolution of that visit. . .



During Shay's mini visit she met Carl, I got us lost, went to Hawthorne, and found a good cheap place for drinks where we were asked if we wanted to smoke weed! But hey we went through the DARE program, so we said no! Then Shay went home. :(

Then it was back to just my bro. There as a visit to the Historic Hwy 30! My brother got to see the falls along the way. And this was Carl's first visit there too! So to spare you written details here are some pics. Pics are always fun!


































































































































We wrapped up my brother's visit with a trip to Pacific City, and the Tillamook County Fair. My brother climbed a huge sand dune. Enjoyed some rides at the fair where he then proceeded to puke (oops I don't think I was supposed to say anything). We also enjoyed time with my Kayleen's brood, and Aunt Pam and Uncle Mark. My brother really enjoyed spending time with Uncle Mark and seeing their home he is building. It really gave my little brother some motivation. So here are the rest of the pics of the trip!























































































































So this is an overload. And there is still so much more. I would love to continue but unfortunately Mr. Carl is demanding attention.

Stay tuned for part two!